The last British troops left India in 1948, following the Indian independence movement that sought to end British colonial rule. This marked the end of nearly 200 years of British control over the subcontinent. The departure was a consequence of various factors, including widespread protests, the impact of World War II, and the rising leadership of figures like Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru. The withdrawal was a significant turning point that led to the partition of India into two independent nations: India and Pakistan, fundamentally reshaping the political landscape of South Asia.