The Indian subcontinent was divided into the twentieth century to form the three modern nation-states of South Asia: India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. This region, home to a fifth of the world’s population, is critical to an understanding of our world today. This has been especially evident recently because the region has come to occupy a central place in contemporary discussions about the “rise of Asia” and the “war on terror.” Long before these contemporary interests, however, the subcontinent has played an important role in the history of the modern world. This course is an introductory survey of the making of Modern India and South Asia, starting from the 18th century, with the decline of the famous Mughal Empire and the establishment of British colonial rule, to the contemporary histories of India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. We will throughout the course emphasize the interplay between indigenous and world-historical forces in shaping the economy, society, politics, and cultures of the region. The first half of the course will focus on the impact of British colonialism and of anti-colonial struggles, leading up to the independence and partition of the subcontinent. The focus in the second half of the course will shift to the consolidation of three new nation-states on the subcontinent.

Course Requirements:

Two take-home exams; three short papers on reading assignments; and a final group project.

Intended Audience:

All are welcome. No prior coursework in Indian or South Asian history is necessary.

Class Format:

A combination of lectures and discussions. There will be two weekly lectures and one weekly discussion section.