India in the late 19th century. To what extent could India be considered a 'nation' in the late 19th to early 20th centuries?

Late nineteenth to early twentieth century India, was directly controlled by Great Britain, and therefore, in name, it was a colony of the British Empire and not a nation of its own. However, India could be described as a nation, as the result of India's ability to be self-governing and self-sufficient and the Indian peoples' desire for self-government, as well as various aspects of Indian culture, such as religion, language, customs, and traditions, which are …

…also shows that had the British not colonized India, it would have been self-sufficient. In conclusion, though India is under direct control of another country, it can be considered a nation because of its unique culture and customs, which clearly separates it from the rest of the British Empire, as well as the fact that its peoples have a national identity and are united under a common cause, and India's own ability to be self-sufficient.