Ch. 24: The Cultural Geography of South Asia

1. Ch. 24: The Cultural Geography of South Asia 24-2 Notes: History & Government

2. Ch. 24: The Cultural Geography of South Asia Indian Society Notes

3. Early History • The earliest S. Asians left few written records • evidence of their achievements in building & trade have been discovered.

4. Indus Valley Civilization • Arose around 2500 B.C. • Developed a writing system, strong central gov’t, and overseas trade • They built possible first cities Mohenjo Daro & Harappa • Brick, sophisticated plumbing • Civilization declined, maybe b/c of env’tal changes like droughts or flooding

5. The Aryans • Hunters & herders called Aryans came from the NW to settle in India • Aryan society had 4 groups: • Priests, warriors (or nobles), artisans & farmers, and enslaved people (Untouchables) • The “Caste” System • It became more complex over time; no class mixing • From birth, people belonged to their social class

6. Hinduism • Grew out of Aryan culture • Expects everyone to carry out their dharma, or moral duty • Hindus believe in reincarnation until the soul achieves perfection • Law of Karma—good deeds help a person achieve perfection; evil deeds tie one to the endless wheel of rebirth • Hindus worship thousands of gods & goddesses, which are seen as different forms of one eternal being (Brahman); some worship no gods.

7. Buddhism • Based on the teachings of Siddharta Gautama • During the 500’s B.C. let his family & riches to seek the true nature of human existence • Known as the Buddha, or “Awakened One” he urged people to achieve happiness by working hard, thinking clearly, showing compassion, & avoiding attachment to material things • If you could do all that, you could reach a state of insight, calm, & joy called Nirvana

8. A Marriage of Influences • Buddhism rejected the caste system • It appealed to lower classes • Spread from India to other countries • Blended with local practices

9. Invasions & Empires • After the Aryans, other invaders came through the Khyber pass • Mauryan Empire—Buddhism & nonviolence • Gupta Empire—Hindu Civilization; technology, math, & the arts • Arabic numerals—later brought to Europe by Arab traders • 1100’s—Muslim forces—Mogul Empire—converted many S.Asians to Islam

10. Invasions & Empires • 1500—Europeans arrived by sea • 1700’s the British became the major European power in S. Asia • Referred to the empire as the British raj (Hindi word for empire) • British reconstructed the school system, introduced the English language, railroads, & civil service system

11. Modern South Asia • Independence • Mohandas K. Gandhi inspired Indians to protest British rule by nonviolent measures • Peaceful protests, boycotting British goods • Wanted to end rigid social system • Became known as Mahatma, or “Great Soul” • Assassinated in 1948

12. Independence • British India gained independence in 1947 • Divided along religious lines • Hindu majority—India • Muslim majority—Pakistan (East Pakistan-today Bangladesh-and West Pakistan); divided by 1,000 miles of land • 1948—Ceylon—independence from Britain; 1972 started using its ancient name— Sri Lanka • 1971—East & West Pakistan revolted—Bangladesh established; west remained Pakistan

13. Indian Society • The Aryans set up a social institution in India that has lasted to this day • The caste system determined a person’s job, economic potential, and position in society • Aryans were light skinned & looked down on the darker skinned Indians • Indians actually had a more advanced civilization

14. India’s Caste System Untouchables—considered to be BELOW the caste system.

15. Untouchables (Dalits) • Had jobs no other Indians wanted—trash collection, handling the dead • Not considered human • Other castes thought they were harmful to just be around; tapped sticks so people new they were coming and could avoid them

16. Indian Society • Family was the basic unit of Indian society • Ideal to have 3 generations living together • Families were patriarchal; only males could inherit property & were educated • Women couldn’t be priests, divorce was forbidden, children were supposed to take care of their aging parents • Marriages—arranged, girls married young-considered an economic drain on the family

17. Suttee • Women were expected to throw themselves on their dead husbands funeral pyre and die herself • Women who refused were disgraced

18. Hinduism (Indian Society Notes) • Hinduism is the world’s oldest organized religion • Brahman was a single force in the universe • Each person’s goal was to try to “know” this ultimate being and merge with him after death • Reincarnation came along later • After a number of existences, the soul could reach it’s final goal-union with Brahman • Karma determines how one will be born in their next life; what people do in their current life determines how they’ll be reborn in their next life • Hindu reincarnation justified the rigid caste system and privileges of the upper classes; gave hope to the lower classes for a better next life • Other Hindu gods (forms of Brahman) • Shiva (destructive & creative forces of the universe) • Vishnu (preserver of the universe)

19. Buddhism • Also began in India around the 500’s B.C. • Based on the teacher of Siddharta Gautama, known as the Buddha or Awakened One.

20. The story of Buddha…… • Holy Man or Great World Leader • Sickness • Old age • Death • Monk

21. Buddhism • He wanted to find the true meaning of life • Practiced intense meditation • While sitting under a tree, he reached enlightenment about the meaning of life • Spent the rest of his life preaching what he had learned.

22. Buddhism • Buddha said pain, poverty, and sorrow people face is based on their attachment to material things in the world • Buddhists want to ultimately reach nirvana, an ultimate reality and a reunion with the Great World Soul

23. 4 Noble Truths • Ordinary life is full of suffering • Suffering is caused by our desire to satisfy ourselves • The way to end suffering is to end desire for selfish goals and to see others as extensions of ourselves • End desire by following the Middle Path (also known as the Eightfold Path) • Eightfold Path called for a life of morality, wisdom, and concentration

24. Buddhism • Buddhism accepted the idea of reincarnation, but rejected the Hindu caste system. • He believed all people could reach nirvana based on their behavior in THIS life. • Buddhism reject the large number of gods and complexity of Hinduism

25. Buddhism • Buddha forbade his followers from worshipping either him or his image after he died. • Buddhism, more of a philosophy and not a religion • Buddhist monasteries are places where monks can live a simple life in the pursuit of wisdom