ANCIENT

INDIA
INTRODUCTION
1. Unlike the great dynasties of ancient Egypt and China, the civilization of Ancient India is still
somewhat of a mystery.
2. The cities of this vast empire – which flourished in the Indus River valley thousands of years
ago – did not leave much behind.
3. There were no weapons, temples, or artwork that we could use to tell their story.
4. Today, this region is modern day Pakistan.
5. But whatever we do know about Ancient India is fascinating.
6. The two major cities, Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro were huge urban trading hubs.
7. They were carefully planned and modern.
8. They had advanced plumbing systems (they even had toilets!), communal granaries, and
graceful public buildings.
9. However, we do not know why the mighty Indus Valley civilization vanished around 1500
B.C.

10. However, this was also when the Vedic Aryans began migrating to the region, bringing with
them an early form of Hinduism and a social structure that became the modern Indian caste
system.
 11. Two of the world’s greatest epic poems, the Mahabharata and the Ramayana, also came out
of the Aryan/Hindu culture of Ancient India.

ANCIENT INDIAN DAILY LIFE

1. Ancient Indians were skilful craftsmen and talented city-planners.
2. They loved to play games and wear jewellery.
3. They had well-planned cities with straight roads and neat blocks.
4. Most houses were made of baked brick and had flat roofs.
5. Their houses had courtyards, wells, and even bathrooms.
6. Towns had places to store grain and some public baths were people could swim.
7. When these two ancient cities were excavated in 1922, many interesting things were found
like little toy carts and birds.
8. Ancient Indian artwork reveals that the people liked to dance and sing.
9. They made pottery, did metal work and could weave cloth.
10. They made carts with wheels, as well as boats and ships.
11. The early Indians may have been the first in the world to grow cotton and they used it to
make colourful clothing.
12. The women must have loved to dress up, as many pieces of jewellery have been found.
13. They had items made of gold, precious stones and shells.
14. Much of what we know about ancient India is from the Aryan people from central Asia who
arrived in India around 1500 BC.
15. We know that life was centred on a community fireplace, where people would gather and
talk about the day’s events.
16. Each “tribe” had a chief, and the leadership role was passed down from father to son.
17. The men liked gambling, storytelling and fighting.
18. The women took care of the home and children.
19. The children did not go to “school” then.
20. Instead, they had a Guru, or teacher, who taught them.
21. All information was passed down orally (through talking) and had to be memorized.