India gained independence from British rule on August 15, 1947. The struggle for independence was marked by a series of movements and protests led by various leaders, including Mahatma Gandhi, who advocated for nonviolent resistance. The Indian National Congress and other groups mobilized millions of people against British colonial policies, emphasizing self-rule and civil rights. The aftermath of World War II, coupled with increasing pressures for decolonization globally, compelled the British to negotiate India's independence. The partition of India into two sovereign states, India and Pakistan, occurred simultaneously, leading to significant demographic changes and communal violence.