South Asia Physical Geography

South Asia Physical Geography

• South Asia, or the Indian subcontinent, is a triangular peninsula extending into the Indian Ocean.
• Over 20% of the global population resides in South Asia, making it one of the most densely populated regions.
• Environmental challenges include high population growth, urban-rural disparities, and conflicts, notably between India and Pakistan.
• The Indian plate was part of Gondwanaland, separating 65 million years ago; its collision with the Eurasian plate formed the Himalayas 40 million years ago.

Major Landform Regions

• Himalayan Mountain Rim:
  • Stretches through Nepal, Bhutan, northern India, and Pakistan.
  • Hosts Mount Everest, the highest peak at 29,028 feet.
  • Source of major South Asian rivers, contributing to sedimentation in the Indo-Gangetic Plain.
• Indo-Gangetic Plain:
  • Formed from sediments carried down by Himalayan rivers.
• Deccan Plateau:
  • A large plateau located in southern India.

Culture of South Asia

• Indus Civilization:
  • One of the earliest civilizations, flourishing around 2500 B.C. in the Indus River Valley.
  • Innovations included irrigation agriculture and trade networks.
• Aryan Migration:
  • Nomadic Aryans from Central Asia influenced Indus civilization around 1500 B.C., leading to the emergence of Indo-Aryan culture.
• Hinduism:
  • Developed in the upper Ganges River area; focuses on dharma and reincarnation.
  • Sanskrit is widely practiced; it is the basis for many Indian languages.

Language and Religion

• Eighteen languages are spoken in India; Hindi is the national language spoken by one-third of the population.
• English serves as the medium for government, education, and business.
• Religious demographics:
  • Approximately 80% Hindu, 14% Muslim, 2% Christian, 2% Sikh.
  • Other beliefs include Buddhism and various indigenous practices.

The Caste System

• A social hierarchy developed by Hindu Aryans, categorizing individuals into four castes based on occupation:
  • Brahmins: Priests and scholars.
  • Kshatriyas: Warriors and rulers.
  • Vaisyas: Merchants and landowners.
  • Sudras: Laborers and service providers.
• Untouchables:
  • Considered outside of the caste system, facing severe discrimination and often performing the most undesirable jobs.
• The system is rigid; individuals cannot move across castes, affecting social mobility.
• Abolished by the Indian constitution but discrimination persists.

History of South Asia

• The Mauryan Empire in the 3rd century B.C. played a pivotal role in spreading Buddhism.
• Muslim invasions around A.D. 1000 introduced Islam, followed by Sikhism in the 15th century blending Hindu and Muslim beliefs.

Modern South Asia

• Agriculture remains predominant with most residents in small farming villages.
• Limited food production due to inefficient farming practices, high fertilizer costs, and vulnerabilities to natural disasters.
• The Green Revolution aimed to boost agricultural output but faced challenges from population pressures.
• Major crops include tea, sugarcane, and cotton, with cattle valued for various utilities.

Industrial Development and Urbanization

• Post-colonial economic policies affected the industrialization of South Asia, leading to reliance on agriculture over manufacturing.
• Traditional handicrafts remain significant for rural employment, encompassing textiles, jewelry, and metal goods.
• Urban areas witness a blend of traditional and modern lifestyles, with increasing literacy and job opportunities for women, but also widespread poverty.
• Slum conditions are prevalent in cities, lacking basic sanitation and infrastructure.

Rural Life vs Urban Life

• Rural women traditionally have low literacy rates and bear significant physical responsibilities within the family.
• Urban males dominate societal structures, while urban women increasingly participate in professional roles, contributing to a growing consumer economy.