AP World Unit 1.3

South Asia and Southeast Asia

Area where three major religions—Hinduism, Islam, and Buddhism—were all competing for power and followers.

Hinduism (India)

Main faith in India that believes in many gods and focuses on reuniting the soul with Brahman, the world soul, through reincarnation.

Hinduism’s Role in Society

Helped keep India united by creating a social system that decided people’s jobs and importance in society.

Hindu Caste System

Five

Reincarnation and Caste

People are reborn after death; good actions can help someone move up to a higher social level in their next life.

Buddhism (Origins)

Started in India and shared some ideas with Hinduism, like reincarnation and reaching unity with the universe, but offered a different way to enlightenment.

Buddhism vs. Hinduism

Did not believe in the caste system, accepted everyone equally, and spread easily outside India, unlike the more India

Islam Enters India

Brought by Turkish Muslim invaders in 1206 who created a new Muslim empire in the region.

Delhi Sultanate

Empire ruled by Muslims where their religion became the faith of the rich and powerful, while most people kept their old Indian traditions.

Bhakti Movement

New style of worship that focused on loving and praying to one god, ignored the caste system, and welcomed all social classes.

Sufism

Peaceful, spiritual form of Islam that focused on personal experiences and emotional connection to God instead of strict rules.

Buddhism in South Asia (Changes)

Over time, became less open to everyone and more limited, moving away from its original goal of equal access to enlightenment.

State Building in South Asia

Muslim rulers had trouble spreading their religion because traditional Indian beliefs were very strong and deeply rooted.

Rajput Kingdoms

Groups of Hindu kingdoms that fought against Muslim expansion; some were taken over, but others stayed independent.

Vijayanagara Empire

Empire formed in southern India when Muslim missionaries converted back to Hinduism and created their own Hindu

Sea

Based States in Southeast Asia

Srivijaya Empire

Buddhist empire influenced by Indian Hindu culture; controlled the Strait of Malacca and made money by taxing ships that passed through.

Majapahit Empire

Hindu kingdom with Buddhist influence that stayed powerful by making other states pay tribute to avoid being attacked.

Land

Based States in South and Southeast Asia

Sinhala Dynasties

Buddhist rulers on the island south of India who relied mostly on their land and were successful for over 2000 years.

Khmer Empire

Rulers in Southeast Asia who followed Indian religious traditions even though they were far away; built Angkor Wat, the biggest Hindu temple in the world.