Weekly Online Lesson Online Lesson Archive Grade Level: 7-10 Subject: Social Studies

India

India is in the news this last week of January, 2001. On January 24, millions of Hindu pilgrims gathered at Allahabad on the banks of the River Gandes. Worshipers at the Maha Kumbh Mela festival dipped their bodies into the river, scooping the water up in their hands and pouring it over their heads — a ceremonious washing away of their sins. By the time the six-week festival ends, an estimated 70 million people will have participated in the ritual.

Just two days later on January 26, a massive 7.9 magnitude earthquake rocked cities and towns in Gujarat, a western Indian state. The earthquake struck on Republic Day, a national holiday commemorating the signing of India's constitution. The quake shook the earth for more than 1,200 miles and was felt in Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan.

The quake was devastating and deadly. By the weekend the death toll had surpassed 13,000, according to federal emergency officials, with more than 33,000 people injured. Estimates of how much higher the death toll would go range from 20,000 to 30,000. Rescue teams, equipment, medical supplies, and aid are pouring in from all around the world in a massive relief effort.

This week's online lesson is about India, its regions and geography, its people and festivals. You will also learn more about the people now suffering in the aftermath of a terrible natural disaster.

Land and People of India

Since the Republic of India is a country many westerners are unfamiliar with, it may be helpful to begin your weekly lesson by visiting India: Land and People. This excellent overview presents basic information about India — certainly enough to set the stage for the rest of the lesson. A similar overview of India can be found at the Encarta site. Which countries border India? What is its population, and what is the only country in the world with a larger population? What are the major religions of India?

Like many countries, India is a nation of individual states. You can see an illustration of India's 26 states and 6 union territories at the Ministry of Tourism site. Click any state on the map to learn about it. Specifically, read about Uttar Pradesh, the state where the ancient city of Allahabad is located, Gujarat, epicenter of the January 26th earthquake, and Delhi, the capital of India.

Festivals, Customs and Ceremonies

India is one of the most diverse places on earth in every respect. Accordingly, a wide range of religious and ethnic festivals and celebrations take place there each year. Explore some of them by visiting Indian Culture Online. At this page click any of the eight religions listed, and then click the name of a religious festival you want to learn about.

Perhaps because it is not an annual festival, Maha Kumbh Mela — which means "The Great Festival of Elixir" — is not among the festivals described at Indian Culture Online. But an excellent place online where you can learn about this event is Welcome to Mahakumbhmela. When the site opens, read the introduction. How often does the festival take place? What do people wear? Next, click History and Mythology to learn about the mythological origins of the festival.

Agony on Republic Day

The death toll continues to rise in Gujarat as rescue workers tirelessly search the rubble for survivors of India's worst earthquake in 50 years. Read about the devastation from the Newsweek article, "India Quake: Nothing Between Earth and Sky." Why was the damage so extensive and the death toll so high? Which city was hardest hit? Images of the quake can be seen at CNN's Earthquake Gallery interactive site.

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