Ancient India

Question 1

What is the Harappan civilization also known as?

Answer 1

Indus Valley

Ancient Indian Indus River Valley (now Pakistan); Mohenjo-Daro and Harappan Cities

Question 2

What racist viewpoint was associated with the study of Harappan civilization by Europeans?

Answer 2

Exclusion of a wider view of the world; implicitly praising Europeans, especially British colonization of South Asia (India) and the belief that locals (Indians) could not have built the cities

Question 3

What did American historians uncover in the 1960s regarding the native culture in the Indus River Valley Civilization?

Answer 3

Native culture was apparent and emerged in the Indus River Valley Civilization, including Mehrgarh, Harappa, and Mohenjo-Daro

Question 4

What are some characteristics of the Harappan civilization?

Answer 4

Two largest cities were Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro, language cannot be deciphered, used 400 different symbols, ‘unicorn’ system, public baths, sewers, advanced irrigation and sanitation, and evidence of cotton cultivation

Question 5

What is Orientalism in relation to the Harappan civilization?

Answer 5

Orientalism is the white perspective on Asiatic cultures, which includes stereotypes and views of history and civilization

Question 6

What were some characteristics of the Harappan cities like Mohenjo-Daro?

Answer 6

Carefully planned cities with a grid system, evidence of highly centralized authority, possibly ruled peacefully without a significant military force

Question 7

What is the new theory regarding the decline of the Harappan civilization?

Answer 7

Aryans, white warriors, conquered them due to rapid environmental changes and global political and commercial factors

A series of earth quakes that changed the flow of the rivers.

Or survived and blended into the South Asian culture