mgi south asia unit

Indo-Gangetic Plain

A fertile region spanning northern India and Pakistan, home to major rivers and dense populations.

Sundarbans

In the delta region of the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers; they are the world's largest mangrove forest and home to Bengal tigers.

Kashmir

It is claimed by both India and Pakistan, leading to wars and ongoing tension.

Punjab region

A fertile agricultural area divided between India and Pakistan, culturally significant to Sikhs.

Eastern and Western Ghats

Mountain ranges on either side of the Deccan Plateau that influence climate and biodiversity.

Deccan Plateau

A large, elevated plateau in southern India, rich in minerals and historically important.

Three main river systems of the Indian subcontinent

The Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Indus rivers.

Himalaya Mountains

They block cold winds from Central Asia and influence monsoon patterns.

Hindu Kush

A mountain range in Afghanistan and northern Pakistan, historically a gateway for invasions into India.

Sikhism

A monotheistic religion founded in the Punjab region of India in the 15th century.

Creation of Sikhism

To bridge the gap between Hinduism and Islam and reject caste discrimination.

Hindutva

A political ideology promoting Hindu nationalism; associated with right-wing movements.

Reincarnation in Hindu beliefs

The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, influenced by one's actions (karma).

Karma's influence on reincarnation

Good or bad karma from past lives determines one's next life.

Caste system in India

A traditional Hindu social hierarchy dividing people into fixed classes.

Untouchables or Dalits

The lowest caste in Hindu society, historically marginalized and oppressed.

Affirmative action for Dalits in India

Reserved quotas in education, government jobs, and political representation.

Caste system's historical impact on Indian society

It determined people's jobs, social status, and who they could marry or associate with.

Debt slave

A person forced to work to repay debts, often Dalits who are exploited under systemic inequality.

Effects of British colonialism on India

Economic exploitation, infrastructure development, social reforms, and increased nationalism.

Civil disobedience

A method used by Gandhi to resist British rule through nonviolent protest.

Nonviolent refusal

Nonviolent refusal to obey unjust laws; Gandhi used it to protest British rule.

Mahatma Gandhi

A leader of the Indian independence movement known for nonviolence and civil disobedience.

Gandhi's four main principles

Nonviolence (ahimsa), truth (satya), self-discipline, and tolerance of all religions.

Salt March

A protest against British salt taxes in 1930; a key moment in India's independence movement.

Indian Independence Act of 1947

The law passed by Britain that granted independence to India and created Pakistan.

Partition of India

The division of British India into India and Pakistan, causing mass violence and migration.

Gandhi's assassination

By a Hindu extremist who believed Gandhi was too sympathetic to Muslims.

Reasons for terrorism against India

Religious tensions, separatist movements, and conflict with Pakistan over Kashmir.

Disputed regions near India

Kashmir, parts of the northeast, and border areas with China and Pakistan.

Status of Muslims in modern-day India

They are a large minority facing discrimination and underrepresentation in some areas.

Problems from India's growing population

Strain on resources, pollution, overcrowding, and unemployment.

Proposed solutions to India's population problem

Education, family planning, and women's empowerment.

Dharavi

A densely populated slum in Mumbai known for its recycling and informal economy.

Impact of recycling in Dharavi

It provides jobs and income for thousands of residents.

Dharavi's Recycling Miracle

The efficient recycling system in Dharavi where waste is reused to generate income.

Female infanticide

The killing of baby girls due to a cultural preference for boys and economic factors.

Causes of India's skewed sex ratio

Sex-selective abortions and female infanticide.

Value of boys in Indian society

Boys carry on the family name, are seen as economic assets, and do not require dowries.

Migrant labor in India

It provides cheap labor but causes social disruption and exploitation.

Challenges faced by Pakistan

Political instability, military influence, corruption, and ethnic divisions.

Main regions of Pakistan

Punjab (most populous), Sindh, Balochistan (resource-rich but underdeveloped), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and the tribal areas.

Effects of the U.S. War on Terror on Pakistan

Increased violence, strained U.S.-Pakistan relations, and internal conflict with militant groups.