Changes

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.  Religious conflict continued.  Gandhi went to Delhi in January 1948 to urge fair treatment for Muslims, and was then assassinated by a Hindu.

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 became more closely 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 became more closely aligned with the United States.