The early history of Pakistan and Bangladesh is the same history as India, because they used to be one nation. It began in the Indus River Valley with the Aryans.

Eventually the Muslims (Mughals) moved into this region and controlled for hundreds of years till the British took India over.

After WWII when the British left India, Pakistan and Bangladesh’s history as nations begin.

Pakistan gained its independence from India in 1947. Most of India’s Muslim population moved here (some forcefully). Many of the Hindus that lived in the Pakistan region moved into India (some forcefully)

This created hostilities between the two nations. This hostility continues today

Pakistan was a fractured into two parts East And West. Both sides didn’t completely get along.

After a civil war, the area known as Eastern Pakistan later became independent in 1971 and was called Bangladesh.

Pakistani Ethnic Groups: Punjabis, Sindhis, Pashtuns, Mohajirs, and Baluchis Population: 182 Million

Bangladesh Ethnic Groups: Bengali Population: 156 Million

Education Lacks in both countries. Literacy rates in both countries average around 47-49% (depending on location).

Pakistan: girls are not given equal opportunity in education and some times it is completely prohibited. Literacy rates for them are about 36%.

Bangladesh: Most children go to elementary school, but only 43% end up continuing their education

Pakistan: Urdu is the official language, but few people speak the language. Most speak Punjabi.

Bangladesh: main language is Bangla

**Those who go to university or work in government usually can also speak English

Both countries primarily practice the religion of Islam, but there is a small group that practices Hinduism Other religions are practiced here, but they are a very

small minority and many times are oppressed

Family life is the center of social life in both countries. Extended family usually lives close by if not with you.

Marriage is usually arranged like in India