Ancient India & Indus River Valley

India is a subcontinent.

• Continental drift: the gradual movement & formation of continents

• When India drifted into the Eurasian plate

  • Himalaya & Hindu-Kush Mountains were created

Mountains protected the Indus Valley from Invasion.

The Indus and Ganges Rivers provided fertile silt for farming.

Monsoons and seasonal winds control India’s climate and cause flooding or droughts.

• Today:

  • more than ½ of the world’s population lives in regions where the climate is largely controlled by monsoons

The Indus Valley Civilization was from 3000 to 1500 BCE.

• Little is understood about the Indus Valley civilization

  • Language isn’t deciphered

  • Floods may have washed away important artifacts & entire cities.

• Beginning of Civilization:

  • Indus River Valley emerged around 3000 B.C.E.

• Construction

  • Well-planned grid pattern

  • Built on a raised platform to protect from monsoon flooding

  • Standard size bricks

  • extensive indoor plumbing system

  • Uniform weights & measures