Origins of Civilization in India

A. Indus Valley Civilization

- flourished around 2500 B.C. to around 1700 B.C. on the Valley of Indus River and its tributaries.

- Extends as far to the northeast Delhi and south to Gujarat

- Oldest known civilization, its site is at Harappa and Mohenjo-daro

- It is known for its complex culture and special artifacts.

- This civilization was considered one of the most advanced of ancient times since the cities were carefully planned with water-supply system, sewage facilities, and centralized granaries.

- During the 1800 B.C., this civilization undergone a swift decline, its cause was unknown but some theories points out on extreme climatic changes and atural disaster.

B. Aryan Settlement and the Vedic Age

- during 1500 B.C. the Aryans settled in the upper reaches of Indus, Yamuna, and Gangetic plains.

-Aryans are nomadic people from central Asia andspoke an archaic form of Sanskrit.

- by 800 B.C. the Aryans ruled in most of northern India.

- Aryans originated the earliest form of sacred Vedas, whish is described a highly ritualistic worship with innumerable deities, a rich mythology and an elaborate fire sacrifice.

- the Vedas also provides information about the Aryans

- As the Aryans settled into agriculture, they changed their nomadic living and developed a new social and political structure.

- the caste system was developed: Brahmins or priests, Kshatriya or political ruler or warriors, Vaishya or traders and cultivators, and Shudra or artisans.

- this system remain central to the Indian socioreligious system, Hinduism.

ref: Grolier Encyclopedia of Knowledge, Microsoft encarta 2007