India embodies the concept of an "imagined community" through several features that unite its diverse population.

Shared history and common destiny form the foundation of India's nationhood. Despite being a land of continental size with people speaking different languages and following different cultures and religions, India chose to shape itself into a nation bound by collective historical experiences.

Common political aspirations are reflected in the near-universal agreement during the national movement on two goals: running the country through democratic government and ensuring governance for the good of all, particularly the poor and socially disadvantaged groups. These aspirations unified diverse voices in the freedom struggle.

The aspirations of people across different regions had to be reflected in national unity. Rather than rejecting regional and sub-national identities, India's nation-building accommodated the disparities among regions and different sections of people.

Finally, India's unity is based on a common imagination that a diverse country could remain together. This challenged the widely held belief that a country with such diversity could not stay united, making India a unique experiment in forging unity among diverse communities.