Creation of India, Pakistan, &
Bangladesh
SSWG5f. Explain the division of the
Indian subcontinent into India and
Pakistan and the eventual creation of
Bangladesh.
Colonization of India
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Originally a trade partner, then a colony.
British directly controlled India in 1857
Economic powerhouse
“The sun never sets on the British Empire”
Britain gave them their independence in 1947
Mahatma Gandhi
• Educated man who helped to free India from
British control
• Non-violent resistance, marches, economic
protest, hunger strikes
• Was able to mobilize a nation
• Influenced Nelson Mandela & Martin Luther
King Jr.
Partitioning
• After independence two countries were
created:
– India—primarily Hindu
– East Pakistan—primarily Muslim (becomes
Bangladesh)
– West Pakistan—primarily Muslim (becomes
Pakistan)
• Violence followed the partitioning with over 1
million people dying
Creation of Bangladesh & Pakistan
• Even though East & West Pakistan share
religion, they did not have the same ethnic
groups.
• They were also far apart and hard to rule
• Both rallied for independence and civil war
broke out in 1971
• With the help of India, East Pakistan won their
independence and became Bangladesh
Kashmir
• Area of northern India that is disputed
• Both Pakistan & India want to control it
• After partitioning, the majority was Muslim
but the president was Hindu creating conflict
• Kashmir is a critical water source
• Fear that the dispute over this area will result
in nuclear warfare—Pakistan has tested
nuclear weapons in the past