5 Interesting Facts About India : The talented American writer Mark Twain famously said, “India is the cradle of the human race, the birthplace of human speech, the mother of history, the grandmother of legend & the great-grandmother of tradition.”
India, a South Asian country with a population of over 1.4 billion, is the world’s most populous democracy. The country is known for its diverse landscape, plethora of cultures, religions, & rich history. Whether you plan a tour to India or are simply fascinated with this country, these 5 interesting facts about India are sure to leave you wonder-smitten.
Amazing 5 Interesting Facts About India That You Should Know
Below are the most interesting facts about India that many probably don’t know:
1. Varanasi is the oldest and continually inhabited city in the world
One of the oldest cities in the world, Varanasi is still thriving today & is filled with thousands of years of history. It is also known as Benaras or Kashi. Situated near the Ganges River, Varanasi is a revered city in Uttar Pradesh that plays a significant role in Hindu mysticism, poetry, culture, and pilgrimage. “It is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend, & looks twice as old as all of them put together,” as Mark Twain once said.
Varanasi is a picturesque place that holds immense significance among tourists for its cultural significance and the river Ganges. There are over hundred ghats in Varanasi, with stairs leading to the riverfront. Seeing sadhus & priests worshipping or meditating in the morning & evening hours is a common spectacle. However, the Manikarnika Ghat is the most attentiongrabbing due to it’s elaborate crematory rituals.
2. The first country to mine and lead diamond production
Per the records, India has been the only source of diamonds in the world for over 1000 years since the fourth (4th) century BC. This is one of the proudest facts about India. The Krishna Nagar Delta’s alluvial deposits are where the diamonds were extracted. It was not till the Eighteenth (18th) century that diamonds were found in Brazil. Diamonds are still mined in India, despite the country’s decline as the world’s top producer of diamonds since the 1900’s. The most popular regions for industrial-scale diamond mining are Panna in Madhya Pradesh, followed by Golconda in Andhra Pradesh & Mahasamund in Chhattisgarh.
3. Cows have a sacred status
India is presumably the only nation on earth where the humble cow has attained a level of respect and dignity comparable to that of God. The legend says that cows have been a part of important rituals in India since the 4th century BC. The ancient epics have depicted Lord Krishna as a cowherd, and this has a lot to do with him. All products derived from cows, such as milk, curd, ghee, etc., are also valued. There are countless Goshalas or Cow Shelters in India where cows are fed and taken care of.
4. The largest number of vegetarians in the world
This is not well known, according to the list of undiscovered facts about India. The world’s largest vegetarian population resides in India. Religion is the main motivation behind vegetarianism in India, with over 81% of the adult population refraining from eating meat on certain days. Also, a vast majority of the Jain and Buddhist population in India avoid eating meat and follow a plant-based diet.It wouldn’t be shocking to find vegetarian menus at international fast food restaurants like KFC & McDonald’s in India.
5. The popular game ‘Snakes and Ladders’ is India’s contribution to the world
India has been known as home to several board games, especially the classic one Snakes & Ladders. The majority of us have played an odd version of this game without really understanding where it came from. The legend has it that its inception goes back to the early 2nd century BC, when it was known as Mokshapat or Moksha Patamu. Another legend says that this board dice game was invented by Swami Gyandev in the 13th century BC. Kids learned moral lessons from the game, which also highlighted the consequences of Kama (desire) & Karma (destiny). Eventually, the British version of this game was published in 19
