India-British ½-RUPEE (KM553)¶
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Reverse BENGAL TIGER
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Obverse King George VI
- Composition
- Nickel
- Country
- India
- Approx. Size
- 24mm
- Area
- Asia
- Animal Class
- Mammals
- Species
- Bengal Tiger
- KM#
- 553
The Bengal Tiger is one of six living sub-species of tigers. Tigers, one of four members of the genus panthera, are the largest and most powerful of cats. They are superpredators, with no natural enemies other than man and other tigers. Tigers are strong swimmers, and have been known to ambush boats for a meal of fishermen. In fact, Bengal Tigers are feared as known maneaters. The Bengal Tiger is the national animal of India. It is on the endangered species list, mainly due to habitat loss.
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.
