Pakistan History

For a brief moment on December 27, 2007, life came to a standstill in Pakistan. Benazir Bhutto, the country's former prime minister and the first woman ever to lead a Muslim country, had been assassinated at a political rally just outside Islamabad. Back in Karachi--Bhutto's birthplace and Pakistan's other great metropolis--Rafia Zakaria's family was suffering through a crisis of its own: her uncle Sohail, the man who had brought shame upon the family, was near death.

Mano Majra is a place, Khushwant Singh tells us at the beginning of this classic novel, where Sikhs and Muslims have lived together in peace for hundreds of years. Then one day, at the end of the summer, the 'ghost train' arrives, a silent, incredible funeral train loaded with the bodies of...

Delve into the profound insights of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar in Pakistan or the Partition of India. This seminal work offers an in-depth analysis of the factors leading to the partition of India and the creation of Pakistan. Ambedkar's scholarly approach and compelling arguments shed light on the political, social, and religious dynamics that shaped one of the most significant events in South Asian history. A must-listen for anyone seeking to understand the historical context and enduring impact of partition.

Forged during the tumultuous aftermath of Partition in 1947, the Inter-Services Intelligence Directorate (ISI) has grown to become the preeminent intelligence service in Pakistan. Its capabilities are comprehensive, its remit covers both foreign and domestic intelligence, and it is one of the most feared and respected agencies of the Global South. Pakistan's ISI provides an up-to-date and detailed introduction to the ISI and its historical evolution.

Born only five years after Pakistan was created in 1947, Imran Khan has lived his country's history. Undermined by a ruling elite hungry for money and power, Pakistan now stands alone as the only Islamic country with a nuclear bomb, yet it is unable to protect its people from the carnage of...

Explore the dramatic rise of a resilient nation forged by turbulent rivers, colonial rule, and a fight for freedom. Perfect for an educational commute, this historical journey sweeps across the fertile Bengal delta. Experience the inspiring story of a society shaped by relentless monsoons and...

A character-driven history that describes the bizarrely ill-suited alliance between America and Pakistan, written by a uniquely insightful participant: Pakistan's former ambassador to the US. The relationship between America and Pakistan is based on mutual incomprehension, and always has been. Pakistan - to American eyes - has gone from being a stabilizing friend to an essential military ally to a seedbed of terror.

The most authoritative and highly regarded single-volume history of India – from ancient time to the modern day. Five millennia of the sub-continent’s social, economic, political and cultural history are interpreted by one of our finest writers on India and the Far East. India’s history...

Uncover the epic world history of the ancient Indus Valley and its dramatic transformation into a modern nation state. Perfect for your daily commute, this immersive historical saga sweeps across millennia to reveal how shifting empires, trade routes, and fierce cultural collisions forged a...

The year 1971 exists everywhere in Bangladesh-on its roads, in sculptures, in its museums and oral history projects, in its curriculum, in people's homes and their stories, and in political discourse. It marks the birth of the nation, it's liberation. More than 1000 miles away, in Pakistan too...

Declan Walsh is one of the New York Times's most distinguished international correspondents. His electrifying portrait of Pakistan over a tumultuous decade captures the sweep of this strange, wondrous, and benighted country through the dramatic lives of nine fascinating individuals. 

This Very Short Introduction looks at Pakistan as one of the two nation-states of the Indian subcontinent that emerged in 1947. Pippa Virdee reaches into the ancient past to demonstrate the influence of trajectories of human settlement and civilization on Pakistan's contemporary political arena, and shows how the longer continuities between the land and its peoples are as important as the short-term changes in the political landscape. She considers Pakistan's religion and society, the state and the military, everyday life, popular culture, languages and literature.

A major new investigation into the Bhutto family, examining their influence in Pakistan from the colonial era to the present day. 

"3 Years in Pakistan: The Erik Aude Story" offers a riveting account of Erik Aude's tumultuous three-year journey through the heart of Pakistan. Falsely accused of drug trafficking, Aude's life takes an unexpected turn as he finds himself thrust into the unforgiving depths of a foreign prison system. Amid the harsh realities of death row, Aude discovers unexpected pockets of humanity and kindness that illuminate the darkness surrounding him.

Trace the gripping geopolitical drama of how the British colonial empire fractured to birth a new independent nation. This immersive historical deep dive transports you to the twilight of the Mughal era and the tumultuous 1940s, offering the perfect focus for your daily commute. As imperial...

Declan Walsh is one of the New York Times's most distinguished international correspondents. His electrifying portrait of Pakistan over a tumultuous decade captures the sweep of this strange, wondrous, and benighted country through the dramatic lives of nine fascinating individuals. On assignment as the country careened between crises, Walsh traveled from the raucous port of Karachi to the salons of Lahore, and from Baluchistan to the mountains of Waziristan. He met a diverse cast of extraordinary Pakistanis....

Explore South Asian history from the ancient Indus Valley to a modern nuclear state shaped by conquest and resilience. Whether you are prepping for global travel or transforming a mundane daily commute into an educational journey, this sweeping narrative captures the dramatic evolution of a...

Thanks to its commercial complexion and the power invested in a board of directors, British rule in India was characterized by economic monopolies, aggressive trade practices, punitive taxation, and the impoverishment of vast regions of India. Much of the company's industry was based on a policy of producing and exporting raw materials from India, and importing manufactured goods to satisfy an almost unlimited local market.

Explore the gripping geopolitical history of a fractured subcontinent forever changed by violent mass migration. Perfect for a thought-provoking morning commute, this sobering narrative bridges the gap between distant political decisions and the lived realities of ordinary citizens. Immerse...

Uncover the gripping urban history of a modest coastal port that exploded into a volatile, geopolitical megacity. Perfect for your morning commute, this immersive historical deep-dive transports you to the shores of the Arabian Sea. Experience the relentless energy of a boomtown forged by trade...