-
2500 BCE
Indus Valley
Indian civilization begins in Indus Valley. -
1500 BCE
Indus Valley
Aryans from north of Iran invade South Asia -
500 BCE
Sri Lanka
Indians cross strait to Sri Lanka, become Sinhalese -
321 BCE
India
Mauryan Empire unites India; Asoka spreads Buddhism -
1100
Maldives
Arab traders visit often, population converts to Islam -
1505
Sri Lanka
Portuguese arrive in Colombo, marking beginning of European interest. -
India
British East India Company controls Indian trade -
Nepal
Nepal falls under sway of hereditary chief ministers known as Ranas, who dominate the monarchy and cut country off from outside world. -
India
Nationalist leader Mahatma Gandhi heads a campaign of non-violent protest against British rule which eventually leads to independence. -
India
India gains its independence from Britain -
Pakistan
Punjabis are half the population, Muhajirs left India -
Pakistan and India
The Maharaja of Kashmir signs a treaty of accession with India after a Pakistani tribal army attacks. War breaks out between India and Pakistan over the region. -
India
India is split into two nations at independence - Hindu-majority India and Muslim-majority Pakistan. -
Sri Lanka
Island gains independence, becomes Sri Lanka in 1972 -
Sri Lanka
Ceylon gains full independence. -
Pakistan and India
Kashmir is partitioned between India and Pakistan, with a ceasefire line agreed. -
India
India became a democratic republic. -
Nepal
Anti-Rana forces based in India form alliance with monarch. -
Nepal
End of Rana rule. Sovereignty of crown restored and anti-Rana rebels in Nepalese Congress Party form government. -
Nepal
King Mahendra seizes control and suspends parliament, constitution and party politics. -
Maldives
Full independence as a sultanate outside Commonwealth. -
Maldives
Declares itself a republic, headed by elected president -
Bangladesh
Independence after a nine-month war, with India backing the Bengali nationalists against Pakistan. -
India
India conducts its first underground nuclear test. -
Bangladesh
A military coup sees founding president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and most of his family members killed, putting an end to civilian rule. -
Maldives
Development of tourist industry fuels economic growth. -
Bangladesh
President Ziaur Rahman assassinated during abortive military coup. -
Sri Lanka
Start of civil war. -
Bangladesh
The country returns to a parliamentary system of government. -
Sri Lanka
LTTE defeated, ending the war thought to have killed between 70,000 and 80,000 people.