Asian_Geographic_Issue_4_2017

REVEALED

Divide and Conquer

AN OVERVIEW OF THE HISTORY OF COLONISATION AND TERRITORIAL CONTROL IN ASIA

West Asia Central Asia South Asia

SyRiA

Becomes a French Mandate in 1918,

and gains independence from the

French in 1946

iRAq

The British colonise Iraq in 1921, and

the country gains its independence

in 1932

JoRDAn

Becomes a British Mandate in 1918.

Gains independence in 1946

PALEStinE

Becomes part of a British Mandate

in 1920. The State of Palestine

proclaims its independence on

November 15, 1988. More than two-

thirds of United Nations member

states currently recognise the state

iSRAEL

Becomes part of the British Mandate

of Palestine in 1920. In 1948, the day

before the end of the mandate, Jewish

leaders declare the establishment

of the State of Israel. It is currently

recognised by more than 80 percent

of UN member states

KuwAit

Becomes a British Protectorate in

1899, and gains independence from

the British in 1961

inDiA

From 1858, falls under the British

Raj, along with other territories in the

Indian Subcontinent. The Partition of

India in 1947 creates the independent

“dominions of the British Crown”,

India and Pakistan. India becomes a

republic in 1950

BAngLADESh

Bengal, which includes modern-day

Bangladesh and the Indian state of

West Bengal, is established by the

British East India Company in 1765.

Ruled under the British Raj until 1947,

when the Partition of Bengal hands

East Bengal to newly formed Pakistan.

Independence is declared in 1971

PAKiStAn

Becomes a dominion of the British

Crown in 1947. Two enclaves are

created in 1956, West Pakistan and

East Pakistan, the latter becoming

Bangladesh and the former changing

its name to Pakistan

SRi LAnKA

After almost 300 years of Portuguese

and Dutch rule, Sri Lanka (called

Ceylon) becomes a British colony

in 1796. The island becomes an

independent dominion in 1948,

and a republic in 1972

uzBEKiStAn

In 1865, the Russian army captures

Tashkent (which later becomes

the Uzbek capital), and the city

becomes the Russian administrative

headquarters in Central Asia.

The country gains independence

in 1991 with the dissolution of the

Soviet Union

KAzAKhStAn

From the early 18th century until the

mid-19th century, Russia expands

into Kazakh lands. Russia’s colonial

tendencies begin to imitate the

British and the French. Kazakhstan

gains independence in 1991

tuRKmEniStAn

After many invasions, Russia controls

most of the country by 1894.

Turkmenistan gains independence

in 1991

tAJiKiStAn

Occupied by Russia in the late 19th

century. In 1929, Soviet Tajikistan

becomes an autonomous republic

of the USSR. Tajikistan gains

independence in 1991

IRAQ

KUWAIT

SYRIA

JORDAN

PALESTINE

ISRAEL

194619321946198819481961 1991199119911991 1947197119561972

inDEPEnDEnCE AChiEVED

KAZAKHSTAN

UZBEKISTAN

TURKMENISTAN TAJIKISTAN

INDIA

PAKISTAN

BANGLADESH

SRI LANKA

inDEPEnDEnCE AChiEVED inDEPEnDEnCE AChiEVED