A brief look at history reveals its enormous legacy to the world. Thebirthplace of major civilizations and religions, notably Hinduism and Buddhism,the subcontinent is home to one-third (380 million) of the world's Muslims. Thiscrossroads of civilisations produced outstanding art, architecture, astronomy,literature, painting, industry, sculpture, music, and philosophy. Sinceindependence and partition in 1947, cultural output has remained very strong;the subcontinent's entrepreneurs are important actors and wealth creators inplaces ranging from Kenya to California, while its academics, writers, jurists,and scientists are prominent in centers of excellence across the West.