Geography of India

Geography of India

Ancient India developed on the Indian subcontinent. The countries of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka were all part of Ancient India.

Modern India

The Himalayas

These towering peaks are the highest mountains in the world [Mount Everest, 29,035 feet] the highest mountain in the world.

They formed a natural barrier between ancient India and the rest of Asia.

Multiple Choice

The ______mountain range are the highest mountains in the world.

• Hindu Kush

• Himalaya [Mount Everest]

Isolation

• Himalayas to the North

• Hindu Kush to the North East

• To the south, the Arabian Sea, the Indian Ocean, and the Bay of Bengal

What are the effects?

This isolation meant that civilizations developed on the Indian subcontinent without outside influences and had their own unique culture.

Open Ended

What are the positive and negative effects of India's geographical isolation?

Rivers

The abundant water veins like the Ganges and Brahmaputra provided the water and rich soil that allowed cultures to grow and prosper.

The Indus River valley was the site of some early settlements, including mohenjo-Daro and Harappa.

Multiple Choice

Where were the earliest known settlements in India?

• on the plateau

• near the desert

• beside the rivers

• in the mountains

Early Inhabitants

• The earliest farmers raised wheat and barley.

• By 3000 B.C., they were growing cotton and making it into fabric--the first people in Asia to do so.

• They domesticated cattle, sheep, goats, and chickens.

• They also learned how to make copper and bronze tools, which were more effective than stone tools.