The History of Ancient India

Civilization in the Indus River Valley

Key terms:Harappa

Mohenjo-DaroUrban Planning

Essential Questions:• What is the relationship between the Indus

river and the Himalayas?

• Why is India’s earliest civilization referred to as Harappan civilization?

• Define urban planning.

• How did Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro exhibit aspects of urban planning?

• List three accomplishments of Harappan civilization.

The Indus River begins in the Himalayas.When the snows melt, the river floods.

The Indus river allowed people to farm.It made irrigation and transportation

possible. A great civilization developedin the Indus river valley.

Harappan Civilization

• The early civilization that developed in the Indus river valley is frequently referred to as Harappan civilization.

• The name “Harappan” comes from one of the cities in the Indus river valley.

• Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro were two important cities of this early river valley civilization.

This ruin reveals the careful planning ofthe Indus river city of Harappa.

The buildings of Mohenjo-Daro were alsocarefully planned.

Urban Planning

• Urban planning refers to the careful planning of a city.

• In Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro, every brick in every city was exactly the same size during a period of time.

• Like modern cities, buildings had to conform to government standards.

This hole and drain suggest that indoorbathrooms and toilets may have existed.

Harappan civilization had writing. However,archaeologists are still deciphering it.

This map reveals the location of Harappancivilization.

Harappan civilization began around3000 B.C.

The cities were surrounded by walls.Walls were used to protect the inhabitants

of the cities.

Harappan civilization declined around1500 B.C. It is possible that the monsoon

failed or an earthquake occurred.