The Indus and Ganges River Valleys

Geography of Ancient India

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India’s Geographic Setting• India is a

Subcontinent.

• The Subcontinent, or large landmass that juts out from the continent of Asia, begins at the Himalayan mountains.

Himalayan Mountains

• The Himalayan Mountains and Hindu Kush separate India from the Asian continent.

• The Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean, and Arabian Sea surround southern India.

India’s Climate

• India’s climate is controlled by the monsoons.

• Monsoons: Strong winds that blow across the region at certain times of the year

Seasonal Monsoons

• Summer Monsoon-June to October

– Rains

– From the Oceans

• Winter Monsoon-October to May– Dry Air

– From NE India

Ganges River Valley

• The Ganges River Valley is found in the eastern region of India.

• It is supplied by the Great Himalaya Mountains.

Indus River ValleyThe Indus River valley borders the west side of India

Mohenjo-Daro

• Cities such as Mohenjo-Daro flourished in the Indus River Valley• Mohenjo-Darowas was very advanced for its time-clay pipes ran under

the brick streets to carry waste away from homes and public buildings!

City Citadels

A citadel, or fortress, is often found in the center of an ancient city such as this citadel in Bijaipur.

Conquest by the Aryans

• Aryans invaded the Indus River Valley.

• The Indian cities were weak resistance to the Aryan’s armies, and horse drawn chariots.

Aryan Migration

• Aryans migrated in huge numbers to India.

• Migration is to move or relocate.

• In the Ancient Indus Valley culture the people moved in several waves from their homeland into India.

Spread of Aryan Culture

• Aryans introduced the Caste system to India.

• Caste refers to a social class of people as seen in Ancient India.

• The term was given by Europeans that saw the Indian culture divided into strict social classes that were were to perform special duties of that class they were born into.

The End

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