Where was this civilization located (region of the world, region name then and now)?

Around 2500BC a large number of cities developed along the river Indus. The main reason for the development of these civilizations is the fertile soil on the banks of the river, which allowed cultivation. There were around 100 settlements. Most of them were sizeable towns but the largest of these are Mohenjo-daro and Harappa.

Mohenjo-daro was located near the point where the river Indus flows into the Arabian Sea. Harappa was located on the river Chenab a tributary of the river Indus.

What were the significant geographical features of this region (bodies of water, land forms, climates, vegetation)?

The geography of the Indus River Valley will let you understand why this civilization settled here. India is a large peninsula and is so huge it is called a sub-continent. This peninsula extends south into the great Indian Ocean. The Indus River Valley is east of the Fertile Crescent. The Indus River is between the Himalayan and Hindu Kush mountains. These two mountain ranges have the highest mountain peaks and border rivers. Streams and rivers form the Indus River run into the Arabian Sea. The Indus River Valley had very fertile soil to have good farming. The fertile soil is like the soil of the Fertile Crescent and Nile River Valley. In the spring the snow melts in the mountains and flows into the Indus River. The Indus River brings silt from the mountains with rich minerals and floods also bring the rich minerals.


How did this civilization/culture begin?

Like many river civilizations, the main reason for the development of these civilizations is the fertile soil on the banks of the river, which allowed cultivation (farming). Look at the following timeline of the Indus River Valley Civilization. You can see that it began with farming and then expanded into the large and complex civilization over a period of several thousand years.

INDUS CHRONOLOGY

How did these geographical features impact the development of this civilization? What was their daily life/culture like: Clothing, food, customs, beliefs?

Much of the culture and life of the Indus people was driven by their geography. Their clothes, government, and religion all were influenced directly by the agrarian (farming) society in which they lived.

The clothes and hair styles of the Indus people were very similar to those of the Sumerians in the Fertile Crescent. The men had a trimmed beard and shaven upper lip. The men’s hair was rolled into a bun and held at the back with a fillet. Men wore a light robe and left the right shoulder bare. The women had many necklaces and an ornamental belt around their waist. The women also had huge headdresses and wore mini-skirts.

This ancient civilization was very civilized people for this time. They might have had an organized government and even cemeteries. The people produced copper, bronze, lead, and tin. The civilization also had gold jewelry, spears, and knives. They domesticated animals which include camels, goats, water buffaloes, fowls, and chickens. Other domesticated animals were humped cattle, dogs, pigs, horses, and may have included elephants too.

The Indus civilization had a polytheistic religion. They worshipped gods and goddesses in male and female form. Certain animals and human figures were worshipped. A bust of a priest was found which means they had priests. The religion also had rituals and ceremonies. Many terra-cotta statues of Mother Goddess have been found and she was worshipped in nearly every home. A seal shows seated horned deity surrounded by wild animals which could be the Hindu god Shiva as Pasupati, Lord of Beast. This could have been the early religious practices of Hinduism. The genesis to Hinduism is traced back to this time period. This civilization was known to have a script, but it has not been deciphered so far. Hindu scriptures that were written at this time were the Vedas, Puranas, Upanishads, etc. Also at this time the caste system began.

The cities of the Indus Valley were well planned and even had covered drains. The area of about 1,000 miles was built with bricks of the same size and weight. They used kilns to make bricks and used burnt bricks in domestic and public buildings. The Indus people had public buildings which included the Great Bath at Mohenjodaro. The civilization had vast granaries and water tanks. The center of the city had a massive citadel. People went to the citadel for protection when attacked and they were taller than most Sumerian ziggurats. Indus cities were paved and laid at right angles. Streets faced north, south, east, or west. Indus houses had protection against noise, odors, and thieves. Houses faced streets and were at least two stories high. Life was centered around an enclosed courtyard and there was a balcony over the courtyard. Each house had its own well and one even had a large bathtub. Indus houses had a brick staircase to lead to upper levels and roof.

The people of the Indus River Valley civilization were great traders. Decorated bowls and vases discovered were made in Mesopotamia and to the far west. Artisans were highly skilled and specialized in different areas. Docks for ships were found which may have been for trading. Popular items traded were jewelry, cloth, razors, mirrors, toys, and fish hooks. Every merchant had their own personal seal. Traders from the Indus Valley traded with neighboring regions in India, Persian Gulf, and Sumer (Iran).

1.  The Indus is the 25thlongest river in the world, measuring about 1,800 miles in length. The longest is Egypt’s Nile, about 4,180 miles.

2.  The Indus rises in the lofty Himalaya Mountains of Tibet, then flows west through India, southwest through Pakistan, and into the Arabian Sea.

3.  The Indus has tributaries that flow into it from two countries—the Kabul River from Afghanistan and the Punjab from India.

4.  The Indus River dolphin is not only a rare type of mammal, but is also on the endangered species list. These animals measure five to eight feet in length and have long beaks and stocky bodies.

5.  The ancient name of the Indus River was Sindhu, meaning “river” or “stream.” In Persian, the “s” of Sindhu is replaced by “H,” making the word “Hindu.” People living along the river eventually were called Hindu. The English pronunciation of “Hindu” is “Indus.”

Name: ______

Points: ____/5

1.  What was the main reason for the development of the civilization along the Indus River?

2.  What two mountain ranges does the Indus River lie between?

3.  Describe the religion of the people living in the Indus River Valley?

4.  Name two features of the civilization in the Indus River that made if advanced for its time.

5.  What type of rare mammal is indigent to the Indus River?