On January 26, 1950, India's system of government was changed to a republic. Three years earlier, in August 1947, the Indian nation declared its independence from British rule. After going through various internal conflicts between Muslims and Hindus, finally in 1949 the Indian Constitution was formulated and a year later the Republic of India was born. The power to regulate government in India is mostly in the hands of the Prime Minister who is directly elected by the people.