Map South Asia

Your Guides My name is Asha and this is my friend Hanu. We’re here to take you through our home, South Asia.

The past is the place to begin if you really want to understand South Asia. Many of the problems we face today, like the war in my country Sri Lanka, can be traced back for decades, and sometimes even centuries. Follow Hanu and me through this timeline for a look at South Asia through the ages.

Ancient Times: Religious Fighting

South Asia is home to many different religious and ethnic groups. The biggest ones are Hindu, Buddhist and Islamic people. Throughout ancient history, these three groups fight to control different parts of South Asia, which causes many conflicts and wars.

Mid 1400s: Trade With Europe

A new route for boats between India and Europe is discovered. Portugal, Holland, Britain and France set up trading posts along South Asia’s coast to take advantage of this route.

1600s: Britain Arrives

India gives Britain special trading rights that the other European countries don’t get. Because of these rights, Britain gets a much bigger influence in India and other nearby countries, including Sri Lanka. Britain’s military moves into the region and grows quickly.

Mid 1800s: Britain Takes Over

Britain uses the power created by trade to take control of India, including the Indian government. Indian people start to fight British control, but they aren’t successful.

Early 1900s: Gandhi

Mohandas (Mahatma) Gandhi starts the Indian independence movement, a peaceful protest that is working to separate India from Britain.

1947: India Becomes Independent

India becomes independent. A new country called Pakistan is created for India’s Muslim population, which causes millions of people to move and starts many years of war.

1948: Sri Lankan Independence

Sri Lanka (then called Ceylon) follows India’s example and becomes independent from Britain.

Mid 1900s to Today: Civil War

Religious and ethnic groups are still fighting for power in many countries. In Sri Lanka, the Tamil and Sinhalese groups have been fighting a bloody war for more than 20 years.