Republic of India

Republic of India
Flag
Anthem: Jana Gana Mana
Capital	New Delhi
Largest city	Mumbai
Official languages	Hindi, English
Government	Federal parliamentary constitutional republic
• President	Draupadi Murmu
• Prime Minister	Narendra Modi
Area
• Total	3,287,263 km2 (1,269,219 sq mi)
Population
• 2021 estimate	1,366,417,754
Currency	₹ (INR)
ISO 3166 code	[[ISO 3166-2:IN |IN ]]

The Republic of India is a country in South Asia, bordered by Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar. It is the seventh-largest country by land area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. India's coastline stretches along the Indian Ocean to the south, the Arabian Sea to the southwest, and the Bay of Bengal to the southeast. It also shares maritime borders with Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

History

India's history begins with the birth of the Indus Valley Civilization, which was among the world's earliest urban cultures. It is followed by the Vedic period, which laid the foundations of Hinduism and other cultural aspects of early Indian society. From around 550 BCE, many independent kingdoms and republics known as the Mahajanapadas emerged across the country.

The Maurya Empire and Gupta Empire, covering much of the subcontinent, were followed by a series of medieval dynasties and empires, including the Mughal Empire from the 16th to the 19th century. In the early 17th century, the British East India Company established a foothold in the region, eventually leading to British colonial rule. India gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1947 after a notable independence movement marked by non-violent resistance led by figures such as Mahatma Gandhi.

Geography

India is characterized by a diverse range of geographical features, including the Himalayas, which form its northern boundary, and the fertile plains of the Ganges in the north. The Thar Desert lies in the northwest and the Western Ghats run along the western coast. India's climate is also varied but is predominantly tropical in the south and temperate in the north.

Government and Politics

India is a federal republic with a bicameral parliament consisting of the Rajya Sabha (Council of States) and the Lok Sabha (House of the People). The President of India is the head of state and is elected indirectly by the people through elected members of both the houses of Parliament and the legislatures of the states. The Prime Minister of India is the head of government and exercises most executive powers.

Economy

India's economy is a mixed economy combining features of a planned economy and market economy. It is the world's sixth-largest economy by nominal GDP and the third-largest by purchasing power parity (PPP). After the 1991 economic liberalisation, India achieved high economic growth and made significant progress in sectors such as information technology, engineering, and pharmaceuticals.

Culture

India is known for its rich heritage and diverse culture. It has more than two thousand ethnic groups and every major religion is represented, as are four major families of languages (Indo-European, Dravidian, Austroasiatic, and Sino-Tibetan). Indian music, dance, and cinema play a vital role in global culture. India has a long tradition in various arts, such as classical music, classical dance, folk music, and folk dance, which are integral parts of Indian culture. It is also home to the Bollywood film industry, the largest sector of film production in the world.

See also

• Politics of India
• Economy of India
• Culture of India
• Geography of India