India

Indus River Valley

Ancient

IndiaWe are here

Himalaya mountains separate

India from the rest of

Asia

Indus Valley Civilization• Lasted from 2,500

B.C. to 1500 B.C.• Two major cities of

Harappa and Mohenjo Daro

• Strong central governments

• Both cities well planned, water systems, public baths, and brick sewers

• Each city had a citadel- central fortress

Trade• Traded cotton

cloth, pottery, bronze items, and gold and silver jewelry with the Tigris-Euphrates civilizations as early as 2,300 B.C.

Religion• No shrines or

temples• Scholars believe the

Harappan people worshipped a great god in animal form of a bull, buffalo, and tiger

• Evidence of a fertility goddess

Decline• Reason for decline is

unclear; possibly floods, invasion, or an earthquake that occurred around 1700 B.C.

• Skeletons at Mohenjo Daro were discovered and indicate people leaving their homes and possessions; evidence of a disastrous event.