1. Central and South Asia
Politics and Religion

2. Political Origins Steppe
C/SA have always been a highway between Asia and the Middle East
Movements of peoples from all directions influenced the people there
Indus River Civilization
Harappa and Mohenjo Daro
Centralized, stratified states
The Indo-Aryans (from around the Caucases)
Moved into the region and established their dominance
Segregated society based on skin color (light skin and dark skin)
Aryans and “dasas” (enemies/servants)
Steppe

3. Religious Origins Harappa and Mohenjo Daro The Indo-Aryans
We aren’t sure, but we can assume it was a form of animistic paganism
The Indo-Aryans
Brought their holy text, the Vedas
A set of books about what would later become Hinduism

4. Religious Development
Vedic tradition would mature into Hinduism
One supreme being with many lesser gods (polytheistic, but not)
Major Hindu principles
Samsara and reincarnation: the ceaseless cycle
Moksha: breaking the cycle and reunion
Karma: perpetuating the cycle
Dharma: your divine duty (the Caste System)
Siddhārtha Gautama (6th century BC)
A prince that sought the meaning to life
Enlightenment, “the Buddha”, and the Four Noble Truths
Buddhism and the Caste System

5. Political Development
India under Buddhism (Ashoka: 3rd century BC)
Converted after witnessing war
Wanted a society of universal acceptance
Built hospitals, shrines, and clinics for all
Called his people “his children”
Later reverted to Hinduism
Buddhism went east
The Mongol invasions (13th century AD)
Conquered CA and most of SA
The Pax Mongolica: Freedom of travel, trade, religion
The Mughal Empire (16th century AD)
Islamic/Hindu divide of Indians

6. Religion Today Central Asia South Asia
Primarily Islamic (all the “stan” nations)
Solidarity movements under the Soviet Union
Issues with Xinjiang Province, China
Uighur Muslim population (Turkic)
South Asia
Divided between Islamic and Hindu populations
Pakistan and Bangladesh (Muslim Indians)
India (Hindu Indians)

7. Politics Today Central Asia South Asia Struggling from Post-Soviet era
American intervention in 1979 Soviet-Afghan War
CIA training of Osama bin Laden (Saudi prince)
Preaching of “Jihad” against invaders (whoops)
Blowback, Israel and 9/11
South Asia
Pakistani issues with stability
Fundamentalism (Taliban)
India as world’s largest democracy
Issues with Westernization
Both nations are hostile and nuclear
Kashmir