Independent nations of South Asia Chapter 31 Section 1

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

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

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)

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.

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

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

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