Contemporary South Asia – Class 12 Pol Sci Ch 3 (2025–26 Notes + PDF)



📘 Class 12 – Political Science

🔹 Chapter 3: Contemporary South Asia

📚 Academic Session: 2025–26

🔖 NCERT Textbook: Contemporary World Politics



What is South Asia?🌍

Countries Included 🏞️: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka.

Geography 🗺️: Bounded by Himalayas (North) and the Indian Ocean (South).

Diversity 🌏: Culturally and socially diverse but shares a common geo-political space.

Political Systems 🏛️:

•India & Sri Lanka: Democracies.

•Pakistan & Bangladesh: Military and civilian rule.

•Nepal & Bhutan: Transitioned to democracies.

Unity and Conflict 🤝💥: The region faces both cooperation and conflicts due to political, ethnic, and economic issues.



Military Rule and Democracy in Pakistan 💥

Frequent Military Takeovers 🎖️:

•General Ayub Khan (1958), General Zia-ul-Haq (1977), General Musharraf (1999).

Challenges to Democracy 🏛️: Military, clergy, and landowners often dominate politics.

Pro-Democracy Movements ✊: People’s resistance and political shifts, e.g., Benazir Bhutto’s return.

External Influence 🌏: U.S. supported military rule for strategic reasons.

Current Status 🗳️: Pakistan has civilian rule since 2008, but faces political challenges.



Military Rule and Democracy in Pakistan 💥



Ruler

Type of Government

Period

Remarks

🟤 General Ayub Khan

🟢 Military

1958–1969

First military ruler of Pakistan.

🟤 General Yahya Khan

🟢 Military

1969–1971

Oversaw the 1971 Bangladesh crisis.

🔵 Zulfikar Ali Bhutto

🔵 Democratic

1971–1977

First civilian after military rule.

🟤 General Zia-ul-Haq

🟢 Military

1977–1988

Ruled during a period of strict martial law.

🔵 Benazir Bhutto

🔵 Democratic

1988–1990

First female Prime Minister of Pakistan.

🔵 Nawaz Sharif

🔵 Democratic

1990–1993

Entered office amid political instability.

🔵 Benazir Bhutto

🔵 Democratic

1993–1996

Returned for a second term.

🔵 Nawaz Sharif

🔵 Democratic

1997–1999

Ended his second term with a coup.

🟤 General Pervez Musharraf

🟢 Military

1999–2008

Ruled after overthrowing Nawaz Sharif.

🔵 Democratic Leaders

🔵 Democratic

2008 onward

Democracy restored post-Musharraf.



Democracy in Bangladesh

Independence from Pakistan 🗓️: Bangladesh became independent in 1971 with Indian support.

Challenges to Democracy ⚖️: Military rule under Ziaur Rahman (1975) and General Ershad (1982).

Restoration of Democracy 🗳️: Multi-party democracy restored in 1991 after Ershad’s resignation.

Current Status 📊: Democracy functions, but political rivalry and corruption continue.



Story of Bangladesh Liberation (1971)


🕰️ Date/Year

🌟 Event/Keyword


1947

🇵🇰 East & West Pakistan

"One country, two parts – 1600 km apart!"

1952

🗣️ Language Movement

"Speak Bengali or die – blood was shed for language"

1966

✊ Six-Point Demand

"Sheikh Mujib demands autonomy – East wants control"

1970

🗳️ Awami League Victory

"East wins the election, but West refuses to hand over power"

Mar 1971

🔥 Operation Searchlight

"Massacre under the cover of night – students, citizens killed"

Apr–Dec 1971

🏃‍♂️ Refugee Crisis

"10 million refugees flee to India – huge burden on the country"

3 Dec 1971

⚔️ Indo-Pak War Begins

"Pakistan strikes first – India hits back hard!"

16 Dec 1971

🎉 Birth of Bangladesh

"93,000 Pakistani soldiers surrender – a new nation is born!"



Democracy in Bangladesh 


Ruler

Type of Government

Period

Remarks

🔵 Sheikh Mujibur Rahman

🔵 Democratic

1971–1975

Founder of Bangladesh; assassinated in 1975.

🟤 Khondaker Mostaq Ahmed

🟢 Military-backed

1975

Brief tenure after Mujib's assassination.

🟤 General Abu Sadat Mohammad Sayem

🟢 Military-backed

1975–1977

Interim President under military influence.

🟤 General Ziaur Rahman

🟢 Military

1977–1981

Assassinated during his presidency.

🔵 Justice Abdus Sattar

🔵 Democratic

1981–1982

Overthrown by General Ershad.

🟤 General Hussain Muhammad Ershad

🟢 Military

1982–1990

Ruled under martial law; resigned due to protests.

🔵 Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed

🔵 Democratic

1990–1991

Interim President transitioning to democracy.



Transition from Monarchy to Democracy in Nepal 👑➡️🏛️

Monarchy Era 👑: Nepal was a Hindu kingdom and later a constitutional monarchy.

Maoist Insurgency ⚔️: Armed rebellion against the monarchy in the 1990s.

Pro-Democracy Movement ✊: In 2006, pro-democracy protests led to the monarchy’s abolition.

Current Status 🗳️: Nepal became a republic in 2008 and adopted a democratic constitution in 2015.





Transition from Monarchy to Democracy in Nepal 👑➡️🏛️


Ruler

Type of Government

Period

Remarks

👑 King Tribhuvan

Monarchy

1951–1955

Played a key role in ending the Rana autocracy.

👑 King Mahendra

Monarchy

1955–1972

Introduced the Panchayat system, abolishing multiparty democracy in 1960.

👑 King Birendra

Monarchy

1972–2001

Ruled during the people's movement for democracy in 1990. Assassinated in 2001.

👑 King Dipendra

Monarchy

June 2001

Became king after a royal massacre but ruled only for 3 days before his death.

👑 King Gyanendra

Monarchy

2001–2008

Tried to restore absolute monarchy in 2005 but faced mass protests. Abdicated in 2008.

🔵 Democratic Leaders

Democratic

2008 onward

Monarchy was abolished; Nepal became a federal democratic republic.



Ethnic Conflict and Democracy in Sri Lanka

Ethnic Tensions 💔: Sinhala nationalists opposed Tamil rights, leading to ethnic conflict.

Tamil Militancy ⚔️: The LTTE fought for a separate Tamil state (Eelam).

Indian Involvement 🛑: India intervened in the 1980s with peacekeeping troops but later withdrew.

End of Conflict 🕊️: The LTTE was defeated in 2009, but ethnic reconciliation is ongoing.

Current Status 🇱🇰: Sri Lanka has maintained democracy, but ethnic tensions remain.



Sri Lanka’s Ethnic Conflict (Civil War Overview)


🕰️ Year/Period

🌟 Event/Keyword


1948

🇱🇰 Independence

"Sri Lanka became free, but trouble soon followed…"

1956

🗣️ Sinhala Only Act

"One language law – Tamil community felt ignored"

1972

📜 New Constitution

"Buddhism given special status – minorities sidelined"

1983

🔥 Black July

"Anti-Tamil riots – thousands killed, civil war begins"

1980s–2000s

⚔️ Civil War (LTTE vs Govt)

"Bombings, child soldiers, a fight for a separate Tamil state"

2009

☠️ End of LTTE

"After 26 years, war ends in bloodshed – thousands killed"

Post-2009

🤝 Rebuilding & Tensions

"Peace returns, but ethnic wounds still remain"



India-Pakistan Conflicts ⚔️

Kashmir Dispute 🏞️: Both India and Pakistan claim Kashmir as their own.

Wars and Tensions 💥: Fought wars in 1947, 1965, and 1971, but the Kashmir issue remains unresolved.

Nuclear Rivalry 💣: Both nations conducted nuclear tests in 1998, escalating tensions.

Attempts at Peace ✌️: Confidence-building measures, such as trade and bus routes, have been tried.

Current Status ⚖️: Relations remain tense but efforts for peace continue.




India and Its Neighbours 🌍

Bangladesh 🇧🇩:

•Cooperation in river-water sharing and disaster management.

•Conflicts over illegal immigration and trade issues.

Nepal 🇳🇵:

•Special relationship with free movement of people.

•Conflicts over security and water resources.

Sri Lanka 🇱🇰:

•India's support in post-tsunami reconstruction.

•Conflicts over ethnic issues and military intervention in the 1980s.

Bhutan 🇧🇹 and Maldives 🇲🇻:

•Close ties with economic aid and security cooperation.

•Limited conflict, but  ties with China are a concern.




Peace and Cooperation in South Asia 🕊️

SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) 🌍:

•Formed in 1985 to promote regional cooperation.

SAFTA (South Asian Free Trade Agreement) aims to create a free trade zone.

India-Pakistan Peace Efforts 🤝:

Confidence-building measures like bus routes and trade agreements.

•Challenges remain over terrorism and Kashmir.

Regional Economic Cooperation 💼:

•Focus on disaster management, environmental protection, and trade.

Role of External Powers 🌏:

China 🇨🇳 and the U.S. 🇺🇸 influence the region’s peace efforts.

Future Prospects ✨:

•Greater peace through regional trade and cooperation.

🔗 📚 Related Posts:

❓ 🙋‍♂️ FAQs – Contemporary South Asia (Chapter 3)

Q1. What is the theme of Chapter 3: Contemporary South Asia?

A: It focuses on political developments and democratic movements

in South Asian countries like Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, etc.

Q2. What are India’s major concerns in South Asia?

A: Border security, terrorism, regional cooperation, and political

stability in neighbouring countries.

Q3. What is SAARC and its purpose?

A: SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation)

is aimed at promoting regional integration and development.

Q4. How is democracy functioning in Pakistan?

A: Pakistan has had frequent military rule, but is currently

functioning as a democracy with civilian leadership.

Q5. Why is India considered a regional power in South Asia?

A: Due to its size, economy, military power, and political influence in the region.







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