Interesting stories about ancient India. Newspapers and magazines

Not everyone knows the most interesting facts about the country of India, but about everything in order. India is an incredible country with an amazing history, a very colorful population, unusual cuisine, beautiful nature, rich in flora and fauna.

Someone, having been here, wants to return to India again. Well, for someone, one trip will be enough to get vivid impressions. But it is unambiguous that visiting this country greatly affects the consciousness of a person, forcing you to look at some things from a completely different angle.

As practice shows, we know very little about this state. Well, for example, did you know that chess is from India? And the fact that many basic sciences became known to the world precisely thanks to the ancient scientists living in India? But after all she is much older Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome!

If you're curious about what else India is famous for, interesting facts about the country will really surprise you. Read on.

General facts

Let's start with some must-know facts if you are interested in India and Indian culture:

India is the seventh country in the world in terms of area and second in by population (1 billion 170 million people).
Itself the country received the name "India" due to the fact that the first settlements were located on the banks of the Indus River .
The flag of India, consisting of three horizontal stripes of different colors, carries a deep symbolic background. Bright orange - altruism, courage. White - striving for peace and truth. Green - fertility, loyalty, nobility. In the days when India was not yet independent, the symbol of a spinning wheel was depicted in the middle of the white strip. But when the long-awaited independence was gained, the symbol representing the wheel of life began to decorate the flag instead of the spinning wheel.
India is a multinational country. This is confirmed by the fact that 780 languages \u200b\u200band more than 1000 dialects are spoken on its territory.... It is striking that one of the dialects - Tamil - is considered one of the most ancient. True, over the past 50 years, about 250 dialects have ceased to be used. The constitution is the same.
It is forbidden to export from the country and import Indian rupees into its territory.
For the last 10 thousand years, India has not invaded foreign territories .

Unusual facts about traditions and religions

It is known that India is a very religious, spiritual country, saturated with ancient philosophy. At the same time, there is an amazing variety of religions and a very tolerant attitude of residents to this. About 80% of the population are Hindus, about 11% are Muslims, the rest are Sikhists, Christians, Zoroastrians, etc.... Here are some other known facts:

The wedding is highly anticipated and an important event in the life of Indians... Even those who have an average income invite a very large number of guests (300-1500 people) to the celebration. Usually the tables were vegetarian (unless, of course, we are talking about Muslim weddings). Yes and. However, the dishes are prepared in such a volume that they could feed several thousand guests. Read more about this in the article ““.
The Vishnu Temple was erected in the city of Tirupati in the X century... It is one of the most famous pilgrimage sites. About 30 thousand visitors visit it per day. Mecca and Rome are visited by significantly fewer pilgrims.
Free-roaming cows are found on the streets of India every now and then.... These animals are sacred for the Indians, since it is believed that one of the progenitors of all mankind was precisely the cow. Also you can find out.
India - the land of fables and fairy tales... Moreover, many of them are very ancient and there are many of them.
The color of clothes, folds and even the order of the strands in a woman's hair is given great value. By such signs, a resident of India can accurately determine who exactly is in front of him: practically a saint or a representative of the oldest profession... You can also learn more about Indian clothing or.

Facts about the daily life of Indians

The life of Indians is very different from the life of a European person. 35% of the inhabitants of this country are below the poverty line and can barely make ends meet. But more than a million Indians are. This undoubtedly affects the way of life of the population:

Meet at home with Indians washing machine - almost incredible... Those who have that kind of money to buy such equipment can usually afford a housekeeper who does laundry, cleaning and cooking. The rest are washed by hand in a nearby reservoir.
The labor force in India is one of the cheapest in India. For example, daily cleaning 3 room apartment and cooking a dinner for several people per month will cost approximately 3500 rubles, that is, 3 thousand rupees. True, the quality of such services is far from always good. good level.
The most developed art is dancing. Great importance is attached to them. With the help of dances, accompanied by expressive gestures, any information is transmitted... In various rites, as well as in temples, one can see the corresponding ritual dances. We recommend that you familiarize yourself with.
Among Indians it is not customary for a wife to address her husband by name. Otherwise, it is considered disrespectful..
It is very difficult for widows in India. And all because there is a belief here: a good wife's husband would not die ... Some communities do not even allow such women to attend important social events and be near the newlyweds.
In the ancient and Middle Ages in India, such a rite was practiced as. It consisted in the fact that after the death of her husband, his body, together with the living widow, were publicly burned.
Most Indians don't use toilet paper ... For proper hygiene procedures in decent places, a small shower hangs near the toilet bowl. In simpler places, a tap with water is equipped for this and there is a small bucket nearby.

Facts about Indian Medicine and Science

Despite the fact that there are many uneducated and non-literate people in India, this country has its great achievements in science and medicine:

Algebra and geometry were born here.
Indian medicine appeared 2500 years ago thanks to the first physician Chakara. But the first operation was carried out much earlier. Sushruta is considered the progenitor of surgery. He performs cataract surgery, brain surgery, caesarean section and even prosthetics! You can learn more about Indian medicine from ours.
In ancient India, they knew a lot about anatomy and physiology, and also possessed knowledge of the implementation of anesthesia.
Back in the 6th century, the Indian mathematician Baudhayan was able to formulate the Pythagorean law and accurately calculate the number Pi.
The first concepts of the science of navigation were also presented to the world by ancient Indian scientists.
Incredibly, back in the 12th century, the talented astronomer and mathematician Bhaskara was able to accurately calculate the time it takes for the Earth to complete a revolution around the Sun. There is also interesting article about.

So we talked about some interesting facts about India. This country has rich history several millennia long.

Despite the fact that she was once prosperous, today she has to go through difficult times. But we still love her because she is so bright, amazing and extraordinary.

Thinking about India, we draw picturesque pictures in our imagination - fabulous silks, saris, national dresses, bright headdresses, bewitching dances, extraordinary collections of jewelry, luxurious handmade carpets embroidered with gold.

Everything is present in India - fabulous wealth and poverty, stately palaces and huts, ancient masterpieces and modern luxury.

India is an ancient independent state in South Asia. As for the population - the second in the world, the seventh - in terms of territory. Countries bordering India - Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar. In the period from the 18th to the 20th century, India was a colony of the British Empire.

Everything changed in 1947, when the country gained independence. As India has developed, it has made great strides in many areas. By the end of the 20th century, thanks to a well-chosen strategy, India's economy became one of the fastest growing in the world.

« The land of dreams and romance, unheard of wealth and unprecedented poverty, luxury and poverty, palaces and shacks, hunger and plague, ghosts and giants, Aladdin's lamps, tigers and elephants, cobras and jungles, a country of hundreds of peoples and languages, thousands of religions and two million gods ..."- these words belong to Mark Twain, they were said over 100 years ago, but, in truth, not much has changed since then.

Live and learn

Honoring knowledge - distinctive feature Indian civilization. Logic, ancient philosophy, psychology, astronomy, chemistry, religion - all these areas of ancient Indian thought are embodied in the Vedas, theories, textbooks.

Ancient Indian mathematics was introduced by thinkers such as Aryabhatta and Varahamihira (5th - 6th centuries AD). They are the ancestors decimal system calculus, pioneers of geometry and algebra, trigonometry.

India's medical practices are valued all over the world. The treatises of ancient Indian healers on surgery, diagnostics, anesthesia and medicinal plants have survived to this day.

Indian builders, decorators, architects, architects, artisans have made a huge contribution to the treasury of world culture. It was they who created sculptures, ensembles, temples, museums, palaces, mausoleums, massive fortresses, which amaze everyone with their grandeur for centuries.

Yoga was born here

It was in India that yoga was born. In India you can start doing yoga with a real teacher - guru... In India, the guru is the indisputable authority. There are many centers in this country aiming at both a sufficiently deep immersion of a person in yoga and introductory training in master classes. Each center has an individual teaching style and uses different methods to prepare students.

Holidays in India

India gives us its gorgeous beaches on the ocean and sea coasts for the rest of the day, cozy bays with clean water, unforgettable acquaintances, meetings with history.

Selection of material: Iris Revue

Very much) To be there and not capture the pictures seen in some primitive way is a great blasphemy. Therefore, I decided to put the interesting facts about India collected by me and other travelers into an article and reflect on this topic a little myself.

What do you know about India? Travelers can give a trivial answer to this question: India is a country of contrasts. I will not argue with this, but one word "contrast" cannot convey all the mystery and magic of this piece of land.

The culture of India has evolved over the centuries, therefore, despite the modern rhythm of life, some ancient foundations have survived to this day.

As a handshake there is a special gesture called namaste. In translation, it means "I welcome God in you." To do it correctly, you need to bring your folded palms and fingers to chest level.
Basically, marriages are created not under the influence of love, but according to a clear choice of parents. One of the main parameters that people pay attention to when choosing a bride or groom are religious beliefs and caste.
There are practically no divorces in India. Many people get married once and for life.
In many villages, the land is still plowed with the help of buffaloes and plows, which, against the background of good reception of 4G Internet, creates a special contrast (along with the breaking of the pattern)
The groom is forbidden to look at the bride during the wedding ceremony; he can only see her through the reflection in the mirror.
It has long been believed that a girl born on a certain date promises death to her husband. Therefore, such "lucky women" got married twice, and the first time - for an inanimate object.
Well, everyone probably knows about cows. Here they calmly walk along the streets and sometimes sleep right on the roadway. In Rishikesh, specially trained people feed them with stew
Shipping was founded in India about 6,000 years ago.
Continuing the conversation about the country, it is worth noting that India until the 17th century was considered the most economically stable and one of the richest in the world.

Ghats of Varanasi

Sacred animals on the streets of Pushkar

For a sweetheart anywhere

Like any other country, India is rich in different customs. And looking at them sometimes I am very glad that I myself am not a Hindu.

Sati is an ancient ritual, according to which the wife must fully and completely share the fate of her husband. Including his death. When performing sati, the wife goes with her husband to the funeral pyre. At this time, this custom is practically not practiced, its implementation is equated to a crime. Therefore, in order to avoid temptations, only men are present at the funeral.
Inhabitants of some Indian settlements adhere to such a ritual as throwing a newborn child from the roof of a house onto big piece fabrics. But do not be afraid, everything happens absolutely safe. According to legend, this ceremony promises the newborn good luck, health and long life... What will happen if a child suddenly misses the fabric, history, of course, is silent.

Through me

The history of India, like its present, is very rich in different cultural customs and facts:

India was the ancestor of the famous game of chess.
Crystalline cane sugar was first produced in India.
Nowadays, most people like to relax in a hookah bar on Saturday night. Not everyone knows that India is the birthplace of the hookah.
Ancient India left a colossal mark on mathematics, astronomy and medicine. Most of the mathematical terms were coined by Indians.
The oldest literary heritage is the Vedas. According to historical data, they were created about 3,500 years ago.
The Indians were not only not afraid of a huge elephant, but were also able to tame it first.
On the territory of this wonderful country, as many as 5 world religions were born: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikkhism and Bahaism. In addition, representatives of absolutely all possible religions and beliefs live here. Even an Orthodox church has recently opened near Chennaya.

Temples in Hampi, one of the UNESCO cultural heritage sites

Climate, geography and weather

Continuing the conversation about facts, it is worth saying a few words about geography and climate.

The highest point of India is Mount Kanchejanga (8560 m), the 3rd highest in the world, after Everest and Chogori (K2)

All climatic zones exist in India: from equatorial to arctic. The second such country is.
The state of Meghalaya is the rainiest area in the world.
The absolute difference in height in India is 8500 meters. From sea level to the summit of Kanchenjunga
In the extreme Indian north, in the town of Dras, a record was recorded low temperature at -57 degrees. Hindus consider it the coldest place in the world after Yakutia. Of course, this information is very "conditional", like much that is said in India, but it greatly emphasizes the importance of this or that place.

We are in Dras. On the right in the photo - information about the coldest place

Population

Most big City - Mumbai with a population of about 19 million
The population of Uttar Pradesh is larger than that of all of Brazil.
According to 2014 data, about 315 million students studied in India, which is several times more than the total number of residents in Russia.
In 2013, more than 120 million people attended the jug festival.
Fertility progress in India is sky-high. So, for example, if you take the data from 1901 to 2016, you can observe a growth rate of 332%, which is a kind of record.
Everyone knows about Indian slums, but no one knows that there are about 65 million Indians living there, this is approximately the number of residents of Thailand.
The population density is 382 people per square kilometer. In the state of Bihar, for the same area, the figure is 1102 people.

Languages

Do you think Britain has the largest number of speakers of English language? But no, according to the data obtained, this record belongs to India
There are 2 official state languages: Hindi and English
Regional languages \u200b\u200b- 22 + 447 local languages \u200b\u200band about 2000 dialects. Against the background of such a motley variety, it is not surprising that it became necessary to look for some kind of universal way of communication

Medicine

Medicine in India was not only developed many centuries ago, but also has its own interesting facts.

Sushurata is the founder of surgery who lived over 2,600 years ago in India. At that time, he could successfully perform a number of operations, including: cataract removal, cesarean section, plastic surgery, etc.
In the study of ancient scriptures, scientists discovered that in India, even during the time of ancient civilization, anesthesia was used with might and main.
The first school of medicine in the history of mankind - Ayur Veda was founded more than 2,500 years ago.
The pharmaceutical company Bayer produced a new drug in its laboratory in 1898. It helped with coughing and also relieved pain. At the same time, when using it, patients felt like real heroes. This medicine has been given the name heroin. In India, until 1910, it could be bought at a regular pharmacy.
Pharmaceuticals are one of the most important areas of the Indian economy

Transport

In India, even ordinary roads have several interesting nuances that can cause a surprise if not shock to an ordinary European.

Indian railways ranked third in the world in length, after the United States and Russia
Trains are often late here. Don't be surprised if you arrive 20 hours late
Judging by the news, it happens that they also go astray and go in the wrong direction
In Delhi, smoking in the car is strictly prohibited. If suddenly you did it, then you face a considerable fine
Leaving your car with the engine running is prohibited in Mumbai
Few people observe traffic rules here. On the roads - chaos, subordinate to a controller unknown to us
You can get around the streets of Kolkata by a trolley, which is carried by a person, and by a taxi ordered through UBER.
If you notice a cow on the road during a trip, then you should be extremely careful. In the event of even a minor collision with an animal, you face a fine, and in some cases, even a prison term
Mumbai's commuter trains carry around 8 million passengers per day. This is more than the number of inhabitants of some countries
India has one of the highest mountain roads in the world,. A special pleasure is to drive it on the good old Royal Enfield

We are at the Tanglang-La pass (5330 m) during a motorcycle tour of Kashmir and Ladakh

A few words about Goa

The picturesque resort of India is famous not only for its numerous recreational opportunities, but also for interesting facts.

Goa is a former Portuguese colony that became part of India only after 1961.
In many restaurants of the resort, you can order dumplings, and even okroshka.
Here is very beautiful nature and few big cities
Most of the population is Christian

Church of St. Xavier in Goa (already 16th century, by the way)

Some more interesting things

As you can see, there are many interesting things in India. If you are not tired, please do not close the page.

There are 32 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India. These include the famous Taj Mahal complex.
Despite the fact that 80% of Indians are followers of Hinduism, representatives of all world religions can be found in India.
Indians don't use toilet paper. Near each push there is a faucet with water and a ladle
Almost 40% of Indians are vegetarians, making the country the most herbal in the world.
The largest postal system operates in India. Here you can see the post office located at an altitude of about 4440 meters, or the post office floating right in the lake.
- one of the most ancient in existence today. According to legend, it was created by the deity Shiva about 5,000 years ago.
Hindus often use banana leaves as a plate.
Lovers of natural features will be able to see the so-called "living bridges" in the state of Meghalaya. They were created by nature itself for 500 years.
The largest sundial located in Delhi and Jaipur.
Do you like sweets? Then you will love a variety of Indian desserts. National cuisine India consists of 140 desserts for every taste.
When riding a bus, don't be surprised that there is no glass in it.
Yoga was born about 5,000 years ago and today is included in the so-called. “Intangible heritage” of UNESCO.
If you want to make a vivid impression on an Indian woman, tell her that her gait is similar to that of an elephant and then you will win her heart (honestly, I have not tried it, but if you have experience, please share it?)
In the state of Rajasthan, you can often see camels harnessed to carts on the roads

Finally - my favorite photograph, which I called briefly "India, summer, Yaroslav". As you can see, the contrasts are just off scale.

Of course, this is far from all that I have collected in my memory and on the Internet. I will supplement and expand this list, and maybe I will even make another article.

If you have any useful additions to interesting facts about India, share them in the comments, please?

India is the largest state in South Asia. It has a large area and a very large population. Included in the top ten countries in the world for these two indicators. Homeland of ancient Indian culture. There are many historical and architectural monuments on its territory. Modern fast development countries contributes to technological progress and improving the quality of life of the population, but, according to european standards, they are still low.

The country's natural wealth makes it an incredibly popular travel destination. Since ancient times, other peoples have sought to see all its wonders with their own eyes. Each state is a hotel set of attractions, among which it is easy to find places for all tastes.

Large cities (New Delhi, Mumbai) are megacities, noisy and active. Outback - jungle villages, secluded beaches. There are many exotics in the country, in all spheres of life. The nature of the tropics, intricate palaces and temples, the great Ganges and the Indian Ocean, colorful saris and spices. There is almost nothing in India that is familiar to a resident of another country. The main directions of the tours: excursions ("Golden Triangle"), the beach (Goa), Ayurveda and spiritual practices. A separate direction is the Himalayas. You can bring wonderful fabrics, spices, tea, jewelry as souvenirs. Best time country visits - from October to March.

The best hotels and hotels at affordable prices.

from 500 rubles / day

What to see in India?

The most interesting and beautiful places, photos and a short description.

The most famous and majestic mausoleum in the country. Snow-white huge tomb of Shah Jahan and his wife. The building is made of rare marble inlaid with semi-precious stones. Visited by millions of tourists, protected by UNESCO.

The oldest city in India. Located on the Ganges River, it is a place of pilgrimage for many locals and visitors. Ritual actions are performed on the banks. The center of the world for Hindus, the most important and revered place. It has a unique history, architecture and way of life.

The largest and longest river in India. It is of great economic and cultural importance for the country. A sacred river for Hindus, a place of numerous rituals. It originates in the Himalayas, descends to the Bay of Bengal. Partially navigable. Flora and fauna are gradually becoming poorer, but still of interest to tourists. Many cities and temples have been built along the banks.

A relatively young temple in New Delhi, built in 1986. Outwardly very similar to huge, snow-white flower lotus. The main temple of the Bahá'í religion in India. An exceptional building in terms of architectural design, unusually spectacular at any time of the day. There is a garden next to the temple. One of the most popular tourist destinations in Delhi.

The most unusual building in Mumbai, its symbol. The architecture of the station is whimsical and very decorative, reminiscent of a maharajah palace. Built by British architects during colonization, but stylized according to local traditions. Previously named after Queen Victoria. It was used for filming Slumdog Millionaire.

Buddhist temple complex. It is a set of rooms for prayers and the life of monks, carved in stone and decorated with rich carvings and columns. The wall paintings of the complex are interesting and valuable; many of the surviving fragments are attributed to the genre of traditional Indian miniatures.

A place ancient city, capital of the Vijayanagar Empire. Now there are the remains of ancient buildings and active Hindu temples. The Hampi area is home to 18 ancient architectural and historical monuments. Protected by UNESCO.

One of the tallest minarets in the world. It is a 72-meter high brick building decorated with carvings and artistic masonry. Built in Delhi by several generations of sultan rulers. Protected by UNESCO.

Monument to Indian soldiers who died in the First World War. Opened in 1931. Located right in the center of the capital. Outwardly, it resembles the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. The monument is made of sandstone, about 40 meters high. The names of the victims are engraved on the walls of the arch. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is located nearby. There is a large park around the memorial.

A symbolic arch gate built on the waterfront in Mumbai. It was installed in honor of the visit of the country by King George V. Through this symbolic gate, the last British soldiers left India after it gained independence.

Located in the city of Jaipur, its second name is the Palace of the Winds. The building is unique in architecture, all permeated with windows. Since the palace was erected for a harem, all the windows were closed with marble bars, white color which goes well with the red walls of the building. Five floors, about a thousand windows in lacy stone frames.

A grandiose fortress built of red sandstone. Located in Agra, it is one of the two most significant landmarks in the region. It was built by several generations of the Great Mughals, the beginning of the construction dates back to the middle of the 16th century. Inside the impregnable walls, there is a whole complex of buildings, palaces and parks. Included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

A huge fortress-palace on the top of the mountain. Located in the state of Rajasthan, just above the city of Jodhpur. Construction began in the middle of the 15th century, together with the construction of the city. The walls and gates were erected for several centuries and became simply monumental. Until the middle of the 20th century, local rulers lived in the fortress. Inside there is a museum, palaces and viewing platforms overlooking the city.

A local ruler's palace was built right in the center of the reservoir. On the water surface is a white-stone eastern castle, richly decorated with carvings. It is currently rented to tourists and there are about a hundred luxurious rooms inside. One of the James Bond films, Octopus, was filmed here.

The largest waterfall in India. Located in a natural park - the largest in Goa. The road runs through tropical forests, in a real jungle, in which there are many animals and birds. You can get to it only by special transport (jeeps). The jets fall from a height of 300 meters and are white. There is a romantic legend explaining this feature.

Indian state, where about 100 km of beaches are one after another. Divided into North and South. The northern coast is more "youthful", it can be noisy and fun here. The southern one is quieter, there are fewer hotels on it and they are more expensive. Almost all beaches are sandy and ideal for relaxation. The proximity of the sea determines the rich diet of fresh seafood.

Spring Festival celebrated annually in India. It is celebrated for several days and has its own obligatory traditions. One of the brightest and most popular is sprinkling each other with a special dye powder. All participants in the fun turn out to be painted in different colors from head to toe.

Indian Film Factory named after Hollywood. Based in Mumbai, one of the largest film companies in the country. It produces films in several languages, both acutely social and entertaining. Works with great productivity, filmmaking never stops.

“India, cradle of the human race, birthplace of human speech, mother of history, grandmother of legend and great-grandmother of traditions. The most valuable and most instructive lessons in human history are valued only in India ”(Mark Twain).

1. Among the countries of the world, India ranks second after the United States in the number of native speakers of English. In India, it is spoken by about 125 million people, which is only 10% of the country's population. The number of English speaking Indians is constantly growing.

Ganges River, Varanasi

Express info by country

India (Republic of India) is a state in South Asia.

Capital- Delhi

Largest cities: Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata

Form of government- Parliamentary

Territory - 3,287,263 km2 (7th in the world)

Population- 1.285 billion people (2nd in the world)

official languages- Hindi, English (+ 21 more)

Religion - Hinduism

HDI- 0.609 (130th in the world)

GDP - $ 2.048 trillion (9th in the world)

Currency - Indian rupee

Borders with: Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar

2. Lives in India largest number vegetarians in the world. Whether for religious or personal reasons, about 40% of Indians are vegetarians. India has the lowest per capita meat consumption in the world.

3. Until diamonds were found in Brazil in the 18th century, India ranked first in the world in diamond mining and production. For the first time, diamonds were found in alluvial deposits in the Guntur and Krishna regions in the Krishna River Delta.

4. Up to 100 million people attend the Kumbh Mela Festival - a gathering of pilgrims that takes place every three years. This is the world's largest gathering of people in one place.

5. 13 of the 20 most polluted cities in the world are in India. Breathing air in Mumbai in one day is tantamount to smoking 100 cigarettes.

On the street of Delhi

7. About 70% of all spices in the world come from India.

8. India is home to 14 million slaves, the highest among any country in the world.

9. To make money on a Big Mac, the average person in India will have to work almost 6 hours.

10. Judaism appeared in India 2500 years ago. Since then, the local population has never shown any signs of anti-Semitism.

11. By 2050, India is projected to be the most populous country in the world. The population by that time could reach 1.6 billion, which will be almost equal to the population of the United States and China combined.

12. Indian households own 11% of the world's gold. This is more than the combined reserves of the US, IMF, Switzerland and Germany.

13. 74% of young Indians prefer an arranged marriage over personal choice. Perhaps this is why only 1 in 100 marriages in India ends in divorce. This is one of the lowest rates in the world.

14. The inhabitants of the North Sentinel Island in India are among the last people whose lives remain untouched by modern civilization.

15. Mawsynram, a village in Meghalaya, is the wettest inhabited place in the world. It has the highest average rainfall in the world.