Explain the ways in which the Indus, the Nile, the Tigris and euphrates, and the Yangzi and Yellow River shaped the development of ancient Chinese, Indian, Egyptian and Mesopotamian civilizations. In your essay cover the economic, political, religious and social development of each, particularly with respect to differences in the development of these civilizations. In addition, explain why the earliest known sedentary, agricultural civilizations crystallized along these rivers.