chapter 25
TRANSCRIPT
Chapter 25The Indian Subcontinent
Section 1Physical Geography
Physical FeaturesSubcontinent
A large landmass that is smaller than a continent
Indian SubcontinentAlso called South AsiaConsists of 7 countries
Make up most unique geographic regions in the world
MountainsMt. ranges separate Indian
Subcontinent from AsiaHindu Kush mts.
In the NW; separate from Central Asia
Eastern & Western Ghats Lower mts.; separate India’s
east & west coasts from interior
Himalayas Stretch 1,500 miles along
northern border Formed by collision of 2
massive tectonic plates Mt. Everest
Measures 29,035 feet
Rivers & PlainsTwo major rivers systems
The Ganges & the Indus (originate in Himalayas) Carry water from mts. & cause flooding which leaves rich soil
deposits & fertile plains
Ganges RiverMost importantNorthern India to Bangladesh and forms a delta w/ other
rivers Delta: a landform at the mouth of a river created by sediment
depositsGanges Plains: farming heartland of India
Indus RiverCreated fertile plain (Indus River Valley)
Once home to earliest civilizations
Other FeaturesDeccan
South of Ganges PlainsLarge, hilly plateau
Thar (or Great Indian Desert)East of Indus ValleyRolling sand dunes
TaraiSouthern NepalFertile farmland & tropical jungles
ClimateClimate Regions
Vary depending on locationHimalayas’: highland climate; cool tempsThe plains: humid subtropical climate; hot humid summers w/
plenty of rainTropical climates over most of subcontinentTropical savanna: warm temps year round; wet/dry seasonsHumid tropical: warms temps & heavy rainDry climates: desert & steppe climates
Monsoons: seasonal winds that bring either moist or dry air to an areaJune-October: summer monsoons; moist air from Indian Ocean;
heavy rains & floodingWinter: winds change directions; dry air from north; little rain
Natural ResourcesFertile soil
Most important resource Produce many crops: tea, rice, nuts, & jute (used to
make rope)
Timber & livestock also keyMineral resources
Iron ore, coal, natural gas, & gemstones
Section 2History and Culture of India
Early Civilizations and Empires1 of world’s oldest civilizations
Early civilizations greatly influenced history
Ancient CivilizationsIndus River Valley
Harappan civilization 2300-1700 B.C. Declined in 1700 B.C. invaders, natural disaster, ?
Aryans From Central Asia Powerful warriors Conquered & settled fertile plains along Indus & Ganges
Rivers Greatly influenced Indian culture
Language (Sanskrit) serves as basis of languages in South Asia Aryans mixed w/ Indian already living in fertile plains
Religious beliefs & customs mixed (forming beginnings of India’s social system & Hindu)
Early EmpiresPowerful kingdoms emergedMauryan Empire
Dominated region in 320 B.C.Rulers raised huge armies & conquered almost
entire subcontinentAsoka (1 of greatest rulers) helped expand
empire & improve trade Also encouraged acceptance of other religions
After his death power struggles & invasions destroyed Mauryan Empire
Gupta Empire(AD 300s)United much of north IndiaUnder Gupta rulers trade & culture thrivedScholars made advances in math, medicine, &
astronomyAttacks & invaders from Asia weakened
empire over timeAD 550 India was once again divided
The Mughal Empire600s
Muslims began raids in India Some tried to take over Indian kingdoms
Turkish Muslims est. a powerful kingdom at Delhi
1500sNew Muslim invaders swept across subcontinent
Lead by Babur they conquered much of India an est. Mughal Empire Babur grandson Akbar was 1 on India’s greatest rulers
Trade flourished (demand for spices & tea grew) Empire grew rich Culture also promoted
Promoted religious tolerance & encouraged peace in empire Architecture also thrived
The British EmpireEarly 1500s
England rose to power as Mughal Empire declined1600s
English presence in India began High demand for Indian goods (cotton & sugar) East Indian Company (British trading Co.) granted trading
rights by Mughal rulers
East Indian Co.At 1st small trading postsPower & territory expanded w/ more British presence
in IndiaMid 1800s controlled more than half of the Indian
Subcontinent India became a British colony
British ruleAngered & frightened many IndiansEast India Co. controlled w/ army mostly made
up of Indian troops commanded by British officers
1857Indian troops revoltedViolence across India followedBritish gov’t crushed rebellion & took control
of India away from East India Co.
Independence & DivisionLate 1800s
British rule ?Indian National Congress created
Tried of being 2nd class citizens Goal: gain more rights & opportunities
Demand for independence grewMohandas Gandhi
Important leader of independence movement1920s-1930s strategy of nonviolent protest
convinced millions to support independence
Britain agrees to independenceHindu & Muslim communities create tensions
Muslims feared having little say in new gov’t & wanted to become separate nation
Avoiding Civil WarBritish gov’t agreed to partition of India1947 2 independent countries formed
India: mostly Hindu Pakistan & present day Bangladesh: mostly Muslim (10 million left
India)
Other countries followedSri Lanka & Maldives1971 after bloody civil war that killed 1 million people East
Pakistan broke away and became Bangladesh
ReligionIndia is birthplace of several major religionsHinduism
Dominant religion of IndiaEverything in the universe is part of a single spirit
Brahman Ultimate goal is to reunite soul with Brahman
Souls are reincarnated many times before this happens
BuddhismA religious belief based on the teachings of Buddha
People can rise above their desire for material goods & reach nirvana (a ste of perfect peace in which suffering and reincarnation end
Caste SystemDivided Indian society into groups based on a
person’s birth or occupation4 classes (originally based on occupation)Dalits
Members of India’s lowest class
Section 3India
Daily Life1 billion peopleMany different ethnic groups, religions, &
lifestylesAll help unite people of India
CitiesVery populatedMost work in factories & officesUniversities, research centers, & high-tech
businessesCity-dwellers struggle to make living
Most live in shacks made of scrap wood or metal
No plumbing & little clean water
VillagesMost live in rural areas70% of populationMost work as farmers & live w/ extended
familyRecent addition of paved roads & electricity
ReligionPlays key role in daily lifeMost practice HinduismIslam & Buddhism also practicedNative religions of Sikhism & Jainism also
practicedPopular festival: Diwali
India’s ChallengesPopulation
Huge population places strain on environment & resources (including food, housing, & schools)
Cities are particularly affected Urbanization: the increase in the percentage of people who live in cities Many moved to cities in search of jobs
Gov’t & EconomyLeaders have strengthened gov’t & economyWorld’s largest democracyChallenge is providing for growing population & resolving
conflicts w/ Pakistan (both have nuclear weapons)Millions of Indians live in povertyGreen revolution: program that encouraged farmers to adopt
modern agricultural methods Helped produce more food
Section 4India’s Neighbors
CultureHave different cultures than IndiaPeople
Many ethnic groups Sherpas: ethnic group from the mts. of Nepal; guide through
Himalayas Bhutan’s largest ethnic group originally from Tibet Sri Lanka’s Tamil people came from India to work on plantations
ReligionPakistan & Bangladesh
Practice Islam & small group of Hinduism, Christianity, & tribal religions
Nepal Hinduism & some Buddhism
Bhutan & Sri Lanka Buddhism
PakistanLacks govt’ stabilitySuffered from rebellions & assassinations of gov’t
leaders since 19472001 General Pervez Musharraf came to power as military
coupRapid population growth
Struggles to manage resources & reduce povertyRelations w/ India
Clashed over territory of Kashmir Both control region; armed troops guard line of control that
divides east & west Kashmir
2001Has aided U.S. in war on terrorism
BangladeshSmall country (size of Wisconsin)Population ½ the size of U.S.1 of world’s most densely populated
countries2,850 people per square mile
Flooding is one of biggest challengesStreams & rivers flood annually
Damage homes & farms Destroys schools & roads as well
NepalPopulation growing rapidly
Has doubled in last 30 yearsPoverty and unemployment are also highOne of world’s least developed nationsFaces environmental threats
More land needed to grow food to feed growing population
Deforestation causes soil erosion & harms wildlife Tourism also hurts environment (use resources &
leave behind trash)
BhutanSmall mt. kingdomHas been isolated
Outside influences limited1900s king est. ties w/ Great Britain & India
Efforts to modernize resulted in new roads, schools, & hospitals
Today continues to develop economicallyMost are farmers (grow rice, potatoes, & corn)
Some raise livestock (yaks, pigs, & horses)Industry is also importantGov’t limits # of visitors to protect environment &
way of life
Sri LankaIndia has great influence
Tamil & Sinhalese 2 largest ethnic groups descended from India settlers
Conflicts between ethnic groups divide countryTamil want a separate state
2004 tsunamiKilled thousands and more than 500,000
people were left homelessDamaged fishing & agriculture industries