Daily festival honoring gods in India, an ancient Hindu tradition (3,000 years old).
Devout followers bathe in the Ganges river, believing it brings them closer to the divine.
Historical Context
India is home to one of the earliest civilizations, the Indus civilization.
Engaged in international trade (4,500 years ago) with advanced economy and political systems.
India's landmass: 3.28 million sq km, 15 times larger than Korea, termed a subcontinent.
Invasions and Independence
India has a tumultuous history with invasions from Alexander the Great, Ure, and Britain.
Partition of India and Pakistan in 1947 based on religious lines (Hindu and Muslim).
Geography and the Indus River
The Indus River, crucial for civilization, originates in the Tibetan Himalayas.
Annual flow is twice that of the Nile, providing livelihood and fertile soil for agriculture.
Farmers depend on the river for crops like watermelons, cucumbers, and squash.
River trade was essential due to the lack of elaborate road networks.
Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro
Harappa is linked to the Indus Valley civilization and was discovered in the early 20th century.
John Marshall announced the civilization's age (2,500 years old) in 1924.
Excavations revealed advanced societal structures, pottery, and evidence of trade.
Children's toys like clay mazes and dolls were found, indicating a prosperous life.
Urban Planning in Mohenjo-Daro
Mohenjo-Daro: extensive urban planning with streets, public baths, and residential areas.
The city had a population of approximately 200,000 people, with an organized structure of alleys and drainage systems.
The citadel was built on elevated ground, showcasing significant architecture.
Economy and Agriculture
The Indus River facilitated food production and trade.
Evidence of ancient reservoirs and infrastructure for water management discovered in Doab Vera.
Local communities still practice traditional brick-making and pottery techniques.
Trade and Civilizational Connections
Trade with Mesopotamia established based on archaeological evidence.
Indus Valley artifacts found in Mesopotamia, suggesting a vibrant trade network.
Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro were prominent trading cities.
Decline of the Indus Valley Civilization
The civilization declined around 1800 BCE due to climate change, tectonic shifts, and potentially invading forces.
Evidence shows no weapons found, suggesting collapse was not war-related.
The drying up of rivers, particularly the Kagar Hakra, led to agricultural crises and population decline.
Cultural Impact and Legacy
Myths from the Indus Valley civilization merged into Hinduism, influencing modern Indian culture.
The Ganges River is revered, believed to cleanse spirits and connect to the divine.
Historical connection between the Ganges and the Indus Valley civilization noted.
Conclusion
The Indus Valley civilization was one of the world's largest and most sophisticated of its time, marked by both prosperity and eventual decline due to natural and social factors.
Their legacy continues to influence modern Indian culture, especially in relation to rivers and agriculture.