India is one of the oldest and most diverse countries in the world. It is a nation of over 1.3 billion people, with a mix of cultures, religions, and languages. Given its long history and incredible diversity, it should come as no surprise that there are many interesting facts about this wonderful country. Here are 10 facts about India that you may not know!
1. India is home to the world’s oldest university
India is globally renowned for its rich culture, but an often overlooked gem of India’s history is the world’s oldest university. Founded in the 4th century BC, the ancient University of Nalanda boasted a student body of over 10,000 students from all across Asia. This remarkable institution of higher learning brought about India’s intellectual dominance during this period and paved the way for India to become the center of education in the region. India’s highly advanced educational system continues to be looked upon as one of its shining jewels today!
2. Hinduism is the official religion of India
India is a diverse country and the people who live there practice a multitude of religions. Hinduism is India’s oldest and official religion, practiced by 80% of India’s population. There are also many other religions that have been embraced and integrated throughout India’s history including Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainism, Islam, Christianity, and Zoroastrianism. Each of these beliefs has been respected in India for centuries and continues to coexist peacefully up until this day. This rich religious heritage makes India unique as each belief system is allowed to flourish since India has a legacy of tolerance and acceptance for all beliefs, backgrounds, and traditions.
3. India has the highest mountain range in the world – the Himalayas
India is home to many incredible landmarks, including the world’s highest mountain range – the Himalayas! Spanning from India all the way across India, Bhutan, Kashmir, and Pakistan, The Himalayas’ soaring peaks reach dizzying heights of up to 8,848 meters (29,029 ft) – with Mount Everest as its highest point. Not only do they amazed by their sheer size, but these mountains are also spectacularly beautiful with their snow-covered slopes and breathtaking views. India will always be known for its majestic Himalayan Mountains – a legacy that will never be forgotten.
4. India has more than 1 million post offices – more than any other country in the world
India has long impressed the world with its size and grandeur, but it is not a surprise that India has now taken the lead in something else – a remarkable 1 million post offices! This means India has more post offices than any other country on Earth, by far. India’s expansive network of post offices was embraced even during British colonial rule and continues to flourish today. With so many post offices available for residents across India, mail delivery is incredibly efficient. India may have become the pioneering country in many areas, but its post office system will certainly soon be emulated by other nations around the world.
5. Indians eat more rice than any other nationality on Earth
India is famed for its profound history, culture, and cuisine, with one of its most beloved dishes being rice. On average, India surpasses any other nation and consumes nearly 20 kilograms of rice per person per year. Rice is a staple food for India and it can be found in multiple dishes from eight-course feasts to simple curries or stews. Not only that, but India produces enough rice to feed the entire population three times over. Through India’s love of grain, it has created recognizable fermented foods like idli and dosa, as well as sweet snacks named ladoo or barfi! Furthermore, these products are extremely accessible due to India’s large network of street vendors all around the country. India’s love affair with rice shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon!
6. India has seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites
India is a country with a deep and rich history. As such, it makes sense that India is home to seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites – each of which offers unique insight into India’s storied past. The iconic Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, and Red Fort in Delhi are examples of India’s exceptional architecture, while the Qutub Minar complex and Humayun’s Tomb showcase the creativity and skill of India’s builders. To get an even better look at India’s ancient culture, visitors can explore the Ajanta and Ellora Caves near Aurangabad or The Sun Temple at Konark while multiple monuments found in Mahabalipuram cover India’s entire timeline. Together, India’s many UNESCO World Heritage Sites bring to life a greater appreciation for India’s fascinating cultural background.
7. India has 28 states and 8 Union Territories
India’s unique diversity can be seen in its 28 states and 8 Union Territories! India’s wide variety of cultures, languages, landscapes, and cuisines make it an endlessly fascinating country to explore. No two states are exactly alike – each one offers something completely different from the rest. Whether it’s the desert terrain of Rajasthan, the beaches of Goa, or the mountain passes of Ladakh, India has something for everyone looking to discover its hidden gems. Visitors to India can be sure that wherever they go they’ll find a unique culture and language owned by locals and passed down through generations. India is truly a kaleidoscope of cultures waiting to be explored!
8. English is an official language alongside Hindi
India is a unique country that has two official languages; English and Hindi. This is largely due to India’s colonial history, as the British held India for many years during the 19th century and left the language of their colonizers behind. This means whenever tourists visit India, they have a much easier time communicating with locals, even if they don’t have any knowledge of Hindi. After all, English is widely used everywhere in India – including on signs and product labels – making it easy to navigate this vast nation without getting lost in translation. In short, English serves as India’s international language that can bridge cultures and peoples.
9. Over 60% of tigers live in India
India is one of the world’s most successful conservation stories when it comes to tigers. With a mere 200 tigers in 2006, India has worked diligently over the past decade and currently houses an astonishing 3200 wild tigers, making it home to two-thirds or 66% of all tigers living in the wild around the world. India is fortunate to count a network of 17 tiger reserves across nine different states dedicated specifically to India’s royal population of cats. India’s success story of tiger protection serves as a great example for other countries looking to achieve similar success through conservation efforts. Such massive efforts could ultimately lead to increased bio-diversity and the tenuous recovery of India’s precious wildlife.
10. Cricket is by far the most popular sport played by Indians
India is famously known for being a cricket-loving nation, where passion for the game runs strong. Cricket is more than just a sport in India – it is widely accepted to be a form of religious devotion, with millions of people enthusiastically devoting their attention to big international matches each and every day. India’s cricketing heroes such as Sachin Tendulkar have become national celebrities thanks to their dazzling achievements on the field, and those who come after them are driven by the same levels of inspiration. Cricket really shows India’s youth what they are capable of achieving through hard work and dedication, highlighting why it is adored so dearly as India’s most beloved sport.
India is one of those special places that never fails to amaze us with its unique culture, traditions, food, and wildlife! Whether you’re looking for fascinating facts about its history or just curious about why cricket dominates headlines here – these top 10 facts about this wonderful nation will surely enlighten your curiosity & inspire you to plan your next trip here soon! So what are you waiting for?