History

India

Taj Mahal, India

History

-Ancient Indus River civilization ~ 2500 BC -Invasions: -Aryans (Vedics) ~1500BC -Alexander Great ~326BC -Mongols/Ghenghis Khan -Mogul emperor Babar 1526 -1761

History - British East India Co. entered India ~1700s, expanding its power -Hindu and Muslim revolt ~1850s -British government took control “The Jewel in the Crown” -Independence won in 1947

History -After World War II they used green revolution to increase their food production. -Taj Mahal was built by Shah Jahan as a tomb for his wife.

British Family in India

Geography - 7th largest country

- Himalayas, Thar Desert, Deccan Plateau, Ghats, lush rain forests

Fertile river valleys: Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Indus -Sub-tropical climate: cool dry winter; hot dry summer; monsoons

The Karakoram Range lies within the Himalayan mountain system, which forms part of India’s northern border. The approximately 60 peaks average 22,000 ft in height.

The Deccan Plateau is a vast triangular region in peninsular India. The land is rocky but contains areas of fertile soils.

Thar Desert

Ganges River

W I L D L I F E

People Population ~ 1 billion

2nd most populous 72% rural, 35% poverty

Language: Hindi 81% Hindu, 13% Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist

Hindu Marriage Ceremony

Untouchables The caste system of India evolved from Hindu law. Untouchables, people considered to have no caste, continue to suffer discrimination.

Islamic Temple

Golden Temple, Amritsar

Ancient Buddhist Temple Buddhism began in India around 6BC. A period of royal patronage began with conversion of the Indian ruler Asoka in the 3rd century.

Government -Capital-New Delhi -28 states and 7 territories -Representative democracy

-Legislature: Council of States and People’s Assembly -member Commonwealth of Nations

Calcutta is a major center for finance, shipping, and industry.

Economy

Currency Rupee

Mainly agricultural ~ 49% arable land Workforce: 60% agriculture, 17% services, 23% industry GDP ~$3,700 per person Literacy ~ (60%) 61%; Life Exp. ~ (69) 67

Economy Crops: Rice, wheat, corn, oilseed, jute, cotton, tea, sugarcane, cashews, spices Natural Resources: coal, iron ore, manganese, mica, bauxite, oil, gas Industries: textiles, chemicals, cement, mining,computer software

Rice Farming, India

India’s agrarian economy

Current Issues -Political instability -Poverty and population

-Nuclear weapons -Disputes with Pakistan and China about the luxurious wools of Kashmir Microsoft ® Encarta ® Encyclopedia 2002. © 1993-2001 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.