The Indian Sub-Continent Since 1947 Pakistan & India

Independence The sub-continent was “partitioned” prior to independence to avoid a civil war between the Hindus & the Muslims The areas with a Hindu majority became India with Jawaharlal Nehru serving as the first Prime Minister beginning August 15, 1947 The 2 areas with Muslim majorities became Pakistan with Muhammad Ali Jinnah as Prime Minister August 15, 1947

India India is the world’s largest democracy, 2 nd most populous country in the world After independence the nation had many problems to deal with 1.Angry Hindus felt that too much had been given up to Pakistan, led to the assassination of the Mahatma 2.Border disagreements with Pakistan- last to this day in Kashmir & the Siachen Glacier-both nations have nuclear weapons now

India Cont’d 3.Developing a strong economy- The Green Revolution of the 1960s helped India develop stronger crops & feed the population with fewer farmers 4.Terrorism- Several groups have operated within India, Sikhs (religious minority) & the Tamil Tigers in Southern India fought until recently, Al Qaida & the Taliban have launched attacks in the last 5 years

1 st Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru served as Prime Minister from His leadership stressed democracy, unity, & economic modernization The 1950 Constitution outlawed the untouchables within the Caste System

Indian Leadership Indira Gandhi-Nehru’s daughter- served four terms as Prime Minister between She was assassinated by her Sikh body guards in retaliation for an attack on the Golden Temple at Amritsar

Indian Leadership Cont’d Rajiv Gandhi took over as Prime Minister after his mother’s assassination in 1984 Lost power in 1989 after accusations of corruption Killed by a car bomb while campaigning in 1991

Pakistan Muhammad Ali Jinnah serves as first Prime Minister of Pakistan from

Pakistan Cont’d West Pakistan had the capitol, Islamabad & all government offices East Pakistan had a majority of the population but was virtually ignored by the central government The only link between the 2 regions was religion

Bangladesh

Sri Lanka Sri Lanka gained independence in February % of the population are Buddhist Sinhalese 25% are Hindu Tamils Tamil Tigers just surrendered in 2009 ending the civil war The Sri Lankan government is trying to figure out how to reintegrate the rebel fighters into society

Nepal The one of the newest democratic republics in the world June 1, 2001 Crown Prince Dipendra killed most of the royal family in a drunken rage The King’s brother Gyanendra became king He abolished the parliament in 2005 Parliament was re-established in 2006 The monarchy was abolished in May 2008

Afghanistan Dominated by Britain & Russia during the 19 th century Became an independent nation with a monarchy in 1919 after the British left 1964 attempted to develop a democratic government but groups could not agree on reforms

Afghanistan cont’d 1973 Military coup overthrows the king 1978 Communists overthrow the military Afghanis felt communism conflicted with Islam 1979 USSR invades Afghanistan to support communists U.S. supports the mujahedeen fighting against the USSR & communists 1989 USSR pulls out of Afghanistan

Civil War Several groups fight for control of Afghanistan 1998 Conservative Islamic extremists the Taliban control 90% of the country Northern Alliance is the only rival left to fight them Society changed overnight- women no longer allowed to work or go to school, women must wear burkas in public, music, dancing, TV, & movies are outlawed