CONTEMPORARY SOUTH ASIA
South Asia is predominantly defined by its geographical setting. The Himalayas act as a natural barrier in the north, separating the region from Central Asia and the Tibetan Plateau. To the south, the Indian Ocean defines the region’s maritime boundaries.
The South Asian subcontinent is the cradle of ancient civilisations like the Indus Valley Civilisation and the later Vedic civilisation. The evolution of religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism took place here. The region has also witnessed the rise and fall of empires such as the Maurya, Gupta, Mughal, and the colonial British Empire.
South Asia is a melting pot of languages, ethnicities, and cultures. India alone recognises more than 20 official languages, while countries like Sri Lanka and Nepal have their own native languages. Despite this linguistic diversity, there are significant linguistic families that cover broad areas, like the Indo-Aryan and Dravidian languages.
South Asia, post decolonisation, has seen a myriad of political systems. India and Sri Lanka have retained democratic systems since independence. Pakistan has alternated between democratic rule and military dictatorships. Bangladesh, after its liberation in 1971, has also seen a mix of democratic and autocratic rule. Bhutan has been transitioning to a constitutional monarchy, while Nepal has witnessed a shift from a monarchy to a federal democratic republic.