South Asia: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka

What are the two main languages in Sri Lanka?

Tamil and Sinhalese

What is the capital of Bhutan?

Thimphu

India has two types of subdivisions, states and what else?

Union territories

What is the main language of Pakistan?

Urdu

What is India's most populous state?

Uttar Pradesh

What year was the partition of India and Pakistan?

1947

Along the shores of this body of water, a statue of Annie Besant can be found in an urban park on Marina Beach. That beach is on the Coromandel Coast between this body of water and the Eastern Ghats. The "Paris of the East," Pondicherry, lies on this body of water, which contains the Andaman Islands and whose coastal cities include Madras, now named Chennai. For the point, name this body of water, a bay named for the primary ethnic group of Bangladesh.

Bay of Bengal

This country's major ethnic groups are the Indigenous Sharchops in the East and the latter arriving Ngalops in the West. This country is home to the Gangkhar Puensum, the world's highest unclimbed mountain. This country is home to Paro Taktsang, a Vajrayana monastery also called Tiger's Nest. The Paro Valley was the main route for Buddhism to be introduced to this country from Tibet. For the point, name this Himalayan kingdom governed from Thimphu

Bhutan

This nation is only in the world whose farming is 100% organic and it began a nationwide ban on tobacco in 2010. Nearly half of this country's exports are electricity to its southern neighbor, provided by recent developments like the 90 foot Tala Power Station. This home country of the picturesque Paro Toktsang Monastery originated the "Gross National Happiness" index which was coined by its "Dragon King" in 1972. For the point, name this predominantly Buddhist South Asian nation with capital at Thimphu in the Himalayas

Bhutan

What country charges visitors 250/day no matter what they do?

Bhutan

What country has a flag with orange and yellow triangles and a dragon?

Bhutan

What country is the land of the thunder dragon?

Bhutan

Where is the Taj Mahal?

Agra, India

The Cauvery river in this country is the focus of disputes between two of its states. During World War II, the Battle of the Tennis Court occurred in the city of Kohima in what is now the capital of this country's state of Nagaland. This country annexed its present-day state of Goa from the Portuguese during Operation Vijay. Kashmir was partitioned in 1948 between this country and its predominantly Muslim neighbor. For the point, name this country with several ongoing boundary disputes with Pakistan.

India

This country's Union Territories include Puducherry and Ladakh. The Thar Desert makes up the western boundary of this country where Sino Tibetan, Andamanese, and Dravidian Languages are spoken. The states of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh are located in, for the point, what subcontinental country with its capital at New Delhi?

India

What countries dispute Jammu and Kashmir?

India and Pakistan

What country is Balochistan in?

Pakistan

Afghanistan's Wakhan Corridor separates what two countries?

Pakistan and Tajikistan

What do we call the moment when India and Pakistan were separated?

Partition

This city is separated from Pimpri-Chinchwad by the Mula River and is nicknamed the "the Oxford of the East." The sport badminton was originally named for this city by British expatriates. This city's Shaniwar Wada fortifications are flanked by a statue of Baji Rao I, who ruled as Peshwa from this city, the final capital of the Maratha Empire. For the point, name this city which is 75 miles southeast of Mumbai, a notable IT [[I-T]] hub.

Pune

Along with Haryana, a state named for this region is served by the capital city Chandigarh , while Lahore is the capital and main city of another state named for this region. This region's namesake language is the only tonal IndoEuropean language and was used to write the Adi Granth. For the point, name this region divided by India and Pakistan, the homeland of Sikhism

Punjab

The Indus River portion of Pakistan is divided into which two regions?

Punjab and Sindh

What is India's largest state?

Rajasthan

The Rann of Kutch is a large what on the India/Pakistan border?

Salt marsh

Triloknath Pandit led the first peaceful contact with these people who may be related to the Jarawa and Onge. Maurice Vidal Portman abducted six of these people to Port Blair before the death of two elders. This Scheduled Tribe, which does not practice agriculture, was responsible for the 2018 death of John Allen Chau, an American Christian missionary. For the point, name this primitive tribe that lives in isolation on India's Andaman Islands

Sentinelese

What Indian state is between Nepal and Bhutan?

Sikkim

What is the capital of Sri Lanka?

Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, Colombo

The Jaffna peninsula forms the northern part of this country, which is separated from its northern neighbor by the Palk Strait and the Gulf of Mannar. The Temple of the Tooth Relic is a religiously important site in this country's central city of Kandy. The Sigiriya ancient rock fortress in this country was built by a king who shifted his capital from Anuradhapura. For the point, name this island nation in the Indian Ocean which used to be called Ceylon.

Sri Lanka

This country's Yala National Park is served by its failed Mattala Rajapaksa Airport, which recently served fewer than twenty passengers a day. Buddha is venerated at the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy, the site of a former kingdom on this island linked across the Palk Strait by Adam's Bridge. Ceylon is the former name of, For the point, what country with largest city Colombo, just southeast of India?

Sri Lanka

This island's highest point is Pidurutalagala, or Mount Pedro. This island's longest river is the Mahaweli River, and this island's Bambarakanda Falls lie on the Kuda Oya river. This island country, which is separated from the mainland by the Palk Strait, was known as Ceylon while under British rule. For the point, name this island nation located south of India, home to the cities of Kotte and Colombo.

Sri Lanka

What country is home to the Buddha Tooth temple in Kandy?

Sri Lanka

What country is the world's largest tea exporter?

Sri Lanka

Adams Bridge is a chain of islands that connects what two countries?

India and Sri Lanka

Where do the Sentinelese people live?

India's Andaman Islands

What four countries does Pakistan border?

India, China, Afghanistan, Iran

What is the main river of Pakistan?

Indus

This mountain is separated from the Masherbrum Mountains by the Baltoro Glacier. Achille Compagnoni led the first successful summit of this mountain through the Abruzzi Spur route. This mountain is sometimes given the nickname "Savage Mountain," but is more commonly named after its surveyor's mark. For the point, name this Karakoram Range mountain on the China-Pakistan border, the second tallest mountain on Earth.

K2

What is Pakistan's highest mountain?

K2

What is the capital of Afghanistan?

Kabul

What famous religious leader was born in Nepal?

Buddha

What is the old name for Sri Lanka?

Ceylon

This city's neighborhood of George Town contains a port district called Parry's Corner, named for an 18th century Welsh merchant. The Telugu Ganga is a water project enacted by the neighboring state of Andhra Pradesh to divert water from the Krishna River to this city's state. This coastal city is located north of Puducherry and due east of Bengaluru on the Bay of Bengal. For the point, name this capital of Tamil Nadu once known as Madras

Chennai

This capital city is divided into subdivisions called upazilas. Thousands of tons of sewage and waste from this city flood the Buriganga River. The prevalence of bicycle transportation in this city has led it to be named the Rickshaw Capital of the World. In 2013, this city's Savar district suffered when over 1,000 people were killed in the collapse of an eight-story textile factory. For the point, name this capital of Bangladesh.

Dhaka

What is the capital of Bangladesh?

Dhaka

What language is spoken in the Union territory of Puducherry?

French

What famous elite British soldiers come from Nepal?

Gurkhas

What mountains make up most of the middle of Afghanistan?

Hindu Kush

What religion dominates the Maldives?

Islam

What are the main religions of Pakistan and India?

Islam and Hinduism

What is the capital of Pakistan?

Islamabad

What is the tallest mountain in India?

Kangchenjunga

One city in this nation is home to the Shrine of Hazrat Ali, a mosque with twin blue domes. This country lies northwest of the Durand Line, and this country includes the Wakhan Corridor, connecting it to China. This country's Balkh province contains the city of Mazar-e-Sharif, and its Parwan province includes its largest US military base, Bagram Airfield. Pashto is a major language in, For the point, what country bordering Pakistan with capital at Kabul?

Afghanistan

Refugees in this country desperately attempted to cling to a plane during a 2021 evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport. This country's republic suffered losses at Lashkargah and Kandahar during a 2021 terrorist uprising. For the point, identify this country where the Taliban toppled an Islamic republic in Kabul.

Afghanistan

This country is connected to China by the Wakhan Corridor. This country, whose official languages are Dari and Pashto, has its southeast border at the Durand Line. This country's Bamiyan Valley was once home to a pair of statues of the Buddha which were destroyed by the Taliban. Linked to Pakistan via the Khyber Pass, for the point, what is this central Asian country whose capital is Kabul?

Afghanistan

What body of water is south of Pakistan?

Arabian Sea

What do we call a group of islands like the Maldives?

Archipelago

What word for a coral island comes from the Maldivian language?

Atoll

Outside this city, British Army Officer Mark Cubbon built a complex of summer homes in the Nandi Hills. Tipu Sultan finished this city's Lal Bagh, a botanical garden that is home to non-native species like the African Baobab and American Cypress. The waning Mughal Empire sold this city for 300,000 rupees to Mysore's ruler, Chikka Devaraja. The cultural center of Kannada speakers is this capital of Karnataka. For the point, name this so-called "Silicon Valley of India."

Bangalore

This city's neighborhoods of Whitefield and Electronic City are being connected to its Namma Metro. Outside this city, British Army Officer Mark Cubbon built a complex of summer homes in the Nandi Hills. Tipu Sultan finished this city's Lal Bagh, a botanical garden that is home to non-native species like the African Baobab and American Cypress. The waning Mughal Empire sold this city for 300,000 rupees to Mysore's ruler, Chikka Devaraja. The cultural center of Kannada speakers is this capital of Karnataka. For the point, name this so-called "Silicon Valley of India."

Bangalore

A major port in this country lies on the banks of the Karnaphuli River and names some well-known "hill tracts." Since 1981, Sheikh Hasina has led this country's Awami League, and Hasina's father won the 1971 election that led to this country's "Liberation War." This country's resort town of Cox's Bazar hosts Rohingya Muslims in the world's largest refugee camp, while its other cities include Chittagong. For the point, name this South Asian country

Bangladesh

East Pakistan became what country?

Bangladesh

This country's city of Cox's Bazar is the site of a complex of refugee camps, and it contains a large mangrove forest called the Sundarbans. This country contains a tribal area in the Chittagong Hill Tracts outside its second largest city. This country is the location of the Brahmaputra River Delta and was known as East Pakistan before a bloody war of independence in the early 1970s. For the point, name this Asian country with its capital at Dhaka.

Bangladesh

What otherwise low-lying country is home to the Chittagong Hills?

Bangladesh

What two countries are separated by West Bengal's Silipuri Corridor?

Bangladesh and Nepal

This mountain, which is delineated by the Tamur and Teesta Rivers, was considered the highest point in the world until 1852 when that title passed to Mount Everest. Tourists can view the southeast face of this mountain by trekking the Goecha La pass, which is located in the state of Sikkim. For the point, name this mountain in the Himalayas, the highest point in India.

Kangchenjunga

What is Pakistan's largest city?

Karachi

What mountain range is home to K2?

Karakoram

Srinagar is the "summer capital" of a namesake union territory of this region, and Ladakh is another union territory in this region that includes the Chinese-claimed Aksai Chin portion. This region's Karakoram Range includes K2, the world's second-tallest mountain, and this region's "winter capital" is Jammu. For the point, name this region at the western edge of the Himalayas, disputed between northernmost India and Pakistan.

Kashmir

This region is located between the Pir Panjal and Karakoram Ranges, and one portion of this region is administered from the city of Muzaffarabad. The southern and eastern portion of this region is administered with Jammu from the city of Srinagar. For the point, name this region which is the subject of an ongoing territorial dispute between China, India, and Pakistan.

Kashmir

What is the capital of Nepal?

Kathmandu

What sea lies to the southeast of India?

Lakshadweep

What is the capital of the Maldives?

Male

What is the name for the seasonal rains that affect Bangladesh?

Monsoons

The first two climbers who successfully reached this mountain's summit name an airport in the city of Lukla. Climbers attempting to summit this mountain must scale the Lhotse face through the South Col route. A 1952 expedition to climb this mountain led by Edouard Wyss-Dunant set a new record, paving the way for a successful summit by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. For the point, name this mountain in the Himalayas, the tallest mountain in the world.

Mount Everest

The Bandra-Worli Sea Link is a bridge connecting the Western Suburbs to the southern part of this city. This city primarily rests on the island of Salsette at the mouth of the Ulhas River. Sanjay Gupta National Park in this city includes the Kanheri Caves, which include Buddhist reliefs less elaborate than those in this city's Elephanta Caves. This city in Maharashtra is the center of the Bollywood film industry. For the point, name this most populous city in India.

Mumbai

The Fort campus of this city's university includes the Big Ben-inspired Rajabai Clocktower. The Thane and Vasai Creeks separate this city from the mainland. This city's harbor contains Oyster Rock, Butcher Island, and Elephanta Island, while this city itself sits on Salsette Island in the Arabian Sea. For the point, name this capital of Maharashtra and most populous city of India, which was known as Bombay during British rule

Mumbai

This city isn't Boston, but it contains Back Bay, home to the Girgaon Chowpatty beach known for its Vinayaka Chaturthi festival where idols of Ganesh are immersed in the Arabian Sea. This city's "Navi" counterpart administers the Elephanta Caves, and this city, out of which the Marathi cinema is based, contains the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. For the point, name this largest city of India, known for its Bollywood Film Industry

Mumbai

This city's neighborhood of Santa Cruz is home to the historic Catholic center named Willingdon Colony. This city primarily rests on the island of Salsette, and, to commemorate the arrival of King George V in this city, the Gateway to India was constructed. This largest city in Maharashtra is the center of the Bollywood film industry. For the point, name this largest city in India, which was formerly called Bombay

Mumbai

This city's neighborhood of Santa Cruz is home to the historic Catholic center of Willingdon Colony. The Bandra-Worli Sea Link is a bridge connecting the Western Suburbs to the southern part of this city. This city primarily rests on the island of Salsette at the mouth of the Ulhas River. Sanjay Gupta National Park in this city includes the Kanheri Caves, which include Buddhist reliefs less elaborate than those in this city's Elephanta Caves. This city in Maharashtra is the center of the Bollywood film industry. For the point, name this most populous city in India.

Mumbai

What is India's largest city?

Mumbai

The Chin and Kachin Hills form a high, forested area between India and what country?

Myanmar

Many temples in this nation were constructed by the Newar people. The Annapurna Mountains and Sagarmatha National Park are located in this country. After a namesake war, the British started recruiting this nation's soldiers known as Gurkhas into their ranks. The Sherpa people of this nation have earned a reputation for their mountaineering skills. For the point, name this nation which is home to Mount Everest.

Nepal

What country has Mount Everest?

Nepal

This city, surrounded on three sides by Haryana, is part of the National Capital Region with suburbs such as Faridabad and Ghaziabad. This city's Qutb Minar was inspired by the Minaret of Jam, and its Lotus Temple is a Baha'i House of Worship known for its flower-like shape. This city on the Yamuna River implemented a lockdown in 2021 due to its air pollution and was formerly the capital of the Mughal Empire. For the point, name this capital of India.

New Delhi

This city, surrounded on three sides by Haryana, is part of the National Capital Region with suburbs such as Faridabad and Ghaziabad. This city's Qutb Minar was inspired by the Minaret of Jam, and its Lotus Temple is a Baha'i House of Worship known for its flower-like shape. This city on the Yamuna River implemented a lockdown in 2021 due to its air pollution and was formerly the capital of the Mughal Empire. For the point, name this capital of India

New Delhi

What is the capital of India?

New Delhi

This desert's Cholistan section includes the circular Derawar Fort and is bounded by the Sutlej River. This desert, occupied by the Jaisalmer State until 1947, stretches from the Rann of Kutch to Haryana, and the "Blue City" of Jodhpur lies at the edge of this desert. The majority of this desert lies in the state of Rajasthan, and it is irrigated by the Indira Gandhi Canal. For the point, name this desert split between Pakistan and India.

Thar Desert

What desert spans the India/Pakistan border?

Thar Desert

In the extreme southwest of this body of water, the Lakshadweep archipelago is home to a community related to the Malayali people. This body of water's island of Masirah contains wreckages of many sailing ships called dhows. The island of Socotra belongs to the Aden Governate of a country along this sea, whose ships are frequently targeted by pirates from Somalia to its west. The Persian Gulf and Gulf of Aden are both connected to, For the point, what sea of the northwest Indian Ocean that Oman and Yemen border?

The Arabian Sea

This sea's shores include the former Portuguese trading outposts of Daman and Calicut. The Kathiawar and Musandam Peninsulas jut into this sea where the dragon blood tree is endemic to Socotra. The Gulf of Aden is the westernmost extent of this sea, which is connected to the Red Sea through the Bab-el-Mandeb. For the point, name this sea between India, Africa, and a namesake peninsula

The Arabian Sea

This bay is the world's largest by area, and it includes the coastline of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. The Sentinelese make their home on North Sentinel Island in this bay that also contains the Andaman Islands. For the point, name this bay between India and Myanmar with a name similar to that of a country governed from Dhaka.

The Bay of Bengal

What body of water is to the east of India?

The Bay of Bengal

Aside from the Ganges River, what is the other major river of Bangladesh?

The Brahmaputura

Which two mountain ranges run down the southern coasts of India?

The Eastern and Western Ghats

A dolphin named for this river is also known as the Susu. One of this river's sources is Nanda Devi, and along with the Yamuna, it is mentioned in a certain country's national anthem. This river is the site of the Kumbh Mela pilgrimage, and it flows through the holy city of Varanasi. The cities of Patna and Kolkata also lie on this river, which flows into the Bay of Bengal. For the point, name this longest river in India.

The Ganges

What major river forms a delta in Bangladesh?

The Ganges

What famous pass connects northern Pakistan to Afghanistan?

The Khyber Pass

What country is home to the Dhivehi language?

The Maldives

What is the smallest country in Asia?

The Maldives

What glacier is a disputed point with China and India's northernmost point?

The Siachen Glacier