The Geography of India
What mountain range separates India from the rest of Asia?
Himalayas
Name one major city of the Indus Valley Civilization.
Harappa or Mohenjo-Daro
From which region did the Aryans migrate into India?
Central Asia
What were the four main varnas in ancient India?
Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaisyas, Sudras
What river valleys supported early Indian civilizations?
Ganges River and Indus River valleys
How do summer monsoons affect farming in India?
Summer monsoons bring warm, wet air that brings rain needed for farming.
What does the city planning of Mohenjo-Daro tell us about the people?
It shows they were organized, skilled planners, and had advanced city design.
What is the role of a raja in Aryan society?
A raja was a tribal leader or prince who guided and protected the group.
Why were Untouchables treated differently from other groups?
They were believed to be unclean and did jobs considered too dirty or low-status.
How did early trade help the development of ancient Indian cities?
Trade allowed cities to exchange goods, gain wealth, and connect with distant places like Mesopotamia.
If the monsoon rains arrive late, what might happen to the crops?
Crops may dry out, fail, or production may decrease.
How might brick houses have helped people live safely in the Indus Valley?
Brick houses offered protection, strength, and durability, especially during floods or heat.
How did the use of iron tools change Aryan farming?
Iron tools helped clear forests, prepare fields, and increase food production.
How might life be different for someone born into a Sudra family compared to a Brahmin family?
Sudras had fewer rights, did manual labor, while Brahmins had higher status and education.
How would monsoon weather influence travel and trade?
Monsoons could make travel easier with full rivers or harder due to storms and flooding.
Why do you think early civilizations developed near the Ganges and Indus rivers?
Rivers provided water, fertile soil, and transportation, which support settlements.
Compare farming in the Indus Valley to farming today—what is one similarity or difference?
Open answers — students may compare tools, irrigation, technology, crops.
Why do you think the Aryans developed Sanskrit after settling?
They needed a written language to record religious ideas, stories, prayers, and manage society.
What does the jati system tell us about daily life and social rules in ancient India?
It shows society was strict, organized, and based on birth, affecting marriage, work, and daily life.
Compare the Indus Valley people and the Aryans. What is one key difference in their way of life?
Indus people were city builders, while Aryans were originally nomadic herders — different lifestyles, languages, and tools.
Do you think monsoons are more helpful or harmful to India? Explain your reasoning.
Open answers — should mention both benefits (rain, farming) and risks (flooding, drought) with justification.
If you were an archaeologist, what evidence would you look for to understand Indus trade?
Items such as weights, seals, pottery, jewelry, trade routes, or foreign goods would help understand trade.
Imagine you are an Aryan storyteller. Create a short explanation of why your tribe moved into the Indus region.
Open answers — students should describe reasons such as searching for new land, pasture, resources, or safety.
If you could change one rule of ancient Indian society, what would it be and why?
Open answers — students should explain a reasonable change such as fairer treatment, equal opportunities, or ending discrimination.
If you were designing a museum exhibit about ancient India, what objects or information would you include to help visitors understand the past?
Items may include tools, pottery, clothing, maps, seals, models of cities, or information about Vedas, varnas, and trade.