Chapter 1 is about the rise of India as a democratic society, detailing the factors that contribute to diversity/conflict, and the handing over of India by the British to the Indian government. It seems that there are three groups that contribute to the overall cultural makeup of India, and those are the Hindus, the Muslims, and the Sikhs. Each have their own respective areas that they consider “holy” and are very religious. These conflicts eventually caused more fighting after the new Indian state was formed. The result was a troubled state and the assassination of Gandhi, their most valued political leader that tried to keep peace through prayer, fasting, and diplomacy.