Democracy in South Asia: Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal (Class 12 Political Science)
Updated 15 October 2026 · Fact-checked
Pakistan has swung between elected and military rule, from Ayub Khan to Musharraf, with elected leaders ruling since 2008. Bangladesh, formed in 1971, saw a one-party shift and military rule before multi-party democracy returned in 1991. Nepal moved from a powerful monarchy to a democratic republic in 2008 and adopted a new constitution in 2015.
Understand Democracy in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal
Why this topic matters. This is the most tested part of Chapter 3. Boards ask why Pakistan failed to build a stable democracy, the sequence of events that restored democracy in Bangladesh or established it in Nepal, chronology of Pakistan's rulers, features of Bangladesh's constitution, and the Musharraf cartoon. NCERT sections 'What is South Asia?', 'The military and democracy in Pakistan', 'Democracy in Bangladesh' and 'Monarchy and democracy in Nepal', with the timeline.
1. South Asia and democracy.
- South Asia here means seven countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka.
- India and Sri Lanka have run democratic systems since independence; Pakistan and Bangladesh have had both civilian and military rulers; Nepal was a monarchy.
- Bhutan became a constitutional monarchy in 2008; the Maldives became a republic in 1968 and adopted a multi-party system in June 2005.
- A survey of more than 19,000 citizens in five countries found widespread support for democracy among rich and poor and all religions, which widened the global idea that democracy needs prosperity.
2. Pakistan: the military and democracy.
| Period | Ruler | What happened |
|---|---|---|
| After the first constitution | General Ayub Khan | Took over, got himself elected; left after popular dissatisfaction |
| Late 1960s-1971 | General Yahya Khan | Military rule; Bangladesh crisis; war with India in 1971 |
| 1971-1977 | Zulfikar Ali Bhutto | Elected government |
| 1977-1988 | General Zia-ul-Haq | Removed Bhutto; pro-democracy movement from 1982 |
| 1988-1999 | Benazir Bhutto, Nawaz Sharif | Elected rule; competition between the Pakistan People's Party and the Muslim League |
| 1999-2008 | General Pervez Musharraf | Removed Sharif; elected President in 2001; army rule with some elections |
| Since 2008 | Elected leaders | Democratically elected governments |
Why Pakistan could not build a stable democracy:
- Social dominance of the military, clergy and landowning aristocracy led to frequent overthrow of elected governments.
- Conflict with India strengthened pro-military groups, who argued that parties and 'chaotic democracy' would harm security.
- Lack of genuine international support: the US and other Western countries encouraged military rule for their own reasons, fearing 'global Islamic terrorism' and that Pakistan's nuclear arsenal might fall into terrorist hands; the military was seen as protector of Western interests.
- Yet Pakistan has a strong pro-democracy sentiment, a courageous and relatively free press and a strong human rights movement.
3. Bangladesh.
- Part of Pakistan 1947-1971, formed from partitioned Bengal and Assam. People resented West Pakistani domination and the imposition of Urdu, protested unfair treatment of Bengali culture and language, and demanded fair representation and power.
- Sheikh Mujib-ur Rahman led the struggle for autonomy; in the 1970 elections his Awami League won all seats in East Pakistan and a majority in the proposed constituent assembly, but the West Pakistani leadership refused to convene it; Mujib was arrested.
- Under General Yahya Khan the army tried to crush the movement; thousands were killed and refugees poured into India; India supported independence, and the December 1971 war ended in the surrender of Pakistani forces and the birth of Bangladesh.
- The constitution declared faith in secularism, democracy and socialism. In 1975 Mujib shifted from parliamentary to presidential government and abolished all parties except the Awami League; he was assassinated in August 1975.
- Ziaur Rahman formed the Bangladesh National Party and won in 1979; he was assassinated; Lt Gen H.M. Ershad took over.
- Students led a pro-democracy movement; Ershad allowed limited activity, was elected President, but mass protests forced him out in 1990. Elections in 1991 began multi-party representative democracy.
4. Nepal.
- A Hindu kingdom, then a constitutional monarchy; the king, with the army, kept control and restricted democracy.
- 1990: after a strong pro-democracy movement the king accepted a new democratic constitution, but democratic governments were short and troubled.
- 1990s: the Maoists spread armed insurrection against the monarch and elite; a triangular conflict among monarchists, democrats and Maoists.
- 2002: the king abolished parliament and dismissed the government.
- April 2006: massive, largely non-violent protests led by the Seven Party Alliance (SPA), the Maoists and social activists forced the king to restore the House of Representatives.
- A constituent assembly drafted the constitution; Maoists suspended armed struggle and wanted radical social and economic programmes; some wanted a nominal monarchy; some groups were suspicious of India's role.
- 2008: monarchy abolished; Nepal a democratic republic. 2015: new constitution.
Key quotations
Short lines worth knowing by heart: who says them, when, and why they matter.
democracy is becoming an accepted norm in the entire region of South Asia
NCERT, Contemporary World Politics, Chapter 3: Drawing a lesson from Bangladesh and Nepal.
A strong conclusion for any South Asian democracy answer.
Pakistan has a courageous and relatively free press
NCERT, Chapter 3: Balancing the account of military dominance.
Shows the pro-democracy side of Pakistan.
expanded the global imagination of democracy
NCERT, Chapter 3: On survey findings that ordinary South Asians support democracy.
Challenges the idea that democracy needs prosperity.
Let Democracy be Freed
Words painted on Noor Hossain's back (NCERT photo caption): Pro-democracy protests against General Ershad in Bangladesh, 1987.
Symbol of the student-led movement that ended military rule.
Democracy in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal: key facts
- Pakistan's rulers in order
- General Ayub Khan
- General Yahya Khan (1971 war)
- Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, elected, 1971-1977
- General Zia-ul-Haq, 1977
- Benazir Bhutto, elected, 1988
- Nawaz Sharif
- General Pervez Musharraf, 1999; President 2001
- elected leaders since 2008
- Four generals: Ayub, Yahya, Zia, Musharraf.
- Pakistan: why democracy failed
Social dominance military, clergy, landowning aristocracy Conflict with India strengthens pro-military groups No genuine international support US and West backed military rule Counterweight pro-democracy sentiment, free press, human rights movement - Three causes plus one balancing point.
- Bangladesh timeline
1947-1971 part of Pakistan 1966 Mujib's six-point proposal for autonomy 1970 Awami League wins all East Pakistan seats 1971 December war; Bangladesh formed 1975 presidential system; one party; Mujib assassinated August 1979 Ziaur Rahman's BNP wins Ershad's military rule 1990 Ershad steps down 1991 elections; multi-party democracy - Constitution: secularism, democracy, socialism.
- Nepal timeline
- Hindu kingdom, then constitutional monarchy
- 1990 new democratic constitution
- 1990s Maoist insurgency; triangular conflict
- 2002 king abolishes parliament
- April 2006 mass protests; House restored
- constituent assembly
- 2008 monarchy abolished; democratic republic
- 2015 new constitution
- Movement led by the Seven Party Alliance, Maoists, activists.
- Smaller states
Bhutan constitutional monarchy 2008; multi-party democracy under the king Maldives Sultanate till 1968, then presidential republic; multi-party system June 2005 India and Sri Lanka democratic since independence - Region-wide support for democracy in surveys.
How to answer Democracy in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal questions
Expect 1-mark items on the order of Pakistan's rulers, matching leaders to countries and assertion-reason on Nepal; 2-mark items on reasons for Pakistan's failure, Bangladesh's constitution or naming military rulers; 4-mark items on Nepal's transition and the Musharraf cartoon; and 6-mark questions on the sequence of events that established democracy in Nepal or Bangladesh.
- 1Identify which country and which aspect: failure (Pakistan), sequence (Bangladesh, Nepal).
- 2For sequences, write events in order with years and actors.
- 3For Pakistan, give three causes: social dominance, conflict with India, Western support for the military.
- 4Balance with pro-democracy forces: press, human rights movement, popular movements.
- 5Use NCERT names precisely: Awami League, BNP, Seven Party Alliance.
- 6Conclude with NCERT's view that democracy is becoming an accepted norm in South Asia.
Democracy in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal in real life
The idea, met in an everyday situation. Answer the question in your own words, then compare with the model answer. The one-line hook is what to remember.
Guardians who will not leave
Suppose a housing society's security guards, called in during a quarrel, start running the society themselves and keep saying elected committees are too quarrelsome to keep residents safe.
Which argument used in Pakistan does this mirror, and what is its flaw?
Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
- The guards mirror the military taking over from elected governments.
- 'Committees are too quarrelsome' mirrors the claim that parties and chaotic democracy harm security.
- The flaw: no one elected the guards, and their rule weakens self-government.
Answer: It mirrors the pro-military argument in Pakistan that the army's stay in power is justified for security, an argument that has repeatedly undermined elected governments.
Memory hook: Guards are not governors.
Step-by-step people's victory
Imagine students who first win the right to form a council, then see it dissolved by the principal, and finally, through peaceful mass protest, win back the council and write new school rules themselves.
Which country's path to democracy does this resemble?
Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
- First gain: the 1990 democratic constitution.
- Setback: the king abolishing parliament in 2002.
- Final victory: April 2006 protests, a constituent assembly and a republic in 2008.
Answer: It resembles Nepal, where repeated popular movements turned a monarchy into a democratic republic.
Memory hook: Win, lose, win for good.
Tricks to remember Democracy in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal
Short memory aids. Say each one aloud once, then use it on a question the same day.
Pakistan's generals: A-Y-Z-M
Ayub, Yahya, Zia, Musharraf: 'All Young Zebras March'.
Use it when: Naming military rulers or ordering them.
Pakistan's failure: M-I-W
Military-clergy-landlord dominance, India conflict, Western support.
Use it when: Reasons for unstable democracy.
Nepal: 90-02-06-08-15
Constitution 1990, parliament abolished 2002, protests 2006, republic 2008, new constitution 2015.
Use it when: Sequence questions.
Democracy in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal: solved examples
Ordered from board level to HOTS. Try each one before you open the solution.
Example 1: Match the leader · 1 mark · MCQBoard level
Who removed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in 1999 and later got himself elected President of Pakistan?
(a) General Zia-ul-Haq
(b) General Pervez Musharraf
(c) General Yahya Khan
(d) General Ayub Khan
Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
- Musharraf took over in 1999 and was elected President in 2001 (1 mark).
Answer: (b) General Pervez Musharraf
Example 2: Bangladesh's constitution · 2 marks · Very short answerBoard level
State the ideals of Bangladesh's first constitution and how they were changed in 1975. (2 marks)
Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
- Secularism, democracy, socialism (1 mark).
- 1975: presidential form; all parties except the Awami League abolished (1 mark).
Answer: The constitution declared faith in secularism, democracy and socialism. In 1975 Sheikh Mujib had it amended to replace the parliamentary system with a presidential one and abolished all parties except his own Awami League.
Example 3: Assertion and reason: Nepal 2006 · 1 mark · Assertion-reasonHarder board level
Assertion (A): The pro-democracy movement in Nepal in April 2006 was largely non-violent.
Reason (R): The movement was led by the Seven Party Alliance, the Maoists and social activists.
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true but R is false.
(d) A is false but R is true.
Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
- Both are true per NCERT, but who led it does not explain why it was non-violent (1 mark).
Answer: (b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
Example 4: Pakistan's failure · 4 marks · Short answerHarder board level
Explain any two factors responsible for Pakistan's failure to build a stable democracy, and one factor that keeps democratic hopes alive. (4 marks)
Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
- Social dominance of military, clergy, landowners (1.5 marks).
- Conflict with India or Western support for military rule (1.5 marks).
- Pro-democracy sentiment, free press, human rights movement (1 mark).
Answer: (i) The social dominance of the military, the clergy and the landowning aristocracy has led to the frequent overthrow of elected governments and the setting up of military rule. (ii) The lack of genuine international support for democracy has encouraged the military: the US and other Western countries backed military rulers for their own reasons, fearing 'global Islamic terrorism' and that Pakistan's nuclear arsenal might fall into terrorist hands, and saw the army as a protector of Western interests. (Conflict with India, which strengthened pro-military groups, is another valid factor.) Yet democratic hopes survive because Pakistan has a strong pro-democracy sentiment, a courageous and relatively free press and a strong human rights movement; elected leaders have ruled since 2008.
Example 5: Source-based: two equations · 4 marks · Source-basedHarder board level
Read the description (written for this page) of a cartoon discussed in NCERT and answer.
The cartoon, built around a set of equations, comments on one ruler's dual role: as President of the country and as the General commanding its army.
(i) Name the ruler and the country. (1)
(ii) How did he come to power? (1)
(iii) What message about democracy in that country does the cartoon convey? (2)
Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
- (i) Pervez Musharraf, Pakistan (1 mark).
- (ii) Military takeover in 1999, removing Nawaz Sharif (1 mark).
- (iii) Civilian office as a cover for army rule; elections for a democratic image (2 marks).
Answer: (i) General Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan. (ii) The army stepped in in 1999 and he removed the elected Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif; in 2001 he got himself elected President. (iii) It suggests that holding the office of President did not make his rule civilian: real power stayed with the army, and the elections held by military rulers were meant to give their rule a democratic image. It reflects NCERT's point that in Pakistan the military has often prevailed over democracy.
Example 6: Long answer: Bangladesh's path · 6 marks · Long answerHOTS / competency
Trace the sequence of events from 1970 to 1991 that led Bangladesh from military rule to multi-party democracy. (6 marks)
Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
- Background and 1970 election (1 mark).
- Repression and 1971 war (1 mark).
- Constitution and 1975 changes (1 mark).
- Assassinations and military rulers (1 mark).
- Student-led movement and Ershad's fall (1 mark).
- 1991 elections and assessment (1 mark).
Answer: Bangladesh, part of Pakistan from 1947 to 1971, resented West Pakistani domination and the imposition of Urdu. Under Sheikh Mujib-ur Rahman, the Awami League won every East Pakistan seat in the 1970 elections and a majority in the proposed constituent assembly, but the West Pakistani leadership refused to convene it and Mujib was arrested.
Under General Yahya Khan the army tried to crush the Bengali movement; thousands were killed and refugees flooded into India, which supported the demand for independence. The war of December 1971 ended with the surrender of Pakistani forces and the creation of Bangladesh.
The new constitution affirmed secularism, democracy and socialism. But in 1975 Mujib switched to a presidential system and banned all parties except the Awami League; tensions followed and he was assassinated in a military uprising in August 1975.
Military rule followed. Ziaur Rahman formed the Bangladesh National Party and won elections in 1979, but he too was assassinated, and Lt Gen H.M. Ershad took over.
The people, with students in the forefront, rose for democracy. Ershad allowed limited political activity and was elected President, but mass protests forced him to step down in 1990.
Elections were held in 1991, and since then representative democracy based on multi-party elections has worked in Bangladesh. The sequence shows that sustained popular movements, more than the rulers, restored democracy.
Where students lose marks in Democracy in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal
The slips examiners see most often, and what to write instead.
Mistake: Confusing Zia-ul-Haq and Ziaur Rahman
Similar names.
Wrong working
Ziaur Rahman removed Bhutto in Pakistan.
Right working
Zia-ul-Haq: Pakistan, removed Bhutto in 1977. Ziaur Rahman: Bangladesh, BNP, won in 1979.
Do this: 'ul-Haq' in Pakistan; 'Rahman' in Bangladesh.
Usually costs: 1 mark.
Mistake: Wrong order of Pakistan's rulers
Guessing.
Wrong working
Zia-ul-Haq, Ayub Khan, Benazir Bhutto, Musharraf.
Right working
Ayub Khan, Yahya Khan, Z.A. Bhutto, Zia-ul-Haq, Benazir Bhutto, Nawaz Sharif, Musharraf.
Do this: A-Y-Z-M for generals; Bhuttos between them.
Usually costs: 1 mark.
Mistake: Skipping years in sequence questions
Writing a general story.
Wrong working
People protested and Nepal became a democracy.
Right working
1990 constitution; 2002 parliament abolished; April 2006 protests; 2008 republic; 2015 constitution.
Do this: One year per step.
Usually costs: 2-3 marks in a 6-mark answer.
Mistake: Writing only negatives about Pakistan
Ignoring NCERT's balance.
Wrong working
Pakistan has no democratic forces.
Right working
Strong pro-democracy sentiment, free press, human rights movement; elected rule since 2008.
Do this: Always add the counterweight.
Usually costs: 1 mark.
Exam tips
- Asked in: 2026 board paper 59/3/1 Q27 (6 marks, sequence of events establishing democracy in Nepal or in Bangladesh); 2025 board paper 59/5/1 Q19(b) (4 marks, Nepal's transition from monarchy to democracy); 2026 board paper 59/5/1 Q26 (4-mark cartoon on Musharraf); 2024 board paper 59/1/1 Q13 (2 marks, Pakistan's failure to build a stable democracy) and Q14 (2 marks, features of Bangladesh's constitution); 2025 board paper 59/4/1 Q13 (2 marks, four military rulers of Pakistan); 1-mark items such as 2024 59/1/1 Q4 (order of Pakistan's rulers), 2024 59/3/1 Q6 and 2026 59/5/1 Q3 (assertion-reason on Nepal), and 2026 59/5/1 Q4 (matching leaders and countries). Answers here are our own.
- Learn three timelines: Pakistan's rulers, Bangladesh 1970-1991, Nepal 1990-2015.
- Name parties: Awami League, BNP, PPP, Muslim League, Seven Party Alliance.
- Balance failure with pro-democracy forces.
- End with NCERT's line that democracy is becoming an accepted norm.
Practice questions on Democracy in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal
Write each answer on paper first. Open the hint only if you are stuck, and the answer only when you have finished.
Q1 · 1 mark · MCQBoard level
In which year was the monarchy abolished in Nepal, making it a democratic republic?
(a) 1990
(b) 2002
(c) 2006
(d) 2008Hint
Two years after the April protests.
Answer
(d) 2008.
Q2 · 2 marks · Very short answerBoard level
Why did the people of East Pakistan resent West Pakistani rule? Give two reasons. (2 marks)
Hint
Language and power.
Answer
They resented West Pakistan's domination and the imposition of Urdu, with unfair treatment of Bengali culture and language; and they were denied fair representation in administration and a fair share of political power.
Q3 · 4 marks · Short answerHarder board level
Describe four stages in Nepal's movement from monarchy to a democratic republic. (4 marks)
Hint
1990, 2002, 2006, 2008.
Answer
(i) In 1990, after a strong pro-democracy movement, the king accepted a new democratic constitution, though democratic governments proved short-lived. (ii) Through the 1990s Maoists spread an armed insurrection, creating a triangular conflict among monarchists, democrats and Maoists; in 2002 the king abolished parliament and dismissed the government. (iii) In April 2006 massive, largely non-violent protests led by the Seven Party Alliance, the Maoists and social activists forced the king to restore the House of Representatives. (iv) A constituent assembly was formed to draft a constitution; the monarchy was abolished in 2008, making Nepal a democratic republic, and a new constitution was adopted in 2015.
Q4 · 2 marks · Very short answerHarder board level
How did the Maoists and the Seven Party Alliance differ during Nepal's constitution-making? (2 marks)
Hint
Radical programmes.
Answer
The Maoists, having suspended armed struggle, wanted the constitution to include radical programmes of social and economic restructuring, but not all parties in the SPA agreed with this programme; some sections even wanted a nominal monarchy kept.
Q5 · 1 mark · Assertion-reasonHarder board level
Assertion (A): Democracy in South Asia has found support only among the prosperous classes.
Reason (R): A survey of more than 19,000 citizens found widespread support for democracy in five South Asian countries.
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true but R is false.
(d) A is false but R is true.Hint
Rich and poor alike.
Answer
(d) A is false but R is true: support came from rich and poor and from all religions.
Q6 · 4 marks · Short answerHOTS / competency
Suppose a classmate says, "South Asia is not suited to democracy; look at the coups in Pakistan and Bangladesh." Using the chapter, write a reasoned reply. (4 marks)
Hint
India, Sri Lanka, survey, popular movements.
Answer
I would point out that India and Sri Lanka have remained democracies since independence despite many problems. Bangladesh has had multi-party democracy since 1991 after popular, student-led protests forced out a military ruler, and Nepal's people turned a monarchy into a republic through mass movements in 1990 and 2006. Even in Pakistan there is strong pro-democracy sentiment, a relatively free press and a human rights movement, and elected leaders have ruled since 2008. Bhutan and the Maldives have also moved towards multi-party systems. A survey of over 19,000 citizens showed widespread support for democracy among rich and poor. So the coups reflect the power of particular groups, not the unsuitability of the region; NCERT concludes that democracy is becoming an accepted norm in South Asia.
Q7 · 6 marks · Long answerHOTS / competency
Compare the democratic experiences of Pakistan and Bangladesh, identifying two similarities and one difference. (6 marks)
Hint
Military rule, popular resistance; outcome since 1991.
Answer
Similarities: (i) Both have alternated between civilian and military rulers. Pakistan had Generals Ayub Khan, Yahya Khan, Zia-ul-Haq and Pervez Musharraf; Bangladesh had military rule after Mujib's assassination in 1975, under Ziaur Rahman and then Lt Gen H.M. Ershad. In both, military rulers held elections to legitimise themselves (Zia-ul-Haq faced a movement; Musharraf was elected President in 2001; Ziaur Rahman won in 1979; Ershad was elected President). (ii) Both have seen strong popular resistance: in Pakistan a pro-democracy movement from 1982 led to elections in 1988, and a free press and human rights movement remain; in Bangladesh students led protests that forced Ershad out in 1990. Difference: since the post-Cold War period Bangladesh has remained a democracy, with multi-party elections from 1991, while Pakistan's elected governments of 1988-1999 were ended by the 1999 coup, and elected rule returned only in 2008. Pakistan's military has stayed more dominant because of the power of the military, clergy and landed aristocracy, conflict with India and Western support for army rule.
Test your recall
Answer in your head or on paper first, then open the card. Pulling an answer out of memory makes it stick far better than re-reading.
1.Which party did Sheikh Mujib-ur Rahman lead?Show answer
The Awami League.
2.When was Sheikh Mujib assassinated?Show answer
August 1975.
3.When did Ershad step down?Show answer
1990.
4.Who led Pakistan's elected government from 1988?Show answer
Benazir Bhutto.
5.When did Nepal's king abolish parliament?Show answer
2002.
6.When did Nepal adopt its new constitution?Show answer
2015.
Democracy in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal: frequently asked questions
Why has Pakistan failed to build a stable democracy?
Because of the social dominance of the military, clergy and landowning aristocracy, conflict with India that strengthens pro-military groups, and Western support for military rulers.
When did democracy return to Bangladesh?
After mass protests forced General Ershad to step down in 1990; elections in 1991 began multi-party democracy.
What was the Seven Party Alliance?
The alliance of Nepal's parties that, with the Maoists and social activists, led the largely non-violent April 2006 movement that forced the king to restore the House of Representatives.
Which South Asian countries have always been democracies?
India and Sri Lanka have run democratic systems since independence, despite many problems.