A Brief History of PakistanIn the course of a few years, Pakistan has assumed strategic importance on the world stage, acting as both a linchpin in the global war on terrorism and a "swing" state in the ideological conflict between democracy and dictatorship, and between Islamic and secular rule. How did this poor country come to occupy such a position in little more than half a century of existence? What are the historical precedents for its present course? And what can we learn from its past that can help us evaluate the prospects for its future? This book presents a concise yet thorough account of this land whose past as a birthplace of civilization is as important to world history as is its pivotal place in contemporary geopolitics. Coverage includes the dramatic events, notable people, and special customs and traditions that have shaped this country. By illuminating the nation's past, this book gives students a detailed perspective of Pakistan today and enables them to intelligently consider how it might change in the future. |
Contents
The Land and Its Early History | 1 |
Inroads of Armies and Ideas | 22 |
The Coming of Islam | 41 |
The Mughal Period | 67 |
Trading Company Wars | 94 |
The Raj Era | 114 |
The Road to Independence | 138 |
The Challenges of Independence | 160 |
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administration Afghan Afghanistan Ahmad Akbar alliance Arab army Aryans attack Aurangzeb Ayub Khan Babur Baluchis Baluchistan battle became Benazir Bhutto Bengal border British caliphate campaign capital Central century chief civil Congress conquered constitution country’s Courtesy Pakistan Tourism defeated Delhi Delhi Sultanate dynasty East Pakistan economic elections empire empire’s established forces Ghazni Hindu independence Indus River Indus Valley Islamabad Islamic Jinnah Kabul Karachi Kashmir Khan’s kingdom Lahore land leaders Liaquat Lord major martial law militants military Mongols Mughal Mughal Empire muhajir Muhammad Multan Musharraf Muslim League National Assembly Nawaz Sharif nuclear NWFP officers Pakistan and India Pakistan Tourism Development party Pashtun percent Persian Peshawar political present-day president prime minister province Punjab Rajput Rawalpindi reforms region religious rule rulers Shah Shahi Sher Sikh Soviet subcontinent subcontinent’s Sultanate Taliban territory tion Tourism Development Corporation trade tribal troops Tughluq United violence West Zulfikar Bhutto