66 Amazing facts about India that everyone should know

Beautiful Indian flag

1. India is the seventh-biggest country in terms of area and the largest democratic democracy in the world. Averaging 51 births every minute, India has the second-largest population in the world behind China.

2. India is an Asian nation. You might have missed this in history class, but India lies in the southern part of Asia.

3. India is bordered by numerous nations. China, Myanmar, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Nepal all share a border with India.

4. India covers 2.4 percent of the earth's surface. India is a very large country. India's land area is 3,287,469 square kilometers, making it 2.2 times bigger than Alaska in the United States. The distance separating northern and southern India is comparable to that between Canada and Mexico.

5. In India, there are 22 official languages. Only 36% of the time will two Indians who happen to meet paths on the street be able to talk. In India, there are 22 official languages. Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Maithili, Kashmiri, Konkani, Marathi, Meitei, Nepalese, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu are among the other languages.

6. More than 1.3 billion people live in India. India is the second most populous nation in the world, with 1.37 billion people. To put it in perspective, keep in mind that India has a larger population than the entire Western Hemisphere put together.

7. English is widely spoken in India. India was a British colony for approximately 100 years before becoming a sovereign nation in 1947. The second-largest English-speaking nation in the world now isin India.

8. India consists of 29 states. The United States continues to have the most states, at 50.

There are also the following states: Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Tripura, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh.

9. Delhi is the most populous city in India. Delhi is not just India's capital but also its most populated metropolis, with a population of around 30 million.

10. India celebrates a variety of holidays. The number of religious holidays and celebrations observed in India is essentially limitless.

Christians celebrate Christmas, Muslims celebrate Eid, Muslims celebrate Baisakhi, Sikhs celebrate Baisakhi, Hindus celebrate Diwali, Holi, and Makar Sakranti, Jains commemorate Mahavir Jayanti, Buddhists celebrate Buddha's birthday, and so on.

11. India takes its name from a river. The River Sindhu often called the Indus River, gave rise to the name "India."

12. Rupee is the name of the official currency. The official sign () was introduced in 2010 to represent the rupee, the official currency of India.

13. There are 6 different seasons in India. Due to its geographic location, India experiences a lot of rain each year. There are six distinct seasons on the Hindu calendar. Spring is represented by the Vasanta Ritu, summer by Grishma, monsoon by Varsha Ritu, fall by Sharad, pre-winter by Hemant Ritu, and winter by Shishir Ritu.

14. Families reside under one roof in India. In contrast to individualist Western households when children leave home, Indian families remain intact.

It's fairly common to have parents, a husband and wife, children, and other family members living with you.

15. The salutation "Namaste" from India is used. "May our minds cross," which is also known as namaste in India, is how I bow to you and greet you.

16. Cows are revered as sacred animals in India. In India, cows are valued as a maternal representation of the fertility of mother earth. Religious deeds include providing for cow shelters and feeding cows. The majority of Indians are vegetarians because they recognize that consuming or killing cows is unethical and that cows provide life-sustaining milk.

17. There were a staggering 26 holidays in India in 2019. This merely emphasizes how varied Indian culture is.

 Maha Shivaratri, Holi, New Year's Day, Makar Sankranti / Pongal, Republic Day,Ugadi  / Gudi Padwa, Ram Navami, Mahavir Jayanti, Raksha Bandhan, Independence Day, Janmashtami, Vina Good Friday, Labor Day, Budhha Purnima, Eid-ul-Fitr, Rath Yatra, Bakri Id / Eid ul-Adha

There's no doubt how deeply ingrained tradition is in India, even if some of these customs strike you as odd. It only demonstrates how much Indians love their heritage.

18. India values refugees. The fact that India provides refuge and assists more than 300,000 refugees escaping from religious and political oppression in Tibet, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh just goes to prove that. India recorded 26 holidays in 2019.

19. Refugees are valued in India. That is further demonstrated by the fact that India shelters and helps more than 300,000 refugees fleeing political and religious tyranny in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Afghanistan, and Tibet.

20. The largest sundial in the entire globe is in India. The largest sundial in the world, located in Jaipur, India, is 27 meters (90 feet) tall and so enormous that it casts a shadow that moves 6 centimeters (approximately 2 1/3 inches) per minute at a speed of 1 millimeter per second.

21. Phalodi has the highest recorded temperature in India. Near the western state of Rajasthan, in the town of Phalodi, the country of India saw its hottest temperature. The temperature shot up to a burning 51 degrees celsius!

22. In India, KFC offers vegetarian cuisine. The massive fast-food brand KFC has expanded its menu in India and now offers vegetarian options including Veg Zinger, Veg Snacker, and Veg ZingKong. To engage more customers, this is being done.

23. In India, only 3% of people pay income taxes. More than half of the population is dependent on agriculture, which is partly attributable to the young Indian population. Surprisingly, close to 60% of all tax revenues are provided by the highest 5 percent of taxpayers.

24. Within 24 hours after death, a deceased person's body is incinerated. By Hindu funeral traditions, a body is cremated within 24 hours of passing away, although it is typically buried at home first. The remains are either strewn into a holy body of water or other locations that held special meaning for the deceased after cremation.

25. Agriculture is India's primary industry for earning money. More than 50% of the population of India depends on agriculture, making it a country with a strong agricultural economy.

Agribusiness is regarded as the foundation of India's economy, although the IT sector and e-commerce are also expanding significantly quickly.

26. In India, a bus driver was struck by a meteorite. Approximately 500 meteorites are thought to strike the earth each year, but sadly, an Indian bus driver was the first person ever to be injured by a meteorite.

27. Kerala, India, experienced blood rain. Between July and September 2001, the Indian state of Kerala had intermittent, intense downpours of red-colored rain. Numerous hypotheses were put up to explain the crimson rain, but it took experts more than ten years to come up with a conclusive explanation. Trentepohlia annulata, a species of algae, was likely transported with the clouds from Austria when it was discovered in the red raindrops.

28. Indians are the world's best readers. India topped the list in 2017 with its population reading for a weekly average of 10 hours and 42 minutes. Given that India's literacy rate is lower than the global average of 74 percent, obtaining the top spot on the list is a major accomplishment for this nation.

29. During World War II, the Taj Mahal was "masked." Indians covered the Taj Mahal with bamboo scaffolding during World War II. The scaffolding's goal was to make the Taj Mahal appear to be nothing more than a bamboo stockpile when viewed from inside a bomber jet thousands of feet above, and it was a success.

When India and Pakistan were at war in 1965 and 1971, they used the same strategy.

30. Hindus venerate snakes. Hindus observe Naga Panchami every year as a day to honor snakes. In addition to praying to the Lords to protect them from snakes, worshippers offer milk to the snakes.

31. For planting more than 50 million trees with 800,000 volunteers in a single day, India earned a new Guinness World Record on July 11, 2016,  for this.

32. Pepsi and Coca-Cola are used as pesticides by Indian farms. Experts in agriculture claim that cokes' sugar content can make them good bug deterrents.

33. In India, there is a community with no doors or locks and no crimes. Remarkably, no crimes have been reported in Shani Shingnapur, an Indian town where residents don't use doors or locks in their homes, for more than 400 years. The natives attribute their sense of security to Lord Shani, the god of Saturn.

Power of faith.

34. India had the most volunteers for World War II. With a total of 2.5 million volunteers, Indians achieved history by having the largest volunteer army in World War II. Unreachable by the outside world, a group of people is protected by the Indian government.

The Sentinelese people, a group that rejects all interaction with the outside world, live on North Sentinel Island.

They are among the remaining non-human species, and contemporary civilization hasn't even touched them. Outsiders are not permitted to travel within three miles of the island, according to the Indian authorities.

35. Women in India own 11% of the world's gold. Indian women hold an 11% share of the world’s gold in jewelry and accessories. That is more gold than the reserves of Germany, the United States, and Switzerland combined.

36. Go Air, an airline based in India, only employs female flight attendants. The airline firm believes that by recruiting an all-female crew, they may save $500,000 per year in fuel costs due to the lesser weight of women.

37. The majority of slaves in the world are found in India. With an estimated 14 to 18 million slaves, India is the country with the largest slave population in the world. Women and children alike engage in slave labor in the brick kiln sector.

38. The largest human assemblage in the world takes place during India's Kumbh Mela celebration. Over 12 years, this celebration is held four times. The Kumbh Mela Festival is annually attended by more than a hundred million people.

39. There are 8 types of classical dances in India. There are eight classical dances in India which are Bharatnatyam, Kathakali, Kathak, Mohiniyattam, Kuchipudi, Odissi, Manipuri, and Sattriya.

40. India still has a caste system in force today. One of the first examples of "social differentiation" is the caste system in India.

Castes are used to organize rural communities; members of the upper and lower castes reside in separate colonies.

It is frequently condemned for being unfair, but it has persisted for generations, trapping people in rigid social structures from which they find it difficult to escape.

Priests and scholars hold the highest positions in the caste system, followed by nobles and warriors, then business owners, and finally laborers or servants.

41. India created a missile that bears the name of the God of Fire. The Agni Missile was a ballistic missile created by India (God of Fire). This missile is designated in India’s special defense program.

42. The Hollywood of India is called Bollywood. The biggest film industry in India and one of the biggest in the world is Bollywood.

Bollywood is described as a Hindi film industry that is becoming more prevalent in Indian English.

Bollywood movies are typically distinguished by lavish, vibrant production and vivacious musical moments.

43. Mother Teresa and Mahatma Gandhi, two of India's most well-known historical heroes, are renowned for their bravery.

Mother Teresa once said, “It is not how much we give that counts, but how much love we put into giving”.

Mahatma Gandi once said, "The future depends on what we do in the present"

44. Chai is the national drink of India. Chai tea is more than just a cup of tea.

Beginning a long day with a thick sweet drink is an essential part and tempo of life in India.

As the 2nd largest producer of tea in the whole world, it only makes sense that tea is an important part of Indians’ lives.

45. Indians enjoy using their hands to eat. Indians enjoy using their hands to relish their food, which is not out of the ordinary.

However, they only frequently use their right hand for eating. The left hand is traditionally thought to be filthy.

46. Indian martial arts are very diverse. Martial arts in India come in a variety of styles.

The most well-known are the Silambam, Kalaripayattu, Huyen Langdon, Mardani Khel, Gatka, and Say.

In India, these martial arts are still widely practiced for fitness training and self-defense.

47. Indians place a similar significance on visitors as they do on God. You may anticipate receiving more than royal treatment if you ever visit an Indian home.

Atithi Devo Bhavah literally translates as "the guest is like God." Hindus consider it to be a vibrant host-guest relationship.

48. Copper plates are used in Indian temples to absorb good energy from the planet. The majority of Indian temples are built along the earth's magnetic wave lines to harness as much positive energy as possible. Indian devotees frequently visit the temple to collect the positive energy, which is captured by a copper plate buried beneath the main deity.

49. The world's largest concentration of mosques is in India. India has more mosques than any other Islamic country—more than 300,000. There is one mosque for every 670 persons in the country.

50. All world religions are practiced in India. Even though Hinduism accounts for 80% of the population in India, the nation is open to all forms of organized religion, including minor sects.

In India, less than 2% of the population identifies as an atheist. The concept of faith is central to Indian culture.

Other religions in India include Buddhism (1.7%), Sikhism (1.7%), Christianity (2.3%), and Islam (14.2%). (0.7 percent ).

51. One of the lowest divorce rates worldwide is found in India. With one of the lowest rates in the world, statistics reveal that only 1 in 100 marriages in India result in divorce.

52. India continues to use arranged marriages. In India, arranged marriages date back to the Vedic era.

For royal families, the bride would be given a ritual called the "Swayambar."

The idea of arranged marriage is still prevalent among Indians today and is a key component of "Indian Traditions".

In India, 74% of women favor arranged marriage, where parents and other family members pick the spouse they believe will be the best for their child for the rest of their lives. Surprisingly, the success ratio between going with your parent's wishes and your own heart's desire demonstrates and demonstrates that arranged marriages are far more successful.

53. Indian weddings emphasize the use of fire. With Agni, the God of Fire, there to witness the event, Indian newlyweds exchange their vows. The Hindu marriage oath is recited by the bride and groom, who then walk seven times around the fire.

54. In Indian culture, fasting is significant. A fundamental aspect of Hindu tradition is fasting.

Indians think that by doing this, they can demonstrate their sincerity and show their gratitude to the gods and goddesses.

55. The official currency is known as Rupee. The official currency of India is called Rupee, and the official sign (₹) was adopted in 2010.

The circulating series of banknotes currently features Mahatma Gandhi, who played a vital role in India’s independence.

56. One of the most opulent weddings in India, which lasted five days and cost 74 million dollars, sparked controversy because it was so extravagant.

In 2016, the wedding of a well-known businessman's daughter made headlines for all the wrong reasons. The 2.5 million dollar wedding saree, gold Bangalore palace setting, and Bollywood royalty in attendance were criticized as outrageous displays of luxury. Indians make up millions of the world's poorest people, therefore the wedding received flak for being out of place.

Although there are many stereotypes of India, there is so much more to this amazing nation than most of us realize.

the largest democracy in the world and the hub of numerous industries. India may have had the greatest impact of any country on literature, science, and medicine.

57. An old Sanskrit manuscript contained the first description of plastic surgery. The Sushruta Samhita, which dates to the sixth century CE, was one of the first books to discuss medicine. One of the earliest instances of a medical discussion addressing surgery, incisions, skin grafts, and nose restoration. The Sushruta Samhita would not be translated until 1814, 80 years after the first nose job in Britain.

58. There are 1 million millionaires in India. One of the largest wealth disparities in the world is seen in India. 35 percent of the population is considered to be poor. People that reside significantly above it lead extremely different lives. Mukesh Ambani, who has a net worth of $103.1 billion, is the richest Indian in the world. The 59-year-old built his fortune in the oil and gas sector, and his $1 billion residence recently made news because he decided to construct a 27-story tower rather than a large mansion.

59. Rolls-Royce was acquired by Alwar's King Jai Singh most effectively.

India has a long and colorful past filled with eccentric kings and queens and opulent monarchies. When the ruler of Alwar in northeast India visited a London shop, a rolls-Royce salesman insulted him. Being a very proud man, he purchased an entire fleet of Rolls-Royce vehicles and donated them to the city's waste management department for use in moving trash throughout the city.

60. For $88,000 per night, you may spend the night at the former Indian royal house. The world's most beautiful palaces can be found in India.

There are lavish palaces all around the nation, some of which have been standing for hundreds of years and were formerly the residence of the Maharajahs.

Prince Charles' 65th birthday was celebrated at the Kumarakom Lake Resort, and the 450-year-old Samode Palace in Jaipur welcomed notable figures from all over the world.

61. In the deer woodland, there is a single polling place set up for each election. Since he is the lone inhabitant of Geer Forest, Mirage verandas de Shonda enjoys exclusive use of his neighborhood polling place throughout every election. He has been voting in Indian elections since 2004 and has never missed one since getting his own polling place.

Mahant is the guardian of Gujarat's sole temple, which is located in a rare Asiatic Lion's territory.

62. The world's first civilization was in ancient India. Indian civilization began about 2400 BC, when it was divided into 16 monarchs known as the "Mahajanapadas," and is often compared to ancient Greece and ancient Egypt. In South Asia, there are even 30,000-year-old authenticated human remains.

Between 2,000 and 500 BC, the first books on science, including those on astronomy and medicine, were written, as well as the earliest Hindu literature. In reality, Indian mathematicians are to thank for the concept of 0 is a number.

63. From space, one can observe the largest religious assembly in India.

Every 12 years, Hindu pilgrims travel to the banks of the Ganges as part of the Kumba Mela. The main event includes religious discussion, singing, ritualistic bathing, and feeding the needy. The number of pilgrims who may attend had to be limited to 75 million, making it the biggest pilgrimage on earth.

64.  India was the world's largest producer of diamonds and where they were originally discovered. Before diamonds were discovered in Brazil, India was the world's most productive diamond-mining nation. The famed "Kohinoor" diamond was discovered in the 13th century, and as of the 18th century, there are currently three operational diamond mines in India. During the British Raj in India, the 793-carat stone passed from owner to owner before being eventually purchased by Queen Victoria.

65. In India during the 16th century, shampoo was developed. The term "shampooing" is derived from the Sanskrit word "shampoo," which also refers to a massage, and it was first utilized in India in the 16th century. Back then, natural elements like herbs were used instead of the current blend of chemicals and aromas that are used today. The fruit home and gooseberry satin dews in particular. When European settlers traveled to India, they took the custom of shampooing and hair washing back with them.

66. For every 600 films, Bollywood's highest-grossing movie made 27 times more than Hollywood's highest-grossing movies. When you examine the data, Hollywood's biggest-grossing movie was 2009's Avatar, which made 2.8 billion dollars at the box office. In sharp contrast, the Bollywood movie 3 Idiots raked in 70.81 billion, which is a profit figure.

Thanks for reading, I hope you have learned a significant about India. If you really like the facts make sure to share them with your friends and family 😊