Chapter 9, Sections 4,5 Changing Patterns of Life And Other Nations of South Asia

Village Life Only ½ of villages have electricity and few have running water. Clothing is traditional. People rely on human/animal power to farm.

The Modern Caste System Higher caste members can afford education and have good connections, so they dominate the best jobs. Former untouchables are allowed to attend school, worship at temple and draw water from a village well. Urbanization and modernization weakens caste distinction through anonymity.

Males are educated more so than women and the poor families need their kids working in the field. Today 80% of children get some school and 52% can read and write.

Women are allowed to vote, own property and get a divorce. Some women hold high positions in government. Women are mostly subordinate in villages.

Originally split into two, West Pakistan and East Pakistan were separated by 1000 miles of India. The West was by the Middle East and had droughts. The East was by SE Asia and has frequent flooding. The West dominated the government.

Pakistan’s government is Islamic Fundamentalist. High population, illiteracy and military rivalry with India all present development problems.

Bangladesh Natural disasters (flooding, cyclones) and a huge population limit progress. One of the poorest nations in the world, they rely on huge amounts of financial aid.

Afghanistan has fought off foreign invaders (Britain, Russia, the USSR, the US) for years. It is one of the poorest nations in the world. The Taliban restored order after a civil war in the 90’s. But they imposed Islamic Fundamentalism, and have harbored terrorists like al Qaeda.

Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon) There is ethnic conflict between the Buddhist majority, and the Tamils (who are Hindu and claim that they are discriminated against).