India

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Various rulers Over the past 4,000 years, various cultures and powers have lived in India, creating its own cultural blend.

Various rulers

Over the past 4,000 years, various cultures and powers have lived in India, creating its own cultural blend.

Indus Valley Large area along the Indus River in what is modern-day Pakistan.

Indus Valley

Large area along the Indus River in what is modern-day Pakistan.

Civilization had large and well-planned cities that were laid out according to a grid In contrast, most Mesopotamian cities (and later European ones, for that matter) have confusing mazes of streets that developed from walking paths Had a good sewer system, complete with indoor toilets and baths. No other contemporary cities had this.

Civilization had large and well-planned cities that were laid out according to a grid

In contrast, most Mesopotamian cities (and later European ones, for that matter) have confusing mazes of streets that developed from walking paths

Had a good sewer system, complete with indoor toilets and baths. No other contemporary cities had this.

New York City Paris Vs.

Wealthy lived well; peasants lived in hovels (but many had sanitation facilities). Drainage systems were located in the streets (masonry; rectangular x-sections). At the ends of the drains were wooden "bar screens." Liquids entered brick-lined cesspools (soak-pits) or were conveyed to the local river for discharge. Homes had bathrooms -- on the street sides -- connected to sewers in streets.

Wealthy lived well; peasants lived in hovels (but many had sanitation facilities).

Drainage systems were located in the streets (masonry; rectangular x-sections).

At the ends of the drains were wooden "bar screens." Liquids entered brick-lined cesspools (soak-pits) or were conveyed to the local river for discharge.

Homes had bathrooms -- on the street sides -- connected to sewers in streets.

Bathrooms and latrines were often located next to each other (wells were often nearby, in an adjacent room) inside each home on the street side of the home. The bathroom being located next to the latrine indicates that people understood the importance of cleanliness. Water was used for flushing. Second-floor bathrooms existed, with terra-cotta piping and vents. Some homes had garbage chutes. Solids traps were located along plumbing lines and also along street drains (sewers). Some homes connected to underground soakage (perforated) jars. Manholes (with stone covers) were positioned along the street drains.

Bathrooms and latrines were often located next to each other (wells were often nearby, in an adjacent room) inside each home on the street side of the home. The bathroom being located next to the latrine indicates that people understood the importance of cleanliness. Water was used for flushing.

Second-floor bathrooms existed, with terra-cotta piping and vents. Some homes had garbage chutes.

Solids traps were located along plumbing lines and also along street drains (sewers).

Some homes connected to underground soakage (perforated) jars.

Manholes (with stone covers) were positioned along the street drains.

Computer generated picture of what Mohenjo Daro may have looked like.

Around 1900 BC, the Indus Valley Civilization declines and the cities are abandoned by 1700 BC. Several theories why: Invasion There was an invasion of Aryans from the north (they weren’t blond, blue-eyed people – that’s a later connotation). They conquered the Indus Valley folk

Around 1900 BC, the Indus Valley Civilization declines and the cities are abandoned by 1700 BC. Several theories why:

Invasion

There was an invasion of Aryans from the north (they weren’t blond, blue-eyed people – that’s a later connotation).

They conquered the Indus Valley folk

Weather patterns It appears the area become cooler and drier around this time and this affected water flow and food sources Combination Weather disruptions weakened the civ and left it open for conquering. Nobody knows for sure.

Weather patterns

It appears the area become cooler and drier around this time and this affected water flow and food sources

Combination

Weather disruptions weakened the civ and left it open for conquering. Nobody knows for sure.

Aryans The Aryans migrate to the area around 1750 BC.

Aryans

The Aryans migrate to the area around 1750 BC.

Mauryan Empire Develops around 321 BC and spreads Buddhism in India.

Mauryan Empire

Develops around 321 BC and spreads Buddhism in India.

Gupta Empire Develops around AD 400

Gupta Empire

Develops around AD 400

Mughal Empire Developed in the 1500’s when Muslims from SW Asia conquered the northern realms.

Mughal Empire

Developed in the 1500’s when Muslims from SW Asia conquered the northern realms.

It was one of the Mughal rulers who built the grand Taj Mahal, which was a mausoleum to his beloved second wife who died while giving birth to their 15 th child.

It was one of the Mughal rulers who built the grand Taj Mahal, which was a mausoleum to his beloved second wife who died while giving birth to their 15 th child.

British control The British, by way of the British East India Company, were able to dominate India’s trade by 1757. The East India Company was a monopolistic trading body that, while under the control of Britain, was largely autonomous. It had “the right to acquire territory, raise an army, mint its own money, and exercise legal jurisdiction in areas under its control.” By 1857, India was a full-fledged part of the British Empire when the East India Company was absorbed into the crown. It was ruled by the raj.

British control

The British, by way of the British East India Company, were able to dominate India’s trade by 1757.

The East India Company was a monopolistic trading body that, while under the control of Britain, was largely autonomous.

It had “the right to acquire territory, raise an army, mint its own money, and exercise legal jurisdiction in areas under its control.”

By 1857, India was a full-fledged part of the British Empire when the East India Company was absorbed into the crown. It was ruled by the raj.

The movement for Indian independence was led by Mohandas Gandhi.

The movement for Indian independence was led by Mohandas Gandhi.

Gandhi reached out to everyone (by focusing on issues that touched everyone, such as salt) and preached a policy of civil, or nonviolent, resistance. Instead of trying to fight the rulers or engage in violence, they held peaceful protests and withdrew from government positions, had commercial strikes, boycotted British goods, refused to engage in the colonial economy, etc. The British response was varied, but it did involve violence and mass imprisonment (over 100,000 were arrested during one movement). Demonstrators were sometimes publicly flogged. This strengthened Gandhi’s position.

Gandhi reached out to everyone (by focusing on issues that touched everyone, such as salt) and preached a policy of civil, or nonviolent, resistance.

Instead of trying to fight the rulers or engage in violence, they held peaceful protests and withdrew from government positions, had commercial strikes, boycotted British goods, refused to engage in the colonial economy, etc.

The British response was varied, but it did involve violence and mass imprisonment (over 100,000 were arrested during one movement). Demonstrators were sometimes publicly flogged. This strengthened Gandhi’s position.

You see, the strength of nonviolent disobedience lies in hitting the ruling power in its economic interests, forcing the ruler to shock the consciences of good people by using extreme violence against those who use none (violence which was asymmetrical to begin with), and, with the second point, denying justification for the use of violence against them. Put simply, folks are moved by seeing people being violently suppressed when they were acting peacefully.

You see, the strength of nonviolent disobedience lies in hitting the ruling power in its economic interests, forcing the ruler to shock the consciences of good people by using extreme violence against those who use none (violence which was asymmetrical to begin with), and, with the second point, denying justification for the use of violence against them.

Put simply, folks are moved by seeing people being violently suppressed when they were acting peacefully.

Gandhi’s non-violence was fairly radical. While he was Hindu, it was also rooted in other religions, such as Christianity, e.g. turning the other cheek.

Gandhi’s non-violence was fairly radical. While he was Hindu, it was also rooted in other religions, such as Christianity, e.g. turning the other cheek.

He didn’t think everybody could be brave and faithful enough to practice such a thing, but thought it was always best. Quotes: "An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.“ "There are many causes that I am prepared to die for but no causes that I am prepared to kill for.“ "When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love has always won. There have been tyrants and murderers and for a time they seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall — think of it, always.“ "What difference does it make to the dead, the orphans, and the homeless, whether the mad destruction is wrought under the name of totalitarianism or the holy name of liberty and democracy?"

He didn’t think everybody could be brave and faithful enough to practice such a thing, but thought it was always best. Quotes:

"An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.“

"There are many causes that I am prepared to die for but no causes that I am prepared to kill for.“

"When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love has always won. There have been tyrants and murderers and for a time they seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall — think of it, always.“

"What difference does it make to the dead, the orphans, and the homeless, whether the mad destruction is wrought under the name of totalitarianism or the holy name of liberty and democracy?"

His advice to the British in 1940, when it seemed nearly inevitable that Great Britain would be invaded and likely conquered by Nazi Germany, was the following: "I would like you to lay down the arms you have as being useless for saving you or humanity. You will invite Herr Hitler and Signor Mussolini to take what they want of the countries you call your possessions.... If these gentlemen choose to occupy your homes, you will vacate them. If they do not give you free passage out, you will allow yourselves, man, woman, and child, to be slaughtered, but you will refuse to owe allegiance to them.“ Do you think Gandhi’s is correct to practice nonviolence on such an extreme level?

His advice to the British in 1940, when it seemed nearly inevitable that Great Britain would be invaded and likely conquered by Nazi Germany, was the following:

"I would like you to lay down the arms you have as being useless for saving you or humanity. You will invite Herr Hitler and Signor Mussolini to take what they want of the countries you call your possessions.... If these gentlemen choose to occupy your homes, you will vacate them. If they do not give you free passage out, you will allow yourselves, man, woman, and child, to be slaughtered, but you will refuse to owe allegiance to them.“

Do you think Gandhi’s is correct to practice nonviolence on such an extreme level?

Gandhi is one of history’s greatest figures and one of the most influential of the 20 th century. This is because he influenced numerous colonial independence movements and many important figures. The Dalai Lama (trying to gain freedom for Tibet from China), Lech Walesa (gained freedom for Poland from the Soviet Union in 1989), Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela (helped end apartheid in South Africa), Aung San Suu Kyi (who is trying to end the military dictatorship of Burma/Myanmar and is even now under house arrest as a political prisoner), and Martin Luther King. All of the above are winners of the Nobel Peace Prize. Gandhi was never awarded it due to politics.

Gandhi is one of history’s greatest figures and one of the most influential of the 20 th century.

This is because he influenced numerous colonial independence movements and many important figures.

The Dalai Lama (trying to gain freedom for Tibet from China), Lech Walesa (gained freedom for Poland from the Soviet Union in 1989), Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela (helped end apartheid in South Africa), Aung San Suu Kyi (who is trying to end the military dictatorship of Burma/Myanmar and is even now under house arrest as a political prisoner), and Martin Luther King.

All of the above are winners of the Nobel Peace Prize. Gandhi was never awarded it due to politics.

When India gained its independence, there were still more problems. Most of India was Hindu. Many of the people in the eastern and western parts of India, though, were Muslim. A great deal of violence resulted and the Muslims formed their own countries of Pakistan in the west and Bangladesh in the east (they were originally just Pakistan, but Bangladesh gained its independence from Pakistan in 1971). There was also much hardship from mass migrations as Hindus living Pakistan fled to India and Muslims in India fled to Pakistan. About 14.5 million people moved and resulting violence claimed between 200,000 and 1 million lives.

When India gained its independence, there were still more problems.

Most of India was Hindu. Many of the people in the eastern and western parts of India, though, were Muslim.

A great deal of violence resulted and the Muslims formed their own countries of Pakistan in the west and Bangladesh in the east (they were originally just Pakistan, but Bangladesh gained its independence from Pakistan in 1971).

There was also much hardship from mass migrations as Hindus living Pakistan fled to India and Muslims in India fled to Pakistan. About 14.5 million people moved and resulting violence claimed between 200,000 and 1 million lives.

Refugee train

Before 1947

After 1947

Compare before and after 1947 partition.

Also compare the religions map on the left with the political borders on the right.

Government India is the world’s largest democracy. Consider that the U.S. has about 300 million people and India has about 1 billion. It has a federal structure with states, but is a bicameral parliamentary government. That means it’s a parliament with two legislative houses. The lower house has 540 members and the upper house has 250. While India is majority Hindu, it still has significant minorities of Muslims (150 million), Sikhs (13.8 million), and Tamil (63 million).

Government

India is the world’s largest democracy.

Consider that the U.S. has about 300 million people and India has about 1 billion.

It has a federal structure with states, but is a bicameral parliamentary government. That means it’s a parliament with two legislative houses. The lower house has 540 members and the upper house has 250.

While India is majority Hindu, it still has significant minorities of Muslims (150 million), Sikhs (13.8 million), and Tamil (63 million).

Economy With 1 billion people, India has a large economy, but it’s per capita income is low. It’s GDP is ranked fourth in the world at $3.8 trillion but it’s per capita income is ranked 122 at $3,320. About two thirds of India’s people are involved in agriculture, but most farms are small with low crop yields and families engage in subsistence farming.

Economy

With 1 billion people, India has a large economy, but it’s per capita income is low.

It’s GDP is ranked fourth in the world at $3.8 trillion but it’s per capita income is ranked 122 at $3,320.

About two thirds of India’s people are involved in agriculture, but most farms are small with low crop yields and families engage in subsistence farming.

Land reform has been proposed to give more people more land, but that hasn’t gone anywhere since the people who already have the land tend to have political power. The Green Revolution of the 1960’s and ’70’s greatly increased crop yields due to new farming and irrigation methods and better crop types. Resistance to these new things remains high with some people, however.

Land reform has been proposed to give more people more land, but that hasn’t gone anywhere since the people who already have the land tend to have political power.

The Green Revolution of the 1960’s and ’70’s greatly increased crop yields due to new farming and irrigation methods and better crop types. Resistance to these new things remains high with some people, however.

Industry Industry is very important with textiles and iron and steel processing. The high tech industry is also becoming very big. India’s getting a more educated populace and is spending lots of money to develop its high tech sector. Call centers It’s true… many call centers are relocating to India due to its education level, familiarity with English and its low labor costs.

Industry

Industry is very important with textiles and iron and steel processing.

The high tech industry is also becoming very big.

India’s getting a more educated populace and is spending lots of money to develop its high tech sector.

Call centers

It’s true… many call centers are relocating to India due to its education level, familiarity with English and its low labor costs.