Chapter 21 – The Indian Subcontinent

Section NotesPhysical GeographyHistory and Culture of IndiaIndia TodayIndia’s Neighbors

VideoImpact of Population Density

ImagesGeographySummer and Winter MonsoonsCrowded Delhi StreetSri LankaPopulation Growth in Indian

Subcontinent

Quick FactsChapter 21 Visual Summary

MapsIndian Subcontinent: PoliticalIndian Subcontinent: PhysicalIndian Subcontinent: PrecipitationIndia: PopulationReligions of the Indian SubcontinentThe Indian Subcontinent

World AlmanacReligions of the Indian

Subcontinent

Close-upDiwali: The Festival of Lights

Physical Geography

The Big Idea

The physical geography of the Indian Subcontinent features unique physical features and a variety of climates and

resources.

Main Ideas

Towering mountains, large rivers, and broad plains are the key physical features of the Indian Subcontinent.

The Indian Subcontinent has a great variety of climate regions and resources.

Main Idea 1:Towering mountains, large rivers, and broad plains are the key physical features of the

Indian Subcontinent.

• A subcontinent is a large landmass that is smaller than a continent.

• The Indian Subcontinent is a triangular wedge of land that juts out from the southernmost portion of Asia.

• The Indian Subcontinent is also called South Asia.

• The Indian Subcontinent is made up of seven countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

• The Indian Subcontinent is one of the most distinctive geographic regions in the world.

Mountains

• Hindu Kush mountains divide the subcontinent from Central Asia.

• The Eastern and Western Ghats separate India’s east and west coasts from the country’s interior.

• The Himalayas run along the northern border and are home to the world’s highest mountains.

Rivers and Plains

• The rivers flood each year, leaving fertile plains.

• India’s most important river is the Ganges.

• A delta is a landform at the mouth of a river.

• The Ganges Plain is India’s farming heartland.

• The Indus River creates a fertile plain known as the Indus River Valley.

Key Physical Features

Other Features • The Deccan is a

large, hilly plateau located to the south of the Ganges Plain.

• The Thar, or Great Indian Desert, is made up of rolling sand dunes.

• The Tarai in southern Nepal has fertile farmland and tropical jungles.

Main Idea 2:The Indian Subcontinent has a great variety

of climate regions and resources.

The Indian Subcontinent has four climate regions: the highland climate, the subtropical climate, the tropical climate, and the desert or steppe climate.

Monsoons have a huge influence on the weather and climates in the subcontinent.

Agricultural and mineral resources are plentiful.

Climate Regions

1. Highland climate – Himalayas

– Brings cool temperatures to much of Nepal and Bhutan

2. Humid subtropical climate – Plains south of the Himalayas

– Hot, humid summers with plenty of rainfall

3. Tropical climate – Covers much of the subcontinent

– Tropical savanna in central India and Sri Lanka

– Humid tropical climate in southwest India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Bangladesh

4. Desert and steppe climate – Throughout southern and western India and most of Pakistan

– Dry

Monsoons

Monsoons are seasonal winds that bring either moist or dry air to an area.

Summer monsoons bring heavy rains and fertile growing conditions to many places on the Indian Subcontinent.

In the winter, the monsoons change direction. The winter monsoons bring dry air from the north, and little rain falls during this time of year.

Agricultural Resources

Mineral Resources

• Fertile soil

• Timber

• Livestock

• Iron ore – India

• Coal – India

• Natural gas reserves – Pakistan

• Gemstones – Sri Lanka

Natural Resources

History and Culture of India

The Big Idea

Ancient civilizations and powerful empires have shaped the history and culture of India.

Main Ideas

• Advanced civilizations and powerful empires shaped the early history of India.

• Powerful empires controlled India for hundreds of years.

• Independence from Great Britain led to the division of India into several countries.

• Religion and the caste system are two important parts of Indian culture.

Ancient Civilizations

Early Empires

• Around 2300 BC the Harappan civilization began in the Indus River Valley.

• The Ayrans, invaders from Central Asia, entered India around 1500 BC.

• Aryan culture helped shape the language, religion, and caste system of India.

• By 223 BC the Mauryan Empire controled most of the Indian Subcontinent.

• Emperor Asoka helped spread Buddhism in India.

• Indian trade and culture flourished during the Gupta Empire.

Main Idea 1:Advanced civilizations and powerful empires

shaped the early history of India.

Main Idea 2:Powerful empires controlled India for

hundreds of years.

The Mughal Empire

• Babur establisheed the Mughal Empire in northern India in 1526

• Indian trade, culture, and religion thrived under the rule of Akbar the Great.

• By 1700 the Mughal Empire ruled almost all of the Indian Subcontinent.

The British Empire

• The British East India Company established trade in India in the early 1600s.

• By the mid-1800s the company controlled more than half of the Indian Subcontinent.

• India became a British colony.

• Indian troops revolted against the East India Company.

• The British government took direct control of India in 1858.

• India and Pakistan gained independence in 1947.

Main Idea 3:Independence from Great Britain led to the

division of India into several countries.• Indians began to question British rule and created the Indian

National Congress.

• Mohandas Gandhi was the most important leader of the Indian independence movement.

• Great Britain finally agreed to make India independent, but they feared that a civil war would erupt between India’s Hindu and Muslim communities.

• To avoid civil war, the British government agreed to the partition, or division, of India into two separate countries: India and Pakistan.

• Sri Lanka and Maldives gained their independence from Great Britain.

• In 1971 East Pakistan broke away to form the country of Bangladesh.

Main Idea 4:Religion and the caste system are two

important parts of Indian culture.

• One of the world’s oldest religions• Hinduism—the dominant religion of India• Believe everything in the universe is part of a single

spirit called Brahman• Believe one’s ultimate goal is to reunite one’s soul with

Brahman• Believe in reincarnation

Religion• India is the birthplace of several major religions, including

Hinduism and Buddhism.

Hinduism

• Began in northern India in the late 500s BC• Buddhism—a religion based on the teachings of

Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha• Believe people can rise above their desire for material

goods and reach nirvana• Nirvana is a state of perfect peace.

Buddhism

The Caste System

• The caste system divided Indian society into groups based on a person’s birth or occupation.

• The caste system features four main classes, originally based on occupations.

• Below the four main castes are the Dalits, members of India’s lowest class.

• Many rules guided interaction between the classes.

India Today

The Big Idea

India today features a blend of modern and traditional culture, a rapidly growing population, and a developing

economy.

Main Ideas

• Daily life in India is centered around cities, villages, and religion.

• Today India faces many challenges, including a growing population and economic development.

Cities

• Two largest cities—Mumbai (Bombay) and Kolkata (Calcutta)

• Bangalore and Mumbai—universities, research centers, and high-tech businesses

• Most people struggle to earn a living in the cities.

Villages

• Most Indians live in rural areas.

• Most villagers work as farmers and live with an extended family.

• Paved roads and electricity have only recently reached many Indian villages.

Main Idea 1:Daily life in India is centered around cities,

villages, and religion.

Religion • Plays a key role in

Indian daily life

• Most practice Hinduism.

• Many follow other religions (Islam, Buddhism, etc.).

• Millions practice Sikhism and Jainism.

• Religious celebrations are important.

Main Idea 2: Today India faces many challenges, including

a growing population and economic development.

Population

• India is the world’s second most populous country.

• India’s huge population places a strain on India’s environment and resources.

• Urbanization is taking place. Urbanization is the increase in the percentage of people who live in cities.

Government and the Economy

• India is the world’s largest democracy.

• India is one of the strongest nations in Asia.

• One of India’s largest industries is its moviemaking industry—called Bollywood.

• Although India is one of the world’s top five industrial countries, millions of Indians live in poverty.

Challenges for India

1. Poverty

• India’s government instituted a reform called the green revolution, a program that encouraged farmers to adopt modern agricultural methods.

• The government had succeeded in attracting many high- tech businesses to India.

2. A growing population

3. Relationship with Pakistan

India’s Neighbors

The Big Idea

Despite cultural differences, the countries that border India share similar challenges.

Main Ideas

• Many different ethnic groups and religions influence the culture of India’s neighbors.

• Rapid population growth, ethnic conflicts, and environmental threats are major challenges to the region today.

Main Idea 1:Many different ethnic groups and religions influence the culture of India’s neighbors.

• Five countries share the subcontinent with India: Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka.

• These countries have significantly different cultures.

• The people of these countries come from many different ethnic groups.

• A variety of religions exist on the Indian Subcontinent.

People and Religions of the Indian Subcontinent

People• The Indian Subcontinent is

home to many different ethnic groups.

• The Sherpas, an ethnic group from the mountains of Nepal, often serve as guides through the Himalayas.

• Bhutan’s largest ethnic group originally came from Tibet.

• Many of Sri Lanka’s Tamil people came from India to work the country’s huge plantations.

Religions• Pakistan: most practice Islam;

small portions of the population follow Hinduism, Christianity, and tribal religions.

Bangladesh: most practice Islam; small portions of the population follow Hinduism, Christianity, and tribal religions.

Nepal: the dominant religion is Hinduism, although Buddhism is practiced in some parts of the country.

• Bhutan: the dominant religion is Buddhism.

• Sri Lanka: the dominant religion is Buddhism.

Main Idea 2:Rapid population growth, ethnic conflicts,

and environmental threats are major challenges to the region today.

Major Challenges for Pakistan

• Lack of government stability

• Rapid population growth

• Troubled relationship with India, especially over the territory of Kashmir

• Terrorists within Pakistan’s borders

Major Challenges for Bangladesh

• Over population– One of the world’s most densely populated countries– Dhaka (capital and largest city) – over 11.5 million

people

• Flooding

Major Challenges for Nepal

• Rapid population growth

– Population has more than doubled in the last 30 years.

– Kathmandu (capital and largest city) – over-crowded and impoverished

• One of the world’s least-developed nations

• Deforestation

• Controlling tourism

Major Challenges for Sri Lanka

• Conflict between Sri Lanka’s two largest ethnic groups: the Tamil and the Sinhalese

• Tsunami in 2004

– Killed thousands of Sri Lankans

– Crippled Sri Lanka’s fishing and agricultural industries

Bhutan Today

• Small mountain kingdom in the Himalayas

• Most people earn a living as farmers.

• Tourism is an important industry.

• Government limits the number of visitors in order to protect the environment and Bhutan’s way of life.

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