Download - South Asia in Transition An Overview of South Asia

South Asia in TransitionSouth Asia in Transition

An Overview An Overview of South of South

AsiaAsia

OverviewOverview Politics and GovernmentPolitics and Government EconomicsEconomics Population, Health, the Population, Health, the

Environment, and ConflictEnvironment, and Conflict South Asia Social and South Asia Social and

Cultural IssuesCultural Issues South Asia and World South Asia and World

AffairsAffairs


OverviewOverviewHome of the ancient Indus Home of the ancient Indus Valley civilizationValley civilization


Birthplace of four major Birthplace of four major religions: Hinduism, religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Buddhism, Jainism, and SikhismSikhism HinduismHinduism is the world's oldest existing major is the world's oldest existing major

religion A worldwide religious tradition religion A worldwide religious tradition based on the Vedas and the beliefs and based on the Vedas and the beliefs and traditions of the various groups in India…traditions of the various groups in India…Hinduism's origins include cultural elements Hinduism's origins include cultural elements of the Indus valley civilization (c.3300 BC)of the Indus valley civilization (c.3300 BC)


Birthplace of four major Birthplace of four major religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and SikhismJainism, and Sikhism BuddhismBuddhism is a non-theistic religion, is a non-theistic religion, a philosophy and a system of a philosophy and a system of psychology, also known as – comes psychology, also known as – comes from the teachings of “the awakened from the teachings of “the awakened One”, Siddhartha Gautmama or “the One”, Siddhartha Gautmama or “the Buddha”Buddha” Buddhism spread throughout the Indian Buddhism spread throughout the Indian

subcontinent in the five centuries subcontinent in the five centuries following the Buddha's passing, and following the Buddha's passing, and thence into Central, Southeast and East thence into Central, Southeast and East Asia and Eastern Europe over the next Asia and Eastern Europe over the next two millenniatwo millennia


Birthplace of four major religions: Birthplace of four major religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhismand Sikhism Jainism Jainism is a religion and philosophy is a religion and philosophy originating in Ancient India with the originating in Ancient India with the teachings of Mahavira - growing teachings of Mahavira - growing immigrant communities in the immigrant communities in the United States, Western Europe, United States, Western Europe, Africa, the Far East and elsewhereAfrica, the Far East and elsewhere Jains have significantly influenced Jains have significantly influenced the religious, ethical, political and the religious, ethical, political and economic spheres in India for more economic spheres in India for more than two millennia - stresses than two millennia - stresses spiritual independence and spiritual independence and equality of all life with particular equality of all life with particular emphasis on non-violenceemphasis on non-violence


Birthplace of four major Birthplace of four major religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and SikhismJainism, and Sikhism SikhismSikhism is a religion that began in is a religion that began in

sixteenth century Northern India with the sixteenth century Northern India with the teachings of Nanak and nine successive teachings of Nanak and nine successive human gurus - system of religious human gurus - system of religious philosophyphilosophy

Sikhism advocates the pursuit of salvation Sikhism advocates the pursuit of salvation through disciplined, personal meditation on the through disciplined, personal meditation on the name and message of God - the followers of name and message of God - the followers of Sikhism are ordained to follow the teachings of Sikhism are ordained to follow the teachings of the ten Sikh gurus, or enlightened leaders, as the ten Sikh gurus, or enlightened leaders, as well as the holy scripture “well as the holy scripture “Guru Granth Sahib.” Guru Granth Sahib.” Sikhs consider the holy book to be their perpetual Sikhs consider the holy book to be their perpetual guru. It has 1430 pages and contains the actual words guru. It has 1430 pages and contains the actual words spoken by spoken by the Sikh Gurusthe Sikh Gurus and various other and various other SaintsSaints from from other religions including other religions including HinduismHinduism, , IslamIslam, the , the KabirpanthiKabirpanthi religion and the religion and the RavidasiRavidasi religion. religion.


Other important Other important contributionscontributionsCotton ClothesCotton ClothesArabic numeral systemArabic numeral systemYogaYogaGames of chess and diceGames of chess and dice


The Natural Setting: A Region The Natural Setting: A Region of Contrastsof Contrasts Some of the world’s wettest Some of the world’s wettest

locations and also the home of locations and also the home of the highest mountains in the the highest mountains in the world – Mt. Everest at 29,035 ftworld – Mt. Everest at 29,035 ft

1.4 Billion people – world’s most 1.4 Billion people – world’s most densely populated areadensely populated area

India is the world’s largestIndia is the world’s largest democracy, fourth largest democracy, fourth largest economy, and largest economy, and largest

middle class middle class


Overview – Many ChallengesOverview – Many ChallengesOne-third live under the One-third live under the international poverty level of $1 a international poverty level of $1 a dayday

66% lack decent sanitation 66% lack decent sanitation facilitiesfacilities

300 million are undernourished300 million are undernourishedHighest illiteracy rateHighest illiteracy rateSeveral serious conflictsSeveral serious conflicts

South Asia in TransitionSouth Asia in TransitionThe Natural Setting: A Region of ContrastsThe Natural Setting: A Region of Contrasts

Overview – Recent U.S. Overview – Recent U.S. InterestInterestTaliban regime in Taliban regime in AfghanistanAfghanistan

Osama bin Laden and al Osama bin Laden and al Queda terrorist network Queda terrorist network

OpiumOpium

South Asia in Transition South Asia in Transition The Natural Setting: A Region of ContrastsThe Natural Setting: A Region of Contrasts

Natural Setting – A Natural Setting – A Region in ContrastsRegion in ContrastsThe Himalaya and Hindu The Himalaya and Hindu Kush mountains form the Kush mountains form the northern boundary of the northern boundary of the area – the highest area – the highest mountain range in the mountain range in the worldworld


Natural Setting – A Region in Natural Setting – A Region in ContrastsContrastsThe Hindu Kush mountains cut The Hindu Kush mountains cut across Afghanistan in a across Afghanistan in a southwesterly direction – southwesterly direction – centuries of traffic across the centuries of traffic across the Hindu Kush’s high mountain Hindu Kush’s high mountain passes have made Afghanistan passes have made Afghanistan the crossroads between South the crossroads between South and Central Asiaand Central Asia


Natural Setting – A Region Natural Setting – A Region in Contrastsin ContrastsSouth of the mountains is South of the mountains is the Indian the Indian subcontinent/South Asiasubcontinent/South AsiaSlightly more than half the Slightly more than half the size of the United States – size of the United States – 2,000 miles by 2,000 miles2,000 miles by 2,000 miles

Eight countries: Afghanistan, Eight countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lankaand Sri Lanka


Natural Setting – A Region in Natural Setting – A Region in ContrastsContrasts Bounded on the North and Bounded on the North and

Northeast by the former Russian Northeast by the former Russian republics and Chinarepublics and China

Myanmar and the Bay of Bengal Myanmar and the Bay of Bengal to the east to the east

The Indian Ocean to the South The Indian Ocean to the South Iran and the Arabian Sea to the Iran and the Arabian Sea to the

WestWest


Heat and RainHeat and Rain As the high mountains give way to the As the high mountains give way to the

Indian subcontinent, the Indian subcontinent, the climateclimate and and geographygeography change dramatically – the change dramatically – the Himalayas help provide much of the Himalayas help provide much of the region with a region with a warm-to-hot warm-to-hot climate year climate year roundround

Rain is also important and the Rain is also important and the monsoonmonsoon rains sweep out of the rains sweep out of the Arabian SeaArabian Sea and and Bay of BengalBay of Bengal to feed crops across the to feed crops across the region – Bangladesh and parts of India region – Bangladesh and parts of India are two of the wettest areas on earthare two of the wettest areas on earth A A monsoonmonsoon season with little rain = season with little rain =

economic disastereconomic disaster for millions of farmers for millions of farmers across the regionacross the region

A A monsoonmonsoon with too much rain can bring with too much rain can bring disastrous disastrous floods floods that wash away homes and that wash away homes and cropscrops


Indo-Gangetic PlainIndo-Gangetic Plain The most densely populated part of The most densely populated part of

the subcontinent is the the subcontinent is the Indo-Indo-GangeticGangetic Plain – formed by the Plain – formed by the basins of the basins of the Indus, GangesIndus, Ganges, and , and BrahmaputraBrahmaputra rivers rivers All three rivers originate in the All three rivers originate in the

Himalayas within 100 miles of each Himalayas within 100 miles of each other and flow in strikingly different other and flow in strikingly different directionsdirections

The plain includes some of the richest The plain includes some of the richest soils, as well as the sparse Thar Desertsoils, as well as the sparse Thar Desert


Indo-Gangetic PlainIndo-Gangetic Plain The The GangesGanges is the Hindus’ most is the Hindus’ most

revered river and it gently flows revered river and it gently flows southeasterlysoutheasterly across the plain – drains across the plain – drains on-quarter of India’s territory before on-quarter of India’s territory before combining with the combining with the BrahmaputraBrahmaputra in in Bangladesh to form one of the world’s Bangladesh to form one of the world’s largest river deltaslargest river deltas

India is named for the India is named for the IndusIndus River River which flows northwesterly through which flows northwesterly through KashmirKashmir and then drains to the south and then drains to the south through Pakistan – as long ago as through Pakistan – as long ago as 2500 BC2500 BC its banks supported one of its banks supported one of the earliest human civilizationsthe earliest human civilizations


Deccan PlateauDeccan Plateau The southern boundary The southern boundary

of the of the Indo-GangeticIndo-Gangetic plain begins along the plain begins along the southern edge of the southern edge of the Thar DesertThar Desert and and continues east along continues east along several low mountain several low mountain ranges called the ranges called the central highlands – central highlands – below this boundary is below this boundary is the the Deccan PlateauDeccan Plateau, , bordered by the bordered by the WesternWestern and and EasternEastern GhatsGhats – these – these mountains keep the mountains keep the monsoons from moving monsoons from moving onto the onto the Deccan Deccan PlateauPlateau


The IslandsThe Islands South Asia also includes the island South Asia also includes the island

countriescountries of of Sri LankaSri Lanka and the and the MaldivesMaldives Sri Lanka generally has aSri Lanka generally has a hot hot and and humid humid

climate and has dry climate and has dry plainsplains and cool and cool plateausplateaus

Off the southwest coast of India are the Off the southwest coast of India are the MaldivesMaldives – a scenic, tropical beauty with – a scenic, tropical beauty with 1,1901,190 islands made up of the coral crests islands made up of the coral crests on a submerged on a submerged volcanic mountainvolcanic mountain range range


Languages Languages South Asians generally have strong South Asians generally have strong

ethnic or sub national identities – ethnic or sub national identities – each have languages associated with each have languages associated with themthem

Three broad linguistic divisions: Three broad linguistic divisions: Indo-Aryan, Dravidian, and tribalIndo-Aryan, Dravidian, and tribal

South Asia in TransitionSouth Asia in TransitionPeoples, Languages, and ReligionsPeoples, Languages, and Religions

Linguistic Division No. of Members Examples of LocationLanguages

1. Indo-Aryan 1.1 Billion Hindi, Urdu, Mid-India Bengali, Punjabi, Marathi, Gujarati

2. Dravidian 250 Million Tamil, Telegu, Southern India Kannada, Malayalam

Languages Languages With this variety of languages, With this variety of languages,

what factor determines the what factor determines the ability to communicate between ability to communicate between languages? – Physical Closenesslanguages? – Physical Closeness

Neighboring languages can be Neighboring languages can be mutually understood, whereas mutually understood, whereas different dialects of the same different dialects of the same language can be unintelligible if language can be unintelligible if there is a large enough distance there is a large enough distance between them – many cities have between them – many cities have extensive linguistic diversityextensive linguistic diversity


Languages Languages There are intense debates over There are intense debates over

the recognition and use of local the recognition and use of local languageslanguages The push to make Urdu the national The push to make Urdu the national language sparked riots in East language sparked riots in East Pakistan/Bangladesh in the 1950sPakistan/Bangladesh in the 1950s

The establishment of Sinhala as Sri The establishment of Sinhala as Sri Lanka’s only national language Lanka’s only national language caused protests by the country’s caused protests by the country’s Tamil minority in 1956Tamil minority in 1956

Despite such tensions, every Despite such tensions, every country in the region has at least country in the region has at least one national languageone national language


Languages Languages English was brought to the English was brought to the

region by Great Britain – it region by Great Britain – it remains an important language remains an important language of trade and governmentof trade and government

Knowing English can be a source Knowing English can be a source of job opportunities and social of job opportunities and social enhancement – an important enhancement – an important asset as regional economies have asset as regional economies have opened to foreign trade and opened to foreign trade and investmentinvestment


Religions Religions Religion is at the heart of South Religion is at the heart of South

Asian history, art, and philosophyAsian history, art, and philosophy Birthplace of Hinduism, Buddhism, Birthplace of Hinduism, Buddhism,

Jainism, Sikhism, and many tribal Jainism, Sikhism, and many tribal beliefsbeliefs

Other religions in the area include Other religions in the area include Islam, Christianity, Zoroastrianism, Islam, Christianity, Zoroastrianism, and Judaismand Judaism

Hinduism and Islam are by far the Hinduism and Islam are by far the two most influential religions in the two most influential religions in the area – 63% Hindu and 30% Islamarea – 63% Hindu and 30% Islam


South Asia from the Indus Valley South Asia from the Indus Valley Civilization to British ColonialismCivilization to British Colonialism History extends back over 4,000 History extends back over 4,000

years – an ancient civilization years – an ancient civilization existed in the Indus Valley around existed in the Indus Valley around 2500 BC2500 BC The remnants of two ancient cities in The remnants of two ancient cities in present-day Pakistan reveal significant present-day Pakistan reveal significant urban planningurban planning

Sometime after 1750 BC, for unclear Sometime after 1750 BC, for unclear reasons, the civilization declinedreasons, the civilization declined

Around 1500 BC peoples speaking Around 1500 BC peoples speaking Indo-Iranian languages moved into the Indo-Iranian languages moved into the area and profoundly changed lifearea and profoundly changed life

South Asia in TransitionSouth Asia in TransitionBrief History of South AsiaBrief History of South Asia

The Aryans are a subset of The Aryans are a subset of peoples speaking Indo-European peoples speaking Indo-European languages who came from languages who came from Central Asia’s Caspian Sea Basin Central Asia’s Caspian Sea Basin sometime around 2000 BCsometime around 2000 BC

By 1500 BC peoples speaking By 1500 BC peoples speaking Indo-Aryan moved into South Indo-Aryan moved into South Asia through the Hindu Kush Asia through the Hindu Kush Mountains – Aryans were herders Mountains – Aryans were herders who migrated into South Asia who migrated into South Asia gradually over centuriesgradually over centuries


The Vedas are collections of ancient The Vedas are collections of ancient Aryan hymns, prayers, and other Aryan hymns, prayers, and other religious works that later became religious works that later became sacred Hindu Texts – they sacred Hindu Texts – they commemorated the movement of the commemorated the movement of the Aryans and their social practicesAryans and their social practices Evidence of warfareEvidence of warfare Evidence of discrimination by class and Evidence of discrimination by class and gender – forerunner of the caste systemgender – forerunner of the caste system

Worshipped many nature-related godsWorshipped many nature-related gods Music, wine, and gambling also presentMusic, wine, and gambling also present


Over a thousand years Indo-Aryan-Over a thousand years Indo-Aryan-speaking tribes spread across the speaking tribes spread across the Indo-Gangetic plainIndo-Gangetic plain

The Aryans used iron tools, cleared The Aryans used iron tools, cleared forests, and cultivated land – forests, and cultivated land – population grew, regional states population grew, regional states and kingdoms developedand kingdoms developed

In 326 BC, Alexander the Great In 326 BC, Alexander the Great and his armies reached the and his armies reached the western part of the subcontinent – western part of the subcontinent – establishing contact between the establishing contact between the Greeks and Indian civilizationsGreeks and Indian civilizations


State of Magadha State of Magadha On the eastern part of the Indo-On the eastern part of the Indo-

Gangetic plain the state of Gangetic plain the state of Magadha extended its power into Magadha extended its power into neighboring areas neighboring areas


Out of the state of Out of the state of Magadha grew the Magadha grew the Mauryan and Mauryan and Gupta EmpiresGupta Empires The Mauryan The Mauryan

Empire lasted from Empire lasted from 326 to 184 BC and 326 to 184 BC and covered a large covered a large portion of the portion of the subcontinentsubcontinent


The Mauryan’s used military The Mauryan’s used military force to extend its rule – force to extend its rule – successors to the first emperor successors to the first emperor failed to deal effectively with failed to deal effectively with administering the empire, and administering the empire, and over time it eventually declined over time it eventually declined and felland fell

For 500 years after the Mauryan For 500 years after the Mauryan Empire collapsed, the Empire collapsed, the subcontinent was broken up subcontinent was broken up politically – trade links grew and politically – trade links grew and Buddhism flourishedBuddhism flourished


From 320 AD to the From 320 AD to the sixth century the sixth century the Gupta Empire Gupta Empire controlled much of controlled much of the subcontinent – the subcontinent – many achievements many achievements in education, in education, medicine, literature medicine, literature and the artsand the arts Gupta kings fused Gupta kings fused

Hindu and Buddhist Hindu and Buddhist values that remain the values that remain the core of South Asian core of South Asian societysociety


Invaders from Central Asia Invaders from Central Asia undermined the empire in undermined the empire in 600 AD and for the next 600 600 AD and for the next 600 years the subcontinent was years the subcontinent was again dominated by regional again dominated by regional kingdoms and local kingdoms and local communities communities

Regional conflicts and power Regional conflicts and power struggles occurred struggles occurred frequently – the center of frequently – the center of power shifted to the southpower shifted to the south


Also during this period, a Also during this period, a priestly, scholarly, and often priestly, scholarly, and often land-owning class of people, land-owning class of people, the Brahmins, sat at the the Brahmins, sat at the heart of the social order – heart of the social order – top of the caste system that top of the caste system that started during this periodstarted during this period

Buddhism and Jainism Buddhism and Jainism declined in importance and declined in importance and Hinduism dominatedHinduism dominated


In the seventh century, Arab armies In the seventh century, Arab armies brought Islam to Afghanistan, brought Islam to Afghanistan, coastline traders brought the coastline traders brought the religion to Pakistan soon thereafter religion to Pakistan soon thereafter

By the end of the tenth century By the end of the tenth century Islamic invaders and traders made Islamic invaders and traders made significant moves into South Asia and significant moves into South Asia and by the early thirteenth century a by the early thirteenth century a collection of Islamic dynasties known collection of Islamic dynasties known as the Delhi Sultanate extended as the Delhi Sultanate extended Islam’s control across the Indo-Islam’s control across the Indo-Gangetic plain – often brutal, the Gangetic plain – often brutal, the sultans showed disdain for local sultans showed disdain for local Hindu leaders and their subjectsHindu leaders and their subjects


Delhi SultanateDelhi Sultanate

In 1526 the Mughals invaded the In 1526 the Mughals invaded the subcontinent and created the most subcontinent and created the most extensive kingdoms in South Asian extensive kingdoms in South Asian historyhistory Generally showed respect for regional Generally showed respect for regional

and local cultures they conquered – and local cultures they conquered – Hindus and Muslims rose in the Mughal Hindus and Muslims rose in the Mughal system of hierarchy and ranksystem of hierarchy and rank

Impressive achievements in art and Impressive achievements in art and architecture – the Taj Mahal, the architecture – the Taj Mahal, the mausoleum built by Mughal Emperor mausoleum built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan for his wifeShah Jahan for his wife

By 1707 the empire was By 1707 the empire was reverting to regionalism reverting to regionalism


Mughal EmpireMughal Empire

In 1498 Portuguese explorer Vasco da In 1498 Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama landed on India’s western coast – Gama landed on India’s western coast – by 1510 the Portuguese had established a by 1510 the Portuguese had established a trading outpost and working with the trading outpost and working with the Mughals they came to dominate the spice Mughals they came to dominate the spice trade with India and the rest of Asiatrade with India and the rest of Asia

Through the seventeenth century the Through the seventeenth century the Dutch and British challenged Portugal’s Dutch and British challenged Portugal’s control and established the Dutch East control and established the Dutch East India and English East India Companies India and English East India Companies

The French arrived in the late 1600sThe French arrived in the late 1600s As the Mughal Empire weakened, As the Mughal Empire weakened,

European presence grewEuropean presence grew


European Presence in India – European Presence in India – 1600s1600s

The British and The British and French presence French presence became the most became the most important – regional important – regional leaders sought leaders sought alliances with the alliances with the European powers European powers

By the mid-By the mid-eighteenth century eighteenth century England and France England and France were at war and that were at war and that war included South war included South Asia – the British Asia – the British eventually eventually established the upper established the upper hand in South Asia hand in South Asia


From 1757 to 1857 British rule on the subcontinent From 1757 to 1857 British rule on the subcontinent was conducted primarily through the English East was conducted primarily through the English East India Company – granted this control by the British India Company – granted this control by the British monarchsmonarchs

One event that helped the East India Company to One event that helped the East India Company to consolidate its control in India was the 1756 attack consolidate its control in India was the 1756 attack on the British in Calcutta – led to the Black Hole of on the British in Calcutta – led to the Black Hole of CalcuttaCalcutta (The Black Hole of Calcutta was a small (The Black Hole of Calcutta was a small dungeondungeon where Indian where Indian troops, held troops, held BritishBritish prisoners of warprisoners of war after the capture of after the capture of Fort WilliamFort William on on June 20June 20, , 17561756. . John John HolwellHolwell claimed that following the fall of the Fort, British and Anglo- claimed that following the fall of the Fort, British and Anglo-Indian soldiers and civilians were held overnight in conditions so cramped, Indian soldiers and civilians were held overnight in conditions so cramped, 14x18ft, that a large proportion of those held died from suffocation, heat 14x18ft, that a large proportion of those held died from suffocation, heat exhaustion and crushing. He claimed that 123 prisoners died out of 146 prisoners exhaustion and crushing. He claimed that 123 prisoners died out of 146 prisoners held. Doubt has been cast on both the numbersheld. Doubt has been cast on both the numbersalleged and on whether the incident happened at all and some modern alleged and on whether the incident happened at all and some modern historians have suggested the incident was fabricated by Holwell as a historians have suggested the incident was fabricated by Holwell as a piece of propaganda to blacken the image of the Indians.)piece of propaganda to blacken the image of the Indians.)

Following this the British gained Following this the British gained territory in several ways: treaties, territory in several ways: treaties, military conquest, and annexation military conquest, and annexation backed by military forcebacked by military force


Calcutta .

Britain’s trade in South Asia Britain’s trade in South Asia quickly diversified past spices to quickly diversified past spices to include textiles, opium, and other include textiles, opium, and other products – greatly fueled the products – greatly fueled the economy of the British Empireeconomy of the British Empire

As British control expanded in As British control expanded in South Asia, the government South Asia, the government struggled to control the East India struggled to control the East India Company – the company was seen Company – the company was seen as corrupt and racist in their as corrupt and racist in their practices with the localspractices with the locals

Protracted military battles also Protracted military battles also occurredoccurred


In the early nineteenth century In the early nineteenth century Christian missionaries flocked to Christian missionaries flocked to India to “civilize” and convert the India to “civilize” and convert the masses – communicate and educatemasses – communicate and educate

Many British officials considered Many British officials considered them as subversivethem as subversive

The missionaries’ efforts in The missionaries’ efforts in education helped sow the seeds for education helped sow the seeds for rebellion and independence – they rebellion and independence – they introduced the radical ideas of introduced the radical ideas of liberalism and nationalismliberalism and nationalism


Liberalism - Liberalism - Liberalism is distinguished Liberalism is distinguished by its focus on the primacy of the by its focus on the primacy of the individual in all spheres of human life - individual in all spheres of human life - political, economic, and social. political, economic, and social. Liberalism helps identify the rules Liberalism helps identify the rules necessary to achieve the harmony necessary to achieve the harmony between self-interest and social good: between self-interest and social good: limited government, rule of law, private limited government, rule of law, private property, free competition, and voluntary property, free competition, and voluntary interactions. interactions.

NationalismNationalism - Refers to the consciousness - Refers to the consciousness and expression of political, social, and expression of political, social, religious and ethnic influences that help religious and ethnic influences that help mould national consciousness mould national consciousness


Also during the first half of the Also during the first half of the nineteenth century, Britain extended its nineteenth century, Britain extended its rule up toward Russia through rule up toward Russia through Afghanistan – resulting in the first Afghanistan – resulting in the first Anglo-Afghan war and the beginning of a Anglo-Afghan war and the beginning of a decades-long struggle between Britain decades-long struggle between Britain and Russia called the “Great Game”and Russia called the “Great Game” At the beginning of the war Afghan forces At the beginning of the war Afghan forces

attacked and eventually destroyed an Indian attacked and eventually destroyed an Indian and British force at Kabul – showed the and British force at Kabul – showed the people of the subcontinent that the English people of the subcontinent that the English could be defeated could be defeated

Following a second Afghan war in 1880 the Following a second Afghan war in 1880 the British withdraw from Afghanistan and British withdraw from Afghanistan and consolidate their position in Indiaconsolidate their position in India


In the mid-1800s, in India, the In the mid-1800s, in India, the East India Company’s governor-East India Company’s governor-general, Lord Dalhousie began an general, Lord Dalhousie began an aggressive modernization effort to aggressive modernization effort to improve the civil service system; improve the civil service system; build railroads, bridges, irrigation build railroads, bridges, irrigation systems, and telegraph lines; and systems, and telegraph lines; and initiated a postal systeminitiated a postal system

Unfortunately the 1857 Sepoy Unfortunately the 1857 Sepoy Rebellion will interrupt these Rebellion will interrupt these initiatives and result in a drastic initiatives and result in a drastic change in British policy in India change in British policy in India


The 1857 Sepoy Rebellion was an The 1857 Sepoy Rebellion was an uprising of Indian troops or sepoys, uprising of Indian troops or sepoys, employed by the East India employed by the East India Company – outnumbered British Company – outnumbered British soldiers 6 to 1soldiers 6 to 1 Three primary causes: Three primary causes:

The company began to annex princely lands The company began to annex princely lands when there was no direct male heirwhen there was no direct male heir

Perceived Christian conspiracy to Perceived Christian conspiracy to undermine Hinduism and other local beliefsundermine Hinduism and other local beliefs

Sepoys were forced to use rifle cartridges Sepoys were forced to use rifle cartridges thought to be smeared in pig and cow fat – thought to be smeared in pig and cow fat – Muslims regarded the pig as unclean and Muslims regarded the pig as unclean and the Hindus believed the cow to be sacred – the Hindus believed the cow to be sacred – those who refused were jailedthose who refused were jailed


The rebellion began near Delhi The rebellion began near Delhi and escalated into a brutal and escalated into a brutal full-scale war – as the rebellion full-scale war – as the rebellion spread the British lost control spread the British lost control of several areasof several areas

The rebellion failed because it The rebellion failed because it never became fully unified – it never became fully unified – it was repressed within a yearwas repressed within a year

As a result the Mughal dynastyAs a result the Mughal dynastywas formally disbandedwas formally disbanded


Delhi .

Also as a result of the Also as a result of the rebellion, Parliament passed rebellion, Parliament passed the Act for Better Government the Act for Better Government which stripped the East India which stripped the East India Company of its governing Company of its governing responsibilities and troops – responsibilities and troops – reinstated “Crown Rule”reinstated “Crown Rule”


““Crown Rule brought several changes in Crown Rule brought several changes in Britain’s administration of Britain’s administration of IndiaIndia Politically, a governor-general ran the Politically, a governor-general ran the

government and was assisted by district government and was assisted by district officials who formed the officials who formed the Indian Civil ServiceIndian Civil Service, , which only begrudgingly accepted which only begrudgingly accepted local local participationparticipation

Economically, South Asia became more Economically, South Asia became more tightly bound to the British Empire with tightly bound to the British Empire with opening of theopening of the Suez Canal – Suez Canal – it great reduced it great reduced the travel time between Great Britain and the travel time between Great Britain and South Asia and thereby helped Great Britain South Asia and thereby helped Great Britain to to controlcontrol the subcontinent the subcontinent Britain also built additional Britain also built additional infrastructureinfrastructure

throughout India to ease throughout India to ease movementmovement of troops, help of troops, help take take raw materialsraw materials from the region, and expand from the region, and expand markets for British markets for British manufactured importsmanufactured imports


Suez CanalSuez Canal

By the late 1800s, Indians began to show a By the late 1800s, Indians began to show a growing growing political awarenesspolitical awareness, calling for more , calling for more local participationlocal participation in political decision- in political decision-making – justification based on ideas learned making – justification based on ideas learned through the through the British education systemBritish education system

In 1885, members of the Indian elite and In 1885, members of the Indian elite and sympathetic Britons formed the sympathetic Britons formed the Indian Indian National Congress, National Congress, which called for moderate which called for moderate political, economic, political, economic, and and social social reform.reform.

By 1905, nationalists made more demands for By 1905, nationalists made more demands for change when Viceroy George Nathaniel change when Viceroy George Nathaniel Cruzon Cruzon partitioned partitioned the large province of the large province of Bengal into a largely Bengal into a largely muslim muslim east and east and Hindu Hindu west. This took place almost no input form west. This took place almost no input form the the Hindu Hindu elite.elite.


Widespread Hindu Widespread Hindu protestsprotests erupted and erupted and British goods were British goods were boycottedboycotted, several , several British officials were British officials were assassinatedassassinated and the and the intensified pressure led the British to intensified pressure led the British to reunifyreunify Bengal in 1911. Bengal in 1911.

The heated The heated HinduHindu reaction helped expand reaction helped expand the smaller the smaller MuslimMuslim elite who opposed the elite who opposed the idea of an idea of an independentindependent Indian state Indian state dominated by the Indian National Congress dominated by the Indian National Congress – they saw they had fallen behind the – they saw they had fallen behind the Hindus in Hindus in education, political influenceeducation, political influence and and social standingsocial standing and in response, in and in response, in 1906, they formed the 1906, they formed the All-India Muslim All-India Muslim LeagueLeague and appealed to Great Britain for a and appealed to Great Britain for a stronger Muslim political voicestronger Muslim political voice


When World War I began in Europe, the When World War I began in Europe, the British feared they might face a British feared they might face a revoltrevolt in India; however, they received in India; however, they received loyalty loyalty and and supportsupport in the hope the British in the hope the British would grant independence after the war would grant independence after the war – as the conflict wore on, tensions – as the conflict wore on, tensions increased and faced with renewed increased and faced with renewed Indian Indian nationalismnationalism, the British , the British Secretary of State for India announced Secretary of State for India announced the British desire of a gradual self-the British desire of a gradual self-governing Indiagoverning India Over 1 million Indian troops fought for the Over 1 million Indian troops fought for the

British in World War IBritish in World War I


In 1919, the British Parliament passed In 1919, the British Parliament passed the the Rowlatt ActsRowlatt Acts, which the Indians , which the Indians called the called the Black ActsBlack Acts that gave the that gave the viceroy power to disregard viceroy power to disregard civil civil libertiesliberties to suppress agitation – in to suppress agitation – in response, response, Mohandas GandhiMohandas Gandhi called for called for strikes and protests and soon the strikes and protests and soon the situation turned tragic as a British situation turned tragic as a British commander to fire on unarmed crowds commander to fire on unarmed crowds of of Hindus, MuslimsHindus, Muslims, and , and SikhsSikhs peacefully protestingpeacefully protesting


In 1915, Gandhi returned to India from In 1915, Gandhi returned to India from South Africa South Africa After touring India After touring India he concluded that the he concluded that the

country’s leaders had lost touch with the massescountry’s leaders had lost touch with the masses He joined with the Indian National Congress in He joined with the Indian National Congress in

protesting the Black Acts – Gandhi became the protesting the Black Acts – Gandhi became the leader of the Congress in 1920leader of the Congress in 1920

Gandhi focused on independence and a Gandhi focused on independence and a nationwide campaign of nonviolent civil nationwide campaign of nonviolent civil disobedience – Gandhi’s Congress Party urged disobedience – Gandhi’s Congress Party urged Indians to boycott British schools, courts, and Indians to boycott British schools, courts, and products as well as to quit their government products as well as to quit their government jobs and refuse to pay taxesjobs and refuse to pay taxes

In 1922, the protests turned violent in the face In 1922, the protests turned violent in the face of massive British repression – Gandhi called off of massive British repression – Gandhi called off the campaign since the effectiveness of mass the campaign since the effectiveness of mass protests had been demonstratedprotests had been demonstrated


In the 1920s and 1930, Gandhi In the 1920s and 1930, Gandhi continued to rally the Indian masses continued to rally the Indian masses for change – jailed several times, his for change – jailed several times, his popularity soaredpopularity soared

Despite his popularity, political Despite his popularity, political differences led to gridlock in the differences led to gridlock in the Congress Party and there were poor Congress Party and there were poor relations between the Congress Party relations between the Congress Party and the Muslim League – by the 1937 and the Muslim League – by the 1937 elections the Congress Party elections the Congress Party dominated and the the Muslim dominated and the the Muslim League fared poorlyLeague fared poorly


As World War II erupted in Europe, the As World War II erupted in Europe, the British declared war on British India’s British declared war on British India’s behalf without consulting the Indian behalf without consulting the Indian leadershipleadership The leaders of the Congress Party were enraged The leaders of the Congress Party were enraged

and proclaimed they would not support the war and proclaimed they would not support the war until London promised full independence after until London promised full independence after the war – the British did not comply and the war – the British did not comply and provincial Congress governments resigned in provincial Congress governments resigned in protestprotest

The Muslim League supported the war effort in The Muslim League supported the war effort in an attempt to gain influence with the British – an attempt to gain influence with the British – under its longtime leader Mohammad Ali Jinnah, under its longtime leader Mohammad Ali Jinnah, they passed thethey passed theLahore Resolution which demanded a separateLahore Resolution which demanded a separateand independent Muslim state at independenceand independent Muslim state at independence


All during World War II repeated Congress-All during World War II repeated Congress-led protests led to the jailing of thousands led protests led to the jailing of thousands – negotiations continued to fail and Gandhi – negotiations continued to fail and Gandhi threatened the British with widespread threatened the British with widespread civil disobedience if they did not end their civil disobedience if they did not end their rulerule By mid-1942, Gandhi and thousands of others By mid-1942, Gandhi and thousands of others

were back in jail and thousands more died in were back in jail and thousands more died in anti-British riotsanti-British riots

After World War II ends, Great Britain After World War II ends, Great Britain wanted to withdraw from India, but wanted to withdraw from India, but differences between the Congress Party differences between the Congress Party and the Muslim League led to a deadlock and the Muslim League led to a deadlock on what would happen after the British lefton what would happen after the British left Savage Hindu-Muslim violence broke outSavage Hindu-Muslim violence broke out When Jawaharlal Nehru became interim prime When Jawaharlal Nehru became interim prime

minister in 1946 a united India no longer minister in 1946 a united India no longer seemed possibleseemed possible


In early 1947, Britain announced that it In early 1947, Britain announced that it would leave the subcontinent in June would leave the subcontinent in June 19481948 Increasing violence forced the viceroy to Increasing violence forced the viceroy to

shorten the timetable by a couple of monthsshorten the timetable by a couple of months Prime Minister Nehru publicly declared Prime Minister Nehru publicly declared

that he could agree to the creation of a that he could agree to the creation of a Muslim state called Pakistan – Gandhi Muslim state called Pakistan – Gandhi refused to accept this proposal and went on refused to accept this proposal and went on a pilgrimage to prevent Hindu-Muslim a pilgrimage to prevent Hindu-Muslim violenceviolence

On July 15, 1947, the British House of On July 15, 1947, the British House of Commons announced that in one month the Commons announced that in one month the separate countries India and Pakistan separate countries India and Pakistan would be establishedwould be established


Partition of IndiaPartition of India

The consequences of this decision The consequences of this decision were immense were immense The boundaries had to be decided in The boundaries had to be decided in

a month and fourteen million South a month and fourteen million South Asians had to moveAsians had to move Hindus and Sikhs fled Pakistan into Hindus and Sikhs fled Pakistan into IndiaIndia

Muslims moved from India to PakistanMuslims moved from India to Pakistan Approximately 500,000 died as India Approximately 500,000 died as India and Pakistan gained their and Pakistan gained their independence in August 1947independence in August 1947

30 January 1948, Mohandas Gandhi was 30 January 1948, Mohandas Gandhi was assassinated on the way to a prayer assassinated on the way to a prayer meetingmeeting


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