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The rule of the Mogul Empire begins, unifying much of south India with the north for the first time.
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Eager to gain access to India's spices, rice, silk, tea and jewels, Holland, Great Britain and France establish key trading posts in India.
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Mogul Emperor Shah Jahan begins construction of the in Taj Mahal memory of his wife Mumtaz.
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The British overthrow the Moguls and take control of India.
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After studying law in Britain and fighting for Indian rights in South Africa, Mohandas Gandhi launches a campaign of nonviolent resistance against British rule in India. Gandhi is called Mahatma, meaning "Great Soul."
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India gains independence from the British Empire and is divided into two countries, India and Muslim-controlled Pakistan.
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Mahatma Gandhi is assassinated.
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Indira Gandhi (not related to Mahatma) becomes Prime Minister and one of the first women elected to lead a nation.
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India tests its first nuclear weapon, one of only seven nations to have done so.
