India

At a glance...

1,173,108,018 (July 2010 est.)
People: Indo-Aryan 72%, Dravidian 25%, Mongoloid and other 3%
Capital City: Delhi
Language: English is the subsidiary official language - Hindi 41%, Bengali 8.1%, Telugu 7.2%, Marathi 7%, Tamil 5.9%, Urdu 5%, Gujarati 4.5%, Kannada 3.7%, Malayalam 3.2%, Oriya 3.2%, Punjabi 2.8%, Assamese 1.3%, Maithili 1.2%, other 5.9%
Climate: varies from tropical monsoon in south to temperate in north
Religion: Hindu 80.5%, Muslim 13.4%, Christian 2.3%, Sikh 1.9%, other 1.8%, unspecified 0.1%
Currency: The currency of India is the Rupee. Rupee (INR; symbol Rs) = 100 paise. Notes are in denominations of Rs1,000, 500, 100, 50, 20 and 10.
Time: Indian Standard Time (IST) is the time observed throughout India. + GMT .05.30 hrs. India does not observe daylight saving time (DST) or other seasonal adjustments.

Geography
Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, between Burma and Pakistan.
border countries: Bangladesh 4,053 km, Bhutan 605 km, Burma 1,463 km, China 3,380 km, Nepal 1,690 km, Pakistan 2,912 km.  Consisting of 28 states and 7 union territories with a population of 1,198,003,000, it has the world’s second largest population after China.

History

The Indus Valley civilization, one of the world's oldest, flourished during the 3rd and 2nd millennia B.C. and extended into northwestern India. Aryan tribes from the northwest infiltrated onto the Indian subcontinent about 1500 B.C.; their merger with the earlier Dravidian inhabitants created the classical Indian culture. The Maurya Empire of the 4th and 3rd centuries B.C. - which reached its zenith under ASHOKA - united much of South Asia. The Golden Age ushered in by the Gupta dynasty (4th to 6th centuries A.D.) saw a flowering of Indian science, art, and culture. Islam spread across the subcontinent over a period of 700 years.

In the 10th and 11th centuries, Turks and Afghans invaded India and established the Delhi Sultanate. In the early 16th century, the Emperor BABUR established the Mughal Dynasty which ruled India for more than three centuries. European explorers began establishing footholds in India during the 16th century. By the 19th century, Great Britain had become the dominant political power on the subcontinent.

The British Indian Army played a vital role in both World Wars. Nonviolent resistance to British rule, led by Mohandas GANDHI and Jawaharlal NEHRU, eventually brought about independence in 1947. Communal violence led to the subcontinent's bloody partition, which resulted in the creation of two separate states, India and Pakistan. The two countries have fought three wars since independence, the last of which in 1971 resulted in East Pakistan becoming the separate nation of Bangladesh. India's nuclear weapons tests in 1998 caused Pakistan to conduct its own tests that same year. In November 2008, terrorists allegedly originating from Pakistan conducted a series of coordinated attacks in Mumbai, India's financial capital. In October 2010 Delhi will host the Commonwealth Games.

Major Centres (Rajasthan & Gujarat)

Delhi
The national capital of India is famous for its culture, tradition and effervescent history. Delhi is the third largest city in India. The culture of Delhi reflects the rich heritage of the past coupled with the influence of modern lifestyle. Delhi has always been a cosmopolitan city where one would find people from all parts of India. Overall, Delhi is a very multi-linguist and multi-cultured society which has now opened itself to embracing every new custom and tradition.

Apart from being the national capital of India and important economical hub of India, Delhi is the most preferred tourist destination of North India. Delhi's rich tradition, effervescent history, monuments, museums, galleries, parks and Mughal Architecture are some of the special attractions that beckon tourists from all over the world.

New Delhi is the blend of old and new. The contrast between the two is very much visible by the culture, lifestyle and tradition. Old Delhi still has the influence of Mughals with monuments, mosques and forts all through the complicated streets. Old bazaars and food are some of the specialties of Old Delhi. Whereas New Delhi is completely different with lifestyle and city's architecture having the influence of British Rule in India.

Ahamadbad
Ahmedabad, the leading city of Gujarat was the state capital until 1970; later on the capital was shifted to Gandhinagar. The city stands on both banks of the river Sabarmati and is christened by Ahmed Shah – the medieval ruler of Gujarat. This bustling industrial and commercial centre also has some of the magnificent sites to rediscover.

The city is associated with the father of the nation – Mahatma Gandhi, who had established his ashram on the bank of the river Sabarmati. The city offers a unique style of architecture, which is a blend of Hindu and Islamic styles . The historical monuments of Ahmedabad date back to the 15th century. The city has been known for its industry since medieval times. Presently it is famous for its textile mills and is often referred to as the 'Manchester of the East'.

Jodhpur
250 km from Jaipur, also called "Blue City" is second city of Rajasthan. Founded by Rao Jodha is famous for Mehrangarh Fort, Umed Bhawan Palace, museum and handicrafts. The city is encompassed by a high wall -10 km long with 8 gates and innumerable bastions. A major trade centre of the 16th century A.D. the fortress-city of Jodhpur is now the second largest city of Rajasthan.

Jaipur
Capital city of Rajasthan also known as "Pink City" is about 250 km from Delhi, and your starting point for Rajasthan. Founded by Raja Sawai Jai Singh II in 1727 is famous for Amber Fort, jantar mantar, hawa mahal, city palace & Sisodia Rani Ka Bagh. Also for the textile block prints, semi precious jewelry, handicraft items and Raj Mandhir (Movie theater).

Agra
Located in Uttar Pradesh State, Agra city is an important tourist place in terms of historical and architectural attractions in its precincts. The city has been ruled by the great dynasties of India. Most famous for the Taj Mahal.  The construction of Taj Mahal is credited to the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan who erected this mausoleum in memory of his beloved wife, Arjumarid Bano Begum; popularly known as Mumtaz Mahal, who died in A.H. 1040 (A.D. 1630). Mumtaz Mahal last wish to her husband was "to build a tomb in her memory such as the world had never seen before". The construction of Taj Mahal was started in A.D. 1632 and completed at the ended in 1648 A.D. For seventeen years, twenty thousand workmen are said to have been employed on it daily.