Colonialism On The March

1757 The British East India Company gains control of Bengal after Lt. Col. Robert Clive defeats French and Mogul forces

1858 After a century of growing influence on the Subcontinent, the Bristish government takes direct control of India

1885 The Indian National congress is formed and pases, with increasing stridency, for a greater Indian voice in government

1906 Muslims establish the Muslim League to defend their interests against the Hindu majority

1920 Mahatma Gandhi takes over the Congress and presses for ’nonviolent disobedience'

1935 The British government approves a constitution that gives Indians more polical power

1940 The Muslim League demands that a separate Muslim country, Pakistan, be carved out of India

1942 The Congress party passes the ‘Quit India’ resolution, calling on the Brits to leave the country; Gandhi is imprisoned