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{{Infobox Country
|native_name = भारत गणराज्य<br />''Bh{{Unicode|ā}}rat Ga{{Unicode|ṇ}}ar{{Unicode|ā}}jya''<!-- IF YOU CANNOT SEE THE 'N' UPGRADE YOUR BROWSER -->
|conventional_long_name = Republic of India
|common_name = India
|image_flag = Flag of India.svg
|image_coat = Emblem of India.svg
|symbol_type = Emblem
|national_motto = "]"<br />]: सत्यमेव जयते<br />{{IPA|/sətyəmeːvə ɟəjəteː/}}<br />("Truth Alone Triumphs")
|image_map = IndiaWorldMap.png
|national_anthem = "]<br />{{Audio|Jana Gana Mana.ogg|listen}}"<br />{{IPA|/ɟənə gəɳə mənə/}}|
official_languages = ], ], and ]
|capital = ]
|latd = 28|latm=34|latNS=N|longd=77|longm=12|longEW=E
|government_type = ]
|leader_titles = ]<br />]
|leader_names = ]<br />] | largest_city = ] (Bombay)
|area = 3,287,590
|areami²= 1,269,346<!-- Do not remove per ] -->
|area_rank = 7th
|area_magnitude = 1 E12
|percent_water = 9.56
|population_estimate = 1,095,351,995
|population_estimate_year = 2006
|population_estimate_rank = 2nd
|population_census = 1,027,015,247
|population_census_year = 2001
|population_density = 329
|population_densitymi² = 852<!-- Do not remove per ] -->
|population_density_rank = 19th
|GDP_PPP_year = 2005
|GDP_PPP = $3.633 trillion
|GDP_PPP_rank = 4th
|topinatet#@#@#@#
|GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 122th
|HDI_year = 2003
|HDI = 0.602
|HDI_rank = 127th
|HDI_category = medium
|sovereignty_type = ]
|established_events = &nbsp;- Declared<br />&nbsp;- Republic
|established_dates = From the ]<br />]<br />]
|TOPINT&%$^#%$>1</sup>
|currency_code = INR
|time_zone = ]
|utc_offset = +5:30
|time_zone_DST = not observed
|utc_offset_DST = +5:30
|cctld = ]
|calling_code = 91
|footnotes = <sup>1</sup> '''Re.''' is singular
|*Includes census data from ], ], and ]
}}
The







TOPINATETis a country that occupies the greater part of the ]. It has a coastline of over sghncghnghneven thousand kilometers (4349 miles) ,{{inote|see Indian embassy|i-1}} borders ] to the west<ref name="afgh">The Government of India considers the entire state of xcvbxcvbxcb] to be a part of India including the portion bordering ]. A ceasefire sponsored by the ] in 1948 freezes the positions of Indian and Pakistani held territory. As a consequence, the region bordering Afghanistan is in Pakistani-administered territory.</ref>, the ], ], and ] to the north, and ] and ] to the east. In the ], it is adjacent to the ] of ]. India is the ] country by geographical ] and has












sex


one of the most diverse populations of wildlife, geographical terrain and climate systems found anywhere in the world.

The name ''India'' /{{IPA|'ɪndiə}}/ is derived from the ] version of '']'', the historic local appellation for the ] (see ]). The ] and common usage also recognise '''Bharat''' ({{lang-hi|भारत}} {{IPA|/bʰɑːrət̪/}} {{Audio|Bharat.ogg|listen}}), as an official name of equal status. A third name, '']'' ({{lang-hi|हिन्दुस्तान}} <!-- THIS SPELLING IS CORRECT. PLEASE READ ] --> /{{IPA|hin̪d̪ust̪ɑːn}}/) {{Audio|Hindustan.ogg|listen}} (]: ''] of the Hindus'') has been used since the twelfth century, though its contemporary use is unevenly applied. Home to one of the four major ], a center of important ]s and vast empires of the ], ] and the ], India has long played a significant role in human history. Four religions, ], ], ] and ]&ndash;all have their origins in India, and ] and ] enjoy a strong cultural heritage. Colonized in the ] in the nineteenth century, India gained independence in 1947 as a unified nation after an intensive ].

With over ] people, it is the ] ] in the world and the world's largest ]. India has 28 states and 7 territories, and recognizes 22 official languages spoken across its diverse regions, including the official national languages, ], and ], which too is widely spoken. After decades of intensive efforts to combat the widespread poverty, illiteracy and poor living conditions across the country, ] is today the fourth-largest in the world in terms of ] (PPP) and the tenth-largest in ] terms. Once reliant heavily on agriculture, India's economy is one of the fastest-growing in the world, and the nation is home to modern businesses and high-technology industries. India became a declared nuclear weapons state in 1974.

==History==
<!-- THIS SECTION IS A SUMMARY. CONSIDER ADDING MATERIAL TO THE 'HISTORY OF INDIA' ARTICLE.-->
{{main|History of India}}
] rock shelters with paintings at ] in ] are the earliest known traces of human life in present-day India. The first known permanent settlements appeared over 9,000 years ago, and gradually developed into the ], which began around 3300 BCE and peaked between 2600 BCE and 1900 BCE. Cities of this culture exhibit advanced urban features and scientific accomplishments such as superior civil drainage systems and the world's earliest dock at ]. It was followed by the ], introduced by the ] peoples which laid the ancient foundations of ] and other cultural aspects. In Vedic classical texts and ], the land is referred to as '']''. From around 550 BCE, many independent kingdoms known as the ] spread across the country. The country was witnessing a complex religious culture, with the birth of ] and ]. Ancient universities arose in ], ], ] and ].

The empire built by the ] under Emperor ] united most of modern ]. From 180 BCE, a series of invasions from ] followed including the ]s, ]s, ]s and ] in the northwestern ]. From the third century BCE, the ] oversaw the period referred to as ancient India's "Golden Age." In the south, several dynasties, including the ], ], ], ], ] and ] prevailed during different periods. ], ], ], ], ], ] and ] flourished under the patronage of these kings.
] in Sanchi, ] built by emperor ] in the 3rd century BC]]
Following the invasions from Central Asia, between the tenth to the twelfth centuries, much of north India came under the rule of the ], and later the ], who gradually expanded their reign throughout the Indian subcontinent. Nevertheless, several indigenous kingdoms flourished, especially in the south, like the ]. During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, several ] countries, including ], ], ] and the ], initially arrived as traders, later took advantage of the fractious nature of relations between the kingdoms, to establish ] in the country. By 1856, most of India came under control of the ], with the capital at ]. A year later, a nationwide insurrection of rebelling military units and kingdoms, known locally as the ] broke out, which failed even as it seriously challenged British rule. India thus came under the direct control of the ].
] is also known as the ''Father of the Nation'' in India.]]
In the early twentieth century, a nationwide ] was launched by the ], led by Indians such as ] ,], ] and ]. Millions of protestors would engage in mass campaigns of ] with a commitment to '']'' - total non-violence - that was largely kept. Gandhi would lead Indians in the ] to defy the salt tax, and an all-out revolt in 1942 demanding that the British '']''. India gained its independence on August 15th, 1947 - 565 princely states united with British-era provinces to form a united nation, but not before the Muslim-majority provinces were ] as a result of the separatist campaign led by the ] to form Pakistan. Since independence, India has seen sectarian violence and ] in various parts of the country, but has maintained its unity and democracy. It has unresolved border disputes with China, which escalated into the brief ] in 1962; and with Pakistan, which resulted in wars in ], ], ] and in 1999 in ]. India is a founding member of the ] and the ]. In 1974, India conducted an underground ], making it an unofficial member of the "]". This was followed by a series of ] tests in 1998. Significant economic reforms beginning in 1991 have transformed India into one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, and added to its global and regional clout.
{{see also|Military history of India|Timeline of Indian history}}
<div style="clear:both;"></div>

==Government==
{{main|Government of India}}
{| class="toccolours" style="float: right; margin-left: 0.75em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; padding: 0.5em; width:220px; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;"
|+ '''National symbols of India'''
|-
| style="padding-left: 1em;" | '''Flag'''
| ]
|-
| style="padding-left: 1em;" | '''Emblem'''
| ]
|-
| style="padding-left: 1em;" | '''Anthem'''
| "]"
|-
| style="padding-left: 1em;" | '''Song'''
| "]"
|-
| style="padding-left: 1em;" | '''Animal'''
| ]
|-
| style="padding-left: 1em;" | '''Bird'''
| ]
|-
| style="padding-left: 1em;" | '''Flower'''
| ]
|-
| style="padding-left: 1em;" | '''Tree'''
| ]
|-
| style="padding-left: 1em;" | '''Fruit'''
| ]
|-
| style="padding-left: 1em;" | '''Sport'''
| ]
|-
| style="padding-left: 1em;" | '''Calendar'''
| ]
|
|}
India is the world's largest ]. It is a sovereign, secular democratic {{inote|See Constitution of India|http://en.wikisource.org/Constitution_of_India}}] which consists of 28 states and 7 territories. While states have considerable ] and powers of self-government, national laws supersede all state laws. It has three ]: the ], the ], and the ] at the national and state levels. The ] is the ], guardian of the constitution and the ] of the ]. The President and the ] are elected indirectly by an ] for five-year terms.{{inote|Source: Manorama Yearbook 2006|Manorama-1}} The ] is ], with the popularly-elected lower house, the ] (''House of the People''), elected for five-year terms, and the upper house, the ] (''Council of the States'') elected for staggered six-year terms by an electoral college of members of state legislatures.

The ] is the ] and has the most executive powers. He or she is elected by legislators of the political party or ] commanding a parliamentary majority, and serves a five-year term. The constitution does not explicitly provide for a post of ], but this option has been exercised from time to time. All Indian citizens above the age of 18 are ]. The Prime Minister heads the ]. Any minister holding a portfolio must be a member of either house of parliament. In the Indian parliamentary system, the executive is subordinate to the legislature.

India's independent judiciary consists of the ], headed by the ]. The Supreme Court has both original jurisdiction over disputes between states and the centre, and appellate jurisdiction over the High Courts of India. There are eighteen ] ], each having jurisdiction over a state or a group of smaller states. Each of these states has a tiered system of lower courts. A conflict between the legislature and the judiciary is referred to the President.{{inote|Source: Manorama Yearbook 2006|Manorama-2}}

==Politics==
{{main articles|], ]}}
] is currently administered by India, Pakistan, and China (and coloured in as such). The delimiting of the three administered regions is ''not'' the international boundary but a ceasefire line demarcated in red. The boundary separating India and Pakistan is known as the ], that separating India and China as the ']'. Most of the state of ] is still claimed by China.</ref>]]
For most of its independent history, India has been ruled by the ]. The party enjoyed a parliamentary majority barring two brief periods during the 1970s and late 1980s. This rule was interrupted between 1977 to 1980, when the ] coalition won the election owing to public discontent with the ] declared by the then Prime Minister ]. The ] won elections in 1989, but its government managed to hold on to power for only two years. Between 1996 and 1998, there was a period of political flux with the government being formed first by the ] nationalist ] followed by a left-leaning ] coalition. In 1998, the BJP formed the ] (NDA) with smaller regional parties, and became the first non-Congress and coalition government to complete a full five-year term. The ] saw the Congress party winning the largest number of seats to form a government leading the ], and supported by left-parties and those opposed to the BJP.

Since independence, India has maintained cordial relationships with most nations. It took a lead in the 1950s in advocating the independence of European colonies in Africa and Asia. During the ], India tried to maintain its neutrality and was one of the founding members of the ]. After the ], India's relationship with the ] warmed at the expense of its ties with the ] and continued to remain so till the end of the Cold War. India has consistently refused to sign the ] and the ] to maintain sovereignty over its nuclear program despite criticism and military sanctions from leading nations. Recent overtures by the Indian government have strengthened India's relations with United States, China and Pakistan. In the economic sphere, India has close relationships with other developing nations of ], ] and ], especially ] and ]. In recent years, India has played an influential role in the ], ] and the ], and it is a signatory to the landmark ]. India has been a long time supporter of the ], with over 55,000 ] and police personnel having served in 35 UN peace keeping operations over four continents.<ref name="UN">{{cite web | title = India and the United Nations | url = http://www.un.int/india/india_and_the_un_pkeeping.html | accessdate = April 22 | accessyear = 2006}}</ref>

==Administrative Divisions==
{{main|States and territories of India}}

India is divided into twenty-eight states (which are further subdivided into ]) and seven ]. All states and the union territories of Delhi and Pondicherry have elected governments. The remaining five union territories have centrally-appointed administrators.

{{India states}}

==Geography==
{{main|Geography of India}}
]s stretch from ] in the north to ] in the far east making up most of India's eastern borders]]
The territory of India constitutes a major portion of the ], situated on the ], the northerly portion of the ], in ]. India's northern and northeastern states are partially situated in the ]. The rest of northern, central and eastern India consists of the fertile ]. In the west, bordering southeast ], lies the ]. The southern Indian Peninsula is almost entirely composed of the ], which is flanked by two hilly coastal ranges, the ] and ].

India is home to several major rivers, including the ], ], ], ], ], ], and ]. India has three archipelagos &ndash; ] off the southwest coast, the ] volcanic island chain to the southeast, and the ] in the Gangetic delta in West Bengal.

Climate in India varies from ] in the south to more ] in the north, with elevated regions in the north receiving sustained snowfall. India's climate is strongly influenced by the Himalayas and the Thar Desert. The Himalayas, along with the ] mountains in Pakistan, provide a barrier to the cold winds from Central Asia. This keeps most of the Indian subcontinent warmer than most locations in similar latitudes. The Thar Desert is responsible for attracting the moisture laden ] winds in that provide most of India's rainfall between June to September.

{{see also|Climate of India|Ecoregions of India|Geology of India}}

==Economy==
{{main|Economy of India}}
] sensitive index is used as a determinant of the strength of the Indian economy.]]

The economy of India is the ] in the world as measured by ] (PPP), with a ] of US $3.63 ]. When measured in ] ] terms, it is the ] in the world, with a GDP of US $775 billion (2005). India was the second fastest growing major economy in the world, with a GDP growth rate of 8.1% at the end of the first quarter of 2005&ndash;2006. However, India's huge population results in a relatively low ] income of $3,400 at PPP and is classified as a ].{{inote|Source: CIA-Factbook: http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/in.html|CIA-2}}

For most of its independent history India has adhered to a socialist-inspired approach, with strict government control over ] participation, ], and ]. Since the early 1990s, India has gradually opened up its markets through ] by reducing government controls on foreign trade and investment. ] of public-owned industries and opening up of certain sectors to private and foreign players has proceeded slowly amid political debate.

India has a ] of 496.4 million of which agriculture constitutes 60%, industry 17%, and services 23%. India's agricultural produce include rice, wheat, oilseed, cotton, jute, tea, sugarcane, potatoes; cattle, water buffalo, sheep, goats, poultry and fish. Major industries include textiles, chemicals, food processing, steel, transportation equipment, cement, mining, petroleum and machinery.<ref name="CIA">{{cite web | title = CIA Factbook : India | work = CIA Factbook | url = http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/in.html | accessdate = April 15 | accessyear = 2006}}</ref>

In recent times, India has also capitalised on its large number of highly educated people who are fluent in the ] to become an important location for global companies ] ] and ] ]s. It is also a major exporter of skilled workers in ] services, ] services, and ]. India's most important trading partners are the ], the ], ], ], and the ].{{inote|trade}}

==Demographics==
{{main|Demographics of India}}
] ] temple, ]]]
India is the second-most populous country in the world with an estimated 1.19 billion people in 2006. Almost 70% of its population reside in rural areas.{{inote|Source: http://www.censusindia.net/results/religion_main.html|Census-1}} India's largest ] are ], ], ], ] and ]. Efforts to eradicate illiteracy have met with little success since India's independence with only 65.1% of its population (53.4% for females and 75.3% of males) being able to read or write. Rampant ] exists in rural areas; the national ] is 933 females per 1000 males. India's median age is 24.66, and the population growth rate is 22.32 births per 1,000.<ref name="Census">{{cite web | title = Census of India 2001, Data on Religion | work = Census of India | url = http://www.censusindia.net/results/religion_main.html | accessdate = April 15 | accessyear = 2006}}</ref>

Although 80.5% of the people are ], India is also home to the ] ] population in the world (13.4%). Other religious groups include ] (2.3%), ] (1.84%), ] (0.76%), ] (0.40%), ]s, ] and ]s.<ref name="Census">{{cite web | title = Census of India 2001, Data on Religion | work = Census of India | url = http://www.censusindia.net/results/religion_main.html | accessdate = April 15 | accessyear = 2006}}</ref>

The number of ] in India is estimated to be as high as 1,652.<ref name="Mouther-tongues">{{cite book | first = K.M. | last = Matthew | title = Manorama Yearbook 2006 | publisher = Malaya Manorama | year = 2006 | id = ISBN 8189004077 | pages = pg 507 }}</ref> Most of these languages are derived from two major ]: ] (spoken by about 74% of the population) and ] (spoken by about 24%). The remaining 2% are based on the ] and ] linguistic families. ] is India's national language though ] is used by the government for official purposes, and in higher education. An additional 21 languages are also given official status.{{inote|Source: Manorama Yearbook 2006|Manorama-3}}

==Culture==
{{main|Culture of India}}
] in ] is India's most popular tourist destination.]]
] artist, a type of ], from ].]]
India has a rich and unique cultural heritage, and has managed to preserve its established traditions throughout history whilst absorbing customs, traditions and ideas from both invaders and immigrants. Many cultural practices, languages, customs and monuments are examples of this co-mingling over centuries. Famous monuments, such as the ] and other examples of Islamic-inspired architecture have been inherited from the Mughal dynasty. These are the result of a syncretic tradition that combined elements from all parts of the country.

] is represented in a wide variety of forms. The two main forms of ] are '']'' from ], and '']'' from ]. Popular forms of music also prevail, the most notable being ]. In addition to this are the diverse traditions of ] from different parts of the country. Many ] exist, including the ], ], ] and ]. They often have a narrative form and are usually infused with devotional and spiritual elements. The earliest ] in India were mostly oral, and were later transcribed. Most of these are represented by sacred works like the ] and the epics of the ] and ]. ] literature from Tamil Nadu represents some of India's oldest traditions. There have been many notable modern Indian writers, both in Indian languages and ]. India's only ] was the ] writer ]. India produces the world's largest number of ] every year. The most recognisable face is that of cinema production based in Mumbai, which produces mainly commercial Hindi films, often referred to as "]". There are also strong cinema industries based on the ], ], ], ] and ] languages.
Religious practices of various faiths are an integral part of everyday life in society. Education is highly regarded by members of every socio-economic stratum. Traditional Indian family values are highly respected, and considered sacred, although urban families have grown to prefer a ] system, owing to the socio-economic constraints imposed by the traditional ] system. Religion in India is a very public affair, with many practices imbued with pomp and vitality accompanying their underlying spiritual qualities.

The ] is extremely diverse, as ingredients, spices and cooking methods vary from region to region. Rice and wheat are the staple foods in the country. The country is notable for its wide variety of ] and non-vegetarian ]. Spicy food and sweets are popular in India. ] in India greatly varies across the regions in its colours and styles, and depend on various factors, including climate. Popular styles of dress include the traditional ] for women and the traditional ] for men.

India's national sport is ], although ] is now the ''de facto'' national game. In some states, particularly in the northeast, ] is the most popular sport and is widely watched. In recent times, ] has gained popularity in India with the rise of players such as ] and ]. India is also represented in ], with international-level players such as ]. Traditional indigenous sports include ]{{inote|http://www.rediff.com/sports/2000/aug/30india.htm|Rediff-1}} and ], which are played in most parts of the country.

==Holidays==
], the festival of colours has emerged as one of the most popular Indian festivals.]]
{{main|List of Festivals in India}}

India is also known as a land of festivals. A melting pot of many religions, India has a rich diversity of ], many of which are celebrated irrespective of caste and creed. The most widely known and popular celebrations include the Hindu festivals of ], ], ] and ] and the Muslim celebration of ].

A number of festivals are common to most parts of India; however, they may be called by different names in the various parts of the country or may be celebrated in a different fashion. Every festival is celebrated in a unique style.

India has four National Holidays. Other sets of holidays, varying between nine to twelve, pertain to festivals, religious holidays and births of leaders which are legislated by the individual states.
<div style="clear:both" />
<center>
{| border="1" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" width="90%" style="border-collapse:collapse; border:1px solid #aaa; text-align:left"
|-
! style="background:#efefef;" width="15%" | Date
! style="background:#efefef;" width="20%" | Holiday
! style="background:#efefef;" | Remarks
|-
| ]
| ]
| The Constitution of India came into effect on this day in 1950.
|-
| ]
| ]
| Labor Day ].
|-
| ]
| ]
| India gained its independence from the British Empire on this day in 1947.
|-
| ]
| ]
| The Birth Date of ].
|}

</center>

==See also==
{{Topics related to India}}
{{India ties}}
{{Life in India}}

==External links==
{{portal}}
{{sisterlinks|India}}
<!--PLEASE ADD SITES RELATING TO INDIA AS A WHOLE. EXTERNAL LINKS PERTAINING TO SPECIFICS SHOULD BE PLACED IN THE CORRESPONDING ARTICLES. -->
; '''Official'''
*
* — Directory of central and state governmental websites
* — Basic Portal to Govt. of India Websites

; '''Other'''
<!-- Include ONLY links that pertain to India as a whole. Maps are linked from the country's latitude/longitude. -->
*{{wikitravel}}
*{{wikicities|india|India}}
*
*

==Notes==
{{Spoken Misplaced Pages|India.ogg|2006-03-07}}
<div style="font-size: 95%">
<references/>
</div>

==References==
{{explain-inote}}
* {{cite web | title = CIA Factbook : India | work = CIA Factbook | url = http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/in.html | accessdate = August 14 | accessyear = 2005 }}
* {{cite web | title = Provisional Population Totals 2001 Census | work = Census of India | url = http://www.censusindia.net/results/resultsmain.html | accessdate = August 14 | accessyear = 2005 }}
* {{cite web | title = India – Country profiles | work = indexmundi.com | url = http://www.indexmundi.com/India/ India | accessdate = August 14 | accessyear = 2005 }}
* {{cite web | title = Census of India 2001, Data on Religion | work = Census of India | url = http://www.censusindia.net/results/religion_main.html | accessdate = August 14 | accessyear = 2005 }}
* {{cite web | title = Languages of India | work = India image | url = http://indiaimage.nic.in/languages.htm | accessdate = August 14 | accessyear = 2005 }}
* {{cite web | title = Foreign Policy of India | work = Indian Embassy | url = http://www.indianembassy.org/policy/Foreign_Policy/2004/AR2004.htm | accessdate = March 24 | accessyear = 2006}}
* {{cite web | title = India pitches for Olympic kabbadi | work = Rediff.com | url = http://www.rediff.com/sports/2000/aug/30india.htm | accessdate = April 15 | accessyear = 2006}}
* {{cite book | first = K.M. | last = Matthew | title = Manorama Yearbook 2003 | publisher = Malaya Manorama | year = 2006 | id = ISBN 8189004077 | pages = pg 524 }}



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* '''India''' is also the letter ''']''' in the ].

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Revision as of 19:06, 8 May 2006