Central and South Asia Politics and Religion

Political Origins Steppe C/SA have always been a highway between Asia and the Middle East Movements of peoples from all directions influenced the people there Indus River Civilization Harappa and Mohenjo Daro Centralized, stratified states The Indo-Aryans (from around the Caucases) Moved into the region and established their dominance Segregated society based on skin color (light skin and dark skin) Aryans and “dasas” (enemies/servants) Steppe

Religious Origins Harappa and Mohenjo Daro The Indo-Aryans We aren’t sure, but we can assume it was a form of animistic paganism The Indo-Aryans Brought their holy text, the Vedas A set of books about what would later become Hinduism

Religious Development Vedic tradition would mature into Hinduism One supreme being with many lesser gods (polytheistic, but not) Major Hindu principles Samsara and reincarnation: the ceaseless cycle Moksha: breaking the cycle and reunion Karma: perpetuating the cycle Dharma: your divine duty (the Caste System) Siddhārtha Gautama (6th century BC) A prince that sought the meaning to life Enlightenment, “the Buddha”, and the Four Noble Truths Buddhism and the Caste System

Political Development India under Buddhism (Ashoka: 3rd century BC) Converted after witnessing war Wanted a society of universal acceptance Built hospitals, shrines, and clinics for all Called his people “his children” Later reverted to Hinduism Buddhism went east The Mongol invasions (13th century AD) Conquered CA and most of SA The Pax Mongolica: Freedom of travel, trade, religion The Mughal Empire (16th century AD) Islamic/Hindu divide of Indians

Religion Today Central Asia South Asia Primarily Islamic (all the “stan” nations) Solidarity movements under the Soviet Union Issues with Xinjiang Province, China Uighur Muslim population (Turkic) South Asia Divided between Islamic and Hindu populations Pakistan and Bangladesh (Muslim Indians) India (Hindu Indians)

Politics Today Central Asia South Asia Struggling from Post-Soviet era American intervention in 1979 Soviet-Afghan War CIA training of Osama bin Laden (Saudi prince) Preaching of “Jihad” against invaders (whoops) Blowback, Israel and 9/11 South Asia Pakistani issues with stability Fundamentalism (Taliban) India as world’s largest democracy Issues with Westernization Both nations are hostile and nuclear Kashmir