In what ways did the geography of India influence the development of civilizations?

The geography of India was uniquely fit to cultivate and protect a civilization for thousands. Rivers such as the Indus and the Ganga gave the Indus Valley fertile lands for agriculture, while natural barriers such as deserts to the north-west and the Himalayas to the north-east protected India from invasion. The peninsular nature of the area (mostly surrounded by water) gave the Indians further protection from invasion and also plenty of coastline for shipping and trade.