The independence of Bangladesh from Pakistan in 1971 marked the beginning of a new historical era for the Bangladeshi nation. Modernization will prove especially difficult due to the high level of poverty, population, and illiteracy caused by centuries of foreign domination and oppression (O'Donnell 1). To better understand the socioeconomic factors complicating modernization, an in-depth analysis of Bangladesh's history in relation to geography, culture, and economy could prove useful. This essay will also synthesize information from various sources and provide an ethical discussion on the social injustice caused by British and Pakistani colonization. The long history of Bangladesh can be divided into four periods: Ancient History (1000 BC - 1206 AD), Mughal Kingdom (1206 AD – 1600 AD), British Rule (1600 AD – 1947) and the present era (1947 – present) (Shrestha, 205). A common theme of conquest and subjugation unites these periods and provides insight into Bangladesh's current state of affairs. The ancient history of Bangladesh is characterized by the control of empire, namely that of the Mauryan, Gupta, Harsha, Pala and Sena empires. Mughal or Islamic rule began in 1202 with the Turkish conquest. During this period, especially during the 1500s and 1600s, Bangladesh was drained of its resources to maintain the Mughal army (Shrestha, 200). Despite the military's exhaustive consumption of resources, the inevitable decline of the Mughal Empire began in the 1600s and allowed for greater British influence. Under the supervision of the East India Trading Company, British authority eventually spread throughout India. In 1764, the British defeated the Mughal emperor and took control of what is now Bangladesh without popular support. ...... middle of paper ...... prosperity for the destitute and impoverished. The difficult problems facing Bangladesh and developing nations like it remind us that there is still a long way to go before global solidarity can be achieved. The success of these nations depends on continued global efforts to combat social injustice and ensure a more equitable distribution of wealth for all. Works Cited "Demography of Bangladesh". Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. June 24, 2014. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Bangladesh#Population_DensityJohnson, BLC Bangladesh. London: Heinemann Educational, 1975. Novak, James J. Bangladesh: Reflections on Water. Bloomington: Indiana UP, 1993. O'Donnell, Peter. Bangladesh: Biography of a Muslim Nation. Boulder: Westview, 1984. Shrestha, Nanda R. Nepal and Bangladesh: A Handbook of Global Studies. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, 2002.