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Dutch force out Portuguese and establish control over whole island except central kingdom of Kandy.
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Gurkha ruler Prithvi Narayan Shah conquers Kathmandu and lays foundations for unified kingdom.
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Nepalese expansion halted by defeat at hands of Chinese in Tibet.
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Britain begins to take over island.
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Anglo-Nepalese War; culminates in treaty which establishes Nepal's current boundaries.
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Whole island united under one British administration.
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Nepal falls under sway of hereditary chief ministers known as Ranas, who dominate the monarchy and cut off country from outside world.
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Kingdom of Kandy conquered. Britain starts bringing in Tamil labourers from southern India to work in tea, coffee and coconut plantations.
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India comes under direct rule of the British crown after failed Indian uprising.
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Ugyen Wangchuck is chosen as hereditary ruler.
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Treaty signed with British giving them control over Bhutan's foreign relations.
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Treaty with Britain affirms Nepal's sovereignty
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British grant the right to vote and introduce power sharing with Sinhalese-run cabinet.
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Anti-Rana forces based in India form alliance with monarch.
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End of British rule and partition of sub-continent into mainly Hindu India and Muslim-majority Pakistan. Hundreds of thousands die in communal bloodshed.
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End of British rule and partition of sub-continent into mainly Hindu India and Muslim-majority Pakistan. Hundreds of thousands die in communal bloodshed.
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Ceylon gains full independence.
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Indian Tamil plantation workers disenfranchised and many deprived of citizenship.
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The Awami League is established to campaign for East Pakistan's autonomy from West Pakistan.
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Treaty signed with newly-independent India guaranteeing non-interference in Bhutan's internal affairs, but allowing Delhi influence over foreign relations.
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End of Rana rule. Sovereignty of crown restored and anti-Rana rebels in Nepalese Congress Party form government.
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Reformist monarch Jigme Dorji Wangchuck succeeds to throne.
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National assembly established.
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New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Nepal's Sherpa Tenzing Norgay become the first climbers to reach the summit of Mount Everest.
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Nepal joins the United Nations.
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Fall. Republic Day, which occurs in November, celebrates the establishment of the Republic of Maldives in
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On November 11, the second Republic comes into force. The first President is Ibrahim Nasir.
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The Awami League wins an overwhelming election victory in East Pakistan. The government in West Pakistan refuses to recognise the results, leading to rioting.
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Awami League proclaims independence of the province as Bangladesh. Pakistan is defeated in brief war, with Indian assistance.
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League leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman becomes prime minister and begins a programme of nationalising key industries.
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Severe floods devastate much of the grain crop, leading to an estimated 28,000 deaths.
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Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is assassinated in a military coup in August. Martial law is imposed.
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The current President, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom is elected for the first time and is confirmed in office in 1983, 1988 and again in 1993.
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War with Pakistan over disputed territory of Kashmir.
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Failed attempted coup by Tamil separatists on 3 November. The President asks for foreign support. On the same evening, 1600 Indian parachutists land on the main island and suppress the rebellion.