India¶

Area

Asia

India is the seventh largest country by area, but the second largest in population with over one billion people. Civilization in India can be traced back 9,000 years to the first permanent settlements that would develop into the Indus Valley Civilization around 3300 BCE. This civilization, which lasted until around 1500 BCE, was sophisticated and technologically advanced.

Architecture, urban planning, hygiene, municipal governments, and sewage and drainage systems, among other things, were far more advanced than contemporary societies (and more advanced than many modern areas today). Great accuracy in measurements of length, mass, and time were among their scientific achievements. Following the Indus Valley Civilization came the Vedic Civilization, and from 550 BCE on many independent kingdoms came into being. Unfortunately, fighting among these kingdoms opened the door for the European invasion that started with the Portuguese in 1498, and culminated in 1757 when the British had firmly conquered the country.

Resentment of British domination reached a boiling point in 1857-58 with the First War of Independence (called the Indian Mutiny by the British). Although this revolt failed, it set the stage for future independence. Starting in 1918, Mahatma Gandhi, who is widely regarded as the father of the nation, led a non-violent movement for independence involving 50 million people that would go on for nearly three decades. In 1947 India finally achieved independence from British rule, and the Republic of India was formed in 1950. Through thousands of years, India has developed and preserved an extremely rich and unique cultural heritage.

India on Wikipedia