Course Description
This course examines the origins of state formation in South Asia. Three key questions will be answered: [1] How and why did states form, and through what processes did state formation occur? [2] Are there differences in the trajectory of state formation in South Asia compared to other locations, particularly Europe, and within South Asia itself? [3] What are their implications for contemporary South Asian politics and society? Although an elective in area studies, this course demands serious attention to theories of the state and state formation. Exploration of the region’s politics and society is guided by theory and oriented toward theory development.
South Asia is a crucial region in the 21st century. It is the most populous and densely populated region in the world, surpassing East Asia. India and Pakistan, two rival nuclear-armed states, have fought four major wars and countless smaller clashes, located in South Asia. India and Pakistan each border China, also a nuclear-armed state and a global revisionist power. South Asian states emerged after two centuries of British colonial rule. This course will trace the process of state formation in South Asia, with particular attention to India as the political and administrative center during British colonial rule. This does not mean neglecting the experiences of other countries in the region. Each country in the region will be studied in depth, taking into account its unique experiences and the events that influenced its formation.
Expected Learning Outcome
- Analyze the process of state formation in South Asia.
- Compare and contrast state formation in South Asia with other regions of the world.
- Draw conclusions from the process of state formation in South Asia about the form and condition of contemporary South Asian states.
Syllabus
Read the full syllabus here.