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British rule over India ends. A largely Muslim state comprising East and West Pakistan is established. The two are separated from each other by more than 1,500 km of Indian territory.
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India became independent which also brought division of India
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First Indo-Pakistani war over Kashmir ends at the price of decades long conflict.
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A treaty was signed with newly-independent India guaranteeing non-interference in Bhutan's internal affairs
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Slavery was abolished
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The Maldives gains full independence
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Ibrahim Nasir becomes president.
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East Pakistan attempts to secede which leads to civil war. India intervenes supporting East Pakistan which breaks away to become Bangladesh.
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Bangladesh gains Independence with India backing Bengali nationalists against Pakistan
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India tests it's first nuclear bomb
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Founding president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and most of his family members are killed, putting an end to civilian rule.
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Riots emerge over allegations of vote-rigging by Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto's PPP. General Zia ul-Haq launches military coup.
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Soviet Army invades and props up communist government. More than a million people die in the war.
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Development of tourist industry fuels economic growth
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President Ziaur Rahman was assassinated during abortive military coup.
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Last Soviet troops leave. The US and Pakistan-backed mujahideen pushed to overthrow Afghan ruler.
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Thousands of Hindus flee to Nepal following clashes.
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Nepali Congress Party wins first democratic elections.
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Taliban seize control of Kabul and impose different version of Islam.
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US intervenes militarily following September 11 attacks on the US. Taliban are ousted from Kabul and Hamid Karzai becomes head of a power-sharing government.
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Rebels pull out of peace talks with government and end their seven month truce. The next months see a comeback of violence between students, activists, and police.
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Benazir Bhutto was assassinated at a political rally at election campaign rally.
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Nepal becomes a republic after abolition of monarchy.
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President Musharraf resigns after the two main governing parties launch an impeachment proceedings against him.
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Parliament passes a landmark constitution, which defines Nepal as a secular country. More than 40 people are killed in protest.
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Bangladesh bans Islamist militant group who claim responsibility for killing and assaulting several public figures.
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Government acknowledges that some 65,000 people are missing from its 26 year war with the Tamil Tiger rebels and a Marxist insurrection.
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Jihadist suicide bombers attack churches and hotels on Easter Sunday which kills more than 350 people.
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Leaked government reports says unemployment rate rises to 6.1% the highest since 1972-73.
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Taliban recapture Kabul after US forces stand back.