Independent India history

 

🇮🇳 1. Independence and Partition (1947)

• August 15, 1947: India gains independence from British rule.

• Partition leads to the creation of India and Pakistan, triggering mass migrations and communal violence (est. 1–2 million killed).

• Mahatma Gandhi is assassinated on January 30, 1948 by Nathuram Godse.

🏛️ 2. Nehru Era (1947–1964)

• Jawaharlal Nehru, first Prime Minister.

• Focus on socialism, secularism, industrialization, and non-alignment in foreign policy.

• Founding of institutions like IITs, ISRO, AIIMS.

• States Reorganization Act (1956): States formed on linguistic basis.

• China-India War (1962): India suffers defeat; tension over Tibet and border (Aksai Chin).

🪖 3. Wars and Nation-Building (1964–1984)

Lal Bahadur Shastri (1964–1966)

• Coined "Jai Jawan Jai Kisan".

• India-Pakistan War (1965) over Kashmir.

Indira Gandhi (1966–1977, 1980–1984)

• First woman Prime Minister.

• Green Revolution improves agriculture.

• 1971 War: India helps Bangladesh gain independence from Pakistan.

• Pokhran Nuclear Test (1974): India becomes nuclear-capable.

Emergency (1975–1977)

• Indira Gandhi imposes Emergency: civil liberties suspended, press censored.

• Forced sterilizations, arrests of opposition.

Assassination (1984)

• Indira Gandhi assassinated by Sikh bodyguards after Operation Blue Star (military action at Golden Temple).

• Anti-Sikh riots follow, killing thousands.

🧭 4. Political Instability and Liberalization (1984–1999)

Rajiv Gandhi (1984–1989)

• Pushes for technology and telecom revolution.

• Faces corruption scandals (e.g., Bofors).

• Killed in 1991 by LTTE in Tamil Nadu.

Economic Liberalization (1991)

• P. V. Narasimha Rao and Manmohan Singh (Finance Minister) launch economic reforms:

  • Open economy to foreign investment.

  • Privatization, deregulation.

  • Begin transformation into global tech and service hub.

Rise of Coalition Politics

• BJP rises with Hindu nationalist agenda (e.g., Ram Janmabhoomi movement).

• Babri Masjid demolition (1992) triggers communal violence.

📱 5. 21st Century India (2000–Present)

Technological Boom

• India becomes IT powerhouse.

• Mobile revolution, rise of digital economy.

Key Governments & Events:

Atal Bihari Vajpayee (1998–2004)

• Nuclear tests (Pokhran-II, 1998).

• Kargil War (1999) against Pakistan.

• Infrastructure focus (Golden Quadrilateral).

Manmohan Singh (2004–2014)

• Continued economic growth.

• RTI Act (2005), NREGA (rural employment scheme).

• Accused of policy paralysis and corruption (2G, Commonwealth Games scams).

Narendra Modi Era (2014–Present)

• Focus on nationalism, digital India, and infrastructure.

• Demonetization (2016): ₹500 & ₹1,000 notes withdrawn overnight.

• GST (2017): One national tax system.

• Abrogation of Article 370 (2019): Special status of Jammu & Kashmir removed.

• COVID-19 pandemic: Lockdowns, vaccine rollout (Covaxin, Covishield).

• Space achievements (Chandrayaan-2 & 3, Aditya-L1).

• Hosting G20 summit in 2023.