Why 1947? On the 14th August 1947 Pakistan was officially born as an independant soverign state. Prior to that day, it was a part of a united India.
When the then India gained independence from British colonial rule, a seperate state was also formed to be a homeland for the muslims of India. The name given to this new state was Pakistan. In urdu: Pak - pure stan - land. Thus the Land of the Pure was born.
In this way, a once great civilisation lived along the Indus valley. Known as the Harrapan or Indus Valley civilisation, they built great cities, impressive even by today's standards. It is also one of the earliest known civilisations easily rivalling the Egyptian or Babylonians in both technology and age. The most well known of their cities Mohenjodaro (sindhi - Mound of the Dead) is testamount to the ingenuity of the people and displays remarkable planning reminiscent of what is supposed to be modern city planning.
The Harrapan's mysteriously dissapeared over 4000 years ago. The next great invaders were the Persians hotly pursued by Alexander and his Macedonian army. Decendants of both people still live in the region today. It is not uncommon to find in the North, Pakistani's with blond hair and blue eyes
Islam was brought to the region when the Arab's invaded almost 1400 years ago. Initially they arrived via Persia (Iran) and by sea. Most settled.
Possibly the greatest rulers of the region were the Mughals (also Moguls). Once established they continued to expand their rule over much of the Indian Subcontinent. Building great monuments to their rule, their legacy is now what most people associate with both India and Pakistan. The Great Forts and Mahal's (palaces) are among the most ornate ever built, but without a doubt the greatest Mughal monument is the Taj Mahal located in India.
The Mughal Empire lasted for over a thousand years, but like all empires finally disintegrated, replaced by the British who continued to rule the region until 1947.