Originally published in 1983 and here reissuing the second edition of 1993, An Introduction to South Asia presents the geographical and historical background to the diversities of the region. From the legacy of the colonial period and the controversies that surrounded partition and independence, the book traces the consequences of social divisions, particularly of religion, caste and language, into contemporary politics. Interwoven issues on environments, sociology, politics, and economies combine to explain development patterns and problems, the processes behind them, and the reciprocal impact of South Asia and the wider world.

This fully updated second edition provides new material on environmental issues, the causes and consequences of natural disasters, and the role of women in the region. It provides a comprehensive, interdisciplinary guide to the varying environments—natural, social, political, and economic—that characterize South Asia.