History of South Asia

Early Civilizations Indus Valley Civilizations Date back to 3500 BC Formed near modern day Pakistan. Advanced Civilization Grid pattern for cities Homes made of brick and had wells. Excelled at craftsmanship Lasted 1000 years before disappearing. Aryans Date back to 1500 BC Unclear how they came to the region. Society divided into Varnas = Social Classes. Brahmans (Priest) – Top Class Warriors – Next to top Merchants – 3rd from top Laborers – Bottom class Also lasted 1000 years before disappearing

Religious Traditions Hinduism Believed in a Social Caste system No one founder Believe in Dharma (Righteous Action), Karma (Action and Consequences), and Moksha (Liberation). Reincarnation – Soul is reborn in a new body after death. The soul will be continually reborn until the soul reaches nirvana – A state of eternal bliss and enlightenment. Believed in a Social Caste system Buddhism Began in NE India A prince named Siddhartha Gautama gave up his wealthy lifestyle to find spiritual truth. Reached his goal at 35 and became the Buddha – enlightened one. Came up with the 4 Noble Truths Did not believe in the Social Caste System.

Three Indian Empires – Maurays Most of the nation made up interdependent territories until 300 BC. The Major power called the Maurays took control of the region. Most well known leader was Ashoka – who converted to Buddhism. Conquest by force ended because of conversion but trade and culture thrived. Maurays dominated the region until the mid – 100s BC

Gupta Gupta controlled South Aisa, after the Maruya. Their leader Chandragupta I united much of Northern India in 300 AD In the 400’s and 500’s the Gupta ruled much of South Asia, this is known as India’s golden age. Science, Medicine, Mathematics, and Arts flourished. Gupta Scientists developed the decimal system The mathematician Arybhata was one of the first scientist to have used algebra.

Mughal From the mid 1500’s to the early 1800’s the third great empire emerged in South Asia. By 1600 they held sway over most of South Asia. The Mughals were Muslim rather than Hindu. Because of this many South Asians converted to Islam for a number of reasons. Forced conversions Economic gain Escaping the jizya (tax on non-Muslims) Though many Mughals were tolerant leaders and encouraged religious freedom. Akbar the Great was one such leader. Architecture improved during this time and the Taj Mahal was built.

The British in South Asia Beginning in the 1500’s Europeans sent ships to the region for trade. In the 1600’s British traders established settlements and established a powerful presence in Asia. In 1857 a bloody rebellion took place and the British took direct control of South Asia. Under British rule schools, railways, trading ports were established. But India was now a British colony instead of a trading partner. Because of this forced rule an independence movement began in the late 1800’s

Achieving Independence In 1885 Indian supporters of Independence formed the Indian National Congress. The British did not want to give up their rule, otherwise known as the Raj. The Indian National Congress responded by endorsing a boycott – Indians refused to buy goods made by the British. In the 1900’s two Congress members became the leaders Mohandas (Mahatma “Great Soul”) Gandhi – Trained Lawyer, believed in non- violent protest against British rule. Jawaharlal Nehru – Trained Lawyer, son of original leader of the congress. In August 1947 the two leaders were able to convince the British to leave India.

India and Pakistan Conflict between Hindu’s and Muslims increased greatly during India’s independence movement. When the British left India they divided the continent up between India (Mostly Hindu) and Pakistan (Mostly Muslims) There was much chaos and bloodshed as people crossed over trying to reach their proper country. In 1970 East Pakistan broke away from West Pakistan following a short and bloody war for independence. Conflicts continue between India and Pakistan today, with the introduction of nuclear proliferation, the conflict is especially dangerous.