Indus Valley CivilizationIndus Valley Civilization

Geography of IndiaGeography of India Subcontinent: India, Subcontinent: India,

Pakistan, BangladeshPakistan, Bangladesh

2 Rivers: Indus & Ganges2 Rivers: Indus & Ganges

Landforms: Indo-Landforms: Indo-Gangetic Plain & Deccan Gangetic Plain & Deccan PlateauPlateau

Monsoons: Seasonal Monsoons: Seasonal winds – allow floodingwinds – allow flooding

How it began?How it began? Probably settled through Probably settled through

migrationmigration– Pre 7000 B.C.E.Pre 7000 B.C.E.

Sophisticated city Sophisticated city planningplanning– Brick constructionBrick construction– Grid systemGrid system– Complex plumbingComplex plumbing– Anti-flood platformsAnti-flood platforms– Yet…no proof of institutionsYet…no proof of institutions

Harappan CivilizationHarappan Civilization– 3300 B.C.E. – 1750 B.C.E.3300 B.C.E. – 1750 B.C.E.

The Harappan Civilization

3300 BCE - 2400 BCE

Aerial View of Mohenjo-Daro

Wide View, Mohenjo-Daro

The Great Bath, Mohenjo-Daro

Well & WalkwayWell & Walkway

Harappan CultureHarappan Culture

Language: Written Language: Written Language (symbols)Language (symbols)

Culture: Lack of social Culture: Lack of social divisions, limited conflictdivisions, limited conflict

Religion: Theocracy? (no Religion: Theocracy? (no temple)temple)

Trade: Water transportTrade: Water transport

Art from HarappaArt from Harappa

Harappan Writing

Undecipherable to date.

Male Skeleton, Harappa

Reasons for Decline?Reasons for Decline?

Plate shifts/Environmental problemsPlate shifts/Environmental problems– Rivers dry upRivers dry up– Over exhaustion of soilOver exhaustion of soil

De-urbanization/AryansDe-urbanization/Aryans