South Asian HistorySouth Asian History

Changes over TimeChanges over Time

Indus Valley CivilizationIndus Valley Civilization Existed on the subcontinent around 2500 Existed on the subcontinent around 2500

BC (same time as Mesopotamia & Egypt)BC (same time as Mesopotamia & Egypt) Ruins of Ancient Cities: Harappa and Ruins of Ancient Cities: Harappa and

Mohendra-DaroMohendra-Daro– Urban planningUrban planning– Large public buildingsLarge public buildings– Water supply and sewage systemsWater supply and sewage systems

After 1750 BC the civilization declinedAfter 1750 BC the civilization declined Reason for decline is unclear – it was Reason for decline is unclear – it was

thought that Aryan “invaders pushed thought that Aryan “invaders pushed south” but now one theory is ecological south” but now one theory is ecological changechange

Indus Valley CivilizationIndus Valley Civilization

Map & Ruins of Harappa Map & Ruins of Harappa

Mohendra-DaroMohendra-Daro

View down a streetView down a street

The Aryan MigrationThe Aryan Migration 1500 BC – people speaking Indo-Aryan 1500 BC – people speaking Indo-Aryan

languages migrated from Caspian Sea into languages migrated from Caspian Sea into South Asia through the Hindu Kush South Asia through the Hindu Kush mountains (Modern Afghanistan)mountains (Modern Afghanistan)

Seminomadic herders that migrated over Seminomadic herders that migrated over centuriescenturies

The Vedas provide some information The Vedas provide some information about Aryansabout Aryans– Conflict existed between different Aryan Conflict existed between different Aryan

groups and other groups of peoplegroups and other groups of people– Evidence of class and gender discriminationEvidence of class and gender discrimination– Worshiped a multitude of nature related godsWorshiped a multitude of nature related gods

Indo-Aryan MigrationIndo-Aryan Migration

The Aryan MigrationThe Aryan Migration

Over 1000 years, spread across the Over 1000 years, spread across the northern section of Indianorthern section of India

Used Iron tools, cleared forests, & Used Iron tools, cleared forests, & cultivated landcultivated land

As population increased -> regional As population increased -> regional states & kingdoms developed & trade states & kingdoms developed & trade increasedincreased

326 BC Alexander the Great – contact 326 BC Alexander the Great – contact between Greek and Indian civilizationbetween Greek and Indian civilization

The Aryan SocietyThe Aryan Society

As the Aryan societies became more As the Aryan societies became more complex, they divided themselves complex, they divided themselves into groups. into groups.

This caused people to be limited on This caused people to be limited on the jobs they could have and who the jobs they could have and who they could interact with.they could interact with.

These rules became more and more These rules became more and more strict and central to Indian societystrict and central to Indian society

The Mauryan EmpireThe Mauryan Empire Chandragupta Maurya – initiated the first Chandragupta Maurya – initiated the first

imperial dynastyimperial dynasty 326 BC to 184 BC 326 BC to 184 BC Ashoka – advanced empire into southern Ashoka – advanced empire into southern

peninsulapeninsula– Seen as India’s first true emperorSeen as India’s first true emperor– Used Military force – then supported Buddhism, Used Military force – then supported Buddhism,

peace, & nonviolencepeace, & nonviolence– After Ashoka – leaders were ineffective at After Ashoka – leaders were ineffective at

managing large empire – invasions from managing large empire – invasions from Central Asia, internal fighting – Central Asia, internal fighting – this leads to the fall of the Mauryan Empirethis leads to the fall of the Mauryan Empire

Mauryan EmpireMauryan Empire

The Next 500 Years…The Next 500 Years…

No strong ruler was in place No strong ruler was in place Subcontinent was subdividedSubcontinent was subdivided Invaders from Central Asia Invaders from Central Asia Trade links to Rome and ChinaTrade links to Rome and China Buddhism spread from the Buddhism spread from the

subcontinent to Central Asia, subcontinent to Central Asia, Southeast Asia, Tibet, China, and Southeast Asia, Tibet, China, and JapanJapan

The Gupta EmpireThe Gupta Empire

Begins in 320 AD – 6Begins in 320 AD – 6thth Century Century Achievements in education, medicine, Achievements in education, medicine,

literature, and the artsliterature, and the arts Hinduism gains popularity – Gupta Hinduism gains popularity – Gupta

kings combined Hinduism and kings combined Hinduism and Buddhist valuesBuddhist values

Mid 6Mid 6thth Century- invaders from Central Century- invaders from Central Asia – ended the Gupta EmpireAsia – ended the Gupta Empire

Gupta EmpireGupta Empire

Next 600 years…Next 600 years…

Subcontinent was again dividedSubcontinent was again divided Harsha – brief empire in 7Harsha – brief empire in 7thth century with ½ century with ½

the subcontinentthe subcontinent Regional conflicts – center of power shifted Regional conflicts – center of power shifted

to the south to the south – Southern kingdoms traded with eastern and Southern kingdoms traded with eastern and

western worldswestern worlds– Caste system began during this period Caste system began during this period

(Brahmins – at the top) as Hinduism (Brahmins – at the top) as Hinduism dominates over Buddhism and Jainismdominates over Buddhism and Jainism

The Delhi SultanateThe Delhi Sultanate

77thth Century Islam arrives in Afghanistan -> Century Islam arrives in Afghanistan -> spreads to Pakistan spreads to Pakistan

By end of 10By end of 10thth Century – Islamic Invaders Century – Islamic Invaders and Traders arrive in South Asiaand Traders arrive in South Asia

Early 13Early 13thth Century – a collection of Islamic Century – a collection of Islamic Dynasties (Delhi Sultanate) – extend Dynasties (Delhi Sultanate) – extend Islam’s control across Northern India and Islam’s control across Northern India and into Central Indiainto Central India– Internal conflict & outside threats (Mongols)Internal conflict & outside threats (Mongols)– Was often brutal to local Hindus – contributed Was often brutal to local Hindus – contributed

to downfall by the Mughalsto downfall by the Mughals

Expansion of IslamExpansion of Islam

Delhi Delhi SultanatesSultanates

The Mughal EmpireThe Mughal Empire

1526 invaded the subcontinent 1526 invaded the subcontinent Zahir-ud-Din Babur – (descendent of Zahir-ud-Din Babur – (descendent of

Genghis Khan)Genghis Khan) Created large kingdom because of Created large kingdom because of

strong armystrong army Akbar – greatest Mughal ruler – Akbar – greatest Mughal ruler –

combined Central Asian, Persian and combined Central Asian, Persian and South Asian political/social traditionsSouth Asian political/social traditions

Mughal EmpireMughal Empire

Mughal EmpireMughal Empire

Islamic Mughal rulers – showed respect Islamic Mughal rulers – showed respect for culturesfor cultures

Hindus & Muslims were members of Hindus & Muslims were members of nobilitynobility

The economy was strong – The economy was strong – achievements in art and architecture – achievements in art and architecture – Taj Mahal Taj Mahal

By 18By 18thth century – regionalism began to century – regionalism began to occur – leaders wanted more poweroccur – leaders wanted more power

Taj MahalTaj Mahal

Taj MahalTaj Mahal

Is a mausoleum for the wife of Is a mausoleum for the wife of Mogulo Emperor Shah JahranMogulo Emperor Shah Jahran

After her death in 1631 her husband After her death in 1631 her husband began the constructionbegan the construction

Over 300 feet tall, white marbleOver 300 feet tall, white marble

Europeans ArriveEuropeans Arrive

1498 – Vasco da Gama – lands on India’s 1498 – Vasco da Gama – lands on India’s coastcoast

1510 – Portuguese trading post – Goa – 1510 – Portuguese trading post – Goa – dominate spice tradedominate spice trade

Early 17Early 17thth century – Dutch & British – century – Dutch & British – challenge Portuguese trade by challenge Portuguese trade by establishing trading areas, the French establishing trading areas, the French established trading areas by late 1600s.established trading areas by late 1600s.

British and French created alliances with British and French created alliances with regional kingdoms - fought the Carnatic regional kingdoms - fought the Carnatic Wars – for control in South AsiaWars – for control in South Asia

Vasco de GamaVasco de Gama

British Company RuleBritish Company Rule

100 years – English East India 100 years – English East India Company – British Monarchs allowed Company – British Monarchs allowed the company to rule the company to rule

Calcutta, Madras, Bombay – chief Calcutta, Madras, Bombay – chief citiescities

““Dual Government” – company held Dual Government” – company held power but a local ruler carried out rulepower but a local ruler carried out rule

Nawab (Muslim) Maharaja (Hindu)Nawab (Muslim) Maharaja (Hindu)

British East India CompanyBritish East India Company

British Gain TerritoryBritish Gain Territory

Negotiated treaties with kingdoms – Negotiated treaties with kingdoms – company stationed troops & collect company stationed troops & collect taxes in return for protectiontaxes in return for protection

By entering disputes between princesBy entering disputes between princes Annexing the areas because of no Annexing the areas because of no

dominant central powerdominant central power Trade diversified – Trade diversified – British Government – began to British Government – began to

question authority of the companyquestion authority of the company

India 1795India 1795

Problems ariseProblems arise Missionaries arrive – to “civilize” and convert Missionaries arrive – to “civilize” and convert

– brought ideas of liberalism and nationalism– brought ideas of liberalism and nationalism Fought for control with Russia – AfghanistanFought for control with Russia – Afghanistan Aggressive Modernization effortsAggressive Modernization efforts 1857 Sepoy Rebellion1857 Sepoy Rebellion

– Annexation of landAnnexation of land– Rumors of a conspiracy against local beliefsRumors of a conspiracy against local beliefs– Rifle cartridges (smeared with pig & cow fat)Rifle cartridges (smeared with pig & cow fat)– Resulted in full scale war with loss of control of Resulted in full scale war with loss of control of

some areassome areas

Rifle CartridgesRifle Cartridges

The British EmpireThe British Empire

British Crown RuleBritish Crown Rule

1858 Act for the Better Government of 1858 Act for the Better Government of India “Crown Rule”India “Crown Rule”

Established a secretary of state – still ruled Established a secretary of state – still ruled by local governor-generals (viceroy)by local governor-generals (viceroy)

Suez Canal 1869 – reduced travel time Suez Canal 1869 – reduced travel time Built infrastructure – roads, bridges, Built infrastructure – roads, bridges,

railroads, telegraph lines, irrigation railroads, telegraph lines, irrigation systemssystems– Extracted raw materials and sent them to Extracted raw materials and sent them to

Great Britain to be processedGreat Britain to be processed– Established market for manufactured goodsEstablished market for manufactured goods

Tensions begin to build…Tensions begin to build…

1885 – Indian National Congress is 1885 – Indian National Congress is formedformed– Reform movement calling for moderate Reform movement calling for moderate

changechange– 1905 Nationalists begin to challenge for 1905 Nationalists begin to challenge for

controlcontrol Divided into moderate and extremist Divided into moderate and extremist

groups groups – Widespread protests, British goods Widespread protests, British goods

boycotted, attacks on British officials, boycotted, attacks on British officials, extremist leaders were jailedextremist leaders were jailed

Muslim LeagueMuslim League

Formed to work for the rights of Formed to work for the rights of Muslims in India – Muslims in India –

Did not want to be controlled by a Did not want to be controlled by a Hindu state Hindu state

World War IWorld War I

Up to a million Indian soldiers served Up to a million Indian soldiers served in the warin the war

Contributed large amounts of food Contributed large amounts of food and ammunitionand ammunition

After the war – increased nationalism After the war – increased nationalism resulted in more Indian participation resulted in more Indian participation in the government at a local levelin the government at a local level

Rowlatt ActsRowlatt Acts 19191919

Gave the government right to Gave the government right to disregard civil liberties if needed to disregard civil liberties if needed to suppress the peoplesuppress the people

Mohandas Gandhi – called for strikes Mohandas Gandhi – called for strikes and protestsand protests

British commander – ordered troops British commander – ordered troops to fire on protesting Hindus, Muslims, to fire on protesting Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs and Sikhs – Amritsar MassacreAmritsar Massacre

Most important political & spiritual leader in Most important political & spiritual leader in achieving independence for India was Mohandas achieving independence for India was Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi—The Mahatma (The Great Karamchand Gandhi—The Mahatma (The Great Soul). Soul).

Born in 1869Born in 1869 He is honored by people as the father of their He is honored by people as the father of their

nationnation Life was guided by a search for the truth that Life was guided by a search for the truth that

could be known only through tolerance & concern could be known only through tolerance & concern for his fellow man, & that finding a truthful way to for his fellow man, & that finding a truthful way to solutions required constant testingsolutions required constant testing

He overcame fear in himself & taught othersHe overcame fear in himself & taught others Believed in nonviolence & held that violence is Believed in nonviolence & held that violence is

better than cowardice – civil disobediencebetter than cowardice – civil disobedience Lived a simple life & thought it was wrong to kill Lived a simple life & thought it was wrong to kill

animals for food or to use their idesanimals for food or to use their ides

GandhiGandhi

1915 – returned from South Africa to 1915 – returned from South Africa to IndiaIndia– Felt that the Indian National Congress Felt that the Indian National Congress

needed to changeneeded to change– Focused on independence and Focused on independence and

nonviolent civil disobediencenonviolent civil disobedience Boycott British schools, courts, protestsBoycott British schools, courts, protests Quit the government jobsQuit the government jobs Refuse to pay taxesRefuse to pay taxes

“My life is dedicated to service of India through the religion of non-violence which I believe to be the root of Hinduism. The religion of non-violence is not meant merely for the riches and saints. It is meant for the common people as well.”

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

Gandhi’s efforts continue…Gandhi’s efforts continue…

Appealed for national unityAppealed for national unity Was jailed several times and his popularity Was jailed several times and his popularity

increasedincreased 1930 – marched with 1000s to the sea to 1930 – marched with 1000s to the sea to

make salt from saltwater – avoiding British make salt from saltwater – avoiding British taxtax

Some conflicts begin between the Indian Some conflicts begin between the Indian congress and the Muslim leaguecongress and the Muslim league

1935 & 1937 some local authority given to 1935 & 1937 some local authority given to the Indian National Congressthe Indian National Congress

World War II begins…World War II begins…

Britain declares war on British India’s behalf Britain declares war on British India’s behalf without consulting the Indian leadershipwithout consulting the Indian leadership

Congress Party – would not support war until Congress Party – would not support war until promised independencepromised independence

Muslim League – supported war to attempt Muslim League – supported war to attempt to gain influenceto gain influence– Mohammad Ali Jinnah - passed the Lahore Mohammad Ali Jinnah - passed the Lahore

Resolution – demanded a separate state at Resolution – demanded a separate state at independenceindependence Gandhi appealed to the people not to accept the Gandhi appealed to the people not to accept the

resolution but most supported the claim for two nationsresolution but most supported the claim for two nations

Continued ProtestsContinued Protests

Congress led independence movement Congress led independence movement protests continued – 1000s were jailedprotests continued – 1000s were jailed

War expanded to the Pacific – British War expanded to the Pacific – British worked on compromise but did not succeedworked on compromise but did not succeed

Gandhi began “Quit India” movement – Gandhi began “Quit India” movement – threatened widespread civil disobediencethreatened widespread civil disobedience– 1942 Gandhi in Jail along with 1000s of others1942 Gandhi in Jail along with 1000s of others– Some Indian POWs fight along side the JapaneseSome Indian POWs fight along side the Japanese– Altogether, he spent seven years in prison for Altogether, he spent seven years in prison for

political activitypolitical activity

•In 1948, at the age of 78, while on his way to a prayer meeting, in New Delhi, Gandhi was assassinated. •A high-ranking Brahman, who feared Gandhi’s program of tolerance for all creeds and religions, shot him three times.

Gandhi’s legacyGandhi’s legacy

His beliefs and actions have inspired His beliefs and actions have inspired civil rights movements across the civil rights movements across the globe. globe.

He is an icon of world peace. He is an icon of world peace. His birthday, 2His birthday, 2ndnd October, is October, is

commemorated worldwide as the commemorated worldwide as the International Day of Non-International Day of Non-Violence.Violence.

After the war…After the war… Great Britain wants to withdraw but can’t Great Britain wants to withdraw but can’t

because of conflicts with Congress and Muslim because of conflicts with Congress and Muslim LeagueLeague

Increasing amounts of Hindu vs. Muslim violence Increasing amounts of Hindu vs. Muslim violence occurredoccurred

1946 - Nehru – head of Congress – made interim 1946 - Nehru – head of Congress – made interim Prime Minister Prime Minister

1947 – Great Britain announces it will leave the 1947 – Great Britain announces it will leave the Indian Subcontinent by June 1948Indian Subcontinent by June 1948

July 15, 1947 – Britain announces that in one July 15, 1947 – Britain announces that in one month two independent countries of India and month two independent countries of India and Pakistan will be establishedPakistan will be established

Partition of India and Partition of India and PakistanPakistan

Boundaries had to be drawn in a monthBoundaries had to be drawn in a month Assets had to be dividedAssets had to be divided Some 10 million South Asians fled their Some 10 million South Asians fled their

homes – fearing they would soon be in homes – fearing they would soon be in a country that did not support their a country that did not support their beliefsbeliefs– Hindus and Sikhs fled from Pakistan to into Hindus and Sikhs fled from Pakistan to into

IndiaIndia– Muslims moved from India to PakistanMuslims moved from India to Pakistan

Many died in the violence that resultedMany died in the violence that resulted

India & Pakistan gained India & Pakistan gained independence in August 1947independence in August 1947

East & West Pakistan become East & West Pakistan become Pakistan and BangladeshPakistan and Bangladesh

India’s PartitionIndia’s Partition

What inventions did the What inventions did the ancient civilizations ancient civilizations

of the Indian of the Indian Subcontinent contribute Subcontinent contribute

to the modern world?to the modern world?

Inventions of the Indian Subcontinent

Cotton Arabic Numerals Chess

CottonCotton

Farmers of the Indus Farmers of the Indus River Valley were the River Valley were the first to grow cotton first to grow cotton

Cotton fibers were Cotton fibers were woven into clothwoven into cloth

India will become a India will become a primary producer of primary producer of cotton in the world, cotton in the world, especially during British especially during British rule of the subcontinentrule of the subcontinent

During the Indian During the Indian Independence, Independence, Mohandas Gandhi wove Mohandas Gandhi wove his own clothing as part his own clothing as part of an effort to boycott of an effort to boycott British cotton clothingBritish cotton clothing

Arabic NumeralsArabic Numerals By 100 CE, people in By 100 CE, people in

India were writing the India were writing the numbers as in the numbers as in the picture above. picture above.

While the numbers While the numbers 1,2, and 3 are pretty 1,2, and 3 are pretty clear, nobody knows clear, nobody knows where the other signs where the other signs came from. It may be came from. It may be that they were taken that they were taken from letters of an from letters of an Indian alphabet.Indian alphabet.

320 – 350 CE, during the 320 – 350 CE, during the Gupta empire, Indian Gupta empire, Indian mathematicians worked out mathematicians worked out the first beginnings of our the first beginnings of our modern number system. modern number system.

The number zero (0) was The number zero (0) was created to make it easier to created to make it easier to add and multiply numbers.add and multiply numbers.

With the formation of the With the formation of the Islamic Empire a few years Islamic Empire a few years later, the use of zero later, the use of zero spread quickly from India to spread quickly from India to West Asia and Africa (by West Asia and Africa (by the 800's), and then more the 800's), and then more slowly to Europe (not until slowly to Europe (not until the 1200's AD, and only the 1200's AD, and only specialists used it until the specialists used it until the 1500's). 1500's).

Did you know, the word zero comes from the Sanskrit word meaning “nothing”?

Origins of ChessOrigins of Chess Around 600 CE, or 7Around 600 CE, or 7thth century, Indians century, Indians developed the game developed the game chess.chess.

Many words for chess in Many words for chess in other languages derive other languages derive from the Sanskrit word from the Sanskrit word for chess.for chess.

The Indian version of chess The Indian version of chess contains a horse, camel, contains a horse, camel, and elephant; these are and elephant; these are equivalent to the modern equivalent to the modern knight, bishop, and rook.knight, bishop, and rook.

South Asia TodaySouth Asia Today

India and Its NeighborsIndia and Its Neighbors

India’s CultureIndia’s Culture• secondsecond most most

populated country populated country (over 1.1 billion (over 1.1 billion people)people)

• Most Indians live…Most Indians live…– in rural areas.in rural areas.– in the North.in the North.– along the coast.along the coast.– in extended in extended

families.families.– in castes.in castes.

• Hindi Hindi and and EnglishEnglish are official languages.are official languages.

• Most Indians practice Most Indians practice Hinduism.Hinduism.

India’s India’s GovernmentGovernment

• World’s largest World’s largest democracydemocracy ( (federal republicfederal republic))• Government structure:Government structure:

– Prime Minister (runs the country)Prime Minister (runs the country)– President (little power)President (little power)

– ParliamentParliament

India’s EconomyIndia’s Economy• Although India is Although India is

one of the world’s one of the world’s highest GDPs, highest GDPs, many of its people many of its people live in live in poverty.poverty.

• Most Indians work Most Indians work in in agriculture.agriculture.

• There is an There is an increasing increasing numbersof numbersof high high techtech and and industrialindustrial jobs.jobs.

• Currency is the Currency is the rupee.rupee.

Issues and Challenges Issues and Challenges Facing IndiaFacing India• Urbanization:Urbanization:

– high population high population density density (overcrowded)(overcrowded)

– povertypoverty– educational educational

inequalityinequality• caste systemcaste system• gender inequalitygender inequality

– environmental environmental issuesissues

• deforestationdeforestation• Asian Brown Asian Brown

CloudCloud• water pollutionwater pollution

India & Pakistan India & Pakistan TodayToday• The partition of India The partition of India

originally left both originally left both countries countries devastateddevastated..

• Since their division, Since their division, two two warswars have been have been fought between the fought between the countries.countries.

• conflict over the area conflict over the area of of KashmirKashmir

• terrorism and terrorism and nuclear weaponsnuclear weapons