Incredible India: A Basic General Knowledge About India

Introduction

India, the world's largest democracy and the seventh-largest country by land area, has a rich history, diverse culture, and rapid economic growth. General knowledge about India is essential for students, competitive exam aspirants, and curious minds. This article covers key facts from standard GK books.

1. Geography of India

• India covers 3.28 million square kilometers, making it the 7th largest country in the world.
• It shares borders with Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar.
• The Himalayas, the world's highest mountain range, forms the northern boundary.
• The Ganges, Yamuna, Brahmaputra, and Godavari are some of India's major rivers.
• The Thar Desert lies in Rajasthan, while the Western and Eastern Ghats cover the coastal regions.

2. History of India

• The Indus Valley Civilization (2500–1900 BCE) was one of the world's oldest urban cultures.
• Major dynasties include the Maurya (Chandragupta Maurya, Ashoka), Gupta (Golden Age), Mughal (Akbar, Shah Jahan).
• India was ruled by the British for nearly 200 years before gaining independence on August 15, 1947.

3. Indian Constitution & Politics

• India is a sovereign, socialist, secular, and democratic republic.
• The Constitution of India came into effect on January 26, 1950.
• It has three branches: Executive (President, Prime Minister), Legislature (Parliament), Judiciary (Supreme Court).
• India follows a bicameral legislature with Lok Sabha (lower house) and Rajya Sabha (upper house).

4. Economy of India

• India is the 5th largest economy in the world by GDP.
• The main sectors are agriculture, industry, and services.
• The Rupee (₹) is the official currency, and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) regulates monetary policies.
• Major industries include IT, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and automobiles.

5. Science & Technology

• India has a strong space program led by ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation).
• The Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan missions placed India among elite space-exploring nations.
• The country has made significant progress in nuclear energy, medicine, and artificial intelligence.

6. Indian Culture & Heritage

• India is known for its diverse languages, traditions, festivals, and cuisines.
• Hindi is the most spoken language, but 22 languages are officially recognized.
• Major religions like Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, and Jainism coexist.
• Classical dance forms include Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Odissi, while Bollywood is the world's largest film industry.

7. Important National Symbols

• National Flag: Tricolor (Tiranga) with saffron, white, green, and Ashoka Chakra.
• National Animal: Royal Bengal Tiger.
• National Bird: Peacock.
• National Flower: Lotus.
• National Anthem: "Jana Gana Mana" by Rabindranath Tagore.
• National Song: "Vande Mataram" by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.

8. Famous Monuments & Places

• Taj Mahal (Agra) – One of the Seven Wonders of the World.
• Red Fort (Delhi) – A symbol of India's independence.
• Gateway of India (Mumbai) – A historic landmark.
• Qutub Minar (Delhi) – The tallest brick minaret in the world.
• Ajanta & Ellora Caves (Maharashtra) – Ancient rock-cut Buddhist caves.