Indus Valley Civilization: Crash Course World History #2 

"We don't know what the great bath was used for" My theory is that is was used for a great number of people to wash themselves

Notes: Civilization Requirements Surplus production - being able to feed the people lets you build cities Specialization of labor - trade Social stratification Centralized government, shared values (often in religion and writing) 5000 years ago civilizations were associated with river Why river valleys? Flat, well watered, floods brought nutrient-rich silt Indus Valley civilization Located in the flood plain of the Indus and sarawati rivers Rivers flooded twice a year Flourished at around 3000 BCE Traded with Mesopotamians Trade cloth for bronze, used seals on their goods Largest ancient civilization Over 1500 sites had two major cities: Mohenjo and Harappa Made of dense, multistory homes constructed out of bricks perpendicular to the streets Built to catch wind to cool homes Had a drainage system that carried waste and water in sewer ditches that ran under avenues - implied there was government but has an unknown authority Peaceful- barely any weapons and no evidence of war Around 1750 BCE the civilization declined Why? Possibilities: Over run by Caucasus Environmental disaster Major earthquake changed the river course so tributaries dried up

the stick figure with a smiley face asking why it's alive is way funnier to me than it should be

That's interesting that there is little evidence of war in the indus valley, when their neighbors in Mesopotamia never stopped.

civilization coming to a dank river valley near you

If you have berries and I have a hammer, I have a hammer, and I have berries.

I visited Moenjodoro and Harappa a few days back and let me tell you that the pictures you see on the internet do not do them justice. It's such mesmerizing place, you have to visit it if you are a history nut.

I did four years in prison and we were allowed to have tablets. There were free videos to download, one of them being Crash Course History. I watched all of these videos and branched out to his books and, eventually, his movie adaptations as well. Much love to you John Green.

I love how the stick figure is still contemplating his existential questions in utter meditative silence throughout this video. Hope he figured it out, man. Or just stopped overthinking everything. One of the two.

"cause all the other languages sounded like 'BAR BAR BAR BAR BAR BAR BAR'" I don't think I've laughed this hard at an educational video in my entire life, thanks

"I am a huge fan of John Green!" Me: Yeah, that's how I got my weird sayings about the Mongols and land wars in Asia. "Uh... but what about the Fault in Our Stars? Me: Uh... what?

He starts talking about Indus Valley at 3:00. You're welcome!

Its strange that we have gone to the moon and now not far from going to Mars. But strangest thing is that we have not yet decipher the Indus valley writings.

what a beautiful morning, I sure am living in the decline of western civilization

"The Moist Mystery of Mohenjo Daro" "The Wet Wonder" Sounds more like R rated movies about intense explicit sessions of skoodilypooping than anything else

Came for history.. left with history and relationship advice. (I actually was having a problem with clinginess... damn.. this helped. )

I always watch this series while playing Civ 5.

According to most Ancient History text books which are prescribed in Indian schools, the powerful dude with horned helmet is 'Pashupati', an incarnation of Hindu god 'Shiva'. 'Pashu' means animal and 'pati' means master or lord. So basically 'Lord of animals'. PS: Love Crash Course. :)

Two corrections: 1. Copper and Bronze were available in Harappan lands. What wasn’t was the metal silver, which was imported from Mesopotamia. 2. Indian Caste system does not have 5 sub castes. It has 4 - Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra. Harijan is modern term for shudra. 3. Pashupati seal had proto-shiva on it, who has 3 heads and 3 horns. Elephants, along with tiger and buffalo and 2 deers were also around him. Apart from these minor corrections, it was a Great video! Good work!

“40th and final episode in this series” Me: **sees playlist with 42** this is going to be fun

I think the Indus were the first human civilization that grasped the idea of something beyond the material. I think it was a nation of philosophers and inventors who created a intellectual meritocracy. I think it was the first strive towards the most ideal nation as seen with the lack of emphasis on power (Less importance on temples and palaces) and emphasis of exchanging ideas and socially/morally healthy citizens (bath houses). What the US should've been.

literally all the comments on these vids: 1. who else is cramming for a test 2. who else is not cramming for a test and just enjoying history smh

When you start studying a night before the exam

“Why am a I alive?” *Well that was quick*

my husband watches these videos on his tablet in prison. he loves them. makes the time pass and gives him a good laugh.

Learned more from John in 20 min than from my history teacher in half a year.. Seriously, thank you Crash Course, without you I would have failed

I'm not sure on how he came to the conclusion that the Harappans aren't the ancestors of modern India and Pakistan, many of the ancient Harappan deities are present in the Hindu pantheon on of gods. In fact it's widely accepted that the Dravidian race of people in India are the direct descendants based on genealogy. And Pakistan became Islamic around 700 AD after the Arab invasion of the Ummayuds, they're ancestors were largely either Hindu, Jain or Buddhists as evidenced by the numerous archeological sites.

"Sarawati" river? It's "Saraswati!"

The Indus Valley people had a drainage system,something the Europeans didnt get till the 1800s.How did such an advanced people die out so easily?

Honestly, we watched this in class today, and I feel like I’m the only one who followed because I’m the only one who raised their hand. Idk why, but I never spaced out during this entire thing, and I was so proud of myself. The first lecture I’ve ever had in which I didn’t space out.

Hi John Green, My 5 and 1/2 year old daughter watched this video. Her first video of yours to see. She says thank you for allowing us to learn and watch. She liked the Indus valley art you showed. She liked your magic and presentation style. We had to slow down the video speed to 85 percent because you speak English very fast (she's bilingual). We're almost certain to be watching more of your videos in the future for her history lessons. We hope that you're staying healthy and safe in these interesting and challenging times. I wish you and your family prosperous, long lives, Trip Seibold

Is anyone here just because they like history? Lol.

I don t even have history anymore,just watching this because it s interesting

I have to watch these for my AP class. Never have I been more excited to watch a series of 10 minute long history videos

Indus Valley Civilization area correspondent to modern Pakistan. We are very proud of achievements of our ancestors.

Good luck to everyone taking the ap test tomorrow too, +Andrew Shelton same!

John Green teaching about the Indes Valley civilization and giving relationship advice in the same breath? I love Crash Course!

A mistake to associate the caste system / four varnas with the Great Bath at Mohenjo Daro. The four varnas came much later, starting around 100 CE, and to begin with among the Central Asian / Indo-European / Vedic people. You may like reading Early Indians (2018) by Tony Joseph. Also, since Vedic Hinduism itself came after or at best, towards the end of the Indus Valley civilisation, it's incorrect to appropriate the person in the seal as Pashupati, as some of the commenters are doing. At best, Shiva or Pashupati could be an invention of Vedic Hinduism under the influence of earlier Harappan beliefs.

Very interesting! Just wanted to add that there were many trade goods, one of the most important being Lapis Lazuli. There was a colony located about 900kms away from the main territory of the Indus Valley civilization which was constructed to control the Lapus Lazuli mines regionally. Also, they sold gold, silver, timber, animals (monkey too for some reason) to Mesopotmia. Also, the hypothesis is that they were a federation/republic instead of a monarchy or theocracy. They also didnt discriminate against Nomadic tribes and actually traded with them (also using them as transportation services to move goods!).

when ur apwh test is in 7 days and you forgot everything before 1914

The dude sitting with the animals in a Yoga pose is called the "Proto-Shiva", one of the earliest representations of Hindu God Shiva. Therefore it is not true to say that Indus Valley people had nothing to do with Hinduism ,since both Shiva and Yoga belong to the Hindu tradition. There is other evidence like the "Mother-Goddess", "The Bull" that also show a link with Hinduism. I enjoyed the video nonetheless.

I got this channel 11 years to late. Thank You for all of your work. Loving it!

RE watching this makes me realize how much I miss this series

AP test on thurday, watching this whole playlist to jog up my memory.

I hope one day archeologists learn more about the Indus Valley and how it collasped.

Good luck to everyone taking the AP exam 😄 I’m getting a 2 and being killed by my parents

Indus valley civilization started in present day Pakistan, great to know about their history

I'm home schooled and I find these to be a great source of information on very interesting subjects. Thanks CrashCourse! p.s I spend way too much time watching you're videos...

You guys are all great. Love that you offer this very important information for free. Information that a lot of people don't know in this age. Your doing the world a great service. Thank you

I don't even go to school anymore, but I'm learning much more than if I did!

I’m so jealous of everyone commenting that they’re watching this for a test. When I went to school (in the 90s-00s... at a super tiny school), we were barely taught any history. I’m so happy content like this is available to more people!!

Would of enjoyed this more if it wasn't my homework...

Shoutout to everyone who is studying for the WHAP test tomorrow. You're doing great!

I wish all the teachers were as cool as your videos. I would not have that hard time learning for my exams because I would actually remember something from their lessons.

These are so hilarious and fun to watch! We just finished watching this over breakfast. Thanks for the humor and the good information.

Am I really the only one who's watching the World History series to understand history and not for tests? Anyone? Okay.

Desperately trying not to fail my AP World exam tomorrow

“The Fault In Our Stars” is my favorite book of all time!

So interesting and knowledgeable. You guys are doing a great job. Appreciate it! :)

The way John talks to his "past me" is both a good, funny, entertaining bit and very relatable. I too berate my past me for his mistakes.

I absolutely love these videos! Both the science and history crash courses are intriguing and fun! Thank y'all so much!

Its such an intellectual pleasure to listen to your videos. Great job John.

Hmm, I live in Pakistan myself and to think that we had one of the oldest civilizations here is pretty cool. The historical sites around here are poorly managed as far as I know. I think it should be looked after. :(

Thank you for your series, I stumbled upon them one day and have been watching one episode with every breakfast. I'm of Indian origin, and I would like to know more about the Indus valley civilization and why the indians of today aren't considered descendants of the Indus valley civilization.

Is it bad that i'm only watching the whole world history playlist to study for the AP Exam

I'm getting ready for the Exam anybody else?

This was the peak learning experince

Hi John, could you do a crash course on ancient South Indian History? That would be great!

Trying to figure out how to watch all of these videos before tomorrow

I just can't believe how good this is for a 2nd episode. The drive by fruitings of Indianapolis and Houston are the cherries on top.

I am from Mongolia and I love how John Green randomly refers to "THE MONGOLS!!!" all the time

Maybe the man between the tiger and buffalo carving seal thingy was a seal to show there peace.

I've seen the Mohenjo Daro, Harappa, Taxila, and the silk route :D All in Pakistan

Watch at 0.75 speed if you have trouble keeping up what he says!

Oh John!! you're hilarious!! This was so much fun to watch and I learnt so much from you...Great job man🤘

In North Korea and Sudan people don't have enough to eat and here you are using 2 cameras to make just 1 video.

If you are watching hoping to not fail a AP exam, might as well just take regular history

I started watching these for my exam but he reminds me of my old teacher who was my favorite 🤷‍♀️

Your sarcasm is everything... Love the way you teach

AP Test tomorrow and haven't studied at all...

How come I never learned about this in school?!

Good Luck on the exam everyone, I myself will be satisfied if I get a 2

So my grandmother happens to come from this state called Sindh which was India and now Pakistan. I was just curious because they are in a similar location...

Individual lives (ours) are so short. . . It is interesting "experiencing" other peoples' situations over longer (generations) time-scales. . . fascinating. . . thanks for vids, great info.

Thanks for the info I needed this for my school assesmant

These videos are seriously getting me through midterms Thank the world for the Greens and crash course

Thank you so much for this informational video!

His Swindon town t-shirt is hilarious.

What the hell with all these people using these to cram! This is a "crash course". It's an excellent starting point. And also, I feel like I'm learning more because I'm watching this (and basically all of their playlists) for the pure pleasure of it.

8:18 John Green was way ahead of the crowd on good advice for Nice Guys

"He said, pointing at his pants."

I'm an ancient Indian culture student and the bull horned diety is called 'pashupati'- meaning the god of animals. I liked the fact that the video says everything that's true and seems has done a lot of research before just saying all of it.

You've changed me.

This guy is amazing. This made history much easier for me.

“What a beautiful morning I sure am living at the height of Egyptian civilization” 😂😂😂😂

Watching the entire Crash Course world history all over again just to get ready for Season 2. : )

I swear the best teachers always do the AP history classes - our two most popular teachers were AP Euro and AP US history. My only regret was that the Euro curriculum (at least in the late '90s) only started at the 1300s, and the "Dark Ages" are some of my favorite material. But it was worth it for the 5 and the break on college tuition later on (one less class credit to pay for).

i'm here just to practice my english and i'm really enjoying it! congratulations for the videos, it's really really good!

These videos are far more interesting than my textbook so thank you!