Turning Point Webquest - River Valley - Indus

Turning Points in History

Timeline Event

Indus River Valley - India

When

c. 2500BCE

Where

Present Day India/Pakistan

Participants (Who) | }}

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What Happened | }}

Unique civilization develops along the river for farming. A complex society begins in the city of Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa.

Causes/Why Happened | }}

River brought fertile soil for farming.

Results/Outcomes | }}

Extensive trade develops between Mesopotamia and Ancient India. Polytheistic religions of Hinduism and Buddhism develop, as well as the social class system known as the Caste system in which their is NO social mobility (movement between the classes) during a person's lifetime. Only during reincarnation can a person move between classes. Vocabulary

Vocabulary Listing

INDUS RIVER VALLEY CIVILIZATION

The Indus River Valley Civilization started about 2500BCE along the south-western part of the Indus River. The largest city was Mohenjo-Daro, in present day Pakistan, and settlements stretched all along the river.

Impact of Geography

• Large Area
• Stretches across present day India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan
• Natural borders consisted of mountains and the Arabian Sea, sheltering the civilization from attack and disease. * Water from the river fertilized and irrigated crops.
• Proximity to the river allowed boats to become a viable transportation option.

Economy

• Agriculture
• The development of widespread irrigation systems allowed the indigenous population to provide food for themselves.
• Wheat and barley were primary crops, however rye, peas, cotton, and rice were also grown.
• Domestication of animals also served as an important tool for cultivation and as a source of food.

Trade

• The economy depended greatly on trade. Trade was conducted within the civilization as well as with Mesopotamia.
• Advancement in technology led to carts and early boats that were used as the main method of trade and travel.

Social Structure

• Caste system with four main classes
• People were born into social classes that could not be changed.
  • Brahmins (priests and the king)
  • Kshatriyas (warriors and aristocrats - rulers)
  • Vaishyas (cultivators, artisans, and merchants)
  • Shudras (peasants and serfs)
    • Untouchables

Buildings/Structures

• Individual buildings for bathing and using the restroom (had an early "sanitation" system)
• Citadels were used for defense
• Granaries
• All houses had access to water and were about the same size
• Houses had one or two stories
• Most buildings were made of dry bricks
• No large monuments or structures

Tools / Weapons / Technology

• Tools
  • Constructed from bronze and possibly copper and iron
  • Clay was utilized for both art and tool manufacturing
  • Developed a measuring system and tools for measurement (first, and most precise of the time)
• Weapons
  • Constructed from bronze
  • Weaponry was not as advanced as it was in the Mesopotamian society
  • Arrows were crafted
  • Swords were not developed
  • Isolated geography negated the need for advanced weaponary
• Technology
  • Large irrigation systems
  • First civilization in the world to develop precise measurement and weighing equipment
  • Most technology was used to aid in agriculture
  • Other trade technologies such as boats and carts were employed to facilitate trade

Religion

• Hinduism
  • c.1700-1100BCE
  • Polytheistic

• Buddhism
  • 365BCE
  • Monotheistic (Buddha)

Writing / Literature

• Vedas - Oldest Scriptures of Hinduism
• Writings on prayers
• Hymns
• Religious Rituals
• Philosophies

Gender Roles

• Men worked within their designated Caste social class
• Women were valued because of their ability to produce offspring and nurse
• When children were old enough, they adopted their parents' role