History of India By sophiedepestre Jun 23, 1757 The Battle of Plassey: Robert Clive, an agent of the East India Company, leads forces which defeated the Mughal governor of Bengal Oct 20, 1774 Warren Hastings appointed the first governor general of India by the East India Company May 1, 1876 Queen Victoria was given the title Empress of India by the British Parliament Jan 1, 1885 Burma became an Indian province Jul 28, 1914 1914 - 1918 World War 1 Jan 1, 1920 Mohandas Gandhi became the leader of the Indian independence movement and the Indian National Congress Sep 3, 1939 The United Kingdom declared war on Germany and World War 2 began Feb 4, 1940 Muhammad Ali Jinnah demanded that a new country be formed from India for the Muslims, which would be called Pakistan Feb 20, 1947 The British government agreed to grant India independence by June 3, 1947. Aug 15, 1947 British and Indian leaders agreed to divide the country into India and Pakistan Jan 30, 1948 Gandhi was assassinated Jan 26, 1950 A new Indian Constitution was ratified and Jawaharlal Nehru became the Indian first prime minister