Chapter 5: Eastern River Valleys

Section 1: The Indus River Section 1: The Indus River ValleyValley

Indus River Valley

The Indus River flows through The Indus River flows through

Pakistan and India.Pakistan and India. The Harappans settled here around The Harappans settled here around

2500 BC.2500 BC. They built dams to control the Indus They built dams to control the Indus

river.river. They grew barley, wheat, peas, They grew barley, wheat, peas,

melons, and cotton.melons, and cotton. Grew cotton hundreds of years before Grew cotton hundreds of years before

anyone else.anyone else.

Cities

They built their cities on mounds They built their cities on mounds to protect from flooding.to protect from flooding.

Used mud from the river to make Used mud from the river to make bricks, dried them in the sun, and bricks, dried them in the sun, and then fired them in a kiln.then fired them in a kiln.

This made very strong bricks.This made very strong bricks.

Cities of the Indus Valley:Cities of the Indus Valley:

Indus Cities

Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro

Two major cities, 400 miles apart, twin Two major cities, 400 miles apart, twin capitalscapitals

Oldest examples of planned Oldest examples of planned communitiescommunities

Streets crossed at perfect right angles Streets crossed at perfect right angles Planned on a gridPlanned on a grid

Each building had its own well, Each building had its own well, bathroom and drains.bathroom and drains.

Very good sanitation systemVery good sanitation system Protected the health of the Protected the health of the

HarappansHarappans

Each city had a citadel or fortress on a Each city had a citadel or fortress on a

mound at least 40 feet high.mound at least 40 feet high. Mohenjo-Daro had a watertight tank Mohenjo-Daro had a watertight tank

called “The Great Bath”.called “The Great Bath”. Huge granaries stood next to the Great Huge granaries stood next to the Great

Bath.Bath.

Decline of the Harappans No one is sure why they died outNo one is sure why they died out Some believe they depleted their soil.Some believe they depleted their soil. Others say they cut down all of their Others say they cut down all of their

trees to fuel their ovens.trees to fuel their ovens. Another group believes invaders took Another group believes invaders took

over.over. 1700 BC- decline begins1700 BC- decline begins 1200 BC- Aryans take over1200 BC- Aryans take over

A Lost Civilization No one can read Harappan writing.No one can read Harappan writing. No tombs have been found.No tombs have been found. Only info comes from the ruins of Only info comes from the ruins of

Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa.Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa. Tiny seals, made of soap stone were Tiny seals, made of soap stone were

found.found. The seals show animals and suggest the The seals show animals and suggest the

area may have been a jungle at one time.area may have been a jungle at one time.