Unit 2 Lesson 3: Ancient India

Multiple Choice

Why was the location of the Indus River Valley important for the development of early civilizations in the Indian subcontinent?

• It provided fertile land and natural barriers for protection.

• It was close to the ocean for easy trade with Europe.

• It was the only place with gold mines in ancient times.

• It had the largest forests in the world.

Hotspot

Click on the area of the map where the Indus River Valley civilization developed.

Match

Match cause to effect:

• Grid-planned cities

• Undeciphered writing

• Hindu Kush Mountains

• Public baths

Evidence of central government

Limited knowledge of daily life

Natural barrier for protection

Concern for sanitation

• Evidence of central government

• Limited knowledge of daily life

• Natural barrier for protection

• Concern for sanitation

Open Ended

How did the planned layout of cities like Mohenjo-Daro reflect the organization of the Indus Valley civilization?

Multiple Choice

Which of the following statements about Harappan written language is correct?

• It has been fully deciphered by archaeologists.

• It was written using seals with pictographs and symbols.

• It was similar to the writing of ancient Egypt.

• It was only used for religious texts.

Dropdown

The Harappan written language remains undeciphered because…​ ​

Select answer

Audio Response

Record your explanation of why archaeologists cannot read Harappan writing.

Open Audio Recorder

Multiple Choice

Around what year did the Indus Valley Civilization begin to decline?

• a) 2500 BC

• b) 1750 BC

• c) 500 BC

• d) 1000 BC

Multiple Choice

Around 1750 BC, the Indus Valley civilization began to decline. What is one likely reason for this decline mentioned in the lesson?

• Invasion by foreign armies

• Proximity to fault lines causing the river to shift course

• A severe drought lasting decades

• Discovery of new lands to the east

Poll

Poll

Which theory do you think best explains the decline of the Indus Valley Civilization?

• Earthquake

• Flood

• Volcanic eruption

• River shifting course

Short Constructed Response

Open Ended

Archaeologists discovered grid-planned cities, public baths, and undeciphered writing in the Indus River Valley Civilization. Explain how these discoveries provide evidence about the government, daily life, and challenges historians face in understanding this civilization. Use at least two pieces of evidence in your response.