Tuesday, April 29th Class Discussion Question What are some major differences between the beliefs of Muslims and Hindus?.

Here is the plan …  Students will understand the origins of Islam in South Asia.  Students will recognize the basic differences between Hinduism and Islam.  Students will know how religious differences altered the country of India.

Differences  Hindus  Polytheistic  Caste system  Vedas & Upanishads  Cows are sacred  Muslims  Monotheistic  Equality  Koran  Cows are food

Brilliant!

Mughals…  Developed Urdu language.  Developed cultural items such as music and art.  Architecture such as the Taj Mahal

Diffusion  Around 1200 Delhi sultans introduced Islam to India.  But it was the Mughals (Mongols) who brought Muslim culture to its height in South Asia about 1500.

The British are coming…  In the early 1700’s the Mughal Empire in India goes into a period of decline.  At about the same time England & France have become the dominant world powers.

Imperialism or British Rule  British rule introduced the English language into South Asia.  British rule improved the infrastructure of South Asia.  EG Railroads / Communication

East India Company  Trade – specifically cheap cotton textiles for export to Europe where one of the items most desired by the British.

British Rule – We don’t need it!  Imperialism – “The sun never sets on the British Empire.”  Cultural Imperialism is the active promotion of one culture at the expense of another.  Nationalism is the belief that people who share the same language and customs should have their own country.

Cultural Hybridization  Is the blending of two cultures to form a new culture.  Indian & English cultures have combined.  Cheeeerio old chap!

Freedom  Growing Indian nationalism and the weakened state of Europe after WWII, led to the British decision to leave South Asia in  Is Gandhi Happy?

Silly OR Serious??

Ugly Divorce  India Split into 2 countries –Hindu India and almost entirely Muslim Pakistan (East & West).  West Pakistan and East Pakistan split with East Pakistan becoming Bangladesh.

Bangladesh  East Pakistan broke away from West Pakistan in 1972 because it felt that the political and economic resources were unfairly distributed.  India has generally has a friendly relationship with Bangladesh.  India’s relationship with the “other” Pakistan is much different.

TENSION  Religion & Land  In South Asia differences between Muslims and Hindus have had serious repercussions.  There is also tension between the two sides over the region called Kashmir.

Here is the plan …  Students will understand the origins of Islam in South Asia.  Students will recognize the basic differences between Hinduism and Islam.  Students will know how religious differences altered the country of India.