1. Cultures of South Asia

2. The Aryans Came into India b/n 2000BC(E) and 1500BC(E). Ruled over 1000 years. Divided people into 4 classes or castes. Brahmans: priests and the educated Kshatriyas: rulers and warriors Vaishyas: farmers, artisans, and merchants Sudras: laborers (Servants/slaves) Untouchables Caste - a social group into which people are born which they cannot change.

3. Hinduism: No single founder Hindus worship many gods. These gods/goddesses make up one spirit. National religion of India. (700 million followers)

4. Buddhism Founder: Siddhartha Gautama. (born 560 BC(E)) Was a prince of Hindu high caste. Became known as Buddha, or “Enlightened One.”

5. Mughal Empire Mughals settled in India around 1500 A.D. (CE) (they were Muslim). Akbar, the ruler, allowed people to worship freely. His grandson Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal.(his wife’s tomb)

6. Mohandas K. Gandhi Britain colonized India during the 1700’s, 1800’s, & 1900’s. Colony - Indians desired freedom. Gandhi called for resistance to British rule in a nonviolent way.

7. India: After Independence Religious warfare broke out between Muslims & Hindus. Muslims (minority) feared their rights would not be protected. 1947 - India split into two nations. (Pakistan - Muslim) and (India - Hindu)