Textbook
Our Pasts I, II & III (Classes 6–8)
The simplest possible start: short, illustrated and the base of countless exam questions.
Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Modern state
Level 2
★ Major power
1971 – present
Pakistan after the independence of Bangladesh in 1971.
- Capital
- Islamabad
- Region
- Northwest
- Duration
- 55 years (continuing)
- Main period
- Republic of India
Approximate extent.
Rulers
- Zulfikar Ali Bhutto President / Prime Minister1971 – 1977
- Zia-ul-Haq President1978 – 1988
- Benazir Bhutto Prime Minister1988 – 1990First woman to lead a Muslim-majority democracy.
- Nawaz Sharif Prime Minister1990 – 1993
- Pervez Musharraf President2001 – 2008
Selected rulers; gaps in the list are not gaps in the dynasty.
Key events
| Year | Event | Place |
|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Benazir Bhutto becomes Prime Minister | Islamabad |
| 1998 | Chagai nuclear tests | Chagai |
Personalities
📚 Recommended reading on the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Textbook
Themes in Indian History, Parts I–III (Class 12)
Source-based chapters on Harappa, Vijayanagara, the Mughal court and 1857 — essential for UPSC.
Textbook
India and the Contemporary World I & II (Classes 9–10)
Nationalism in Europe and India, the French Revolution and the making of a global world.
Textbook
History of Modern India
The old-NCERT modern India classic, from the decline of the Mughals to independence.
We may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. See all recommended books →
Contemporaries
Powers that coexisted with the Islamic Republic of Pakistan for a significant part of its history.
Kingdom of Nepal ★
Himalaya · 1816 – 2008
Kingdom of Bhutan ★
Himalaya · 1907 – present
Republic of India ★
Pan-Indian · 1950 – present
Republic of Maldives ★
Islands · 1968 – present
People's Republic of Bangladesh ★
East · 1971 – present
Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka ★
Sri Lanka · 1972 – present
Afghanistan ★
Northwest · 1973 – present
Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal ★
Himalaya · 2008 – present