Part of: Miscellaneous Indian Gk set 130

Formerly known as East Pakistan, this poverty-stricken, low lying country suffers natural disasters like cyclones and flooding

Category: Miscellaneous Indian Gk

Hint: Consider the historical context of East Pakistan and the country's geographical features.

Correct Answer: D) Bangladesh

Exam Relevance: UPSC, SSC, Bank PO

Difficulty: Easy

Explanations:

Bangladesh is a country located in South Asia, bordered by India to the west, north, and east; Myanmar to the southeast; and the Bay of Bengal to the south. It is a low-lying country with a large portion of its land area at or near sea level, making it particularly vulnerable to natural disasters such as cyclones and flooding.

The history of Bangladesh is closely tied to its geographical location and its former status as East Pakistan. Prior to 1971, Bangladesh was part of Pakistan, known as East Pakistan. The partition of British India in 1947 led to the creation of Pakistan, which consisted of two geographically separate regions: West Pakistan (now Pakistan) and East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). The two regions were separated by over a thousand miles of Indian territory and had significant cultural, linguistic, and political differences.

In 1971, East Pakistan declared independence from Pakistan, leading to a nine-month war of independence. The war ended with the creation of Bangladesh as an independent nation. Since then, Bangladesh has faced numerous challenges, including economic difficulties and natural disasters. The country's low-lying terrain and proximity to the Bay of Bengal make it particularly susceptible to cyclones and flooding, which can cause significant damage to infrastructure and agriculture, and result in loss of life.

Understanding the geographical and historical context of Bangladesh is crucial for comprehending its current situation and the challenges it faces. The country's vulnerability to natural disasters is a direct result of its geographical location and the low-lying nature of much of its land. This makes it a critical area of study in geography and international relations, particularly in the context of disaster management and climate change.

Option Analysis:
  • Option A: Incorrect. Pakistan is not the correct answer as it is a separate country that was once part of the same nation as Bangladesh, but it is not the former East Pakistan.
  • Option B: Incorrect. India is a neighboring country and not the former East Pakistan. It is not known for being a low-lying country suffering from frequent cyclones and flooding.
  • Option C: Incorrect. Myanmar, also known as Burma, is another neighboring country but it is not the former East Pakistan and does not fit the description of being a low-lying country suffering from frequent cyclones and flooding.
  • Option D: Correct. Bangladesh was formerly known as East Pakistan and is a low-lying country that frequently suffers from natural disasters such as cyclones and flooding.

Mnemonic: B for Bangladesh, B for Before (East Pakistan)

Back to Miscellaneous Indian Gk set 130 – Practice all questions