Religious LifeHinduism is the major religion in India
It is polytheistic – they believe in many godsThe Gods make up the universal spirit called Brahma the creatorAll living things have a spirit or soulAll animals are treated with respect especially cows which is the sacred animal
Other religions in India are Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, and Jainism
Religious LifeHindus believe in Reincarnation
Ultimate goal is to find unity with BrahmaThey reach this goal by being reborn or reincarnated
Ganges River is their Sacred RiverDrinking the water of the Ganges or bathing in the river purifies the soul
Hindus believe in a caste systemIt is a social hierarchy in which people are bornOne can not change castes until the next life
Religious LifeThe Hindu caste system
Brahmans – the highest case is priests, teachers and judgesKshatriyas – warriorsVaisyas – farmers and merchantsSudras – craft workers and laborersUntouchables or outcastes – street sweepers, garbage collectors, and tanners
Village LifeSeven out of ten people live in villagesTwo types of living based on how prosperous a family is
Poor people live in mud houses with earth floorsMore prosperous have brick houses with a tiled roof and cement floors
Most Indians are primarily vegetariansSome eat pork, fish and chickenAlmost no one eats cows because they are the sacred animal
Village LifeClothing
Typically light and loose due to warm climateMany women cover their faces in public
Hindus live in joint family systemsHusbands take their new wives to live with his familyHouseholds include the extended familyEach person in the family has their own job
Technology is starting to be seen in the villagesElectricity and televisionMovies
Towns and CitiesCities and towns are growing
There is mass migration to the citiesMore jobs in cities and better opportunity
Varanasi is a holy city in India because it is located on the Ganges river
Economic ImprovementsChallenges
Only a small percentage of farmers make enough food to sellMost farmers are subsistence farmers
They have improved agricultural lifeImproved types of wheat and rice have increased productionRedistributed the land so poorer farmers can produce more
Education has increased
Economic ImprovementsIndia is one of the world’s leading industrial nation
Increases in computers and space technologyIncreases in consumer goods such as TVs and VCRsAll this has resulted in a growing middle class
General health has increased in IndiaLife expectancy went up from 32 to 61Water supplies have been cleaned upMedical practices have improved
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