Chapter 5 Section 1-Ancient India

Chapter 5 Section 1-Ancient India

Geography and Early India

Geography of India

• India is a subcontinent meaning it is part of a larger continent.

• On the Northern border is the highest mountains in the world. They are called the Himalayas.

• India has a hot and humid climate. They have monsoons which are seasonal wind patterns.

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Which continent is the subcontinent of India a part of?

Look at this map on page 125 in your pdf textbook.

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When do the wet monsoons come to India? (hint: look at the map key)

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What large plateau occupies the heart of India?

Harappan Civilization

Located in the Indus River Valley, this civilization grew as irrigation and agriculture improved. Just like other cultures we have studied, the farmers began to produce surpluses of food and towns and cities began to form.

The Harappan civilization formed near Harappa, Pakistan. This civilization thrived from 2300-1700 BC. The other large city in this area was Mohenjo Daro. These were both well-planned cities that had fortresses for protection.

Harappan Achievements

• Indoor plumbing

• Pottery

• Jewelry

• High-quality tools

• A system of weights and measures

• India's first writing system

Aryan Migration

Soon after the Harappan civilization left, a new group arrived in the Indus Valley. They were originally from the Caspian Sea area in Central Asia. They became the dominant group in India.

The Aryans first arrived in the 2000s BC. That's 4000 years ago! Much of what we know about the Aryans comes from the Vedas. The Vedas are a collection of poems, hymns, myths and rituals written by Aryan priests.

Aryan Migration

• As nomads the Aryans took herds of animals as they moved. Then they settled in India and began to farm.

• The Aryans lived in small communities and there was no single ruling authority. Each group had its own leader known as a raja.

• Sometimes the rajas didn't get along and went to war against each other.

Language

• The first Aryans did not read or write. They memorized poems and hymns.

• The language used to write the poems and hymns was called Sanskrit.

• Sanskrit is no longer spoken today, but it is the root of many modern South Asian languages.

Multiple Select

From which direction did the Aryans come to India?

• Northwest

• Southwest

• Northeast

• Southeast