6.5.1 Locate and describe the major river system and discuss the physical setting that supported the rise of civilization.
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South Asia is one of the four early places where human civilization began. Similar to Egypt (Nile) ,and Iraq (Tigris and Euphrates). Civilization in South Asia began along the Indus river. Some of the land that South Asia is dominated by are mountains and rivers. India is a subcontinent. It is part of a continent but is considered a seperate region .India is connected to other regions. The Himalaya and the Hindu Kush mountains are the mountains that seperate India from China and Asia. India's rivers included the Ganges and the Indus. Both carry water for irrigation which produce surplus of silt.The water in the Indus River mainly comes from melting glaciers and natural springs from mountains that surround it. As the water runs down the mountain it picks up fertile silt. This area would flood at least one time every year and provide irrigation water for farmers. When the flood waters went away, a thin layer of fertile silt was left. Today, much of South Asia experiences an annual change of wind direction called monsoon that usually brings massive amounts of rain. These monsoons create a wet or dry season in a region. Although it's good for crops, it's rains can cause severe floods.
Ancient India is often called the Harappan Civilization because one of the ancient cities was called Harappa. Harappa was just one of the cities in the Indus River Valley. The Harappan Civilization had planned cities, which had streets that were organized in with grid lines. Along the streets were homes, shops, and factories.The cities in Harappa had large public buildings for religious or governmental functions. Since India had monsoons, Harappa used mud bricks for protection. The royal family had a citadel to protect them from monsoons. It also served as a temple. Harappa had advanced civilization. Unlike people in other cities, Harappans in Harappan houses had contained a bathroom and a toilet. The underground sewers carried away all the waste. No other civilization achieved this until the 1800s.
Ancient India is often called the Harappan Civilization because one of the ancient cities was called Harappa. Harappa was just one of the cities in the Indus River Valley. The Harappan Civilization had planned cities, which had streets that were organized in with grid lines. Along the streets were homes, shops, and factories.The cities in Harappa had large public buildings for religious or governmental functions. Since India had monsoons, Harappa used mud bricks for protection. The royal family had a citadel to protect them from monsoons. It also served as a temple. Harappa had advanced civilization. Unlike people in other cities, Harappans in Harappan houses had contained a bathroom and a toilet. The underground sewers carried away all the waste. No other civilization achieved this until the 1800s.