Mahatma Gandhi is famous for the important part he played in gaining India's independence.
Once British rule was over, India was split into the Republic of India and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Later, an area between India and Pakistan became the People's Republic of Bangladesh.
The national symbol of India is the endangered Bengal Tiger.
The most popular sport in India is cricket, with the Indian team being the first to win the Cricket World Cup on home soil when they were victorious in 2011.
India hosted the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, but has never hosted the Olympic Games.
