Indus River Valley Civilization

And Hinduism

Emergence of River Valley Civilizations

Indus River Valley 2500 BC – 1500 BC

• Around 2600 B.C. the various regional cultures were united in what is called the Indus Valley Civilization.

• It is also commonly referred to as the Harappan culture after the town of Harappa (where it was first discovered.)

• Excavations at the ancient Harappan and Mohenjo Daro mounds revealed well planned cities and towns built on massive mud brick platforms that protected the inhabitants against seasonal floods.

• In the larger cities the houses were built of baked brick while at smaller towns most houses were built of sun-dried mud brick.

• Each city is laid out in a grid pattern and shows signs of stunningly modern plumbing systems.

Political System

• Tribe led by chief and tribal council• Tribes formed small states• Each state ruled by king and council of warriors

• Aryans looked down on conquered people• Laws against marriage of Aryans with original valley dwellers• Sons expected to be warriors and perform ritual at fathers

funeral

Economic System

• Mostly farmers• Barley major crop• Most owned their land• System of barter for goods• Cattle later used as money

Aryans• Aryans were Indo-European nomads• In 1500BCE Aryans invaded the Indus

Valley and controlled most of India by 1000BC

Aryans

• Aryans became domesticated. • They began farming and they • Created the written

language of Sanskrit• Aryans introduced the caste system as a

means of controlling the conquered native population

Castes – social stratification

Religion - Hinduism

• Referred to as the Vedic Era• Vedas are the religious texts of the Indus• Vedas described the caste system • A caste system describes a person’s position in

society • Position determined by birth

Turn to pg. 77 in your textbook

1. We will read about the class system.2. Volunteers will read each paragraph.3. After each reading, another student will

paraphrase the main idea of the paragraph.4. Each of you will record the main idea on the

handout.

Bell Ringer on Indus River Valley Civilization

• What continent was the Indus River Valley located in?

• What was the name of the group of nomads who invaded and took over the Indus River Valley Civilization?

• What was the major religion founded in the Indus River Valley Civilization?