SPEC – 110 ASIAN STUDIES
SOUTHERN ASIA REGION HANDOUTS
CHRISTAL A. DAMILES BSED – SOCIAL STUDIES II
MALDIVES REVIEWER
Geography:
 Island nation in the Indian Ocean,
southwest of Sri Lanka and India.
 Composed of 26 atolls with over 1,000 coral
islands.
 Capital City: Malé.
 Total Territory: Approximately 90,000 sq
km, land area of islands: 298 sq km.
Flag:
 Red: Represents the boldness of the nation.
 Green: Symbolizes wealth and peace.
 White Crescent Moon: Represents Islam,
the national religion.
Landforms: Island s:
 Fuvamulah: In Gnaviyani Atolls, known for
shark diving.
 Maafushi: One of the biggest islands with
4,000 residents.
 Vaadhoo: Famous for bioluminescent
plankton, occurs in late summer.
Waterforms: Lakes:
 Bandaara Kulhi: Largest freshwater lake
reserve, man-made for rainwater collection.
 Dhadimagi Kilhi: Second-largest lake by
volume, located in Dhadimagu ward.
Climate:
 Warm and humid tropical monsoon climate.
 Annual mean temperature: 28°C.
 Little temperature variation throughout the
year.
People:
 Maldivians, predominantly of Indo-Aryan
descent.
 Rich cultural heritage influenced by South
Asian, Arab, and African cultures.
 Population (2021): 521,457.
Language:
 Official language: Dhivehi.
 Written in Thaana script (unique to the
Maldives).
 Linguistic Minorities: Sinhalese, Gujarati,
Malayam, English.
Festivity:
 Eid al-Fitr: Three-day celebration with
prayers, family visits, and delicious food.
 Ramadan: Holy month of fasting, prayer,
reflection, and community.
 Eid al-Adha: Festival of sacrifice,
remembering Prophet Ibrahim's willingness
to sacrifice his son.
 Maldives National Day: Celebrates victory
over Portuguese occupation in 1573.
 Maldives Independence Day: July 26, marks
independence from the British Empire in
1965.
Landmarks:
 Hukuru Misky (Old Friday Mosque): One of
the oldest mosques in Maldives, located in
Male.
 Grand Friday Mosque: One of the largest
mosques in South Asia, known for
impressive architecture.
 Maldives Victory Monument:
Commemorates sailors who lost their lives
during the 1986 Maldivian coup attempt.
 Utheemy Ganduvaru: Historical site on
Utheemu Island, birthplace of Sultan
Mohamed Thakurufaanu.
Religion:
 Islam is the state religion.
 Sunni Islam, with beliefs in the oneness of
Allah, the Quran, prophets, Islamic law
(Sharia), daily prayers, fasting (Sawm),
charity (Zakat), pilgrimage (Hajj), and
respect for traditions.
Rituals:
 Bodu Beru: Traditional drumming and
dancing.
 Baiy Maafai: Ceremony for seeking the
bride's hand in marriage.
 Dhandi Jehun: Traditional dance with 30
participants.
 Fulhu Ehun: Ritual bath taken by the bride
and groom before the wedding ceremony.
Dresses: Women:
 Hedhun Buri: Casual attire, pleated skirts
with plain or flowery fabrics.
 Dhivehi Libaas: Oldest cultural dress with
intricate embroidery in bright colors.
 Dhiguhedhun (Faaskurihedhun): Commonly
worn for special occasions.
Men:
 Plain shirts and Mundu: Casual wear with
traditional sarong.
 Long-sleeved shirts and sarongs: Formal
attire for special occasions.
Practices: Cultural Practices:
 Language and Communication: Dhivehi
(official) and English.
 Traditional Music and Dance: "Bodu Beru"
drumming and dancing during celebrations.
Religious Practices:
 Islam: Official religion, mosques central to
religious life, Friday as the holy day.
 Social Practices: Emphasis on community
and family ties, significant social gatherings
and events.
Civilization:
 Early History: Settled around 1500 BCE,
Buddhism was dominant.
 Islamic Influence: Islam introduced in the
12th century, becoming the dominant
religion.
 Sultanates and Dynasties: Ruled by noble
sultanates and dynasties.
 European Colonial Influence:
Portuguese control in the 16th century.
 British Protectorate: Protectorate from 1887
to 1965, gained full independence.
 Modern Challenges: Faces challenges from
climate change, particularly rising sea
levels.
 Tourism Industry: Became a popular tourist
destination for its beaches, coral reefs, and
luxury resorts.
Colonialism:
 Portuguese Influence (1558-1573): First
Europeans, economic focus.
 Dutch Interest (17th Century): No lasting
presence.
 British Protectorate (1887-1965): Autonomy
with British suzerainty, independence in
1965.
 Independence (1965): Full independence
from British protection.
NEPAL REVIEWER
Geography:
 Landlocked country in South Asia.
 Bordered by China and India.
 Located in the Himalayas, containing eight
of the world’s ten highest peaks.
Flag:
 Red: Indicates the brave spirits of Nepalese
people.
 2 Triangles: Symbolizes the Himalaya
Mountains, Hinduism, and Buddhism.
 2 Pennants: Represents the hope for the
country's longevity.
Capital City:
 Kathmandu.
Size:
 Total area: 147,180 km².
Landforms:
 Himalayas: Northern part, least inhabited,
eight of the world's tallest mountains.
 Hills: South of the Himalayas, dense
forests.
 Terai Region: Southernmost, fertile
farmland, tropical climate.
Waterforms: Rivers:
 Karnali River: Longest and largest river in
Nepal.
 Koshi River: Transboundary river flowing
through China, Nepal, and India.
Lakes:
 Rara Lake: Largest lake at 4000 meters
above sea level.
 Gosaikunda: Alpine freshwater oligotrophic
lake in Langtang National Park.
Climate:
 Five seasons: spring, summer, monsoon,
autumn, and winter.
 Varies from cool in the north to hot in the
Brief south.
People:
 Nepalis under Nepali nationality law.
 Descendants of migrations from India, Tibet,
and central Asia.
 Major ethnic groups: Chhetri, Brahman,
Magar, Tharu, Newar, among others.
Language:
 Official language: Nepali (Gorkhali or
Khaskura).
Festivity:
 Dashain Festival: 15 days, widely
celebrated.
 Tihar Festival: 5 days, festival of lights,
worshipping Goddess Laxmi.
Landmarks:
 Mount Everest: World's highest peak.
 Pashupatinath Temple: Sacred Hindu
temple complex in Kathmandu.
 Lumbini: Birthplace of Siddhartha
Gautama, UNESCO World Heritage Site.
 Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple):
Ancient religious complex in Kathmandu
Valley.
Religion:
 Predominantly Hinduism, with a significant
Buddhist minority.
Beliefs and Rituals:
 Hindu and Buddhist rituals, daily puja,
pilgrimages, festivals like Dashain and
Tihar.
 Living Goddess Kumari: A young girl
believed to be the living incarnation of the
goddess Taleju.
Dresses: Traditional Dresses for Women:
 Kurta Suruwal: Long shirt and loose-fitting
trouser.
 Sari: Long cloth draped around the waist
with a blouse.
 Gunyo Cholo: Tight blouse and long skirt.
Traditional Dress for Men:
 Daura Suruwal: Knee-length shirt and
loose-fitting trouser.
 Dhaka Topi: Traditional Nepalese cap.
 Dhoti: Wrapped around the hips as a
substitute for trousers.
Practices:
 Tantric traditions with the practice of animal
sacrifices.
 Acceptable animals for sacrifice: water
buffalo, goats, sheep, chickens, ducks.
  Cows are sacred and not considered  Indus River: Longest, crucial for
acceptable for sacrifice. agriculture and economy.
Civilization: Ancient Periods (Before 500 CE):  Jhelum River: Major tributary of the
 Kirats among the earliest inhabitants. Indus.
 Licchavi Dynasty (4th century CE) saw  Chenab River: Flows through India
flourishing art, culture, and trade. Medieval and Pakistan.
Period (500 CE – 1768 CE):  Ravi River: Joins the Chenab.
 Malla Dynasty (13th century) fragmented  Lakes:
political power, artistic achievements.  Manchar Lake: Largest freshwater
Unification under the Shah Dynasty lake.
(1743 – 1768):  Saiful Muluk: Alpine lake in Kaghan
 Prithvi Narayan Shah unified various Valley.
principalities in 1768. Shah Dynasty and Landforms:
Rana Rule (1768 – 1951):  Mountain Ranges:
 Shah dynasty ruled; Rana period (1846-  Himalayan Range: Includes K2.
1951) saw prime ministers holding power.  Hindu Kush Range: West of
Democratization and Modernization Himalayas, rugged terrain.
(1951 – Present):  Karakoram Range: Glaciers,
 Constitutional monarchy in 1951, Nepal world's tallest peaks, including K2.
became a federal democratic republic in  Plateaus:
2008.  Balochistan Plateau: Arid terrain,
Colonialism: rugged mountains.
 Unique for not being formally colonized  Deserts:
during the era of European colonial  Thar Desert: World’s 17th-largest
expansion. desert.
 Faced external pressures; clashed with  Plains:
British East India Company in the Anglo-  Punjab Plains: Fertile, along the
Nepalese War (1814-1816). Indus River.
 Treaty of Sugauli resulted in territorial  Sindh Plains: Flat, vital for
concessions for Nepal. agriculture.
 Nepal retained independence, existing in a Climate:
geopolitical context influenced by the British  Temperate zone, diverse climate.
Empire.  Dry and hot near the coast, cooler in the
northern uplands and Himalayas.
PAKISTAN REVIEWER People:
Geography:  Pakistanis.
 South Asian country.  Diverse ethnicity, culture, and language.
 Coastline along the Arabian Sea and the  Ethnic groups: Punjabis, Sindhis, Pashtuns,
Gulf of Oman. Baloch, etc.
 Bordered by Afghanistan, China, India, and Language:
Iran.  Official language: Urdu.
 Diverse geography: Thar Desert, Hindu Festivity:
Kush, Pamir mountain ranges.  Eid ul-Fitr: End of Ramadan, prayers,
Flag: festive meals.
 Known as the “Flag of The Star and  Eid ul-Adha: Festival of Sacrifice,
Crescent.” significant religious festival.
 Green and White: Peace and prosperity.  Independence Day (14th August):
 Crescent: Symbolizes progress. Commemorates independence from British
 Star: Represents light and knowledge. rule.
Capital City: Landmarks:
 Islamabad.  Badshahi Mosque (Lahore):
Size: Commissioned by Aurangzeb, 2nd largest
 881,913 square kilometers. mosque in Pakistan.
 33rd largest country by area.  Faisal Mosque (Islamabad): Largest
Waterforms: mosque, iconic symbol.
 Arabian Sea Coast: Notable ports like Cultural Aspects:
Karachi and Gwadar.  Rich cultural heritage, diverse landscapes.
 Rivers:  Historical sites, UNESCO World Heritage
Sites.
  Delicious cuisine: Biryani, kebabs, naan.  Creation of Pakistan, legacy of
 Contributions to music, art, literature. colonialism.
 Warm hospitality, natural beauty.  Modern Pakistan (1947–present):
Religion:  Periods of military rule, democratic
 Islamic Republic. governance, conflicts with India.
 Islam as the official religion. Colonialism:
Beliefs:  Mughal Decline and Arrival of European
 Monotheism (Tawhid). Powers.
 Prophethood (Risalah).  British East India Company.
 Revelation (Wahy).  Direct British Rule.
 Judgment Day (Qiyamah).  Impact on Pakistan’s Territory and Society.
 Predestination (Qadar).  Economic Exploitation.
Rituals:  Educational Reforms.
 Salat (Prayer).  Nationalism and Independence Movement.
 Fasting (Sawm) during Ramadan.  Partition and Creation of Pakistan (1947).
 Zakat (Charity).  Legacy of Colonialism.
 Hajj (Pilgrimage to Mecca).  Post-Independence Challenges.
 Eid Celebrations.
 Jummah (Friday) Prayers. SRI LANKA REVIEWER
 Dua (Supplication). Geography:
 Recitation of Quran.  Island nation in the Indian Ocean.
 Islamic Education.  Southeast coast of the Indian subcontinent.
 Sadaqah (Voluntary Charity).  Known as Ceylon before 1972.
Dresses: Traditional Dresses for Women: Flag:
 Sari.  Represents Buddhist virtues and Sinhalese
 Lehenga Choli. ethnicity.
 Anarkali Suit.  Bo Leaves: Symbolize Buddhism's virtues.
Traditional Dress for Men:  Kastane Sword: Signifies authority, bravery.
 Sherwani.  Golden Lion: Represents Sinhalese
 Peshawari Kameez. ethnicity.
Traditional Dress for Both:  Colors: Gold (Buddhism), Green (Muslim),
 Shalwar Kameez. Orange (Hindu), Maroon (Sinhalese).
 Ajrak and Sindhi Topi. Capital City:
Practices:  Colombo.
 Festivals and Celebrations. Size:
 Weddings: Grand affairs with multiple  Shaped like a teardrop.
ceremonies.  About 255 miles north to south, 135 miles
 Music and Dance: Qawwali, classical music, east to west.
folk dances.  Total land area: 25,300 square miles.
Civilization: Landforms:
 Indus Valley Civilization (circa 3300–1300  Varied coastline with beaches.
BCE):  Central Highlands: Sri Pada, Knuckles
 Advanced urban planning, sewage Mountain Range.
systems.  Pidurutalagala: Tallest peak.
 Achaemenid and Mauryan Empires (circa  Plateaus: Horton Plains, Maskeliya Plateau.
6th–3rd century BCE):  Valleys: Fertile areas for agriculture.
 Gandhara region, early Buddhist Waterforms:
history.  Mahaweli River: Longest river.
 Gupta and Kushan Empires (circa 4th–  Kelani River: Important for Colombo.
6th century CE):  Waterfalls: Bambarakanda, Diyaluma,
 Cultural and artistic heritage. Ravana Falls.
 Islamic Empires (circa 8th–19th century Climate:
CE):  Tropical with distinct wet and dry seasons.
 Arrival of Islam, various Muslim People:
empires.  Sri Lankans.
 British Colonial Period (1858–1947):  Ethnically and culturally diverse.
 British Raj, economic exploitation,  Majority: Sinhalese (75%).
educational reforms. Language:
 Partition and Independence (1947):  Official languages: Sinhala and Tamil.
Festivity:
 Sinhala & Tamil New Year.
 Vesak: Birth, enlightenment, and passing
away of Lord Buddha.
 Duruthu Perahera: Commemorates
Buddha's first visit.
 Deepavali (Diwali): Festival of lights.
Landmarks:
 Sigiriya Rock Fortress.
 Temple of the Tooth Relic (Kandy).
 Dambulla Cave Temple.
 Polonnaruwa.
 Anuradhapura.
Religion:
 Buddhism (70.2%).
 Hinduism (12.6%).
 Islam (9.7%).
 Christianity (7.4%).
Beliefs:
 Theravada Buddhism.
 Hinduism with diverse traditions.
 Islam (mainly Sunni).
 Christianity (Catholicism, Protestantism).
 Indigenous beliefs in rural communities.
Rituals:
 Offerings, prayers, and meditation across
religions.
 Buddhist rituals: Pirith Ceremony, Vesak.
 Hindu rituals: Temple worship, Pongal.
 Islamic rituals: Daily prayers, Ramadan.
 Christian rituals: Church services,
sacraments.
Dresses:
 Traditional clothing for men and women in
Sinhalese, Tamil, and Muslim communities.
Practices:
 Buddhism central to culture.
 Traditional dance and music.
 Sinhala and Tamil New Year celebrations.
 Vesak Festival.
 Deepavali (Diwali) celebrations.
 Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha.
Civilization:
 Ancient, Medieval, Colonial, Independence,
and Post-War periods.
 Anuradhapura Kingdom, Polonnaruwa
Kingdom.
 Colonial rule by Portuguese, Dutch, and
British.
 Independence in 1948.
 Civil war (1983–2009) and post-war
reconciliation.