South Asia India and Its Neighbors Geography of

South Asia India and Its Neighbors

Geography of S. Asia • Sub-continent of Asia— separated by mountains— growing • Mountains: Himalayas, Hindu Kush

• Important rivers: Ganges, Indus, • Deccan Plateau —central India • Many rainforests • Island countries of Sri Lanka, Maldives

Deccan Plateau

Maldives and Sri Lanka

• Khyber Pass —important for invaders • Mt. Everest —tallest mtn. in the world • Large deltas (Bangladesh) with lots of sediment

Climate and Monsoons • 3 seasons: cool, hot, rainy • Monsoons –seasonal winds that bring moisture (often heavy rains) • Monsoons too early, late, or too much rain and it ruins crops

Ancient India • About the time as Ancient Egypt • Along Indus River Valley, cities of Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro • Aryans from southern Russia—spoke Sanskrit • Used iron ore for farming and weapons, introduce the horse to area • Area becomes a crossroads for trade

Caste System • Social class system under Hinduism • Caste- inherited social class, called Varnas • Determines jobs, marriage, friends – Brahmans—highest: priests, teachers – Kshatriyas-Kings/rulers, warriors – Vaishyas-merchants and farmers – Shudras-labors – Untouchables—lowest: jobs no one else would do, Gandhi worked to help these people *Reincarnation kept this alive—hope to be reborn in higher class

History of India • Mughal Empire –Muslim ruled area • Emperor Akbar —included Muslim & Hindus, taxed based on how much owned • Strong time for arts, sciences & trade

--Mughal Empire collapses—British set up traded posts in India (spices, tea and silk) eventually rule all of India --British bring missionaries (Christianity), legal system and language to area

India’s Independence • Groups form to protest the British • Mohandas Gandhi –used nonviolence for protests, wanted independence and equality for all groups and women • Hunger strikes, marches, famous quotes • Gandhi was assassinated by radical • India gains indy but is split into 3 countries: India (Hindu), Pakistan and Bangladesh (Muslim)

India and South Asia Today • India –largest Democracy in the world -very poor, literacy rates low, -technology is increasing more jobs

Afghanistan • Afghanistan– was ruled by Taliban (Islamists) who were very strict • Wars and civil wars, Russia invaded • Very poor, not much farmable land, mountainous • Poppy—often made opium/heroin

Pakistan Øcountry born from India, mostly Muslim, violence between Hindus and Muslims ØSome radical Islamists, struggle for control ØConflict with India—both nuclear weapons ØTerrorists hiding in mountains

Nepal and Bhutan • Ruled by kings for a long time • very poor and mountainous • Holy temples • Very isolated from world • Increasing $ from tourism

v. Bangladesh– farming, overpopulated, monsoon flooding because of low elevation v. Most people farm, little industry, very poor v. Jute—like burlap and bamboo

Sri Lanka and the Maldives • Sri Lanka—mountainous with lots of rain, a democracy, fishing and tourism • The Maldives— 1200 islands, 300 inhabited, low lying, Islamic government, fishing, rice crops, tourism, very poor