South Asia Chapter 7

Geography of South Asia

A Subcontinent A large landmass smaller than a continent The region is a peninsula Large mountains create a natural border to the north Water surrounds the rest of the Peninsula

The Mountains

Himalayas

-Tallest Mountains in the world -More than 50 mountains over 5 miles high!

Mt. Everest

Benefits of Mountains Provide natural barrier against invasion Block cold northern winds creating a warmer climate The source of the regions rivers

Hindu Kush Kush means Death

The Southern Mountains Vindhya – create a border b/w northern and southern India, limited interaction b/w cultures Ghats (East, West) – ghat means “pass”, prevented Europeans from exploring the entire area

Western Ghats

Video ?s How much of the worlds population lives in South Asia? What country was created to be an independent Muslim state? What is the caste system? What religions exist in India & South Asia? Why have people moved to cities?

Khyber Pass (Hindu Kush) and Bolan Pass (Hindu Kush) Create a path for diffusion Traders Raiders/Warriors

The Khyber Pass

Kashmir Valley Whoever controls the Kashmir, controls the headwaters of the Indus River…the source of irrigation water.

Kashmir

Northern Plains Indo-Gangetic Plain

Northern Plains Facts Indus, Ganges, Brahmaputra Rivers provide many resources to the region –Water –Natural Fertilizers –Irrigation Supports a large population

Ganges River

Indus River Principal River of Pakistan Home to 1 st civilization in the region Indus means river

Thar Desert Little Rainfall Small population Nomadic Lifestyle

Deccan Plateau Covers almost half of South Asia Bordered by mountains on three sides –Vindhya – North –Western Ghats – West –Eastern Ghats – East Tiny farms dot the landscape

The Climate of South Asia

The Monsoons Wet Monsoon – warm, moist wind from Indian Ocean brings rain from May – July Dry Monsoon – cold, dry wind from the mountains brings mild temperatures and low humidity

The role of monsoons Key to planting season for farmers The monsoon needs to arrive as planned or the farm season fails Too much rain = failed farming season

Monsoons, Floods, Destruction The population density is high surrounding the Ganges Delta Fertile Soil attracts millions of people 1991 Cyclone in Bangladesh –140,000 died –Winds 150 mph –Waves 20 ft

Rainfall Both deserts (north west & central) and rainforests (north east) exist The mountains affect rainfall greatly Cherapunji, India – 425 inches of rain a year; NYC – 45 inches of rain a year Rain shadow – one side of a mountain is fertile; the other side is dry/arid

Temperature & Resources Tropical climate = warm temps year round Cold in higher elevations Water is scarce; irrigation is needed Iron ore, coal, copper, oil Nuclear Power

Early South Asia

Indus Civilization How was the development of the Indus Valley civilization similar to the development of other early civilizations? When did this civilization exist? Describe the early cities Describe the early farms What reasons are proposed for the fall of the civilization?

Aryan Culture When did the Aryan culture flourish? Describe the religious beliefs of the Aryans What was Aryan village life like? What was the social structure in Aryan society?

What are the characteristics of early civilizations?

Cities Complex Govt. Complex Religion Highly Specialized Complex Social Classes Record Keeping

BC : a civilization grew in the Indus River Valley

The Indus Valley Civilization stretched from the Khyber Pass to the Arabian Sea.

Achievements of the Indus Valley Civilization Planned cities – Harrapa & Mohenjo-Daro Organized Governments – building codes & laws Farming Technology – first to grow cotton & domesticate chickens Trade – with Middle Eastern Cities goods & ideas Language - pictographs

Mohenjo - Daro Early civ. In Pakistan

Harappa

Terracotta scale showing graduations

By 1500 BC the Indus River Valley Civilization was in decline.

Decline of the Indus River Civilization No definitive answers exist, possible reasons are: –Climate change; not enough water –Soil quality diminished after centuries of farming –Flooding –Possible invasions

1500 BC: The Aryans invaded through the Khyber Pass. Nomadic people from Caucasus Mountains The migration took over 100 years

Achievements of Aryan Culture With superior weapons, they conquered the region Vedas – records of life; oral religious traditions, hymns, prayers, rituals Sanskrit – written language Farming, Government

Aryan culture spread throughout most of South Asia

Aryan Culture Centered around Hinduism People found direction in their lives from the Vedas – religious traditions –Rig Veda – most important Polytheistic people Sanskrit still exists today

The Aryan culture developed a caste system probably based on race. Varna - classes

A caste system is a social class that one is born into and can never change.

Four basic castes: 1. Brahman (priests) 2. Kshatriya (Warriors) 3. Vaisya (Landowners, merchants, herders) 4. Sudra (peasants)

Brahman wife

Kshatriya farmers

Vaisya shopkeeper

Sudra peasants

The caste system became extremely complex based on specialization of jobs and positions.

Marriage was only allowed within the caste.

The lowest caste doing the dirtiest jobs were called untouchables.

People South Asia Video Questions to answer What do turbans indicate about the wearer? How has Hinduism influenced the caste system? What steps has the Indian government taken to eliminate the caste system?

Where Tigers Live

Tiger Physical Traits 13 feet long; 660 lbs – at its biggest mph – top speed 10 meter – leaping distance Endangered species –Hunting –Loss of habitat