Journal 1: List three things you know about Asia. What do you know about Gandhi, India, and the Caste System? December 7 and 8 The students will examine, explore, and study the religion, culture, government, economics, and geography of Asia. They will be able to locate India on a map, identify Gandhi and his accomplishments, as well as explain and define the Caste System India – Notes Caste the Deck – Group Activity Caste System – Notes India – Crash Course

Asia

India

India: Geography India is considered a subcontinent: a large area of land separated from the rest of a continent by a natural barrier.

India: Geography Himalayan Mountains Natural barrier Limits the movement of people Contains Mt. Everest Origins of Ganges and Indus Rivers

India Ganges River is sacred to Indians who follow the Hindu religion. It is also where the dead are cremated.

India’s History 2000 BCE: Invasion of Indus Valley by the Aryans from Central Asia. Aryans brought with them the Hindu religion and Caste System 600 BCE: Ganges River Settlements

India’s History 330 BCE: The Maurya Empire: Invaded and developed trade with Greece, Rome, and China Golden Age of India: Ashoka spread Buddhism

India’s History , the Mughal Empire brought Islam to India. Akbar’s grandson built a magnificent mausoleum to his wife, now known as The Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal Trash

India’s History 1600’s CE: British East India Company and Exploration Indians were banned from holding top authority positions Brought cultural diffusion of language, customs, laws, etc CE: British government takes over British East India Company and begins colonizing

India’s History Under British rule until Mohandas Gandhi peacefully fought for independence – called for civil disobedience using four methods 1.Passive Resistance: nonviolence noncooperation 2. Civil Disobedience: refuse to obey unjust laws 3. Economic Boycott: don’t purchase British goods. Buy Indian goods instead 4. Dandi Salt March: protest tax on salt

Mahatma Gandhi Born in India Most important figure in India in the 20 th century Lived in South Africa and participated in peaceful protests against the government's treatment of Indian settlers Returned to India in 1915 and became a political leader Helped India gain independence in 1947

India: Independence in 1947 India became the world’s largest democracy Government passes laws to protect and help Untouchables Women are given right to vote and have careers Assassinated in 1948 by a Hindu who did not like that Gandhi felt Muslims had equal values and no one was better than anyone else “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” -Gandhi

India’s History After WWII: India divided into East and West Pakistan Pakistan (Islam) and India (Hinduism) had a combined 12 million refugees Still conflict between the two: Religious differences and Territorial disputes (Kashmir)

India : Foreign Policy during Cold War Foreign policy became Nonalignment: remained neutral supporting neither the United States or USSR United States: gave food and economic assistance USSR: gave technical and financial aid United States and India relations suffered in 1971 when US supported Pakistan during the India-Pakistan War Resulted in creation of Bangladesh as independent nation. Relations have improved since.

India: Relations with China India invaded Tibet 1950 In 1959 China violently put down the revolt and the Dalai Lama was forced to flee to India for safety China took territory from India in 1962 China supported Pakistan in India- Pakistan War

Statistics in India 1.22 billion in India – 2 nd largest populated nation in the world. It is 1/7 th of the world’s population of 7.3 billion, around 17%. One million births each month – strains their natural resources

India: Lifestyle Family: Large family units live together Arranged marriages. Dating/divorce are rare Male oriented society women submit & obey Recreation: Hockey, cricket, soccer, rugby India makes most the movies in the world Rice, curry, chai tea (many vegetarians) Cows are sacred: No leather in a temple Do not touch women – sign of respect Remove shoes when entering home Bindi – red dot on forehead, lots of jewelry Eat with their hands, women eat after guests, men, and children No backslapping, winking, whistle, or public displays affection

CASTE THE DECK Which Caste are you cast into? CASTE SYSTEM

THE CASTE SYSTEM A hierarchy or form of social organization that sets forth certain rules for each member in Indian society. CASTE SYSTEM

A social organization where a person’s occupation and position in life is determined by the circumstances of his or her birth. People are born into a particular caste and remain in that caste all of their life. They can only move up after death. The government of India has attempted to abolish the caste system in 1949, but long standing traditions do not easily die and it is still practiced. The caste system is less visible in cities, but remains in villages. There are thousands of castes and sub castes, the five major divisions are as follows: THE CASTE SYSTEM

Brahmins Priests, Scholars, Teachers and Religious Officials

Kshatriyas Military Rulers, Landowners, and Warriors

Vaisyas Farmers, Merchants, Traders, and Craftsmen

Sudras Servants and Basic Laborers

Dalit Untouchables are so low they are not really considered a caste. They must do the worst and dirtiest of jobs.

The Untouchables

Perform jobs considered unfit for higher castes to include unclogging sewers and toilets, cremating, removing road-kill, killing and disposing of dead cattle and handling the dead and/or human remains. The Untouchables

This man was seen fishing in a higher caste fishing hole. Later, he was found and acid was thrown on his face. This is how an untouchable can be punished for trying to live outside his place in society. The Untouchables

Caste System

World's oldest religion Veda is the oldest readings of Hinduism No specific founder Hinduism Hindu Deities Brahma is the Creator Vishnu is the Preserver Shiva is the Destroyer

Hinduism is the religion of approximately 83% of the Indian population. There are three major points to remember about the Hindu religion: 1.Hindus believe in reincarnation, which teaches a person is born, lives, dies, and is reborn again many times. 2.Hindus believe in karma, which states a person’s social position in the next life depends upon his or her conduct in the present life. 2.Hindus believe in dharma, which provides a code of behavior or set of moral and ethical rules governing the conduct of each social class. An upper class Hindu and a lower class Hindu have different sets of rules or dharma to live by. Hinduism