Post-Independence History

Post-Indian independence, when British colonial rule ended and India was recognized as an independent status within the British commonwealth on15th August 1947. This is a period from 1947 to the present. It all started from the formation of two countries namely Pakistan and India headed by Md. Ali Jinnah and Jawahar Lal Nehru respectively. During this time many fights, riots, adoption of the constitution, the formation of various political parties, terrorism actions, the cold war, the fight with Pakistan, and many other events took place. Some of which are presented in this article. Let us understand this post-Indian independence history briefly and sequentially.

1947 – 1950

This period is called the dominion of India. During this first period after Indian independence, there was a mass transport of people from Pakistan and India. Which resulted in the loss of lives and people. 

Also, India had many princely run states till that time. Which needs to be united, therefore over 500 princely states were united, whose credit goes to Sardar Vallabhai Patel who teamed up with Jawahar Lal Nehru to make India a Secular State. During the involvement of these states, three states namely the Junagarh, Hyderabad, and Kashmir area were proven difficult to combine with India. But ultimately they were also united later. Along with the integration of princely states. In this period there was formation/divisions of states of UP, Bihar, Odisha, Assam, and Tamil Nadu on 26 Jan 1950. 

Another important event that occurred during this period is the first Indo-Pak War fought for the princely region of  Jammu and Kashmir. 

1951 – 1960

During this time the first national election was held. Where the Indian National Congress won as Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru the prime minister and Dr. Rajendra Prasad as the President. Both were elected for the second time. And this was the time of the Nehru Administration.

During the Nehru Administration, Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru passed extensive reform for an increase in women’s rights and took an initiative for children to complete their studies. Which led to the formation of the Indian Institute of Technology. 

Another important event was the reorganization of various states for proper legislation and control under the State Reorganization Act, 1956. The formation of Punjab, Haryana, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat took place during this time. 

The formation of the Swatantra Party was done by C. Rajagopalachari who was also joined by various rulers of princely states such as Raja of Ramgarh, Maharaja of Kalahandi, and others. This party acted as the Right Wing Alternative to Congress.

1961 – 1970

During this period some important wars took place. Namely, Indo-Pak was 1965 when Pakistani troops invaded the Indian Controlled territory of Kashmir, Invasion of Portuguese Colony of Goa by India in 1961, and Sino-Indian War 1962 between China and India over the Himalayas for Aksai Chin Territory whose sovereignty was disputed by India. And another Sino-India War in 1967 was when the Chinese opened fire on Indian troops.

The death of Jawar Lal Nehru took place on 27 May 1965 from where Lal Bahadur Shastri succeeded as the prime minister. During this time the Tashkent Agreement was signed when Shastri also died the night after signing the agreement. Later Indira Gandhi, daughter of Nehru, took over as prime minister defeating Moraji Desai.  

Also, an emergency was declared from 26 Oct 1962 to 10 Jan 1968, because of the Indo-China War.

1971-1980

During 1971-80, India annexed Sikkim in 1973, and in 1975 Sikkim became part of the Indian Union. Also, Assam was divided into many states 

Another major event was the introduction of the Green revolution and Operation Flood which was a result of the food crisis in the Indian States in the 1970s. 

The third Indo-Pak War took place in 1971, which led to the formation of Bangladesh. 

During this time there was an emergency imposed twice. One in 1971 due to the Indo-Pak war and another in 1975 due to internal disturbance. 

1981-1990

In 1980 again Congress party came to power with a majority of votes where Rajiv Gandhi was elected as the youngest prime minister in 1982 and at 40.

In December 1984,  Bhopal Gas Tragedy happened where thousands of lives were lost due to a leak of gas at Union Carbide Pesticide Plant. 

1991-2000

During the 1990s large numbers of Kashmiri pandits left Kashmir because of a fight broke out by armed extremist insurgency in J&K.

Various economic reforms were made due to the financial crisis and to make the government. Debt-free. Various corporations were privatized and during these reforms cities like Bangalore, Pune, Hyderabad, and Ahmedabad Flourished. 

Also, a rise was seen in young, well-educated, and skilled professionals which led to the propulsion of the Indian Economy by the introduction of various new technologies and the creation of jobs. Indian GDP grew over 7%.

The emergence of the Bharatiya Janata Party took place in 1996, led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee as the single largest party. 

On 20 March 1998, a BJP-led coalition government Was formed which conducted a series of five underground nuclear tests known as Pokhran-II. Later the US and Japan imposed sanctions on India. 

In 1999, the BJP coalition government fell apart and after which a fresh elections were conducted.

Later 2000 major events

In early 2000, BJP again formed a coalition party. And then a political competition happened between BJP and Congress. 

In 2007, India got its first women’s president Mrs. Pratibha Patil. 

In October 2008, Chandrayaan-I was launched. 

In November 2008, Mumbai Attack took Place.

Heavy cloudbursts and flooding happened in Ladakh in 2010.

Mars Orbiter Was launched in November 2013. India’s first interplanetary mission.

Return of BJP government in 2014.

And the recent Covid-19 pandemic began on 30 Jan 2020. Hitting people in several waves. 

Conclusion

From 1947 till 2021, various important events took place. Some of which affected India in a major way and some in a minor way. Wars with China and Pakistan took place. A large political competition took place between political parties mainly between BJP and Congress for administration. And with the recent biggest pandemic Covid-19, causing a large number of deaths of people.