The British invasion constitutes a historical development of British colonialism in India. Although India was under British rule, Mahatma Gandhi played an important role in achieving independence. He not only changed India but also fought fiercely for the independence of India, using various strategies. The British Empire ruled as long as it could to reform India both politically and socially. India was the first major Asian civilization to fall victim to European predatory activities (Duiker 31). In conquering India, the British pursued various objectives. Their main objective was to achieve a monopolistic trading position (The Economic and Social Impact of Colonial Rule in India). The second objective was control of India; it was a key part of the global power structure, in terms of geography, logistics and military manpower (The Economic and Social Impact of Colonial Rule in India). When the East India Company continued to trade under the British, huge armies were created, composed largely of Indian sepoys (Marshall). The armies were used to defend the Company's territories and protect the Indian States (Marshall). With major control over India, the British used a combination of firepower and cunning to consolidate their power over the country by expanding from their base areas along the coast into the interior (Duiker 31 ). Some territories were also taken over by the private East India Company, which at the time had been given authority to administer Asian territories under British occupation, while others were ruled by local maharajas (Duiker 31). British governance brought order and stability to a society that had recently been destroyed by the wars of the various empires (Duiker 31). Since the British wanted to reform...... middle of paper ...... between Hindus and Muslims, Jinnah felt that Muslims had no future in India (Overfield 216). With the end of British rule in 1947, not only did India gain independence, but at the same time another country was born, Pakistan, of which Jinnah served as its first governor (Overfield 216). With India gaining independence, Gandhi was shot the following year in 1948 by a Hindu fanatic who disliked his commitment to Hindu-Muslim harmony (Overfield 212). Despite many conflicts with the British and Muslims, India fought for its rights to do what they felt was right. India under British rule had some advantages, including the new school system and the ban on sati, but they managed to trouble the Indians with taxation and other laws. Gandhi, a notable and important figure in India's path to independence, who taught struggle through non-violence..