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In 1526, the rule of the Mogul Empire began, unifying much of south India with the north for the first time.
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In 1638, Mogul Emperor Shah Jahan started construction of the Taj Mahal in memory of his wife Mumtaz.
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In 1858, the British overthrew the Moguls and took control of India.
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In 1915, Mohandas Gandhi launched a campaign of nonviolent resistance against British rule in India.
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In 1947, India gained independence from the British and became divided into two countries, India and Pakistan (controlled by Muslims).
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In 1948, Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated.
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In 1966, Indira Gandhi (not related to Mahatma) became Prime Minister and one of the first women elected to lead a nation.
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In 1998, India tested it's first nuclear weapon, one of only seven nations to have done so.
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In 2004-2005, a series of natural disasters, including floods, earthquakes, and tsunamis, brought destruction to southern coastal communities.
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In 2007, Pratibha Patil became the first female President of India.