Former country in the Himalayas (6)

I believe the answer is:

malaya

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'former country' is the definition.
'Malaya' can be an answer for 'country' (Malaya is an example). I am not certain of the 'former' bit.

'in the himalayas' is the wordplay.
'in' indicates a hidden word.
'MALAYA' can be found hidden inside 'himalayas'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for malaya that I've seen before include "peninsular group of states" , "Former country of southeast Asia, now part of another" , "Old colony" .)

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