Learn about the history of the two billion people who live across India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and the Maldives.
Spring 2026
Instructor: Dr. Shayan Rajani
Tu/Th 10:20–11:40 a.m.
Berkey Hall, Room 319
Gain a better understanding of the region’s history through discussions about:
- The war between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, India and Pakistan, which was just narrowly averted in May 2025. Learn about the longer history of the Partition of India and the geopolitical tensions in the region.
- Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Malala Yousafzai, who has been an advocate for female education since the Taliban shut down her school when she was 11 years old. Learn about women’s struggle for freedom and equality in South Asia.
- Indian nationalist leader Mahatma Gandhi, who pioneered modern non-violent resistance, securing independence for India from British colonial rule. He served as an example for the Civil Rights Movement and the Anti-Apartheid Movement. Learn more about the history of South Asian activism.
“This course challenged my previous perspective on the history of South Asia. Through analyzing the lived experiences of many different social and cultural groups, I gained a nuanced understanding of historical narratives that shaped the Indian subcontinent. This course overall expanded my knowledge and helped me become a better writer.”
- Sanaa Bashar