Northwestern South Asia

Northwestern South Asia is a geographical area in South Asia. It includes the modern-day Afghanistan, north-western India, and Pakistan.

Northwestern South Asia is the site of many of the first civilisations of the world, such as the Indus Valley Civilisation. It was historically the most-conquered region of South Asia because it is the first region that invading armies coming from the west had to cross to enter the Indian subcontinent; notable conquests include the Indian campaign of Alexander the Great in the fourth century BCE and several Muslim invasions from the 8th century CE to the 18th century. Because of these many invasions, Northwestern South Asia has significant influences from various sources outside of South Asia, mainly from the Muslim world. Prior to Islamic influence, the region was largely Hindu and Buddhist, and was home to hotbeds of Buddhist activity such as Gandhara.

Ancient era
Greek invasions of Northwestern South Asia over 2,000 years ago produced the Indo-Greek Kingdom and a syncretised culture. Buddhism was prominent in this region, and traveled from here to China through Central Asia.

Afghanistan was conquered by Muslims starting in the 7th century after Arabs had crossed Persia. Sindh was the first region in the subcontinent to be conquered by Muslims, falling to the Umayyad Caliphate in the first Islamic century. During the subsequent Muslim invasions of the region, the religion of Sikhism was born, producing a warrior class with affinities to both Hindus and Muslims that was persecuted by and that fought against the invaders. Buddhism vanished from the region during Muslim rule, prompted by persecution and conversions.

Modern era
The end of colonial rule in the region saw most Indian Muslims in Northwestern South Asia become part of the new nation of Pakistan during the 1947 Partition of India.

The 20th and 21st centuries saw Afghanistan invaded several times, with the Taliban having intermittently been in charge of the country.