Colonial India
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Full Article: British India
In 1498, the Portuguese set foot in Goa. Rivalry between reigning European powers saw the entry of the British and French among others. The fractured kingdoms of India were quickly taken over by the Europeans and indirectly assumed control of by subjugating rulers. By the early 19th century the British had assumed direct and indirect control over most of India. In 1857, an insurrection among army sepoys ensued in the popular Revolt of 1857. This mobilised resistance, although short-lived, was caused due to the widespread resentment due to British discriminatory policies. As a result of this, India formally became a Crown colony. From then on there were numerous independence movements. In 1914, the independence movement was bolstered with the return to India of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, a pacifist. As a colony of Britain, India fought on the side of the British in both World Wars.