1. Modern India
Government

2. The Creation of a New Government
In 1949, Indian leaders gathered to write a new constitution
This constitution created a federal system (a government with power divided between a national government and state governments)
India became a Parliamentary Democracy
Based on the British form of government
This is a government where most of the power is held by the political party who wins the most seats in Parliament. The leader of that party becomes prime minister

3. Issues the New Government Faced
There were four main issues that the new country faced:
Caste differences
Cultural Diversity
Sikh Separatism
Hindu-Muslim Clashes

4. Caste Issues
As India modernizes, the traditional caste system pose problems
After independence, the new Indian constitution outlawed the untouchable social class
This made discrimination against untouchables illegal
Despite it being illegal, untouchables are widely discriminated against, especially in smaller, more traditional towns

5. Cultural Diversity
There are many ethnic and language groups living in modern India
Many of these groups have demanded their own states within India
As a result, there have been bloody clashes throughout India where separatist groups fight to have their own state

6. Sikh Separatists
Sikhism: a religion that began in the 1500s that is a blend of Muslim and Hindu beliefs
It teaches a belief in one god and rejects the caste system
In a country dominated by Hindus, many Indian Sikhs feel they do not receive a large enough share of government resources
Sikh separatists want to break away from India and create their own Sikh country

7. Hindu-Muslim Clashes
At independence in 1947, two countries were formed out of the British-owned India (Pakistan and India)
Many Muslims left India to join Pakistan
Many Hindus left Pakistan to join India
Tensions between the two religions continue today, as followers of both religions currently live in India
They have fought over shared holy sites

8. India Under Jawaharlal Nehru
First Prime Minister of India ( )
Fought First Indo-Pakistani War ( )
Hindu prince of Kashmir, a Muslim dominated territory, chooses to join India
Pakistan invades and is stopped by India
Kashmir is split between India and Pakistan
Three more wars follow (1965, 1971, 1999)

9. India Under Jawaharlal Nehru Continued
Pursues socialist economic policies
Nationalizes (government takeover) major industries
Develops industry, agriculture and infrastructure
Promotes education
Improves rights of women and lower castes
Leads “Non-alignment Movement” during Cold War
Didn’t ally with US or USSR
Dies of natural causes in 1964 while still in power

10. India Under Indira Gandhi
Daughter of Nehru, no relation to Mahatma Gandhi
Created policies aimed at modernization
However, India had a lot of economic problems under her leadership
1975- declares a state of emergency
Jailed political opponents and limited freedom of the press
During her leadership, there was a lot of fighting between various ethnic and religious groups
She is assassinated by two of her Sikh bodyguards

11. Indira Gandhi

12. Rajiv Gandhi Takes over as Prime Minister after Indira Gandhi
He is her son
He was also assassinated while campaigning for reelection

13. Government Claim to Fame
Largest democracy in the world