Republic in southern Asia. Its capital is New Delhi, and its largest city isCalcutta.

• India is the second most populous country in the world, after China.
• British control of India began in 1757 and did not end until the dissolution of the British regime, or Raj, in 1947, when India was divided into India andPakistan.
• Mahatma Gandhi led the movement for Indian independence throughpassive resistance to British rule. He was killed by a fanatic in 1948.
• The country is marked by conflict between the Hindu and Muslimpopulations and violence between castes.
• Despite world disapproval, in 1998 India successfully conducted nuclear bomb tests. Pakistan did the same two weeks later.