History

  • British take over

    India comes under the direct rule of the British crown after failed Indian mutiny.
  • Mahatma Gandhi fights back

    Nationalist figurehead Mahatma Gandhi launches anti-British civil disobedience campaign
  • Congress Fights back

    Congress launches "Quit India" movement
  • India gains independence

    End of British rule and partition of the subcontinent into mainly Hindu India and the Muslim-majority state of Pakistan.
  • Bloodshed takes place

    Hundreds of thousands die in widespread communal bloodshed after partition.
  • Mahatma Gandhi assassinated

    Mahatma Gandhi assassinated by Hindu extremist.
  • Pakistan vs India

    War with Pakistan over the disputed territory of Kashmir.
  • Soviet Union Signed

    Twenty-year treaty of friendship signed with the Soviet Union.
  • First nuclear test

    India explodes a first nuclear device in an underground test.
  • Rules established

    Nearly 1,000 political opponents imprisoned and programme of compulsory birth control introduced.
  • Ghandi's legacy continues

    Indira Gandhi returns to power heading Congress party splinter group, Congress (Indira).
  • Nuclear program

    India carries out nuclear tests, leading to widespread international condemnation.
  • Indian population

    May - India marks the birth of its billionth citizen.
  • Pakistan vs India 2

    December - India, Pakistan mass troops on common border amid mounting fears of a looming war.
  • India peace

    December - India, Pakistan agree to resume direct air links and to allow overflights
  • India and Pakistan peace

    April - Bus services, the first in 60 years, operate between Srinagar in Indian-administered Kashmir and Muzaffarabad in Pakistani-administered Kashmir.
  • India fights poverty

    February - India's largest-ever rural jobs scheme is launched, aimed at lifting around 60 million families out of poverty.
  • Us and India peace treaty

    March - US and India sign a nuclear agreement during a visit by US President George W Bush. The US gives India access to civilian nuclear technology while India agrees to greater scrutiny for its nuclear programme.
  • India space program

    India successfully launches its first mission to the moon, the unmanned lunar probe Chandrayaan-1.
  • India economy rising

    February - India and Russia sign deals worth $700m, according to which Moscow will supply uranium to Delhi.
  • India space program 2

    India launches its first space laboratory Astrosat in its biggest project since its Mars orbiter mission in 2014.
  • India increase in economy

    September - India signs a billion-dollar defence deal with France to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets.