Transcript Indus Valley Civilization

Indus Valley
Civilization
2500 B.C.
Indus River
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Flooding from the
Indus provided food
All major cities were
located on the Indus
River
Monsoons
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Starting in
June it is not
uncommon for
60 days of
rain
Rainfall could
lead to
disastrous
flooding
Politics and Society
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Housing was
similar between
the rich and the
poor
Cities led by
Priest-Kings
Laid the roots for
the caste system
Economy based on Trade
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Artifacts from
Mesopotamia have
been found in Indus
valley ruins, and vice
versa
Religion
 Hinduism
– holy trinity (Brahma,
Vishnu, Shiva)
 The Vedas – holy scripture
 Sacred place – Hindus make a
pilgrimage to India’s Ganges River
 Polytheistic
Reincarnation
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Belief that we are stuck in a cycle of rebirth
Politics and Society
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Housing was
similar between
the rich and the
poor
Cities led by
Priest-Kings
Laid the roots for
the caste system
Intellectual
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Cities roads formed a
grid
Center of the city was
a well defended
citadel
Cities protected by
walls
Cities had commercial
and residential
districts
Intellectual cont.
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Homes had private
showers and toilettes
Public bath houses in
most cities
Best city sewage since
1800
Arts
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Few weapons
found
Many leisure
items such as
toys were
found
Mysterious End
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Indus valley cities
began to disappear
around 1750 B.C.
No one is certain why
Bodies left in cities
unburied
Geography
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South Asia
Modern India
Indus River
Partially Protected