human geography of india
DESCRIPTION
Human Geography of India. Historical Factors . Indus Valley Civilization Emerged along the Indus River (Pakistan) Polytheistic City-planning Sophisticated plumbing and sewage systems Language not yet deciphered Mysteriously disappeared. Historical Factors. Aryans - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Human Geography of India
Historical Factors Indus Valley Civilization
Emerged along the Indus River (Pakistan) Polytheistic City-planning Sophisticated plumbing and sewage systems Language not yet deciphered Mysteriously disappeared
Historical Factors Aryans
Crossed the Hindu Kush into Indus River Valley Established kingdoms along the Ganges Developed the Caste system – Social System Aryan culture played a key role in the development of
Indian civilization
Historical Factors Mauryan Empire
United most of India Spread Buddhism
Historical Factors Gupta Empire
Ruled northern India during an age of peace and prosperity
Spread of Hindu Culture
Historical Factors Mughal Empire
Muslims conquer the Indus Valley and then occupied Ganges Plain
By the early 1500s, they had established an empire throughout much of India
Muslim rule brought new customs that sometimes conflicted with those of native Hindus
Europeans Arrive 1500s – European traders arrive The British East India Company allowed Britain to
gain control over India’s trade with Europe 1857 – British establish direct ruler over India Raj – period of direct British control, lasted nearly 90
years
1920 – Mohandas Gandhi
Nonviolent Resistance – a protest movement that does not use violence to achieve its goals.
Opposition movement started by Gandhi
August 14, 1947, India became independent
Division of India – Muslims of West and East Pakistan (now Pakistan and Bangladesh) chose to separate from India, which was strongly Hindu
The World’s Largest Democracy 1950 – India became a democratic republic World’s largest democracy!!! Many different ethnic, cultural, and religious factors
influence Indian politics Hindus vs. Muslims India is strongly Hindu, but has 150 million Muslims Government leaders must take both interests into
account.
Economic Challenges Agriculture – 2/3 of India’s people rely on farming
for their livelihood – main economic activity Land Reform – more balanced distribution of land
among farmers
Life in Modern India Daily Life
Marriage and family – center of Indian life Arranged marriages, low divorce rates
Education Literacy is on the rise, but still a problem in city
slums and rural areas.
Bollywood Indian film industry located in Mumbai
Indian Culture Multiple Languages
18 major language groups 1,000 languages and dialects Hindi – Official Language English – common language
Hinduism – Caste System 80% of population, believe in many gods Reincarnation Karma Caste system – born into
Pakistan and Bangladesh
Pakistan and Bangladesh are Muslim countries formed as a result of the partition of British India.
Considered “young” countries
Ancient Lands Indus Valley Civilization
Largest of the world’s first civilizations Well-planned cities like Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro
Partition and War Partition – end of
British rule in 1947 brought the division of British India . Two countries were
formed: India
(predominately Hindu)
Pakistan (separated into West Pakistan and East Pakistan) (Muslim)
East Pakistan became Bangladesh in 1971
Military Rule Pakistan and India have fought wars over
the territory of Kashmir. Kashmir
12 million people Fertile river valleys
The Indus River flows through Kashmir Indus is a critical drinking and irrigation
source for Pakistan – unwilling to let India control
Since 1947 Pakistan and India have fought Three Indo-Pakistani wars 75,000 casualties!!! Nuclear Weapons = Nuclear War
Economies
Pakistan
Farming Cotton, Rice, Wheat Textile Industry
Export cotton garments Wool carpets Leather goods
Bangladesh
Farming Rice Jute Fishing Microcredit – small loans
for entrepreneurs Textile Industry
Export cotton garments
Islamic Culture REMEMBER: Muslim Mughal
Empire ruled for centuries Ramadan – month-long period
of fasting from sunrise to sunset. Pakistan
Muslim Stricter Islamic practices Purdah – seclusion of women
Bangladesh Less strict Islamic practices Purdah is much less common
Ethnic Diversity
Pakistan
More ethnically diverse 5 ethnic groups – each
has its own language Punjabis (1/2 of
population) Sindhis Pathans Muhajirs Balochs Urdu – national language
Bangladesh
Less ethnically diverse Bengalis Speak a language
based on Sanskrit
Modern Life Arranged marriages, large
families Most live in small villages in
home made of sun baked mud, bamboo, or wood.
Cities are large, crowded with traffic and pedestrians.
Nepal