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We know only a little about ancient India because very few artifacts have been found. What they have learned comes from studying TWO cities: Harappa and Mohenjo Daro. These cities and the artifacts left behind have been examined to learn about the past. Read below and study the picture to fill in your notes.
We know only a little about ancient India because very few artifacts have been found. What they have learned comes from studying TWO cities: Harappa and Mohenjo Daro. These cities and the artifacts left behind have been examined to learn about the past. Read below and study the picture to fill in your notes.
Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro were large cities for their time. They were well-planned and had as many as 35,000 people. Each had wide main streets with smaller side streets. Most houses had flat roofs and were made of mud bricks. The flat roof was used to dry crops.
Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro were large cities for their time. They were well-planned and had as many as 35,000 people. Each had wide main streets with smaller side streets. Most houses had flat roofs and were made of mud bricks. The flat roof was used to dry crops.
People believed in many gods which is called polytheism. They believed in an afterlife which we will read about later. Instead of mummifying bodies when they died, they cremated them. This means they burn them until they are ashes. Priests learned how to do this and were in charge of cremation.
People believed in many gods which is called polytheism. They believed in an afterlife which we will read about later. Instead of mummifying bodies when they died, they cremated them. This means they burn them until they are ashes. Priests learned how to do this and were in charge of cremation.
Archaeologists know they had temples and a royal palace for the king. The king had lots of helpers to run the city. Most people worked as farmers and they grew crops like: rice, wheat, peas, and cotton. Farmers here had an advantage - they could grow two crops in one year on the same piece of land. This is called double cropping and made for a surplus of food at all times.
Archaeologists know they had temples and a royal palace for the king. The king had lots of helpers to run the city. Most people worked as farmers and they grew crops like: rice, wheat, peas, and cotton. Farmers here had an advantage - they could grow two crops in one year on the same piece of land. This is called double cropping and made for a surplus of food at all times.
Today, we have many modern conveniences to make our lives easier like: vacuums, dishwashers, washers and dryers, and air conditioning. Thousands of years ago life was quite different. They were not as lucky as we are today. Still, they planned cities to be convenient for the people. Some trained to do special jobs. Indoor plumbing was available and their waste flowed into drains under the streets and then to pipes away from the city. Plumbers engineered these and poo cleaners kept them from getting clogged. Houses even had garbage chutes connected to a large container in the streets to keep the city neat and tidy. Garbage collectors would take the trash outside the city so it didn't stink.
Today, we have many modern conveniences to make our lives easier like: vacuums, dishwashers, washers and dryers, and air conditioning. Thousands of years ago life was quite different. They were not as lucky as we are today. Still, they planned cities to be convenient for the people. Some trained to do special jobs. Indoor plumbing was available and their waste flowed into drains under the streets and then to pipes away from the city. Plumbers engineered these and poo cleaners kept them from getting clogged. Houses even had garbage chutes connected to a large container in the streets to keep the city neat and tidy. Garbage collectors would take the trash outside the city so it didn't stink.
The oldest male in the family (usually the dad) was in charge. Boys had more rights than girls and got to attend school if their family could afford it. His teacher was called a guru (or expert). Parents controlled everything about their kids' lives, even arranging marriage for them.
The oldest male in the family (usually the dad) was in charge. Boys had more rights than girls and got to attend school if their family could afford it. His teacher was called a guru (or expert). Parents controlled everything about their kids' lives, even arranging marriage for them.
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