Five Minute Writing Assignment

1. Five Minute Writing Assignment • Using the map: • How do you think geography benefitted India’s early civilizations?

2. Still Unit 2: “River Valley Civilizations”The Indus River Valley

3. Identically planned cities and construction suggests : a strong unified government : Central control evidence of a religious – oligarchy (Theocracy) Political

5. Economic • Evidence of trade over long distances • evidence of common currency and seals • Artifacts found show that Mesopotamia and Indus Valley traded for about 350 years

6. Religious • Artifacts show links to modern Hindu Culture • Shiva- is a major Hindu god • Worshipped Cows

7. What is a Citadel? The Citadel mound at Mohenjo-daro Stupa - A dome-shaped structure built as a center of citadel • Citadel Mound: consists of several large buildings and structures • The structure and organization suggest that this area may have been used for public gatherings, religious activities or important political/administrative activities.

8. Social Social classes and structure was based on occupation: Example: Priests – Brahmins class • Civilization was generally stable and uniform • Same kinds of houses suggests little social differences • Toys were found for children – this shows prosperity since they can make things they do not NEED to survive

9. Intellectual • Solved the problem of plumbing • Built extensive plumbing systems • Private bath and toilet for every house • Toilets made of brick with wooden seats • Pipes connected underground sewer system

11. Achievements • Sophisticated city planning – very detailed and organized • Used a grid system • Citadel – a fortified area surrounded by a wall that protected the major buildings in the city • Public buildings, bath, granaries and religious quarters

14. Harappa

15. Mohenjo Daro

16. Geography • Wall of Mountains- separated India from the rest of Asia • HinduKush ( mountain range that stretches between central Afghanistan and northern Pakistan.) • Himalaya (mountain range that stretches the north east border of India) • This created an Indian Sub-Continent • Monsoons – trade winds that brought rain in the summer and dry wind in the winter • Major Rivers- • Indus • Ganges

17. Collapse of Harappan Civilization • By 1500 BCE, the Harappan civilization had disappeared • Still much to figure out---have not yet fully deciphered pictogram writings • Possible causes for disappearance? • Floods? • Invaders?