Unit-9: Southern & East Asia

Buddhism is most closely associated with a belief in reincarnation. Reincarnation is the belief that after death, an individual's soul is reborn into a new body. This concept is central to Buddhist teachings, as they believe in the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, known as samsara. Buddhists strive to break free from this cycle by achieving enlightenment and reaching nirvana. Other religions, such as Christianity and Islam, do not typically emphasize the belief in reincarnation. Shintoism, on the other hand, focuses more on ancestor worship and does not have a strong belief in reincarnation.

Hinduism is the correct answer because it is one of the oldest religions in the world and originated in the Indian subcontinent. It has its roots in the ancient Vedic traditions and has been practiced in India for thousands of years. Hinduism encompasses a wide range of beliefs and practices, including worship of various deities, rituals, and philosophical teachings. It has had a significant influence on the culture, art, and social structure of India.

The Indus River is not located in China. It is actually located in South Asia, flowing through India and Pakistan. The other three options, Gobi Desert, Huang He (Yellow River), and Yangtze (Chang Jiang) River, are all geographic features that can be found within China.

The Gobi Desert is located in China. It is a vast desert region that spans parts of northern and northwestern China, as well as southern Mongolia. It is known for its harsh and arid conditions, with extreme temperatures and limited vegetation. The Gobi Desert is an important geographic feature in China, contributing to its unique landscape and climate.

The Himalayan Mountains serve as a natural barrier between China and India. These mountains form a massive and imposing physical barrier that separates the two countries, making it difficult for people and goods to cross between them. The Himalayas are the highest mountain range in the world, with numerous peaks reaching over 8,000 meters in height. This rugged terrain, combined with extreme weather conditions, makes it challenging for any military or civilian movement, effectively acting as a natural boundary between China and India.

Cotton cloth is not an invention of China. While China is known for its early development of paper, gunpowder, and silk, cotton cloth was not originally invented in China. Cotton cultivation and the production of cotton cloth originated in the Indian subcontinent and later spread to other regions, including China.

Pakistani farmers can expect to receive adequate rainfall during the summer monsoons. Monsoons are characterized by heavy rainfall and occur when warm, moist air from the Indian Ocean moves towards land, bringing precipitation. In Pakistan, the summer monsoon season typically starts in June and lasts until September. This rainfall is crucial for agriculture as it provides the necessary water for crop growth and sustains the farming industry. Therefore, the summer monsoons are the time of year when Pakistani farmers can anticipate receiving the much-needed water for their crops.

China has to deal with the problem of flooding of the Huuang He (The Yellow River). Unlike Japan and South Korea, China faces the challenge of managing the frequent floods that occur in the Yellow River. The Yellow River is prone to flooding due to its high sediment load and the flat terrain it flows through. These floods can cause significant damage to infrastructure, agriculture, and human settlements in the affected areas. China has implemented various measures such as building dams and reservoirs to control the flooding, but it remains a persistent problem for the country.

Japan is an archipelago because it is made up of a chain of islands located in the Pacific Ocean. It consists of over 6,800 islands, with the four main islands being Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku. The country's geography and its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire make it prone to earthquakes and volcanic activity. Japan's archipelagic nature has influenced its culture, economy, and history, with a strong emphasis on fishing, maritime trade, and unique island traditions.

The United States would not be considered a part of the Pacific Rim because the term "Pacific Rim" refers to the countries and regions that surround the Pacific Ocean. While the United States does have states that are located along the Pacific coast, it is primarily considered a North American country rather than a Pacific Rim nation.

Buddhism was able to spread due to various factors such as the presence of trade routes, tolerant rulers, and its ability to blend with Hinduism. However, the end of the Silk Road did not hinder the spread of Buddhism as it had already established itself in various regions by that time. Therefore, the correct answer is that Buddhism's ability to blend with Hinduism did not contribute to its spread, as the two religions have distinct beliefs and practices.

The Huang He river is known as "China's Sorrow" because it experiences destructive flooding. These floods have caused immense devastation throughout history, leading to loss of life, destruction of crops, and displacement of people. The river's unpredictable nature and tendency to overflow its banks have earned it this nickname, highlighting the sorrow and hardship that the flooding brings to the region.

The Upanishads are considered texts of Hinduism. They are a collection of ancient philosophical texts that form the basis of Hindu philosophy. They explore various concepts such as the nature of reality, the self (Atman), and the ultimate reality (Brahman). Jainism, on the other hand, is a separate religion that originated in ancient India and has its own set of texts and beliefs. Therefore, the correct answer is Upanishads.

The pollution of the Ganges River can affect India, Indonesia, and Pakistan because the river flows through all three countries. It is a major source of water for drinking, irrigation, and bathing for millions of people. However, due to industrial waste, sewage, and other pollutants being dumped into the river, it has become heavily polluted. This pollution not only affects the water quality but also the surrounding ecosystems and the health of the people who rely on the river. Therefore, the pollution of the Ganges River is a significant environmental problem that can have wide-ranging impacts on these countries.

The Brahmaputra is a major Asian river that flows into the Bay of Bengal. It originates in the Himalayas and passes through several countries including India, China, and Bangladesh before reaching the Bay of Bengal. It is one of the largest rivers in the world and plays a significant role in the region's economy and ecology.

Arab traders reaching imperial China resulted in the creation of China's large Arab communities. This suggests that Arab traders settled in China and established communities, possibly due to the trade networks they established between the two regions. This answer implies that the Arab traders had a significant impact on the cultural and social fabric of China, leading to the formation of Arab communities within the country.

Many people in India depend upon coastlines for their livelihood. India has a long coastline that stretches along the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. This coastline provides various opportunities for livelihoods such as fishing, tourism, shipping, and port-related activities. Fishing is particularly important as it provides employment and a source of income for many coastal communities. Additionally, the coastal regions also attract tourists, contributing to the local economy. Therefore, the coastlines play a significant role in supporting the livelihoods of many people in India.

Myanmar is not an island nation located off the southeast coast of India. It is a country in Southeast Asia that shares borders with India, Bangladesh, China, Laos, and Thailand. Therefore, the correct answer is Sri Lanka, which is an island nation situated off the southeast coast of India in the Indian Ocean.