India's Geography Overview

Introduction

• India is the seventh largest country globally, covering 1,269,219 square miles.
• It is roughly one-third the size of the United States.
• India's physical environment significantly shaped its economy and culture.

India's Physical Geography

• The Himalayas, the world's highest mountain range, are located in northern India.
• The Himalayas descend into a fertile northern plain, spanning much of North India.
• Three mountain ranges encircle the Indus River in the northwest.
• The Indus River originates in the Himalayan mountains, flowing towards the Arabian Sea, also passing through parts of Pakistan, Northwest India, and Afghanistan.
• The Indus River is one of the longest globally, approximately 2,000 miles in length.
• The Thar Desert, or the Great Indian Desert, lies south of the Indus River.
• The Thar Desert, the 18th largest globally, covers 77,000 square miles and acts as a natural border between India and Pakistan.
• The Deccan Plateau dominates south-central India.
• The Eastern and Western Ghats, mountain ranges sloping to coastal plains, flank the Deccan Plateau.
• Numerous rivers drain the land, with the Ganges River being a critical global river and the "heartbeat of India."

The Indus Valley Civilization

• The Indus Valley Civilization, or Harappan civilization, was named after the Indus River.
• The rich Indus River soil facilitated irrigation and crop cultivation.
• Cultivated crops included wheat, barley, peas, and lentils.
• The region experiences monsoonal rainfall.
• The monsoon's climate shift involves hot air travelling over the Indian Ocean, forming rain clouds and releasing rain on the cooler landmass, frequently resulting in floods.
• Settlements were built on elevated grounds with defensive brick walls to safeguard against floods and contamination.
• The Indus Valley Civilization flourished from approximately 2600 BCE to 1900 BCE, then abruptly vanished.

Ancient Indian Civilizations & Migrations

• Following the Indus Valley Civilization's collapse, ancient Indian civilizations experienced periods of growth and decline, similar to an accordion.
• Indo-Aryans migrated through the Hindu Kush mountains around 2000 BCE, settling in the Indus River Valley and expanding to the Ganges Plain.
• The Mauryan Empire (around 324 BCE) expanded across much of modern India.
• The Gupta Empire (approximately 400 BCE), centered around the Ganges River south of the Himalayas, held significant power.

Geography and Impact on Lives

• Ancient India's geography profoundly shaped its inhabitants' lives and culture.
• The fertile plains were ideal for agricultural pursuits.
• The Indus River and its tributaries facilitated irrigation and trade.
• Monsoon rains were a vital water source, yet also presented a flood risk.

Vegetarianism in India

• India has a sizable vegetarian population, estimated at approximately 25% of the total.
• Chicken and mutton are the most commonly consumed meats amongst meat-eaters within India.