Civilizations of India and Pakistan

Chapter 3, Section 1 and 3

NotesTake notes on this section in your own

notebook – you should write down the headings (so on the next slide, “Ancient India – Geography” and you should write down anything that in underlined. Feel free to add any additional information that you find important/interesting!

Ancient India - GeographySubcontinent

HimalayasHindu Kush

Indus RiverNarmada RiverGanges RiverBrahmaputra River

Monsoons were a defining feature of life in the IndusMonsoons are seasonal winds that blow from a certain direction. Bring rain!

Indus River Valley2600 B.C. – lasted about 700 years Very little written documentsWas VERY largeAMAZING Cities

Harappa & Mohenjo – Daro

While watching the video write down what made these cities so amazing!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7ndRwqJYDM3:00 – 5:55

Early Indus Religious BeliefsArchaeologist have speculated about the

religious beliefs of Indus Valley peopleBelieved that the Indus were polytheisticViewed certain animals as sacred including

buffalo and the bullSome think this led to the veneration or special

regard for cattle.

So . . . What happened to in the Indus Valley Civilization?4 Theories

InvadersDecline of resourcesMajor floodingDevastating Earthquake

Aryan Civilization 2000 B.C. – 1500 B.C. Through acculturation or the blending of two

more cultures the Aryans combined with the early Indian people

Learned much about the early Aryans from the VedasThe Vedas are a collection of hymns, chants,

ritual instructions, and other religious teachings

Used in Hinduism

Aryan Civilization

Cows and bulls = wealth in the Aryan society

Aryan tribes were led by chiefs who were called rajahs.

Rajah = most skilled war leader

Aryan CivilizationAryans divided their society into ranked

groupsBrahmins – priestsKshatriyas - warriorsVaisya – Herders, farmers, artisans, and

merchantsSudras (no heritage) farm workers, servants,

and laborsDalits – Did work others didn’t want to do

Caste System

Brahmin Kshatriyas

Vaishyas

Sudra

Dalit

Aryan Religious BeliefsPolytheistic

Worshipped gods/goddesses who embodied natural forces such as sky, sun, storm, fire

Chief diety – Indra – god of warBrahmins gave offerings of food/drinkEventual changes – notion of “brahman” -

single spiritual force that existed beyond many gods – resided in all thingsConnect through mysticism – yoga/meditation

Aryan Literature By 500 B.C. Indian civilization was flourishingRise of writing – Sanskrit

Read passage of The Mahabharata.

Exit Slip – on post it note w/ NAME

How did geography affect civilizations in Ancient India?

List at least 2 ways, and how it impacted how/where people lived.

No Notes!