The Rest of South Asia Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri-Lanka, and the Maldives

The creation of India and Pakistan  Indus Valley Civilization: The largest of the world’s early civilizations, it began in present day Pakistan around 2500 B.C. It featured well planned cities with brick buildings and sanitation systems. It ended around 1500 A.D.  Partition: At the end of British Rule in 1947 India (predominantly Hindu) and Pakistan (predominantly Muslim) were officially split into different countries. About 1 million people died in the conflict while about 10 million crossed borders for religious reasons. This includes many wars between India and Pakistan over Kashmir.

The creation of Bangladesh  Upon the partition, Pakistan was divided into West Pakistan and East Pakistan. They shared a religion, but differed greatly in culture. In 1971 civil war broke out, and East Pakistan established itself as Bangladesh.

Before Bangladesh

After

Subsistence Farming  Most farmers struggle, working small plots of land to grow enough to feed their families. Their produce is limited by climate and persistence in using traditional, less productive methods. The Indus Valley is the most productive area for farming, and enough rice, cotton, and wheat are grown there for industry.

Small Industry  Though neither country has much industry, they both have growing textile industries that provide import revenue and provide jobs and income for many. They both export cotton and Pakistan exports wool and leather. Much of this is due to the introduction of microcredit, which provides small loans to entrepreneurs.

Religion and Culture  Most citizens in both countries are devout Muslims, and follow most Islamic traditions and culture, however Pakistan enforces Muslim law to a much higher degree.  Pakistan is also much more culturally diverse that Bangladesh with five ethnic groups (Punjabis, Sindhis, Pathans, Muharjirs, and Balochs) while Bangladesh has one group, the Bengalis.

Modern Culture  As in India, life revolves around the family, arranged marriages are common, and families tend to be very large.  Poetry is of special interest in both countries.  Music and dance are also very important forms of expression in each.