South Asia
by Nishika Raheja
1. India
1.1. Colonial History: British imperialization greatly influenced the nation economically, socially, & politically
1.2. Caste System, a social and political hierarchy that includes Brahmans, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, Shudras, and Pariahs
1.3. Religious Diversity
1.3.1. Main: Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Jainism, Buddhism, Sikhism
1.4. Gandhi: nonviolence, noncooperation movement. did not want a partition of India, rather numerous autonomous communities
2. Pakistan
2.1. Kashmir, a region in Northern India that is highly disputed between India and Pakistan (anticipated to go to Pakistan)
2.2. Wars with India: four wars were fought in regards to partition of India on religious grounds
2.3. Religious Diversity
2.3.1. Mainly Islam
2.4. Jinnah: Vision included that Islam was sufficient basis for separate nationhood
3. Bangladesh
3.1. Pakistan Rule: After British rule, Pakistan split into East and West, and East became Bangladesh
3.2. Religious Diversity
3.2.1. Mainly Islam
3.3. Garment Industry: one of the main reasons for economic growth and prosperity in the country
3.4. NGOs: influence the government but also a way of oppressing women in society
4. Sri Lanka
4.1. Civil War
4.1.1. Tamil v Sinhala: linguistic diversity has created conflict between these two groups of people
4.2. Religious Diversity
4.2.1. Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam
4.3. Economic Expansion: port of Colombo expanded & Southern expressway built to allow for more trade and to boost the economy
5. Nepal
5.1. Ethnic Group Diversity: mainly Pahari and Bhotia but many different groups present
5.2. Religious Diversity
5.2.1. Mainly Hinduism (largest percent of followers in any nation)