GeoJournalAs you read this chapter, note the diversityfound in South Asia. Write a journal entrydescribing the culture of one particularlydiverse area of South Asia. Be sure to makeyour descriptions as vivid and as accurate aspossible.

Chapter Overview Visit the Glencoe WorldGeography Web site at tx.geography.glencoe.comand click on Chapter Overviews—Chapter 24 to preview information about the cultural geography of the region.

Population Patterns

A Geographic ViewScenes Along theBrahmaputra[On a side stream of the Brahmaputra] there were men in long skirts, the descendants of ancient Aryans and Arab, Turkish, and Burmese traders. . . .Nearby, children bathed, menwalked down planks with wicker baskets of coconuts, melons, and squash. . . . Threewomen fixed dinner in metalpots over a fire. The smell ofmango, diesel fumes, andspices filled the air.

—Jere Van Dyk, “Long Journey of theBrahmaputra,” National Geographic, November 1988

Imagine taking a boat down the Brahmaputra River.You see great cities and small villages. You meet travelers on steepmountains and talk with families tending green rice fields. Life alongthe Brahmaputra reflects the color and diversity of all South Asia. Inthis section you will get a sense of that color and diversity as youlearn about the peoples of this region.

Human CharacteristicsOne of the most significant characteristics of South Asia’s population

is its size. Over 1.3 billion people—more than one-fifth of the world’spopulation—live in the region. Size is not the only distinguishing fac-tor of South Asia’s population, however. Diversity—the complex mixof religious, social, and cultural influences—is reflected in this regionas in almost no other area on Earth. The peoples of the region speakhundreds of languages and practice several major religions. Theregion’s diversity has fostered both tolerance and conflict.

Guide to ReadingConsider What You KnowIndia is South Asia’s most populouscountry—with more than one billionpeople—and the second most populous country in the world.Do you know which country hasmore people than India?

Read to Find Out• How do the peoples of South

Asia reflect diversity?

• How is South Asia’s large population distributed?

• How does life in the region’s cities compare with life in traditional rural villages?

Terms to Know• jati

• megalopolis

Places to Locate• Islamabad

• Mumbai (Bombay)

• Kolkata (Calcutta)

• Delhi

• Dhaka

• Karachi

C h a p t e r 2 4 587

Schoolchildren in Pokhara, Nepal

Hindu temple near the Brahmaputra, India

588 U n i t 8

IndiaIndia’s population includes people from diverse

groups. The largest number of Indians aredescended from the Dravidians, who have lived inthe south of India for 8,000 years, and the Aryans,who invaded from Central Asia more than 3,000years ago. Also contributing to India’s populationmix are the descendants of British and Portuguesecolonists as well as recent refugees from Tibet andSri Lanka. Many Indians traditionally identifythemselves by their religion—as Hindus, Muslims,Buddhists, Sikhs, Jains, or Christians. Hindus alsoidentify themselves by a jati, a group that definesone’s occupation and social position.

Pakistan and BangladeshTwo South Asian countries—Pakistan and

Bangladesh—were once part of British India.Pakistan and, later, Bangladesh became separatecountries because of their distinct Muslim andethnic heritages. More than 90 percent of the peo-ple of Pakistan and Bangladesh practice Islam.Islamabad, Pakistan’s capital, is even named forthe faith. This religious uniformity overshadowsother cultural differences in Pakistan, which hasat least five main ethnic groups. In Bangladeshmost people are Bengali, an ethnic backgroundthey share with some of their Hindu neighbors inthe Indian state of Bengal.

History

Sri Lanka’s Sinhalese and TamilsSri Lanka has two main groups, which are

fiercely divided along ethnic and religious lines.They speak different languages and live in differ-ent parts of the island country. The Buddhist Sinhalese are the majority and control the gov-ernment. The other group—Hindu Tamils—havebeen fighting for an independent Tamil state innorthern Sri Lanka since the early 1980s. Clashesbetween government forces and violent sepa-ratist groups like the Tamil Tigers have made thisonce peaceful, green island a war zone. Since1984, more than 100,000 Sri Lankans have beenkilled or have disappeared. Almost a million peo-ple have been driven from their homes by ethnicviolence—one of the largest such numbers everrecorded. The violence has disrupted the area’seconomy and demoralized its people.

Bhutan and NepalThe peoples of Bhutan and Nepal differ in appear-

ance from other South Asians, because their ances-tors came from Mongolia. Bhutan’s population isfairly evenly divided between the Bhote (BO•tay)people and those of Tibetan ancestry. Nepal, once afederation of tiny kingdoms, is home to a complexmix of ethnic groups. The group most familiar topeople outside Nepal are the Sherpas, who areknown for their mountaineering skills. One Sherpa,Tenzing Norgay, made the first successful ascent ofMount Everest with Sir Edmund Hillary in 1953.

Population Densityand Distribution

With 780 people per square mile (301 peopleper sq. km), South Asia’s population density isalmost seven times the world average. Popula-tion growth rates in South Asia have traditionallybeen high, although educational and economicassistance efforts have slowed population growth

Himalayan Trekkers The mountain-dwellingSherpas, such as the woman at right, are famed asguides to foreign expeditions in the Himalaya.

Human-Environment Interaction Which Sherpamade the first successful ascent of Mount Everest?

C h a p t e r 2 4 589

in some countries. Still, at present rates, SouthAsia will nearly double its current population bythe year 2050.

Regional VariationAlthough population densities are generally

high throughout South Asia, the distribution ofpopulation varies from region to region. Factorssuch as climate, vegetation, and physical featureshave an impact on the number of people theland can support. The Great Indian Desert (TharDesert) is sparsely populated, as are the moun-tainous highlands of western Pakistan. In southernBhutan and Nepal, average population densitiesvary between 44 and 447 people per square mile (17 and 173 people per sq. km). To the north, however, population decreases as the elevationincreases. An average of only 25 people per squaremile (10 people per sq. km) make their homes in

the Himalayan highlands because of unfavorableliving conditions there.

The highest concentrations of population inSouth Asia are found on the fertile Ganges Plain(Indo-Gangetic Plain) and along the monsoon-watered coasts of the Indian peninsula. Becauserice is an abundant and important food source, it isonly natural that most South Asians live whererice is grown. Within parts of these agriculturallyproductive areas, densities exceed more than 2,000people per square mile (772 people per sq. km).India’s Deccan Plateau—not as populous as theGanges Plain—supports up to 250 people persquare mile (97 people per sq. km).

The large tea and rubber plantations of Sri Lankarequire numerous workers. They come from the manyvillages that cluster around the plantations. Thetiny coral islands of the Maldives are packed with2,495 people per square mile (963 people per sq. km)!

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, International Data Base, 2000

80+

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National Geographic Society:WGPG # 6733-00 (RS)

Age

GRAPH STUDY

Population of Pakistan by Age and Gender

2. Applying Geography Skills What challengesmight this age distribution present for Pakistan’sfuture?

3. Applying Geography Skills Research age andgender data for another country on the Internet.Construct a population pyramid for that country.

1. Interpreting Graphs Population pyramidsshow the age and gender characteristics of acountry’s population. Describe the age distribu-tion of Pakistan’s population. Is the majority ofthe population young or old?

590 U n i t 8

rural areas. The sharp differences between urbanand rural life add to the region’s many contrasts.

Rural LifeFor many of South Asia’s peoples, life has changed

little over hundreds of years. They farm, live in vil-lages, and struggle to grow enough food for theirfamilies. Part of their crop often goes to owners of thefields they farm. South Asia is also home to nomadicor seminomadic groups. These clans, usually largeextended families, travel the desert and highlandsand herd camels, goats, or yaks for a living.

Growing UrbanizationIn recent years growing numbers of South Asians

have been migrating to urban areas, drawn by thehope of better jobs and higher wages. As urban pop-ulations grow, however, they strain public resourcesand facilities, such as schools and hospitals. Hous-ing shortages, overcrowding, and pollution are seri-ous problems resulting from rapid urbanization.

South Asia’s CitiesSouth Asian cities are among the

world’s most densely populatedurban areas. Mumbai (Bombay) isIndia’s main port on the ArabianSea as well as its largest city, with apopulation of more than 18.1 million.The city is also a leading industrial,financial, and filmmaking center.During the day, millions morepeople from outlying areas enterMumbai to work. An American visiting Mumbai noted:

“ . . . [M]ost of [Mumbai’s]newest citizens are from ruralvillages. Many of them arerefugees from natural disasterssuch as floods and droughts.Others are refugees from theexacting demands of their ownlocal societies.”John McCarry,

“Bombay,” National Geographic, March 1995

Dhaka, BangladeshAlthough Bangladesh is one of the least urbanized countries in theregion, its capital of Dhaka has a high population density.

Human-Environment Interaction What factors influence population density?

Economics

Bangladesh Slows Its GrowthBangladesh is the second most densely populated

country in South Asia, with 2,401 people per squaremile (927 people per sq. km). Despite its rich soil andimproved farming techniques, Bangladesh still hasdifficulty feeding its population. As recently as 1991,the average Bengali woman had more than 4 chil-dren during her lifetime. A decade later, the averagehad lowered to 2.8 children per woman. To encour-age Bengali women to have fewer children, both private and governmental programs give womensmall loans to start their own businesses. The programs have achieved some success.

Urban and Rural LifeMost of South Asia’s population is rural. In

Nepal only 11 percent of the people live in cities.Even in Pakistan, South Asia’s most urbanizedcountry, nearly two-thirds of the population lives in

Kolkata (Calcutta), a thriving port cityon a branch of the Ganges River, is thecenter of India’s iron and steel industries.Here crumbling public buildings andhigh-rise slums contrast sharply withmodern office towers and a modern sub-way system. Millions of people use thesubway to travel to jobs in the city.

Delhi (DEH•lee), India’s third larg-est city, is part of a megalopolis, orchain of closely linked metropolitanareas. Its sprawling land area encom-passes the Old City, dating from themid-1600s, and New Delhi, the moderncapital built by British colonial rulers inthe early 1900s. More than a millionDelhi newcomers from rural areas havebecome “pavement dwellers”—peopleliving on the streets in temporary set-tlements called jhaggi bastis.

The cities of Bangladesh and Pakistanare also crowded. Dhaka, the capitalof Bangladesh, is the world’s secondmost densely populated urban areaafter Lagos, Nigeria. Rural Pakistanisare drawn to the modern capital,Islamabad, where new housing pro-jects struggle to keep up with a grow-ing population, and to the boomingport city of Karachi.

Checking for Understanding1. Define jati, megalopolis.

2. Main Ideas Re-create the tablebelow on a sheet of paper, andfill in the characteristics of thepopulation in each South Asiancountry.

Critical Thinking3. Making Generalizations Would

you say that diversity has beenmore of a problem or a benefitfor countries in South Asia? Why?

4. Predicting Consequences Howmight life in South Asia be affectedin the next 50 years if presentpopulation growth rates andurbanization trends continue?

5. Identifying Cause and EffectWhat factors have contributed tothe growth of South Asia’s cities?

Analyzing Graphs6. Place Study the graph on

page 589. What percentage of people in Pakistan age 9 orunder are female?

7. Effects of GeographyStudy the population density map on page 562.Write a paragraph explain-ing how climate, physicalfeatures, and resources contribute to differencesin population density.

Applying Geography

C h a p t e r 2 4 591

Urban ContrastsA growing middle class lives comfortably in India’s suburbs (inset),but the poor in India’s cities must struggle to survive.

Movement Why do people in South Asia leave their families and rural villages to move to urban areas?

South Asian Countries Population Characteristics

Guide to ReadingConsider What You KnowMany people who are not familiarwith the Buddhist religion arenonetheless able to recognize theimage of the Buddha. How have you seen the Buddha pictured?

Read to Find Out• Where did South Asia’s first

civilization develop?

• What two major world religionsoriginated in South Asia?

• How did invasions and conquestsshape South Asia?

• What types of challenges are SouthAsian countries facing today?

Terms to Know• dharma

• reincarnation

• karma

• nirvana

• raj

Places to Locate• Indus River valley

• Mohenjo Daro

• Harappa

• Khyber Pass

• Mauryan Empire

• Gupta Empire

592 U n i t 8

History andGovernment

A Geographic ViewHistory as ArchitectureLahore [in Pakistan] . . . is an architec-tural accumulation of all of those whohave conquered it. Mogul mosques standnext to Sikh temples, which stand nextto British administration buildings. . . .Sitting near the Alamgiri Gate, a onceprivate entrance to the royal quartersbuilt by the emperor Aurangzeb in1674 that is big enough for elephantsto pass through, I fell into conversa-tion with three college students. . . .Despite all the history around them. . . the young men were more inter-ested in discussing the future than the past.

—John McCarry, “The Promise of Pakistan,” National Geographic, October 1997

Modern life in Lahore unfolds amidst the architecturalreminders of the city’s fabled past. In fact, throughout all of South Asia,the past and present meet in many different and surprising ways.In this section you will explore South Asia’s fascinating history—thestory of a series of groups drawn to the region by its wealth of naturalresources. Each successive group left its own permanent mark, makingSouth Asia a region of great political and cultural diversity.

Early HistoryThe earliest South Asians left few written records, but evidence of

their great achievements in building and trade has been discoveredin modern times. As the centuries passed, invaders from the north-west succeeded these early peoples. The influence of all these groupsis still felt in South Asia today.

Badshahi Mosque, Lahore

The Indus Valley CivilizationAround 2500 B.C. one of the world’s great civiliza-

tions arose in the Indus River valley. This culturedeveloped a writing system, a strong central govern-ment, and a thriving overseas trade. People builtwhat may have been the world’s first cities, MohenjoDaro and Harappa. Made of bricks hardened by firein kilns, these cities boasted sophisticated plumbing,sanitation systems, and other technology that wouldnot be matched again for centuries.

Environmental changes may have led to thedecline of this civilization between 1700 and1500 B.C. The cities were most likely lost to floodingor drought as the Indus River changed its course.

The AryansAs the Indus Valley civilization crumbled, a

group of hunters and herders entered the regionfrom the northwest. These people, the Aryans, set-tled down and began to farm. They left behindsacred writings called the Vedas.

The Vedas reveal Aryan ideas about religion andsocial structure. Society was organized into fourgroups—priests, warriors (or nobles), artisans andfarmers, and enslaved people. At first the bound-aries between groups were somewhat flexible; peopleof different classes could intermarry and change pro-fessions. Gradually, the social structure developed

into a complex system of ranks that dictated frombirth one’s social status. This “caste” system pre-vailed in India for centuries and only now is gradu-ally weakening.

Two Great ReligionsUnderstanding the basic beliefs of Hinduism

and Buddhism is a key to understanding SouthAsia’s history and culture. These two religions, aswell as other faiths, have had profound influencein the region.

HinduismGrowing out of Aryan culture and religion,

Hinduism is both a religion and a way of life.Hindu belief requires every person to carry outhis or her dharma (DUHR•muh), or moral duty.Hindus also believe that after death peopleundergo reincarnation, or rebirth as another livingbeing. This process occurs repeatedly until the indi-vidual overcomes personal weaknesses and earthlydesires. At that point, a person leaves the cycle ofrebirth and becomes reunited with the eternalbeing. In the law of karma, good deeds—actions inaccord with one’s dharma—move one toward thispoint, while bad deeds chain a person to the cycleof rebirth.

Cities and Trade Indus Valley civilization cen-tered on planned cities such as Mohenjo Daro(shown). Stone seals (inset) were used by IndusValley traders to identify their goods.

Human-Environment Interaction What environ-mental changes led to the decline of the Indus Valley civilization?

594 U n i t 8

Hindus honor many gods and goddesses, whichare often seen as different forms of the one eternalbeing. Many Hindus are tolerant of other religions,viewing them as different paths to the same goal.

BuddhismSiddhartha Gautama (sih•DAHR•tuh GOW•

tuh•muh) was born around 563 B.C. in what istoday Nepal. Belonging to a noble Hindu family, Siddhartha lived a life of luxury. As he grew tomanhood, however, he became aware of humansuffering. Leaving his wealth and power behind,he went on a pilgrimage. Years of meditationand spiritual seeking led to the moment whenSiddhartha perceived what he understood to be thetrue nature of human existence. He then becameknown as the Buddha, or the Awakened One.

The Buddha spent the rest of his life sharing hisinsights with others. He taught that people sufferbecause they are too attached to material things,which are temporary. The Buddha also taughtpeople to think clearly, work diligently, and showcompassion for all living things in order to escapedesire and suffering and to be liberated from end-less rebirth.

Like Hinduism, Buddhism developed a systemof religious rituals, but it was primarily a practicalway to achieve human happiness. By followingBuddhist teachings, people could become enlight-ened, entering a state of insight, calm, and joycalled nirvana (nir•VAHN•uh).

Culture

A Marriage of InfluencesBecause the Buddha rejected the rigid social sys-

tem of his day, women and people of lower socialclasses embraced his teachings. Eventually, Bud-dhism spread from India to other countries. SriLanka became a Buddhist kingdom. In Nepal andBhutan, new forms of Buddhism emerged thatblended Hindu rituals with local practices. In India,Hinduism absorbed Buddhism but retained a tradi-tion of honoring the Buddha.

Invasions and EmpiresAfter the Aryans, other groups with new cultures

invaded South Asia through the Khyber Pass inthe northwestern Hindu Kush mountains. TheMauryan Empire, established by the first of these

Religions Hindu temples show Ganesh (inset),the god of good fortune, and other deities. A stupa,or domed shrine, honors the site where the Buddhafirst preached.

Place How does Hinduism regard other religions?

C h a p t e r 2 4 595

Gandhi inspired the peoples of India toseek self-rule. A Hindu, Gandhi workedto end the rigid social system and pro-

mote local industry, such as spinning andweaving. Enduring prison and hungerstrikes in the struggle for independence,

Gandhi earned the name Mahatma, or“Great Soul.” According to Gandhi,

“ Nonviolence and truth (Satya)are inseparable and presupposeone another. There is no godhigher than truth.”S. Hobhouse, ed., True Patriotism:

Some Sayings of Mahatma Gandhi, 1939

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MAPSTUDY

South Asian Empires, 300s B.C.–A.D. 400s

Find NGS online map resources @ www.nationalgeographic.com/maps

Mauryan EmpireGupta EmpireUnconquered territories

Indian Empires

groups, maintained control from about320 to 180 B.C. and ruled all but thesouthernmost parts of the Indianpeninsula. Asoka, the last and greatestMauryan emperor, promoted Buddhismand nonviolence.

About 500 years later, the GuptaEmpire came into power. From aboutA.D. 320 to 550, this Hindu civilizationwas one of the most advanced in theworld. Science, technology, and the artsflourished. The numerals we call Arabictoday were most likely developed inIndia during the Gupta period and intro-duced to Europe by Arab traders.

Muslim missionaries and traders firstentered India in the 700s. By the 1100sMuslim armies from Mongolia, Turkey, andPersia had conquered northern India. The Muslim-led Mogul Empire dominated the Indian subcon-tinent for several centuries. During this era, manySouth Asians converted to Islam.

The final invaders, Europeans, came by sea.Portuguese traders arrived first in about 1500.They were followed by the French and theBritish. In the late 1700s, the British expelledthe French. Though Portuguese strongholdsremained, the British were the major Europeanpower in South Asia at this time. The Britishcalled their Indian empire the British raj, theHindi word for empire. The British introducedthe English language to South Asia, restructuredthe educational system, built railroads, anddeveloped a civil service. British influence is stillseen in some elements of Indian culture.

Modern South AsiaToday South Asia is free of European control.

Independence did not come easily, however, andthese growing countries still struggle with theaftereffects of colonialism.

IndependenceIn the early and mid-1900s, India’s fight for inde-

pendence was led by Mohandas K. Gandhi. Usingnonviolent methods, such as boycotting Britishproducts and staging peaceful demonstrations,

Lion sculpture fromthe palace of Asoka

1. Interpreting Maps Which empire was limitedto the Ganges River valley and central India?

2. Applying Geography Skills What geographicfactors may have aided the cultural advancesof the Gupta Empire?

596 U n i t 8

In 1947 Britain finally granted independenceto British India, and the land became two newcountries. Areas with a Hindu majority becameIndia, and those with a Muslim majority becamePakistan. Pakistan actually consisted of two iso-lated sections—East Pakistan and West Pakistan—separated by about 1,000 miles (1,609 km) of landbelonging to India.

Dividing British India split many families. Hun-dreds of thousands of Hindus in Pakistan movedto India, and a similar number of Muslims in Indiamoved to East or West Pakistan. Violence oftenmarked the movements. Religious violence alsoclaimed the life of Gandhi, who was assassinatedin 1948 by a Hindu nationalist opposed to the divi-sion of India.

One year after granting India self-rule, Britaingave independence to Ceylon. In 1972 the islandtook back its ancient name, Sri Lanka. Nepal andBhutan had always been independent of Europeanrule. The Maldives, a group of islands in the IndianOcean, won independence from Britain in 1965. In1971 East Pakistan revolted against West Pakistan

and became the new country of Bangladesh. Thewestern part retained the name Pakistan.

Regional ConflictsTensions between India and Pakistan contin-

ued after independence. Some border areas,especially the former Indian provinces of Jammuand Kashmir, are still hotly disputed. Today bothIndia and Pakistan have nuclear weapons, addingto the complexity of the conflict. Ethnic and reli-gious tensions also trouble other parts of SouthAsia. Hindu and Muslim groups within India haveclashed. Since the 1980s the Sri Lankan govern-ment has been troubled by ethnic Tamil rebelgroups seeking a separate Tamil state.

Migrations, 1947 MohandasGandhi (inset) mourned the violence between Hindus and Muslims that camewith British India’s division and the mass migration of people.

Place What are the causes of conflict in South Asia today?

Student Web Activity Visit the Glencoe WorldGeography Web site at tx.geography.glencoe.com and click on Student Web Activities—Chapter 24 for an activity on Kashmir.

596 U n i t 8

Checking for Understanding1. Define dharma, reincarnation,

karma, nirvana, raj.

2. Main Ideas Re-create the graphicorganizer below on a sheet ofpaper, and complete it by filling ininformation about the successivegroups that influenced South Asia.

Critical Thinking3. Making Inferences Describe char-

acteristics of South Asia duringancient, colonial, and modern eras.

4. Comparing and Contrasting Inwhat ways are Hinduism and Buddhism similar? Different?

5. Identifying Cause and Effect Howdo present-day political borders in South Asia reflect ethnic andreligious conflicts?

Analyzing Maps6. Location Study the map of South

Asian empires on page 595. Whichempire extended beyond the borders of present-day Pakistan?

7. Geography and ReligionThink about the influencesof religion on the historyand culture of South Asia.How has the geography ofthe region impacted SouthAsia’s religions?

Applying Geography

Today’s GovernmentsToday’s South Asian governments are diverse.

India, often called the world’s largest democracy,is a federal parliamentary republic. For 40 yearsfollowing India’s independence, members of theNehru (NAY•roo) family headed India’s govern-ment. Jawaharlal (jah•wah•HAR•lahl) Nehruwas India’s prime minister from 1947 until hisdeath in 1964. His daughter, Indira Gandhi, andlater his grandson, Rajiv Gandhi, also led thecountry, but growing ethnic and religious conflictled to assassinations of Indira in 1984 and Rajivin 1991. Since then, India’s prime ministers havehad less influence than the Nehru “dynasty.”Workable parliamentary institutions have madeIndia’s democracy more secure.

Like India, Pakistan is a parliamentary republic,but instability and military rule have prevailedsince 1971. A more stable democracy seemed likelyin the 1990s under Benazir Ali Bhutto, the coun-try’s first female prime minister, and later underher successor, Nawaz Sharif. In 1999, however,charges of official corruption led to a military coup.Pakistan’s new leader, General Pervez Musharaff,pledged to have a more democratic government.

Sri Lanka and Bangladesh also are parliamentaryrepublics. Intense political or ethnic rivalries, how-ever, have made stable political rule difficult. Afterindependence, political assassinations or militarytakeovers marked both countries. In recent years

C h a p t e r 2 4 597

South Asian Civilizations

democratic rule has been strengthened. In 1994Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumartungah (chahn•DREE•kah BAHN•dah•rahn•EYE•keh KOO•mahr•TOON•gah) was elected Sri Lanka’s firstfemale president. Two years later, Sheikh HasinaWazid was elected as Prime Minister in Bangladesh.

A few countries in the region today have tradi-tional forms of government. For example, Bhutanand Nepal have monarchies that are trying to mod-ernize and still keep some power. Once ruled by asultan, the Maldives became a republic in 1968.

Sheikh Hasina Wazid (right), prime minister of Bangladesh,shown here with Megawati Sukarnoputri, president ofIndonesia

MOUNTAIN MADNESS: STRUGGLE FOR KASHMIRMOUNTAIN MADNESS: STRUGGLE FOR KASHMIR

Kashmiri Muslims struggle violently against Hindu India’s rule.

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598 U n i t 8

ACASHMERE SWEATER, made of softwool from the undercoat of theKashmir goat, is a prized possession.So, too, is the Kashmir region, wherethe goat got its name. The problem:

two countries claim Kashmir. No wonder,for Kashmir, situated high in the Himalaya on the northern tips of India and Pakistan, isrenowned for its beauty and climate. Ancientmountain villages are reflected in the watersof its crystalline lakes. Fields of crocuses areharvested for the world’s most expensivespice—saffron. However, decades of fightinghave shattered this idyllic realm.

Tale of Two Religions

For centuries, Kashmirwas part of the Indiankingdoms, ruled bymaharajas, or princes.In 1846 Kashmir becamethe British Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.When predominantlyHindu India won inde-pendence in 1947,Britain partitioned thewestern part of India to create Pakistan as a homeland for SouthAsia’s Muslims. As the leaders of the existingIndian states decided which country to join,widespread rioting broke out between

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1947 Britain partitions Indiato create Pakistan; warerupts over Kashmir

1949 United Nations establishes cease-fireline, dividing Kashmirbetween India andPakistan

1965 Second India-Pakistan war

1972 Agreement restoresline of control

1980s Kashmiri Muslims(background photo)press for Kashmir’sunion with Pakistan

1988 Kashmiri Muslims seekindependence; scoresof refugees (photoabove) crowd camps

1998 India and Pakistanconduct nuclear tests

A flower merchant rows down ariver in Kashmir, where years ofwarfare have shattered the calm.

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U n i t 8 599

Hindus and Muslims.In the face of the chaos,

the prince of Jammu andKashmir sought to remainautonomous. As a Hindu,his loyalties were withIndia, but the majority of the population wasMuslim. A Muslim uprising,

perhaps supported by Pakistan, sent the prince fleeing to Delhi,where he signed his state over to India. India then sent troops toput down the uprising. The Pakistani army responded, and the firstIndia-Pakistan war began.

India claimed a legal and historical right to Kashmir, but Pakistaninsisted it would be a better homeland for the Muslim enclave.Each side also has strategic needs: India wants Kashmir as a bufferbetween itself and China, while Pakistan relies on river waters flowing from Kashmir for irrigation and electricity.

Demand for Independence

In 1949 the United Nations arranged a truce, which established a cease-fire line that split Kashmir unequally between India andPakistan. But peace did not last.War broke out again in 1965. In1972 an accord reaffirmed the original cease-fire line, now calledthe line of control.Yet troops on both sides regularly fire across it,killing civilians and wrecking villages.

In the late 1980s, a new crisis engulfed Kashmir. Muslim groupswithin Kashmir, demanding independence, began killing Indian soldiers and Kashmiri Hindus. India responded with force. Then the stakes were raised. In 1998, first India, then Pakistan confirmedthe world’s worst fears by conducting underground nuclearweapons tests.Today tensions continue between India and Pakistan,the world’s newest nuclear powers, as they vie for Kashmir.

Looking Ahead

With nuclear weapons in the mix, other nations must pay attention. Why is this dispute so difficult for India and Pakistan toresolve? Why is it important to the world that they resolve it?

Guide to ReadingConsider What You KnowIndians speak many variations of thesame basic language. What are suchlanguage variations called?

Read to Find Out• How do the lives of South Asia’s

peoples reflect the region’s lin-guistic and religious diversity?

• What contributions to the arts has the region made?

• How are South Asian countriesmeeting challenges to improve the quality of life in the region?

• How is the rich cultural diversityof South Asia reflected in distinc-tive celebrations?

Terms to Know• guru

• mantra

• sadhu

• stupa

• dzong

Places to Locate• Taj Mahal

• New Delhi

Cultures andLifestyles

A Geographic ViewA South Asian CelebrationDiwali, the five-day Festival of Lights,was my family’s favorite among all the religious observances that crowd theIndian calendar. . . . It commemoratesto the Hindus of the north the return toIndia of Lord Ram and his wife, Sita,after their victory over the . . . king of Sri Lanka. Tiny earthen oil lamps are lit to outline every house andhut to guide them on the journeyhome. Sikhs also celebrate on thisnight of Diwali. Even Muslim fam-ilies sometimes join in.

—Jeffrey C. Ward, “India: Fifty Years of Independence,” National Geographic, May 1997

South Asia’s ethnic diversity has produced a rich cultural blend, a mix of contrasting elements much like the spicyIndian stew called masala or the mixture of pungent spices that makeup curry. As you read this section, note the gifts of art, music, archi-tecture, and dance that South Asia shares with the world.

LanguagesThe peoples of South Asia speak 19 major languages and hun-

dreds of local dialects. In India alone the government officially rec-ognizes 14 languages, although Hindi is chief among them. English,the common language of international business and tourism, is alsowidely spoken in the parts of South Asia that were once underBritish rule.

600 U n i t 8

Diwali celebration

C h a p t e r 2 4 601

good deeds and meditation bring release from thecycle of reincarnation. Most of South Asia’s 20 mil-lion Sikhs live in northwestern India, and manywant an independent Sikh state there.

About 17 million Christians also live in SouthAsia, concentrated in urban areas in southern andnortheastern India. The Indian city of Mumbai ishome to some of the last living Zoroastrian fol-lowers, known as the Parsis, whose religious andcultural heritage comes from ancient Persia.

Culture

Religion and Daily LifeThe influence of religion is ever present in

South Asia. In Bhutan and Nepal, for example,colorful prayer flags wave in the wind, andprayer wheels twirl on many corners, sendingout invocations. Monks chant mantras, or repeti-tive prayers. In India, Hindu holy men called

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BaluchiSindhi

PushtuPunjabi

KhowariKashmiri

Tibetan

Pahari

Nepali

AvadhiUrdu

Santali

Oraon Oriya

Assamese

NagaKhasi

Bengali

Rajasthani HindiBhil

Gujarati

Marathi

Kannada

Tamil

Tamil

Malayalam

Sinhalese

Telugu

Gondi

Urdu

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MAPSTUDY

South Asia: Languages

Find NGS online map resources @ www.nationalgeographic.com/maps

Indo-EuropeanDravidianSino-TibetanAustro-AsiaticSelected languageNaga

Language Families

Indo-European LanguagesMost languages spoken in Pakistan, Bangladesh,

and northern India fall into the Indo-Europeanfamily of languages. These languages—Hindi,Urdu, and Bengali—trace their roots to the Aryaninvaders of 3,000 years ago and are related to mostof the major languages of Europe.

About half of India’s people, especially those inthe northern and central states, speak Hindi astheir primary language. Urdu is Pakistan’s officiallanguage, and Bengali is the official language ofBangladesh. In many northern areas, Indians speakHindustani, a mixture of Hindi and Urdu. Nepali, Sinhalese, and Divehi, the official languages ofNepal, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives, respectively,also have Indo-European roots. Sanskrit, the clas-sical Aryan language of the Vedas, is still used forreligious, literary, and musical purposes.

Other LanguagesMost of the population in southern India and Sri

Lanka speak languages of the Dravidian family,whose roots go back to the earliest inhabitants ofsouthern South Asia. Dravidian languages includeTamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam. In thenorth the languages of Bhutan and parts of Nepalreflect these countries’ close ethnic and historicalties to East Asia.

ReligionsHinduism, Islam, and Buddhism are the major

religions of South Asia. Most people in India andNepal are Hindus. Hinduism is also practiced, to alesser extent, in Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, andBangladesh. Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the Maldiveswere all founded as Islamic states, and the majorityof the people in these countries are Muslims. India’s120 million Muslims form the country’s second-largest religious group. Buddhism, although nolonger a significant religion in India, remains strongin Sri Lanka, Bhutan, and Nepal.

Other religions practiced in South Asia includeJainism, Sikhism, Christianity, and Zoroastrianism.Jainism was founded in the 500s B.C. by Mahariva,a Hindu teacher. India’s more than 3 million Jainspractice strict nonviolence, believing that everyliving thing has a soul. Sikhism, founded in theearly A.D. 1500s by a guru, or teacher, namedNanak, teaches that there is one God and that

1. Interpreting Maps What is the dominant language family in northern South Asia?

2. Applying Geography Skills What does thevariety of languages in South Asia indicateabout the region’s history?

602 U n i t 8

sadhus dress in bright yellow robes and roamfrom temple to temple, carrying only their blan-kets and begging bowls. In the streets and roads ofIndia, where Hindus consider cattle sacred, thou-sands of cows roam freely, sometimes wearinggarlands of bright marigolds. Buddhist pilgrimsfrom around the world visit the shrines of SriLanka. In Pakistan and Bangladesh, many Muslimwomen wear the chador, the enveloping robe andveil that Islamic tradition requires for modesty.

Local communities of all these religions main-tain places of worship, schools, clubs, and charita-ble foundations. Many religious groups, such asHindus, have formed their own political parties.

Through such organizations they try to influencethe government to pass laws that deal with reli-gious or social issues.

The ArtsArtistic expression is as much a part of South

Asian life as religious practice. The South Asianenvironment, with its rich appeal to all thesenses, nurtures a variety of distinctive, artisticexpressions.

LiteratureThe South Asian literary tradition has its roots

in religion. India’s two great epic poems, theMahabharata (muh•hah•BAH•ruh•tuh) and theRamayana (rah•MAH•yah•nuh), combine Hindusocial and religious beliefs with intricate plotsand richly detailed characters. These two works,composed between 1500 and 500 B.C., enduretoday in public readings, mask and puppet the-ater, and even television series. An especiallytreasured portion of the Mahabharata is theBhagavad Gita (BAH•guh•vahd GEE•tuh), or“song of the lord.” In this dialogue between awarrior and his chariot driver, the Indian god-hero Krishna, the reader finds a message of devo-tion to duty and courage in the face of death.

Among writers in the 1900s, South Asia boaststhe Muslim poet and philosopher MuhammadIqbal, who wrote in the early part of the century.He was the first to propose the idea of an Islamicstate in South Asia. The 1913 Nobel laureateRabindranath Tagore was an Indian who wrotepoetry, fiction, and drama in both English andBengali. Tagore wrote India’s national anthem,whose third verse proclaims:

“ Eternal charioteer, thou drivest man’s history along the road rugged with risesand falls of Nations. Amidst all tribulationsand terror thy trumpet sounds to heartenthose that despair and droop, and guide allpeople in their paths of peril and pilgrim-age. Thou dispenser of India’s destiny, victory, victory, victory to thee.”Rabindranath Tagore,

“Jana Gana Mana,” 1911

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PAKISTANNEPAL

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BANGLADESH

MALDIVES

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MAPSTUDY

South Asia: Religions

Find NGS online map resources @ www.nationalgeographic.com/maps

HinduismBuddhismIslamChristianitySikhismLocal

MajorReligions

1. Interpreting Maps What is the major religionin the island country of Sri Lanka?

2. Applying Geography Skills What religiondominates the central area of the Indian subcontinent?

C h a p t e r 2 4 603

Some contemporary South Asian novelists livein other countries but continue to write from auniquely South Asian perspective. SalmanRushdie, born in Mumbai, has written controver-sial novels on Indian history and Islamic politics.Michael Ondaatje, born in Sri Lanka but now livingin Canada, won England’s prestigious Booker Prizefor his novel The English Patient, which became anAcademy Award-winning film.

Dance and MusicIndia has numerous classical dance styles, most of

which are based on themes from Hindu mythology.The style known as Bharata Natyam (bah•RAH•tahNAHT•yam) is practiced mainly in the south. Basedon the devotional postures of sacred temple dancers,these dances involve rapid whirling, stamping feet,and an elaborate language of hand gestures calledmudras. The dancers, usually women, wear brightsilk saris and jingling gold jewelry.

On India’s west coast, an ancient style of dancecalled Kathakali (kah•tha•KAHL•lee) is now beingrevived. The male dancers wear huge, colorful

masks, and their violent movements are rooted inmartial arts postures.

Indian classical music is divided into two basictypes: Hindustani, in the north, and Karnatic, inthe south. The melody of each is called the raga,and the rhythm is called the tala.

MoviesSince the first Indian motion picture was made in

1896, movies have been a popular form of entertain-ment in India and Bangladesh. India’s film industry,centered in Mumbai (nicknamed “Bollywood,” acombination of Bombay and Hollywood), is theworld’s largest, producing more than 800 full-lengthfeature films a year. When Satyajit Ray, India’s mostrenowned director, died in 1992, more than half amillion people joined his funeral procession.

Visual Arts and ArchitectureTraditionally South Asians have used the visual

arts to express religious beliefs and to documentdaily life. Stone carving and sculpture exist from asfar back as the Indus Valley civilization, and some

Muslim

Buddhist

Sikh

Christian

Hindu

Other religions

Otherreligions 1%Christian 1%

Sikh 1%

Buddhist 2%

Hindu 63%

Muslim 32%

Natio

Sources: World Almanac, 2001; Britannica Book of the Year, 2000

420,000,000

25,000,000

22,000,000

820,000,000

20,000,000

20,000,000

Religion Number of Followers

GRAPH STUDY

South Asia: Religions

2. Applying Geography Skills How does thenumber of Hindus compare with the number offollowers of other religions in South Asia?1. Interpreting Graphs What percentage of the

population of South Asia is not Hindu?

604 U n i t 8

Mauryan Empire techniques for polishing marblehave never been duplicated. Under Mogul emper-ors, traditional Muslim restrictions against depict-ing the human form loosened, and portraits anddecorative miniature paintings flourished.

The elaborate Hindu temples of India, theBuddhist stupas, or domed shrines, of Nepal andSri Lanka, and the fortified monasteries, or dzong,of Bhutan illustrate South Asia’s artistic spirit. TheTaj Mahal in Agra, India, and the Golden Templeof the Sikhs in Amritsar (UHM•RIHT•suhr), India,are world famous. A Muslim emperor built the TajMahal (shown on page 559) in the 1600s as a tombfor his beloved wife. Made of white marble, withtowers and domes in the Islamic style, the structurehas delicate screens, carved in the Hindu style.

Modern South Asian arts and architecture blendtraditional and Western styles. By the mid-1900sSouth Asian painting and sculpture had an inter-national flavor, and South Asian artists worked ina variety of different media. The mixture of trad-tional and modern forms is especially apparent in

architecture. For example, the modern city of NewDelhi, with its well-laid-out streets and Western-style government buildings, sits next to the his-toric city of Delhi, known for its mosques, ancientforts, and busy bazaars.

Quality of LifeThe governments and economies of South Asia are

still developing. Lifestyles there are a complicatedmixture of the traditional and the modern, chal-lenging South Asia’s quality of life.

HealthLife expectancies in South Asia are generally

lower than those in industrialized countries.Only Sri Lanka’s life expectancy of 72 yearscomes close to that of the United States. Nepal’slife expectancy, about 57 years, is the region’slowest, and in India, life expectancy is only about61 years. In most countries in the region, figuresfor males and females are fairly close.

music of SOUTH ASIA

The Indian subcontinent is the birthplace of some of the world’s oldest and most complex musicalforms. The traditional systems of raga(melody) and tala (rhythm) are at theroot of the music of India.

Instrument Spotlight:The tabla is the most popularpercussion instrument of India.The cylindrical right-hand drum iscarved of wood and is tuned byhammering wooden pegs under-neath leather straps that holdthe skin to the drum’s top. Theleft-hand drum has a wider skinsurface attached to a kettle-shaped metal bowl. Althoughthe tabla first evolved in Indiaabout 500 years ago and is tra-ditionally used in Indian classicalmusic, these drums are nowused in modern pop, jazz, andfusion music all over the world.

World Music: A Cultural Legacy Hear music of this region on Disc 2, Tracks 7–13.

Checking for Understanding1. Define guru, mantra, sadhu,

stupa, dzong.

2. Main Ideas Create a graphic organizer like the one below, and fill in information about South Asian arts.

Critical Thinking3. Making Generalizations What are

the major languages of South Asia,and what do they have in common?

4. Comparing and Contrasting Howmight job opportunities for religiousminorities in South Asia comparewith those for religious minoritiesin other parts of the world?

5. Problem Solving What improve-ments in health and educationmight enrich the quality of life in South Asia?

Analyzing Maps6. Place Look at the map of South

Asian languages on page 601.What is the dominant languagefamily in Pakistan? In Bhutan?

7. Identifying RelationshipsWrite a short essay describ-ing the relationship amonglanguage families, religiousgroups, and national iden-tities in South Asia.

Applying Geography

Tropical diseases, such as malaria, were oncewidespread but have been brought under control inmuch of South Asia. Other health problems con-tinue, however. For example, South Asia andSoutheast Asia together have the second-highestrate of HIV infection and AIDS in the world.

The scarcity of clean water in South Asia makeswaterborne diseases such as cholera and dysenterycommon. About one-third of Nepal’s infants diefrom dysentery before their first birthdays. Infantmortality rates are also high in Pakistan.

FoodAlthough improved farming techniques and

government policies now make it theoreticallypossible for most of South Asia to feed its people,poor nutrition is still a problem. Almost one-thirdof South Asia’s people are too poor to buy high-quality protein foods. To obtain needed protein,some South Asians eat soy-based tofu or beans.

Religious dietary restrictions prohibit Muslimsfrom eating pork. Hindus cannot eat beef, and Jainsand many Buddhists are vegetarian. Nevertheless,many South Asians enjoy cuisines of great variety.

EducationSouth Asia’s standard of living is likely to rise

with improved education. The region’s govern-ments are committed to raising literacy rates andextending educational opportunities to womenand members of lower social classes.

C h a p t e r 2 4 605

CelebrationsSouth Asia’s cultural mix is underscored by its

many celebrations. Muslims mark the end of themonth-long daily Ramadan fast with feasting andfamily visits. Buddhists celebrate the birth-day of Siddhartha. Hindus, Christians, Jains, andSikhs all celebrate their traditional holidays. SouthAsians commemorate national holidays as well.For example, Indians mark the anniversary ofthe adoption of their constitution on January 26,known as Republic Day.

Arts of South Asia

Literature

Movies

Dance

Art and Architecture

Music

A middle school in Hyderabad, Pakistan

Practicing the SkillRead the passages about the

effect of British rule in India. Thenanswer the questions.

1. How reliable are the speakersas sources of information?

2. Summarize each speaker’sposition.

3. Is the information in thissource primarily fact or opinion? Explain.

4. What evidence does eachspeaker present?

5. What other information mightyou need to gain a deeperunderstanding of the topic?

606 U n i t 8

The Glencoe Skillbuilder Interactive Workbook,

Level 2 provides instruction andpractice in key social studies skills.

“British rule in India was not malign [or] needlessly cruel. . . . [T]he purpose

of British rule was to educate Indians to be able to rule themselves and for the

British to retire. . . . When freedom came, the British left us valuable legacies,

which have come in very useful to us in ruling ourselves to some purpose.”

—M.R. Masani, former opposition

leader of the Indian Parliament

“[The British] tried to educate a certain middle class and allowed it all

the facilities; but the basic reforms they did not carry out. Our literacy

rates were so poor, and our technology has taken years to catch up with

modern developments. . . . They needn’t have left us to chaos, as they did,

and divided our country. That was the worst—the partition of India. That

was criminal: all the poisonous weeds have grown on that. . . .”

—Aruna Asaf Ali , Indian nationalist leader

Evaluating Informationand SourcesYou live in a world saturated with information and opinions.

Finding information on any topic is not a problem. But howcan you decide which information is useful and accurate?

Learning the SkillInformation that you find

while researching can comefrom a variety of sources. How-ever, not all of the informationthat you find may be useful oreven accurate. It is important toevaluate the information you findin order to determine whether itis valid information. To evaluateinformation and sources:

• Identify the reliability of thesource. Consider whether thesource may be biased. Forexample, a statement pub-lished by an environmentalgroup and one published by a large energy company mayhave different biases.

• Summarize the key points of the information in a fewsentences.

• Distinguish fact from opinion.Look for ways that facts arechosen or left out to supportthe stated opinions.

• Verify facts by cross-checkingthem in other sources. Checkencyclopedias, almanacs, andother references to be surethe information is accurate.Make sure you are gettingcomplete information fromyour sources.

• Follow up with additionalresearch. Look for additionalinformation about yoursource and about the issue.

Research a current South Asian issuein multiple sources—magazines,newspapers, or Internet sites. Ana-lyze the usefulness of the articlesas sources of information. Deter-mine whether the articles presentprimarily facts or opinions. Also,evaluate the articles’ validity, andidentify any biases.

SUMMARY & STUDY GUIDE

C h a p t e r 2 4 607

Key Points• The population of South Asia reflects a rich and

complex mix of religions, languages, and socialgroupings.

• South Asia has a high overall population density,but population distribution varies from regionto region according to climate and terrain.

• There is a sharp contrast between urban andrural life in South Asia.

Organizing Your NotesCreate an outline using the for-mat below to help you organizeyour notes for this section.

Terms to Know• dharma• reincarnation • karma• nirvana• raj

Organizing Your NotesUse a table like the one belowto help you organize importantdetails from this section.

Terms to Know• jati• megalopolis

Terms to Know• guru• mantra• sadhu• stupa• dzong

Key Points• South Asia is a land of many languages and

religions.

• The diverse cultures of South Asia have maderich contributions to the arts.

• South Asia faces the challenge of improving thequality of life for much of its population.

• Even with the challenges it faces, South Asia benefits from its cultural diversity.

Organizing Your NotesUse a web diagram like the onebelow to help you organize yournotes for this section.

SECTION 1 Population Patterns (pp. 587–591)

SECTION 2 History and Government (pp. 592–597)

SECTION 3 Cultures and Lifestyles (pp. 600–605)

I. Human characteristicsA. India

1. Descended from diverse groups2.3.

B. Pakistan

Country Early or Area History Government Religions

Culture

Education

Religion Celebrations

Arts andLiterature

Population Patterns

Health

Key Points• One of the world’s first civilizations developed

in the Indus River valley.

• South Asia gave birth to two of the world’smajor religions, Hinduism and Buddhism.

• South Asia was shaped by a series of invasionsand conquests, including the expansion of theBritish Empire into the region.

• South Asian countries today face the challengesof independence and establishing new govern-ments.

• Several South Asian countries have had femaleleaders after becoming independent.

Critical Thinking1. Making Generalizations How has the

physical geography of South Asia contributedto the development of diverse cultures?

2. Drawing Conclusions What are some rel-gious influences on South Asia’s peoples?

3. Categorizing Information Create a timeline showing important dates and events inSouth Asian history.

Reviewing Key TermsWrite the letter of the key term that best matcheseach definition below.

a. jati d. reincarnationb. megalopolis e. guruc. karma f. dzong

1. a social group that defines a person’s occupa-tion and standing in the community

2. a teacher

3. rebirth

4. fortified monasteries

5. a large metropolitan area

6. good or bad deeds and their effects

Reviewing FactsSECTION 1

1. How do many Indians traditionallyidentify themselves?

2. Where are the highest populationdensities in South Asia found?

3. What economic activities are impor-tant to Mumbai? What economicactivities are important to Kolkata?

SECTION 24. Where did the first South Asian

civilization develop?

5. Which ancient South Asian empirewas one of the most advanced civ-ilizations in the world?

6. Which European power ruledmuch of South Asia until the mid-1900s?

SECTION 37. Name the primary languages of

Pakistan, Bangladesh, and north-ern India.

8. What religion teaches nonviolenceand holds that every living beinghas a soul?

9. What art form is a major industryin India?

Locating PlacesSouth Asia: Physical-Political Geography

Match the letters on the map with the places and physical features of South Asia. Write your answers on a sheet of paper.

1. Sri Lanka2. Mumbai

(Bombay)3. Kolkata (Calcutta)

4. New Delhi5. Nepal6. Hindu Kush7. Islamabad

8. Karachi9. Bhutan

10. Dhaka

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B

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E

F

G

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ASSESSMENT & ACTIVITIES

608 U n i t 8

2500 B.C. 2000 B.C. 1500 B.C. 1000 B.C.1700 B.C.

Important Dates in South Asia’s History

Indus Valleycivilization declines

Indus Valleycivilization flourishes

C h a p t e r X 609

Self-Check Quiz Visit the Glencoe WorldGeography Web site at tx.geography.glencoe.comand click on Self-Check Quizzes—Chapter 24 toprepare for the Chapter Test.

Using the Regional AtlasRefer to the Regional Atlas on pp. 560–563.

1. Location Where are most of South Asia’slargest cities located?

2. Human-Environment Interaction Whatphysical features might account for theareas of low population density in thenorthern part of the region?

Thinking Like a GeographerWhat factors, including physical geography,helped the process of diffusion of South Asian cul-tural influences to other parts of the world?

Problem-Solving ActivityProblem-Solution Proposal Using informa-tion from your text, the school library, or the Inter-net, write a report that proposes a solution to oneof the following problems of South Asia: urbanpopulation density, conflicts in Sri Lanka or theKashmir region, or nutrition and health. Yourreport should include an outline of the problem,recommendations for a solution to the problem,and a course of action. Design and draw graphicelements, such as charts, as needed.

GeoJournalPersuasive Writing Using your GeoJournaldata, write a short speech urging American highschool students to become familiar with SouthAsian history and culture. Use descriptive language, appropriate vocabulary terms, andpowerful verbs to convince your audience of thevalue of learning about South Asia.

Technology ActivityDeveloping Multimedia Presenta-

tions Work with a team to develop a multime-dia presentation on one aspect of South Asia’shistory or culture. (Examples include the GuptaEmpire, Indian dance, or Buddhism in Bhutan.)Use reference works and the Internet to developyour presentation. Present your work to the class.

Read the passage and choose the best answer forthe following multiple-choice question. If youhave trouble answering the question, use theprocess of elimination to narrow your choices.

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C h a p t e r 2 4 609

“Raindrops keep falling on the head of anyonewho takes a summer trip to Mawsynram, a hilltown in northeast India. And falling. And falling.Two Indian meteorologists claim, and many U.S.specialists agree, that Mawsynram has oustedHawaii’s Waialeale as [the] earth’s wettest spot,measured by average annual rainfall. Mawsynramgets an average 467.44 inches of rain a year, com-pared with 459.99 for Waialeale.”

“Geographica,” National Geographic, May 1993

■

Learn to distinguish facts from nonfacts.Sometimes nonfacts contain phrasessuch as I believe or in my view or

broad generalizations such as every, all, or never.

1. According to the reading, which of thefollowing statements is NOT a fact?

A The average annual rainfall in Waialeale,Hawaii, is less than that of Mawsynram,India.

B Mawsynram and Waialeale are wetterthan other places on Earth.

C All Indian and U.S. meteorologists agree that the average annual rainfall in Mawsynram, India, is greater than that in Waialeale, Hawaii.

D Many U.S. specialists believe that with467.44 inches of rain annually, Mawsynram,India, is Earth’s wettest spot.