MR. BURTONIndia: 5.1

Bell-Ringer: What do you know of India?

Facts on India

Most populated country in the WORLD!

Two main religions are: Hinduism and Buddhism

Developed a caste system

Constant battles

One of its natural boundaries are the Himalayan Mountains.

Location, Location, Location

India is located: (Fin, google earth it)

It’s place is:

HI!

Movement

Region

India

HUGE!

Subcontinent: a large landmass that is smaller than a continent.

Put your pencil down after you are finished.

The importance of the Himalayas

Many rivers flow out of the mountain range.

This helped create the Indus Valley, which in turn is home of one of the first civilizations.

With the flooding of the rivers…this created fertile soil (silt) for farmers.

Monsoons

No, it is not an animal (that’s a mongoose)

They are wind patterns that create very dry and very wet seasons.

The weather can bring severe flooding and anywhere from 100-200 inches of rain PER YEAR!

Harappan Society

The Harappan’s controlled the Indus valley region.

We do not have a lot of information on the Harappan society but what we do know comes from two cities: Harappa and Mohenjo Daro.

Both cities were surrounded by a towering fortress.

Harappan Achievements

Had indoor plumbing and bathrooms.

High quality tools

Weights and measures

Developed India’s first writing system

The Aryan’s take over!!!

Harappan society disappeared around 1700 B.C.

Aryan’s were from Southeast Asia and took over Hindu Kush around 1200 B.C.

What we know about Aryans are from vedas: religious writings. These are poems, hymms, myths, and rituals.

Government and Society

Aryans were nomadic.

Each group had its own leader: Raja

Aryans were like siblings: constantly fighting each other rather than an enemy.

Aryans did not know how to read and write so they had to memorize EVERYTHING!

First language was Sanskrit: oldest and most famous language of ancient India.