Early Civilizations in India

2500 BC – 256 BCCh3 Sect 1

Geography of Indian Subcontinent

• Subcontinent- large landmass that juts out from a continent

• 3 of world’s 10 most populous countries- India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh

Northern Plain

• Fertile region due to Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra Rivers

• Carry melting snow from mountains to the plains making agriculture possible

• Rivers are sacred to Indian people

Himalaya Mountains

Mountains caused Indian people and culture to remain isolated

Deccan• Triangular plateau- raised

level of land• Most of area is arid,

unproductive, and sparsely populated

Coastal Plains

• Small rivers and seasonal rains provide area with water for farming

• Eastern and Western Ghats

• Monsoon- seasonal wind• October, winter

monsoons blow from NE and bring hot, dry air that wither crops

• June, wet summer monsoons blow from SW-pick up moisture from Indian Ocean and drench land with daily downpours

• If rains are late, famine may occur but if rains are early deadly floods occur

Indus Valley Civilization• Emerged in Indus River valley about 2500 BC.

Flourished about 1000 years and vanished• Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro (moh HEHN joh Dah

roh) twin capitals possibly• Along Indus River, 3 miles in circumference, huge

warehouses for grain, and a fortress• Laid out in grid pattern, houses built of oven-fired

clay brick, modern plumbing, baths, drains, water chutes, sewers beneath streets.

• Uniform weights and measures

Harappa

Government• Well organized, powerful leaders, possibly priest-

kings, made sure all had steady supply of food• Buildings suggest government planners• Had to have mathematical skills to put together

Farming and Trade

• Most Indus Valley people were farmers• First to cultivate cotton and weave into cloth• Area close to Arabian Sea and Persian Gulf so

easily reach Sumer. Contact caused system of writing to be born

• Cuneiform shows no relationship to Sumer• Traded cotton, grain, copper, pearls, and ivory

Religion

• Polytheistic• Mother goddess, source of creation• Sacred bulls that later influenced veneration,

or special regard for, cattle

Disappearance• Indus Valley cities were

declining. Standards not as good, pottery turned crude

• Too many trees cut down, volcanic eruption blocked Indus which flooded city, devastating earthquake?!?!?! 1500 BC

• Aryans migrated here and overran the Indus region as well

Kingdoms of the Ganges

Aryan Civilization• Somewhat nomadic• Only know what Vadas tells us, collection of

prayers and hymns. 1500BC-500BC Vedic Age• Warriors who fought in chariots, loved eating,

drinking, and music

Expansion and Change• Aryan tribes led by rajahs- chief, most skilled

warrior, elected by people• Eventually tribes settled down and learned farming

and spread out around Ganges River, 800 BC• 500 BC new Indian civilization emerged consisting

of many rival kingdoms due to acculturation- blending of two or more cultures

Aryan Groups• Divided people by occupation• Brahmins- priests

Kshatriyas (kuh shat ree yuhz)- warriorsVaisyas (vis yuhz)- herders, farmers, artisans, merchantsSudras- Dravidians (people they conquered) and non-Aryans) farm workers, servants; lowest level of society

• (dalits- considered outside the caste system)• Eventually gave rise to caste system, social group

born in to and can’t change

Aryan Religion• Polytheistic- gods embodied natural forces• Brahmins could call on gods for health, wealth, and

victory in war• Move towards worshiping brahman- single spiritual

power beyond the gods• Also move towards mystics- people who devote life

to seeking spiritual truth

Literature• Sanskrit- written language that priests used to write down sacred texts

• Mahabharata- India’s greatest epic, 100,000 verses. Aryan tribes fighting for Ganges. 5 royal brothers, Pandavas, lose area to cousins but take back after huge battle. Discusses Indian religious beliefs, immortality of the soul, and importance of duty

• Ramayana- Rama’s bride Sita is kidnapped by demon-king Ravana and story it all about Rama getting his bride back

• Stories evolved over time and different morals come from them like role models and loyalty