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