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India Review

India is located in Southern Asia

2 - Himalayan Mountains Label the mountain range on your map

• The Himalayan Mountains were created by the collision of the Indian Subcontinent and the Asian Plate – The plates are still running into each other and the Mountain Range continues to rise

• It is the tallest mountain range in the world – The top 98 out of 100 tallest mountains in the world

Mt. Everest (view from a plane)

4- Indus River Label the river on your map

• Located in modern-day Pakistan • Starts in the Himalayas and empties into the Arabian Sea • This is where the Indus Valley Civilization originated

5- Arabian Sea Label on your map

6- Ganges River Label the river on your map

• Located in modern-day India and Bangladesh • The most populated river in the world – 400 million people live along the Ganges

• Empties into the Bay of Bengal

7- Bay of Bengal Label on your map

Climate of India

What is climate? • Climate- Weather conditions over a long period of time – (how much rainfall each year, average temperature for a place)

– Climate and weather are similar, but not the same thing!

• Climate= Long period of time • Weather = Right now

Monsoons • Monsoon- Seasonal winds that produce wet and dry seasons in India

Floods • In the summer months, the rains from monsoons can cause floods – Floods caused by monsoons- New Report

Drought • Sometimes the summer monsoons don’t bring the rain that is expected • This can lead to a severe shortage of food, also known as famine News Report- Drought in India

Cyclones • Similar to a hurricane • Violent storm with fierce rotating winds – Winds can reach up to 200 mph

• About 5-10 tropical cyclones affect South Asia every year • On your map, draw a cyclone in the Indian Ocean

Cyclone Phailin hits India

Tsunamis • Giant ocean waves caused by earthquakes and landslides • On your map, draw a giant ocean wave that symbolizes a tsunami

The Aryans

Aryan Invasion • The Aryans were a group from Eurasia – They were nomads who traveled from place to place

• Around 1500 BCE, they settled in India around the Indus River

Aryan Invasion • The Aryans conquered and took control of the cities of the Indus Valley – The people of the Indus Valley had been weakened by famine

• The Aryans were strong warriors and also had advanced weapons and tools

Cultural Diffusion • Cultural Diffusion- The spreading of culture – Ideas, technology, food, music, clothing, etc.

• The Aryans gave up their nomadic lifestyle and settled in India – They brought their culture to India

• Over time, Aryan culture merged with the local culture

Impact of Aryan Culture • The Aryans had major influence on Indian culture in 3 major areas • Religion: Hinduism • Written Language: Sanskrit • Social Structure: Caste System

Hinduism • The Hindu religion is based off several Aryan beliefs: – The belief in many gods and that these gods lived in nature – The Vedas are sacred texts (similar to the Bible)

SanskritA written language

• When the Aryans came to India, the people in India did not have a universal language • The Aryans introduced Sanskrit and it spread throughout India – The Vedas were written in Sanskrit

Caste System • The caste system in India has been around for over 2,000 years

• People are divided into groups based on their occupation • People remained in their castes for life There are 5 different levels within the Caste System

Caste System Brahman- Priests and other holy men

Caste System Kshatriyas- Rulers, warriors, and land owners

Caste System Vaishyas- Merchants and traders

Caste System • Shudras- Artisans and farmers

Caste System • Harijans- Outside the Caste System, known as “Untouchables”

Time Period • • • •

Add these events to your timeline. Mark the year and the event. 3000 BCE- Indus Valley civilization begins 1500 BCE-Aryans invade (bringing hinduism, sanskrit and the caste system) • 1498 CE- Vasco DeGama arrives in India • 1653 CE-Taj Mahal is completed • 1920 CE- Gandhi begins his non-violent campaign