South Asia Geography and Facts

World Regions

• A world map is presented, divided into colored regions.

Asian Regions

• A detailed map of Asia, highlighting various regions including Northern Asia, Central Asia, Western Asia, Southern Asia, Eastern Asia, and South-Eastern Asia.
• Features international boundaries, disputed boundaries, continent boundaries, and a legend.

South Asia

• South Asia is geographically isolated by mountainous boundaries.
• Countries in South Asia include India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and the Maldives.

South Asia: Interesting Facts

• South Asia encompasses 3.4% of the Earth's land area, housing 25.2% of the global population (2.041 billion).
• India serves as the world's largest democracy and fifth-largest economy.
• South Asia is the birthplace of Hinduism and Buddhism.
• It is home to 14 of the world's tallest mountains, including Everest and K2.
• Delhi, India, is a massive city with a population of 33 million.

Government

• South Asian government is a parliamentary system led by a Prime Minister, similar to the UK's.

Hinduism

• Practiced by around 80% of India's population.
• It holds the belief that everything in the world originates from a single, universal being known as Brahman.
• The Vedas comprise the most crucial sacred texts, containing knowledge revealed through Brahman. This knowledge is passed down through oral tradition.

India's Traditional Caste System

• This ancient social hierarchy determines social status, occupation, and social levels at birth.
• Caste levels include Brahman, Kshatriya, Vaishya, and Sudra, along with the Untouchables (Dalits, meaning "downtrodden" or "oppressed").
• Despite being abolished in 1950, social prejudices associated with the caste system remain prevalent, as only 5% of Indians marry outside their caste.

Caste System and Reincarnation

• The caste system is underpinned by the Hindu concept of reincarnation, where each person's birth status is determined by their actions in their past lives.
• Dharma represents the fulfillment of moral duties, aiming to avoid punishment in future lifetimes.
• Karma proposes that a person's present life is a reflection of their past actions.
• Moksha is the Hindu concept of liberation or heaven.

Caste Group Descriptions

• Brahmin: A small group composed of priests and spiritual teachers.
• Kshatriya: Rulers and warriors.
• Vaishya: Merchants and farmers.
• Sudra: Laborers and servants
• Untouchables (Dalits): A group lacking a fixed caste, considered "untouchables" and frequently oppressed.

Coming of Age Ceremony

• The top three caste groups observe "coming-of-age" ceremonies for boys.
• This ceremony represents a significant event in Hindu boys' childhood, allowing them to learn Sanskrit, study the Vedas, and participate in religious rituals.

British East India Company (1757-1857)

• Controlled trade amongst Britain, India, and East Asia.
• Introduced new educational systems with the English language.
• Implemented British laws.
• Prohibited certain Hindu customs.
• Invited Christian missionaries to spread their beliefs throughout India.

Sepoy Rebellion (1857-1858)

• Indian soldiers (sepoys) in the British Army rebelled against the British.
• The rebellion stemmed from issues concerning the ammunition cartridges greased in pork and beef, causing offense to Indian soldiers (Muslims and Hindus).

British Raj (1858-1947)

• British direct rule over India.
• Segregated living arrangements for British and Indians.
• Limited opportunities for Indians to participate in their governance.
• Rise of Indian nationalism and boycotts.
• Raw materials like cotton, tea, and indigo became important for British profit.

Indian Nationalism

• Middle-class elites and people fought for increased rights within Indian governance.
• By the early 20th century, these groups sought self-governance.
• Two significant organizations emerged: the Indian National Congress (1885) and the Muslim League (1906).

India in World War I

• Despite the independence movement, most Indians supported the British war effort.
• Approximately 1.3 million Indians served in the British Army.
• Indians returned home after the war to find that their sacrifices had not earned them equal rights.

Growing Anti-British Sentiment

• High casualties and taxes from World War I, along with the Rowlatt Acts of 1919, fostered anti-British sentiments.
• The Amritsar Massacre, where British soldiers fired upon a peaceful protest, amplified this resentment.

Salt March (1930)

• Gandhi led a 240-mile march to protest the British salt monopoly.
• Indians began producing their own salt and defied British laws.
• This action helped garner public sympathy for Indian independence.

Gandhi and Independence

• The British released Gandhi after a year of his arrest.
• He was invited to London for talks on Indian independence.
• The rise of public sympathy fueled the independence cause.

Indian Independence Plan & Partition

• The British government worried about the Hindu and Muslim communities' ability to work together in independent India.
• A partition plan was proposed, dividing the land between Muslims and Hindus.
• 240 million Hindus and 90 million Muslims resulted from this division.

Partition of India

• Millions of Indians fled either to India (mostly Hindus) or Pakistan (mostly Muslims) amidst rising religious violence.
• Deadly riots erupted across the country.
• Over ten million people became refugees.

Post-Independence Developments

• Gandhi was assassinated a few months after India's independence.
• His body was cremated, and his ashes were scattered across various Indian rivers.

Gandhi Quotes

• Various quotes from Mahatma Gandhi on different concepts.

India-Pakistan History of Conflict

• A timeline illustrating various conflicts between India and Pakistan, including wars, insurrections, nuclear tests, and significant events.

India-Pakistan Relations

• India and Pakistan accuse each other of harboring state-sponsored terrorist groups.
• The contested region of Kashmir is a major source of conflict, with both countries claiming sovereignty.
• Relations are further complicated by the Indus River, which is a vital water source for Pakistan and flows through Indian-administered territory.
• Other countries, such as China, also hold interests in the region, adding further complexity.