Chapter 23, Section 1
(Pages 626–632)
History and Governments
Geography is used to interpret the past, understand the present, and plan
for the future. As you read, list key events and dates in this region’s history.
Copyright © by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Early History
Write three possible
causes of the decline
of the Indus Valley
civilization.
1.
2.
3.
Chapter 23, Section 1
(pages 627–629)
South Asia’s first cities—Harappa and Mohenjo Daro—were
built in the Indus River valley by 2500 B.C. The cities were well
planned, with carefully laid-out streets, ceremonial gateways, and
buildings for grain storage. These cities also had plumbing and
sewers. Farming, small industries, and trade brought wealth
to the Indus Valley. The people made copper and bronze tools,
clay pottery, and cotton cloth. In addition, the people had a
writing system.
Between 1700 B.C. and 1500 B.C. the Indus civilization declined.
Historians think earthquakes and floods might have damaged the
cities. In addition, the Indus River might have changed its course.
Nomadic herders called Aryans settled in parts of northern
South Asia about 1500 B.C. They developed a spoken language
called Sanskrit. The Aryans passed on their religious teachings
by word of mouth. Later, when Sanskrit became a written language, the Aryans’ traditions were recorded in holy writings
called the Vedas.
The Aryans were organized into four broad social groups
called varnas. Priests were at the highest level, followed by
warriors, farmers, and then servants. Over time, a caste system
157
Early History
Add facts about
Hinduism to the
diagram.
Hinduism
(continued)
Modern South Asia
(pages 630–632)
During the 1600s, English traders from the British East India
Company built trading posts and forts along the coast of India.
By the mid-1800s, the company had colonized much of India.
European ideas and practices were introduced, which the local
people resented. In 1857 Indian soldiers rebelled. The rebellion
was put down, and the British government took direct control
158
Chapter 23, Section 1
Copyright © by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
developed. A caste is a social group that someone is born into
and cannot change. A caste determines a person’s job and possible marriage partner.
The religions of Hinduism and Buddhism arose in South
Asia. Hindus worship many deities, which are all part of one
eternal spirit called Brahman. Hindus believe all souls want
to be reunited with Brahman. To do so, a soul goes through
a process called reincarnation, or being born into a new body
after dying. To make sure their next lives are better, Hindus
believe they must perform their caste’s duty, or dharma. The
effects of how a person lives are known as karma. Thus, if
Hindus do their duty, they will have good karma.
Buddhism arose in South Asia in the 500s B.C. It was founded
by a prince named Siddhartha Gautama, who was in search of
the truth. He became known as the Buddha, or “Enlightened
One.” The Buddha taught the Eightfold Path, which people
could follow to escape suffering and reach nirvana, or a state
of endless peace and joy. Buddhism won followers among the
poor and eventually spread to East Asia and Southeast Asia. In
India, Buddhist ideas merged with Hinduism, which remained
the major religion.
In the 300s B.C., the Mauryan Empire arose in South Asia.
Aśoka, the most famous Mauryan ruler, increased trade and
culture throughout the subcontinent. About 260 B.C., he became
a Buddhist and dedicated his life to peace.
About A.D. 320, Chandragupta I established the Gupta Empire
in northern India. This Hindu empire increased trade with other
parts of the world. Science, mathematics, medicine, and the arts
thrived. Gupta mathematicians developed the numerals 1 to 9
that we use today.
Muslim warriers known as Moguls established an empire in
South Asia in the early 1500s, which lasted until the early 1700s.
Akbar, the greatest Mogul ruler, added new lands, lowered taxes,
and treated his people fairly.
Modern South Asia
of India. The British brought some positive changes to the country, but taxes were heavy, local industries suffered, and famines
occurred.
By the early 1900s, independence movements were spreading
across South Asia. In India, Mohandas Gandhi protested British
rule through nonviolent civil disobedience—the refusal to obey
unjust laws using peaceful protests. Gandhi and his followers
boycotted, or refused to buy, British goods.
After World War II, Britain realized the need to give South
Asia its independence. Bitter divisions existed between Hindus
and Muslims, however. In 1947 India was divided into two
countries. The Hindu areas became India, and the Muslim areas
became East and West Pakistan. In 1971 East Pakistan declared
its independence and became the country of Bangladesh. Britain
gave Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) its independence in 1948. Maldives
became independent in 1965. Nepal and Bhutan have always
been free of European rule.
Religious and political conflicts continue to trouble South
Asia. Pakistan and India both claim and have fought wars over
Kashmir, a region in the Himalaya and Karakoram. Both countries
have nuclear weapons, which worries other countries. A civil
war that began in 1983 between the Sri Lankan government and
ethnic Tamils continues. Democratic groups forced Nepal’s king
to give up many political powers in 2006, but communist rebel
forces still control large areas of Nepal’s countryside.
What was the
British East India
Company?
Why was India
divided into two
countries?
Copyright © by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
(continued)
Wrap -Up
Answer these questions to check your understanding of the entire
section.
1. Defining What is a caste system, and how did one emerge in South Asia?
2. Explaining How did South Asia come to be dominated by the British?
Choose a law that you feel is unjust. On a separate sheet of paper,
write a letter to the editor to convince people to protest that law
through civil disobedience.
Chapter 23, Section 1
159