Fifth Grade
Worksheets
India's Republic Day
India's Republic Day
Reading Comprehension for January 26
Have you ever wanted something so bad that it was all you could think about? Maybe it was a holiday or birthday gift - a fun game, a great toy - or maybe something like a vacation. Do you remember how you felt - and how you felt when you got what you wanted? Many people have great memories of wonderful gifts. This is true of a certain group of people who wanted something you can't put in a box and wrap. For many years, the people of India wanted freedom and independence. And to this day, they haven't forgotten how they got it.
For more than 300 years, Britain ruled India. If you look on a map, you'll see how odd this is - the two countries are on different continents and are vastly different in size. The people speak different languages, too. Britain's interest in India was first for trade. Its East India Company set up its first outpost in India in the beginning of the 17th century. By 1769, the East India Company was in charge of all European trade in India.
As trade and the Company grew, Britain's government got more involved in Indian affairs. By the 20th century, Britain had practically complete control over the country, and it refused to allow the Indian people much say in politics. The Indians, of course, grew to hate their British rulers. Resentment of and opposition to the British grew. An Indian named Mohandas Gandhi led the country's most successful opposition to the British. And thanks to the Indian people's work and sacrifice, the British government left India in 1947.
