South Asian History

1. South Asian History Changes over Time

2. Indus Valley Civilization • Existed on the subcontinent around 2500 BC (same time as Mesopotamia & Egypt) • Ruins of Ancient Cities: Harappa and Mohendra-Daro • Urban planning • Large public buildings • Water supply and sewage systems • After 1750 BC the civilization declined • Reason for decline is unclear – it was thought that Aryan “invaders pushed south” but now one theory is ecological change

3. Indus Valley Civilization • Map & Ruins of Harappa

4. Mohendra-Daro • View down a street

5. The Aryan Migration • 1500 BC – people speaking Indo-Aryan languages migrated from Caspian Sea into South Asia through the Hindu Kush mountains (Modern Afghanistan) • Seminomadic herders that migrated over centuries • The Vedas provide some information about Aryans • Conflict existed between different Aryan groups and other groups of people • Evidence of class and gender discrimination • Worshiped a multitude of nature related gods

6. Indo-Aryan Migration

7. The Aryan Migration • Over 1000 years, spread across the northern section of India • Used Iron tools, cleared forests, & cultivated land • As population increased -> regional states & kingdoms developed & trade increased • 326 BC Alexander the Great – contact between Greek and Indian civilization

8. The Aryan Society • As the Aryan societies became more complex, they divided themselves into groups. • This caused people to be limited on the jobs they could have and who they could interact with. • These rules became more and more strict and central to Indian society

9. The Mauryan Empire • Chandragupta Maurya – initiated the first imperial dynasty • 326 BC to 184 BC • Ashoka – advanced empire into southern peninsula • Seen as India’s first true emperor • Used Military force – then supported Buddhism, peace, & nonviolence • After Ashoka – leaders were ineffective at managing large empire – invasions from Central Asia, internal fighting – • this leads to the fall of the Mauryan Empire

10. Mauryan Empire

11. The Next 500 Years… • No strong ruler was in place • Subcontinent was subdivided • Invaders from Central Asia • Trade links to Rome and China • Buddhism spread from the subcontinent to Central Asia, Southeast Asia, Tibet, China, and Japan

12. The Gupta Empire • Begins in 320 AD – 6th Century • Achievements in education, medicine, literature, and the arts • Hinduism gains popularity – Gupta kings combined Hinduism and Buddhist values • Mid 6th Century- invaders from Central Asia – ended the Gupta Empire

13. Gupta Empire

14. Next 600 years… • Subcontinent was again divided • Harsha – brief empire in 7th century with ½ the subcontinent • Regional conflicts – center of power shifted to the south • Southern kingdoms traded with eastern and western worlds • Caste system began during this period (Brahmins – at the top) as Hinduism dominates over Buddhism and Jainism

15. The Delhi Sultanate • 7th Century Islam arrives in Afghanistan -> spreads to Pakistan • By end of 10th Century – Islamic Invaders and Traders arrive in South Asia • Early 13th Century – a collection of Islamic Dynasties (Delhi Sultanate) – extend Islam’s control across Northern India and into Central India • Internal conflict & outside threats (Mongols) • Was often brutal to local Hindus – contributed to downfall by the Mughals

16. Expansion of Islam

17. Delhi Sultanates

18. The Mughal Empire • 1526 invaded the subcontinent • Zahir-ud-Din Babur – (descendent of Genghis Khan) • Created large kingdom because of strong army • Akbar – greatest Mughal ruler – combined Central Asian, Persian and South Asian political/social traditions

19. Mughal Empire

20. Mughal Empire • Islamic Mughal rulers – showed respect for cultures • Hindus & Muslims were members of nobility • The economy was strong – achievements in art and architecture – Taj Mahal • By 18th century – regionalism began to occur – leaders wanted more power

21. Taj Mahal

22. TajMahal • Is a mausoleum for the wife of Mogulo Emperor Shah Jahran • After her death in 1631 her husband began the construction • Over 300 feet tall, white marble

23. Europeans Arrive • 1498 – Vasco da Gama – lands on India’s coast • 1510 – Portuguese trading post – Goa – dominate spice trade • Early 17th century – Dutch & British – challenge Portuguese trade by establishing trading areas, the French established trading areas by late 1600s. • British and French created alliances with regional kingdoms - fought the Carnatic Wars – for control in South Asia

24. Vasco de Gama

25. British Company Rule • 100 years – English East India Company – British Monarchs allowed the company to rule • Calcutta, Madras, Bombay – chief cities • “Dual Government” – company held power but a local ruler carried out rule • Nawab (Muslim) Maharaja (Hindu)

26. British East India Company

27. British Gain Territory • Negotiated treaties with kingdoms – company stationed troops & collect taxes in return for protection • By entering disputes between princes • Annexing the areas because of no dominant central power • Trade diversified – • British Government – began to question authority of the company

28. India 1795

29. Problems arise • Missionaries arrive – to “civilize” and convert – brought ideas of liberalism and nationalism • Fought for control with Russia – Afghanistan • Aggressive Modernization efforts • 1857 Sepoy Rebellion • Annexation of land • Rumors of a conspiracy against local beliefs • Rifle cartridges (smeared with pig & cow fat) • Resulted in full scale war with loss of control of some areas

30. Rifle Cartridges

31. The British Empire

32. British Crown Rule • 1858 Act for the Better Government of India “Crown Rule” • Established a secretary of state – still ruled by local governor-generals (viceroy) • Suez Canal 1869 – reduced travel time • Built infrastructure – roads, bridges, railroads, telegraph lines, irrigation systems • Extracted raw materials and sent them to Great Britain to be processed • Established market for manufactured goods

35. Tensions begin to build… • 1885 – Indian National Congress is formed • Reform movement calling for moderate change • 1905 Nationalists begin to challenge for control • Divided into moderate and extremist groups • Widespread protests, British goods boycotted, attacks on British officials, extremist leaders were jailed

37. Muslim League • Formed to work for the rights of Muslims in India – • Did not want to be controlled by a Hindu state

38. World War I • Up to a million Indian soldiers served in the war • Contributed large amounts of food and ammunition • After the war – increased nationalism resulted in more Indian participation in the government at a local level

40. Rowlatt Acts 1919 • Gave the government right to disregard civil liberties if needed to suppress the people • Mohandas Gandhi – called for strikes and protests • British commander – ordered troops to fire on protesting Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs • Amritsar Massacre

43. Most important political & spiritual leader in achieving independence for India was Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi—The Mahatma (The Great Soul). • Born in 1869 • He is honored by people as the father of their nation • Life was guided by a search for the truth that could be known only through tolerance & concern for his fellow man, & that finding a truthful way to solutions required constant testing • He overcame fear in himself & taught others • Believed in nonviolence & held that violence is better than cowardice – civil disobedience • Lived a simple life & thought it was wrong to kill animals for food or to use their ides

44. Gandhi • 1915 – returned from South Africa to India • Felt that the Indian National Congress needed to change • Focused on independence and nonviolent civil disobedience • Boycott British schools, courts, protests • Quit the government jobs • Refuse to pay taxes

45. “My life is dedicated to service of India through the religion of non-violence which I believe to be the root of Hinduism. The religion of non-violence is not meant merely for the riches and saints. It is meant for the common people as well.” Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

46. Gandhi’s efforts continue… • Appealed for national unity • Was jailed several times and his popularity increased • 1930 – marched with 1000s to the sea to make salt from saltwater – avoiding British tax • Some conflicts begin between the Indian congress and the Muslim league • 1935 & 1937 some local authority given to the Indian National Congress

47. World War II begins… • Britain declares war on British India’s behalf without consulting the Indian leadership • Congress Party – would not support war until promised independence • Muslim League – supported war to attempt to gain influence • Mohammad Ali Jinnah - passed the Lahore Resolution – demanded a separate state at independence • Gandhi appealed to the people not to accept the resolution but most supported the claim for two nations

49. Continued Protests • Congress led independence movement protests continued – 1000s were jailed • War expanded to the Pacific – British worked on compromise but did not succeed • Gandhi began “Quit India” movement – threatened widespread civil disobedience • 1942 Gandhi in Jail along with 1000s of others • Some Indian POWs fight along side the Japanese • Altogether, he spent seven years in prison for political activity