Indus Civilization (soc. sci.)

Indus CIvilization

Geography

• The Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro or “Hill of the Dead” which can be found on the present-day India & Pakistan

• Both cities shared urban designed and architectural features

• Located in the Indus River Valley

• Yearly floods deposit fertile soil

• The Kyber Pass thru the Hindu Kush mountains allows people to cross into Indus River Valley

Religion

• Originally an animistic religion

• Developed Hinduism influenced by Aryans

• Rulers probably ruled by divine right

Arts/Architecture

• Drainage System - no civilization before Romans had such advanced irrigation, each house has a vertical & horizontal drainage

• Grid system

• Public Bath, Irrigation System, Public Well

• System of writing is pictograph (Sanskrit)

Politics/Government

• Rulers within the cities of Indus valley governed through the control of trade and religion rather than military strength

Economy

• Farming, domestication of animals, barter trade, weaving, and metal work

Social Structure

• Gods

• Priests (Brahmin)

• Nobles & Warriors (Kshatriya)

• Merchants & Skilled Workers (Vaishya)

• Servants, Peasants, Slaves (Sudra)