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Cultural Geography B Mr. Ehlke

Discover the rich cultural tapestry, diverse geography, and early history of South Asia encompassing 7 countries. Learn about the Himalayas, Indus River, Ganges River, religions, caste system, Hinduism, Buddhism, British rule, and the inspiring legacy of Gandhi.

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Cultural Geography B Mr. Ehlke

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  1. Cultural Geography BMr. Ehlke South Asia

  2. South Asia Geo & Early History • 7 Countries (India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan) • Geo Features • Himalayas (Tallest mountains in the world) • Kashmir Valley (Battle between India & Pakistan) • Indus River (Supports Pakistan’s population) • Ganges River (Supports India’s Population) • Sacred to Indians • Very Polluted

  3. Geography Continued • Climate • Wet monsoon summer (3 months of rain) • Dry winter (9 months) • Diversity • 4 major world religions (Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Buddhism) • Hindu = Majority in India • Islam = Majority in Pakistan & Bangladesh • Sikh = Minority in both • Buddhism = All other countries • 700 spoken languages (Hindi is largest)

  4. Geography Continued • The People • 1 in 5 people on the planet are from South Asia • India # 2 (1,070,000,000) Expected to pass China • Pakistan # 6 (160,000,000) • Bangladesh # 8 (142,000,000) • Most live in villages/Cities are rapidly Growing • http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0884418.html • ¾ of people still depend on farming

  5. Bangladesh • One of poorest most densely populated countries in the world • Very fertile land from constant flooding • Barely above sea level • Causes massive flooding • 50 cyclones in the 1990s alone

  6. Early civilizations • Indus Valley Civilization one of earliest • Arrival of Aryan’s • Nomadic/warlike people • From caucus Mountains • Sweep through Mid East settle into India • Set up social class system (CASTE SYSTEM)

  7. Caste System • 4 classes (Called Varna) • Brahmans (Priests) • Kshatryia’s (Warriors/Teachers) • Vaisya (Land owners & Merchants) • Sudra’s (Servants & Peasants) • Position is based on birth • Can not move up or down • Can not inter-marry • 5th group not considered a class • (UNTOUCHABLES)

  8. Religions of India/Hinduism • Basic Hindu Beliefs • No founder of formal church • Comes from ancient Aryan beliefs & practices • Major religion of present day India • Sacred Texts • Vedas & Upanishads • Ramayana & Mahabharata are also ancient writings • Polytheistic • Worship thousands of gods • Each god is part of supreme force (Brahman) • Brahman = supreme force of the universe

  9. Hinduism Continued • Main Gods • 1. Brahma = The Creator • 2. Vishnu = The Preserver • 3. Siva = The Destroyer • Atman = The essential self in every individual • Hindu’s believe all things part of the same universal soul • Stress non-violence & Respect of nature • Believe people suffer from pursuit of false goals • Material riches & Personal pleasures

  10. Hinduism Continued • Moksha = True goal for all Hindu’s • Soul freed from body united with Brahman • Can’t be done in one life/Reincarnation • Karma = every deed (mental or physical) in this life affects fate in future lives • Present situation = result of previous lives • Caste System • Strict social class under Hinduism • Brahman’s believed to be closest to Moksha

  11. Buddhism • Siddhartha Gautama = Buddha/Enlightened one • Buddha thought himself a Hindu • Difference • Denies existence of gods/Priests are not needed for Nirvana • Rejected Caste System

  12. Buddhism Continued • 4 Noble Truths • 1. Suffering is universal • 2. Cause of suffering is desire • 3. End suffering by crushing desire (Nirvana = state of wanting nothing) • 4. End desire by following noble eightfold path • *Guide to conduct, Understanding suffering, compassion for all creatures, Kindness & Truthfulness.

  13. Buddhism Continued • Three Baskets Of Wisdom (Bible/Holy-book) • Recorded by followers • Sects of Buddhism • Theravada Buddhism • Monastic life to reach Nirvana • View Buddha as a great Teacher • Mahayana Buddhism • Worship Buddha as a god • 4th largest religion in the world • Nearly 400 million Buddhists

  14. British Rule of India • When British arrive India = separate states not united • British attempt conversion to Christianity • Force Indian Princes to follow their laws • Outlaw practice of “Sati” • Draft Indians into British Army • Sepoy Rebellion • Rumor that guns greased with pork & beef grease • Indians forced to fight in distant lands • Believe they lose caste if they die out of country • Major uprising of Indian troops/British kill many

  15. Effects of British Rule • Set up court system & Hospitals • Improve roads & Communications • Destroy local economy • People forced to buy expensive British goods • Forced to grow cash crops (For British) • Leads to massive famine • Educate Higher classes • Become aware of their situation • Leads to Indian Nationalism/Gandhi • Amritsar Massacre • 400 killed 1,100 wounded (Turning point in struggle for freedom)

  16. Mohandas Gandhi • Born to a middle class Hindu Family • Studies Law in England • Practices law in South Africa • Fights for civil rights • Inspiration to men like Martin Luther King Jr.

  17. Mohandas Gandhi • Inspires India to unite against British rule • Satyagraha • Method to end injustice • Called it “Life Force” • Civil Disobedience • Refuse to follow unjust laws • Make British aware of injustice • Gives up Western ways • Lives as traditional Indian

  18. Hindu/Muslim Conflict • Differences- • Polytheistic vs Monotheistic • Islam teaches all are equal • Hindu’s follow the caste system • Muslim’s follow strict laws of Koran • Hindu’s tolerate many beliefs • Cattle = Food to Muslims • Sacred to Hindu’s

  19. India Splits • 2 Nations Created • Hindu dominated India • Muslim dominated East & West Pakistan • East Pakistan becomes Bangladesh in 1970s • War with Pakistan for independence • Fighting kills ½ million • 15 million forced to flee homeland • Currently • Fighting over Kashmir Valley • Nuclear War Threat

  20. India since Gandhi • Leaders • Nehru • Improves economy • Industrializes country • Improves agriculture • Indira Gandhi • Nehru’s daughter • 1975 ends democracy • Restores it 10 years later • Sikh body guards assassinated her

  21. Continued • Rajiv Gandhi • Son of Indira • Also Assassinated

  22. Solving India’s problems today • 1. Complete end to the caste system • 2. Improve education (For all) • 3. Slow population growth • 4. Reduce rural poverty

  23. Extra’s • Major improvements in rights for women • Education • Lacks teachers, technology, too many languages • Cow Poop • Used in cooking, flooring, and fertilizer • Untouchables today • Converting to Islam to improve lives

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