1. Independence Brings Partition Since independence, some South Asian nations have struggled with uniting their people. When the British government gave in to Indian demands for independence, it created two countries—Pakistan where there was a Muslim majority and India where there was a Hindu majority. Tensions have remained between Pakistan and India over the region of Kashmir and a nuclear arms race. Sri Lanka also has struggled with religious differences as Tamil-speaking Hindus have fought for independence from the majority population of Sinhalese-speaking Buddhists. 1 of 8 New Nations Emerge Section 1: Independent Nations of South Asia Witness History Audio: Fleeing Amid Religious Violence Color Transparency 188: The Partition of India Color Transparency 187: South Asia Geography Interactive: South Asian Nations

2. Building a Nation in India In its early days as a democracy, India struggled with rapid population growth and an enduring caste system. Religion remained an issue as Sikhs fought to separate from India and assassinated Prime Minister Indira Ghandi. 2 of 8 New Nations Emerge Section 1: Independent Nations of South Asia Note Taking Transparency 181 Pakistan and Bangladesh Take Different Paths East Pakistan was often ignored by the Pakistani government, which gave West Pakistan more economic development programs. The Bengalis in East Pakistan declared independence as Bangladesh in 1971 and defeated the Pakistani army with the help of India. In Pakistan, struggles endured between Islamic fundamentalists and those who wanted separation between religion and government. Witness History Video: Pakistan: Improving Education

3. Finding an Independent Path When India and Pakistan gained independence, nationalists in Africa and other regions demanded the same. India and Pakistan helped to organize newly independent states and further the idea of nonalignment with either the Soviet Union or the U.S. This group was the voice of a “Third World” of countries. 3 of 8 New Nations Emerge Section 1: Independent Nations of South Asia QuickTake Section Quiz Progress Monitoring Transparency

4. New Nations Emerge: Section 1 Color Transparency 188: The Partition of India 4 of 8

5. New Nations Emerge: Section 1 Color Transparency 187: South Asia 5 of 8

6. New Nations Emerge: Section 1 Note Taking Transparency 181 6 of 8

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