South Asia: History and Its Influence

World Cultures South and Southeast Asia South Asia: History and Its Influence
Students learn an overview of South Asian history from its earliest civilizations through independence and partition. Then they research one era of history to gain a greater understanding and share that knowledge with others. Finally, they explore what it might be like to live in one of the historical eras by writing a diary entry.

This learning experience is designed for device-enabled classrooms. The teacher guides the lesson, and students use embedded resources, social media skills, and critical thinking skills to actively participate. To get access to a free version of the complete lesson, sign up for an exploros account.

1:1 Devices
Teacher Pack

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Here are the teacher pack items for South Asia: History and Its Influence:

Preview - Scene 1
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Overview:

In this experience, students trace major periods in South Asian history from early civilizations through independence and Partition. They examine how trade, migration, empires, colonial rule, and resistance shaped the region over time, then research one historical period in greater depth and share their findings. Finally, students analyze photographs from Partition to explain how major political events can affect communities and everyday life.

In scene 3, students will work in small groups, each assigned a different history topic. Divide them into at least eight groups to cover all the topics.

Objectives:

  • Describe India’s early civilizations and trace the impact of Islam’s arrival on South Asia
  • Analyze British rule and the independence movement in South Asia
  • Describe the partition of India and Pakistan


Places are shaped by more than what is happening there today. Cities, borders, languages, religions, buildings, political systems, and relationships among groups can all reflect events that happened hundreds or even thousands of years earlier.

South Asia has experienced many periods of major change. Early civilizations developed along rivers and trade routes. Powerful kingdoms and empires rose and fell. Muslim rulers established states across parts of the region, European trading companies gained political power, and Britain eventually controlled most of the Indian subcontinent. During the twentieth century, movements for independence challenged British rule, and the end of colonial rule led to the creation of India and Pakistan.

These periods did not simply replace one another. Each left influences that became part of later societies.

In this experience, you will trace major periods in South Asian history and examine how migration, trade, empire, colonialism, independence, and partition influenced the region over time.

Objectives:

  • Describe India’s early civilizations and trace the impact of Islam’s arrival on South Asia
  • Analyze British rule and the independence movement in South Asia
  • Describe the partition of India and Pakistan


Front view of the Taj Mahal, a white marble mausoleum with a large central dome and four tall minarets, reflected in a long rectangular pool surrounded by formal gardens and visitors.

The Taj Mahal


What is one way an event from the past can continue to influence a place today?

Post your answer

After students respond, invite several students to explain the connection between the past event and its later influence.

Use the discussion to introduce the idea that historical influence can appear in many forms, including borders, government institutions, religions, languages, architecture, trade relationships, and cultural practices. Explain that students will trace several major periods of South Asian history and look for these kinds of connections.

Possible follow-up questions include:

  • Can a political decision continue to affect people after the leaders who made it are gone?
  • How can an empire leave cultural influences?
  • How can trade change a society over time?
  • What might remain after colonial rule ends?
  • How can a conflict change borders?
  • Why might historians study several different periods before trying to understand a place today?


When everyone is ready to continue, unlock the next scene.


End of Preview
The Complete List of Learning Experiences in South Asia Unit.
World Cultures South and Southeast Asia South Asia: Society and Culture
South Asia: Society and Culture
World Cultures South and Southeast Asia South Asia: Government and Economy
South Asia: Government and Economy
World Cultures South and Southeast Asia Religion and Its Influence: The Origins of Hinduism and Buddhism
Religion and Its Influence: The Origins of Hinduism and Buddhism
World Cultures South and Southeast Asia South Asia: History and Its Influence
South Asia: History and Its Influence
World Cultures South and Southeast Asia India: Population Challenges
India: Population Challenges
World Cultures South and Southeast Asia Unit Review
South Asia: Unit Review
World Cultures South and Southeast Asia South Asia: Geographic Passport
South Asia: Geographic Passport
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