Chapter 5 Contemporary South Asia Class 12 Political Science Notes
What is South Asia?
• South Asia usually includes the following countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives,
Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The various countries in South Asia do not have the same kind
of political systems.
• Pakistan and Bangladesh have experienced both civilian and military rulers. Nepal was a
constitutional monarchy but democracy has been established there. Democracy can also be
seen in Bhutan and Maldives.
The Military and Democracy in Pakistan
• After Pakistan framed its first constitution, General Ayub Khan took over the administration of
the country and soon got himself elected. There was popular dissatisfaction against his rule.
• After this, General Yahya Khan took over the control. During Yahya’s military rule, Pakistan
faced the Bangladesh crisis, and after a war with India in 1971, East Pakistan broke away to
emerge as an independent country called Bangladesh.
• After this, a government was formed under the leadership of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto from 1971 to
1977.
• The Bhutto government was removed by General Zia-ul-Haq in 1977.
• General Zia faced a pro-democracy movement from 1982 onwards and an elected democratic
government was established once again in 1988 under the leadership of Benazir Bhutto. After
this, she had to face competition from the Pakistan People’s Party and the Muslim League.
• In 1999, the army stepped in again and General Pervez Musharraf removed Prime Minister
Nawaz Sharif.
• In 2001, General Musharraf got himself elected as the President.
• Since 2008, democratically elected leaders have been ruling Pakistan.
Factors that have contributed to Pakistan’s failure in building a stable democracy:
• The social dominance of the military, clergy, and landowning aristocracy has led to the
frequent overthrow of elected governments and the establishment of military government.
• Pakistan’s conflict with India has made the pro-military groups more powerful.
, • The lack of genuine international support for democratic rule in Pakistan has further
encouraged the military to continue its dominance.
Democracy in Bangladesh
• Bangladesh was a part of Pakistan from 1947 to 1971. The people of this region resented the
domination of western Pakistan and the imposition of the Urdu language.
• After the partition, they began protests against the unfair treatment meted out to the Bengali
culture and language.
• Sheikh Mujib-ur Rahman led the popular struggle against West Pakistani domination. He
demanded autonomy for the eastern region.
• In 1970 elections, the Awani league under Sheikh Mujibur Rahman won all seats but the
government dominated by the West Pakistani leadership refused to convene the assembly.
• Under the military rule of General Yahya Khan, the Pakistani army tried to suppress the mass
movement of the Bengali people. Thousands were killed by the Pakistan army.
• The government of India supported the demand of the people of East Pakistan for their
independence and helped them financially and militarily.
• This resulted in a war between India and Pakistan in December 1971 that ended in the
surrender of the Pakistani forces in East Pakistan and the formation of Bangladesh as an
independent country.
• Bangladesh drafted its constitution declaring faith in secularism, democracy and socialism.
• In 1975 Sheikh Mujib got the constitution amended to shift from the parliamentary to
presidential form of government. He also abolished all parties except his own, the Awami
League.
• Sheikh Mujib was assassinated and a military rule was established under Ziaur Rahman. He
was
assassinated and another military takeover followed under the leadership of Lt Gen H. M.
Ershad.
• Mass public protests made Ershad step down in 1990. Elections were held in 1991. Since then
representative democracy based on multi-party elections has been working in Bangladesh.
Monarchy and Democracy in Nepal
What is South Asia?
• South Asia usually includes the following countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives,
Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The various countries in South Asia do not have the same kind
of political systems.
• Pakistan and Bangladesh have experienced both civilian and military rulers. Nepal was a
constitutional monarchy but democracy has been established there. Democracy can also be
seen in Bhutan and Maldives.
The Military and Democracy in Pakistan
• After Pakistan framed its first constitution, General Ayub Khan took over the administration of
the country and soon got himself elected. There was popular dissatisfaction against his rule.
• After this, General Yahya Khan took over the control. During Yahya’s military rule, Pakistan
faced the Bangladesh crisis, and after a war with India in 1971, East Pakistan broke away to
emerge as an independent country called Bangladesh.
• After this, a government was formed under the leadership of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto from 1971 to
1977.
• The Bhutto government was removed by General Zia-ul-Haq in 1977.
• General Zia faced a pro-democracy movement from 1982 onwards and an elected democratic
government was established once again in 1988 under the leadership of Benazir Bhutto. After
this, she had to face competition from the Pakistan People’s Party and the Muslim League.
• In 1999, the army stepped in again and General Pervez Musharraf removed Prime Minister
Nawaz Sharif.
• In 2001, General Musharraf got himself elected as the President.
• Since 2008, democratically elected leaders have been ruling Pakistan.
Factors that have contributed to Pakistan’s failure in building a stable democracy:
• The social dominance of the military, clergy, and landowning aristocracy has led to the
frequent overthrow of elected governments and the establishment of military government.
• Pakistan’s conflict with India has made the pro-military groups more powerful.
, • The lack of genuine international support for democratic rule in Pakistan has further
encouraged the military to continue its dominance.
Democracy in Bangladesh
• Bangladesh was a part of Pakistan from 1947 to 1971. The people of this region resented the
domination of western Pakistan and the imposition of the Urdu language.
• After the partition, they began protests against the unfair treatment meted out to the Bengali
culture and language.
• Sheikh Mujib-ur Rahman led the popular struggle against West Pakistani domination. He
demanded autonomy for the eastern region.
• In 1970 elections, the Awani league under Sheikh Mujibur Rahman won all seats but the
government dominated by the West Pakistani leadership refused to convene the assembly.
• Under the military rule of General Yahya Khan, the Pakistani army tried to suppress the mass
movement of the Bengali people. Thousands were killed by the Pakistan army.
• The government of India supported the demand of the people of East Pakistan for their
independence and helped them financially and militarily.
• This resulted in a war between India and Pakistan in December 1971 that ended in the
surrender of the Pakistani forces in East Pakistan and the formation of Bangladesh as an
independent country.
• Bangladesh drafted its constitution declaring faith in secularism, democracy and socialism.
• In 1975 Sheikh Mujib got the constitution amended to shift from the parliamentary to
presidential form of government. He also abolished all parties except his own, the Awami
League.
• Sheikh Mujib was assassinated and a military rule was established under Ziaur Rahman. He
was
assassinated and another military takeover followed under the leadership of Lt Gen H. M.
Ershad.
• Mass public protests made Ershad step down in 1990. Elections were held in 1991. Since then
representative democracy based on multi-party elections has been working in Bangladesh.
Monarchy and Democracy in Nepal
