<P> The political identity of the Indian National Congress, India's largest political party and one which controlled government for over 45 years, is reliant on the connection to Mohandas K. Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, and the Nehru - Gandhi family which has controlled the Congress since independence . The Congress Party's fortunes up till the 1970s were single - handedly propelled by its legacy as the flagship of India's Independence Movement, and the core platform of the party today evokes that past strongly, considering itself to be the guardian of India's independence, democracy and unity . Muslims have remained loyal voters of the Congress Party, seen as defender of Nehruvian secularism . In contrast, the Bharatiya Janata Party employs a more aggressively nationalistic expression . The BJP seeks to preserve and spread the culture of the Hindus, the majority population . It ties nationalism with the aggressive defence of India's borders and interests against archrivals China and Pakistan, with the defence of the majority's right to be a majority . </P> <P> Religious nationalist parties include the Shiromani Akali Dal, which is closely identified with the creation of a Sikh - majority state in Punjab and includes many Sikh religious leaders in its organisation . In Maharashtra, the Shiv Sena uses the legacy of the independent Maratha kingdom under famous figures like Shivaji to stir up support, and has adopted Hindutva as well . In Assam, the Asom Gana Parishad is a more state - focused party, arising after the frustration of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) as a benevolent expression of Assamese nationalism . In Tamil Nadu came the first of such parties, the Dravidar Kazhagam (DK). Today the DK stands for a collection of parties, with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) and the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK). Caste - based politics invite the participation of the Bahujan Samaj Party and the party of Laloo Prasad Yadav, who build upon the support of poor low - caste and dalit Hindus in the northern, and most populated states of India like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar . Almost every Indian state has a regional party devoted solely to the culture of the native people of that state . </P> <P> Military history, both past and present, serves as a source of nationalist sentiment in India . The first reference to armies is found in the Vedas and the epics Ramayana and Mahabaratha . There were many powerful dynasties in India such as the Maha Janapadas, Shishunaga Empire, Gangaridai Empire, Nanda Empire, Maurya Empire, Shunga Empire, Kharavela Empire, Kuninda Kingdom, Chola Empire, Chera Empire, Pandyan Empire, Satavahana Empire, Western Satrap Empire, Kushan Empire, Vakataka Empire, Kalabhras Kingdom, Gupta Empire, Pallava Empire, Kadamba Empire, Western Ganga Kingdom, Vishnukundina Empire, Chalukya Empire, Harsha Empire, Shahi Kingdom, Eastern Chalukya Kingdom, Pratihara Empire, Pala Empire, Rashtrakuta Empire, Paramara Kingdom, Yadava Empire, Chaulukya kingdom, Western Chalukya Empire, Hoysala Empire, Sena Empire, Eastern Ganga Empire, Kakatiya Kingdom, Kalachuri Empire, Delhi Sultanate, Deccan Sultanates, Ahom Kingdom, Vijayanagar Empire, Mysore Kingdom, Mughal Empire, Maratha Empire, Sikh Empire etc . </P> <P> The modern Army of India was raised under the British Raj in the 19th century . Today the Republic of India maintains the world's third largest armed forces with over a million troops strong . The official defence budget stands at ₹ 1,644,151.9 million (US $26 billion) but the actual spending on the armed forces is estimated to be much higher . The army is undergoing rapid expansion and modernisation with plans to have an active military space program, missile defence shield, and nuclear triad capability . </P>

Who is known as father of indian nationalism