South Asia

Indus River Valley Civilization (also called: Harappan Civilization)

330-1300BCE • One of the worlds earliest

urban civilizations. • Population height: over

5m• Traders, artisans,

farmers• Technologically

advanced: sewage systems

• More advanced than many areas of Pakistan & India today!

• Roots of Hinduism found here.

Colonization• India had millions of people, most were very poor &

either Hindu or Muslim. • For thousands of years, India was ruled by different

dynasties & kingdoms.• Great Britain, France, & Portugal took advantage of

the internal fighting & built colonies in India. • British goal: to get cotton goods, spices, silk & indigo. • French & British East India Companies fought for

control over India - British EIC won.

Sepoy/Indian Rebellion 1857

• 1st Indian War for independence from British

• Indians angered by British imposing British laws & customs, outlawing many traditional Indian customs.

• Rebellion united the Indians together.

Indian soldier facing execution for protesting the new use of the new rifles smeared with beef & pork grease. Photo

from the movie ”MANGAL PANDEY: THE RISING”

Gandhi (1869-1948)

& Independence• Born :India College: London.

• Lived & worked in South Africa: Goal to make things better for the ppl of S. Africa & India

• Urged Indians to be peaceful use non-violent resistance .

• Gandhi & others imprisoned multiple times for protesting.

• 1947 India gained independence, 1st PM was Nehru, ally of Gandhi.

• Powerful nation (British) defeated by a peaceful revolution.

India/Pakistan Partition• When the British left, they divided India

into 2 parts: – Pakistan: Muslim – India: Hindu

• Fighting began over this new border & the “Kashmir region”.

• Gandhi (78 yrs!) – 5 day hunger strike, stopped the fighting.

• 12 days later, a Hindu man, who disagreed with Gandhi's ideas of peace & tolerance for ALL, shot & killed Gandhi.

Issues in India TodayIssues in India TodayIssues in India TodayIssues in India Today

private & public ownership.private & public ownership.

Dependent on foreign aid & Dependent on foreign aid & investment investment

Urban areas have high-tech Urban areas have high-tech companies.companies.

3/4 are farmers3/4 are farmers

India’s “mixed India’s “mixed economyeconomy””

India’s “mixed India’s “mixed economyeconomy””

Per Capita Income in India

The Indian Caste System

Hinduism see religions notes from 1st

semester

• World’s oldest religion.

• More than just a philosophy, is a way of life.

• Hinduism has no founder , no single set of beliefs, no basic religious text (not bound by a single doctrine).

Sikhism see “Religions” notes from 1st semester for detailed information

• Sikhism combines the Muslim belief in one god with the Hindu belief in karma & reincarnation

Ganges RiverFor Hindus…

• Holy river

• Expected to bathe in this river at least once in your lifetime.

• washes away your sins.

TAJ MAHALता�ज महल

Built by the ruler Shah Jahan in the 17th Century as a tomb for his wife.

India’s “Green India’s “Green Revolution”Revolution”

1940’s-1970’s1940’s-1970’s

India’s “Green India’s “Green Revolution”Revolution”

1940’s-1970’s1940’s-1970’s GOAL GOAL make make India self-India self-sufficient in food sufficient in food grains.grains.

Introduced Introduced modern science, modern science, technology, technology, fertilizers & fertilizers & irrigation irrigation methods to help methods to help farmers triple farmers triple their crops their crops

Population Density

Influence of Mountains

Population & Settlements• lower elevation = higher pop

Movement• Khyber Pass (in the Hindu Kush

Mts) between Afghanistan & Pakistan. “Gateway for invasions”

Climate• Blocks cold air from the North

29,035 feet.

Highest mt. peak in the world.

Formed by tectonic plate movement.

The Himalayas

Thar DesertUp to 127ºF in

July.

Monsoons• Strong, often

violent winds that change direction with the season.

• WINTER (Nov-April): Monsoons blow from land toward the sea. Result: hot/dry winters

•SUMMER (May-Oct): from the sea toward landResult: rainy summers