South Asia Religions, Colonialism, and Independence Key Concepts

Karma

The sum of a person's actions in this and previous states of existence, viewed as deciding their fate in future existences.

Brahman

The supreme, universal spirit or absolute reality that is the origin and support of the universe.

Trinity of gods ("Big Three")

Known as the Trimurti, these three gods represent the cosmic functions of creation, maintenance, and destruction.

Brahma

The Creator.

Shiva

The Destroyer (or Transformer).

Vishnu

The Preserver.

Dharma

The religious and moral duties of an individual; 'the right way of living.'

Moksha

The release from the cycle of rebirth (Samsara) and the achievement of oneness with Brahman.

Reincarnation (Samsara)

The continuous cycle of birth, death, and rebirth that the soul undergoes until reaching Moksha.

Middle Path/Eightfold Way/Eightfold Path

The set of eight practices (such as Right View, Right Speech, and Right Action) used to end suffering and achieve enlightenment.

Siddhartha/the Buddha

A prince who gave up his wealth to seek an end to suffering; he became the 'Enlightened One' and the founder of Buddhism.

Four sights

An elderly person, a sick person, a corpse, and an ascetic (a monk).

Nirvana

The state of perfect peace and release from suffering and the cycle of rebirth.

Four Noble Truths

The central teachings of Buddha: 1. Life is suffering. 2. Suffering is caused by desire. 3. To end suffering, end desire. 4. Follow the Eightfold Path.

Early convert

Emperor Asoka after the Battle of Kalinga.

British East India Company

A private trading company chartered by the British government that eventually acted as an agent of British imperialism in India.

Reasons for British interest/exploration

Access to valuable resources (spices, cotton, silk, tea, indigo) and a massive new market for British manufactured goods.

How did they increase control?

Through military force, forming alliances with local rulers, and exploiting internal divisions between Indian states.

Sepoy

Indian soldiers recruited by the British East India Company to serve in their private army.

Sepoy Rebellion

A widespread but ultimately unsuccessful uprising against British rule in 1857-1858.

What caused the Sepoy Rebellion?

Tensions over forced westernization and the specific rumor that new rifle cartridges were greased with beef and pork fat (violating Hindu and Muslim religious laws).

Caste System

A rigid social hierarchy in India that determined a person's occupation, social status, and marriage partners from birth.

Dalits (untouchables)

The group at the very bottom of (or outside) the caste system who performed 'unclean' tasks and faced severe discrimination.

Relevance today of Caste System

While discrimination based on caste is illegal under the modern Indian Constitution, social prejudices still exist, especially in rural areas.

Raj

The period of direct British government rule over the Indian subcontinent (1858-1947) following the Sepoy Rebellion.

Relationship with the British during Raj

India was the 'Crown Jewel' of the British Empire; the British provided infrastructure (railroads) but exploited India's economy and suppressed local culture.

The White Man's Burden

A poem and concept used to justify imperialism, suggesting that Europeans had a moral duty to 'civilize' non-white populations.

Gandhi

A lawyer and political leader who became the face of the Indian independence movement.

Role of Gandhi in independence

He pioneered the use of non-violent civil disobedience to protest British rule and united various social classes in the struggle for freedom.

Indian National Congress (INC)

A political party formed in 1885 that became the primary vehicle for the Indian independence movement.

Goals of INC

Initially, more say in the British government; eventually, full independence (Swaraj).

Role of INC in independence

It organized mass protests and negotiated with the British for self-rule.

Indian Nationalism

The desire for self-determination and the belief that the various peoples of the subcontinent should be a single, independent nation.

Non-violent resistance

Protesting laws or rule without using physical force (e.g., boycotts, strikes).

Was non-violent resistance successful?

Yes; it gained international sympathy and made India 'ungovernable' for the British.

Satyagraha

'Truth force' or 'soul force'—Gandhi's specific philosophy of non-violent resistance based on the power of truth.

Key Events: Amritsar Massacre

In 1919, British troops opened fire on a large crowd of unarmed Indian protesters.

Result of Amritsar Massacre

It served as a turning point, radicalizing many Indians and convincing them that British rule must end entirely.

Homespun Movement

A boycott of British-made clothing where Indians were encouraged to spin their own cloth (khadi).

Significance of Homespun Movement

It attacked the British textile economy and promoted Indian self-reliance.

Salt March

A 240-mile march led by Gandhi to the sea to protest the British monopoly and tax on salt.

Significance of Salt March

It drew worldwide media attention to the injustices of British rule.

Muslim League

A political group formed in 1906 to protect the interests of India's Muslim minority.

Goals of Muslim League

Originally to ensure Muslim rights; later, the creation of a separate Muslim state (Pakistan).

Jawaharlal Nehru

A close ally of Gandhi and the first Prime Minister of independent India.

Role of Nehru

He helped modernize India, established a secular democracy, and led the Non-Aligned Movement during the Cold War.

Pakistan

A nation created in 1947 as a homeland for Indian Muslims.

East/West Pakistan

Originally one country separated by 1,000 miles of India; East Pakistan later became Bangladesh in 1971.

Muhammad Ali Jinnah

The leader of the Muslim League and the founder/first leader of Pakistan.

Indira Gandhi

Daughter of Nehru and India's first female Prime Minister.

Role of Indira Gandhi

Known for her strong-willed leadership, the 'Green Revolution,' and the controversial 'Emergency' period of suspended civil liberties.

Narendra Modi

The current Prime Minister of India (since 2014).

Role of Narendra Modi

He focuses on economic growth and Hindu-nationalist (Hindutva) policies, which have sparked both support and significant debate.

Kashmir conflict

Both India and Pakistan claim the entire region. India claims it based on the ruler's original accession; Pakistan claims it because the population is majority Muslim.

Why is Kashmir conflict hard to solve?

It is a matter of national identity and strategic territory for both sides, and both nations are now nuclear-armed, making any military solution extremely dangerous.