The independence of Bangladesh from Pakistan in 1971 marked the beginning of a new historical era for the Bangali nation. Modernization will prove particularly difficult due to the high levels of poverty, population, and illiteracy caused by centuries of foreign domination and oppression (O'Donnell 1). To better understand the socio-economic factors that complicate modernization, an in-depth analysis of Bangladesh's history in terms of geography, culture and economics could prove useful. This essay will also synthesize information from various sources and provide an ethical discussion on the societal 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 rule (1206 AD – 1600 AD), British rule (1600 AD – 1947) and the era current (1947 – present) (Shrestha, 205). A common theme of conquest and subjugation unites these periods and provides insight into the current state of affairs in Bangladesh. 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 resources to support the Mughal army (Shrestha, 200). Despite the army's exhaustive consumption of resources, the inevitable decline of the Mughal Empire began in the 1600s and allowed for increased British influence. Under the supervision of the East India Trading Company, British authority eventually extended throughout India. In 1764, the British defeated the Mughal emperor and took control of present-day Bangladesh without popular support. ...... middle of paper ...... ic prosperity for the deprived and the poor. The difficult issues facing Bangladesh and developing countries remind us that there is a long way to go before we can achieve global solidarity. The success of these nations depends on the continued global commitment to combating societal injustice and ensuring a more equitable distribution of wealth for all. Works Cited “Demographics 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, California: ABC-CLIO, 2002.