Introduction

Look at the title of this lesson, The Jewel of India. What do you think that expression means? Is it referring to a precious stone such as a diamond or emerald, or is it referring to something that serves as a symbol of the nation?

Now, look at the picture below. Do you recognize it? Why do you think this building was constructed? What do you think it was to be used for? Approximately when was it built? Look at the architecture. Does it resemble building examples from our study of the Renaissance and Reformation or is it different?

Image of the Taj Mahal

This is a picture of the Taj Mahal in Agra, India. The Taj Mahal was named a world heritage site in 1983. It is known as one of the most beautiful and revered (admired) buildings in the world. In fact, it is estimated that more than 3 million people visit it each year. You are now going to watch two short films that will explain the questions that were asked above. From this you will be able to learn the five Ws about the Taj Mahal:

  • What is it?
  • Who built it?
  • When was it built?
  • Where was it built?
  • Why was it built and why is it important to Indian society?

Image of the Taj Mahal

 

Lesson Objectives

Following successful completion of this lesson, students will be able to:

  • Explain the relationship between physical geography and cultural development in India, Africa, Japan, and China in the early Global Age, including trade and travel, natural resources, and movement and isolation of peoples and ideas.
  • Depicting the general location of, size of, and distance between regions in the early Global Age Example: drawing sketch maps

The above objectives correspond with the Alabama Course of Study: World History: 1500 to the Present Objective(s): 4, 4A.

This lesson incorporates the following Literacy Standard(s):

 

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