In his decade in power, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has centralized the state to an unprecedented extent. However, his ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has struggled to gain support in the more prosperous south of India. This regional divergence is not unique to the BJP, as rulers throughout India’s history have faced challenges in uniting the diverse subcontinent. From Ashoka to the Mughals to British rule, the complexities of India’s diversity have shaped its political landscape.