Indus and Ganges River Indus and Ganges River ValleysValleys

Coach ParrishCoach Parrish

OMSOMS

Chapter 4, Section 1Chapter 4, Section 1

India’s Geographic SettingIndia’s Geographic Setting

Geographers refer to India as a Geographers refer to India as a subcontinentsubcontinent – large landmass that juts – large landmass that juts out from a continent.out from a continent.

Two mountain ranges (Hindu Kush, Two mountain ranges (Hindu Kush, Himalayas) cut India off from Asia. These Himalayas) cut India off from Asia. These ranges, along with various water sources, ranges, along with various water sources, have helped shape India’s history.have helped shape India’s history.

Hindu Kush and Himalayan Hindu Kush and Himalayan Mountain RangesMountain Ranges

Map of IndiaMap of India

Climate of MonsoonsClimate of Monsoons

India’s climate is dominated by the India’s climate is dominated by the monsoonsmonsoons – strong winds that blow across – strong winds that blow across the region at certain times of the year.the region at certain times of the year.

From October to May, the winter monsoon From October to May, the winter monsoon blows dry air across the country. In June, blows dry air across the country. In June, the wind blows off the Indian Ocean, the wind blows off the Indian Ocean, creating moisture that drenches the plains.creating moisture that drenches the plains.

The rains help the crops to grow, giving The rains help the crops to grow, giving food to the people.food to the people.

Monsoon MapMonsoon Map

Barriers and PathwaysBarriers and Pathways

Even though mountain ranges cut India off Even though mountain ranges cut India off from Asia, gaps in the ranges have been from Asia, gaps in the ranges have been the source of both migration and invasion. the source of both migration and invasion.

The Indus and Ganges rivers begin in the The Indus and Ganges rivers begin in the mountain ranges and empty into the Bay mountain ranges and empty into the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea.of Bengal and Arabian Sea.

Life in the Indus River ValleyLife in the Indus River Valley

In the Indus River Valley, the rich soil In the Indus River Valley, the rich soil caused a surplus of food, allowing caused a surplus of food, allowing populations to grow. Two cities flourished, populations to grow. Two cities flourished, Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro. Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro.

Ancient City PlannersAncient City Planners

The ruins of Mohenjo-Daro show how The ruins of Mohenjo-Daro show how carefully the city was planned. It was built carefully the city was planned. It was built above ground level which protected it from above ground level which protected it from floods.floods.

Homes were built on one side of the city, Homes were built on one side of the city, public buildings on the other. The public buildings on the other. The citadelcitadel – fortress, stood on the highest point. The – fortress, stood on the highest point. The citadel held the most important buildings in citadel held the most important buildings in the city.the city.

Ancient City Planners, cont.Ancient City Planners, cont.

Unlike most ancient cities of the time, Unlike most ancient cities of the time, Mohenjo-Daro had a drainage system. Mohenjo-Daro had a drainage system. Clay pipes carried waste away from Clay pipes carried waste away from homes and buildings.homes and buildings.

There was also a canal system which There was also a canal system which distributed water from the Indus River to distributed water from the Indus River to where it was needed.where it was needed.

Mohenjo-Daro RuinsMohenjo-Daro Ruins

Life in Mohenjo-DaroLife in Mohenjo-Daro

In the city, merchants sold their goods In the city, merchants sold their goods from shops that lined the streets. Traders from shops that lined the streets. Traders came from all over to buy and sell goods. came from all over to buy and sell goods. The citizens lived in homes with open The citizens lived in homes with open courtyards.courtyards.

The language of the people is still a The language of the people is still a mystery, but their writings (symbols) mystery, but their writings (symbols) appear on square seals. They were a appear on square seals. They were a polytheistic religion.polytheistic religion.

Square Seal – Mohenjo-DaroSquare Seal – Mohenjo-Daro

Mysterious DeclineMysterious Decline

Around 2000 BC, Indus valley farmers Around 2000 BC, Indus valley farmers began to abandon their land. Historians began to abandon their land. Historians are unsure why the early people of the are unsure why the early people of the valley declined. Some speculate a valley declined. Some speculate a massive earthquake or barren farm land.massive earthquake or barren farm land.

A New Culture ArisesA New Culture Arises

The newcomers to India called themselves The newcomers to India called themselves Aryans, which meant “noble.” They Aryans, which meant “noble.” They migratedmigrated – or moved to India following – or moved to India following their flocks.their flocks.

Over time, people adopted the culture of Over time, people adopted the culture of the Aryans and mixed them with Indian the Aryans and mixed them with Indian cultures.cultures.

Aryan Culture Spreads Aryan Culture Spreads

The new culture began in the Indus river The new culture began in the Indus river valley. It spread to the Ganges valley, valley. It spread to the Ganges valley, where people adopted the language.where people adopted the language.

People learned how to make iron tools, People learned how to make iron tools, clearing forests for farmlands.clearing forests for farmlands.

Aryan LifeAryan Life

Most of what historians know about the Most of what historians know about the Aryans comes from religious books known Aryans comes from religious books known as the Vedas, which means “knowledge.”as the Vedas, which means “knowledge.”

Aryans organized themselves into 4 social Aryans organized themselves into 4 social classes. 1)Priests or Brahmans, 2) classes. 1)Priests or Brahmans, 2) warriors and nobles, 3) artisans and warriors and nobles, 3) artisans and merchants, 4) farm workers, servantsmerchants, 4) farm workers, servants

Social OrderSocial Order

By 500 BC, there was a distinct division of By 500 BC, there was a distinct division of classes. It was known as the classes. It was known as the castecaste – or – or class system. People belonged to the class system. People belonged to the caste of their parents. People inside a caste of their parents. People inside a caste did the same type work.caste did the same type work.

The caste system is still in place in India The caste system is still in place in India today.today.