Indian Subcontinent Test Cards
Indian Subcontinent
What 3 bodies of water surround the Indian Subcontinent?
The Arabian Sea
The Bay of Bengal
The Indian Ocean
What mountains separate the subcontinent from the rest of Asia?
The Himalayas
What is the highest point in the world?
Mount Everest (Located in the Himalayas, 8,848.86 meters or 29,031.7 feet)
What two rivers are important to the subcontinent?
Ganges (Sacred river in India)
Indus (Flows primarily through Pakistan)
What is a monsoon?
A seasonal wind pattern that causes heavy rains in the summer months (June-Oct) and dry conditions in the winter months (Nov-Jan).
What happens from June-Oct?
Wet season: Heavy rainfall occurs due to the monsoon winds.
What happens from Nov-Jan?
Dry season: Cool, dry weather, with lower rainfall during the winter monsoon.
India’s History & Culture Textbook
What did the Aryans introduce to the area?
Sanskrit language
Caste system (hierarchical social structure)
Vedic religion (precursor to Hinduism)
Define colony:
A territory under the control or ownership of another country, often for economic and political gain.
What was life like under British rule?
Hard and oppressive: High taxes, exploitation, famine, and political suppression.
Many people were killed due to resistance or famine.
Define partition:
The division of a country into two or more separate entities, often leading to conflict and migration.
What led to the partition?
Britain's withdrawal from India due to financial strains after WWII.
Religious and cultural differences between Hindus and Muslims.
Hindus moved to India, and Muslims moved to Pakistan.
India Today Textbook
Where in India is the highest population density?
Bengal Basin (West Bengal, particularly around Kolkata).
Define urbanization:
The process of migrating from rural areas to cities in search of jobs, education, and better living conditions.
What is the cause of urbanization in India?
Job opportunities in cities, better education, and improved infrastructure.
What is the effect of urbanization in India?
Overpopulation in cities, leading to issues like slums, poverty, pollution, and strain on resources.
Describe India’s government:
The largest democracy in the world, with a parliamentary system and a federal republic structure.
The government consists of an executive, legislature, and judiciary.
Describe India’s economy:
Mixed economy: Combination of private and public sector.
Per capita income: Around $2,900.
GDP: Approx. $2.4 trillion.
Growing economy with a focus on technology, services, and manufacturing.
Government has relaxed regulations, promoting foreign investments.
India’s Neighbors Textbook
(briefly) Describe the conflict in Kashmir:
Kashmir is disputed territory claimed by both India and Pakistan.
India controls the eastern part, while Pakistan controls the western part.
The conflict has led to several wars and ongoing tension.
"Tale of Two Indias" : Poverty in India (Video)
What is life like for the wealthy in India?
Comfortable with access to high-end goods, services, and modern living conditions.
What is life like for the poor in India?
Difficult: Many live in slums, facing issues like poor sanitation, lack of healthcare, education, and low wages.
Is there a middle class?
Emerging: There is a small but growing middle class, though the country remains largely divided between the wealthy and the poor.
Why is there such a large gap between wealthy and impoverished?
Economic inequality: India’s economy is highly unequal, with wealth concentrated in certain sectors and regions.
Lack of social mobility, with limited access to education and healthcare for the lower class.
Caste System Prezi
Brahmin
Top caste: Priests, teachers, scholars.
Kshatriya
Warriors and rulers: Administrators, soldiers.
Vaishya
Merchants and landowners: Traders, farmers.
Sudra
Laborers and service providers: Workers, artisans, and servants.
Dalit/Untouchables
Historically oppressed group, considered outside the caste system. Now called Scheduled Castes (SC).
Pros:
Provides structure to society.
Preserves tradition.
Cons:
Leads to discrimination, inequality, and social injustice.
Gandhi
What was his goal?
Independence from British rule through nonviolent resistance.
What did he stand up for? What he wanted?
Indian independence, Hindu-Muslim unity, abolition of untouchability, and social reform.
What things did he do to get what he wanted?
Nonviolent protests (Satyagraha), boycotts, civil disobedience, salt march.
What was his impact/significance?
Organized resistance to British rule.
Played a crucial role in gaining Indian independence in 1947.
Inspired global movements for civil rights and nonviolent protests.
Hinduism & Buddhism
Hinduism:
Founder: No single founder.
Major beliefs:
Polytheism: Belief in many gods (Vishnu, Shiva, Brahma).
Karma: Actions determine future life.
Dharma: Moral duties.
Reincarnation: Cycle of rebirth.
Moksha: Liberation from the cycle of rebirth.
Vedas: Sacred texts.
Holidays:
Holi (Festival of colors)
Diwali (Festival of Lights)
Mahashivaratri (Night of Shiva)
Buddhism:
Founder: Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha).
Major beliefs:
4 Noble Truths: Suffering exists, suffering has a cause, suffering can end, the path to end suffering is the Eightfold Path.
The 8-Fold Path: A guide to ethical and mental development leading to enlightenment.
Sherpas
Why do people work as sherpas/porters?
For money to support their families and earn a livelihood.
What is the life of a sherpa like?
Physically demanding and dangerous: Sherpas often climb high altitudes, face harsh conditions, and risk injury or death.
What is the life of a citizen in a Nepalese town like?
Life is simple and rural, with limited access to modern amenities.
Maldives
What are the two challenges faced by the Maldives?
Constant flooding (due to rising sea levels) in the north.
Water scarcity in the south.
What is the cause of this issue?
Climate change leading to rising sea levels and drought in some areas.
What international organization is trying to help the Maldives?
The United Nations (UN) and various environmental NGOs are working with the Maldives to address climate change impacts.