Indus River Valley Civilization

1
Indus River Valley Civilization

• 2500-1500 BCE

2
Geography

• India is dominated by its weather that is shaped
  by monsoons.

3

• Monsoons are seasonal winds that bring in great
  amounts of rain in June-September and dry, very
  hot weather in October-May.

4

• Unpredictable floods were common from the Indus
  River and the Ganges River, and this geography
  made it difficult to live there.

5

• The largest cities were Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa.

6

• There were several natural barriers, such as
• Himalaya Mts.
• Thar Desert

7

• Great links to the sea and mountain passes
  allowed extensive trade.

8
Accomplishments

• Had the first indoor plumbing and developed
  planned cities.

9

• Roads were laid out on a grid system at 90o
  angles.

10

• This sophistication and planning indicates a
  strong central government.

11

• Merchants identified their goods with stamps and
  seals.

12

• Why dont we know more about this civilization?
• Historians have not yet deciphered their system
  of writing.

13

• Developed the caste system - a social class
  system that divided labor and was supported by
  the belief of reincarnation.

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• reincarnation-the process by which a soul is
  reborn again and again until it achieves perfect
  understanding.