It was a crucial moment in modern history and something which is still celebrated across the world to this day.

Seventy years ago this week the countries we now call India and Pakistan claimed independence from Britain, an event which has become known as the Partition of India.

As a way of marking India's Independence Day a flavour of the country's rich and vibrant heritage was brought to Carlisle in the form of dance.

The three-woman troop made up of Priya Sundar, Lekha Potti and Jayshree Naveen performed a selection of traditional Indian dances at Cumbria's Museum of Military Life, giving the families in attendance an authentic insight into south Asian culture.

It coincided with an exhibition being held by the museum to commemorate Britain's military involvement in the country between 1820 and 1947, entitled Journey to the Raj: A Soldier's Life in India.

The dancing group was led by Priya Sundar, of Burgh by Sands, near Carlisle, who is a freelance dance practitioner who performs a version of choreography called Bharatanatyam which, in particular, uses hand gestures to tell stories.

They took the audience through four different stories, finishing off with a routine specifically created to celebrate independence.

Youngsters in the audience were also invited to take part in learning some of the hand gestures which represented animals so they too could join in with the performance.

Priya, who was born and brought up in India, said: "This is very special for us as we are celebrating India and Pakistan's independence."

She has been at the museum for five days leading a range of performance-related showcases.

"We're so pleased the military museum has given us a chance to show that culture and we really appreciate the opportunity," Priya added.

"Both north and south India have very strong traditions and we're able to bring a real mixture of things into our performances.

"India's independence day is very important. It really felt good when we did that last song which celebrated India."

Jules Wooding, the museum's learning and access officer, explained that it had a collection of photographs and memorabilia from when the Cumbrian regiments were stationed out in India and staff thought it was the perfect time to put them on show.

"The soldiers would've seen all the colours, beautiful sights and tasted the food while they were there," she said.

"It's not about war and fighting. It's more about how if you were a lad from Denton Holme and you were stationed in the hills of northern India, what did you see?

"How did you cope with the heat? What was available to eat? That kind of thing.

"We've had a really good response and have been very surprised by how many people who've come in and said there grandad or great-grandad was stationed in India.

"We've also had a lot of visitors from the Asian community."

The exhibition runs until October 29.