India, Pakistan, and the Himalayas
Colonialism in India

National flag of India
In the 1600s, the English set up the East India Company to trade in South Asia and East Asia. Trading outposts were established near the coast, but colonization efforts grew over time. Much of the Indian subcontinent had been colonized by the 1800s. At first, the East India Company ruled the region on behalf of the British Empire. After a major rebellion, the British government took direct control in 1858.
Under colonial rule, India exported natural resources for the British Empire. The British also set up trade practices to benefit themselves. Indian manufacturers were prevented from producing certain goods so the region would be forced to import British goods. This severely stunted the region’s economic growth.
During the twentieth century, there was a strong movement for Indian independence. Mohandas Gandhi led the campaign through non-violent civil disobedience. Gandhi led peaceful protests, urged boycotts, and refused to buy British goods. The movement succeeded, and India gained independence in 1947.
Partition of India

In 1947, the British Parliament passed the India Independence Act. This separated British India into two countries: India and Pakistan. India was a majority Hindu nation, and Pakistan was a majority Muslim nation. At the time, Pakistan included West Pakistan and East Pakistan. West Pakistan is modern day Pakistan. East Pakistan is modern day Bangladesh.
The split led to the mass migration of millions of people. Some of these people were displaced, or forced to leave their homes. Hindus moved to India. Muslims moved to West Pakistan and East Pakistan. Violent riots and fighting broke out between Hindus and Muslims. More a million people died during this time, including Gandhi, who was assassinated in 1948.
After gaining independence, Pakistan and India fought over the region of Kashmir. This region is bordered by Pakistan in the southwest and India in the south. Kashmir is valuable because it is the source of several rivers, including the Indus River. These rivers provide water for irrigation and hydroelectric power. Today, Kashmir remains a disputed territory. Since 1948, there have been two more wars over the territory.
India, Pakistan, and the Himalayas

South Asia is one of the most densely populated places in the world. People are mostly concentrated near the region’s oceans and rivers. The population is sparse in deserts and the mountainous areas in the north. In this interactivity, you will explore several countries in South Asia, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal. Click the player to begin.
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Cultural Influences of India, Pakistan, and the Himalayas

More than 1.5 billion people live in South Asia. This large population is tremendously diverse. These people speak hundreds of languages, practice a variety of religions, and have different ethnic backgrounds. Unfortunately, these cultural differences have sometimes led to conflict in the region. In this interactivity, you will learn about South Asia’s cultural landscape. Click the player to begin.
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