India
India Overview
India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by land area, the most populous country in the world, and the largest democracy globally. Bordered by Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar, it is surrounded by the Indian Ocean to the south.
Etymology
The name India is derived from the River Indus, which was historically important to the Indian subcontinent. The Constitution of India recognizes the country by two names: India and Bharat (भारत).
History
India has a rich and complex history that dates back to the Indus Valley Civilization (c. 3300–1300 BCE), one of the world’s earliest urban cultures. It has witnessed the rise and fall of many empires, including the Maurya, Gupta, Mughal, and British empires. India gained independence from British rule on August 15, 1947, following a non-violent resistance movement led by Mahatma Gandhi.
Geography
India has a varied geography, ranging from the Himalayan mountains in the north to tropical rainforests in the south. It includes fertile plains, deserts, coastlines, and islands. Major rivers include the Ganges, Brahmaputra, Yamuna, and Godavari.
Government
India is a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic with a parliamentary system of government. It consists of 28 states and 8 union territories. The President is the ceremonial head of state, while executive power lies with the Prime Minister.
Economy
India has a mixed economy, ranking as the fifth-largest in nominal terms and third-largest by purchasing power parity (PPP). Key sectors include agriculture, manufacturing, IT services, and telecommunications. It is a member of major international organizations like the G20, BRICS, and the United Nations.
Demographics
India is home to diverse cultures, religions, languages, and ethnic groups. Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, and Jainism are major religions practiced in India. Hindi and English are official languages, with 22 scheduled languages recognized by the constitution.
Culture
India's culture is one of the oldest in the world, known for its traditions, festivals, cuisine, music, dance, and film industry (Bollywood). It has made significant contributions to art, mathematics, science, yoga, and spirituality.
Education and Innovation
India is home to prestigious institutions such as the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). It has a growing startup ecosystem and is a major player in space technology through ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation).