10 Fun Facts About India

 

India Is the Most Vegetarian Country

According to a recent study, the country with the highest proportion of vegetarianism is India, with a staggering 38% of the population identifying as vegetarian. There are a number of reasons why there is such a high rate of vegetarians in the country, and why a large number of people also limit their meat consumption (around 80%!). A significant factor is that all of India’s most widely practiced religions have dietary laws and traditions.

 

The Taj Mahal is Not a Palace…

Thought by many to be a palace, the iconic Taj Mahal, one of the new 7 Wonders of the World, is in fact a mausoleum. Commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife, the Taj Mahal was constructed between 1632 and 1653. The architectural masterpiece is renowned for its symmetrical beauty and exquisite craftsmanship and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. To discover this symbol of love, check out our activities at the Taj Mahal.

 

India is the Tiger Capital of the World

India proudly holds the title of the tiger capital of the world. Incredibly, a whopping 75% of the global tiger population calls home the country. These majestic creatures roam across various landscapes in India, from dense forests to grasslands. The tiger population hit an all-time low in the 1970s, leading to an increased effort to preserve the tiger population. Thanks to the establishment of reserves, anti-poaching measures, and awareness campaigns, the tiger population today is growing by approximately 6% annually.

 

Hinduism is the Oldest Religion on the Planet

India’s largest religion, practiced by nearly 80% of the population is considered by many to be the oldest religious tradition in the world. Incredibly, the religion has roots and customs dating back more than 4,000 years! Hinduism is really a broad, umbrella term which encompasses a wide range of beliefs, practices and philosophies. As such, this fact about India a somewhat controversial one among scholars!

 

Cows have sacred status

Somewhat related to the entry about vegetarianism, many people are aware cows are sacred in India. This comes down to the cow’s importance in some of the nation’s primary religions, principally Hinduism, but also Jainism and Buddhism.

 

India is Home to Some of the World’s Oldest Continuously Inhabited Cities

The oldest of India’s continuously inhabited cities is its spiritual capital of Varanasi, located along the banks of the sacred Ganges River. Incredibly, this North Indian city has a 3000+ year history dating back to at least 1200 BCE.

 

‘Snakes and Ladders’ comes from India

One of the most popular games of all time, not many people know that this household classic emerged from the nation of India, with a history dating back to the 2nd century BC. Some historians place its history even further back to the 13th century BC! The game was used. The ladders represented virtues such as generosity, faith, and humility, while the snakes represented vices such as lust, anger, murder, and theft.

 

Staggering linguistic diversity

Second only to the United States of America, 10% of India’s population (125 million people) are fluent in English, and around 30% of the population can speak English to a certain level.

 

India is the Largest Producer of Films in the World

A lesser-known fact about India is that it is the world’s largest film producer and boasts the second-oldest film industry globally. With an extensive domestic following and a substantial international audience, the impact of Indian cinema is significant and far-reaching. At the forefront of this cinematic landscape is Bollywood in Mumbai—a dynamic and influential component of Indian cinema.

 

Anti-Gravity Hill?

The Magnetic Hill in Ladakh, India, is an intriguing natural wonder that seemingly defies the laws of gravity. Located on the Leh-Kargil-Baltic National Highway, this hill creates an optical illusion making it appear as though vehicles are rolling uphill against gravity when they are actually moving downhill. Still, tourists from around the world flock to the site to witness this phenomenon.