South Asia

8 Independent Nations8 Independent Nations

• IndiaIndia

• PakistanPakistan

• BangladeshBangladesh

• NepalNepal

• BhutanBhutan

• Island nations of Sri Lanka and MaldivesIsland nations of Sri Lanka and Maldives

• Afghanistan in the northwest is also often Afghanistan in the northwest is also often considered part of South Asia.considered part of South Asia.

• Large landmass in Southern hemisphere- Large landmass in Southern hemisphere- broke up (Gondwanaland)broke up (Gondwanaland)

• 1 landmass pushed north-collided-1 landmass pushed north-collided-mainland Asiamainland Asia

• Himalaya and Hindu Kush mountains Himalaya and Hindu Kush mountains moved.moved.– Formed barriers separating South Asia from Formed barriers separating South Asia from

the rest of Asia.the rest of Asia.

Religious TraditionsReligious Traditions

• Hinduism is the chief religion of India.Hinduism is the chief religion of India.– No founderNo founder– No formal churchNo formal church– Ancient Aryan beliefs and practicesAncient Aryan beliefs and practices

What is the symbol of Hinduism?

• Aum is the main symbol of Hinduism. It is the sound heard in deepest meditation and is said to be the name most suited for God.

Sacred TextsSacred Texts

• VedasVedas– Internal truths that were reveled to wise menInternal truths that were reveled to wise men

• Upanishads ( oo pan ih shadz)Upanishads ( oo pan ih shadz)– Helped to explain the ideas contained in the Helped to explain the ideas contained in the

VedasVedas

• The Ramayana (rah mah yuh) and the The Ramayana (rah mah yuh) and the Mahabharata (muh hah bah rah tuh) Mahabharata (muh hah bah rah tuh) – Two of the most famous hindu epics.Two of the most famous hindu epics.

BrahmanBrahman

• Hindus worshiped thousands of Gods.Hindus worshiped thousands of Gods.

• Each god is part of a single supreme force Each god is part of a single supreme force called called brahmanbrahman..– the eternal, unchanging, infinite, immanent, the eternal, unchanging, infinite, immanent,

and transcendent reality which is the Divine and transcendent reality which is the Divine Ground of all matter, energy, time, space, Ground of all matter, energy, time, space, being, and everything beyond in this Universebeing, and everything beyond in this Universe

3 Main Gods3 Main Gods

• Brahma- creator Brahma- creator

• Vishnu- preserverVishnu- preserver

• Siva- destroyerSiva- destroyer– Each has own family.Each has own family.

• Sects-Sects- group with distinctive religious, group with distinctive religious, political or philosophical beliefs.political or philosophical beliefs.

• AtmanAtman (AHT MUHN)- an essential self, (AHT MUHN)- an essential self, part of a universal soul.part of a universal soul.

KarmaKarma

• ““to do”to do”

• Every deed, mental or physical, in this life Every deed, mental or physical, in this life affects a persons fate in future life. affects a persons fate in future life.

BuddhismBuddhism

• Guatama’s enlightenmentGuatama’s enlightenment

• Realized there was suffering Realized there was suffering and miseryand misery

• Set out to find the cause of Set out to find the cause of miserymisery

• 6 years-found the answer6 years-found the answer

• Known as Buddha or Known as Buddha or “enlightened one”“enlightened one”

The Buddha’s TeachingsThe Buddha’s Teachings

• Four Noble TruthsFour Noble Truths– 1) Suffering is universal1) Suffering is universal– 2) Cause of suffering is desire2) Cause of suffering is desire– 3) only way to end suffering is to crush desire3) only way to end suffering is to crush desire– 4) the only way to end desire is to follow the 4) the only way to end desire is to follow the

Noble Eightfold Path. Noble Eightfold Path.

• Denied the existence of GodsDenied the existence of Gods

• Rejected the caste systemRejected the caste system

Noble Eightfold PathNoble Eightfold Path

• The Noble Eightfold Path: right understanding,The Noble Eightfold Path: right understanding,

right thought, right speech, right action, rightright thought, right speech, right action, right

livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, andlivelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and

right concentration.right concentration.

Other Religious TraditionsOther Religious Traditions• Mahavira, the historical founder of Mahavira, the historical founder of

JainismJainism• elder contemporary of the Buddha elder contemporary of the Buddha • known as Jina (literally, conquerer) known as Jina (literally, conquerer)

after he overcame the wretched after he overcame the wretched cycle of rebirth by achieving cycle of rebirth by achieving enlightenment. enlightenment.

• Jain devotees often commissioned Jain devotees often commissioned manuscripts of sacred literature for manuscripts of sacred literature for temple libraries in order to gain temple libraries in order to gain spiritual merit. spiritual merit.

• Many of these manuscripts contain Many of these manuscripts contain vibrant illustrations that depict vibrant illustrations that depict Mahavira meditating or teaching. Mahavira meditating or teaching.

Satellite View of South Asia

TheSize ofSouthAsia

Countries

India

Pakistan

Bangladesh

Nepal Bhutan

Sri Lanka

Afghanistan

China

Myanmar

Iran

cities

New Delhi

Madras

Benares

Calcutta

Kabul

Bombay

Dacca

Lahore

Colombo

Kathmandu

ThimbuKarachi

Islamabad

Ten Geographic QualitiesTen Geographic Qualities

• 1. Sub-region of Asia - Indian 1. Sub-region of Asia - Indian Subcontinent Subcontinent

• 2. Mostly Dry Flat Plateau Area2. Mostly Dry Flat Plateau Area

• 3. Soon to be the largest population 3. Soon to be the largest population concentration in the world -1.3 Billion concentration in the world -1.3 Billion

• 4. Center of Hindu Religious 4. Center of Hindu Religious ConcentrationConcentration

• 5. Hundreds of languages & ethnic groups5. Hundreds of languages & ethnic groups

• 6. Colonial Exploitation of this resource 6. Colonial Exploitation of this resource rich arearich area

• 7. Highest Mountains in the world 7. Highest Mountains in the world

• 8. Historically an Asian crossroads for 8. Historically an Asian crossroads for trade trade

• 9. Region is dominated by monsoon rains9. Region is dominated by monsoon rains

• 10. Culturally vibrant Hindus, Moslems, 10. Culturally vibrant Hindus, Moslems, Jaines, SeiksJaines, Seiks

SouthAsia:

Physical

Map

Bodies of Water

Indus

R.

Ganges R.

Brahmaputra R.

Arabian Sea

Indian Ocean

Bay ofBengal

• Surrounded by the Bay of Bengal, Arabian Surrounded by the Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean.Sea, Indian Ocean.

• Highways (link)Highways (link)

• Indus River- empties into the Arabian Sea.Indus River- empties into the Arabian Sea.– Principal river in PakistanPrincipal river in Pakistan– Majority of Pakistan's live in the Indus River BasinMajority of Pakistan's live in the Indus River Basin– South Asia’s earliest civilization developed in the South Asia’s earliest civilization developed in the

Indus Valley.Indus Valley.

• GangesGanges– Most holy riverMost holy river– Thousands of pilgrims come to purify themselves Thousands of pilgrims come to purify themselves

in the river.in the river.

Mountains & Peaks

Himalayas

Mt. Everest▲

Karakoran Mts.

Hindu Kush

Vindhya Hills

East

ern G

hatsW

este

rn G

hats

Khy

ber

Pass

I I

• Himalayas- stretch 1500 miles east to Himalayas- stretch 1500 miles east to west, snowcaped.west, snowcaped.

• Many of the worlds tallest mountainsMany of the worlds tallest mountains

• Mt. Everest, on the border of Nepal and Mt. Everest, on the border of Nepal and TibetTibet

• Hindu Kush (death)Hindu Kush (death)

• Khyber Pass- is a mountain pass that links Khyber Pass- is a mountain pass that links Pakistan and Afghanistan.Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Hindu Kush

The Khyber Pass

The Himalayas

“him” [snow]

“aalaya” [home]

Mt. Everest is 29,035 feet. It is the highest mt. peak in the world.

The Himalayas

“Fire Rim of the Pacific”

Earthquake Zones in India

Deserts / Plateaus

Thar

Desert

DeccanPlateau

TibetanPlateau

Completed Map

Indus

R.

Ganges R.

Brahmaputra R.

Arabian Sea

Indian Ocean

Bay ofBengal

Himalayas

Mt. Everest

▲

Karakoran Mts.

Hindu Kush

Vindhya Hills

East

ern G

hatsW

este

rn G

hats

Khy

ber

Pass

I I

Thar

Desert

DeccanPlateau

TibetanPlateau

Indo-GangeticPlain

Punjab

Kashmir

Climate Regions of South Asia

Natural HazardsNatural Hazards

• Many natural hazards--monsoons, Many natural hazards--monsoons, typhoons, volcanoes, and earthquakestyphoons, volcanoes, and earthquakes– Monsoon--a seasonal shift in the prevailing Monsoon--a seasonal shift in the prevailing

winds that influences large climate regionswinds that influences large climate regions– Typhoon--a destructive tropical storm Typhoon--a destructive tropical storm

occurring in the western Pacific Ocean or the occurring in the western Pacific Ocean or the China Sea, similar to a hurricaneChina Sea, similar to a hurricane

MonsoonMonsoon

• ““To know India and her people, To know India and her people, one has to know the one has to know the monsoon.”monsoon.”

• To the people of India the To the people of India the monsoons are a source of life.monsoons are a source of life.

• Key to farmersKey to farmers• Influenced art and literature of Influenced art and literature of

South AsiaSouth Asia• Very distinctive seasonal Very distinctive seasonal

precipitation regimeprecipitation regime

• (RESULTS OF CATASTROPHIC (RESULTS OF CATASTROPHIC RAINFALL)RAINFALL)

• Widespread floodingWidespread flooding

• Property damageProperty damage

• Destruction to agricultural Destruction to agricultural landslands

• Damage to transportation Damage to transportation infrastructureinfrastructure

• HomelessnessHomelessness

• DiseaseDisease

• MalnutritionMalnutrition

• Serious injurySerious injury

• DeathDeath

MonsoonMonsoon

Winter Monsoons: Nov.-April

Summer Monsoons: May-Oct.

Temperature

People of South AsiaPeople of South Asia

• Did you know that more people live in India than in Did you know that more people live in India than in Central America, North America and South America – Central America, North America and South America – altogether! altogether!

• The population of Hindus approximately 3 times bigger The population of Hindus approximately 3 times bigger than population of the USA.than population of the USA.

• More than 60% of the world's population live in Asia.More than 60% of the world's population live in Asia.• In China live 1.3 billion of people and in India 1.1 billion.In China live 1.3 billion of people and in India 1.1 billion.• In South Asia live more Muslims than in the whole Middle In South Asia live more Muslims than in the whole Middle

East, yet Muslims in South Asia is less than 15% of total East, yet Muslims in South Asia is less than 15% of total population. population.

Patterns of LifePatterns of Life

• Indian society developed into a complex system based Indian society developed into a complex system based on class and caste systems.on class and caste systems.

• Caste- based on the idea that there are separate kinds Caste- based on the idea that there are separate kinds of humans.of humans.

• Higher caste- purer than lowerHigher caste- purer than lower• RulesRules were meant to help people remain spiritually pure. were meant to help people remain spiritually pure.

– Governed cooking, eating, marriage, employment Governed cooking, eating, marriage, employment – Ex)Braham could only eat food prepared by another Ex)Braham could only eat food prepared by another

Braham.Braham.

Modernization and the Caste Modernization and the Caste SystemSystem

• People from different castes mix.People from different castes mix.

• Former untouchables might be allowed to Former untouchables might be allowed to draw water from the village well and draw water from the village well and worship at the village temple. worship at the village temple.

• Children attend public schools (separate Children attend public schools (separate rooms)rooms)

Five different levelsFive different levels

• Brahman, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Shudra, Brahman, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Shudra, and Harijans. and Harijans. – Within each of these categories are the Within each of these categories are the

actual "castes" or actual "castes" or jatis jatis within which within which people are born, marry, and die. people are born, marry, and die.

BrahmanBrahman

• PriestPriest

KshatriyaKshatriya

• ruler, warrior, landownerruler, warrior, landowner

VaishyaVaishya

• merchantsmerchants

ShudraShudra

• artisans, agriculturalistsartisans, agriculturalists

• Service worker (lowest class)Service worker (lowest class)

HarijanHarijan

• "outside" the caste system (once known "outside" the caste system (once known as "untouchables")as "untouchables")

• Gandhi said it was wrong to call people Gandhi said it was wrong to call people 'untouchable', and called them Harijans, 'untouchable', and called them Harijans, which means children of God.which means children of God.

Cultural Geography of South Cultural Geography of South AsiaAsia

• PopulationPopulation– 1.4 billion1.4 billion– concentrations on coasts & rivers concentrations on coasts & rivers – high overall population due to large base numbers & high overall population due to large base numbers &

high growth rateshigh growth rates– Large numbers in Pakistan & Bangladesh Large numbers in Pakistan & Bangladesh

• Clear sign of diversity here is language.Clear sign of diversity here is language.

• Nepal, size of Illinois has 13 languages.Nepal, size of Illinois has 13 languages.

• India has more then 700 languages and India has more then 700 languages and dialects.dialects.

• What’s a dialect?What’s a dialect?

• Dialect- regional version of language with Dialect- regional version of language with its own words, expressions, and its own words, expressions, and pronunciations.pronunciations.

• Most widely spoken language in India is Most widely spoken language in India is Hindi.Hindi.

• India recognizes 15 official languagesIndia recognizes 15 official languages

Language Families in South Asia

Improving EducationImproving Education

• When India became independent, 10% When India became independent, 10% could read and write.could read and write.

• Today 80% of elementary age children get Today 80% of elementary age children get some schooling, and 52% of Indians can some schooling, and 52% of Indians can read and write.’read and write.’– Free and required for all children up to 14 Free and required for all children up to 14

years of age. years of age. – More boys attend then girlsMore boys attend then girls

INTERESTING FACTSINTERESTING FACTS

– India is the 1/3 the size of the United States India is the 1/3 the size of the United States with 5 times the populationwith 5 times the population

– Bangladesh has about half the population of Bangladesh has about half the population of the United States alonethe United States alone

– South Asia is the fast growing of the large South Asia is the fast growing of the large population concentrations and will soon population concentrations and will soon surpass China as the largestsurpass China as the largest

What is this a picture of?What is this a picture of?

Taj MahalTaj Mahal

• located in Agra, India. It is one of the most located in Agra, India. It is one of the most recognizable structures in the world.recognizable structures in the world.

• It is widely considered as one of the most It is widely considered as one of the most beautiful buildings in the world and stands as a beautiful buildings in the world and stands as a symbol of eternal love.symbol of eternal love.

• Taj Mahal is the finest example of Mughal Taj Mahal is the finest example of Mughal architecture, a style that combines elements architecture, a style that combines elements from Persian, Islamic and Indian architectural from Persian, Islamic and Indian architectural stylesstyles

South Asia in the World TodaySouth Asia in the World Today

• ““Love your neighbor, but do not thrown Love your neighbor, but do not thrown down the dividing wall,” Indian proverbdown the dividing wall,” Indian proverb

• Respect for others-cautionedRespect for others-cautioned

• Dealing with one another and the worldDealing with one another and the world

Nuclear WeaponsNuclear Weapons

• India and Pakistan India and Pakistan

• Armed with nuclear weaponsArmed with nuclear weapons– 1998-successful weapon tests1998-successful weapon tests– Increase tensions between to powersIncrease tensions between to powers– Went to war in in 1947, 1964 (Kashmir)Went to war in in 1947, 1964 (Kashmir)

And 1971 when India helped Bangladesh break And 1971 when India helped Bangladesh break away from Pakistan.away from Pakistan.

India and the WorldIndia and the World

• After India won independence, the Cold After India won independence, the Cold War influenced its foreign policy.War influenced its foreign policy.

• India chose to follow a nonalignment India chose to follow a nonalignment policy.policy.

• Rejected alliance with either superpower, Rejected alliance with either superpower, it welcomed aid from both U.S and Soviet it welcomed aid from both U.S and Soviet Union.Union.

Pakistan and the WorldPakistan and the World

• Took a strong anti-communist stand during Took a strong anti-communist stand during the Cold War. the Cold War.

• Soviet-threat Soviet-threat

• Joined military alliances set up by the U.S Joined military alliances set up by the U.S to stop Soviet expansion.(got aid)to stop Soviet expansion.(got aid)– Soviet weakened- Pakistan loosened ties and Soviet weakened- Pakistan loosened ties and

turned to Muslim countries of Middle East.turned to Muslim countries of Middle East.

Ties to Middle EastTies to Middle East

• Pakistan and Middle East- close tiesPakistan and Middle East- close ties

• As an Islamic nation sought friendship with As an Islamic nation sought friendship with Iran and Turkey.Iran and Turkey.

• Accepted aid from oil-rich nations in Accepted aid from oil-rich nations in Persian Gulf.Persian Gulf.

• Work in Middle East and send money Work in Middle East and send money home.home.

AfghanistanAfghanistan

• Buffer state, small country located Buffer state, small country located between larger, hostile powers.between larger, hostile powers.

Looking to the FutureLooking to the Future

• Chipko Movement- group founded in 1972 Chipko Movement- group founded in 1972 to prevent the destruction of the nations to prevent the destruction of the nations forests.forests.– Women would protect trees with their bodiesWomen would protect trees with their bodies– Gandhi’s philosophy of satyagraha, nonviolent Gandhi’s philosophy of satyagraha, nonviolent

resistenceresistence

Environmental IssuesEnvironmental Issues

• Narmada Valley Project- angered Narmada Valley Project- angered environmentalists.environmentalists.– Calls for building three major dams and more Calls for building three major dams and more

then 3,000 smaller ones.then 3,000 smaller ones.– Pros: water to irrigate millions of acres of land, Pros: water to irrigate millions of acres of land,

electricityelectricity– Cons: flooding, destroy wildlife, submerge Cons: flooding, destroy wildlife, submerge

shrines.shrines.

Crisis in numbersCrisis in numbers

• Population growth- land size Population growth- land size – More then a quarter of people of South Asia More then a quarter of people of South Asia

are under 15 years of age.are under 15 years of age.

Limiting GrowthLimiting Growth

• Governments see the need to limit growthGovernments see the need to limit growth

• Encourage family planningEncourage family planning

• Slogan “a small family is a happy family”Slogan “a small family is a happy family”

• Mixed successMixed success

Art and LiteratureArt and Literature

• Most sculpture from South Asia relates to three world Most sculpture from South Asia relates to three world religions that emerged in India—Jainism, Buddhism and religions that emerged in India—Jainism, Buddhism and Hinduism.Hinduism.

• Each of these faiths constructed exquisite and distinctive Each of these faiths constructed exquisite and distinctive monuments in honor of its deities and spiritual teachers. monuments in honor of its deities and spiritual teachers.

• shrines and temples contain sculpted images that lead shrines and temples contain sculpted images that lead devotees to contemplate cosmic powers or greater devotees to contemplate cosmic powers or greater realities.realities.

• http://www.asia.si.edu/exhibitions/online/http://www.asia.si.edu/exhibitions/online/southasian/default.htmsouthasian/default.htm