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History of South Asia

Explore the rich history of South Asia, from ancient empires like the Greeks and Mongols to the Indus Valley civilization. Learn about the Aryans, Hinduism, caste system, Muslim invasion, Sikhism, British colonization, Gandhi's leadership, independence movements, colonial legacy, and modern conflicts like the Kashmir issue and globalization. Understand the impact of European arrival, the partition of India, and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Discover the diverse cultures, religions, and political struggles that shape the region's complexities.

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History of South Asia

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  1. History of South Asia World Geography- Minich

  2. Ancient History • Various empires have conquered and influenced South Asia (Greeks to Mongols) • One of the world’s earliest civilizations was located in the Indus River Valley (2500-1750BC).

  3. Ancient History • Aryans (2000BC- AD600) originating north of the Black and Caspian Seas conquered the Indus region and by the 6th Century have occupied all of the Ganges Valley. • They brought with them a distinct culture that has had a profound impact on modern Indian society.

  4. Hinduism • Monotheistic? or Polytheistic? • Reincarnation (rebirth) and Karma (one’s record of behavior in this life determines your place in the next) • There are four major social classes, or castes in Indian society. Your class is based on your occupation. You are born into your caste, and you have no opportunity to change it. (Closed Class System)

  5. 1. Brahman- priests and intellectuals, were the highest caste 2. Kshatriya- warriors 3. Vaisya- traders and merchants 4. Sudras- farmers and laborers • Untouchables- were so low as not to be considered a caste, had no contact with other castes, could not even enter temples, called “children of God” by Gandhi • Caste System was abolished under British rule and after Independence. Caste System

  6. Muslim Invasion • Late 12th to late 14th century • Tried to convert the citizens to Islam, only allowed Muslims to hold high offices in the government. Hindus had to pay a tax. • Moghuls- Dominated South Asia between the 16th and 18th Centuries. It was the last Muslim Empire in India.

  7. Monotheism vs. Polytheism • Idol Worship • equality before god vs. caste • Koran vs. Vedas • Tolerance vs. the Confession What conflicts might exist between Hindus and Muslims?

  8. Sikhism • In the 15th century Muslim and Hindu teachings were merged into one system of belief. (syncretism) The group is centered in Punjab in northwestern India. • As a result of constant persecution Sikhs adopted a militant culture for their protection (ie. supposed to carry daggers at all times) • Today they makeup 2% of the population.

  9. Sikhism Golden Temple

  10. The arrival of Europeans in India coincided with the decline of the Mughal Empire. While still wealthy, the rulers had lost control of most of South Asia. • Originally the British East India Company was created to trade for coffee, tea, indigo, and cotton. • Following a revolt, the British government established India as its colony in1858. • British Influence • Built railroads, roads, ports • English official language of government and business • Lots of trade with West British Colonization

  11. Gandhi • Under Mohandas Gandhi’s leadership a national movement promoting complete independence from Britain gained strength. • He believed in nonviolent non-cooperation. (marches, boycotts, fasts) • He was given the title Mahatma by his followers. (Great Soul)

  12. Gandhi • Gandhi was assassinated in 1947 by a Hinduextremist, because he called for peace between Muslims and Hindus following independence.

  13. India was granted independence in 1947. • 1948- divided into India and East and West Pakistan (12 million refugees fled from one border to the other) • 1948- Sri Lanka gets independence • 1971- Bangladesh broke away from Pakistan (separated by over 1000 miles) Independence

  14. Colonial British India

  15. Release ofCeylon and Burma

  16. The Partition of India:India andPakistan (1947)

  17. Separation ofPakistanandBangladesh (1971)

  18. Kashmir • Pakistan and India have fought over this mountainous region for the last 50 years. • Conflict erupted in 1965, 1971 and 1990. In 2001 the region was brought to the brink of nuclear war.

  19. 1.1 billion people (2nd largest in world) • 80% Hindu; 14% Muslim • ¾ live in rural villages • ⅓ live along Ganges River • Globalization and outsourcing Modern India

  20. Afghanistan

  21. Conquest • While some areas have remained isolated, various empires have conquered the region. • Persians: 500 BC • Greeks: 329-327 BC • Muslims: 600’s • Genghis Khan: 1200’s • Babar: 1500’s • British Influence: 1800’s

  22. From 1933-1978 was in relative peace under the rule of a monarchy. • In 1978 a group of communists led the Great Saur Revolution resulting in the deaths of the entire royal family. • The Marxist regime put in place a series of reforms many of which angered Afghans. (land reforms, education of women) Revolution

  23. Soviet Invasion • The Soviet Union sent troops in support of the pro-Soviet government in 1979. • Soviet involvement would last until 1989 at a cost of more than 15,000 soviet soldiers.

  24. The conflict took on a Vietnam like dimension (proxy war) with support for anti-Soviet forces coming from the United States and Pakistan. • Mujahedeen- “struggler,” holy warriors struggling in resistance to Soviet control of Afghanistan, supported and trained by the United States (ie. Osama bin Laden) Soviet Invasion

  25. After the withdrawal of Soviet forces, Afghanistan was plunged into a civil war that continues today. • Islamic extremists, want an Islamic theocracy, 94% of the country by 2001 (mostly south) • Recruited from the refugee camps, Mujahedeen, and promoted by radical Madrassas throughout the Middle East Taliban

  26. Taliban • Men must have beards • No playing cards, or music • Women may not work/school • Women must wear a Burka • No socializing with men, can’t even go outside without cause

  27. Taliban

  28. Osama bin Laden- leader of the terrorist organization “Al Qaeda,” centered in Afghanistan • Following the attacks on 9/11 the United States began support for the Northern Alliance. In October 2001 the United States took military action to assist in the overthrow of the Taliban. War on Terror

  29. The United States still maintains military forces in Afghanistan as part of its continued pursuit of bin Laden. • Instability threatens the young democracy as President Hamid Karzai attempts to assert control from the capital of Kabul. • Issues: 1. Fear of a return to the Taliban 2. Return to the Opium trade 3. Continued lack of economic opportunity Afghanistan Today

  30. Afghanistan Today

  31. Infant Mortality: 160.23 deaths/1,000 (3rd Highest) • Life Expectancy: 43.34 years (214/226) • Literacy: total population: 36% male: 51% female: 21% • GDP per capita: $800 (218/232) Afghanistan Today

  32. Describe basic principles of Hinduism and contrast it with Islam. • Describe the traditional Indian social structure and contrast it to our own. Discussion Questions

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