1. South Asia

2. South Asia Geo & Early History 7 Countries (India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan) Geo Features Himalayas (Tallest mountains in the world) Kashmir Valley (Battle between India & Pakistan) Indus River (Supports Pakistan’s population) Ganges River (Supports India’s Population) Sacred to Indians Very Polluted

3. Geography Continued Climate Wet monsoon summer (3 months of rain) Dry winter (9 months) Diversity 4 major world religions (Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Buddhism) Hindu = Majority in India Islam = Majority in Pakistan & Bangladesh Sikh = Minority in both Buddhism = All other countries 700 spoken languages (Hindi is largest)

4. Geography Continued The People 1 in 5 people on the planet are from South Asia India # 2 (1,070,000,000) Expected to pass China Pakistan # 6 (160,000,000) Bangladesh # 8 (142,000,000) Most live in villages/Cities are rapidly Growing http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0884418.html ¾ of people still depend on farming

5. Bangladesh One of poorest most densely populated countries in the world Very fertile land from constant flooding Barely above sea level Causes massive flooding 50 cyclones in the 1990s alone

6. Early civilizations Indus Valley Civilization one of earliest Arrival of Aryan’s Nomadic/warlike people From caucus Mountains Sweep through Mid East settle into India Set up social class system (CASTE SYSTEM)

7. Caste System 4 classes (Called Varna) Brahmans (Priests) Kshatryia’s (Warriors/Teachers) Vaisya (Land owners & Merchants) Sudra’s (Servants & Peasants) Position is based on birth Can not move up or down Can not inter-marry 5 th group not considered a class (UNTOUCHABLES)

8. Religions of India/Hinduism Basic Hindu Beliefs No founder of formal church Comes from ancient Aryan beliefs & practices Major religion of present day India Sacred Texts Vedas & Upanishads Ramayana & Mahabharata are also ancient writings Polytheistic Worship thousands of gods Each god is part of supreme force (Brahman) Brahman = supreme force of the universe

9. Hinduism Continued Main Gods 1. Brahma = The Creator 2. Vishnu = The Preserver 3. Siva = The Destroyer Atman = The essential self in every individual Hindu’s believe all things part of the same universal soul Stress non-violence & Respect of nature Believe people suffer from pursuit of false goals Material riches & Personal pleasures

11. Hinduism Continued Moksha = True goal for all Hindu’s Soul freed from body united with Brahman Can’t be done in one life/Reincarnation Karma = every deed (mental or physical) in this life affects fate in future lives Present situation = result of previous lives Caste System Strict social class under Hinduism Brahman’s believed to be closest to Moksha

12. Buddhism Siddhartha Gautama = Buddha/Enlightened one Buddha thought himself a Hindu Difference Denies existence of gods/Priests are not needed for Nirvana Rejected Caste System

13. Buddhism Continued 4 Noble Truths 1. Suffering is universal 2. Cause of suffering is desire 3. End suffering by crushing desire (Nirvana = state of wanting nothing) 4. End desire by following noble eightfold path *Guide to conduct, Understanding suffering, compassion for all creatures, Kindness & Truthfulness.

14. Buddhism Continued Three Baskets Of Wisdom (Bible/Holy-book) Recorded by followers Sects of Buddhism Theravada Buddhism Monastic life to reach Nirvana View Buddha as a great Teacher Mahayana Buddhism Worship Buddha as a god 4 th largest religion in the world Nearly 400 million Buddhists

15. British Rule of India When British arrive India = separate states not united British attempt conversion to Christianity Force Indian Princes to follow their laws Outlaw practice of “Sati” Draft Indians into British Army Sepoy Rebellion Rumor that guns greased with pork & beef grease Indians forced to fight in distant lands Believe they lose caste if they die out of country Major uprising of Indian troops/British kill many

16. Effects of British Rule Set up court system & Hospitals Improve roads & Communications Destroy local economy People forced to buy expensive British goods Forced to grow cash crops (For British) Leads to massive famine Educate Higher classes Become aware of their situation Leads to Indian Nationalism/Gandhi Amritsar Massacre 400 killed 1,100 wounded (Turning point in struggle for freedom)

17. Mohandas Gandhi Born to a middle class Hindu Family Studies Law in England Practices law in South Africa Fights for civil rights Inspiration to men like Martin Luther King Jr.

18. Mohandas Gandhi Inspires India to unite against British rule Satyagraha Method to end injustice Called it “Life Force” Civil Disobedience Refuse to follow unjust laws Make British aware of injustice Gives up Western ways Lives as traditional Indian

19. Hindu/Muslim Conflict Differences- Polytheistic vs Monotheistic Islam teaches all are equal Hindu’s follow the caste system Muslim’s follow strict laws of Koran Hindu’s tolerate many beliefs Cattle = Food to Muslims Sacred to Hindu’s

20. India Splits 2 Nations Created Hindu dominated India Muslim dominated East & West Pakistan East Pakistan becomes Bangladesh in 1970s War with Pakistan for independence Fighting kills ½ million 15 million forced to flee homeland Currently Fighting over Kashmir Valley Nuclear War Threat

21. India since Gandhi Leaders Nehru Improves economy Industrializes country Improves agriculture Indira Gandhi Nehru’s daughter 1975 ends democracy Restores it 10 years later Sikh body guards assassinated her

22. Continued Rajiv Gandhi Son of Indira Also Assassinated

23. Solving India’s problems today 1. Complete end to the caste system 2. Improve education (For all) 3. Slow population growth 4. Reduce rural poverty

24. Extra’s Major improvements in rights for women Education Lacks teachers, technology, too many languages Cow Poop Used in cooking, flooring, and fertilizer Untouchables today Converting to Islam to improve lives