India’s unity is all the more remarkable when you consider the turbulent period following its partition in 1947. The British, along with many experts at the time, predicted that the newly independent country—created from the divided British colony—would not last as a single entity. They viewed India as a patchwork of diverse kingdoms, which the British had unified not for the benefit of the people, but for the economic advantage of the Crown. The British had exploited India's resources to fuel the growth of the Empire, effectively turning the once-prosperous nation, which was the world's largest economy in the 1700s, into one of the poorest by the time it gained independence.
The wealth that the British extracted from India during their colonial rule is often estimated in today’s terms at over $10 trillion. This I based on studies by economists and historians, suggest that the British Empire extracted an amount between $10 trillion to $45 trillion from India over a span of 200 years this period of economic exploitation created lasting scars, as India found itself emerging from colonial rule in a state of immense poverty, with stark inequalities and regional disparities. These were further compounded by historical, cultural, and religious differences across the subcontinent, making the idea of a unified India seem impossible to many.
A Unified India Against All Odds
Despite these challenges, India managed to remain united—a feat that many believed would be impossible. The very fact that India stayed together as a nation for so long is nothing short of an accomplishment, especially when you compare it to the fate of Pakistan, which was carved out on religious lines. Pakistan, a much smaller country, fractured within just 20 years of its formation into two separate nations—Pakistan and Bangladesh—demonstrating the instability of creating a country purely on religious identity.
India’s resilience, however, is largely due to the vision of its founding fathers, who managed to stitch together the diverse fabric of India’s people, cultures, and religions into a single unified nation. Their ability to foster national unity while respecting the country’s multitude of identities is a testament to their leadership and foresight.
The Impact of Religious and Cultural Diversity
India’s religious and cultural differences have also contributed to the complexity of its unity. Until recently, India was home to the second-largest Muslim population in the world, a reflection of the deep history of Islam in the country. The religious divide was further exacerbated by the partition itself, which created tensions that still exist today.
India, however, had to bear the brunt of these divisions in ways that many Western countries, like the U.S. or European nations, may not fully understand. While Pakistan has been deeply affected by Islamic terrorism and has been at the epicenter of many global terror events, India—despite its vastly larger population of Muslims—has managed to withstand far greater pressures. India has faced the challenge of managing religious divides and terrorism, all while maintaining its secular fabric and democratic values.
In this context, India’s efforts to protect its secular identity and promote unity despite these immense challenges is nothing short of extraordinary. The impact of terrorism, communal violence, and political strife has been felt deeply, and India has had to navigate these challenges with patience and perseverance.
No Parallel in the World
There is no other country, or even continent, that has experienced such profound diversity, historical divides, and religious challenges as India. The blend of languages, ethnicities, religions, and cultures in India is unparalleled, and the sheer scale of these differences is a constant reminder of the challenges faced by a nation seeking unity. The fact that India has remained a single, thriving nation for so long is a testament to the strength, resilience, and determination of its people. It’s a remarkable story of survival, unity, and progress in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
A Tribute to India's Founding Fathers
The leaders of India’s independence movement, particularly Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel, and Gandhi, deserve immense credit for preserving the unity of India. Sardar Patel’s efforts, in particular, were crucial in integrating more than 500 princely states into the Indian Union, often using diplomacy, but occasionally force, to keep India intact. These men, and many others, understood that for India to thrive, it had to be united—despite its differences.
In the end, India’s continued existence as a single country, despite its historical, cultural, and religious complexities, stands as a monumental achievement. It is a true testament to the vision of its founding fathers and the strength of its diverse population.