[in-dee-uh] 
| 1. | Hindi, Bharat. a republic in S Asia: a union comprising 25 states and 7 union territories; formerly a British colony; gained independence Aug. 15, 1947; became a republic within the Commonwealth of Nations Jan. 26, 1950. 967,612,804; 1,246,880 sq. mi. (3,229,419 sq. km). Capital: New Delhi. |
| 2. | a subcontinent in S Asia, occupied by Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Republic of India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sikkim. |
Republic in southern Asia. Its capital is New Delhi, and its largest city is Calcutta.
Note: India is the second most populous country in the world, after China.
Note: 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 and Pakistan.
Note: Mahatma Gandhi led the movement for Indian independence through passive resistance to British rule. He was killed by a fanatic in 1948.
Note: The country is marked by conflict between the Hindu and Muslim populations and violence between castes.
Note: Despite world disapproval, in 1998 India successfully conducted nuclear bomb tests. Pakistan did the same two weeks later. (See Kashmir.)