Most South Asian countries gained independence from western powers in the mid-20th century. India gained independence from British rule on August 15, 1947, followed by Pakistan on the same day. Sri Lanka gained independence from British rule on February 4, 1948, and Myanmar (Burma) gained independence from British colonial rule in 1948. Bangladesh gained independence from Pakistan in 1971 after a bloody war of independence. Nepal gained independence from British influence in 1923, while Bhutan has never been colonized by a Western power.
