1. Independent nations of South Asia
Chapter 31
Section 1

2. Hindus and Muslims
1940’s tension between Hindus and Muslims led to violence
British decided to partition (divide) India into two countries
India- Hindu majority
Pakistan-Muslim majority

3. After independence Muslims fled to Pakistan and Hindus fled to India
Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs (another religious group attacked and killed each other
India and Pakistan fought over Kashmir (a state in the North)
Both countries developed nuclear weapons

4. Nehru In Sri Lanka-Tamil rebels fought for an independent Tamil nation
Jawaharlal Nehru-was India’s first prime minister
He tried to improve the economy and the treatment of dalits (outcastes)

5. Nehru’s daughter became Prime minister
Indira Gandhi
In 1984 Sikhs occupied the Golden Temple
They wanted independence for the state of Punjab
Indira had troops sent in, Sikhs were killed and Gandhi's own body guard who were Sikhs killed her.

6. Later Indira Gandhi's son Pajiv Gandhi would also become Prime minister and be assassinated by religious fanatics

7. Pakistan
A thousand miles separated East Pakistan from West Pakistan, west Pakistan controlled the government
In 1971 Bengals called for a new government in east Pakistan called Bangladesh, India supported the rebels
Pakistan was forced to recognize Bangladesh as an independent country

8. Pakistan Has been politically unstable
Islamic fundamentalist want a separation between religion and government
The fundamentalist gained power
India and Pakistan organized a conference of independent states
Non-alignment- political and diplomatic independence from the US or Soviet Union