Category Civics

          Before the 1970s, the seven emirates under the UAE were separate states in the Persian Gulf, who fought against each other. Some traded spices, pearls and perfumes while the others smuggled them.

          By the 1820s, the British became a major trading power in this region. To avoid competition, they made the emirs sign a truce. They stopped warfare among themselves in return for the protection offered by the British.

          In 1971 the emirs of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ajman, Fujairah, Sharjah and Umm Al Quwain joined under the banner of the United Arab Emirates and gained independence. Ras Al Khaimah later joined the emirates in 1972.

Picture Credit : Google

          Have you ever heard your grandparents talking about Ceylon? Ceylon is the old name of Sri Lanka: the name was given by the British when they colonized it. Lanka is known to all of us from the story of Ramayana.

          The Sinhalese from India conquered the island and named it Sinhala. Later, Tamils also from India invaded Sinhala pushing the Sinhalese southwards. This has been a source of conflict since then. The country was later invaded by the Portuguese, Dutch and British. After World War II, the island gained independence from the British. This happened in 1948 and after two decades, the country adopted its new name – Sri Lanka.

          The old tensions between the Tamils and Sinhalese erupted again in the 1980s leading to a bitter civil war. The war killed thousands and many fled from their motherland.

          The conflict ended in 2009 with the victory over Tamil Tigers.

Picture Credit : Google

          If you are planning to visit Indonesia, be ready to be welcomed by the invigorating aroma of spices. Indonesia had a huge market of spices and was a part of several trade routes. The strategic location and of course the spices attracted sea-farers across the world.

          Indian and Arab merchants had trade relations with Indonesia before the Europeans entered the scene. The British and the Portuguese struggled to control the islands, but it was the Dutch who could succeed in it: they ruled Indonesia from 1798 and brought in a sense of unity among the islanders. A century after the Dutch rule, Indonesia gained independence and became a republic in 1949, with Achmed Sukarno as the first president. The army became a powerful force after independence.

          In recent years Indonesia was very much in the news because of the earthquake in the Indian Ocean and the tsunami that followed, which devastated the archipelago in 2004. It is once again in the news as the country is planning to move the capital out of Jakarta, the present capital.

Picture Credit : Google

          The name Philippines has got a Spanish connection. The Spanish colonized the country in 1565. The name Philippines was given to commemorate their king Philip ll.

          The Filipinos are descendants of Malays who settled in the islands around 3000 BC. The Spanish established a colony and enjoyed its agrarian wealth for around three hundred years. After the Spanish – American war, the USA bought Philippines for 20 million dollars. Thus America got its ownership! This transfer of ownership happened in 1891 and almost half a century later, Philippines gained independence under the military leadership of President Marcos. Marcos was ousted later on charges of corruption.

Picture Credit : Google

          Throughout its existence, Malaysia was occupied and ruled by different countries and powers. The early settlers of Malaysia came from China. Before the Britishers set foot, the country was occupied by the Arabs, Portuguese and Dutch. The Britishers came in the 1800s and ruled the country for almost a century.

          During the Second World War, Japan occupied Malaysia. After the war, the communists started a terrorist campaign against the British and Malaysia finally gained independence in 1957. Since then, it has a democratic system of government. It has a federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy.

Picture Credit : Google

          Legends say that Singapore was founded by a Malay prince who set foot on the island in the 13th century. We don’t know if this is true, but the modern-day Singapore was born in 1819. Sir Stamford Raffles, a trader with the British East India Company founded the island country.

          Many Chinese people came to the island for work and trade. For almost hundred years, Britain ruled the country. Though Singapore joined the Federation of Malaysia in 1963, it backed out to become a separate nation in 1965. Singapore is one of the richest Southeast Asian countries whose money comes from international trade, banking and shipping.

          Singapore transitioned to a first world country from a third world country under the leadership of their first Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew.

Picture Credit : Google