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Chinese imperial army invades and temporarily establishes control over Bhutan.
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British colonial rule over India ends. A largely Muslim state comprising East and West Pakistan is established, either side of India.
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India is split into two nations at independence - Hindu-majority India and Muslim-majority Pakistan
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Indian Tamil plantation workers disenfranchised, the start of a wave of Sinhalese nationalism which alienates the Tamil minority.
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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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Slavery abolished.
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King Mahendra seizes control and suspends parliament, constitution and party politics.
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Full independence as a sultanate outside Commonwealth.
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Sultan deposed after referendum, Ibrahim Nasir becomes president.
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Independence after a nine-month war, with India backing the Bengali nationalists against Pakistan.
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India and Pakistan go to war over East Pakistan, leading to the creation of Bangladesh
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Ceylon changes its name to Sri Lanka.
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A military coup sees founding president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and most of his family members killed, putting an end to civilian rule.
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Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) founded to fight for Tamil rights.
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Nasir retires, replaced by Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.
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President Ziaur Rahman assassinated during abortive military coup
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General Hussain Muhammad Ershad assumes power in coup. He suspends the constitution and political parties.
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Thousands of Hindus flee to Nepal following clashes.
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Government initiates a programme of economic liberalisation and reform, opening up the economy to global trade and investment.
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The country returns to a parliamentary system of government.
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Nepali Congress Party wins first democratic election
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King cedes some powers to national assembly
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ndia's population tops one billion.
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Political crisis sees leaders of both major parties briefly detained
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Nepal becomes a republic after abolition of monarchy.
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LTTE defeated, ending the war thought to have killed between 70,000 and 80,000 people.
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Bangladesh faces a campaign of violence by Islamists against bloggers, atheists and secular intellectuals
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New constitution adopted - the first in Asia to specifically protect gay rights.
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Opposition leader Ibrahim Mohamed Solih defeats President Abdulla Yameen in a surprise result
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Jihadist suicide bombers attack churches and hotels on Easter Sunday, killing more than 350 people
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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.