South Asia Lecture Review

Vocabulary flashcards for South Asia lecture review.

Orographic Rainfall

Rainfall caused when moist air is lifted over mountains, cools, and condenses, releasing precipitation on the windward side and leaving a dry rain shadow on the leeward side.

Monsoon

Caused by differential heating of land and sea, creating seasonal winds. Summer monsoon brings heavy rains vital for agriculture; winter monsoon is drier.

Geological Origin of South Asia Continent

Formed from the collision of the Indian Plate with the Eurasian Plate, creating the Himalayas and uplifting the region.

Four Physiographic Regions of South Asia

1. Northern Mountains (Himalayas) 2. Indo-Gangetic Plain 3. Peninsular Plateau (Deccan) 4. Coastal regions and islands

Population Geography of South Asia

High population (over 1.9 billion), densely concentrated in river basins and plains, high growth in some areas, TFR declining but still above replacement in some regions.

Imbalanced Sex Ratio in India

Cultural preference for sons, female infanticide, and sex-selective abortion have skewed ratios.

Hinduism

Indigenous to India, dominant in India and Nepal.

Buddhism

Originated in India, now more widespread in East and Southeast Asia.

Islam in South Asia

Introduced via invasions/trade; dominant in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Maldives.

Sikhism

Emerged in Punjab, India; concentrated in northwestern India.

Theravada Buddhism

Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia

Mahayana Buddhism

East Asia (China, Japan, Korea)

Vajrayana Buddhism

Tibet, Bhutan, Mongolia

Indus Valley Civilization

One of the world’s earliest urban civilizations (Harappa/Mohenjo-Daro).

Ganges Basin Civilization

Cultural heart of Hinduism and major ancient kingdoms.

European Interest in South Asian Trade (16th-18th Centuries)

Rich in spices, textiles, and gems. This trade wealth led to colonization, influencing later industrial development.

Beginning of British Rule in India

Through trade control by the British East India Company, followed by military conquest and alliances.

Three Major Modes of British Rule in India

1. Direct rule by the British Crown (British Raj) 2. Indirect rule through princely states 3. Economic domination via the East India Company

Major Legacies of British Rule in India

English language, railways, legal system, centralized administration, and export-based economy.

India's Partition Process

In 1947, British India split into India and Pakistan (later Bangladesh). Based on religion—Hindus and Muslims.

Reasons for South Asia Partition and Legacies

Religious divisions and political pressure. Legacy includes violence, displacement, border disputes, and India-Pakistan conflict.

Green Revolution

Agricultural innovation (1960s–70s): Pros: Increased food production, reduced famine risk. Cons: Environmental damage, inequality, debt.

Major Geopolitical Issues Between India & Pakistan and India & China

India-Pakistan: Kashmir conflict, terrorism, water disputes. India-China: Border tensions (Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh), trade rivalry.

China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)

A major infrastructure initiative connecting China’s Xinjiang to Pakistan’s Gwadar Port; part of China’s Belt and Road.

Aryans

Indo-European migrants who settled in India ~1500 BCE, introducing Sanskrit and early Vedic culture.

Bollywood

India's Hindi-language film industry, centered in Mumbai.

British East India Company

A British trading company that began colonization of India.

British Raj

Period of direct British rule in India (1858–1947).

Buddhism

Religion founded by Siddhartha Gautama; emphasizes enlightenment through meditation and ethics.

CPEC (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor)

Infrastructure project linking China with the Arabian Sea through Pakistan.

Caste System

Hierarchical social structure in Hindu society, based on hereditary classes.

Delhi Sultanate

Muslim kingdom that ruled parts of India from 1206 to 1526.

Dravidian

Ethnolinguistic group in southern India, speaking Dravidian languages like Tamil and Telugu.

East India Company

British trading company that exerted control over parts of India before 1858.

Green Revolution

Agricultural movement in 1960s–70s to boost crop yields using modern techniques.

Hinduism

Major religion of India, characterized by a belief in reincarnation and a variety of deities.

Indian Subcontinent

South Asia region including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka.

Mahatma Gandhi

Leader of India’s nonviolent independence movement against British rule.

Mughal Empire

Muslim empire in India (1526–1857) known for cultural achievements and architecture.

Orographic Rainfall

Rainfall caused by air rising over mountains, cooling and condensing.

Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QSD)

Strategic alliance between U.S., India, Japan, and Australia to ensure Indo-Pacific security.

Rain Shadow

Dry area on the leeward side of mountains due to blocked rainfall.

Sanskrit

Ancient language of India, used in Hindu scriptures.

Sikhism

Monotheistic religion founded in Punjab, India, in the 15th century; emphasizes equality and devotion.