South Asian Modern History
British Control:
1. What company controlled India starting in the 1600’s through the 1900’s? What was the
company’s purpose for coming into this area?
The British East India Company was established in South Asia for the purpose of trading.
2. As time passed why were many South Asians upset with /resentful of the British East
India Company?
They felt that the British were trying to change their culture.
3. Complete the following chart about British rule in South Asia:
Positive Changes in the Region during
British Rule
-Set up a well-run government
-Created schools
-Built railroads, bridges and ports
-Introduced the telegraph and postal
service.
Negative Changes in the Region during
British Rule
-British goods put many locals out of
business
-Taxes were placed on the poor
-Little advances in health care
- Death rates were high and life expectancy
was low.
New Nations:
4. What was Mohandas Gandhi and why is he so important?
Gandhi was the most popular Indian leader of the independence movement. He
encouraged civil disobedience and boycotts as a way to overthrow the British. His goal was
to bring independence to South Asia.
5. In the space below provide information about how and when each gained independence.
Pakistan
India
Bangladesh
Sri Lanka
Maldives
Nepal
Bhutan
-1947: Britain split region into two by
religion. (Pakistan was given to the Muslims
and India was given to the Hindus)
-Pakistan was split by India into East and
West Pakistan and fighting erupted.
-1971: East Pakistan became its own nation
and was renamed Bangladesh.
-1948: Britain gave independence to Ceylon.
-Ceylon was renamed Sri Lanka.
- 1965: Britain gave Maldives independence.
-Always had their independence from
Britain.
-Always had their independence from
Britain.
Conflicts in South Asia:
Pakistan and India
6. Name two reasons why there is conflict between Pakistan and India.
a. Religious differences
b. Disputes over land
7. Most of the fighting occurs over the region of Kashmir.
8. What has been the result of the fighting? Both countries have held peace talks but they
have not been able to settle their dispute over Kashmir.
Sri Lanka
9. What groups are fighting in Sri Lanka? What do they want? The government and Tamil
ethnic groups want a separate nation.
10. What has been the result of the fighting? Despite peace talks, violence has continued.
Nepal
11. Describe the conflict that is occurring in Nepal.
Democratic groups in Nepal forced their monarchy out of power. Communist rebels have
taken control of the government but ethnic groups in southern Nepal want local groups to
have their own government.