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India - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia                                                                    04/28/2006 09:32 AM




India                                                                                        Coordinates: 28°34′N 77°12′E

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
                                                                                            भारत गणराज्य
The Republic of India is a country that occupies a greater part of
South Asia. It has a coastline of over seven thousand kilometers
                                                                                          Bhārat Gaṇarājya
                                                                                          Republic of India
(4349 miles) , borders Pakistan to the west [1], the People's Republic
of China, Nepal, and Bhutan to the north, and Bangladesh and
Myanmar to the east. In the Indian Ocean, it is adjacent to the
island nation of Sri Lanka. India is the seventh-largest country by
geographical area and has one of the most diverse populations of
wildlife, geographical terrain and climate systems found anywhere
in the world.

The name India /'ɪndiə/ is derived from the Old Persian version of
Sindhu, the historic local appellation for the River Indus (see Origin
of India's name). The Constitution of India and common usage also
recognise Bharat (Hindi: भारत /bʰɑːrət̪/ ), as an official name of                    Flag                 Emblem
equal status. A third name, Hindustan (Hindi: हिन्दुस्तान
/hin̪d ̪u st̪ɑːn/) (Persian: Land of the Hindus) has been used since the              Motto: "Satyameva Jayate"
twelfth century, though its contemporary use is unevenly applied.                       Sanskrit: सत्यमेव जयते
                                                                                         /sətyəmeːvə ɟəjəteː/
Home to one of the four major ancient civilisations, a center of
                                                                                      ("Truth Alone Triumphs")
important trade routes and vast empires of the Mauryas, Guptas and
the Mughals, India has long played a significant role in human                        Anthem: "Jana Gana Mana"
history. Four religions, Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism–                         /ɟənə gəɳə mənə/
all have their origins in India, and Islam and Christianity enjoy a
strong cultural heritage. Colonized in the British Empire in the
nineteenth century, India gained independence in 1947 as a unified
nation after an intensive struggle for independence.

With over one billion people, it is the second most populous
country in the world and the world's largest liberal democracy. India
has 28 states and 7 territories, and recognizes 22 official languages      Capital               New Delhi
spoken across its diverse regions, including the official national                               28°34′N 77°12′E
language, Hindi, and English, which is widely spoken. After
decades of intensive efforts to combat the widespread poverty,             Largest city          Mumbai (Bombay)
illiteracy and poor living conditions across the country, India's          Official language(s) Hindi, English, and 21
economy is today the fourth-largest in the world in terms of                                    other languages
purchasing power parity (PPP) and the tenth-largest in nominal
terms. Once reliant heavily on agriculture, India's economy is one         Government            Federal republic
of the fastest-growing in the world, and the nation is home to             President             APJ Abdul Kalam
modern businesses and high-technology industries. India became a           Prime Minister        Manmohan Singh
declared nuclear weapons state in 1974.                                    Independence          From the United Kingdom
                                                                            - Declared           1947-08-15
                                                                            - Republic           1950-01-26
  Contents                                                                 Area
                                                                           - Total               3,287,590 km² (7th)
                                                                                                 1,269,346 sq mi
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           1 History                                                                        1,269,346 sq mi
           2 Government                                                 - Water (%)         9.56
           3 Politics                                                   Population
           4 Administrative Divisions                                   - 2006 est.         1,095,351,995 (2nd)
           5 Geography                                                  - 2001 census       1,027,015,247
           6 Economy                                                    - Density           329/km² (19th)
           7 Demographics                                                                   852/sq mi
           8 Culture
           9 Holidays                                                   GDP (PPP)           2005 estimate
           10 See also                                                  - Total             $3.678 trillion (4th)
           11 External links                                            - Per capita        $3400 (125th)
           12 Notes
                                                                        HDI (2003)          0.602 (127th) – medium
           13 References
                                                                        Currency            Rupee (Rs.)1 (INR)
                                                                        Time zone           IST (UTC+5:30)
History                                                                 - Summer (DST)      not observed (UTC+5:30)
                                                                        Internet TLD        .in
         Main article: History of India
                                                                        Calling code        +91
Stone Age rock shelters with paintings at Bhimbetka in Madhya           1 Re. is singular
Pradesh are the earliest known traces of human life in present-day
India. The first known permanent settlements appeared over 9,000
years ago, and gradually developed into the Indus Valley Civilisation, which began around 3300 BCE and peaked
between 2600 BCE and 1900 BCE. Cities of this culture exhibit advanced urban features and scientific
accomplishments such as superior civil drainage systems and the world's earliest dock at Lothal. It was followed by
the Vedic Civilisation, introduced by the Indo-Aryan peoples which laid the ancient foundations of Hinduism and
other cultural aspects. In Vedic classical texts and Hindu mythology, the land is referred to as Bharatavarsha. From
around 550 BCE, many independent kingdoms known as the Mahajanapadas spread across the country. The country
was witnessing a complex religious culture, with the birth of Jainism and Buddhism. Ancient universities arose in
Taxila, Nalanda, Pataliputra and Ujjain.

The empire built by the Maurya dynasty under Emperor Ashoka united most of modern South Asia. From 180 BCE,
a series of invasions from Central Asia followed including the Indo-Greeks, Indo-Scythians, Indo-Parthians and
Kushans in the northwestern Indian Subcontinent. From the third century BCE, the Gupta dynasty oversaw the period
referred to as ancient India's "Golden Age." In the south, several dynasties, including the Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas,
Cheras, Cholas, Pallavas and Pandyas prevailed during different periods. Science, engineering, art, literature,
mathematics, astronomy, religion and philosophy flourished under the patronage of these kings.

Following the invasions from Central Asia, between the tenth to the
twelfth centuries, much of north India came under the rule of the
Delhi Sultanate, and later the Mughal dynasty, who gradually
expanded their reign throughout the Indian subcontinent.
Nevertheless, several indigenous kingdoms flourished, especially in
the south, like the Vijayanagara Empire. During the eighteenth and
nineteenth centuries, several European countries, including Portugal,
Netherlands, France and the United Kingdom, initially arrived as
traders, later took advantage of the fractious nature of relations
between the kingdoms, to establish colonies in the country. By 1856,
most of India came under control of the British East India


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Company, with the capital at Calcutta. A year later, a nationwide
                                                                                   The Sanchi stupa in Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh built
insurrection of rebelling military units and kingdoms, known locally                   by emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BC
as the First War of Indian Independence broke out, which failed
even as it seriously challenged British rule. India thus came under
the direct control of the British Empire.

                                In the early twentieth century, a nationwide struggle for independence was launched by the
                                Indian National Congress, led by Indians such as Bal Gangadhar Tilak ,Mahatma Gandhi,
                                Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Jawaharlal Nehru. Millions of protestors would engage in mass
                                campaigns of civil disobedience with a commitment to ahimsa - total non-violence - that was
                                largely kept. Gandhi would lead Indians in the Dandi Salt March to defy the salt tax, and an
                                all-out revolt in 1942 demanding that the British Quit India. India gained its independence on
                                August 15th, 1947 - 565 princely states united with British-era provinces to form a united
                                nation, but not before the Muslim-majority provinces were partitioned as a result of the
                                separatist campaign led by the Muslim League to form Pakistan. Since independence, India has
                                seen sectarian violence and insurgencies in various parts of the country, but has maintained its
                                unity and democracy. It has unresolved border disputes with China, which escalated into the
                                brief Sino-Indian War in 1962; and with Pakistan, which resulted in wars in 1947, 1965, 1971
                                and in 1999 in Kargil. India is a founding member of the Non-Aligned Movement and the
                                United Nations. In 1974, India conducted an underground nuclear test, making it an unofficial
                                member of the "nuclear club". This was followed by a series of five more tests in 1998.
  Mahatma Gandhi                Significant economic reforms beginning in 1991 have transformed India into one of the fastest-
  is also known as              growing economies in the world, and added to its global and regional clout.
    the Father of
        India.                  See also: Military history of India and Timeline of Indian history

Government
         Main article: Government of India

India is the world's largest democracy. It is a sovereign, secular democratic                    National   symbols of India
federation which consists of 28 states and 7 territories. While states have                    Flag          Tiranga
considerable autonomy and powers of self-government, national laws supercede                   Emblem        Sarnath Lion
all state laws. It has three branches of government: the Legislature, the                      Anthem        "Jana Gana Mana"
Executive, and the Judiciary at the national and state levels. The President is the
                                                                                               Song          "Vandē Mātaram"
head of state, guardian of the constitution and the Supreme commander of the
Indian Armed Forces. The President and the Vice-president are elected                          Animal        Royal Bengal Tiger
indirectly by an electoral college for five-year terms. The Parliament of India is             Bird          Indian Peacock
bicameral, with the popularly-elected lower house, the Lok Sabha (House of the                 Flower        Lotus
People), elected for five-year terms, and the upper house, the Rajya Sabha                     Tree          Banyan
(Council of the States) elected for staggered six-year terms by an electoral                   Fruit         Mango
college of members of state legislatures.                                                      Sport         Field Hockey
                                                                                               Calendar      Saka
The Prime Minister is the head of government and has the most executive
powers. He or she is elected by legislators of the political party or coalition commanding a parliamentary majority,
and serves a five-year term. The constitution does not explicitly provide for a post of Deputy Prime Minister, but this
option has been exercised from time to time. All Indian citizens above the age of 18 are eligible to vote. The Prime
Minister heads the Council of Ministers. Any minister holding a portfolio must be a member of either house of
parliament. In the Indian parliamentary system, the executive is subordinate to the legislature.


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India's independent judiciary consists of the Supreme Court, headed by the Chief Justice of India. The Supreme
Court has both original jurisdiction over disputes between states and the centre, and appellate jurisdiction over the
High Courts of India. There are eighteen appellate High Courts, each having jurisdiction over a state or a group of
smaller states. Each of these states has a tiered system of lower courts. A conflict between the legislature and the
judiciary is referred to the President.

Politics
         Main articles: Politics of India, Foreign relations of India

For most of its independent history, India has been ruled by the
Indian National Congress. The party enjoyed a parliamentary
majority barring two brief periods during the 1970s and late 1980s.
This rule was interrupted betwen 1977 to 1980, when the Janata
Party coalition won the election owing to public discontent with the
"Emergency" declared by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
The Janata Dal won elections in 1989, but its government managed
to hold on to power for only two years. Between 1996 and 1998,
there was a period of political flux with the government being
formed first by the right-wing nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party
followed by a left-leaning United Front coalition. In 1998, the BJP
formed the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) with smaller
regional parties, and became the first non-Congress and coalition
government to complete a full five-year term. The 2004 Indian
elections saw the Congress party winning the largest number of
seats to form a government leading the United Progressive Alliance,
and supported by left-parties and those opposed to the BJP.

Since independence, India has maintained cordial relationships with
most nations. It took a lead in the 1950s in advocating the
                                                                                        Map of India.[2]
independence of European colonies in Africa and Asia. During the
Cold War, India tried to maintain its neutrality and was one of the
founding members of the Non-Aligned Movement. After the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, India's relationship with the
Soviet Union warmed at the expense of its ties with the United States and continued to remain so till the end of the
Cold War. India has consistently refused to sign the CTBT and the NPT to maintain sovereignty over its nuclear
program despite criticism and military sanctions from leading nations. Recent overtures by the Indian government
have strengthened India's relations with United States, China and Pakistan. In the economic sphere, India has close
relationships with other developing nations of South America, Asia and Africa, especially Brazil and Mexico. In
recent years, India has played an influential role in the ASEAN, SAARC and the WTO, and it is a signatory to the
landmark South Asia Free Trade Agreement. India has been a long time supporter of the United Nations, with over
55,000 Indian military and police personnel having served in 35 UN peace keeping operations over four continents. [3]

Administrative Divisions
         Main article: States and territories of India

India is divided into twenty-eight states (which are further subdivided into districts) and seven union territories. All
states and the union territories of Delhi and Pondicherry have elected governments. The remaining five union
territories have centrally-appointed administrators.

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States:


    1.    Andhra Pradesh                   15.   Maharashtra
    2.    Arunachal Pradesh                16.   Manipur
    3.    Assam                            17.   Meghalaya
    4.    Bihar                            18.   Mizoram
    5.    Chhattisgarh                     19.   Nagaland
    6.    Goa                              20.   Orissa
    7.    Gujarat                          21.   Punjab
    8.    Haryana                          22.   Rajasthan
    9.    Himachal Pradesh                 23.   Sikkim
   10.    Jammu and Kashmir                24.   Tamil Nadu
   11.    Jharkhand                        25.   Tripura
   12.    Karnataka                        26.   Uttaranchal
   13.    Kerala                           27.   Uttar Pradesh
   14.    Madhya Pradesh                   28.   West Bengal


Union Territories:                                                                 States and territories of India

    A.   Andaman and Nicobar Islands
    B.   Chandigarh
    C.   Dadra and Nagar Haveli
    D.   Daman and Diu
    E.   Lakshadweep
    F.   Pondicherry
    G.   National Capital Territory of Delhi

Geography
         Main article: Geography of India

The territory of India constitutes a major portion of the Indian
subcontinent, situated on the Indian Plate, the northerly portion of
the Indo-Australian Plate, in southern Asia. India's northern and
northeastern states are partially situated in the Himalayan Mountain
Range. The rest of northern, central and eastern India consists of the
fertile Indo-Gangetic plain. In the west, bordering southeast
Pakistan, lies the Thar Desert. The southern Indian Peninsula is
almost entirely composed of the Deccan plateau, which is flanked by
two hilly coastal ranges, the Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats.

India is home to several major rivers, including the Ganga,
Brahmaputra, Yamuna, Godavari, Kaveri, Narmada, and Krishna.
India has three archipelagos – Lakshadweep off the southwest coast,      The Himalayas stretch from Jammu and Kashmir
                                                                         in the north to Arunachal Pradesh in the far east
the Andaman and Nicobar Islands volcanic island chain to the
                                                                             making up most of India's eastern borders
southeast, and the Sunderbans in the Gangetic delta in West Bengal.

Climate in India varies from tropical in the south to more temperate

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in the north, with elevated regions in the north receiving sustained snowfall. India's climate is strongly influenced by
the Himalayas and the Thar Desert. The Himalayas, along with the Hindu Kush mountains in Pakistan, provide a
barrier to the cold winds from Central Asia. This keeps most of the Indian subcontinent warmer than most locations
in similar latitudes. The Thar Desert is responsible for attracting the moisture laden southwest monsoon winds in that
provide most of India's rainfall between June to September.

         See also: Climate of India, Ecoregions of India, and Geology of India

Economy
         Main article: Economy of India

The economy of India is the fourth-largest in the world as measured by purchasing
power parity (PPP), with a GDP of US $3.36 trillion. When measured in USD
exchange-rate terms, it is the tenth largest in the world, with a GDP of US $691.87
billion. India was the second fastest growing major economy in the world, with a
GDP growth rate of 8.1% at the end of the first quarter of 2005–2006. However,
India's huge population results in a relatively low per capita income of $3,400 at
PPP and is classified as a developing nation.

For most of its independent history India has adhered to a socialist-inspired
approach, with strict government control over private sector participation, foreign
trade, and foreign direct investment. Since the early 1990s, India has gradually
opened up its markets through economic reforms by reducing government controls
on foreign trade and investment. Privatisation of public-owned industries and
opening up of certain sectors to private and foreign players has proceeded slowly
amid political debate.
                                                                                           The Bombay Stock Exchange
India has a labour force of 496.4 million of which agriculture constitutes 60%,              sensitive index is used as a
industry 17%, and services 23%. India's agricultural produce include rice, wheat,         determinant of the strength of the
oilseed, cotton, jute, tea, sugarcane, potatoes; cattle, water buffalo, sheep, goats,             Indian economy.
poultry and fish. Major industries include textiles, chemicals, food processing,
steel, transportation equipment, cement, mining, petroleum and machinery. [4]

In recent times, India has also capitalised on its large number of highly educated people who are fluent in the English
language to become an important location for global companies outsourcing customer service and technical support
call centers. It is also a major exporter of skilled workers in software services, financial services, and software
engineers. India's most important trading partners are the United States, the European Union, Japan, the People's
Republic of China, and the United Arab Emirates.

Demographics
         Main article: Demographics of India

India is the second-most populous country in the world with an
estimated 1.19 billion people in 2006. Almost 70% of its population
reside in rural areas. India's largest urban agglomerations are
Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi, Chennai and Bangalore. Efforts to
irradicate illiteracy have met with little success since India's


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independence with only 65.1% of its population (53.4% for females
and 75.3% of males) being able to read or write. Rampant sex-
selective abortion and infanticide exists in rural areas; the national
sex ratio is 933 females per 1000 males. India's median age is
24.66, and the population growth rate is 22.32 births per 1,000. [5]

Although 80.5% of the people are Hindus, India is also home to the
third-largest Muslim population in the world (13.4%). Other
religious groups include Christians (2.3%), Sikhs (1.84%), Buddhists                  The Akshardham Hindu temple, Delhi

(0.76%), Jains (0.40%), Jews, Zoroastrians and Bahá'ís.[5]

The number of mother tongues in India is estimated to be as high as 1,652. [6] Most of these languages are derived
from two major linguistic families: Indo-Aryan (spoken by about 74% of the population) and Dravidian (spoken by
about 24%). The remaining 2% are based on the Austro-Asiatic and Tibeto-Burman linguistic families. Hindi is
India's national language though English is used by the government for official purposes, and in higher education. An
additional 21 languages are also given official status.

Culture
         Main article: Culture of India

                                           India has a rich and unique cultural
                                           heritage, and has managed to
                                           preserve its established traditions
                                           throughout history whilst absorbing
                                           customs, traditions and ideas from
                                           both invaders and immigrants. Many
                                           cultural practices, languages,
                                           customs and monuments are
                                           examples of this co-mingling over
                                           centuries. Famous monuments, such
                                           as the Taj Mahal and other examples
                                           of Islamic-inspired architecture have
  Face of a Kathakali artist, a            been inherited from the Mughal
    type of Indian classical               dynasty. These are the result of a
      dance, from Kerala.                  syncretic tradition that combined       The Taj Mahal in Agra is India's most popular
                                           elements from all parts of the                      tourist destination.
                                           country.

Indian music is represented in a wide variety of forms. The two main forms of classical music are Carnatic from
South India, and Hindustani from North India. Popular forms of music also prevail, the most notable being Filmi
music. In addition to this are the diverse traditions of folk music from different parts of the country. Many classical
dance forms exist, including the Bharatanatyam, Kathakali, Kathak and Manipuri. They often have a narrative form
and are usually infused with devotional and spiritual elements. The earliest literary traditions in India were mostly
oral, and were later transcribed. Most of these are represented by sacred works like the Vedas and the epics of the
Mahabharata and Ramayana. Sangam literature from Tamil Nadu represents some of India's oldest traditions. There
have been many notable modern Indian writers, both in Indian languages and in English. India's only Nobel laureate
in literature was the Bengali writer Rabindranath Tagore. India produces the world's largest number of films every
year. The most recognisable face is that of cinema production based in Mumbai, which produces mainly commercial

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Hindi films, often referred to as "Bollywood". There are also strong cinema industries based on the Kannada,
Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu and Bengali languages. Religious practices of various faiths are an integral part of
everyday life in society. Education is highly regarded by members of every socio-economic stratum. Traditional
Indian family values are highly respected, and considered sacred, although urban families have grown to prefer a
nuclear family system, owing to the socio-economic constraints imposed by the traditional joint family system.
Religion in India is a very public affair, with many practices imbued with pomp and vitality accompanying their
underlying spiritual qualities.

The cuisine of India is extremely diverse, as ingredients, spices and cooking methods vary from region to region.
Rice and wheat are the staple foods in the country. The country is notable for its wide variety of vegetarian and non-
vegetarian cuisine. Spicy food and sweets are popular in India. Traditional dress in India greatly varies across the
regions in its colours and styles, and depend on various factors, including climate. Popular styles of dress include the
traditional sari for women and the traditional dhoti for men.

India's national sport is field hockey, although cricket is now the de facto national game. In some states, particularly
in the northeast, football (soccer) is the most popular sport and is widely watched. In recent times, tennis has gained
popularity in India with the rise of players such as Leander Paes and Sania Mirza. India is also represented in chess,
with international-level players such as Vishwanathan Anand. Traditional indigenous sports include kabaddi and gilli-
danda, which are played in most parts of the country.

Holidays
         Main article: List of Festivals in India

India is also known as a land of festivals. A melting pot of many religions, India has a
rich diversity of festivals, many of which are celebrated irrespective of caste and creed.
The most widely known and popular celebrations include the Hindu festivals of Diwali,
Holi, and Dussehra, and the Muslim celebration of Eid.

A number of festivals are common to most parts of India; however, they may be called
by different names in the various parts of the country or may be celebrated in a
different fashion. Every festival is celebrated in a unique style.

India has three National Holidays. Other sets of holidays, varying between nine to                  Holi, the festival of colours
twelve, pertains to festivals, religious holidays and births of leaders which are legislated         has emerged as one of the
by the individual states.                                                                               most popular Indian
                                                                                                              festivals.




         Date                   Holiday            Remarks
         26 January             Republic Day       The Constitution of India came into effect on this day in 1950.
                                                   India gained its independence from the British Empire on this day
         15 August              Independence Day
                                                   in 1947.
         2 October              Gandhi Jayanti     The Birth Date of Mahatma Gandhi.



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See also
                                                       Topics related to India

    History                Timeline of Indian history Indus Valley Civilization, Indian science and technology, Meluhha, Aryan invasion theory,
                           Indo-Aryan migration, Greek Conquests in India, Indian Ancient Maritime History, Mauryan dynasty, Ashokan Era,
                           Sunga dynasty, Satavahana, Indo-Greek kingdom, Indo-Scythians, Indo-Parthian Kingdom, Kushan Empire, Western
                           Kshatrapas, Gupta Empire, Cholas, Pala Empire, Islamic incursions in India, Mughal Era, Maratha Empire, British Raj,
                           British East India Company, Governor-General, Viceroy, War of Independence, 1857, Indian independence movement,
                           Quit India Movement, Partition of India, Non-Aligned Movement, Sino-Indian War, Indo-Pakistani War of 1947, Indo-
                           Pakistani War of 1965, Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, Kargil War, Military, Demographic, Historical maps of India
    Politics               Law, Constitution, Political parties (Communist Party of India (Marxist), Indian National Congress, Bharatiya Janata
                           Party), Foreign relations, Elections, Political divisions
    Government             Government agencies, Legislative branch (Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha) Executive branch (President & Vice-President,
                           Prime Minister & Deputy Prime Minister, Cabinet Ministers, Attorney-General, Election Commission, Foreign Minister;
                           Law enforcement: CBI, CID, Intelligence: IB, RAW), Judicial branch (Supreme Court), Military (Army, Navy, Air
                           Force, Border Security Force, Coast Guard)
    Geography              The Himalayas, Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, Indo Gangetic Plain, Deccan Plateau, Thar Desert, Ganges River, Rann
                           of Kutch, Brahmaputra River, North-East India; Mountains, Valleys, Islands, Rivers; States and territories, Cities,
                           Districts, Regions, Fauna and flora
    Economy                Rupee, Bombay Stock Exchange, National Stock Exchange, Standard of living, Companies, Reserve Bank of India
    Demographics           Languages, Standard of living, Religion
    Arts &                 Music (Carnatic, Hindustani, Indi-pop), Film & TV (Bollywood), TV stations, Literature, Cuisine, Holidays, Folklore,
    Culture                Dance, Architecture; Education, Languages, Media

    Other                  Indian English, Indian nationality law, Numbering system, Indian Space Research Organization, Communications,
                           Transportation (Highways, Rail transport, Auto rickshaw), National Highways Development Project, Flag, Tourism,
                           Licence plates, Potential Superpowers - India




                                                            International ties of India

                                           Geographical and geopolitical: Asia | South Asia | Indies
                                             Historical and cultural: Commonwealth of Nations
     International organisations: United Nations | World Trade Organization |ADB | SAARC | IOR-ARC | Non-Aligned
                                                         Movement
                      G20 industrial nations | G20 developing nations | G24 | G4 | BRIC | Group of 77


                                                                     Life in India
            Arts and entertainment • Cinema • Citizenship • Climate • Cuisine • Culture • Demographics • Economy • Education •
             Flag • Foreign relations • Geography • Geology • Government • History • Holidays • Languages • Law • Military •
                                                   Politics • Religion • Sports • Transport


External links
Official
                                                                                                                                     India Portal
         Official Service Portal of the Government of India (http://india.gov.in/)


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         GOI Directory (http://www.nic.in) — Directory of central and state governmental
         websites                                                           Find more information on India by searching
         Indiaimage National Informatics Centre                             Wikipedia's sister projects:
         (http://indiaimage.nic.in/) — Basic Portal to Govt. of India
         Websites
                                                                                     Dictionary definitions from Wiktionary
Other                                                                                Textbooks from Wikibooks
         Travel guide to India from Wikitravel
                                                                                     Quotations from Wikiquote
         Wikia has a wiki about: India
         CIA World Factbook article on India                                         Source texts from Wikisource
         (http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/in.html)
         BBC Country Profile on India
                                                                                     Images and media from Commons
                                                                                     News stories from Wikinews

         (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/country_profiles/1154019.stm)

Notes
    1. ^ The Government of India considers the entire state of Jammu and Kashmir to be a part of India including the
       portion bordering Afghanistan. A ceasefire sponsored by the United Nations in 1948 freezes the positions of Indian
       and Pakistani held territory. As a consequence, the region bordering Afghanistan is in Pakistani-administered
       territory.
    2. ^ The black line is the boundary as recognised by the government of India. The northern region of Kashmir is
       currently administered by India, Pakistan, and China (and coloured in as such). The delimiting of the three
       administered regions is not the international boundary but a ceasefire line demarcated in red. The boundary separating
       India and Pakistan is known as the Line of Control, that separating India and China as the 'Line of Actual Control'.
       Most of the state of Arunachal Pradesh is still claimed by China.
    3. ^ India and the United Nations (http://www.un.int/india/india_and_the_un_pkeeping.html) . URL accessed on April
       22, 2006.
    4. ^ CIA Factbook : India (http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/in.html) . CIA Factbook. URL accessed on
       April 15, 2006.
    5. ^ a b Census of India 2001, Data on Religion (http://www.censusindia.net/results/religion_main.html) . Census of
       India. URL accessed on April 15, 2006.
    6. ^ Matthew, K.M. (2006). Manorama Yearbook 2006, pg 507, Malaya Manorama. ISBN 8189004077.

References
Prose contains specific citations in source text which may be viewed in edit mode.

         CIA Factbook : India (http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/in.html) . CIA Factbook. URL
         accessed on August 14, 2005.
         Provisional Population Totals 2001 Census (http://www.censusindia.net/results/resultsmain.html) . Census of
         India. URL accessed on August 14, 2005.
         India India – Country profiles (http://www.indexmundi.com/India/) . indexmundi.com. URL accessed on
         August 14, 2005.
         Census of India 2001, Data on Religion (http://www.censusindia.net/results/religion_main.html) . Census of
         India. URL accessed on August 14, 2005.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India                                                                                    Page 10 of 11
India - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia                                                             04/28/2006 09:32 AM


         Languages of India (http://indiaimage.nic.in/languages.htm) . India image. URL accessed on August 14, 2005.
         Foreign Policy of India (http://www.indianembassy.org/policy/Foreign_Policy/2004/AR2004.htm) . Indian
         Embassy. URL accessed on March 24, 2006.
         India pitches for Olympic kabbadi (http://www.rediff.com/sports/2000/aug/30india.htm) . Rediff.com. URL
         accessed on April 15, 2006.
         Matthew, K.M. (2006). Manorama Yearbook 2003, pg 524, Malaya Manorama. ISBN 8189004077.




         India is also the letter I in the NATO phonetic alphabet.

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India"

Categories: Spoken articles | India | Republics | Members of the Commonwealth of Nations | SAARC members |
Former British colonies | English speaking countries


         This page was last modified 13:49, 28 April 2006.
         All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License (see Copyrights for
         details).
         Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.




http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India                                                                          Page 11 of 11

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India

  • 1. India - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 04/28/2006 09:32 AM India Coordinates: 28°34′N 77°12′E From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia भारत गणराज्य The Republic of India is a country that occupies a greater part of South Asia. It has a coastline of over seven thousand kilometers Bhārat Gaṇarājya Republic of India (4349 miles) , borders Pakistan to the west [1], the People's Republic of China, Nepal, and Bhutan to the north, and Bangladesh and Myanmar to the east. In the Indian Ocean, it is adjacent to the island nation of Sri Lanka. India is the seventh-largest country by geographical area and has one of the most diverse populations of wildlife, geographical terrain and climate systems found anywhere in the world. The name India /'ɪndiə/ is derived from the Old Persian version of Sindhu, the historic local appellation for the River Indus (see Origin of India's name). The Constitution of India and common usage also recognise Bharat (Hindi: भारत /bʰɑːrət̪/ ), as an official name of Flag Emblem equal status. A third name, Hindustan (Hindi: हिन्दुस्तान /hin̪d ̪u st̪ɑːn/) (Persian: Land of the Hindus) has been used since the Motto: "Satyameva Jayate" twelfth century, though its contemporary use is unevenly applied. Sanskrit: सत्यमेव जयते /sətyəmeːvə ɟəjəteː/ Home to one of the four major ancient civilisations, a center of ("Truth Alone Triumphs") important trade routes and vast empires of the Mauryas, Guptas and the Mughals, India has long played a significant role in human Anthem: "Jana Gana Mana" history. Four religions, Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism– /ɟənə gəɳə mənə/ all have their origins in India, and Islam and Christianity enjoy a strong cultural heritage. Colonized in the British Empire in the nineteenth century, India gained independence in 1947 as a unified nation after an intensive struggle for independence. With over one billion people, it is the second most populous country in the world and the world's largest liberal democracy. India has 28 states and 7 territories, and recognizes 22 official languages Capital New Delhi spoken across its diverse regions, including the official national 28°34′N 77°12′E language, Hindi, and English, which is widely spoken. After decades of intensive efforts to combat the widespread poverty, Largest city Mumbai (Bombay) illiteracy and poor living conditions across the country, India's Official language(s) Hindi, English, and 21 economy is today the fourth-largest in the world in terms of other languages purchasing power parity (PPP) and the tenth-largest in nominal terms. Once reliant heavily on agriculture, India's economy is one Government Federal republic of the fastest-growing in the world, and the nation is home to President APJ Abdul Kalam modern businesses and high-technology industries. India became a Prime Minister Manmohan Singh declared nuclear weapons state in 1974. Independence From the United Kingdom - Declared 1947-08-15 - Republic 1950-01-26 Contents Area - Total 3,287,590 km² (7th) 1,269,346 sq mi http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India Page 1 of 11
  • 2. India - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 04/28/2006 09:32 AM 1 History 1,269,346 sq mi 2 Government - Water (%) 9.56 3 Politics Population 4 Administrative Divisions - 2006 est. 1,095,351,995 (2nd) 5 Geography - 2001 census 1,027,015,247 6 Economy - Density 329/km² (19th) 7 Demographics 852/sq mi 8 Culture 9 Holidays GDP (PPP) 2005 estimate 10 See also - Total $3.678 trillion (4th) 11 External links - Per capita $3400 (125th) 12 Notes HDI (2003) 0.602 (127th) – medium 13 References Currency Rupee (Rs.)1 (INR) Time zone IST (UTC+5:30) History - Summer (DST) not observed (UTC+5:30) Internet TLD .in Main article: History of India Calling code +91 Stone Age rock shelters with paintings at Bhimbetka in Madhya 1 Re. is singular Pradesh are the earliest known traces of human life in present-day India. The first known permanent settlements appeared over 9,000 years ago, and gradually developed into the Indus Valley Civilisation, which began around 3300 BCE and peaked between 2600 BCE and 1900 BCE. Cities of this culture exhibit advanced urban features and scientific accomplishments such as superior civil drainage systems and the world's earliest dock at Lothal. It was followed by the Vedic Civilisation, introduced by the Indo-Aryan peoples which laid the ancient foundations of Hinduism and other cultural aspects. In Vedic classical texts and Hindu mythology, the land is referred to as Bharatavarsha. From around 550 BCE, many independent kingdoms known as the Mahajanapadas spread across the country. The country was witnessing a complex religious culture, with the birth of Jainism and Buddhism. Ancient universities arose in Taxila, Nalanda, Pataliputra and Ujjain. The empire built by the Maurya dynasty under Emperor Ashoka united most of modern South Asia. From 180 BCE, a series of invasions from Central Asia followed including the Indo-Greeks, Indo-Scythians, Indo-Parthians and Kushans in the northwestern Indian Subcontinent. From the third century BCE, the Gupta dynasty oversaw the period referred to as ancient India's "Golden Age." In the south, several dynasties, including the Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Cheras, Cholas, Pallavas and Pandyas prevailed during different periods. Science, engineering, art, literature, mathematics, astronomy, religion and philosophy flourished under the patronage of these kings. Following the invasions from Central Asia, between the tenth to the twelfth centuries, much of north India came under the rule of the Delhi Sultanate, and later the Mughal dynasty, who gradually expanded their reign throughout the Indian subcontinent. Nevertheless, several indigenous kingdoms flourished, especially in the south, like the Vijayanagara Empire. During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, several European countries, including Portugal, Netherlands, France and the United Kingdom, initially arrived as traders, later took advantage of the fractious nature of relations between the kingdoms, to establish colonies in the country. By 1856, most of India came under control of the British East India http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India Page 2 of 11
  • 3. India - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 04/28/2006 09:32 AM Company, with the capital at Calcutta. A year later, a nationwide The Sanchi stupa in Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh built insurrection of rebelling military units and kingdoms, known locally by emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BC as the First War of Indian Independence broke out, which failed even as it seriously challenged British rule. India thus came under the direct control of the British Empire. In the early twentieth century, a nationwide struggle for independence was launched by the Indian National Congress, led by Indians such as Bal Gangadhar Tilak ,Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Jawaharlal Nehru. Millions of protestors would engage in mass campaigns of civil disobedience with a commitment to ahimsa - total non-violence - that was largely kept. Gandhi would lead Indians in the Dandi Salt March to defy the salt tax, and an all-out revolt in 1942 demanding that the British Quit India. India gained its independence on August 15th, 1947 - 565 princely states united with British-era provinces to form a united nation, but not before the Muslim-majority provinces were partitioned as a result of the separatist campaign led by the Muslim League to form Pakistan. Since independence, India has seen sectarian violence and insurgencies in various parts of the country, but has maintained its unity and democracy. It has unresolved border disputes with China, which escalated into the brief Sino-Indian War in 1962; and with Pakistan, which resulted in wars in 1947, 1965, 1971 and in 1999 in Kargil. India is a founding member of the Non-Aligned Movement and the United Nations. In 1974, India conducted an underground nuclear test, making it an unofficial member of the "nuclear club". This was followed by a series of five more tests in 1998. Mahatma Gandhi Significant economic reforms beginning in 1991 have transformed India into one of the fastest- is also known as growing economies in the world, and added to its global and regional clout. the Father of India. See also: Military history of India and Timeline of Indian history Government Main article: Government of India India is the world's largest democracy. It is a sovereign, secular democratic National symbols of India federation which consists of 28 states and 7 territories. While states have Flag Tiranga considerable autonomy and powers of self-government, national laws supercede Emblem Sarnath Lion all state laws. It has three branches of government: the Legislature, the Anthem "Jana Gana Mana" Executive, and the Judiciary at the national and state levels. The President is the Song "Vandē Mātaram" head of state, guardian of the constitution and the Supreme commander of the Indian Armed Forces. The President and the Vice-president are elected Animal Royal Bengal Tiger indirectly by an electoral college for five-year terms. The Parliament of India is Bird Indian Peacock bicameral, with the popularly-elected lower house, the Lok Sabha (House of the Flower Lotus People), elected for five-year terms, and the upper house, the Rajya Sabha Tree Banyan (Council of the States) elected for staggered six-year terms by an electoral Fruit Mango college of members of state legislatures. Sport Field Hockey Calendar Saka The Prime Minister is the head of government and has the most executive powers. He or she is elected by legislators of the political party or coalition commanding a parliamentary majority, and serves a five-year term. The constitution does not explicitly provide for a post of Deputy Prime Minister, but this option has been exercised from time to time. All Indian citizens above the age of 18 are eligible to vote. The Prime Minister heads the Council of Ministers. Any minister holding a portfolio must be a member of either house of parliament. In the Indian parliamentary system, the executive is subordinate to the legislature. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India Page 3 of 11
  • 4. India - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 04/28/2006 09:32 AM India's independent judiciary consists of the Supreme Court, headed by the Chief Justice of India. The Supreme Court has both original jurisdiction over disputes between states and the centre, and appellate jurisdiction over the High Courts of India. There are eighteen appellate High Courts, each having jurisdiction over a state or a group of smaller states. Each of these states has a tiered system of lower courts. A conflict between the legislature and the judiciary is referred to the President. Politics Main articles: Politics of India, Foreign relations of India For most of its independent history, India has been ruled by the Indian National Congress. The party enjoyed a parliamentary majority barring two brief periods during the 1970s and late 1980s. This rule was interrupted betwen 1977 to 1980, when the Janata Party coalition won the election owing to public discontent with the "Emergency" declared by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The Janata Dal won elections in 1989, but its government managed to hold on to power for only two years. Between 1996 and 1998, there was a period of political flux with the government being formed first by the right-wing nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party followed by a left-leaning United Front coalition. In 1998, the BJP formed the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) with smaller regional parties, and became the first non-Congress and coalition government to complete a full five-year term. The 2004 Indian elections saw the Congress party winning the largest number of seats to form a government leading the United Progressive Alliance, and supported by left-parties and those opposed to the BJP. Since independence, India has maintained cordial relationships with most nations. It took a lead in the 1950s in advocating the Map of India.[2] independence of European colonies in Africa and Asia. During the Cold War, India tried to maintain its neutrality and was one of the founding members of the Non-Aligned Movement. After the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, India's relationship with the Soviet Union warmed at the expense of its ties with the United States and continued to remain so till the end of the Cold War. India has consistently refused to sign the CTBT and the NPT to maintain sovereignty over its nuclear program despite criticism and military sanctions from leading nations. Recent overtures by the Indian government have strengthened India's relations with United States, China and Pakistan. In the economic sphere, India has close relationships with other developing nations of South America, Asia and Africa, especially Brazil and Mexico. In recent years, India has played an influential role in the ASEAN, SAARC and the WTO, and it is a signatory to the landmark South Asia Free Trade Agreement. India has been a long time supporter of the United Nations, with over 55,000 Indian military and police personnel having served in 35 UN peace keeping operations over four continents. [3] Administrative Divisions Main article: States and territories of India India is divided into twenty-eight states (which are further subdivided into districts) and seven union territories. All states and the union territories of Delhi and Pondicherry have elected governments. The remaining five union territories have centrally-appointed administrators. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India Page 4 of 11
  • 5. India - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 04/28/2006 09:32 AM States: 1. Andhra Pradesh 15. Maharashtra 2. Arunachal Pradesh 16. Manipur 3. Assam 17. Meghalaya 4. Bihar 18. Mizoram 5. Chhattisgarh 19. Nagaland 6. Goa 20. Orissa 7. Gujarat 21. Punjab 8. Haryana 22. Rajasthan 9. Himachal Pradesh 23. Sikkim 10. Jammu and Kashmir 24. Tamil Nadu 11. Jharkhand 25. Tripura 12. Karnataka 26. Uttaranchal 13. Kerala 27. Uttar Pradesh 14. Madhya Pradesh 28. West Bengal Union Territories: States and territories of India A. Andaman and Nicobar Islands B. Chandigarh C. Dadra and Nagar Haveli D. Daman and Diu E. Lakshadweep F. Pondicherry G. National Capital Territory of Delhi Geography Main article: Geography of India The territory of India constitutes a major portion of the Indian subcontinent, situated on the Indian Plate, the northerly portion of the Indo-Australian Plate, in southern Asia. India's northern and northeastern states are partially situated in the Himalayan Mountain Range. The rest of northern, central and eastern India consists of the fertile Indo-Gangetic plain. In the west, bordering southeast Pakistan, lies the Thar Desert. The southern Indian Peninsula is almost entirely composed of the Deccan plateau, which is flanked by two hilly coastal ranges, the Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats. India is home to several major rivers, including the Ganga, Brahmaputra, Yamuna, Godavari, Kaveri, Narmada, and Krishna. India has three archipelagos – Lakshadweep off the southwest coast, The Himalayas stretch from Jammu and Kashmir in the north to Arunachal Pradesh in the far east the Andaman and Nicobar Islands volcanic island chain to the making up most of India's eastern borders southeast, and the Sunderbans in the Gangetic delta in West Bengal. Climate in India varies from tropical in the south to more temperate http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India Page 5 of 11
  • 6. India - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 04/28/2006 09:32 AM in the north, with elevated regions in the north receiving sustained snowfall. India's climate is strongly influenced by the Himalayas and the Thar Desert. The Himalayas, along with the Hindu Kush mountains in Pakistan, provide a barrier to the cold winds from Central Asia. This keeps most of the Indian subcontinent warmer than most locations in similar latitudes. The Thar Desert is responsible for attracting the moisture laden southwest monsoon winds in that provide most of India's rainfall between June to September. See also: Climate of India, Ecoregions of India, and Geology of India Economy Main article: Economy of India The economy of India is the fourth-largest in the world as measured by purchasing power parity (PPP), with a GDP of US $3.36 trillion. When measured in USD exchange-rate terms, it is the tenth largest in the world, with a GDP of US $691.87 billion. India was the second fastest growing major economy in the world, with a GDP growth rate of 8.1% at the end of the first quarter of 2005–2006. However, India's huge population results in a relatively low per capita income of $3,400 at PPP and is classified as a developing nation. For most of its independent history India has adhered to a socialist-inspired approach, with strict government control over private sector participation, foreign trade, and foreign direct investment. Since the early 1990s, India has gradually opened up its markets through economic reforms by reducing government controls on foreign trade and investment. Privatisation of public-owned industries and opening up of certain sectors to private and foreign players has proceeded slowly amid political debate. The Bombay Stock Exchange India has a labour force of 496.4 million of which agriculture constitutes 60%, sensitive index is used as a industry 17%, and services 23%. India's agricultural produce include rice, wheat, determinant of the strength of the oilseed, cotton, jute, tea, sugarcane, potatoes; cattle, water buffalo, sheep, goats, Indian economy. poultry and fish. Major industries include textiles, chemicals, food processing, steel, transportation equipment, cement, mining, petroleum and machinery. [4] In recent times, India has also capitalised on its large number of highly educated people who are fluent in the English language to become an important location for global companies outsourcing customer service and technical support call centers. It is also a major exporter of skilled workers in software services, financial services, and software engineers. India's most important trading partners are the United States, the European Union, Japan, the People's Republic of China, and the United Arab Emirates. Demographics Main article: Demographics of India India is the second-most populous country in the world with an estimated 1.19 billion people in 2006. Almost 70% of its population reside in rural areas. India's largest urban agglomerations are Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi, Chennai and Bangalore. Efforts to irradicate illiteracy have met with little success since India's http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India Page 6 of 11
  • 7. India - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 04/28/2006 09:32 AM independence with only 65.1% of its population (53.4% for females and 75.3% of males) being able to read or write. Rampant sex- selective abortion and infanticide exists in rural areas; the national sex ratio is 933 females per 1000 males. India's median age is 24.66, and the population growth rate is 22.32 births per 1,000. [5] Although 80.5% of the people are Hindus, India is also home to the third-largest Muslim population in the world (13.4%). Other religious groups include Christians (2.3%), Sikhs (1.84%), Buddhists The Akshardham Hindu temple, Delhi (0.76%), Jains (0.40%), Jews, Zoroastrians and Bahá'ís.[5] The number of mother tongues in India is estimated to be as high as 1,652. [6] Most of these languages are derived from two major linguistic families: Indo-Aryan (spoken by about 74% of the population) and Dravidian (spoken by about 24%). The remaining 2% are based on the Austro-Asiatic and Tibeto-Burman linguistic families. Hindi is India's national language though English is used by the government for official purposes, and in higher education. An additional 21 languages are also given official status. Culture Main article: Culture of India India has a rich and unique cultural heritage, and has managed to preserve its established traditions throughout history whilst absorbing customs, traditions and ideas from both invaders and immigrants. Many cultural practices, languages, customs and monuments are examples of this co-mingling over centuries. Famous monuments, such as the Taj Mahal and other examples of Islamic-inspired architecture have Face of a Kathakali artist, a been inherited from the Mughal type of Indian classical dynasty. These are the result of a dance, from Kerala. syncretic tradition that combined The Taj Mahal in Agra is India's most popular elements from all parts of the tourist destination. country. Indian music is represented in a wide variety of forms. The two main forms of classical music are Carnatic from South India, and Hindustani from North India. Popular forms of music also prevail, the most notable being Filmi music. In addition to this are the diverse traditions of folk music from different parts of the country. Many classical dance forms exist, including the Bharatanatyam, Kathakali, Kathak and Manipuri. They often have a narrative form and are usually infused with devotional and spiritual elements. The earliest literary traditions in India were mostly oral, and were later transcribed. Most of these are represented by sacred works like the Vedas and the epics of the Mahabharata and Ramayana. Sangam literature from Tamil Nadu represents some of India's oldest traditions. There have been many notable modern Indian writers, both in Indian languages and in English. India's only Nobel laureate in literature was the Bengali writer Rabindranath Tagore. India produces the world's largest number of films every year. The most recognisable face is that of cinema production based in Mumbai, which produces mainly commercial http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India Page 7 of 11
  • 8. India - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 04/28/2006 09:32 AM Hindi films, often referred to as "Bollywood". There are also strong cinema industries based on the Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu and Bengali languages. Religious practices of various faiths are an integral part of everyday life in society. Education is highly regarded by members of every socio-economic stratum. Traditional Indian family values are highly respected, and considered sacred, although urban families have grown to prefer a nuclear family system, owing to the socio-economic constraints imposed by the traditional joint family system. Religion in India is a very public affair, with many practices imbued with pomp and vitality accompanying their underlying spiritual qualities. The cuisine of India is extremely diverse, as ingredients, spices and cooking methods vary from region to region. Rice and wheat are the staple foods in the country. The country is notable for its wide variety of vegetarian and non- vegetarian cuisine. Spicy food and sweets are popular in India. Traditional dress in India greatly varies across the regions in its colours and styles, and depend on various factors, including climate. Popular styles of dress include the traditional sari for women and the traditional dhoti for men. India's national sport is field hockey, although cricket is now the de facto national game. In some states, particularly in the northeast, football (soccer) is the most popular sport and is widely watched. In recent times, tennis has gained popularity in India with the rise of players such as Leander Paes and Sania Mirza. India is also represented in chess, with international-level players such as Vishwanathan Anand. Traditional indigenous sports include kabaddi and gilli- danda, which are played in most parts of the country. Holidays Main article: List of Festivals in India India is also known as a land of festivals. A melting pot of many religions, India has a rich diversity of festivals, many of which are celebrated irrespective of caste and creed. The most widely known and popular celebrations include the Hindu festivals of Diwali, Holi, and Dussehra, and the Muslim celebration of Eid. A number of festivals are common to most parts of India; however, they may be called by different names in the various parts of the country or may be celebrated in a different fashion. Every festival is celebrated in a unique style. India has three National Holidays. Other sets of holidays, varying between nine to Holi, the festival of colours twelve, pertains to festivals, religious holidays and births of leaders which are legislated has emerged as one of the by the individual states. most popular Indian festivals. Date Holiday Remarks 26 January Republic Day The Constitution of India came into effect on this day in 1950. India gained its independence from the British Empire on this day 15 August Independence Day in 1947. 2 October Gandhi Jayanti The Birth Date of Mahatma Gandhi. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India Page 8 of 11
  • 9. India - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 04/28/2006 09:32 AM See also Topics related to India History Timeline of Indian history Indus Valley Civilization, Indian science and technology, Meluhha, Aryan invasion theory, Indo-Aryan migration, Greek Conquests in India, Indian Ancient Maritime History, Mauryan dynasty, Ashokan Era, Sunga dynasty, Satavahana, Indo-Greek kingdom, Indo-Scythians, Indo-Parthian Kingdom, Kushan Empire, Western Kshatrapas, Gupta Empire, Cholas, Pala Empire, Islamic incursions in India, Mughal Era, Maratha Empire, British Raj, British East India Company, Governor-General, Viceroy, War of Independence, 1857, Indian independence movement, Quit India Movement, Partition of India, Non-Aligned Movement, Sino-Indian War, Indo-Pakistani War of 1947, Indo- Pakistani War of 1965, Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, Kargil War, Military, Demographic, Historical maps of India Politics Law, Constitution, Political parties (Communist Party of India (Marxist), Indian National Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party), Foreign relations, Elections, Political divisions Government Government agencies, Legislative branch (Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha) Executive branch (President & Vice-President, Prime Minister & Deputy Prime Minister, Cabinet Ministers, Attorney-General, Election Commission, Foreign Minister; Law enforcement: CBI, CID, Intelligence: IB, RAW), Judicial branch (Supreme Court), Military (Army, Navy, Air Force, Border Security Force, Coast Guard) Geography The Himalayas, Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, Indo Gangetic Plain, Deccan Plateau, Thar Desert, Ganges River, Rann of Kutch, Brahmaputra River, North-East India; Mountains, Valleys, Islands, Rivers; States and territories, Cities, Districts, Regions, Fauna and flora Economy Rupee, Bombay Stock Exchange, National Stock Exchange, Standard of living, Companies, Reserve Bank of India Demographics Languages, Standard of living, Religion Arts & Music (Carnatic, Hindustani, Indi-pop), Film & TV (Bollywood), TV stations, Literature, Cuisine, Holidays, Folklore, Culture Dance, Architecture; Education, Languages, Media Other Indian English, Indian nationality law, Numbering system, Indian Space Research Organization, Communications, Transportation (Highways, Rail transport, Auto rickshaw), National Highways Development Project, Flag, Tourism, Licence plates, Potential Superpowers - India International ties of India Geographical and geopolitical: Asia | South Asia | Indies Historical and cultural: Commonwealth of Nations International organisations: United Nations | World Trade Organization |ADB | SAARC | IOR-ARC | Non-Aligned Movement G20 industrial nations | G20 developing nations | G24 | G4 | BRIC | Group of 77 Life in India Arts and entertainment • Cinema • Citizenship • Climate • Cuisine • Culture • Demographics • Economy • Education • Flag • Foreign relations • Geography • Geology • Government • History • Holidays • Languages • Law • Military • Politics • Religion • Sports • Transport External links Official India Portal Official Service Portal of the Government of India (http://india.gov.in/) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India Page 9 of 11
  • 10. India - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 04/28/2006 09:32 AM GOI Directory (http://www.nic.in) — Directory of central and state governmental websites Find more information on India by searching Indiaimage National Informatics Centre Wikipedia's sister projects: (http://indiaimage.nic.in/) — Basic Portal to Govt. of India Websites Dictionary definitions from Wiktionary Other Textbooks from Wikibooks Travel guide to India from Wikitravel Quotations from Wikiquote Wikia has a wiki about: India CIA World Factbook article on India Source texts from Wikisource (http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/in.html) BBC Country Profile on India Images and media from Commons News stories from Wikinews (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/country_profiles/1154019.stm) Notes 1. ^ The Government of India considers the entire state of Jammu and Kashmir to be a part of India including the portion bordering Afghanistan. A ceasefire sponsored by the United Nations in 1948 freezes the positions of Indian and Pakistani held territory. As a consequence, the region bordering Afghanistan is in Pakistani-administered territory. 2. ^ The black line is the boundary as recognised by the government of India. The northern region of Kashmir is currently administered by India, Pakistan, and China (and coloured in as such). The delimiting of the three administered regions is not the international boundary but a ceasefire line demarcated in red. The boundary separating India and Pakistan is known as the Line of Control, that separating India and China as the 'Line of Actual Control'. Most of the state of Arunachal Pradesh is still claimed by China. 3. ^ India and the United Nations (http://www.un.int/india/india_and_the_un_pkeeping.html) . URL accessed on April 22, 2006. 4. ^ CIA Factbook : India (http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/in.html) . CIA Factbook. URL accessed on April 15, 2006. 5. ^ a b Census of India 2001, Data on Religion (http://www.censusindia.net/results/religion_main.html) . Census of India. URL accessed on April 15, 2006. 6. ^ Matthew, K.M. (2006). Manorama Yearbook 2006, pg 507, Malaya Manorama. ISBN 8189004077. References Prose contains specific citations in source text which may be viewed in edit mode. CIA Factbook : India (http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/in.html) . CIA Factbook. URL accessed on August 14, 2005. Provisional Population Totals 2001 Census (http://www.censusindia.net/results/resultsmain.html) . Census of India. URL accessed on August 14, 2005. India India – Country profiles (http://www.indexmundi.com/India/) . indexmundi.com. URL accessed on August 14, 2005. Census of India 2001, Data on Religion (http://www.censusindia.net/results/religion_main.html) . Census of India. URL accessed on August 14, 2005. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India Page 10 of 11
  • 11. India - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 04/28/2006 09:32 AM Languages of India (http://indiaimage.nic.in/languages.htm) . India image. URL accessed on August 14, 2005. Foreign Policy of India (http://www.indianembassy.org/policy/Foreign_Policy/2004/AR2004.htm) . Indian Embassy. URL accessed on March 24, 2006. India pitches for Olympic kabbadi (http://www.rediff.com/sports/2000/aug/30india.htm) . Rediff.com. URL accessed on April 15, 2006. Matthew, K.M. (2006). Manorama Yearbook 2003, pg 524, Malaya Manorama. ISBN 8189004077. India is also the letter I in the NATO phonetic alphabet. Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India" Categories: Spoken articles | India | Republics | Members of the Commonwealth of Nations | SAARC members | Former British colonies | English speaking countries This page was last modified 13:49, 28 April 2006. All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License (see Copyrights for details). Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India Page 11 of 11