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Chapter 3 Chapter 3

THE INDUS VALLEYTHE INDUS VALLEY

KINGDOMS OF THE GANGESKINGDOMS OF THE GANGES

EARLY CIVILIZATION IN CHINAEARLY CIVILIZATION IN CHINA

Getting Started Getting Started

Before getting started, there are a list of vocabulary words that may Before getting started, there are a list of vocabulary words that may help you along to better understand this chapter. help you along to better understand this chapter.

Subcontinent – this is a large landmass that juts out from a Subcontinent – this is a large landmass that juts out from a continent. continent.

Plateau – raised area of level landPlateau – raised area of level land Monsoon – is a seasonal windMonsoon – is a seasonal wind Castes – social groups into which people are born and which they Castes – social groups into which people are born and which they

can not changecan not change Mystics – these are people who devote their lives to seeking spiritual Mystics – these are people who devote their lives to seeking spiritual

truth. truth. Clans – groups of families who claim a common ancestor. Clans – groups of families who claim a common ancestor. Calligraphy – fine hand writing Calligraphy – fine hand writing Feudalism – was a system of government in which local lords Feudalism – was a system of government in which local lords

governed their own lands but owed military service and other forms governed their own lands but owed military service and other forms of support to the rulerof support to the ruler

Veneration – special regard forVeneration – special regard for Dynastic cycle – the rise and fall of dynasties Dynastic cycle – the rise and fall of dynasties

THE INDUS VALLEYTHE INDUS VALLEY The Indus valley is a subcontinent that is located The Indus valley is a subcontinent that is located

in the region which is known as South Asia. in the region which is known as South Asia. The Indus valley is where India gets its name from. The Indus valley is where India gets its name from. The northern border of the Indus Valley is marked The northern border of the Indus Valley is marked

by snow covered mountain ranges known as the by snow covered mountain ranges known as the Hindu Kush and the Himalayas. Hindu Kush and the Himalayas.

These mountains hindered the Indian people from These mountains hindered the Indian people from having contact with other lands yet helped them to having contact with other lands yet helped them to have a distinct culture. have a distinct culture.

Two main cities in the Indus Valley were Harappa Two main cities in the Indus Valley were Harappa and Mohenjo- Daro. Each of these were dominated and Mohenjo- Daro. Each of these were dominated by hill top structures that were so carefully by hill top structures that were so carefully planned out which showed how these cities were planned out which showed how these cities were well organized goverments.well organized goverments.

Geography of India Geography of India

The Indian subcontinent is a huge, wedge-shaped peninsula extending into

the Indian Ocean . This land is divided into three major

zones.

1. Northern Plane

2. Triangular Deccan

3. Coastal Plains

THE NORTHERN PLANE• The northern plain is a fertile, well- watered

region that lies just south of the mountains in India.

• This plain is watered by three major rivers. The Indus River The Ganges

The Brahmaputra • These rivers are very important to the Indian

people because they help in contributing to their agriculture. They are also very sacred to the people who live in India for religious reasons.

The Deccan

The Deccan is a triangular plateau that juts into the Indian Ocean. The Deccan is not as populated as the northern plain because the land is less fertile there which inhibits people from wanting to live in this particular area. It is very dry and unproductive and lacks the impacts of the rivers in the northern plain.

Weather in IndiaWeather in India

• Indian life is greatly effected by its weather. Indian life is greatly effected by its weather. • India is most known for its monsoons which India is most known for its monsoons which

occur at different times of the year and have occur at different times of the year and have different effects on the people which live different effects on the people which live there. there.

• In October, the winter monsoons bring hot, In October, the winter monsoons bring hot, dry air which comes from the northeast. This dry air which comes from the northeast. This withers crops and affects India's farmlands. withers crops and affects India's farmlands.

• During May however, wet summer monsoons During May however, wet summer monsoons blow from the southwest and bring drenching blow from the southwest and bring drenching rain that downpours daily on the Indian rain that downpours daily on the Indian subcontinent. subcontinent.

The Coastal Plains The Coastal Plains

India’s third region, the costal plains India’s third region, the costal plains are located between two mountain are located between two mountain ranges. ranges.

These two mountain ranges are the These two mountain ranges are the Eastern and Western Ghats.Eastern and Western Ghats.

It is very moist in the coastal plains It is very moist in the coastal plains because they get heavy seasonal rains because they get heavy seasonal rains which are good for agriculture. which are good for agriculture.

The seas in the coastal plains are The seas in the coastal plains are great for trading as well as fishing.great for trading as well as fishing.

The Start of Indian CivilizationThe Start of Indian Civilization

India although great in size, had many diverse languages India although great in size, had many diverse languages and traditions which made it hard to unite and come and traditions which made it hard to unite and come together as a people. together as a people. The earliest Indian civilization emerged about 2500 B.C The earliest Indian civilization emerged about 2500 B.C but there is little to know about how it came about. but there is little to know about how it came about. Most people who lived in the Indus Valley were farmers Most people who lived in the Indus Valley were farmers which grew a wide variety of crops such as barley, which grew a wide variety of crops such as barley, melons, dates and wheat. melons, dates and wheat. People who weren’t farmers were merchants and People who weren’t farmers were merchants and traders. traders. The people of this time were religious people who were The people of this time were religious people who were polytheistic. They believed in a mother god and polytheistic. They believed in a mother god and sacrificed many animals including the bull. With a sacrificed many animals including the bull. With a veneration for cattle. veneration for cattle.

The Disappearance of the Indus The Disappearance of the Indus ValleyValley

The Indus valley had many ordered cities which The Indus valley had many ordered cities which slowly began to decline in keeping up their standards. slowly began to decline in keeping up their standards.

Some believe that damages to local environments Some believe that damages to local environments may have contributed to the decline or too many trees may have contributed to the decline or too many trees were cut down in order to fuel the ovens of brick were cut down in order to fuel the ovens of brick makers.makers.

Others believe that deathblow fell when nomadic Others believe that deathblow fell when nomadic people arrived in larger numbers from the north.people arrived in larger numbers from the north.

Whatever the case, many scholars are unclear about Whatever the case, many scholars are unclear about what exactly may have happened to the people of this what exactly may have happened to the people of this time.time.

The Beginning of a New Civilization Over many centuries the Aryans were a

warlike people who destroyed cities in the Indus valley, however they later became builders of the same habitat in which they terminated.

Their civilization began northeast along the Ganges River rather than northeast along the Indus.

Aryans migrated across Europe and Asia seeking water and food from their horses as well as their cattle.

Aryan Society

• The early Aryans built no cities and left behind not much about themselves, however they did leave behind the Vedas which is their collection of prayers, hymns and religious teachings.

• Many of the priest of this time recited the Vedas for thousands of years before they were ever written down. As a result , the period starting from 1500 B.C to 500 B.C is known as the Vedic Age.

• As mentioned before, the Aryans were warriors who fought in chariots with bows and arrows. They valued cattle which provided them with food and clothing and loved eating, drinking, music and diced games.

• Later these people became settled farmers. But their new change didn’t interfere with their value in animals.

Religious beliefs of the Aryan Religious beliefs of the Aryan PeoplePeople

Just as the first inhibitors of the Indus Valley, the Just as the first inhibitors of the Indus Valley, the Aryan people were also polytheistic. They Aryan people were also polytheistic. They

worshipped many gods and goddesses which worshipped many gods and goddesses which embodied natural forces such as the sun and the embodied natural forces such as the sun and the

sky. sky. Many of their gods were Indra, the chief god of Many of their gods were Indra, the chief god of

war, Varuna the god of order and creation and war, Varuna the god of order and creation and Agni the god of fire.Agni the god of fire.

The Aryans called on their gods for wealth, health The Aryans called on their gods for wealth, health and victory in the time of war.and victory in the time of war.

Many of the people were Mystics who used Many of the people were Mystics who used meditation and yoga for spiritual and bodily meditation and yoga for spiritual and bodily

discipline. discipline.

Change in Aryan Society

• As the Aryan people began to conquer lands they also adopted the ways of the people they overtook.

• Gradually, the Aryans yielded to their nomadic ways and began to settle into villages where they grew crops.

• The Aryan society started to spread eastward where they continued to colonize. Due to their expansion, they learned to make tools out of iron. Some such as iron axes and weapons.

• As the Aryans society grew a new Indian civilization emerged. There started a new culture which was rooted in both Aryan and Dravidian traditions.

• In thanks to the blending of these cultures, the Indian people had developed a written language known as Sanskrit.

Contributions of the AryansContributions of the Aryans

The Aryans were the first of many to travel The Aryans were the first of many to travel into India via the Hindu Kush and leave a into India via the Hindu Kush and leave a lasting affect. lasting affect.

Scholars today are not left with much Scholars today are not left with much about the Aryan migration however, they about the Aryan migration however, they know that their traditions and beliefs were know that their traditions and beliefs were the foundation for later Indian civilization.the foundation for later Indian civilization.

For example, the religious beliefs of the For example, the religious beliefs of the Aryans would evolve into major world Aryans would evolve into major world religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism. religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism.

The Start of Civilization in China

• The ancient Chinese land was called Zhongguo or the Middle Kingdom. China’s early civilization began in the valleys of the Hung He or Yellow River.

• At the beginning of this time, China is the most isolated from its near by lands because of its physical barriers.

• In the west and southwest of China there are high mountain ranges known as the Tien Shan and the Himalayas.

• Toward the southeastern part of China thick jungles prevented communication with Southeast Asia.

• Despite the Chinese isolation, they traded with neighboring people which helped Chinese goods to be spread throughout the Middle East.

China under the Shang Dynasty

From about 1650 B.C to 1027 B.C a group of people called the Shang gained control of northern China.

During the Shang period noblemen as well as noblewomen fought in battles and drove off nomadic invaders.

Shang kings and princes were the head of important clans in a centralized government.

Social Classes in Shang Society

The social classes of the Shang dynasty was that of other early civilizations.

In this society the royal family was first followed by the noble warriors. Then were artisans and merchants which produced goods for nobles and exchanged food and traded with people. And last were the peasants. Most of the people in Shang China were that of a poor lifestyle. They lived in cluttered farming villages or pit houses where they lived grueling lives.

A System of Writing Emerges

• The ancient Chinese developed a system of writing in which they used pictographs and ideographs which were signs that expressed thoughts or ideas.

• The Chinese have over 10,000 characters or symbols that represent their way of communication whereas we only have over two dozen letters in our Alphabet.

• In their way of writing the Chinese mastered the art of calligraphy into an elegant art form.

• By using the same system of writing, people in China who could not understand each other in language could however understand each other in writing.

Religious BeliefsReligious Beliefs

The Chinese people prayed to many gods and nature The Chinese people prayed to many gods and nature spirits. One god that they prayed to was a mother spirits. One god that they prayed to was a mother goddess who brought plant and animals to earth. goddess who brought plant and animals to earth. But they didn’t believe that mere mortals were the ones But they didn’t believe that mere mortals were the ones who could pray directly to the gods but instead that only who could pray directly to the gods but instead that only the spirits of the greatest mortals could pray on their the spirits of the greatest mortals could pray on their behalf. behalf. These great spirits were that of kings who have departed These great spirits were that of kings who have departed and so the family of which is still alive must pray to their and so the family of which is still alive must pray to their great ancestor on behalf of the whole community which great ancestor on behalf of the whole community which ensured a plentiful harvest and victory in time of war. ensured a plentiful harvest and victory in time of war.

Rise of the Zhou Dynasty

In 1027 B.C the Zhou peopled marched out of their land in order to overthrow the Shang Dynasty.

The Zhou believed that in right to the Mandate of Heaven, or divine right to rule, they had every right to take over. They also believed that because of the cruelty of the last king of the Shang Dynasty, that the gods had sent them to punish him.

The Zhou Dynasty believed that due to the dynastic cycle as well as the Mandate of heaven, if a dynasty provided good government than the gods would be on their side.

However, of they did not then the Heaven or gods would be against them.

The Start of Feudalism and Economic Growth Under the Zhou, China became a a feudal state in which it rewarded

supporters by granting them control over particular region. During the Zhou Dynasty China’s economy began to grow. New

developments such as iron axes and iron plows helped in building and farming. Also there was the production of growing new crops such as soybeans.

Feudal lords of this time organized large scale irrigation works which helped in making farming more productive.

The Chinese also began to use money for the first time. This made trade easier and more efficient.

Due to economic expansions a rise in population also occurred. Because of the Zhou Dynasty, China in this time flourished in prosperity.

1. The history of which classical civilization wasshaped by the monsoon cycle, the HimalayaMountains, and the Indus River?

(1)Maurya Empire (2) ancient Greece(3) Babylonian Empire (4) ancient Egypt

QUIZ TIME!!!

2. In which region did China’s earliest civilizationsdevelop?(1) Gobi Desert (2) Yellow River Valley(3) Himalaya Mountains (4) Tibetan Plateau

Base your answers to questions 6 and 7 on thestatements below and on your knowledge of socialstudies.

Speaker A: We must return to the ideas of the Bible.We should encourage people to read andinterpret religious scripture for themselves.Speaker B: Our people worship many gods, whocontrol the peoples’ activities, such asbirth, death, and commerce.Speaker C: Our people received the Ten Commandmentsat Mount Sinai. We are few innumber, but we will bring these commandmentsto all people.Speaker D: We trace our religion’s birth to the flightof our greatest prophet from Mecca toMedina.

3.Which speaker is expressing an idea from a polytheisticreligion?(1) A (3) C(2) B (4) D

4. Archaeological studies of the Indus Valley citiesof Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro show evidence of(1) dynastic rule (2) social equality(3) Monotheism (4) urban planning

5.One way in which the Huang He, the Indus, andthe Nile civilizations were similar is that theyeach(1) flourished by trading salt and gold(2) developed monotheistic religions(3) suffered repeated invasions(4) originated in river valleys

Answers

THE ANSWER TO #1 IS 1

THE ANSWER TO #2 IS 2

THE ANSWER TO #3 IS 2

THE ANSWER TO #4 IS 4

THE ANSWER TO #5 IS 4

STUDY HARD FOR THE REGENTS !!!

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!!