How Did Geography Affect the Early Civilization of India

1. How did geography affect the early civilization of India? ANSWER:

Geography and climate both played significant roles in the settlement and development of ancient Indian civilization. The first notable geographical feature is the Himalayan Mountains located in the northern portion of the Indian subcontinent that severs India from the rest of Asia; preventing hostile invading forces and immigration into the subcontinent. The second feature, the two rivers of Ganges and Indus are the foundations of early Indian civilization that make their land livable. The Ganges river flows southeast through a fertile valley, providing the necessary water for a successful harvest. The Indus River flows southwest across a drier plain, in turn affecting how farming was achieved. Because of the drier land area, Ancient Indians were forced to irrigate to obtain the needed stock of food to distribute among their peoples, much less a emergency surplus. The last major geographical feature was the Khyber Pass -- the only easily traversed path connecting Asia and India near Kabul. Climate was an ingredient in early Indian civilizations for several reasons. Monsoons, winds that mark the seasons, are one of the most immediate. The first monsoon of the season blows from North to Northeast periodically during November through March. Little rain is present during this monsoon, however what precipitation does fall, it falls on the Northern slope of the Himalayas. During mid-June through October a second monsoon indicates the 'Wet Season' - a.k.a. - the southwest monsoon. Following the southwest monsoon, heavy rains fall in its wake (however sparse rainfall falls on the Western Ghats, the heaviest rainfall occurs over the Ganges Valley and the Eastern Himalayan Mountains). The timing of these winds are critical; too little or too late rainfall results in an unsuccessful harvest, yet too much or an extended period of rainfall causes flooding along the country side. Temperatures also play a significant role in how Indian's settled the land in ancient times. The ideal area - the Deccan plateau - had mild temperatures in the summer opposed to the blistering heat of the Western Ghats and valleys which could climb up to one-hundred twenty degrees Fahrenheit. Also, another reason the geographical importance of India is held so highly is because if the disappearances of the first Harappa civilizations in Mohenjo-Daro. Historians and researches have many theories, yet they all relate to climate, geographical, and regional issues however there is no solid evidence to prove or reject any of their hypothesis. Some of the more common are; Harsh monsoons causing a type of violent weather pattern, evidence of an earthquake has been speculated, intense flooding of the Indus and Ganges Rivers, hostile invading forces, and other reasons have been thrown around. With all of this information taken into consideration, geography and climate played a major role in the development of Ancient Indian civilization. Source: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_did_geography_a nd_climate_of_the_Indian_subcontinent_influence _the_development_of_early_civilizations_there

2. Describe the geographic setting of India  The three great rivers of India

ANSWER: The three great rivers – the Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra – flow through the Northern Plain. These broad and slow rivers flow from the snowcovered Himalayas. Together with their tributaries, they supply water for farming and for transportation across the Northern Plain. The fertile soil of the river valleys supports extensive farming. For these reasons, the Northern Plain became the home of the first Indian civilization. Later, invaders set up powerful empires in the Northern Plain. As a result, the area has played a dominant role in Indian history. Source:

Turning Points III (page 75)



Feature Climate of India

ANSWER: The chief feature of the Indian climate is the monsoon, a seasonal wind system from June until September. The summer monsoon blows from the Southwest. It picks up moisture over the Indian Ocean and drops torrential rains on the coast and on the Northern Plain. From October to May, the winter monsoon blows from lands to the northeast. India’s hot and dry seasons reach their peak during May and are commonly felt in the Northern Plains. Every year, the people of India wait anxiously for the summer monsoon to bring desperately needed moisture to the parched farmland. When the rain comes, temperature drops, and crops spring to life. If the monsoon is late, crops fail, and food shortages result. The heavy rains can cause destructive floods especially in the lower Ganges Valley. Archeologist discovered traces of ancient civilization in the Indus River Valley. Excavations have revealed that this civilization developed about the same time as the early Egyptian and Sumerian civilizations. The Indus Valley covered an area larger than the Old Kingdom of Egypt (1,500 km). Two of its cities, Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro lie close to rivers and digging can cause flooding. Despite these handicaps, archeologists have uncovered some valuable information. Source: Turning Points III (page 75-76)



The two cities

ANSWER: The ruins of Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro reveal that they are products of careful planning. Wide straight streets divide residential areas into square blocks. Excavated were houses, granaries, and public halls. There was a sign of a sewer system. Walled fortresses in the towns provided protection. With well-planned cities such as Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro, the people might have had a knowledge in surveying and geometry. In addition to this, it could have a strong central government which could have supervised such careful planning and construction. Source:

Turning Points III (page 76)



Government and Religion

ANSWER: Scholars assume that a priest-king headed the government, and the rulers must have a considerable power because the government exercised strict control. They must have controlled the construction of new buildings and established standards of weights and measures. Like the Egyptians and Sumerians, the people of two cities were polytheist. Statues and masks show that they worshipped a mother-goddess. They also revered sacred animals such as the bull and certain sacred trees. Source: Turning Points III (page 76)



Economic Life

ANSWER: Agricultural economy thrived in the Indus Valley civilization. On lands surrounding the cities, farmers constructed dams and levees to channel water from the rivers to crops of wheat and barley. Food surpluses supported the large population and prompted the growth of trade. A merchant class acquired wealth from trade and commerce in the cities. Merchants exported cotton cloth, gold jewelry, and stone carvings of animals to places as far as Source: Mesopotamia. Turning Points III (page 76-77)

Think and Explain: How could natural disasters have contributed to the decline of the Indus Valley civilization? What ecological problems does the world face today?

Indus civilization had begun to decline many years before it finally ended at about 1500 BCE. At about 1500 BCE, the civilization was almost forgotten. The monsoon greatly affected the Indus Valley Civilization. It causes flooding when the two cities lie close to rivers and digging. If monsoon came late, it will result to crops fail, and food shortages. The heavy rains can cause destructive floods especially in the lower Ganges Valley. Recent studies also show that the complex ecological changes/climate change which led to famines forced inhabitants to leave their well-planned cities. Source:

Turning Points III (page 76-77)

1. How did geography help shape early Chinese civilization? ANSWER: Geography influenced early civilizations by how the people could live and work. A lot of people settle by rivers to make it easier to live and get an ample water supply. Those that lived in the desert or with great mountains separating them from travel would be cut off at times. So it was and still can be when living and working to have geography dictate how you live. It made their civilization different from others. It made them believed that their land was at the center of the world. They called it Cheng Kuo or the “Middle Kingdom”. They built their villages on the higher grounds. Source: Turning Points III (page 81)

2. Describe the geographic setting of china? 3. How did the Yellow Huang Ho River affect the lives of the Chinese people? ANSWER: ANSWER: The Huang Ho or Yellow River also affects life in China. In the Yellow River Valley, winter winds and floodwaters deposit a fine yellow soil called loess across the broad and flat plain. The China covers an immune area. The good farmland of the river valleys and coastal plains of loess is fertile and can be easily worked upon. The Yellow River provides water for irrigation, Central China supports most of the population. Four outlying regions – Manchuria, Mongolia, fishing and transportation. But rainfall is not regular so the area suffers from both drought and Sinkiang, and Tibet – surrounded the heartland of China. floods. The Chinese called this as the River of Sorrows because its floods have caused death and Imposing geographic barriers China; thevalley. Himalayas the world’s destruction. In spite of this, its waterssurround brought life to the It wasinonTibet, this fertile plains highest that the mountain, barren deserts such as Gobi,asrugged plateau, subtropical forests along Chinese Chinese began to farm, perhaps as early 5000 BCE. Thedense early Chinese learned to dredge the river frontiers, and construct to the eastdikes is thetovast Pacific channel and lessen theOcean. danger of floods. They also built their villages on high ground; Geographic barriers and great distances limited contact between China and other centers of civilization. As a result, the Chinese developed a civilization quite different from others. The Source: Chinese considered themselves unique and believed that their land was at the center of the world. Turning Points III (page 81) They called it Cheng Kuo which means the “Middle Kingdom”. However, China’s isolation was far from complete. The early farming villages of China had contact with people as far as the Fertile Crescent. As civilization advanced in both regions, trade and travel across Western China increased. Also, nomadic invaders from Manchuria and Mongolia frequently overran the cities and villages of Northern China. Although the Chinese adapted some ideas from the outside, foreign influence was limited. The Chinese considered people who do not speak Chinese to be barbarians. Newcomers and even conquerors found it necessary to adapt to Chinese traditions and customs. Thus, the Chinese gained the reputation for absorbing their conquerors. Source: Turning Points III (page 81)

Explain the following:  The Shang Civilization

ANSWER:



System of Writing

ANSWER: It was during the Shang dynasty that the Chinese developed a system of writing; early Chinese pictograms like the Egyptians and Sumerians. Later, they added ideograms, symbols that expressed ideas. Under the dynasty, Chinese writing included over 3,000 symbols or characters. Source: Turning Points III (page 82)

 Religious Beliefs

ANSWER: Shang people believed that many gods and spirits lived in nature. Their main god, Shang Ti, resided over heaven and the other gods. Gods are believed to be powerful. They could cause floods, drought and plague. The people tried to influence the gods by calling on the spirits of their own ancestors to act as go-betweens. They believed that if they made the

Source: Turning Points III (page 82)

 Daily Life

ANSWER: Society was strictly divided into social classes. The king supported by nobles and priests, performed political and religious duties. The majority of the people were peasants living in villages. Part of their harvest were paid to the king. Sometimes peasants were drafted to serve as soldiers or to build royal palaces, tombs, and temples. Shang farmers lived in small houses compared to the dwellings of the rich. Their houses were built partially underground. The ground insulates the house during hot summers and cold winters in the North China plain. The extended family was the focus of the village life. Several generations lived in the same household which was headed by the eldest male. Because they respect their ancestors, they had great respect for age and a deep feeling of duty to family. Among the royal families and nobles, men often have more than one wives and her sons were the most important. Among the peasant families, men probably married only one woman. Peasant women worked in the fields alongside the men. They were also responsible for silk making and weaving. Source: Turning Points III (page 82)

1. What do you mean by “Age of Classical Civilization”?

ANSWER: Major civilization began to emerge in Greece, Italy, Indian, and China at around 1000 BCE. These civilizations have undergone many changes, but are still considered as ideal by many nations; a reason why these civilizations are called “classical civilizations”. It was also in this period that magnificent civilizations arose beyond Asia and Europe and with equally significant cultural achievements such as those of the Axum in Africa and the Mayas of America. Source: Turning Points III (page 87)

2. What are the major contributions that brought during this age?

ANSWER: These classical civilizations made contributions to religion, government, culture, and in science and technology. Greece was home of democracy; Rome preserved and spread Greek culture and propagated Christianity. Meanwhile, major religions in the world also bloomed in China and in India. . Source: Turning Points III (page 87)

3. Who was HOMER?

ANSWER: Homer is a legendary ancient Greek epic poet. Homer described the Trojan War. Homer is a a blind Greek poet in his Iliad and Odyssey.

When he lived is unknown. Herodotus


4. Who was HIPPOCRATES?

ANSWER: Greeks scientists also contributed to the field of medicine. Hippocrates called the “father of medicine”, believed that diseases had natural causes and that the body could heal itself. According to tradition, Hippocrates drafted a code for ethical medical conduct that has guided the practice of medicine for more than 2,000 years, Many doctors today recite the Hippocratic Oath when they receive medical degree. .


5. Who was PHILIP?

ANSWER: The weakness of unity among the Greek city-states led Philip II of


6. Who was ARCHIMEDES?

ANSWER: Archimedes discovered the principle of the lever. He reportedly boasted, “Give me a lever long enough.” He also invented the pulley and a machine for hurling stone at enemy fronts.


7. Why Solon was considered unpopular despite his good works?

Answer Solon was another man who developed Athenian democracy to develop. About 594 BCE, Solon was a leader in the government and he had the power to make many changes. He made Draco’s laws less harsh. He made economic and social reforms which helped the poor people. In those days, a person who rented a farm and was unable to pay his rent to the landowner was made a slave. Solon cancelled all debts on land and

Source: Turning Points III (page 92-93)

*The Struggle for Power: Athens and Sparta > What happened during this time? Explain briefly.

Answer The Greeks believed that if the individual became too successful, the gods might bring rain of hardship or even death to him. To the Greek, the pride, ambition, and jealousy of the gods explained the military struggles of the sixth and fifth centuries BCE. The Persian ruler Cyrus and his successor built a vast empire extending from the Indian Valley to the Black Sea. The Persian Empire included the Greek city-states in Asia Minor. The Greek city-states remained self-governing under Persian rule. In 499 BCE, however, the city-states of Miletus revolted and sonn the Greeks were attacked by the Persians. Source: Turning Points III (page 94)

8. Explain the following:  The Athenian Empire

ANSWER The victory over the Persians was largely due to Athens. Athenian leaders feared another Persian invasion and tried to get more protection. They rebuilt the long walls and temples around the city ruined by the Persians. Then Pericles, Athen’s greatest leader, tried to unite the Greek city-states. The Greek city-states with 160 delegates met on the island of Delos in 477 BCE. They formed a defensive alliance against possible future Persian attacks. The alliance was called the Delian League. Athens dominated the League. It collected tribute, commanded the leagues’ fleet, and ordered policy. Through its control of the Delian League, an empire was established by Athens. Wealth from trade and tribute poured into the city. In the state of prosperity, Athenians enjoyed political freedom and culture bloomed. The period following the Persian Wars has been called the Golden Age of Athens. Pericles was the chief architect of Athenian policy. He undertook an ambitious program to beautify Athens. Pericles proposed to rebuild the temples as monuments to the greatness of Athens. Atop the Acropolis, Athenians built the dazzling white marble structure called Parthenon, a temple to Athena. Phidias, considered the greatest sculptor of his day, carved a huge statue that stood inside the temple. The Athenians also strengthened the defensive wall that connected Athens to the busy port of Piraeus. The building programs employed thousands of workers and attracted stone men and artisans from all over Greece. At the same time talented artists, philosophers, and poets converged in Athens making it the center of the Greek culture. Pericles called Athens the “School of Greece” for its artistic and intellectual achievements as well as for its political system. Source: Turning Points III (page 95-96)

 The Peloponnesian Wars

ANSWER Other Greek city-states resented the growing power of Athens. Some of the formed an alliance called the Peloponnesian League. It was headed by Sparta. In 431 BCE, a dispute between Athens and Corinth, a member if the Peloponnesian League flared into an open conflict. War engulfed all of Greece as Athens and its allies battled the Peloponnesian League. At the start, the Athenian navy marched north into Africa and surrounded Athens. Pericles ordered everyone to move inside the city walls. In the overcrowded city, a plague broke out. It killed over a third of the people, including Pericles. Fighting continued for 27 years. With the help of Persian navy, Sparta blockaded Athens while the Spartan army again surrounded the city in the Battle of Aegospotami. Athens surrendered in 404 BCE Sparta’s allies called for the destruction of Athens; however, Sparta spared the city out of respect for Athens. The war cost Athens its navy, its empire, and for a time, its democratic form of government. Although it remained the cultural center of Greece, it never regained the power it had enjoyed during its golden age.  The Greek Civilization


Greek civilization developed around the Aegean Sea. The ancient Greeks were thought to have come from central Europe. They were probably shepherds from the

Danube region in the Europe who pushed south into the Aegean regions. They settled on the Greek peninsula and eventually moved unto the Aegean Sea between 1400 BCE and 1000 BCE. These invaders conquered the civilization they found on the mainland, on Crete and at Troy. They adopted some of the culture that they found in these places. Among these tribes were the Achaeans, of whom Homer wrote. The center of the Achaean civilization was at the ancient city of Mycenae which they rebuilt. There were continuous waves of these invading tribes. They soon adapted the Achean civilization and as time passed by, they became known as Hellenes or Greeks, and they started the so called “Hellenic” or Greek Civilization.

Religion Greeks loved to hear stories about their many Greek gods and goddesses. They believed that the 12 most important gods and goddesses met in a council on Mount Olympus, a mountain in Northern Greece. Zeus was the chief Olympian god. He made his presence known through thunder, lightning, and earthquakes. Poseidon, god of the seas and Hades ruler of the underworld were Zeus’ brothers. Their sisters Hestia was the goddess of the hearth, home and fire. Each Olympian presided over different aspects of life. Hera, the wife of Zeus, was the goddess of marriage; Athena, the daughter of Zeus and patron of Athens, embodied wisdom and protected handicrafts and agriculture. Each city-state held festivals to honor individual gods. Athena, for instance, set aside 60 days each year for religious festival celebrations. Many religious festivals included athletic contests dedicated to a particular god. Every four years, athletes assembled at Olympia to honor Zeus.

Greek Arts The Greeks excelled in arts. Greece, in the first place, is a picturesque place where an individual may be inspired to express his feelings and emotions.

Painting The Greeks designed pottery with different shapes suited for different functions. Most pottery remaining from ancient Greece is either red on a black background or black on a red background. Potters usually decorated an amphora – a large vase for storing oil and other bulk supplies with scenes from mythology. Greek potters skillfully adapted designs and decorations to the curves and shape of the vase.

Sculpture Greek sculpture, like the Greek architecture, reached its height in Athens during the time of Pericles. Myron, one of the greatest sculptors of Greece created his Discobolus (Discus Thrower). It shows the excellent physical condition of an individual. Phidias, the great sculptor made a colossal statue of Athena in gold an ivory. His most famous work was the statue of Zeus in the Temple of Olympia. His works were said to be formal and dignified.

Another famous Greek sculptor was Praxiteles whose most famous work was the statue of Hermes. His works were known for its grace.

Drama Drama grew out of religious worship; honoring the wine god Dionysus. Greek drama was usually presented in outdoor theaters with seats carved on the side of a hill. The earliest Greek plays were tragedies. Aeschylus was the first of the great writers of tragedies while Sophocles and Euripides were the greatest Greek dramatists. Aeschylus was considered as the founder of Greek drama. Sophocles had served as a general in an Athenian army and had lived through most of the Peloponnesian War. His works reflected human courage and compassion. His famous works include Oedipus Rex. Euripides’ work stressed the qualities of human beings.

Comedy The Greeks also wrote comedies or plays with humorous themes and happy endings. Many Greek comedies were satire or work that poked fun at a subject. Aristophanes, the most famous comedy writer, created social satire. In his works, he made witty comments about leading figures.

Philosophy The Greeks believed that the human mind is capable of understanding everything. As a result, philosophers or thinkers of ancient Greece produced some of the most remarkable ideas the world has ever known. In 400 BCE, higher education was provided by teachers known as Sophists. Many Sophists rejected the belief that the gods and goddesses influenced human behavior. They did not believe also in absolute moral and legal standard. Instead, they asserted that “man is the measure of all things” and that truth is different for each individual. Two of the great philosophers were severe critics of the Sophists; Socrates and Plato. Socrates was born to a poor Athenian family. Although he was a sculptor by trade, he spent most of his time teaching. He believed in absolute rather than in relative truth. Socrates was searching for a code of conduct for human behavior. The most important thing he felt was, “through knowledge, he believed, people discover how to act correctly.” Plato was born to an Athenian aristocrat. He thought of entering politics, however, after Socrates’ death, he became a teacher and opened his Academy, a school that remained in existence until 529 BCE. From memory, Plato recorded dialogues or conversations between Socrates and fellow Athenian, and he also wrote the earliest book on political science, “The Republic”. In this book, he presented a plan for what he considered would be the ideal society and government. Plato dislike Athenian democracy and preferred the Spartan government. He gave more importance to the state than to the individual. Plato believed that people having too much freedom leads to social disorder.

The third great philosopher of ancient Greece was Aristotle who was interested in learning from nature. He was also remembered as the teacher of Alexander the Great. He founded the Lyceum. His writings include poems, letters, dialogues, and scientific papers. Many of his writings were focused on political science. He examined the political structure of various city-states; analyzing their advantages and disadvantages. From there he spelled out his conclusions in a book called “Politics”. Aristotle believed that the ideal form of government in a balanced monarchy, aristocracy, and democracy in one system.

History The Greeks also used their intellectual skills in writing history. Herodotus was the first Greek historian. Historians still consider him as the “the father of history”/ Herodotus gave us what he knew in the Persian Wars. Everywhere he went, he asked questions, recorded answers, and checked the reliability of his sources. The second noted historian of ancient Greece was Thucydides who wrote about the Peloponnesian War. He is noted for being an accurate and an impartial historian. “Only human beings make history” Thucydides said. He was also as accurate and impartial as possible. He visited battle sites, carefully examined documents, and accepted only the evidence of actual eyewitnesses to events.

Mathematics and Medicine The ancient Greeks passed on a great scientific heritage. They believed that the world is ruled by natural laws and that human beings can discover these laws by using reason. Lacking scientific equipment, Greek scientists made most of their discoveries by observation and thought. They then went on to develop general theories about the workings of nature. The Greeks became the first to distinguish mathematics as a pure science apart from other everyday practical uses.

How Did Geography Affect the Early Civilization of India

Recommend Documents