1. India People and Religion

7. Religious Life Hinduism is the major religion in India It is polytheistic – they believe in many gods The Gods make up the universal spirit called Brahma the creator All living things have a spirit or soul All animals are treated with respect especially cows which is the sacred animal Other religions in India are Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, and Jainism

8. Religious Life Hindus believe in Reincarnation Ultimate goal is to find unity with Brahma They reach this goal by being reborn or reincarnated Ganges River is their Sacred River Drinking the water of the Ganges or bathing in the river purifies the soul Hindus believe in a caste system It is a social hierarchy in which people are born One can not change castes until the next life

9. Religious Life The Hindu caste system Brahmans – the highest case is priests, teachers and judges Kshatriyas – warriors Vaisyas – farmers and merchants Sudras – craft workers and laborers Untouchables or outcastes – street sweepers, garbage collectors, and tanners

10. Village Life Seven out of ten people live in villages Two types of living based on how prosperous a family is Poor people live in mud houses with earth floors More prosperous have brick houses with a tiled roof and cement floors Most Indians are primarily vegetarians Some eat pork, fish and chicken Almost no one eats cows because they are the sacred animal

13. Village Life Clothing Typically light and loose due to warm climate Many women cover their faces in public Hindus live in joint family systems Husbands take their new wives to live with his family Households include the extended family Each person in the family has their own job Technology is starting to be seen in the villages Electricity and television Movies

14. Towns and Cities Cities and towns are growing There is mass migration to the cities More jobs in cities and better opportunity Varanasi is a holy city in India because it is located on the Ganges river

15. Economic Improvements Challenges Only a small percentage of farmers make enough food to sell Most farmers are subsistence farmers They have improved agricultural life Improved types of wheat and rice have increased production Redistributed the land so poorer farmers can produce more Education has increased

16. Economic Improvements India is one of the world’s leading industrial nation Increases in computers and space technology Increases in consumer goods such as TVs and VCRs All this has resulted in a growing middle class General health has increased in India Life expectancy went up from 32 to 61 Water supplies have been cleaned up Medical practices have improved