History of India. India - information about the country, attractions, history Geographical location of India

India is a country of ancient civilizations, extraordinarily beautiful customs, unique architecture, vibrant dances, varied cuisine, picturesque nature, a place where religions and cultures are intertwined, which makes it so attractive to any traveler - from the humble romantic to the avid adventurer.

Origin of India and its names

The first civilization arose in India in the 3rd millennium BC. Since then, philosophy, literature, art, science and astronomy have actively developed in it. In the 16th century, several European countries tried to seize power in certain parts of India, but Great Britain succeeded best, taking control of most of the country. Until 1950, India was a colony of the British Empire, and after gaining independence, it still remained in the British Commonwealth of Nations.

As for the name of India, it comes from the name of the largest river in this country - Sindhu or Indus, as the Greeks called it. There is also a third name - Bharat, which is recognized by the country's constitution, in honor of the ancient Indian ruler, but Europeans in ancient times began to call the country India.

Geographical location of India

India occupies the entire Hindustan Peninsula. In the south the country is washed by the Indian Ocean, in the east by the Bay of Bengal, and in the west by the Arabian Sea. India shares borders with countries such as Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan. In the north of India lie the Himalayas - the highest mountains on the planet.

The largest cities in India are Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata, Chennai. But the cities of Srinagar and Shimla are considered the most beautiful.

Climate

India is located in the subequatorial zone, and tropical monsoons can be considered a distinctive feature of its climate. The weather in India is not divided into seasons; it can be roughly divided into three seasons - hot, humid and cold.

The best time to travel to India depends on where you are going. For example, in South and Central India - in the season from July to September, when it is humid and warm, and from October to March, when it is dry and cool.

Population of India

India's population is 1.2 billion, placing it second in the world after China. A “population explosion” occurred here in the 1950-1970s, as a result of which the population increased by almost 200 million people. According to some scientists, by 2020 India will overtake China to become the most populous country in the world.

It is worth saying that India is the most multinational country in the world. Indians, Hindustanis, Gujaratis, Telugus, Marathas, Bengalis, Kannars, Tamils, Punjabis and others live on its territory.

Depending on where you are going, you should check the customs of the local people. But there are some that all Indians follow. For example, they eat only with their right hand, since the left is considered “unclean.” When entering a temple, museum, or even the home of an ordinary person, Indians take off their shoes and leave them at the doorstep.

State and political structure of the country

According to the form of government, India is a parliamentary republic. India is a federal state and consists of 29 states and 7 union territories.

The legislative branch in India is represented by a bicameral parliament, the executive branch is represented by the Council of Ministers, which is headed by the Prime Minister. In India, the executive branch is directly subordinate to the legislative branch. The judicial branch consists of the Supreme Court, the 21st High Court and a large number of small courts. The head of the country is the president. The main law of the country is the Constitution, adopted in 1949. By the way, the Indian Constitution is the largest in terms of volume in the world.

Currency

The currency of India is the rupee. It is divided into 100 paise. Banknotes can be in denominations ranging from 5 to 1000 rupees. By the way, banknotes of the same denomination may differ from each other, but do not be alarmed - these are banknotes from different years, but they are accepted in India the same way.

Traditions and religion of India

About 80% of India's population professes Hinduism. The rest are supporters of religions such as Islam, Christianity, Sikhism and Buddhism. The country's constitution allows citizens to profess any religion, and the Indians themselves are very tolerant of other faiths.

The culture of India and its traditions, which are closely connected with religion, are indescribably beautiful. Of course, everyone who has watched an Indian film at least once will say that Indian culture is manifested in dancing and singing, but not only.

The country's architecture is impressive in its grandeur and majesty, it combines dozens of styles, and of course it is breathtaking that some architectural structures are already about 500 years old.

By the way, the Indian film industry is one of the largest in the world. Despite the fact that Indian films are often melodramas, Indians love cinema very much.

National cuisine

It's no secret that India is a country of herbs and spices. Indians use them to prepare most of their dishes. For example, bhujia - curried vegetables, samba - spiced rice cakes or dhai - curried dairy products.

The cuisine in different regions of India is different: in the north it is replete with meat dishes, lamb is especially popular here, in the south Indians prefer vegetable dishes with various spicy sauces, but the west of the country is rich in seafood, so fish here is the main component of all dishes.

As for drinks, the most popular is nimbu panch (lemon drink). Indians also drink lassi (whipped coconut milk), sparkling water, gin or beer. And of course, the Indian’s source of national pride is tea, which is drunk here several times a day with milk or spices. It is customary to serve some kind of sweets with tea, which is very common in our cuisine. Here are some examples of traditional Indian sweets:

• kulfi - Indian ice cream;
• jalebi - pancakes with syrup;
• rasgullu - curd balls fried and sprinkled with rose water.

India is a South Asian state located on the Hindustan Peninsula. India as a state within its present borders was created in 1947, when it was divided into two independent dominions by the British government: India and Pakistan. However, we must not forget that the historical and modern borders of India are different; many historical regions that once belonged to India are now part of neighboring states.

Its external borders had a great influence on the fate of India. On the one hand, India, thanks to its borders, is isolated from the outside world. On the northern, northwestern and northeastern borders of the country there are mountain ranges (Himalayas, Karakoram, Purvachal), and on other sides it is washed by the waters of the Indian Ocean (Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal). This isolation naturally affected the history and culture of India. The historical path of India is unique, and Indian culture is distinctive.

Nevertheless, from ancient times mountain passes led to the territory of India, which served as the gateway to India both for trade caravans and for the armies of conquerors. Basically we are talking about the northwestern border, where there are such mountain passes as: Khyber, Gomal, Bolan, through which almost all conquerors came from the territory of modern Afghanistan to India (Aryans, Persians, Alexander the Great, Mahmud of Ghaznavid, Muhammad Ghuri, Babur ). In addition, India can be reached from the north and northeast from China and Myanmar.

If we talk about India's maritime border, despite its great length, India has never been considered a strong maritime power. This is explained by the fact that the coastline is poorly dissected, so there are few natural harbors on the coast where sailing ships could shelter from the winds. Basically, Indian ports are located either at the mouths of rivers or are constructed artificially. Shallow waters and reefs off the coast of India also created difficulties for sailors. Nevertheless, the Indians still made attempts to try themselves as seafarers.

In history and ethnography, India is traditionally divided into three physiographic regions: 1) Indo-Gangetic Plain, 2) Deccan Plateau (Decan), 3) Far South.

The Indo-Gangetic Plain is historically the most important part of India as it is where great empires have always been located. This northern plain is divided into two parts by the Thar Desert and the Aravalli Mountains. The western part is irrigated by the waters of the Indus, and the eastern part by the Ganges and its tributaries. Thanks to the rivers, the soil here is fertile, which led to the prosperity of the local population. It was here that the great civilizations of antiquity and medieval states arose. It was the Indo-Gangetic valley that was most subject to conquest; five decisive battles in Indian history took place on its soil.

India can be called a country of contrasts. There is a famous phrase “India is the world in miniature”. If we talk about the climate, then in India it varies from the dry frosts of the Himalayas to the tropical heat of the Konkan and Coromandel coast. All three types of climates can be found in India: arctic, temperate and tropical. The same goes for precipitation. India has very dry places like the Thar Desert and on the other hand the wettest point on the planet is Cherrapunji.

The English historian Smith calls India an “ethnographic museum,” and not without reason. India is a museum of cults, customs, faiths, cultures, religions, languages, racial types and differences. From time immemorial, peoples belonging to different races (Aryans, Persians, Greeks, Turks, etc.) came to India. India is home to many nationalities, they all have their own traditions, customs and languages. There is a huge variety of religious denominations in India. This includes world religions - Buddhism, Islam, Christianity; religions of local significance - Sikhism, Jainism and many others. The most common religion in India is Hinduism; it is practiced by the majority of the Indian population.

Indian culture and history is one of the oldest on earth. According to some historians, Indian history is not inferior in antiquity to the histories of Egypt and Sumer. The Harappan civilization in the Indus Valley arose around 2500 BC. and existed for approximately a thousand years, that is, until 1500 BC. Most of the main cities of this civilization were located along the banks of the Indus. Its first large-scale research began in 1921. This civilization received its name from the name of the first large city found. The second most famous and largest city of the Indus civilization was Mahenjo-Daro (Hill of the Dead).

The ethnic composition of the Indus Valley population and its roots still remain a mystery. Harappan culture was urban, with all cities built according to a single plan. The Indians of that era conducted active trade with other countries, were engaged in crafts, agriculture and cattle breeding. They had a written language, which, unfortunately, has not been deciphered, so this culture is studied from archaeological finds. The reasons for the decline of this civilization have not yet been clearly defined, but most likely it is associated with natural disasters. The last centers of the Harappan culture may have fallen at the hands of the Aryans, who came to India around 1500 BC.

The Aryans are nomadic tribes who invaded India from the northwest, through the Khyber Pass. Almost the only source of our knowledge about this period is literary monuments (Vedas), while archaeological data is very scarce. The ancient Aryans did not have a written language, and the Vedic texts were passed down orally, later they were written down in Sanskrit. The period of the first Aryan settlements, which is studied according to the Vedas, is called the Vedic period. A characteristic feature of the Vedic era is the dominance of religion and ritual cults in the life of society. Many elements from the Vedic religion were incorporated into Hinduism. It was during this period that the division of society into Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras began to emerge. The Vedic era lasted until the 6th century. BC, before the formation of the first states in the Ganges valley.

VI century - an era of change. During this period, in addition to the emergence of the first states, new religions appeared, the main ones being Jainism and Buddhism. Buddhist and Jain texts have not only sacred value, but also historical value, since we mainly draw information about the states of that era from them. According to Buddhist sources, at that time there were 16 states that were constantly at war with each other. By the 4th century. BC. There has been a tendency towards unification, the number of states has decreased, but political fragmentation has not yet been overcome. The existing political instability in the country made India an easy target for Alexander the Great, who invaded its territory in 326 BC. The great conqueror did not go far into the interior of the country; he was forced to leave the country before reaching the Ganges Valley. He left some garrisons in India, which later assimilated with the local population.

Magadha-Mauri era (IV century BC - 1st century). After the departure of Alexander the Great, the rulers realized the need for unification, and the leader of the unification became the ruler of the state of Magadha, Chandragupta Maurya (317 BC), the founder of the Maurya dynasty. The capital of Magadha was Pataliputra. The most famous ruler of this dynasty was Ashoka (268 - 231 BC). He became famous as a disseminator of Buddhism; the policy of his state in many aspects was also based on the religious and ethical norms of Buddhism. In 180 BC. The Mauryan dynasty was overthrown by the Shung dynasty. It was a weak dynasty and the once great Mauryan state fell apart.

Until the 4th century. V. power was shared among clans and tribes. In 320, a new Gupta dynasty (IV - VI centuries) was founded, and a vast empire was created under their rule. The Gupta era is a period of prosperity, the “golden age” of the culture of Ancient India. Literature and architecture enjoyed the greatest patronage. In the VI century. The Gupta Empire was on the verge of collapse and fell under the onslaught of nomadic tribes (Huns) who invaded Indian territory.

After the fall of the Gupta state, political fragmentation began in the country. The first who, after the Guptas, tried to unite the country within a single state was Harsha (Harshavardhan), he ascended the throne in 606 and ruled until 646. It is with him that the beginning of the medieval history of India is considered to be. The capital of the Harsha state was Kanauj. He was an educational ruler. He patronized literature and science, and had a favorable attitude towards Buddhism. Harsha had no strong successors; immediately after his death, his state disintegrated, and a period of political disintegration followed again. In conditions of feudal fragmentation, Indian rulers were unable to repel a new threat - Muslim conquests.

The Arabs were the first Muslims to enter Indian territory. The Arabs began their campaigns of conquest after the death of Muhammad (632). By the 8th century, the turn came to India. The Arabs limited their conquests to the territory of Sindh. Their main conquests were associated with the name of Muhammad ibn Qasim (712). Their campaigns were predatory, and the Arabs did not make any fundamental changes in the governance of India, but they were the first to organize Muslim settlements on Indian territory with a system of governance different from the traditional Indian one.

The next conqueror was Mahmud of Ghaznavid. Ghazna is a principality in Afghanistan. He made his first trip in the year 1000, and made it a tradition to go to India every year. He made his last campaign in 1027. Gradually, Ghazna lost its political influence, and its rulers ceded power to another Afghan principality, Gur. The rulers of Ghur also could not ignore India, and these campaigns were led by Muhammad Ghuri. He made his first campaign in 1175, and his last in 1205. Muhammad Ghuri, as governor in India, left his military leader Qutb-ud-din Aibek, who soon began to rule as an independent ruler, and it was with him that the era of the Delhi Sultanate began ( 1206-1526).

There were four dynasties in the Delhi Sultanate: Ghulam (1206-1287), Khilji (1290-1320), Tughlaq (1320-1414), Sayyids (1414-1451), Lodi (1451-1526). ). The Sultans of Delhi no longer limited their military campaigns to the north-west of the country, but waged them throughout India. The main goal of their domestic policy was conquest; the administrative system of the Delhi Sultans was fragmented and poorly controlled. During the Delhi Sultanate, India was attacked by the Mongols and invaded by Timur (1398-1399). In 1470, the Russian merchant Afanasy Nikitin visited India. But he visited not the Delhi Sultanate, but one of the states on the Deccan - the Bahmanid state. The history of the Delhi Sultanate ended at the Battle of Panipat in 1526, when Babur defeated the ruler of the Lodi dynasty. He became the founder of the Mughal Empire: Babur (1526-1530), Humayun (1530-1556), Akbar (1556-1605), Jahangir (1605-1627), Shah Jahan (1627-1658) .), Aurangzeb (1658-1707), Late Mughals (1707-1858). This era is eventful in both foreign and domestic politics of India. The military strategy of Babur, the reforms of Akbar, the great buildings of Shah Jahan, the intransigence of Aurangzeb glorified the Muslim rulers of India far beyond its borders.

The new history of India is the era of Europeans. The first to open the route to India were the Portuguese. Vasco da Gama reached the shores of India in 1498. They settled on the western coast of the country (Goa Diu). Their power was always limited to the coastline; they did not go inland. Gradually, they lost their priorities to the Dutch, who began their activities in 1595. Another contender for Indian trading possessions were the French, who came to India in 1664.

The history of the English East India Company dates back to 1600. The starting point for the conquest of India by the British is considered to be the Battle of Plassey in 1757, when the English commander Robert Clive defeated the ruler of Bengal, Siraj-ud-dowla. The establishment of British rule in India was completed by 1856. India became the “pearl” of British colonial possessions. It was both a raw material base and a sales market for Great Britain.

The Indians were not ready to put up with their situation, uprisings broke out in the country (the Great Sepoy Rebellion (1857 - 1859), a national liberation movement was organized. Leaders of the independence movement such as: Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Vinayaka Damodar Savarkar had different views on the path to liberation. The great thinker of the 20th century, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (Mahatma Gandhi), believed that the path to freedom lies through “ahimsa" (non-violence). He propagated that boycotts and inaction are much more effective than forceful and armed methods of struggle.

On February 20, 1947, British Prime Minister Clement Richard Attlee announced the British government's readiness to grant India full independence by June 1948 at the latest. After negotiations with all interested parties and a series of approvals, the Governor-General of India, Louis Mountbatten, presented a plan for the division of British India into two independent states: Muslim and Hindu. Based on this plan, the British Parliament drafted and passed the Indian Independence Act, which received royal assent on July 18, 1947. At midnight on August 14/15, 1947, India became an independent state.

August 15, 1947 - Indian Independence Day. The first Prime Minister of India was Jawaharlal Nehru. The partition of India, carried out on religious principles, was accompanied by numerous casualties. Those regions where the majority of the population were Muslims went to Pakistan, and the rest to India. Kashmir remains a disputed territory.

According to the Constitution adopted in 1950, India is a sovereign federal secular democratic republic. Until the 1990s. power in the country belonged to the Indian National Congress (INC) party and the Nehru-Gandhi clan. Since the 1990s India lived under a coalition government. In the 2014 parliamentary elections, the Indian People's Party (BDP) won a decisive victory, and Narendra Modi was elected prime minister.

See also:

Monographs and Papers
Monographs and Papers

Indian dances
Indian dance is a more multifaceted concept; it is a whole world inextricably linked with music, singing, theater, literature, religion and philosophy.

Centers for Indian Studies in Russia
Where in Russia they study India

Languages ​​of India
India is a huge country, it is a whole world in itself, there is amazing diversity in everything, and languages ​​are no exception.

Zograf Readings
International conference "Zograph Readings"

Exploring Ancient India
The teaching of Indian languages ​​and literature at St. Petersburg University began in 1836, when R. H. Lenz was invited to lecture on Sanskrit and comparative linguistics. (1808-1836), but the systematic study of Indian philology began after the creation of the Faculty of Oriental Languages ​​and the opening of the Department of Indian Philology there (1958).

Information Indological Center of St. Petersburg State University
About the Indian Information Center, contact information, area of ​​activity, goals.

History of India, Indus Valley Civilization
Until the beginning of the twentieth century, it was believed that the history of Ancient India began with the arrival of warlike nomads - Aryan tribes, bearers of archaic Vedic culture - from the north-west, and that what came before them was only primitive primitive tribes, whose history is shrouded in darkness

Reading time: 7 minutes. Views 2.2k. Published 11/23/2012

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, description and general information about this country.

On the southern side it is washed by the Palk Strait and, on the eastern side by the Bay of Bengal, and on the western side by the Arabian Sea.

Today, India partially includes territories that are disputed by Pakistan. India's area is 3,165,596 square kilometers.

India can be roughly 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 system in the world with a width ranging from 160 to 320 kilometers, which stretches along the eastern and northern borders for 2400 km.

The highest mountain peaks that are entirely 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 most of the plain region along which the Brahmaputra, Ganges and Indus flow. Western and central India receives water from the Ganges and the Ganges Valley (its tributaries).

The Brahmaputra flows into Bangladesh and originates in the northern Himalayas– it is from this 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 its fertile lands and abundance of water. It was in this region that Indian civilization began.

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 varies from 300 m to 900 m, but sometimes you can find chains with a height of up to 1200 m. The plateau is crossed in many places by rivers. From the west and east, the plateau is framed by the Western Ghats (rising to a height of up to 900 m) and the Eastern Ghats (rising to a height of up to 460 m).

As of 1998, India's population is estimated to be over 984 million, with an average population density per square kilometer of 311.

Ethnic groups:

If we talk about India as a whole, more than 1,600 languages ​​and dialects are used in this country.

Religion:

• 80% are Hindus;
• 14 percent are Muslim;
• 2.4 percent are people of Christian religion;
• 2% – Sikhs;
• 0,7% – ;
• 0,5% .

India is a country of rich culture and history. While traveling around India, you can be transported to a completely different world of the East. And excellent beaches with a high level of service and a beautiful sea provide an excellent opportunity to relax. India is a huge open-air museum, where everyone can touch thousand-year-old antiquity, see world masterpieces of architecture, and in a few hours descend from the snow-capped Himalayas to the hot tropics, flying over those places where dozens of dynasties replaced each other over thousands of years, each which left its material trace on a giant triangle sloping down to the sea.

Come to India and you will see that this is a country of endless variety of fragrant aromas and colors that have no name yet, ancient traditions and refined forms, an endless variety of customs and languages. India, simple and great, will not leave anyone indifferent.

Geography

India is located in southern Asia on the Hindustan Peninsula between the headwaters of the Indus river system in Punjab in the west and the Ganges river system in the East. In the north, the country borders with China, Bhutan and Nepal, in the northwest - with Pakistan, in the east - with Myanmar and the People's Republic of Bangladesh. In the east, India is washed by the Bay of Bengal, in the west by the Arabian Sea, and in the south by the Indian Ocean. The length of India from north to south is about 3220 km, and from east to west - 2930 km. India's land border is 15,200 km and its sea border is 6,083 km. Its area is 3287.3 thousand sq. km.

The natural conditions of India are very diverse. In general, 3 areas can be distinguished on its territory:

1) The Himalayas, located in northern India. Translated, the name Himalayas means “abode of snow.” The highest peak in the world is located here - Mount Chomolungma (Everest), which rises 8848 m above sea level. But its neighbors are not inferior to its older sister; a height of 5 - 6 thousand m is quite common in these areas. The Himalayas stretch from east to west (from the Brahmaputra River to the Indus River) for 2500 km with a width of 150 to 400 km. The Himalayas consist of three main mountain ranges: the Siwalik Mountains in the south (altitudes 800-1200 m), then the Lesser Himalayas (2500-3000 m) and the Greater Himalayas (5500-6000 m).
2) The Deccan Plateau on the Hindustan Peninsula with the adjacent coastal lowlands. The average height is 300 - 900 m. The Deccan is an arid hilly plateau, bounded on the west and east by the Western (higher) and Eastern Ghats mountains. The Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri rivers flow through the Deccan plateau in the direction from West to East, which become very shallow in winter. It is interesting that, according to modern ideas, the Deccan Plateau was formed tens of millions of years ago as a result of the “swelling” of the earth’s surface from an asteroid impact from the opposite side of the globe in the Gulf of Mexico (it was this catastrophe that was probably the cause of the extinction of the dinosaurs).
3) The Indo-Gangetic Plain, which occupies the central and eastern part of India, its area is 319 thousand sq. km. Up to 250 million people live on the territory of the Indo-Gangetic Plain. This vast area extends parallel to the Himalayan ranges.

The main rivers in India are the Ganges (2510 km), Brahmaputra (2900 km), Indus (2879 km). They have a lot of water and are used for navigation. A characteristic phenomenon for the northern territories of the country are floods during the melting of glaciers.

Time

In summer in India it is 1 hour 30 minutes more than in Moscow, and in winter it is 2 hours 30 minutes more.

Climate

India has a monsoon climate. 3 seasons: dry cold - from October to March (considered the best time to visit), dry hot - from April to June and humid hot - from July to September. The best time to travel in India depends on where you are going. The climate is accordingly very diverse. When the beach season just opens in Goa (on the Indian Ocean coast) (November), there is already snow in the Himalayas. On the other hand, July - August, when southern India is very hot and humid, is the best time to travel to Ladakh (a region lying on the Tibetan plateau behind the great Himalayan Range). In mountainous areas, air temperature and weather are highly dependent on altitude. To South and Central India, it is recommended to go in season from July to September (rainy, humid, warm + 25-30 * C) and from October to March (dry, cool + 20-25 * C), bad season from March to June (very hot, dry + 35-45*C).

Language

More than 200 dialects are spoken by the population of India. The official languages ​​are Hindi and English.

Religion

Almost all people living in India are deeply religious. Religion for Indians is a way of life, an everyday, special way of life. Hinduism is considered to be the main religious and ethical system of India. In terms of the number of followers, Hinduism occupies a leading place in Asia. This religion, which does not have any one founder and one fundamental text (there are many of them: the Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas and many others), originated so long ago that it is impossible to even determine its age, and spread throughout India and throughout many countries of Southeast Asia, and now, thanks to immigrants from India, who have settled everywhere - all over the world. Hinduism is professed by 83% of the total population of India, i.e. about 850 million people. Muslims in India are 11%.

One of the oldest religions in the world, Buddhism, originated in India in the fifth century BC. Buddhists believe that enlightenment, that is, liberation from suffering in the endless cycle of rebirth, can be achieved by every living being, and especially by humans, since, according to Buddhism, everyone initially has the nature of Buddha. Unlike Hindus, Buddhists do not recognize castes. If you meet a person on the streets of India in a colorful turban with a thick, thick beard, you should know that he is a Sikh, that is, a follower of Sikhism, a faith that has absorbed and combined Hinduism and Islam.

So, 80% of the population are Hindus, Muslims constitute a significant religious minority - 12%. The number of Christians reaches only 18 million. They are mainly Catholics and Protestants. There are also Orthodox parishes. Of the faiths born on Indian soil, Sikhism stands out, the number of followers of which exceeds 17 million. A small (about 200 thousand) but influential community of Parsi fire-worshippers is concentrated in Mumbai (formerly Bombay). In the coastal cities of Kerala you can meet followers of Judaism (about 6 thousand). About 26 thousand representatives of aboriginal tribes profess various pagan beliefs.

Population

As of 1999, India's population reached 1 billion. Average annual population growth decreased from 2.2% in the 1950-1980s to 1.7% in 1990-1998, but absolute indicators indicate an annual increase of approximately 20 million people. The average population density is 354 people per 1 sq. km, and the maximum is more than 750 people per 1 sq. km in West Bengal and Kerala. The most densely populated areas are the south-eastern and south-western coasts, the deltaic lowlands of the east and the Gangetic plain. The least populated areas are the highlands of Central India, the northeastern regions and the Himalayas. Approximately 65% ​​of the country's population lives in 500 thousand villages. The intensification of migration processes has led over the past half century to the formation of such gigantic agglomerations as Mumbai (Bombay, 8 million people), Calcutta (5 million) and the union territory of Delhi, led by the capital of the same name (8 million people).

Electricity

The mains voltage in India is 220V.

Emergency numbers

Police - 100
Fire brigade - 101
Ambulance - 102

Connection

Mobile communications in India are expensive, we recommend purchasing a local SIM card and paying for calls using express payment cards (1 minute of conversation with Russia will cost about 1 dollar). The cost of a call from a hotel is three times more expensive than from a pay phone.
How to call Russia:
00+7 (Russian code)+city code (812 code of St. Petersburg) + phone number
How to call Goa:
8+10+91 (India code) +832 (Goa code)+ phone number.

Currency exchange

The Indian rupee is a fairly stable monetary unit. Its exchange rate is approximately 48 rupees per 1 US dollar. The import and export of Indian currency, as well as the exchange of currency by private individuals, is prohibited. You can exchange currency at the airport, at a bank or at certified exchange offices. Be sure to keep your currency exchange certificates. They will need to be handed in when checking in for your flight at the airport. Banks are open mainly on weekdays from 10.00 to 14.00, and on Saturdays from 10.00 to 12.00. In addition, there are a considerable number of exchange offices operating in shops, jewelry stores, and hotels. It is recommended to make the exchange exclusively in banks, since in all other cases there may be miscalculation, hidden commissions and other surprises. You should not exchange money where a taxi driver, a casual acquaintance, or a hotel administrator urgently invites you - in all the mentioned cases, he will claim a fee that the tourist will unwittingly pay, changing money at an inconvenient rate. In banks, all these things are excluded. You can exchange currency at the airport, at a bank (passport required) or at certified exchange offices. When exchanging, you must take a receipt that allows you to exchange money back when leaving the country (but not more than 25% of the officially exchanged amount). It is best to import dollars: the currencies of other countries are not exchanged in all banks and at a less favorable rate.

Visa

Citizens of Russia, just like citizens of most other countries in the world, require a visa to enter India. Since 2015, the so-called electronic visa to India has been introduced, which can be obtained via the Internet. In urgent cases, you can obtain a visa on arrival in Goa, but immigration services are very reluctant to make concessions, so it is better to obtain visas in advance from the Indian Embassy in Moscow or from the Indian Consulates General in St. Petersburg and Vladivostok.

The Tourist e-Visa is intended for persons whose purpose of visit is tourism or visiting friends or relatives who are Indian citizens. A visa is issued for one or more entries.

A transit visa is issued to persons whose purpose of travel is transit through Indian territory to third countries.

A business visa is intended for those who are going to visit India at the invitation of business partners.

Student visa is for persons enrolled in officially registered educational institutions in India. A visa can be issued only upon presentation of a written invitation from the university.

Visa for studying yoga, Vedic culture, Indian music theory, dance, etc. issued to citizens to take a course in yoga, Vedic culture, theory of Indian music, dance, etc. in officially recognized Indian educational institutions. Issued upon presentation of a letter of acceptance from a specific educational institution.

Customs regulations

The “Green Corridor” is intended for persons importing goods that are not subject to customs duties and taxes. “Red Corridor” - for persons importing goods in respect of which customs duties must be paid or in respect of which any prohibitions and restrictions apply.

However, all passengers fill out a declaration for their imported baggage; persons who choose the “green channel” must deposit with the customs officer the part of the passenger information card related to customs clearance before the person leaves the checkpoint. Written declaration of foreign means of payment is made in the following cases: the total amount of imported foreign currency exceeds 5,000 US dollars; the total amount of imported means of payment exceeds 10,000 US dollars.

In the event that a person moves goods through the “green corridor” in respect of which customs duties must be paid or for which any prohibitions and restrictions apply, liability measures will be applied to the person, including confiscation of the goods. The movement of narcotic and psychotropic substances is a serious crime and is punishable by imprisonment.

The import of foreign currency is not limited; cash amounts over $5 thousand and non-cash amounts over $10 thousand are declared. The export of foreign currency is permitted up to the amount declared in the entry declaration. The import and export of national currency is prohibited. Persons over the age of 17 years are allowed duty-free import of: cigarettes - up to 200 pieces or cigars - up to 50 pieces, or tobacco - up to 250 g, alcoholic beverages - up to 2 liters, up to 60 ml of perfume and up to 250 ml of eau de toilette. Household audio, photo and video equipment, musical instruments, medicines, sports equipment, jewelry, food, household items and items are imported duty-free only within the limits of personal needs. These rules apply only to persons whose stay in India is at least 24 hours and no more than 6 months, and they cross the country’s border no more than once a month.

Holidays and non-working days

There are a lot of holidays in India, both public and religious. Almost every day is some kind of holiday. The main public holidays in India are:
January 1 - New Year
January 26 - Republic Day (on this day the Constitution of India was adopted)
March 8, as in Russia, is Women's Day
August 15 - Independence Day (on this day in 1947, India gained independence from Great Britain)
August 20 - Rajiv Gandhi's birthday
October 2 is Gandhi Jayanti, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi.
November 19 - Indira Gandhi's birthday
Among the religious holidays, the following can be identified as the main ones.
In March - April, followers of Jainism celebrate the birthday of the founder of this religion, Mahavira. This festival is called Mahavir Jayanti.
In April - May (on the first day of the month of Baisak), followers of Sikhism celebrate their main holiday - Baisak.
Buddha Jayanti - Buddha's birthday is celebrated in the second half of April - the first half of May.
The main holiday of the Parsis (Indian fire worshipers) is Khordad Sal - the birthday of the prophet Zarathustra.
In February - March, Hindus celebrate the spring festival Holi.
In April - May, Id-ul-Azkha (Id-ul-Zukha, Bakr-id) is celebrated. This is the holiday of sacrifice - one of the two main holidays of Muslims.
August-September - Janmashtami - Krishna's birthday.
In September - October, Dashahra (Dussehra, Dussehra, Durga Puja), the day of worship of Devi, is celebrated. This is one of the most popular holidays.
Diwali (Deepavali, Bandi Khor Diwas) is celebrated in October - November. This is the Festival of Lights and the Goddess of Prosperity, Diwali, one of the most popular folk festivals and the last day of the year according to the Hindu calendar.

Transport

The network of international air transportation provided by Air India and other airlines is well developed in India. Indian Airlines provides flights on domestic routes and to nearby countries. In addition to air, there are sea and land routes of communication with countries. There are 4 largest airports in India: Chenai, Kolkata, Delhi, Bombay, of which two are international - Delhi and Bombay.

India's international rail network is the largest in Asia and the second largest in the world. It consists of 62,300 km of rails, more than 7,030 railway stations and more than 11,200 locomotives. The fare is relatively inexpensive. A large number of express trains connect major cities. Where the train service is interrupted, you can get from station to station by bus. Categories of travel are different, starting with the most expensive 1st class with air conditioning (the ticket price is comparable to the cost of travel of a similar class in other countries), and ending with the cheapest option - a general carriage with a ticket without a seat. There are also air-conditioned sleeping carriages with two-berth compartments, as well as air-conditioned seating carriages (both II class); There are II class carriages with fans.

Within India there is an extensive network of bus routes connecting all parts of the country. This is especially true for those areas where there is no railway connection, in particular for high mountain areas. Older buses run on most rural roads, but express buses with air conditioning are increasingly appearing on main roads. On many routes, even local ones, tickets can be booked in advance. The bulk of luggage is transported on the roof of the bus, so suitcases must be locked and checked during stops.

The main seaports are Mumbai (Bombay), Kolkata, Cochin, Chennai (Madras), Calicut, Panaji (Goa) and Rameswaram. Apart from river ferries, water transport in India is rather poorly developed. Steamship services exist between Port Blair (Andaman Islands) and with Calcutta and Madras (mostly operating only during the tourist season), as well as between Calcutta and Madras. Luxurious water services are available between Cochin and Lakshadweep. In Kerala, regular passenger ships operate along the coast, with several services linking Allappuja and Kovalam (formerly Alleppey and Quilon), including the popular paddle steamer service. There is a catamaran service between Bombay and Goa.

Tips

Tipping in hotels and restaurants is usually around 10%. In hotels, they are usually included in the bill, but usually an additional 2-3 rupees are left for the maids, and from 2 to 5 rupees for the porter and receptionist. Tipping in India is considered not only as gratitude for the service provided, but also as a soft transition from the sphere of buyer-seller relations to a more friendly attitude.

The shops

India is a shopping paradise. Prices here are low, and bargaining is common. Silver products, souvenirs made of sandalwood, bronze, Kashmiri carpets, silk shawls, and Indian tea are very popular. When purchasing jewelry, you must require a quality certificate; only with such a document can you return or exchange the purchased product. When purchasing souvenirs on the street or taking photographs with exotic animals, it is better to conduct all negotiations through a guide. So, at least you can count on a reasonable price. In Delhi, thousands of retail outlets and traditional oriental markets are located in the areas of Baba Kharak Singh, Chandni Chowk, Koniat Place, Hari Baoli, south of the University, near Lahore Gate, Urdu Bazaar, etc. Here you can buy almost everything, and the famous atmosphere of the oriental bazaar gives such purchases a special charm. When visiting Bombay, be sure to stroll through the narrow, winding neighborhoods of Kalbadevi, north of Crawford Market, where the colorful markets of Zaveri Bazar, Mangaldas Market, Dabu and Khor Bazar ("thieves' market") follow each other.

National cuisine

The unforgettable aroma of India is not only the thick scent of jasmine and rose. It is also the subtle aroma of spices that occupy an important place in Indian dishes, especially curries. The name of this seasoning comes from the Indian word “kari” (sauce), but here it is not found in the form of powder familiar to residents of other countries. It is a subtle and delicate blend of spices such as turmeric, cardamom, ginger, coriander, nutmeg and poppy. Like paints on an artist’s palette, the Indian cook keeps on hand about 25 spices, always freshly ground, from which he creates his unique flavor bouquet. Many spices also have medicinal properties. Each region has its own favorite spices and their combinations. Although not all Indians are vegetarians, you will eat more vegetable dishes here than at home. Vegetables in India are cheap, varied, abundant and always deliciously prepared.

The West Coast offers a wide selection of fish and seafood. Bombay duck (curried or fried bomnlo fish) and licorice fish (Indian salmon) are just two names on the extensive menu. Fish is also present in Bengali cuisine, such as dahi maach (fish curry in yogurt flavored with ginger) and mailai (prawn curry with coconut).

Meat dishes are more common in the north: rogan josh (lamb curry), gushtaba (spicy meatballs in yogurt) and delicious biriyani (chicken or lamb with rice and orange sauce). The taste of Mughlai dishes is rich and rich, they are generously seasoned with spices and sprinkled with nuts and saffron. The famous tandoori (chicken, meat or fish marinated with herbs and baked in a clay oven) and kebab come from the northern regions.

In the south, curries are mostly vegetable and quite spicy. Traditional recipes include bhujia (vegetable curry), dosa, idli and samba (rice cakes, pickle-filled dumplings and curried lentils) and raita (yogurt with grated cucumber and mint). The main ingredient of South Indian cuisine is coconut. In the south, rice is mandatory, while in the north it is often supplemented or replaced with a variety of unleavened flatbreads - puri, chappati, nan and others.

Common throughout India are dal (a soup made from crushed lentils with vegetables) and dhai (yogurt or yoghurt served with curry). In addition to the fact that this is a very tasty dish, in the heat it is more refreshing than drinks.

Sweets are mainly served with milk puddings, cookies and pancakes. Throughout India, kulfi (Indian ice cream), rasgulla (curd balls flavored with rose water), gulab jamun (flour, yogurt and grated almonds) and jalebi (fritters in syrup) are common. In addition to an excellent selection of sweets, you will always be offered fruits: mangoes, pomegranates, melons, apricots, apples and strawberries. Western groceries are sold in many cities. To improve digestion, it is customary to end the meal by chewing pan. Pan is betel leaves wrapped in anise and cardamom seeds. Another custom is to eat with your fingers, but (don’t forget!) only with your right hand.

Tourists with conservative tastes will always find dishes from almost any country in the world in cities. Tea is a favorite drink of Indians and many varieties are popular around the world. It is often served with sugar and milk, but you can also order “tea on a tray.” Coffee is growing in popularity. Nimbu pani (lemon drink), lassi (ice milk) and coconut milk straight from the nut are pleasantly refreshing. Sparkling water, often with syrup, and Western spirits are available everywhere.Indian beers and gins are as good as the world's best, and inexpensive too.Remember, liquor permits are required in Tamil Nadu and Gujarat.

Attractions

Agra located 204 km from Delhi in the Ganges Valley on the western bank of the Yamuna River. Even Delhi, the thousand-year-old capital of numerous kings and emperors, cannot boast of such a generous architectural and cultural heritage that Agra inherited from the golden age of the great Mughals. Notable are the Tomb of Itemad-ud-Daula and Akbar's Tomb in Sikandra. The tomb of Itemad-ud-Daula stands in the center of the Persian Park, striking with the elegance of its lines and careful decoration. Norjahan, the brilliant wife of Jahangir, built it for her parents. The small tomb on the outskirts of the Taj Mahal remarkably reflects the taste and intelligence of the gifted empress. Warm tones of yellow marble contrast with white and black patterns, while openwork marble panels and rich mosaics of gems are feminine and delightful. Named after the Afghan ruler Sikander Lodi, Sikandra is better known as the final resting place of Akbar. The emperor began the construction of his own memorial - a red sandstone mausoleum in the middle of the chahar bagh, a park with a square layout - during his lifetime. The entrance, magnificently decorated with marble mosaics, leads to a spacious open structure topped by a tomb with carved panels at the fifth floor level. They were added to the appearance of the mausoleum by Shahjahan after the death of his father.

Capital city of India Delhi and surrounding areas occupy a total of about 1500 square meters. km and constitute the National Capital Territory of Delhi, governed by the territorial government as well as the City Hall of Old Delhi and the New Delhi Municipal Corporation. According to the country's Constitution, the capital of India is officially called New Delhi, although in everyday speech not only in India, but also in other countries, the abbreviated name is retained - Delhi. Jama Masjid is the largest mosque in the old city. Three large gates, four corner towers and two tall minarets made of red sandstone and white marble created a magnificent ensemble. The eastern gate was opened only for the emperor. Worshipers enter the mosque through the northern and southern gates. The mosque's courtyard can accommodate 25 thousand people. Qutab Minar is a complex of buildings that began to be built from the moment Muslims settled in India and to this day is a perfectly preserved example of early Afghan architecture. The Qutab Minar, which gives the entire complex its name, is a minaret erected after the Muslim victory over the Hindu kingdom in Delhi in 1193. Not far from the minaret, in the courtyard of the Quwwat al-Islam mosque, there is the so-called Iron Pillar - a column made of very high purity iron, 7 meters high.

IN Panaji There are many places of interest. Like most cities in Goa, the center of Panaji is the square with the church. The beautiful staircase with a white balustrade in front of the Church of the Immaculate Conception seems to increase the proportions of the Baroque façade that dominates the square. The church was built in 1541, and initially served as a “lighthouse” for sailors arriving after a long voyage from Lisbon. Other architectural monuments of Panaji include the Largo da Igreja architectural ensemble, the Chapel of St. Sebastian and the Secretariat building. Panaji is also famous for the statue of Abbot Faria, which has already become a symbol of the city. This famous hypnotist, made famous by Alexandre Dumas's novel The Count of Monte Cristo, was born in Candolim in 1756, emigrated to France in his youth, was a professor at the University of Marseille and ended his days at the Château d'If.

Modern Bombay has preserved numerous traces of the past, in particular its architecture is very diverse. Along with ancient Victorian-style mansions, buildings of the most modern trends and styles can be found here. The southern part of the city is built up with spectacular high-rise buildings - offices of the largest companies, luxury hotels, and residential buildings. This part of the city is sometimes called "Indian Manhattan". On the Malabar Hill is the building of the former residence of British government offices - Raj Bhavan. The very top of the hill is a huge water reservoir, built to supply water to the entire southern Bombay. On the roof of this reservoir, the so-called “hanging gardens” are built on bulk soil, which are officially called “Gardens named after. Ferozshah Mehta" - one of the leaders of the national liberation movement. The bushes in these gardens are trimmed in the shape of various animals. Directly opposite the “hanging gardens” there is a very popular “culture and recreation park” in Bombay. Kamala Nehru. Next to the “hanging gardens”, being well covered by the dense foliage of numerous trees, there are the so-called “towers of silence”, belonging to the Parsis (immigrants from Persia) - followers of the Zoroastrianism religion. These “towers of silence” were built to perform the Parsi burial rite. At almost the very foot of the Malabar Hill on the side opposite Chowpatty, there is the famous Hindu temple of Mahalakshmi, dedicated to the goddess of wealth and prosperity. Bombay's attractions also include the Muslim Haji Ali Mosque, the Planetarium. Nehru Zoo, a museum telling the history of Bombay, the Prince of Wales Museum, Bombay University, topped by a clock tower vaguely reminiscent of Big Ben in London, the old City Hall - now home to the Asiatic Society with its extensive library, the old Mint building, Taraporewala Aquarium, Kanheri Caves in the National Park.

Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan, home to the Rajput group of warrior clans who controlled this part of India for more than 1,000 years. Jaipur owes its name to its founder, the great warrior and astronomer Maharaja Jai ​​Singh II (1693-1743). The city and the fort were built in accordance with the canons of ancient Indian architecture, which included the rectangular arrangement of the blocks. Jaipur is also called the “pink city” because of the color of most of the buildings in the old city. The fort-palace of Amber is located 11 km north of Jaipur. Behind the stern and austere facade lies a heavenly interior in which the Mughal and Hindu styles are combined in their highest embodiment.

Resorts

State Goa located in southeast India. This small piece of land consists almost entirely of beaches unspoiled by civilization. 40 beaches stretch for more than 100 km along the coast of the Arabian Sea. Not all are equipped for swimming. Goa is divided into North and South parts. Fort Aguada is considered the border. The southern beaches are sandy, clean, and designed (like hotels) for wealthy vacationers. The sea is warm and calm. Poor tourists - students, hippies, musicians - prefer to stay in the north. The beaches host 24-hour discos, a lot of shops, eateries, and noisy bazaars. All beaches are municipal, but those sections of the beach that are assigned to specific hotels are protected. Use of beaches and equipment is free. Tiracol- the northernmost beach of Goa and, most likely, the wildest and untouched by civilization. Anjuna- the most photographed beach in Goa. This means that you will not find privacy here. Exotic lovers come here from everywhere. Night raves are also held here during the full moon. You should be wary of petty thieves and drug dealers. A gorgeous sandy beach lying under the walls of an ancient Portuguese fort Aguada, opens a strip of beaches in South Goa. Luxury hotels and the Taj tourist village are available for vacationers. The beach is clean, well maintained and well equipped.

State Kerala might not be called the most popular, since there are a lot of swamps, but the entire 900-kilometer coast of the state consists of sandy beaches, rocky promenades and lush growth of coconut palms. So tourists, no matter what, come here again and again. Kerala is the most idyllic Indian state and is also called God's Personal Country. Mesmerizing waterfalls, dense tropical jungles, exotic animals, ancient monuments, festivals and national holidays - all this creates a special flavor. Kerala is also the most socially developed state, with the lowest infant mortality rate, the cleanest and the most peaceful.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands is a unique island state of India. There are not many resorts here, although the beaches surround the islands almost entirely. The excellent climate, rich vegetation and privacy attract lovers of a quiet, “eco-friendly” holiday away from the crowds and city noise. In addition, this is a closed area, the territory of national reserves, to visit which you need to obtain a separate permit. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are actually an entire archipelago of 572 small islands with a total area of ​​8249 sq. km. Only 36 of them are inhabited. The islands separate the Bay of Bengal from the Andaman Sea. Climate - tropical, minimum temperature +23 C, maximum +31 C. humidity - 70-90%. The best time to visit is October-May. From May to mid-September, and from November to mid-December is the rainy season. At the end of summer, severe storms are common, causing serious damage.

Port Blair- state capital. Here is the main diving center, a water entertainment complex, a fishing club, snookering and trekking centers, the Anthropological Museum, the Forest Museum, the Maritime Museum and the historical Cellular Prison building, now turned into a National Memorial.

State Andhra Pradesh called Kohinoor of India. Some of the country's most picturesque beaches are located here. The coastline stretches for almost 1000 kilometers along the Bay of Bengal. The beaches are clean, sandy, and not too crowded.