PRESENT DAY DELHI

SULTANATE
COUNTRIES
Ismail Umar
Map of the Delhi Sultanate
Countries
India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan

Geography of India
Occupies most of the Indian Subcontinent in Southern Asia
One third the size of the USA
Borders on China in the northeast, Pakistan on the west, Nepal
and Bhutan on the north, and Burma and Bangladesh on the
east
Geography can be divided into three major groups: Northern,
Indo-Gangetic Plain and Southern
North is mountainous, Indo-Gangetic Plain is where most
agriculture takes place, and Southern is the plateau region
Three great river systems: The Ganges, the Indus, and the
Brahmaputra
All have extensive deltas and all rise up into the Himalayas

Demographics
Population: 1,236,344,631
Total dependency ratio: 51.8%
Median age (male and female): 27 years
Population growth rate: 1.25%
Gender ratio: 1.08 males/female
Geography of Pakistan
On the Western part of the Indian Subcontinent
China on the north, Iran on the west, India on the east,
and Arabian Sea on the south
The Indus River (1000 miles long) flows through the
country from the Kashmir region to the Arabian Sea
Northern and Western highlands contain the Karakoram
and Pamir mountain ranges, which contain some of the
worlds largest peaks
K2 and Nanga Parbat are examples
Pakistan is nearly twice the size of California


Demographics
Population: 196,174,380
Total dependency ratio: 60.4%
Median Age (male and female): 22.6 years
Population growth rate: 1.49%
Gender ratio: 1.06 males/female
Geography of Bangladesh
Northern coast of the Bay of Bengal
Surrounded by India
Small common border with Myanmar in the southeast
Many branches of the Ganges and Brahmaputra Rivers
pass through the country
Slightly smaller than the state of Iowa


Demographics
Population: 166,280,712
Total dependency ratio: 52.2%
Median age (male and female): 24.3 years
Population growth rate: 1.6%
Gender ratio: 0.95 males/female
Geography of Afghanistan
Bordered on the north by Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and
Tajikistan
On the extreme northeast by China
On the east and south by Pakistan
Split East to West by Hindu Kush mountain range
Approximately the size of Texas


Demographics
Population: 31,822,848
Total dependency ratio: 93.1%
Median age (male and female): 18.1 years
Population growth rate: 2.29%
Gender ratio: 1.03 males/female
Culture/Administration of India
Among the worlds oldest cultures, dating back about 5,000
years
Over 400 languages spoken, with the country being divided
into 28 states and 7 territories
Food: Arab, Turkish and European influences utilizing several
different herbs and spices
Many Hindus are vegetarians, but lamb and chicken are the
common choices of meat for non-vegetarians
India has a dance tradition that is more than 2,000 years old
Traditional clothing for women is the sari, with men wearing
dhotis, or kurtas
Government is a federal republic with two legislative bodies
Executive branch of the government has a chief of state and a
head of government
Culture/Administration of Pakistan
Official language is Urdu, with English, Punjabi, Sindhi, Pushto,
Balochi, Saraiki being commonly spoken
Like Indian cuisine, Pakistani cuisine is also influenced by
Turkish, Arab and European cuisine
Spices are greatly used
The use of ghee or clarified butter is common
The country observes Muslim law, which is why alcohol and
pork is illegal
Islamic holidays such as Eid are observed
Traditional clothing is shalwar kameez
Government consists of a Prime minister, president and a
Parliament with the senate being the upper house and National
assembly being the lower house

Culture/Administration of Bangladesh
Formerly known as East Pakistan
Primary language is Bangla, and is divided into sadhu basha
(formal language) and cholit basha (common language)
Popular foods include rice, fish, and vegetables cooked in a
spicy curry sauce
Food is normally consumed with the right hand, but restaurant
catering to foreigners may use silverware
Traditional dress for men is the lungi and for women it is the
sari
Clothes can indicate status in a society, with white clothes on a
man indicating high status. For a woman, an intricate sari
indicated high status
Government consists of a president, prime minister and a
unicameral (one house) parliament
Prime minister is appointed by president
Culture/Administration of Afghanistan
Official languages are Persian and Pushto
Educated and urban people prefer to speak Persian
Afghan good is generally less spicy than the cuisine belonging
to other countries in the subcontinent
Yoghurt, meat stock, flatbread, dried fruits and nuts are the
foundation of Afghan cuisine
Tea is drunk throughout the day
On special occasions, pulao is served with mutton, dried fruits,
carrots and nuts
The country follows Islamic law, so only meat slaughtered
according to Islamic rules can be eaten
The Taliban has control over the country, which is why it takes
no part in official trade
The government is only recognized by Pakistan, the UAE and
Saudi Arabia
Society/Religion of India
The country is divided into 28 states and 7 territories
People are primarily divided into two different ethnicities:
Aryan and Dravidian
About 84% of the population is Hindu
Many Hindu sects exist, such as Shaiva, Vaishnava,
Shakteya, and Smarta
13% of the population is Muslim. This makes India one of
the largest Islamic nations in the world
Very few Christians and Sikhs, and even fewer Jains and
Buddhists
The caste system is the foundation of Indian society

Society/Religion of Pakistan
4 major provinces/ethnicities (though it is argued that
more than 4 exist)
Approximately 95% of the population is Muslim, with a
very small amount of Christians, Buddhists, Hindus and
Parsis
All Muslim holidays and days of worship are observed
(Ex: Eid Milad-Un-Nabi and Ramzan)
No caste system exists
Low literacy rates and child labor are prominent issues


Society/Religion of Bangladesh
In 1947, many Hindus moved to West Bengal, and millions of
Muslims went to East Pakistan (Bangladesh) which led to
conflict
Nowadays, Muslims and Hindus for the most part live in
harmony
Class system exists, both in Muslim and Hindu societies
In the Muslim societies, ashraf is the name given to upperclass
Muslims descended from Muslim officials in Afghanistan. The
rest of the people are known was atraf
In rural areas, the amount of land and education one has
dictates social stature
The life of most women is centered around their children, and
the household
Two female Prime Ministers since 1991
Society/Religion of Afghanistan
Dominant Muslim role is present in the country
The country recognizes the authority of the Quran
Tensions between different sects (Sunni, Shia, Sufi etc.)
exist
Artistic expression has been banned by the Taliban
Literacy is almost non existent, with only 22 percent of the
adult population having received any form of formal
education
Interaction between males and females outside the family
is nearly nonexistent, and is highly frowned upon

Architecture of India
There are 8 historic types of cities and towns: ancient
pilgrimage centers, local market towns, medieval fortified
towns, ancient seaports, military centers originally set up
by the British, modern administrative centers, industrial
centers, and large modern-day metropolises
Indian architecture like Indian cuisine shows Persian,
Turkic and Arabic influences
Large temples showing influence from different religions
such as Islam, Christianity, Hinduism and Sikhism is
apparent
The Taj Mahal is one of the most popular examples of
Islamic architecture present in India
Architecture of Pakistan
The relative newness of Islamabad the capital is the
reason for it having relatively modern architecture
Rawalpindi, which is right next to Islamabad is almost
3000 years old, and has kept its historical look
Lahore is another well known area, which is about 4000
years old and was the cultural center for the Mughal
Empire
Some of the famous buildings and parks of Pakistan are
the Shalimar Gardens, Minar-e-Pakistan, and Faisal
masjid


Architecture of Bangladesh
Village houses are usually rectangular, and are made of
dried mud, bamboo or red brick
Usually, kitchens are separate structures made from mud
or bamboo, and are referred to as rana ghor
Most are built on top of a platform to keep them above the
flood line
Mughal and Islamic influences are found in the cities
Curved arches and minarets are examples

Architecture of Afghanistan
Several historical places such as Herat and Ghazni are
present, but after so many years of war, their preservation
is considered to be important
Most towns and cities are in ruins, and the concept of
reconstruction is virtually unknown
High walls and multi-storied houses made of mud and
straw are popular in the south and center
In the North, the compounds are smaller and much
stronger
Houses are built in a way that the private and public parts
are separated so that women may not come in contact
with strangers
Trade and Commerce in India
Major trading partners are Russia, the US, the UK and
Germany
Economy is based on agriculture
The major industries are tourism, clothing, tea, and coffee
A recent rise in the computer software industry has also
been noted



Trade and Commerce in Pakistan
Major exports include cotton, rice, leather goods, carpets,
handicrafts and food
Major imports are vehicles, iron ore, petrol, and industrial
equipment
International trade partners: US, Hong Kong, Japan,
Germany, UK, and UAE
48% of workers in service sector, 25 in agriculture and 27
in industry

Trade and Commerce in Bangladesh
Total exports in 1996: $4.4 billion
Primary export items: fish, garments, and textiles
Total imports: $7.1 billion
Main items for import: capital goods, grains, petrol, and
chemicals
Agriculture accounts for about 25% of the GDP

Trade and Commerce in Afghanistan
The government is not recognized by the international
community, which is why international trade may not take
place
Wool, dry fruits and fresh fruits are exported to Pakistan,
UAE and Saudi Arabia, but the major portion of
Afghanistans exports is narcotics such as hash and
heroin
Goods such as cars, ACs, TVs, and radios are imported
(tax free) through Pakistan
These products then get smuggled to other countries

Economy of India
Highest amount of workers in the farming/agricultural
sector
GDP per capita is approx. $1,500
Annual inflation is approx. 9%
Plantation crops like tea, coffee, and rubber are very
important as they attract foreign investment
Economy of Pakistan
GDP per capita is approx. $1,300
About 35% of Pakistanis live below the poverty line
Relies heavily on foreign loans
The sale of handicrafts is popular, and it makes up a large
percentage of commercial sales
Economy of Bangladesh
One of the poorest countries in the world
Per capita GNP of only $350
75% of workforce focuses on agriculture

Economy of Afghanistan
Wheat is the principal crop
Cotton used to be a major sash crop, but the Taliban have
converted agricultural land to poppy cultivation for heroin
Pretty much all manufactured goods have to be imported
The economy depends on smuggled goods, and no
definitive statistics for GDP or GNP exist
Sources
http://www.indexmundi.com/pakistan/demographics_profile.html
http://www.indexmundi.com/india/demographics_profile.html
http://www.indexmundi.com/bangladesh/demographics_profile.html
http://www.indexmundi.com/afghanistan/demographics_profile.html
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http://www.infoplease.com/country/pakistan.htm
http://www.infoplease.com/country/india.html
http://www.infoplease.com/country/bangladesh.html
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http://geography.about.com/library/cia/blcbangladesh.htm
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