Social Studies test study guide😎❤️

Indus valley civilation

This civilization rose around the Indus river modern day Pakistan often called Harappan civilization. Was a massive, urban agrarian society that relied on farming, trade and weaving as its economic base. Had a strong centralized government (city plans, weights, bricks and more) over 100 cities.

Dravidians

The name of the language family of the people of the Indus Valley civilization. There are still Dravidian speakers in India (most live in southern India)

Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro

The two greatest cities in the Indus Valley Civilization. Both were centers of trade and agriculture and had similar plans (Great Bath in the center, grids for streets, a granary and more)

Indus Religion

Polytheism, the belief in more than one God. The earliest religions (including the Indus Valley) were polytheistic. Monotheism (the belief in one god) Fertility Goddess, devotional statues of females representing fertility of the land and the people were found through Indus sites.

Shiva

The world’s oldest continually worshipped God. Shiva is known as “The Destroyer” and is said to reside in the Himalaya Moumtains.

Ritual Bathing

The Great Bath in the center of Indus cities indicates the importance of water as a purifying element. Modern Hindus continue to bathe in religious fashion in the Ganges River.

Monsoon

The seasonal weather pattern of Southern Asia has a direct impact on culture and lifestyle. The Monsoons are winds that bring enormous amounts of rain and heat during the summer months, (April to October) to India. They blow from the southwest. This season provides India with enough rain (usually) to sustain itself through the rest of year winds blow from the northeast across the Himalayas, bringing cooler and drier air.

Khyber Pass

The famous pass in the Hindu Kush Mountains between Afghanistan and Pakistan through which the Aryans entered the Indus Valley. It has served as a gateway or “back door” for many subsequent invasions of India.