BOOK PROPOSAL

South Asia: An Introduction

(Asia Selatan: Sebuah Pengantar)

This book is projected to be a reference book that could be used by students, the general
public, and bureaucrats interested in the issue of South Asia. As a region that directly
borders Indonesia through the Indian Ocean, this region has not been appropriately studied
by Indonesian academicians. Both Indonesia and nations in South Asia had been connected
through trade, religious and cultural links in the last thousand years. In the era where Asian
countries are rising, it is therefore imperative for Indonesian students, the general public,
and bureaucrats to understand the social, political, and economic contexts of countries in
South Asia. This book will serve as an introductory reference to understand the brief history,
political systems, foreign policies, and cooperation of South Asian countries.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prologue: Why Study South Asia?

CHAPTER I: POLITICAL HISTORY

The Indus Valley Civilization
The Rule of Hindu-Buddha Powers
The Vedic Civilization
The Era of Hindu-Buddha Dynasties
The Legacies of Hindu-Buddha Rule
The Rule of Islamic Powers
Delhi Sultanate
Deccan Sultanate
Mughal Empire
The Hindu Rajas during Islamic Rule
The Legacies of Islamic Rule
The Colonial Rule
East Indies Company
Portuguese Colonial Rule
Dutch Colonial Rule
French Colonial Rule
The British Raj
1857 Mutiny
Social, Economic and Political Reform in British Raj
The Foundation of INC and Muslim League
Partition of Bengal
Gandhi and Satyagraha Movement
Government of India Act
The Legacies of British Raj
The Struggle of Independence and Nationalist Movement in South Asia
Afghanistan Between Two Giants
The Bengali Nationalism
The Rise of Religious Revivalism and Indian Nationalism
 Sri Lanka Independence Movement
The Establishment of Bhutan as Modern Nation-State
Maldives Between Monarchism and Republicanism
The Kingdom of Nepal during the Early Modern Era
The Great Partition
August Offer
Quit India Resolution
Plan for Partition, 1946-1947
Independence
Legacies of Great Partition
Post-Independence: Nation-Building and State-Building in South Asia
India
Pakistan
Bangladesh
Sri Lanka
Afghanistan
Nepal
Bhutan
Maldives

CHAPTER II: POLITICAL SYSTEMS

India
Division of Power (Executive, Legislative, Judicative)
System of Local Governance
Election and Political Party
Pakistan
Division of Power (Executive, Legislative, Judicative)
System of Local Governance
Election and Political Party
Bangladesh
Division of Power (Executive, Legislative, Judicative)
System of Local Governance
Election and Political Party
Sri Lanka
Division of Power (Executive, Legislative, Judicative)
System of Local Governance
Election and Political Party
Afghanistan
Division of Power (Executive, Legislative, Judicative)
System of Local Governance
Election and Political Party
Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives
Division of Power (Executive, Legislative, Judicative)
System of Local Governance
Election and Political Party
CHAPTER III: FOREIGN POLICIES
India
Basic Premises and Policies
Strategic Partnerships
Relations with Regional and International Organization
Main Issues
Pakistan
Basic Premises and Policies
Strategic Partnerships
Relations with Regional and International Organization
Main Issues
Bangladesh
Basic Premises and Policies
Strategic Partnerships
Relations with Regional and International Organization
Main Issues
Sri Lanka
Basic Premises and Policies
Strategic Partnerships
Relations with Regional and International Organization
Main Issues
Afghanistan
Basic Premises and Policies
Strategic Partnerships
Relations with Regional and International Organization
Main Issues
Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives
Basic Premises and Policies
Strategic Partnerships
Relations with Regional and International Organization
Main Issues

CHAPTER IV: REGIONAL COOPERATION IN SOUTH ASIA

Earliest Forms of Regional Cooperation in South Asia
The Formation of SAARC
New Regionalism in South Asia
Cooperation with Other Regional Organizations
Current Dynamics and Issues

CHAPTER V: CONTEMPORARY DEBATES

Migration, Development, and Economic Inequality
Terrorism, Democracy and Security in South Asia
Great Powers’ Involvement in South Asian Politics
Citizenship, Democracy and Freedom of Religion
Future of Indonesia-South Asian Relations
Epilogue: South Asia – The Future of Asia?