India has over 500,000 villages and 2000 cities, with a population of over 1 billion people. Hinduism and Islam are the main religions, with Hindus comprising 80% of the population and Muslims 13%. India's caste system historically divided Hindu society into major hereditary classes, with castes determining occupations and social interactions. The British East India Company came to rule India politically and economically during the 1700s and 1800s, exploiting resources and allying with local groups. Their direct control of India intensified after the 1857 Sepoy Rebellion, and they promoted Western ideas while restricting domestic industries. The Indian National Congress party was formed in 1885 to advocate for greater Indian representation and eventually independence, though it did not initially represent most