Environmental History of India: From Earliest Times to the Twenty-First Century

India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh are home to many biodiversity hotspots and are subject to climatic stresses. By surveying their environmental history, we can gain insights into the causes and implications of the Indian subcontinent's current conditions. Coverage continues to the twenty-first century, taking readers beyond independence from colonial rule. To understand the region's current and future pressing issues, we must engage with the long and complex history of interactions among its people, land, climate, flora, and fauna.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 312 pages
Publication date: 18 October 2018
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, together accounting for one-fifth of the world's population, harbor numerous biodiversity hotspots and face significant climatic challenges. By delving into their environmental history, we can gain invaluable insights into the underlying causes and consequences of the current conditions on the Indian subcontinent. This accessible and comprehensive new survey spans approximately 100 million years, beginning with the movement of India from the South Pole to its current location across the Indian Ocean, resulting in the formation of the Himalayan Mountains and the development of monsoons. The coverage extends to the twenty-first century, encompassing the period of independence from colonial rule.

As these nations have experienced rapid population growth, they have also strained their natural resources. At the same time, they have become increasingly aware of the impacts of climate change. In order to understand the region's complex and pressing issues, Michael H. Fisher argues that we must engage with the long and intricate history of interactions among its people, land, climate, flora, and fauna.

The history of India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh is marked by a series of geological and environmental events that have shaped their landscapes and societies. The Indian subcontinent was formed by the collision of the Eurasian and African tectonic plates, resulting in the uplift of the Himalayan Mountains and the creation of the Indian Ocean. This geological process also led to the formation of the Indus River Valley, which is one of the world's earliest and most fertile agricultural regions.

Over time, the Indian subcontinent has been home to a diverse range of cultures and civilizations, including the Indus Valley Civilization, the Maurya Empire, and the Gupta Empire. These empires were characterized by advanced urban planning, irrigation systems, and artistic and scientific achievements. However, they also faced challenges such as political instability, invasions, and environmental degradation.

The arrival of Islam in the seventh century CE brought significant changes to the Indian subcontinent. The Islamic Empire, which ruled from the Delhi Sultanate to the Mughal Empire, introduced a new political and social order, as well as a distinct cultural and artistic heritage. The Mughal Empire, in particular, was known for its architectural marvels, such as the Taj Mahal, and its contributions to literature, art, and science.

However, the Mughal Empire also faced challenges, including economic decline, political fragmentation, and environmental degradation. The decline of the Mughal Empire in the eighteenth century CE marked the beginning of a period of colonial rule by British and French powers. This period saw the exploitation of natural resources, the imposition of oppressive policies, and the marginalization of local cultures and traditions.

Independence from colonial rule in the mid-twentieth century CE brought about significant changes in the political and social landscape of the Indian subcontinent. The newly formed nations of India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh faced numerous challenges, including economic development, social inequality, and regional conflict. However, they also had the opportunity to shape their own destinies and develop their own unique cultural and political identities.

Since independence, India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh have experienced rapid economic growth and development. However, they have also faced significant environmental challenges, including air and water pollution, deforestation, and climate change. These challenges have impacted the health and well-being of their populations, as well as the sustainability of their economies.

In recent years, the Indian subcontinent has also become increasingly engaged with global climate change negotiations. The Paris Agreement, which was signed in 2015, aims to limit global warming to 2 degrees Celsius and has been ratified by India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. However, there are still challenges to be addressed, such as the need for more ambitious climate action, the distribution of financial resources, and the mitigation of the impacts of climate change on vulnerable communities.

In conclusion, India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh contain one-fifth of humanity, are home to many biodiversity hotspots, and are among the nations most subject to climatic stresses. By surveying their environmental history, we can gain major insights into the causes and implications of the Indian subcontinent's current conditions. The new nations of India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh have produced rising populations and have stretched natural resources, even as they have become increasingly engaged with climate change. To understand the region's current and future pressing issues, Michael H. Fisher argues that we must engage with the long and complex history of interactions among its people, land, climate, flora, and fauna.

Weight: 502g
Dimension: 154 x 227 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781107529106