South Asia Exam Supplemental Review Guide Notes

South Asia Geography / Demographics

  • Known as the subcontinent, characterized by great geographical diversity.
  • Most countries are developing.
  • Ancient culture with newly formed nations.
  • Better off compared to Africa, despite poverty and elevated infant mortality rates.

Countries of South Asia

  • India
  • Pakistan
  • Sri Lanka
  • Bhutan
  • Nepal
  • Bangladesh

The Dravidians

  • Original people of India.

Sponge Experiment

  • Illustrates how India absorbed outside influences to create its diverse culture instead of rejecting them.

Hinduism and the Caste System

  • Brought to India by the Aryans.

Muslim Invaders' Contribution

  • Islam.
  • Architecture (mosques).

Extent of British Control

  • Controlled all of modern-day India and then some.

Factors Contributing to British Dominance

  • Superior technology.
  • Social, religious, and political divisions within India.

British Rule After Sepoy Mutiny

  • Direct imperial control over India.

Gandhi's Life Events

  • Lawyer.
  • Spent time in South Africa.
  • Led independence movement.
  • Assassinated.

Gandhi's Strategies to Resist the British

  • Non-violent civil disobedience.
  • Non-cooperation.
  • Death fasting.

Post-Independence Events

  • Formation of Pakistan.
  • Widespread violence between Hindus and Muslims.

Timeline of Events

  • Sepoy Rebellion fails.
  • Queen takes control of India
  • Gandhi leads independence movement.

Events Spreading Nationalism

  • Political parties form.
  • WWI.
  • Rowlatt Acts.
  • Amritsar Massacre.

Goal of the INC (Indian National Congress)

  • Achieve independence through cooperation and unity.

Amritsar Massacre

  • Senseless slaughter of Indian citizens for meeting in public.

India's Independence

  • Achieved after WWII in 1947.

Muslim League's Goal

  • An independent nation of their own.

Purpose of the Salt Tax

  • Create a British monopoly of control over salt.
  • Create a revenue source.

Monsoons

  • Changing wind patterns.

British East India Company

  • A joint stock company.
  • Took over India after defeating the French.
  • Practiced economic imperialism (mercantilism).
  • Lost power after the Sepoy Rebellion.

Reasons for Indian Deaths Under British Rule

  • Cash crop over food production.
  • Many Indians living in poverty.
  • Disregard to weather patterns.
  • Population increase.

Sub-Continent Definition

  • Large & diverse land mass that is distinct from neighboring land areas but is just not big enough to be a continent.

Divide and Conquer

  • Strategy used by the BEIC (British East India Company) to take complete control over India.

Dharsana Salt Protest

  • Gandhi’s unarmed followers were brutally beaten by guards protecting the mill as they peacefully attempted to enter the gates.

Sepoy Rebellion

  • Indian soldiers serving the British violently revolted after they were forced to use cartridges greased in pig / cow fat to load their rifles.
  • Sepoys targeted innocent men, women, and children during their bloody rampage.

Gandhi's Description

  • Small in stature.
  • Hindu.
  • Hated violence.
  • Despised cowards.
  • Believed in unity between Hindus and Muslims.
  • Advocated non-cooperation / civil disobedience.
  • Spent many years in prison.
  • Resorted to death fasting.
  • Liked the idea of democracy / independence.

Favorable Balance of Trade

  • When you are exporting (selling) more that you are importing (buying).

Cycle of Satyagraha

  • Break unjust laws.
  • Go to prison / beatings.
  • Public sympathy grows.
  • Pressure on oppressive government mounts forcing negotiations leading to independence.

Key Figures

  • Rammohan Roy:
    • Indian nationalist that felt India should embrace western culture.
  • Sepoy:
    • Indian soldier serving the British that resorted to rebellion.
  • Jinnah:
    • Leader of Muslim League who became 1st PM of Pakistan.
  • Nehru:
    • INC leader and close follower of Gandhi, 1st PM of India.
  • BEIC:
    • Joint stock company ruling India from 1757 – 1858.
  • Rowlatt Acts:
    • Indians can’t assemble and have no due process.
  • Divide & Conquer:
    • Strategy used by BEIC to conquer India by exploiting India’s diversity.
  • Satyagraha:
    • Gandhi’s strategy of seeking truth.
  • Civil Disobedience:
    • Peacefully break unjust laws.
  • Non-cooperation:
    • Refuse to support British economic and political agendas.