South Central Asia History
South Central Asia includes the countries of the sub-Indian continent, such as India and Pakistan, as well as nearby countries, such as Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Iran, and Nepal. The civilization in the Indus Valley is one of the oldest in the world--it is at least 5,000 years old. The region is geographically diverse, including the hot, lush environment of much of India, the beautiful and sometimes harsh geography of the region near Afghanistan, and, in Nepal, some of the highest mountains in the world.
In this section you will learn about the creation of classical Indian culture that followed the invasion of Aryan tribes from the northwest in around 1500 B.C. You will read about two of the world's great religions--Hinduism and Buddhism--and the role those religions played in Indian history. You will find out about old Persian dynasties, and the transformation from Persia to Iran. You will also learn about those newly independent countries in South Central Asia that were once states in the Soviet Union.
Above all, you will learn about the rich culture and history of the people living in this region of the world.
In this section you will learn about the kings of Siam and the dancers of Bali. You will learn about the crucial role that the spices found in South East Asia played in the global economy for 100's of years. You will find out about the Spanish colonization of the Phillipines, and the unsuccessful 17th century attempt to turn Manila into the center of an Asian trading empire. You will read about the wars of independence fought in the various countries of South East Asia, as the people tried to remove foreign invaders--both from the East and the West. You will discover a rich and diverse history in each of the countries that comprise the region.