While both the Indus and Huang He river Valleys believed their rulers were influenced by some kind of divinity and had various crafts for religious purpose, the Indus valley people were very peaceful and believed in multiple gods while the Shang were primarily concerned with warfare and believed their deceased ancestors continued having influence over their lives. These two civilizations had similarities and differences any way you looked at them. Yet they were also quite unique and thus had many differences. They both had religiously influenced politics and cultures. These civilizations differed in what they believed in and the role or war in their lives. These civilizations have multiple similarities including the relationship between religion and politics and crafting religious items. Harappan priests would pray to gods or goddesses for something in temples combined …show more content…
The Indus civilization was focused on religion instead of war. Power was determined by other factors and assured by religion. No wars or conflict involved.(Lost Indus Cities) The Shangs, on the other hand, were primarily concerned with warfare. They had to constantly fight off invaders and protect their little farming land and most of their concerns and questions written on the oracle bones were regarding war.(Oracle Bone Inscriptions) this means that the Indus River Valley civilization was a very peaceful one basing itself on religion while the Shangs were concerned with war. Another thing to keep in mind is that the Shangs believed that their deceased ancestors would later have a divine influence on their present King. As seen on the oracle bones they ask questions to their ancestors and act accordingly to their answers.(Oracle bone inscriptions) The Indus River Valley civilization though, believed in multiple gods and goddesses and had priests pray to them in a temple connected to the Royal Palace.