INDIABy: Gracie Roberts

Intro to India

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=B_SXNcqugcI

History of India • The Mughal Empire began to crumble

down in the 16th Century• The Empire became England’s territory• The Rebellion War took place to see

who would rule the area• England won the battle • Victoria (Empress of India) named the

land “India,” which means beauty

Fun Facts •The Bengal Tiger is India’s national animal •Snakes and Ladders was invented in India•The national bird of India is the peacock•The national flower is the Lotus flowers•The national fruit is mango•The national tree is the Banyan Tree•The National currency is Rupee•Cows are considered sacred and will not be harmed in any way•India is the largest English speaking country in the world•Many people in India are vegetarians

Religions of India Hindu• Hindus believe in many gods• The “stories” about these gods are written

in a book called Rig Veda, in forms of poems• Hindus believe in reincarnation Buddhism• India heard about Buddha from Prince

Siddhartha Gautama • Buddhists believe that if you’re a good

person you will be free of reincarnation and achieve nirvana

• Nirvana is forever happiness Muslim• The Muslim religion came to India from

Saudi Arabia• The Muslim’s are divided into different

sections, the Sunni’s and the Shia’s • Muslims are 12% of the population

Caste System • The caste system was originally

designed to create a sense of order and peace among the people of India but does not do so today.

1. Brahmin are at the very top of the cast system. They consist of people engaged in scriptural education and teaching

2. Kshatriya consists of people in all forms of public service, including administration, maintenance of law & order, & defense

3. The Vaishya are businessmen4. Last of the caste system are the Shudra,

who are the semi-skilled & unskilled laborers

• Outside of the caste system are the untouchables

DRESS•Indian clothing is very bright, colorful, and features beautiful embellishments & embroidery•Mumbai, formerly known as Bombay, is the fashionable capital of India

Dhoti Kurta: The traditional Indian clothing of men is an unstitched piece of cloth that is tied around the waist and legs. The Kurta is a long loose shirt, which falls just above the knee

Sari: A sari is a strip of unstitched cloth that is draped over the body in various styles. The most common way to wear a sari is by wrapping it around the waist, with one end, then draping it over the shoulder baring the mid section

Culture •Hindi, Urda & Bengali are the most common languages in India •Women are allowed to shake hands with other women, but rarely shake men’s hands due to religious beliefs•Indians typically eat with their hands and always use their right hand while eating•Arranged marriages and dowries are still well practiced •India has the largest film industry in the world and Bollywood is part of that •Henna is a typical form of body art practiced in India and often has religious meaning

Women in India • Women in India are not well

respected.• Indian society is male

dominated and many still look down on women.

• In India the men outnumber the women by 40 million.

• Sometimes female fetuses are aborted, killed after they are born, or taken to an orphanage.

• Arranged marriages and dowries still take place.

• Today a dowry is more of a “bride-price” system.

India’s Economy• India is the 5th best country in the world that

has the fastest business growth• India’s economy has recently been fueled by

strong performance in farm production & growing consumer spending

• India is expected to be the 2nd largest manufacturing country in the next 5 years

• India’s large service industry accounts for 57.2% of the country’s GDP

• The industrial & agricultural sectors account for 28.6% and 14.6%

• Agriculture accounts for 52% of employment in rural India

• Agriculture products include: rice, wheat, tea, potatoes, sugar cane, & cattle

• The labor force totals 500 million workers

Indian Cuisine

•India’s cuisine is well known for being one of the world’s spiciest foods•The majority of people use Basmati rice as their staple of food•Cuisine varies in different regions of India•Many of the higher caste Hindus are vegetarian and avoid eggs•Lower caste Hindus usually eat any meat except beef•Lamb, chicken, & fish are most commonly served •Common Ingredients: Meat, apricots, melons, peaches, plums, and yogurt

Bollywood Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Wx2NV_s69A