Chapter 17-1 Notes (History and Culture of South Asia)

I.Early History

A.In 2500 BC, South Asia’s 1st cities (Harappa and Mohenjo Daro) were built in the Indus River Valley.

B.In 1500 BC, the Aryans settled in S. Asia and developed a spoken language called Sanskrit.

C.The Aryans organized social groups into varnas made up of: (highest to lowest) priests, warriors, farmers, and servants

D.Gupta Empire was set up by Chandragupta I in N. India.

E.Muslim warriors, known as Moguls formed an empire in S. Asia.

II. Modern South Asia

A.1600’s, English traders from the East India Co. arrived in India.

B.By mid 1800’s, much of India was colonized by the British.

C.Early 1900s, independence movements took place in S. Asia.

D. In India, Mohandas Gandhi protested British rule through nonviolent civil disobedience and boycotting of goods.

E. After WWII, Britain gave S. Asia its independence.

F. In 1947, the British government divided India into 2 countries due to religious differences between the Hindus and Muslims.

1. India – Hindus

2. E. and W. Pakistan – Muslims

G. In 1971, E. Pakistan gained independence and became Bangladesh.

H. Today, tensions exist between India and Pakistan over religious differences.(nuclear weapons)

I. Both claim and have fought wars over the region Kashmir. (water)

Hinduism Buddhism

Hindus

Brahma (creator)Vishnu (keeps order)Shiva (destroyer)

Vedas Mantras Upanishads

India and parts of S. Asia

Reincarnation (born again and again)Karma (be nice!)Dharma

Yoga and MeditationDon’t eat meat

Buddhist

Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha)No key God

SutrasMantras

India and S. AsiaChina, Korea, Vietnam, Japan

Reincarnation“Nirvana” (state of peace)4 Noble Truths/Eightfold Path

Meditation (chants)Vegetarians monasteries

Chapter 18-1 Notes (India)

I. India - more than 1 billion it’s the world’s largest democracy.

A. Like the U.S. it’s a federal republic where power is shared between national (New Delhi) and state. (28 states)

B. It’s government has executive, legislative, and judicial branches.

C. It has a president (elected) who is a ceremonial head of state.

D. It has one of the longest and detailed constitutions in the world

E. The prime minister leads the government. Jawaharlal Nehru was India’s first prime minister. (Indira Gandhi the 2nd )

II. India’s Economy

A. It has one of the fastest growing economies today.

B. Still not enough jobs and many people remain poor.

C. 75% are farmers and more than ½ of its land is used for farming.

D. It produces most of its food due to the green revolution.

E. Farmers raise rice, wheat, cotton, tea, and jute.

F. India has cottage industries and factory-based industries where most goods are produced.

G. The service sector is fastest growing part of their economy.

H. India is popular for outsourcing because wages are low and workers are plentiful.

Chapter 18-2 Notes (Muslim Nations)

I. Pakistan – a federal republic with a 160 million people.

A. The government controls the banks and hospitals (nationalized).

B. Millions leave to be temporary workers in other countries.

C. ½ of the people are farmers and many remain poor.

D. It has fought w/ India over the Kashmir territory (water source)

II. Bangladesh – established in 1971 “youngster nation”

A. It’s one of the most densely populated (144 million and 75% rural) and poorest countries.

B. It faces threats from monsoon rains and cyclones.

C. Most are farmers w/ rice being its main crop. Ship breaking is a major industry.

Chapter Notes 18-3 (Mt. Kingdoms, Island Republics)

I. Nepal – landscape is made up of 8 of the 10 world’s highest mountains. (Himalayas Range and Mount Everest)

A. 85% of the people live in rural villages depend mostly on farming.

B. Kathmandu is its only city and capital. Hinduism is the religion.

II. Bhutan - Himalaya is the major landform and makes it difficult for the people to develop its economy.

A. Most are subsistence farmers and practice Buddhism.

III.Sri Lanka (island) – is covered by lowlands and sandy beaches.

A. The Sinhalese 74% (Buddhist) and Tamils 17% (Hindus) have fought each other in the past.

B. In December 2004, a large tsunami struck the island killing more than 30,000 people and leaving 850,000 homeless.