6. How long has the sitar been used in India?
7. What does the dot between the eyes of Indian women represent?
Introduction
Although the world is
constantly changing, now more than ever, many cultures still exhibit
traits similar to those of ancient times. India is not exempt from this
transformation. With modernization knocking on the front door, India has still managed to proudly display
its rich cultural past. How has India maintained its heritage in
regard to food, religion, music, and society?
Guiding Question
Given India's rich culture, what
aspects of India's ancient culture have managed to prevail
throughout
the centuries?
Questions
1. What was the major
commonality shared by the Indus Valley inhabitants (3000BC-1200BC) and
the ancient Egyptians?
2. What are some
possible reasons for the decline of the Indus Valley Civilization?
3. Name the major
gods/goddesses of ancient India.
4. What does India
celebrate during the "Festival of Lights"?
5. What is the "sitar"
and what does the word mean?
6. How long has the
sitar been used in India?
7. What does the dot
between the eyes of Indian women represent?
8. What is a dowry?
Describe a typical courtship and marriage in India.
9. Explain the caste system in India.
10. Who are India's "untouchables"?
11. Has anyone tried to
fight the caste system? What happened?
12. What is the predominant religion in India?
13. Who was the founder of this religion? Describe its major tenets.
14. What was the situation between Great Britain and India?
15. How did India gain
its independence from Great Britain?
16. What does the Hindu
population of India predominantly rely on for food? Describe the
typical dishes and any food related to holidays.
17. What is correlation
between religion and the typical Indian diet?
18. What inferences can
be made about the Hindu followers' diet and India's
problems with over-population?
19. What are the major
issues in the conflict between India and Pakistan? 
20. What does the future hold for the people of India?
Internet Resources
Indian Music-The Sitar
The Ancient Egyptians/Indus Valley
Indus
Valley Civilization
Gods,
Goddesses, Myths and Legends
Diwali-A
Festival of Lights
Orgins of the Sitar
The
Bindi(Dot)
Dowry
Caste
System
Untouchables
Anti-Caste
Major Religions
Founder
of Hinduism
Tenets
of Hinduism
The Unification
of India?
India-Pakistan:Troubles
Relations
Independence
The Hindu Diet
No Meat
Policy
Holiday
Food
Overpopulation
and Reasons
The
Faces of India's Future
Activities
1.
Draw a map showing the location of major cities, rivers/lakes, and
mountain ranges.
2. Research and describe India's contemporary caste system.
3. Choose an ordinary citizen in a city or village and create a "Day in
the Life" journal.
4. Find three primary sources describing England's occupation of India
from the British point of view and the Indian point of view.
5. Imagine yourself as a newspaper correspondent sent to document
India's population issue. Write a newspaper article describing the
issue.
6. Create a timeline sequencing the major events between approx.
1000BCE to present, charting only major religious and historical events.
7. Identify the different points of view involved in the conflict
between Indian and Pakistan.
8. Identify the multiple causes and effects of India's population growth.
9. Make a chart that compares the ideas of Hinduism with those of
Buddhism.