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India is split into two nations at independence - Hindu-majority India and Muslim-majority Pakistan. -
First war with India over disputed territory of Kashmir. -
Treaty signed with newly-independent India guaranteeing non-interference in Bhutan's internal affairs, but allowing Delhi influence over foreign relations. -
Indian Tamil plantation workers disenfranchised, the start of a wave of Sinhalese nationalism which alienates the Tamil minority.
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Anti-Rana forces based in India form alliance with monarch.
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King Tribhuvan, one of Nepal's favorite kings, was restored to the throne after a long parlimentary rule by the Ranas. -
Pakistan National Anthem adopted after the cabinet approved Hafiz Jallundhari's entry in the national competition held to that effect -
Slavery abolished.
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Full independence as a sultanate outside Commonwealth.
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Independence after a nine-month war, with India backing the Bengali nationalists against Pakistan. -
Among others, Bhutan has committed to promoting international peace and security. -
East Pakistan attempts to secede, leading to civil war. India intervenes in support of East Pakistan which eventually breaks away to become Bangladesh.
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Ceylon changes its name to Sri Lanka
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Severe floods devastate much of the grain crop, leading to an estimated 28,000 deaths. -
The tests achieved their main objective of giving India the capability to build fission and thermonuclear weapons with yields up to 200 kilotons. -
Start of civil war. Fought from 1983-2009
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Islam becomes state religion. Floods leave tens of millions homeless.
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The country returns to a parliamentary system of government.
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Stated purpose of overthrowing the Nepalese monarchy and establishing a people's republic. -
The Maldives adopted a new constitution, which enshrined Pres. Gayoom as head of state, government, judiciary and the security forces. -
India carries out nuclear tests, leading to widespread international condemnation
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The rise of industry and large-scale agriculture meant that families could be much larger than in the past.
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December - Scores of people are killed and many islands suffer severe damage when a tsunami generated by a powerful undersea earthquake off the Indonesian coast hits the Maldives. The government says the disaster set development work back by 20 years -
largest single rail disaster in world history by death toll, with 1,700 fatalities or more. It occurred when a crowded passenger train was destroyed on a coastal railway in Sri Lanka by a tsunami which followed the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake. -
The population of the Maldives numbered about 300,000. Some 100,000 were packed into the 2 square kilometers of the capital, Male, the most densely populated town in the world -
Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto is assassinated while on campaign trail for 2008 parliamentary election -
January and February - A string of bomb blasts hits the country ahead of elections set for March 24. The attacks are blamed on groups fighting for the rights of ethnic Nepalis exiled in 1991
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Nepal becomes a republic after abolition of monarchy
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Clashes with Pakistan follow an attack by the Pakistan-based Jaish-e Mohammad jihadist group on security forces' convoy in Indian-controlled Kashmir.
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Jihadist suicide bombers attack churches and hotels on Easter Sunday, killing more than 350 people
