Indian history by year

Explore the key dates, years and turning points that shaped modern India. Use the links below to move from a year in context to the exact historical edition for that day.

• 1947
  15 August 1947

  India gains independence and begins the new nation state.

• 1950
  26 January 1950

  The Constitution comes into force and the Republic is born.

• 1971
  16 December 1971

  The war that reshaped South Asia and led to the creation of Bangladesh.

• 1983
  25 June 1983

  India wins the Cricket World Cup under Kapil Dev.

• 1991
  21 July 1991

  Economic reforms begin to reshape the country.

• 2011
  2 October 2011

  The anniversary of Gandhi’s birth and a major national observance.