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India comes under direct rule of the British crown after failed india munity.
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Nationalist figurehead Mahatma Gandhi launches anti-British civil disobedience campaign.
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Indian National Congress founded as forum for emerging nationalist feeling.
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Congress launches "Quit India" movement.
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End of British rule and partition of sub-continent into mainly Hindu India and Muslim-majority state of Pakistan.
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End of British rule and partition of sub-continent into mainly Hindu India and Muslim-majority state of Pakistan.
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Hundreds of thousands die in widespread communal bloodshed after partition.
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Mahatma Gandhi assassinated by Hindu extremist.
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War with Pakistan over disputed territory of Kashmir
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Congress Party wins first general elections under leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru.
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India loses brief border war with China.
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Death of Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
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Second war with Pakistan over Kashmir.
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Nehru's daughter Indira Gandhi becomes prime minister.
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Third war with Pakistan over creation of Bangladesh, formerly East Pakistan.
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Twenty-year treaty of friendship signed with Soviet Union.
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India explodes first nuclear device in underground test.
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Indira Gandhi declares state of emergency after being found guilty of electoral malpractice.
