Rise of Civilization Indus River Valley Civilization 1500

Rise of Civilization Indus River Valley Civilization (1500 – 3500 B. C. ) first Indian civilization: built well-planned cities on the banks of the Indus River Indian culture of today has its roots in early Indus River Valley civilization

Geography of Indian Subcontinent: landmass that includes India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh Separated from the rest of Asia by world’s tallest mountain ranges

Geography of Indian Subcontinent -mountains to north & desert to east protect Indus Valley from invasion -southern India: dry plateau flanked by mountains -narrow ribbon of tropical land along coast

Geography of Indian Subcontinent monsoons: seasonal winds that dominate India’s climate winter monsoons are dry summer winds bring rain, can cause flooding rainfall = unpredictable; frequent droughts, flooding

Indus Civilization Emerges Indus Valley Civilization influenced area larger than did Mesopotamia or Egypt 7000 B. C. = evidence of agriculture & domesticated animals 3200 B. C. = farming villages established along Indus River

Indus Civilization -Indus Valley Civilization also called Harrapan Civilization -included 1000+ settlements -Harappa = capital city located in present-day Pakistan highly organized, planned city still large city today

Indus Valley Civilization Planned Communities Harappa -large capital city -located in present-day Pakistan -highly organized, planned city -buildings made of brick & laid out on a grid system

Urban Planning Harappa and Mohenjo Daro city built on mud-brick platform brick walls protect city and citadel wide streets, rows of houses plumbing & sewage systems

Harrapan Government and Religion rulers based power on belief in divine help close link between religion and political power royal palaces also served as temples

Harrapan Economy -based on agriculture -wheat, barley, peas -engaged in trading -Indus Valley goods traded as far away as Mesopotamia -also traded luxury goods for Sumerian textiles ✦copper, lumber, precious stones, cotton

Language -writing system of 300 symbols scientists still unable to decipher Leisure Time -toys & games suggest prosperity -artifacts found include different types of dice, elaborate toys, board games

End of Harrapan Civilization -decline of Harrapan Civilization remains a mystery begins around 1750 B. C Possible Factors: -flooding or earthquake -change in climate -environmental change caused by human settlement -change in course of Indus River -influx of nomadic Aryan people from central Asia