SOUTH ASIA

• Himalayas and Hindu Kush• Mountains that form a barriers• Separates South Asia from Asia

• Khyber Pass• Passes through Hindu Kush

• Between Pakistan and Afghanistan• Access to South Asia from Asia

• Monsoon – seasonal wind – dominates the climate of South Asia

• Wet monsoons of summer• Moist air from the sea

• Essential to survival in the region• Dry monsoons of winter

• Cool air from mountains blows back to sea• Monsoon affects are uneven – causes great

variation in climate and vegetation

• Mountains affect rainfall• Directly south of Himalayas

• Causes heavy rainfall in Bangladesh, Bhutan and northeastern India• Rain Shadow

• One side of mountain receives plenty of moisture

• Other side of mountain gets almost none

People of South Asia

• 2010 population of U. S. – 309 million

• 2010 populations of South Asia region • 1.57 billion

• India – 1.17 billion• Second largest population – behind China

• Rapid population growth remains a major problem for nations

Cultural Diversity• Geographic features separate people into

regional and local groups• Wide variety of customs and practices

• 5 religions• Buddhism – primary religion of Sri Lanka• India – 700 languages and dialects• Most widely spoken is Hindi

• Diversity enriches the region – also poses challenge to the government

Caste System

• Developed by the Aryan culture• Divided into 4 classes – varna

• Caste – social groups based on birth• Not possible to change caste

• Caste system based on the idea that there are separate kinds of humans

• Caste system has been weakened by urbanization

British Rule

• 1498 – Portuguese reached India• Dutch, French, and British soon followed• British came as traders – turned their

attention to conquest• 1760s – British forces defeat the French

• 1850s – Indian grievances against British rule

Sepoy Rebellion• Sepoys – Indian troops who served in the British

army• 1857 - Rebellion outbreak

• Reasons – new law required Sepoy to fight on foreign land

• Rumor guns were greased with beef or pork fat• Hindus – cows are sacred

• Muslims – forbidden to touch pork• Showed British lack of cultural understanding

• British put down rebellion

• 1858 – Britain took over India as a colony• Direct rule

• Reformed law codes• Controlled court system

• Moved away from using Indian soldiers• Set up civil service

• Created a new class of British-educated Indians – middle class

Indian Nationalism• Strongest among British-educated elite• 1885 – INC – Indian National Congress

• Most members were Hindus• Called for gradually change

• After WW I – more forceful - Mohandas Gandhi• Stressed Indian culture and heritiage

• 1906 – Muslim League – Muhammad Ali Jinnah• Distrust kept Hindus and Muslims apart

• 1930s – believed subcontinent must be divided into two nations

Freedom and Partition

• During and after WW I• Increased demand for freedom• Amritsar Massacre - April 13, 1919

• Gathering of more than 10,000 Indians• British troops opened fire• 379 – killed / 1,100 – injured• Deepened distrust of British

• Increased call for separation from British

Moving Toward Independence

• INC refused to support Britain in WW II unless Britain promised immediate independence

• British refused• Gandhi organized “Quit India” movement

• Boycotts, strikes, protest• Reasons Britain gave up India as a colony• Weakened by WW II, Nationalist were too

strong, British citizens opposition to keeping colonies

Pakistan

• 1947 – created by Indian Independence Act• Partition of subcontinent into India and Pakistan• Partition led to mass migration of Hindus and

Muslims• Continues to faces economic and political

challenges• High illiteracy rate• High poverty

• 1991 – Koran was made the supreme law

Afghanistan

• Mountainous landlocked nation links South Asian and Middle East

• 1979 – 1989• Soviet troops supported communist government

• Late 1990s – Taliban gained power• Harsh rule, extreme form of Islam

• Oct. 2001 – U. S. military action in response to Al Qaeda attacks in U. S.

• One of the poorest countries in the world• War has left the country in ruins

Issues over Kashmir• Region of India - Never under control of Britain• At partition, Kashmir tried to stay independent

• Muslims rebelled • Kashmir asked India for support

• Pakistan sent troops to support Muslims• UN cease-fire left Kashmir divided between India and

Pakistan• Solution satisfied no one

• Increased tension between India and Pakistan is of concern to the world because both countries have nuclear weapons• U. S. in difficult position since Pakistan has aided U. S.

during war on terror