Human Geography of India

Historical Factors Indus Valley Civilization

Emerged along the Indus River (Pakistan) Polytheistic City-planning Sophisticated plumbing and sewage systems Language not yet deciphered Mysteriously disappeared

Historical Factors Aryans

Crossed the Hindu Kush into Indus River Valley Established kingdoms along the Ganges Developed the Caste system – Social System Aryan culture played a key role in the development of

Indian civilization

Historical Factors Mauryan Empire

United most of India Spread Buddhism

Historical Factors Gupta Empire

Ruled northern India during an age of peace and prosperity

Spread of Hindu Culture

Historical Factors Mughal Empire

Muslims conquer the Indus Valley and then occupied Ganges Plain

By the early 1500s, they had established an empire throughout much of India

Muslim rule brought new customs that sometimes conflicted with those of native Hindus

Europeans Arrive 1500s – European traders arrive The British East India Company allowed Britain to

gain control over India’s trade with Europe 1857 – British establish direct ruler over India Raj – period of direct British control, lasted nearly 90

years

1920 – Mohandas Gandhi

Nonviolent Resistance – a protest movement that does not use violence to achieve its goals.

Opposition movement started by Gandhi

August 14, 1947, India became independent

Division of India – Muslims of West and East Pakistan (now Pakistan and Bangladesh) chose to separate from India, which was strongly Hindu

The World’s Largest Democracy 1950 – India became a democratic republic World’s largest democracy!!! Many different ethnic, cultural, and religious factors

influence Indian politics Hindus vs. Muslims India is strongly Hindu, but has 150 million Muslims Government leaders must take both interests into

account.

Economic Challenges Agriculture – 2/3 of India’s people rely on farming

for their livelihood – main economic activity Land Reform – more balanced distribution of land

among farmers

Life in Modern India Daily Life

Marriage and family – center of Indian life Arranged marriages, low divorce rates

Education Literacy is on the rise, but still a problem in city

slums and rural areas.

Bollywood Indian film industry located in Mumbai

Indian Culture Multiple Languages

18 major language groups 1,000 languages and dialects Hindi – Official Language English – common language

Hinduism – Caste System 80% of population, believe in many gods Reincarnation Karma Caste system – born into

Pakistan and Bangladesh

Pakistan and Bangladesh are Muslim countries formed as a result of the partition of British India.

Considered “young” countries

Ancient Lands Indus Valley Civilization

Largest of the world’s first civilizations Well-planned cities like Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro

Partition and War Partition – end of

British rule in 1947 brought the division of British India . Two countries were

formed: India

(predominately Hindu)

Pakistan (separated into West Pakistan and East Pakistan) (Muslim)

East Pakistan became Bangladesh in 1971

Military Rule Pakistan and India have fought wars over

the territory of Kashmir. Kashmir

12 million people Fertile river valleys

The Indus River flows through Kashmir Indus is a critical drinking and irrigation

source for Pakistan – unwilling to let India control

Since 1947 Pakistan and India have fought Three Indo-Pakistani wars 75,000 casualties!!! Nuclear Weapons = Nuclear War

Economies

Pakistan

Farming Cotton, Rice, Wheat Textile Industry

Export cotton garments Wool carpets Leather goods

Bangladesh

Farming Rice Jute Fishing Microcredit – small loans

for entrepreneurs Textile Industry

Export cotton garments

Islamic Culture REMEMBER: Muslim Mughal

Empire ruled for centuries Ramadan – month-long period

of fasting from sunrise to sunset. Pakistan

Muslim Stricter Islamic practices Purdah – seclusion of women

Bangladesh Less strict Islamic practices Purdah is much less common

Ethnic Diversity

Pakistan

More ethnically diverse 5 ethnic groups – each

has its own language Punjabis (1/2 of

population) Sindhis Pathans Muhajirs Balochs Urdu – national language

Bangladesh

Less ethnically diverse Bengalis Speak a language

based on Sanskrit

Modern Life Arranged marriages, large

families Most live in small villages in

home made of sun baked mud, bamboo, or wood.

Cities are large, crowded with traffic and pedestrians.

Nepal