This comprehensive history of modern South Asia from the beginning of the eighteenth century to the present day explores the historical development of the Subcontinent from local and regional perspectives. Michael Mann charts the role of emerging states within the Mughal Empire, the British colonial expansion in the political setting of the Subcontinent and shows how the modern state formation, usually associated with Western Europe, can been seen in some regions of India. Looking beyond the Subcontinents post-colonial history this book includes the political, economic, social and cultural development of Pakistan and Bangladesh as well as Sri Lanka and Nepal.