Abhinavagupta(Abhinavagupta) (late 10th - early 11th century) - Indian religious philosopher.

Avul Kalam Azad(1888-?), Indian public figure.

Ajatashatru- the ancient Indian king (c. 493-462 BC) of the state of Magadha.

Ajita Kesakambali, Indian materialist philosopher of the 6th-5th centuries. BC e.

Azad Maulana Abul Kalam(1888-1958), a prominent political figure in India during the struggle for independence.

Azimullah Khan(?-1859), one of the leaders of the Great Indian Popular Revolt (1857–1859).

Akbar- Emperor (Great Mogul) of Hindustan, from the last Mohammedan (Mongol) dynasty of Baberids.

Ala ad din Bahman Shah- founder of the Bahmani state, ruled in 1347-1358. Iqtadar, in the service of the Delhi Sultan, came to power as a result of the uprising of the Muslim nobility of the Deccan against the Delhi Sultanate. Having made a number of successful campaigns, he pushed the borders of the state to the western coast of India, Gujarat and Malva in the North, Telingana - in the East, the rivers Krishna and Tungabhadra - in the South. ( Soviet historical encyclopedia. In 16 volumes. - M.: Soviet Encyclopedia. 1973-1982. Volume 1. AALTONEN - AYANS. 1961).

Ala-ad-Din Khilji- ruler (1296-1316) of the Delhi Sultanate.

Ali Muhammad Khan Bahadur(XVIII century) - Indian chronicler. He came from a family of officials, served as the main tax department of Gujarat. Author of "Mirat-i Ahmadi" ("The Mirror of Ahmad"), a history of Gujarat from the early Middle Ages to 1760. Appendix ("Hatima") is a description of the provincial capital, Ahmedabad. Literature: Ali Muhammad Khan Bahadur. Mirat-i Ahmadi. A Persian History of Gujarat / English Translation by M. F. Lokhandwala. Baroda, 1965. E. Yu. Vanina. ( Russian historical encyclopedia. T. 1. M., 2015, p. 287-288).

Altakar Anant Sadashiv(1898-1959), Indian historian and archaeologist.

Anandagiri(Skt. Anandagiri), Indian religious philosopher of the 13th century.

Anquetil-Duperron, Abram Yasent(Hyacinth) (1731-1805), French traveler and scientist, author of a number of works on India.

Aryadeva(Skt. Arya-deva - “Divinely noble”) (3rd century) - Buddhist Madhyamik thinker.

Asanga(Skt. Asanga) (315-390), theorist and possible founder of the Buddhist Yogacara school in India.

Aurangzeb(1619-1707), the youngest son of Shah Jahan, who ruled in the Mughal empire, the ruler of the Deccan.

Babur(Baber/Babur/Babar) (1483–1530), conqueror of India and founder of the Mughal dynasty.

Badan, Singh(1722-1756), Indian statesman.

Badarayan, an ancient Indian thinker, one of the founders and the first systematizer of Vedanta.

Badauni, Abd al-Qadir(1540/41-1615), Indian chronicler and writer.

Baji Pao I(1700-1740), Indian statesman and military leader.

Banarasi Das(1586-?), Indian poet and religious reformer.

Banerjee Anil Chandra- Indian historian. Major scientific works: "History of India" (M., 1954) co-authored with Sinha Narenda Krishna. Considering the role of the combination of landscapes in the process of ethnogenesis, Gumilyov touches on the history of India and its geographer, landscape, referring to the work of Banerjee and Sinha (“Ancient Turks”, 194). ( Quoted from: Lev Gumilyov. Encyclopedia. / Ch. ed. E.B. Sadykov, comp. T.K. Shanbai, - M., 2013, p. 82).

Banerjee Surendranath(1848-1925), politician in colonial India.

Barani Zia-ud-din(1285-1356/7), Indian chronicler and writer.

Basava(1105-1167/8), Indian religious reformer and poet.

Basu Baman Das(1867-1930) - Indian historian. Bengali. Higher education(medical) received in England. In 1891-1907 he served in the colonial army. Basu's historical works are devoted to the period of colonial enslavement of India, the methods of conquest and exploitation of the country from the beginning of the penetration of Europeans until 1858, and certain problems of British policy in India. They expose British imperialism and are imbued with patriotism and faith in the great possibilities of the Indian people. Compositions: Story of Satara, Calcutta, 1922; Rise of the Christian power in India, v. 1-5, Calcutta, 1923; The colonization of India by Europeans, Calcutta, 1925; The ruin of Indian trade and industries, Calcutta, 1926. ( Soviet historical encyclopedia. In 16 volumes. - M.: Soviet Encyclopedia. 1973-1982. Volume 2. BAAL - WASHINGTON. 1962).

Bose Subhas Chandra(1897-1945), leader of the Indian national liberation movement.

Basu, Jyoti(Jyotirindra) (1914-2010), Indian politician.

Bhavaviveka(Skt. Bhava-viveka - Analyst of Being) (6th century), Buddhist thinker from South India.

Bhartrihari(Skt. Bhartrhari) (5th century), Indian philosopher and grammarian.

Bhasarvajna, Bhavasarvajna (Skt. Bhasarvajna, Bhavasarvajna) (9th-10th century), Nayaik philosopher.

Bhaskara(Bhaskara) (8th century), a representative of the Vedanta school, a supporter of the doctrine of bheda-abheda.

Bhattacharya (Bhattachandryya) Krishnachandra(1875-1949), Indian philosopher and historian of philosophy.

Valmiki(Walmiki) is an Indian poet to whom the heroic poem "Ramayana" is attributed.

Vasubandhu(Skt. Vasubandhu) (410-490), Indian thinker.

Vachaspati Mishpa(Skt. Vacaspati Mišra), Indian philosopher-encyclopedist.

Vivekananda(Narendranath Datta) (1863-1902), Indian idealist philosopher.

Vyomashiva(Vyomasiva) (c. 948-972), an Indian philosopher, an adherent of the Vaisheshika school.

Gangesha(Skt. Garigesa) (12th-13th century), founder of the Indian logical school Navya-Nyaya.

Gandhi Mohandas Karamchand(1869-1948), leader of the people of India.

Gaudapada(7th-8th centuries), ancient Indian thinker.

Gautamiputra- An ancient Indian king (106-130) from the Satavahan dynasty in the state of Andhra. Under Gautamiputra, the power of the Satavahanas extended over a vast territory, which included not only Andhra, but also Kathiawar, Konkan, Berar, Malwa and Maharashtra. In the last years of the reign of Gautamiputra, he was forced to cede a number of areas to the Kardamak dynasty. References: Raychaudhuri H., Political history of ancient India, Calcutta, 1953. ( Soviet historical encyclopedia. In 16 volumes. - M.: Soviet Encyclopedia. 1973-1982. Volume 4. THE HAGUE - DVIN. 1963).

Govind Singh(1666-1708), the tenth and last guru (teacher) of the Sikhs.

Gotama, Gautama, ancient Indian thinker, founder of the nyaya system.

Ghosh Ajoy Kumar(1909-1962), leader of the Indian labor movement.

Ghosh Amalananda(b. 3. III. 1910) - Indian archaeologist. Director of the Archaeological Survey of India (since 1953), editor-in-chief of the journal "Ancient India" ("Ancient India"). Every year Ghosh publishes reports on the archaeological research of Indian archaeologists ("Indian Archeology. A Review"). Ghosh is the organizer and leader of many archaeological expeditions. Known for research in Pachmarhi, Taxila, Arikamedu, Harappa, Ahichchhatra. ( Soviet historical encyclopedia. In 16 volumes. - M.: Soviet Encyclopedia. 1973-1982. Volume 4. THE HAGUE - DVIN. 1963).

Ghosh Aurobindo(1872-1950), Indian philosopher, founder of the so-called "integral Vedanta".

Dayananda Saraswati(Dayananda Saraswati) (Mulshankar) (1824-1883), Indian philosopher.

Das (Das) Bhagavan(1869-1958), Indian neo-Vedantist philosopher.

Dasgupta Surendranath(1885-1952), historian of Indian philosophy and religion.

Dayananda Mulshankar(Saraswati) (1824-1883), Indian idealist philosopher.

Dev Atma(Shiv Narayan Agnihotri) (1850-1929), Indian philosopher.

Juzjani (Jurdjani), Abu Omar Minhadj-ad-din Osman ibn Siraj-ad-din- Medieval historian.

Jayantha Bhatta(Jayanta Bhatta) (c. 840-900), Indian philosopher, follower of the Nyaya.

Gina Mahavira(Skt. Jina Mahavira, lit. - "Conqueror, Great Hero"), the founder of Jainism.

Dignaga(Skt. Dignaga) (450-520), founder of the religious and philosophical school of Yogachara-Madhyamika in Indian Buddhism.

Dhana Nanda- the last representative of the Nanda family, who ruled in Northern India in the 4th century BC. e. He was dethroned and apparently killed by Chandragupta, the founder of the Mauryan dynasty. (Soviet historical encyclopedia. In 16 volumes. - M .: Soviet encyclopedia. 1973-1982. Volume 5. DVINSK - INDONESIA. 1964).

Dharmakirti(Skt. Dharmakirti) (580-650), Indian thinker, logician and poet.

Dharmottara, Dharmatrata (Skt. Dharmottara, Dharmatrata) (750-810), a representative of the Yogachara school in Indian Buddhism.

Kabir(1399-1518), philosopher, poet, reformer of Hinduism, leader of the bhakti movement in Bihar.

Kalkhana- medieval historian of India (12th century).

Kapila, ancient Indian thinker, founder of the Sankhya system. The time of Kapila's life is unknown, although it is often believed that he lived before the Buddha, i.e. no later than the 7th century BC. e.; Kapila's personality early became the object of mythologisation. It is generally accepted that Kapila owned the Sankhya Sutra and some other treatises, however, his teaching in general form can be reconstructed according to the oldest available Sankhya text - Ishvarakrishna's Sankhya Karika: the so-called "atheistic" Sankhya, which denies the existence of God and the possibility of proving its existence; dualistic realism - purusha and prakriti as primary realities independent of each other. ( Philosophical encyclopedic Dictionary. - M.: Soviet Encyclopedia. Ch. editors: L. F. Ilyichev, P. N. Fedoseev, S. M. Kovalev, V. G. Panov. 1983).

Kitchlu Saifuddin(1885-1963), public figure in India.

Krishnamurti Jiddu(Alsion) (b. 1895), Indian thinker and poet.

Kumarajiva(344-413), Indian commentator and translator of Buddhist books.

Lakshmi Bai(1835-1858), princess (Rani) of the principality of Jhansi, participant in the Indian popular uprising of 1857-1859.

Majumdar Ramesh Chandra(1888-?), Indian historian.

madhva(Madhva) (1198–1278 or 1238–1317), founder of the religious and philosophical school of Dvaita Vedanta.

Maulavi Ahmad Shah- one of the leaders of the Indian popular uprising of 1857-1859 against British rule. Member of the Wahhabi organization. In early 1857, Maulavi preached a holy war against the infidels - the British and was sentenced to death. During the uprising, he was released by the rebels and became the representative of the people in the council of the rebels of Auda in Lucknow, which consisted of the nobility. He led the resistance to the punishers, and after the capture by the British, Lucknow led the guerrilla struggle in Rohilkhand and Oudh. In 1859 he was killed by an Indian feudal lord, a supporter of the colonialists. ( ).

Mahavira(Great hero; real name - Vardhamana) - the founder of the religion of Jainism in ancient India. According to legend, Vardhamana lived in 599-527 BC. e., about 560 BC. e. began preaching his religious teachings and created a monastic community of Jains in the territory of modern Bihar, which continued to spread his teachings throughout India. ( ).

Mahapadma Nanda- the king of the ancient Indian state of Magadha, the founder of the Nanda dynasty; ruled in Pataliputra in the 4th century BC. e. According to tradition, in opposition to the dominance of the Kshatriyas, he established the power of the Sudras; expanded the empire, carried out a series of reforms. Mahapadma Nanda can be identified with Agrames. Literature: Bongard-Levin G. M., Agrames-Ugrasena-Nanda and the accession of Chandragupta, "VDI", 1962, No 4. G. M. Bongard-Levin. Moscow. ( Soviet historical encyclopedia. In 16 volumes. - M.: Soviet Encyclopedia. 1973-1982. Volume 9. MALTA - NAKHIMOV. 1966).

Mahendra Varman I(600 - 625 or 630) - the ruler of the South Indian kingdom of the Pallavas. Mahendra Varman I expanded the southern borders of his state to the Kaveri River, but in the war with the king of the Western Chalukya Dynasty Pulakeshin II lost the northern territories in the Krishna River Valley. Excavations near Trichinopoly have revealed urban and temple complexes from the period of Mahendra Varman I. References: Sastri N., A history of South India, 2 ed., L., 1958; Gopalan R., History of the Pallavas of Kanchi, Madras, 1928. ( Soviet historical encyclopedia. In 16 volumes. - M.: Soviet Encyclopedia. 1973-1982. Volume 9. MALTA - NAKHIMOV. 1966).

Menander(? -150 BC), Greek ruler of North India.

Minto, John(1845-1914), Viceroy of India.

Mir Jafar(died in 1765) - an Indian feudal lord who contributed to the conquest of Bengal by the British colonialists. Commanding the troops of the Nawab (ruler) of Bengal, Siraj ud-daula, in collusion with R. Clive, he contributed to the victory of the British in the Battle of Plassey in 1757. For "services" to the British and a large amount of money, he was made in 1757 the Nawab of Bengal. In 1760, the British replaced him with Mir Qasim, but in 1763 they again elevated him to the throne, which he held as their puppet until his death. ( Soviet historical encyclopedia. In 16 volumes. - M.: Soviet Encyclopedia. 1973-1982. Volume 9. MALTA - NAKHIMOV. 1966).

Jumla World(Muhammad Sayyid) (? -1663), vizier in the states of Golconda and the Great Mughals (India).

Mir Qasim(died in 1777) - Nawab of Bengal (India) in 1760-1763, who fought against the British colonialists. Mir Qasim was made Nawab by the British (instead of Mir Jafar) for a large sum of money and the transfer of the three richest Bengal districts to the East India Company. Becoming a nawab, he tried to equalize duties on Indian and English merchants, depriving the latter of their privileges. Then the company in 1763 captured the city of Patna and removed Mir Qasim from the throne. Mir Qasim raised a rebellion against the British and received the support of the Nawab of Oudh and the Great Mogul, but in the Battle of Buxar (1764), the allied forces were defeated by the British. Mir Qasim fled to Delhi, where he died. ( Soviet historical encyclopedia. In 16 volumes. - M.: Soviet Encyclopedia. 1973-1982. Volume 9. MALTA - NAKHIMOV. 1966).

Morley, John(1838-1923), author of "Morley-Minto Reform".

Mukerji (Mookerji, Mukherjee), Radha Kumud(b. 1884), Indian historian

Mukerjee, Hirendranath(b. 1907), Indian historian

Namdev- preacher of the bhakti movement in Maharashtra (India).

Nana Sahib, Nana Govind Dandu Pant (1824-?), one of the leaders of the Indian popular uprising of 1857-1859.

Nana Farnavis(Balaji Janardhan Bhanu) (1741-1797), politician and first minister of the Maratha state (India).

Nanak(1469-1539), founder of the Sikh sect (India).

Naoroji Dadabhai(1825-1917), leader of the Indian national movement.

Nehru Jawaharlal(1889-1964), Indian statesman.

Nehru Motilal(1861-1931), one of the leading figures in the Indian National Congress.

Nizam-ud-Din Ahmad Herati(1549-94) - Indian historian. Under Akbar, he held high military posts, in 1585 he was the bakhshi (chief quartermaster of the army) of Gujarat, from 1593 - the bakhshi of the state. The author of the great work "Tabakat-i Akbari" (completed in 1593), in which he used about 30 different sources. The work of Nizam-Ud-Din, which included, in addition to the history of the reign of the Mughal padishah Akbar, the history of the sultans of Ghazni, Gur, the Delhi Sultanate, the Bahmanid state, the Gujarat Sultanate, Malwa, Bengal, Sindh, Kashmir and some other Muslim states of India, was used by later historians, in particular Ferishta. ( Soviet historical encyclopedia. In 16 volumes. - M.: Soviet Encyclopedia. 1973-1982. Volume 10. NAKHIMSON - PERGAM. 1967).

Padmasambhava(born from a lotus) - Indian teacher of Buddhist Tantra of the 8th century.

Pandit, Vijaya Lakshmi(1900-?), Indian politician and diplomat.

Panikkar Kavalam Madhava(1895-1963), Indian historian.

Patanjali, the creator of the ancient Indian philosophical system of yoga and its systematizer.

Patel Vallabhai(31.X.1875 - 15.XII.1950) - one of the leading figures of the Indian National Congress (INC), a representative of its right wing. Received a law degree in England. In 1916, he joined the national liberation movement in India. In 1931 he was president of the INC. After India gained independence (1947) - Deputy Prime Minister and at the same time Minister of the Interior in the central Indian government. ( Soviet historical encyclopedia. In 16 volumes. - M.: Soviet Encyclopedia. 1973-1982. Volume 10. NAKHIMSON - PERGAM. 1967).

Por(Poms) (d. 317 BC). Indian king defeated by Alexander the Great in 326 BC. e. in the battle on the river Gidasp (Jelam). Alexander was so impressed that he allowed him to keep his kingdom between the rivers Gidasp and Asesin (Chinab), and later granted him additional lands. He was killed by the Macedonian satrap Evdam. ( Adkins L., Adkins R. Ancient Greece. Encyclopedic reference book. M., 2008, p. 86).

Rajagopalacharia Chakravarty(1878-?), Indian politician.

Rajaraja I- Indian prince (985-1014 or 1016) from the Chola dynasty.

Rajendra I- Indian prince (1014 or 1016-1044), the most powerful among the rulers of the Chola state.

Radhakrishnan Sarvepalli(1888-1975), Indian philosopher and historian of philosophy.

Paradise Lajpat, Lajpat Rai, Lala (1865-1928), leader of the Indian national liberation movement.

Ramakrishna(Gadadhar Chatterjee) (1836-1886), Hindu reformer, public figure in India.

Raman, Chandrasekara Venkata(Raman, Chandrasekhara Venkata) (1888-1970), Indian physicist.

Ramanuja(Rāmānuja) (1017-1137), Indian religious philosopher.

Ramchandra Pandurang(Tantia Topi) (1814-1859), one of the leaders of the Indian Popular Revolt of 1857-1859.

Ram Singh(1846-1880), leader of the Namdhari Sikh sect in British India.

Roy Rammohan(1772-1833), Indian philosopher, reformer of Hinduism.

C (1750-1799), ruler (1782-1799) of the principality of Mysore.

Tulsidas, Tulsi Das(1532-1624), poet of medieval India.

uddyotakara(Skt. Uddyotakara) (6th-7th centuries), Indian philosopher.

Farid-ud-Din Masood Ganjishakar Sheikh Farid(1175-1265), preacher and sheikh of the Chishtiye Sufi order operating in India.

Chaitanya(1486-1534) - one of the leaders of bhakti - a religious reform movement in India. Chaitanya was a Vishnuite ascetic who wandered around East India for many years. His doctrine of a single god, faith in which makes those born in a low and high caste equal, was a protest against social inequality and class-caste lack of rights for millions of people. However, unlike some other bhakti preachers who called for vigorous activity, Chaitanya preached withdrawal from the world, asceticism as a means of knowing God and achieving bliss. References: Yogindranatha Das Gupta, Bengal in the sixteenth century A. D., Calc., 1914. ( Soviet historical encyclopedia. In 16 volumes. - M.: Soviet Encyclopedia. 1973-1982. Volume 15 1974).

Chandragupta Maurya(+ 290 BC), ancient Indian ruler.

Chandragupta I, Gupta- founder of an empire Gupta in India (see Gupta state). Ruled in 320 - around 340. Having inherited a small principality in Magadha from his father Ghatotkacha, Chandragupta I conquered all of Magadha, part of Bengal and the middle part of the Ganges valley. He assumed the imperial title of Maharajadhiraja. The year 320 was declared the beginning of the Gupta era, the chronology of which was widely used in the early Middle Ages in India. ( Soviet historical encyclopedia. In 16 volumes. - M.: Soviet Encyclopedia. 1973-1982. Volume 15 1974).

Chandragupta II Gupta, Vikramaditya, - the ruler of the Gupta Empire at the time of its heyday. Ruled about 380 - about 413 or 415 years. In the early years of the 5th century, he conquered the possessions of the Shaka kshatrapas in Gujarat. His state stretched from the Bay of Bengal to the Arabian Sea. Chandragupta II entered into an alliance, sealed by marriage, with the Vakatakas, who ruled in Central India. In the legends, Chandragupte II appears as the patron of the arts, at whose court the best poets of the early Middle Ages supposedly lived. Literature: The history and culture of the Indian people, v. 3 - The classical age, Bombay, (1954). ( Soviet historical encyclopedia. In 16 volumes. - M.: Soviet Encyclopedia. 1973-1982. Volume 15 1974

The Naga are a group of related hill tribes and peoples inhabiting the state of Nagaland and parts of Manipur and Assam in Northeast India.

Tamils ​​are one of the peoples of India; Tamils ​​make up the majority of the population in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

Sheena, a people in India (northern Jammu and Kashmir).

The state of India is located in South Asia. It borders with Burma and Bangladesh in the east, with China, Nepal, Bhutan and Afghanistan in the north, with Pakistan in the west. Today we will give brief information and general information about this country.

From the south it is washed by the Strait of Polk and, from the east by the Bay of Bengal, and from the west by the Arabian Sea.

Today, India is partly territories that are disputed by Pakistan. The area of ​​the country is 3,165,596 square kilometers.

India can be conditionally divided into 4 regions: the northern river valleys, the Himalayas, the Western and Eastern Ghats, and the Deccan plateau.

The Himalayas are the highest mountain range in the world with a width of 160 to 320 kilometers., which stretches along the eastern and northern borders for 2400 km.

The highest mountain peaks, which are wholly or partially located in India:

• 8598 m - Kanchendzhanga;
• 8126 m - Nanga Parabat;
• 7817 m - Nanda Devi;
• 7788 m - Rakaposhi;
• 7756 m - Kamet.

Parallel to the Himalayas in the south is the region of the northern river valleys - this region is a flat strip reaching a width of 400 km. This region occupied a large part of the flat region, through which the Brahmaputra, the Ganges and the Indus flow. The western and central parts of India receive water from the Ganges and the Ganges valley (its tributaries).

The Brahmaputra flows into Bangladesh and originates in the northern Himalayas- it is from it that the Assam region receives water. The Indus flows into Pakistan, originating in Tibet.

The region of the northern river valleys is the most populated region of the country, and this is due to the fertile lands and the abundance of water. It was in this region that Indian civilization was born.

The Deccan Plateau, which has a triangular shape, is located to the south of this region and occupies almost the entire area of ​​the Indian Peninsula. The height of this plateau ranges from 300 m to 900 m, but sometimes you can find chains that have a height of up to 1200 m. The plateau is crossed by rivers in many places. From the west and east, the plateau is framed by the Western Ghats (rise to a height of up to 900 m) and the Eastern Ghats (rise to a height of up to 460 m).

According to a 1998 estimate, the population of India is more than 984 million people, respectively, the average population density per square kilometer is 311.

Ethnic groups:

If we talk about India as a whole, then more than 1600 languages ​​​​and dialects are used in this country.

Religion:

• 80% are Hindus;
• 14 percent are Muslims;
• 2.4 percent are people with a Christian faith;
• 2% are Sikhs;
• 0,7% — ;
• 0,5% .

The capital of India is New Delhi

The largest cities in the country with their population:

• About 10 million people -;
• More than 7 million people -;
• 4.4 million people - Kolkata ()
• 4.2 million people - Hyderabad;
• 4.1 million people - Bangalore;
• 3.8 million people - Madras;
• More than 1 million people have 12 more cities.

State structure of India federal Republic . The monetary unit is the Indian rupee. The average life expectancy for both men and women is 60 years. The death rate per one thousand people of the population is 8.7, the birth rate per thousand people is 25.9.

India is one of the oldest civilizations in the world. Until the middle of the 3rd century BC, the Dravidian civilization successfully developed in India, which not only was not inferior, but even surpassed the civilizations of Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt in some respects.

In the period from 2500 to 1500 BC, the Indo-Aryan tribes conquered India, displacing the Dravidians.

Various kingdoms, predominantly with Hinduism at the head of the religious factor, developed on the territory of this country until the 8th century AD. After the Muslim conquerors brought Islam to the country. Muslim rule continued until 1398 in the largest part of India, until the arrival of the armies of Tamerlane in the country. However, the Mongols stayed in India for a short time and soon left the country, so that until the end of the first quarter of the 16th century, India was ruled by the Muslim dynasties of the Saids and Tugluks.

Babur, a descendant of Tamerlane, in 1526 conquered almost all of India and founded the empire of the Great Mongols that existed until 1857 on its territory.

The Portuguese established several trading posts along the coast between 1498 and 1503 and were quickly followed by the British and Dutch. In 1603, the British East India Company obtained the right to trade in textiles and spices from the Mongols, and as a result of a prudent trade policy, the British gained political influence in most of India.

In 1828-1935, full political leadership passed to Great Britain, and India became a protectorate of Great Britain in 1857.

Gaining Independence

Independence was gained by India on August 15, 1847, but the country was divided into two - Pakistan (later Bangladesh separated from it) and modern India on religious grounds.

The conflict between India and Pakistan is still ongoing, which began in 1947 (at first the conflict had an open form, now it is more hidden). The conflict concerns the issue of ownership of the territories of Kashmir and Jammu, which are separated by the state border and are located in both states (two tritia of the territory belongs to India, one third to Pakistan).

India is a member of the British Commonwealth of Nations, UNESCO, World Bank, IMF, UN.

Climate of India

Due to the size of the country and the regions differing in topography, the climate is very different. In India, with the exception of the mountainous regions, there is a tropical climate with two seasons - dry and wet, lasting from June to September. At this time, heavy rains are brought by monsoons (up to 10800 mm per year in the Khasi hills). The hot season starts in March and reaches its peak in May. At this time, the thermometer is able to rise to the mark of 49 degrees Celsius.

In Kolkata, the air temperature in January ranges from 13 to 27 degrees, and in July it rises to 32 degrees. In Madras, the thermometer in January shows from 19 to 29 degrees, and in July to 36 degrees. In Bombay, January is 19-28 degrees, July is 26-36 degrees.

Flora

The arid regions that border Pakistan boast only rather sparse vegetation. Palm trees and bamboo grow in some areas.

The valley of the Ganges is rich in a wide variety of vegetation, because it receives a fairly serious amount of rainfall. Most of the vegetation is located in the southern part of the region - there are many hardwoods and mangroves.

Dense coniferous forests are located in the northwest of the Himalayas, and subtropical forests are located in the east of the region. The slopes of the Western Ghats and the coastal region of southwestern India are rich in dense tropical forests - teak, bamboo and other evergreen trees grow here.

The Deccan Plateau is sparsely vegetated, but forests with deciduous trees, bamboo and palm trees can be found.

Fauna of India

Representatives of cats: panther, tiger, snow leopard, leopard, clouded leopard, cheetah. Other large mammals include the rhinoceros, Indian elephant, antelope, wolf, jackal, buffalo, black bear, deer, and several species of monkeys.

There are a lot of mountain goats in the mountainous regions. India is especially rich in poisonous snakes, such as scales, cobras and others. Reptiles also include crocodiles and pythons. Among the many birds, it is especially worth highlighting the heron, peacock, kingfisher and parrots.

Museums and reserves

There are more than 460 different museums on the territory of India, among which the main ones are the museums of Madras - the National Art Gallery and the Government Museum. In Varnassi - the Sarnath Museum, in New Delhi - the National Museum. In Bombay - the Museum of Western India, in Calcutta - the Birla Technology Museum, the Museum of India.

In addition to museums, India is rich in monuments of architecture and history. In Kolkata, in Maidan Park, there is a Victoria memorial, in the same city there is a botanical garden, St. Paul's Cathedral. There are several Hindu temples in New Delhi, among which Lakshminarasi and Balkesh are considered the main ones. In Agra - the Pearl Mosque, the Marble Mausoleum of Jahangri Mahal.

There are 1,500 temples in Varanasi, including the Golden Temple. In Bombay - Kanheri caves with rock bas-reliefs, Victoria Gardens Park (it houses a zoo). In Delhi - the Great Mosque, the Red Fort, the Rang Mahal Palace, the Hall of Public Receptions of the Great Mongols.

In Patna, there are many Sikh temples and a mosque built in 1499. In Armitsar, there is the Golden Temple, which is surrounded by a reservoir of immortality (Sikhs bathe in it to find spiritual purification).

Mysterious and amazing India... One of the oldest civilizations existed in its vastness, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism and Hinduism were born. In this article we will talk about the structure of this country. Consider the national-territorial division of India, and also tell about the main attractions and holidays.

Republic of India. Type of government

India fought for its independence for a long time, being In this regard, the question often arises: "India - a monarchy or a republic?". Conquered in the 18th century, the country gained independence only in 1947. Since then, the state has taken a course towards democratic development and the active development of the country as a whole.

India is a republic, a federal state, which is defined by the constitution as a sovereign socialist secular democratic republic. The president is at the head of the state. India is a parliamentary republic with two chambers, represented by the Council of States (upper house) and the House of the People (lower house).

The states and territories represent the national-territorial division of the Republic of India. So, in the state there are 29 states that have their own executive and legislative authorities. The national-territorial division of India also implies the existence of territories. In total, there are 7 territories in the country, which are actually represented by six territories and one metropolitan area of ​​Delhi. They are controlled by the central

Population and language of India

The Republic of India, with a population of one sixth of the world's population, is one of the most multiethnic countries. The country is home to about 1.30 billion people, and researchers predict that it will soon overtake China in terms of numbers.

Hindi is the state language and the most widely spoken, it is spoken by more than 40% of the population. Other popular languages ​​are English, Punjabi, Urdu, Gunjarti, Bengali, Telugu, Kannadi, etc. Indian states have their own official languages.

The majority of the population professes Hinduism (almost 80%), followed by Islam, followed by the Christian religion, Sikhism and Buddhism.

India has a high unemployment rate. With more than a billion inhabitants, there are only 500 million economically active people. About 70% are in the field of agriculture and forestry, and almost half of the people living in cities are employed in the service sector.

Ancient states and society

Proto-states were formed on the territory of India as early as the 1st millennium BC, eventually transforming into more confident state formations with a monarchical system of government. However, along with the monarchy, various sources often mention the parallel existence of Indian republics.

The republics are sometimes called kshatriya or oligarchic republics. They often fought with monarchies for the supremacy of power. Power in the republics was not hereditary, and elected rulers could be removed in case of dissatisfaction with their work.

Even then, in the republics, there was a social division of society into castes, leaving a deep mark on the history of the state of India (caste division is still preserved in the villages). Representatives of the oligarchy, who bore the title of "raja", had the greatest privileges in society. To obtain the title, it was necessary to undergo a special sacred rite.

Interestingly, the highest caste was originally considered the Brahmins - the clergy. In monarchies, this custom was preserved. Kshatriyas are warriors, guards, and in all cultures they usually took second, if not third place, after high-ranking persons. In the ancient Indian republics, the kshatriyas fought the brahmins for their supremacy, and sometimes forced the brahmins to obey them.

Indian castes

Modern Indian society still honors old traditions. The social division that developed in ancient times is still valid today. obey conditional laws, which are prescribed separately for each caste, now they are called varnas.

There are four main varnas in India. The highest rung, as in the ancient monarchies, is occupied by the Brahmins. Previously, they were clergymen, and at present, they teach in temples, devote themselves to spiritual development and educate the population. They are not allowed to work and eat food prepared by people belonging to another caste.

Kshatriyas are one step lower. Usually they occupy administrative posts or associate themselves with military affairs. Women from this caste are forbidden to marry a man who is lower in rank. This prohibition does not apply to men.

Vaishyas have long been farmers and traders. In today's Indian society, they have changed too much. Now vaishyas can occupy positions related to finances.

The dirtiest work always remained for the Shudras. As a rule, these were peasants and slaves. Now they represent the poorest segment of the population living in the slums.

Another caste is called "untouchables", which includes all outcasts. They, on the social level, are even lower than the Shudras. The untouchables, already within the caste, are divided into separate groups. For example, there is a group that includes gays, bisexuals, hermaphrodites. Such people often entertain members of other castes at various festivals.

The only people who do not belong to any caste and are truly considered outcasts are pariahs - those who are born from people from different castes. They are not allowed to appear in shops, in public transport.

Attractions in Republic of India

The most famous place, of course, is the Taj Mahal - a marble mausoleum, which, according to legend, an Indian ruler built in memory of his beloved wife. Snow-white domes, intricate patterns, walls decorated with precious stones and paintings, a park with an amazing column gallery.

However, this is not all that the Republic of India can boast of. The sights of this country include both various architectural structures and natural beauties. For example, the Dudhsagar waterfall, which is considered the largest in India. It is located in the foothills of the Western Ghats and is surrounded by unique landscapes.

Indian cities also open up many interesting sites. In Delhi, there is a fortification structure, the Red Fort, built in a special style and laid the foundation for Mughal architecture.

In Mumbai, you can wander around the pavilions of Bollywood - the main platform of the Indian film industry. You can walk along the streets of the "pink city" in Jaipur. The Maharaja's palace and the Amber Fort are also located here.

In the city of Calcutta, in addition to the famous Kali temple, there is the largest zoo in India and the Indian Museum.

traces of antiquity

Many objects arose long before the advent of the modern Republic of India. The world's first stupa is located in Madhya Pradesh. The Sanchi Stupa was built in the 3rd century BC, and the rest of the stupas were built in its image. The stupa is a monument of early Buddhist architecture, every detail of it is symbolic. The foundation means the earth and people, and the hemisphere - the gods.

Ancient attractions include cave temples in the state of Maharashtra. They were carved over several centuries by Buddhist monks, starting from the 2nd century BC. There are about 30 stone caves in Ellora.

The Hampi temple on the site of the ancient city of Vijayanagara is mentioned in the Ramayana, an ancient Indian epic. This place is often called the Forsaken City. The temple is still active today. It is located among high hills, consisting of huge boulders. According to legend, the monkey god Hanuman threw stones here.

The old town of Gokarna consists of only one street, on which almost all the houses are wooden. Hindus believe that in this city, the god Shiva rose from the bowels of the earth after his exile, so it is sacred.

The largest Buddhist community is located in the so-called Little Tibet. There are three Buddhist temples and two monasteries here. Any traveler has access to the entrance, so you can see the service with your own eyes. In Little Tibet, there is a Tibetan market and a crafts center where you can join the making of carpets.

Temples and tombs

One of the most interesting sights of the Republic of India are tombs and temples. Humayun's tomb is not decorated with precious stones, unlike the above-mentioned mausoleum, but it is its prototype. It is located in Delhi and is an example of Mughal architecture.

The tomb of Itemad-ud-Daula is also striking in its beauty. This is a quadrangular building, which is located on a small pedestal. Each corner is decorated with minarets up to 13 meters high. On with the help of semi-precious stones, various images are laid out.

The Harmandir Sahib temple is also not to be overlooked. It was built back in the 16th century, and is now a place of worship for the Sikhs. A narrow path leads directly to the center of the artificial lake, where a dozen buildings surround the lake, forming a rather large architectural complex together with the temple.

The Virupaksha temple in southern India dates from around the 7th century. It is not a single building, but a large temple complex. The tower of the main temple has 9 levels and rises 50 meters up. Nearby is a sanctuary and a platform with columns. Pilgrims and curious travelers constantly come to this place. It is especially interesting here during various festivals, for example, the wedding festival of Virupaksha and Pampa.

urban slums

Having visited the Taj Mahal, it is absolutely impossible to say that you have been to India, because this is all just one side of the life of this country. The other side is hidden in the slums of the big cities of the Republic of India. These areas are intended for the life of the poor and several million people live here.

The Dharavi slum in Bombay was once considered the largest in the world. Here are hospitals, schools and living quarters up to 10 square meters. m., where up to 20 people live. The poorest residents live in tents. Hindus are not particularly clean - garbage is thrown right into the street, next to the place of residence. Some, however, try to take care of themselves by washing regularly and even cleaning their homes.

The general view of the slums is still metal multi-storey plywood houses, canvas rags hung in an attempt to create a semblance of housing, and garbage. All activities, from cooking to washing, in the slums are done outside. Houses are meant for sleeping. Waste is poured into specially equipped ditches with water.

Fans of extraordinary recreation find such areas quite picturesque and colorful. However, in recent years, construction work has been actively carried out in slum areas, and this zest may soon disappear from India.

Holidays and festivals

Due to the multinational nature of the country, many religious holidays are celebrated here, in addition to them, there are holidays of national significance: Republic Day, Independence Day and Gandhi's Birthday. Republic Day (see below) marks the adoption on January 26, 1950 of the country's Constitution, which marks the final liberation from Britain.

Every year in India, a holiday dedicated to the Ganges River is celebrated - Gang Mahotsava. In November, the city of Varanasi comes alive, people gather on the banks of the sacred river to swim in it. The locals sing folk songs and dance. The main event is the launch of luminous lanterns along the river. Before that, you need to make a wish, and if the flashlight burns for a long time, then the gods will surely fulfill the wish.

Diwali is another holiday of the Republic of India. Cities at this time are filled with light, which, according to legend, should defeat evil and failure. Fires, garlands, candles are lit everywhere, accompanied by noisy songs and festivities.

The real holiday of spring - Holi - is celebrated at the beginning of March, and lasts five days. At this time, an effigy of Holiki is burned, and on the second day they sprinkle colored powder and spices on each other, pour colored water, wishing happiness.

• Any manipulation of the import and export of local currency is prohibited by law.
• Despite the large number of people, India ranks first in the world in terms of the number of abortions.
• It is this country that is the ancestor of chess, algebra and geometry. The name "chess" previously sounded like "chaturanga" and was translated as four ranks of troops.
• There are more post offices here than anywhere else in the world. This is surprising, because the inhabitants of the slums do not even have addresses.
• Appearing about 3 thousand years ago, Ayurveda is considered the first medical school in the history of mankind.
• Navigation appeared in India more than 6 thousand years ago.
• In India, they “meet by clothes” and see off too. Since she talks about the social stratum to which a person belongs. Fabric, style and even color are important. A woman's hairstyle also matters.
• There are about 1500 dialects of various languages ​​in the country.
• Until about 1960, marijuana was legal in India.
• Once upon a time, Indian light fabrics conquered the Roman emperors. They have even been compared to the wind. These were the first cotton fabrics in the world.
• Freddie Mercury had Indian roots.
• Before submitting to Britain and becoming its colony, India was one of the richest countries in the world. That is why sailors dreamed of finding sea routes to it.
• If a Hindu shakes his head in different directions, as if reproaching you, do not worry, because this is a gesture of consent.
• Most Indian cafes or restaurants do not have a menu; visitors often order dishes they have long known.
• If there are no seats on the train, then people climb onto the shelves designed for luggage.
• In many states it is customary to eat on the floor, not because of poverty, just tradition.
• Kumbh Mela is a religious holiday celebrated in India only once every 12 years.
• Pronouncing the name of your husband in public is considered not entirely decent, so various indirect forms “see”, “look”, etc. are used.

Conclusion

India is a federal republic divided into states and territories. This is in many ways an interesting and incomprehensible country. Tourists visit the richest temples and mausoleums, and the poorest people live in slums, in makeshift plywood houses. A rich history is displayed in fairly well-preserved temples dedicated to different religions. Thousands of pilgrims come here to see ancient shrines, travelers hope to touch the past. Every year, cheerful and bright holidays and festivals are held here, full of lights, dances and folk music, naturally reinforcing them with legends and myths.

Distant India is of great interest to tourists. This country has thousands of ancient sights that will be of interest to any traveler. India is the birthplace of such religions as Buddhism and Jainism. However, millions of foreign tourists annually come to India not only, for example, to visit the places where the Buddha preached. India now has a large number of attractions, spa resorts, as well as ski and beach resorts.

Geography of India

India is located in South Asia. India borders Pakistan to the west, China, Nepal and Bhutan to the northeast, and Myanmar and Bangladesh to the east. In the south, India is washed by the Indian Ocean, in the southwest - by the Arabian Sea. The Bay of Bengal is located in the southwest of the country. The total area of ​​this country is 3,287,590 sq. km, including the islands, and the total length of the state border is 15,106 km.

India owns several islands. The largest of them are the Laccadive, Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Indian Ocean.

The Himalayas stretch across India from north to northeast. The highest peak in India is Mount Kanchenjunga, whose height reaches 8,856 meters.

There are several very large rivers in India - the Indus (its length is 3,180 km) and the Ganges (its length is 2,700 km). Among other Indian rivers, one should also highlight the Brahmaputra, Yamuna and Koshi.

Capital

The capital of India is New Delhi, which is now home to about 350 thousand people. New Delhi became the capital of India at the beginning of the 20th century. The "old" city in New Delhi was built in the middle of the 17th century by Emperor Shah Jahan, the ruler of the Mughal Empire.

Official language

The official language in India is Hindi. In turn, English is the "auxiliary state language" in India. In addition, 21 more languages ​​​​have official status in this country.

Religion

Over 80% of India's population is Hindu. More than 13% of the inhabitants of this country are Muslims, more than 2.3% are Christians, about 2% are Sikhs, and 0.7% are Buddhists.

State structure of India

Under the current Constitution of 1950, India is a parliamentary republic. Its head is the President, elected by a special collegium for 5 years (this collegium consists of deputies of parliament and members of state assemblies).

Parliament in India is bicameral - the Council of States (245 deputies) and the House of the People (545 deputies). Executive power in this country belongs to the President, the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers.

The main political parties in India are the Indian National Congress, the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Socialist Party, the Communist Party of India, the National People's Party, etc.

Climate and weather

The climate in India varies from tropical monsoon in the south to temperate in the north. The Himalayas, the Indian Ocean, and the Thar Desert have a great influence on the climate in India.

There are three seasons in India:
- from March to June - summer
- from July to October - monsoons
- from November to February - winter

The average annual air temperature in India is +25.3C. The hottest month in India is May, when the average maximum air temperature is +41C. The coldest month is January, when the average minimum temperature is +7C. The average annual rainfall is 715 mm.

Average air temperature in New Delhi:

January - +14С
- February - +17C
- March - +22C
- April - +28C
- May - +34C
- June - +34С
- July - +31C
- August - +30C
- September - +29C
- October - +26C
- November - +20C
- December - +15C

Seas and oceans of India

In the south, India is washed by the Indian Ocean, in the southwest - by the Arabian Sea. The Bay of Bengal is located in the southwest of the country. General coastline in India, including the islands, is more than 7.5 thousand km.

Average sea temperature near Goa, India:

January - +28C
- February - +28C
- March - +28C
- April - +29C
- May - +30C
- June - +29С
- July - +28С
- August - +28С
- September - +28C
- October - +29C
- November - +29C
- December - +29C

Rivers and lakes

In India, there are two river systems with different "feeding" regimes. These are the Himalayan rivers (Ganges, Brahmaputra, etc.) and the rivers flowing into the ocean - Godavari, Krishna and Mahanadi.

One of the longest rivers in the world, the Indus, also flows through India, with a length of 3,180 km.

As for the lakes, there are not very many of them in India, but, nevertheless, there are very beautiful ones among them. The largest Indian lakes are Chilika, Sambhar, Koleru, Loktak, and Wular.

Story

Neolithic human settlements on the territory of modern India appeared about 8 thousand years ago. In the years 2500-1900 BC. in Western India, there was the first urban culture, which formed around the cities of Mohenjo-Daro, Harappa, and Dhalavira.

In 2000-500 BC. Hinduism spread in India, and at the same time a caste system began to take shape there, consisting of priests, warriors, and free peasants. Subsequently, castes of merchants and servants were formed.

Around the 5th century BC. India already had 16 independent states - Mahajanapada. At the same time, two religions were formed - Buddhism, founded by Siddhartha Gautama Buddha, and Jainism, founded by Mahavira.

In the VI century BC. some territories of India were conquered by the Persians, and in the 4th century the troops of Alexander the Great conquered some northwestern parts of this country.

In the II century BC. The Mauryan kingdom reaches its peak, conquering several neighboring Indian states.

In the 1st century BC. Indian kingdoms traded with ancient Rome. In the 7th century, most of the Indian kingdoms were united by King Harsha into a single state.

In 1526, the Mughal Empire was founded on the territory of modern India, the rulers of which were the descendants of Genghis Khan and Timur.

In the XVII-XIX centuries, the English East India Company, which even had its own army, was in charge of the territory of modern India.

In 1857, the so-called. "Rebellion of the sepoys", whose dissatisfaction was just caused by the East India Company. After the suppression of the Sepoy Rebellion, the British liquidated the East India Company, and India became a colony of the British Empire.

In the 1920s, a massive national liberation movement began in India against British rule. In 1929, Great Britain gave India the rights of a dominion, but this did not help the British. In 1947, the independence of India was declared. Part of the Indian territories after some time became the independent state of Pakistan.

India was admitted to the UN back in 1945 (however, then this country was still British India).

culture

India is a country with a huge cultural heritage. Indian culture has had (and continues to have) an impact not only on neighboring countries, but also on other states located far from it.

Until now, India has a caste system of society, thanks to which Indian culture retains all its traditional values.

The expression of Indian traditions is music and dance. There is nothing like it anywhere else in the world.

Tourists in India, we recommend that you definitely see the local festivals and parades, of which there are a lot. Elephant processions, musical performances, "tiger dances", fireworks, sweets distribution, etc. often take place during festivals. The most famous Indian festivals are the Onam festival (dedicated to the memory of the mythical king Bali), the Tea Festival in Calcutta, Diwali, Ratha Yatra (Chariot Festival), Dussera in Delhi, Ganapati Festival in honor of god Ganesh.

Also of note is the interesting festival of sisters and brothers "Raksha Bandhan", celebrated every year in July. On this day, the sisters wrap their brothers' wrists with handkerchiefs, ribbons that protect them from evil forces. In return, the brothers give their sisters various gifts and swear to protect them.

Indian Cuisine

Indian cuisine is known throughout the world for its use of spices. It is thanks to the Indians that various seasonings and spices, including black pepper and curry, have become widespread in the world.

India is a very large country, and therefore it is not surprising that each of its regions has its own culinary traditions. However, all regions of India are characterized by the use of rice. This product is the basis of Indian cuisine.

It is generally accepted that the inhabitants of India are vegetarians, as required by their religious teachings. However, in fact, meat dishes are also quite popular in India, because there are also Muslims in this country. The most famous Indian meat dish is "tandoori chicken", when the chicken is marinated in spices and then baked in a special oven. Other famous Indian meat dishes are biryani (chicken with rice), gushtaba (meatballs stewed in yogurt with spices).

In general, meat dishes are most often included in the diet of the inhabitants of northern India. Fish and seafood are popular in coastal areas, while vegetables are popular in southern India.

We also recommend that tourists in India try dal soup puree, naan wheat cake, sabji vegetable stew, chapati and samba rice cakes, kichari (stewed rice with mung bean and spices), jalebi "(fritters in syrup), "rasgulla" (balls of cottage cheese), "gulab-jamun" (yogurt with flour and almonds).

Traditional non-alcoholic Indian drinks - "dhai" (yogurt or yogurt), "raita" (yogurt with mint and grated cucumber).

Landmarks of India

There are so many attractions in India that it is difficult for us to single out the most interesting ones. Perhaps the top ten Indian attractions, in our opinion, may include the following:

Red Fort in Delhi

The construction of the Red Fort in Delhi began in 1638 and ended in 1648. This fortification was built by order of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. Now the Red Fort is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Mausoleum-mosque Taj Mahal in Agra

The Taj Mahal was built in 1653 by order of Shah Jahan, Emperor of the Mughal Empire. This mausoleum was built by 20 thousand people over 20 years. The Taj Mahal is now on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Minaret Qutub Minar in Delhi

The height of this brick minaret is 72.6 meters. Its construction lasted from 1193 to 1368.

Elephant Cave near Mumbai

In the Cave of the Elephants there is an underground temple of Shiva with her sculptures. It was built several thousand years ago. The Elephant Cave is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Virupaksha Temple in Hampi

The first small temple on the territory of the modern city of Hampi was built in the 7th century AD. Gradually, other religious buildings were built around it, and after a while there was already a huge beautiful temple complex in Hampi.

Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar

Harmandir Sahib is more commonly known as the Golden Temple. This is the most important religious building for the Sikhs. The construction of the Golden Temple in Amritsar began in the 16th century. In the 19th century, the upper floors of this temple were covered with gold.

Ajanta Caves in Maharashtra

Buddhist monks began to build their Ajanta caves around the 2nd century BC. These caves were abandoned around 650 AD. Only in 1819 did the British accidentally stumble upon the Ajanta Caves. To this day, unique frescoes have been preserved in these caves, telling about the life of people in the distant past.

Jaigarh Fort

This fort was built near the city of Amber in 1726. According to legend, once upon a time the largest cannon in the world was placed in Jaigarh Fort (it can still be seen now, because the ancient fort is now a museum).

Raj Ghat Palace in Delhi

Mahatma Gandhi, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi were cremated in this palace.

Pearl Mosque in Agra

This mosque in Agra was built in the middle of the 17th century under the emperor Shah Jahan. No, there are no pearls in this mosque, just its domes shine very strongly in the sun.

Cities and resorts

The largest Indian cities are Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Pune, Surat, and Kanpur.

In India, there are a large number of beautiful seaside resorts with magnificent beaches. The sand on Indian beaches is white and fine. The most popular beach resort in India is Goa. Among other Indian beach resorts, the following should be mentioned: Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Orissa, Tamil Nadu, as well as beaches on the Andaman, Nicobar and Laccadive Islands.

There are several ski resorts in India that are considered the best in Asia. Of course, the winter resorts of India cannot be compared with the ski slopes of Austria, Italy and Switzerland. However, for those travelers who love to ski, and who at the same time want to get to know the unique India, holidays in Indian ski resorts will be remembered forever.

The most popular ski resorts in India are Auli, Dayara Bugayal, Mundali, Munsiari, Solang, Narkanda, Kufri, and Gulmarg. By the way, the skiing season in India lasts from mid-December to mid-May.

Many foreign tourists come to India to relax in the spa resorts. Indian spa centers offer clients various Ayurvedic programs. Among such spa resorts, first of all, Beach & Lake, Ayurma, and Ananda should be named.

Souvenirs/Shopping

Before you go to India think about what you want to buy there. Otherwise, the Indian merchants in the bazaars and shops will sell you a lot of different unnecessary goods, and you will lose thousands of rupees. We recommend tourists from India to bring Indian tea, various incense, bracelets (glass, metal, precious metals), amulets, talismans, marble souvenirs (for example, a small marble Taj Mahal), scarves, shawls, saris (traditional Indian dress ), leather shoes, sets of Indian dry spice mixes, henna paint, carpets, musical instruments (such as drums or an elegant wooden flute).

Office Hours

Banks:
Mon-Fri: 10:00-15:00
Sat: 10:00-13:00

The shops:
Mon-Sat: 09:00-19:00

Government agencies:
Mon-Fri: 09:30-17:30

Visa

Ukrainians need to get a visa to visit India.