The British invasion was a historical development of British colonialism in India. Even though India was under British rule, Mahatma Gandhi played an important role in gaining independence. He not only changed India but also fought vigorously for India's independence 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). With the conquest of India, the British had several purposes behind them. Their main aim was to achieve a monopolistic trading position (The economic and social impact of colonial rule in India). The second aim was the control of India; this was a key element in the world power structure, in terms of geography, logistics and military manpower (The Economic and Social Impact of Colonial Rule in India). As the East India Company continued to trade under the English, huge armies were created, largely composed of Indian sepoys (Marshalls). Armies were used to defend Company territories and protect Indian states (Marshall). With greater 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 to the sea. internal (Duiker 31). Some territories were also taken over by the private East India Company, which at the time was given the authority to administer the Asian territories under British occupation, while others were ruled by local maharajas (Duiker 31). The British government brought order and stability to a society that had recently been destroyed by the wars of different empires (Duiker 31). Since the British wanted to refo...... middle of paper ......between the Hindus and Muslims, Jinnah felt that the Muslims had no future in India (Overfield 216). With the end of British rule in 1947, not only did India gain independence, but along with it, another country, Pakistan, was born, where Jinnah was the first governor (Overfield 216). With India gaining independence, Gandhi was shot the following year in 1948 by a Hindu fanatic who resented his commitment to Hindu-Muslim harmony (Overfield 212). Despite numerous conflicts with the British and Muslims, India fought for its rights to do what they thought was right. India under British rule had some advantages like new school system and banning of sati, but they managed to bother Indians with taxation and other laws. Gandhi, an exceptional and important figure in India's path to independence, taught to fight with nonviolence.