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The Hindu group pushing for independence was the Congress Party, while the Muslim League was the pro-independence Islamic group led by Muhammad Ali Jinnah.  In 1946 the [[Great Calcutta Killing]] occurred, which was a riot between Hindus and Muslims resulting in 6,000 deaths.

The Hindu group pushing for independence was the Congress Party, while the Muslim League was the pro-independence Islamic group led by Muhammad Ali Jinnah.  In 1946 the [[Great Calcutta Killing]] occurred, which was a riot between Hindus and Muslims resulting in 6,000 deaths.

On both sides of India, East and West, were regions dominated by Islam.  In 1947, they achieved independence as East and West Pakistan based on a partition by the British House of Commons.  Religious conflict continued.  Gandhi went to Delhi in January 1948 to urge fair treatment for Muslims, and was then assassinated by a Hindu.

On both sides of India, East and West, were regions dominated by Islam.  In 1947, they achieved independence as East and West Pakistan based on a partition by the British House of Commons (East Pakistan later became Bangladesh).  Religious conflict continued.  Gandhi went to Delhi in January 1948 to urge fair treatment for Muslims, and was then assassinated by a Hindu.

[[Image:India rel01.jpg|400px|right]]

[[Image:India rel01.jpg|400px|right]]

India received its independence from Great Britain on August 15, 1947, and instantly became the world’s most populous democracy.  Jawaharial Nehru was its first prime minister.  He began the long process of modernization and sought to de-emphasize the caste system.  Two years later, in 1949, a war broke out between India and Pakistan over Kashmir, and this dispute continues today - even though China seized part of Kashmir in 1962.  Both India and Pakistan joined the British Commonwealth as Dominion members and adopted English as their official languages.  India sought assistance from the Soviet Union, while Pakistan aligned with the United States.

India received its independence from Great Britain on August 15, 1947, and instantly became the world’s most populous democracy.  Jawaharial Nehru was its first prime minister.  He began the long process of modernization and sought to de-emphasize the caste system.  Two years later, in 1949, a war broke out between India and Pakistan over Kashmir, and this dispute continues today - even though China seized part of Kashmir in 1962.  Both India and Pakistan joined the British Commonwealth as Dominion members and adopted English as their official languages.  India sought assistance from the Soviet Union, while Pakistan aligned with the United States.

Nehru ruled India for nearly two decades, and his daughter Indira Gandhi became prime minister upon his death.  Her rule saw an increase in agricultural production known as the “green revolution,” but she attempted to limit population growth with strict birth control.  She also suspended parts of the democratic process.  The people responded by defeating her in 1977, and she left office.  In 1980, she regained power, but violence was breaking out with Sikhs who wanted an independent state.  She ordered an attack on a Sikh temple, and two of her bodyguards retaliated by assassinating her in June 1984.

Nehru ruled India for nearly two decades, and, subsequent to his death, his daughter Indira Gandhi became prime minister in 1966 (despite her name, she was not related to the famous Gandhi).  Her rule saw an increase in agricultural production known as the “green revolution,” but she attempted to limit population growth with strict birth control.  She also suspended parts of the democratic process.  The people responded by defeating her in 1977, and she left office.  In 1980, she regained power, but violence was breaking out with Sikhs who wanted an independent state.  She ordered an attack on a Sikh temple, and two of her bodyguards retaliated by assassinating her in June 1984.

Rajiv Gandhi succeeded his mother as the leader of India.  He lost power in 1989 based on accusations of corruption.  A group of Tamil terrorists from Sri Lanka killed him with a bomb in 1991.  Sri Lanka is the pear-shaped island off of the southern coast of India, which obtained its independence in 1948.  Sri Lanka has a Buddhist majority, and the Tamils are a Hindu minority there who have been fighting for their own independence.  Rajiv Gandhi had sent troops into Sri Lanka under a 1983 agreement to disarm the rebellious Hindus, which was unsuccessful.

Rajiv Gandhi succeeded his mother as the leader of India.  He lost power in 1989 based on accusations of corruption.  A group of Tamil terrorists from Sri Lanka killed him with a bomb in 1991.  Sri Lanka is the pear-shaped island off of the southern coast of India, which obtained its independence in 1948.  Sri Lanka has a Buddhist majority, and the Tamils are a Hindu minority there who have been fighting for their own independence.  Rajiv Gandhi had sent troops into Sri Lanka under a 1983 agreement to disarm the rebellious Hindus, which was unsuccessful.