Explore map of India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the 2nd most populous country, the 7th largest country by land area, and the most populous democracy in the world.
States and Union Territories of India
States of India
S.N.
State Name
Capital Name
1
Andhra Pradesh
Amaravati
2
Arunachal Pradesh
Itanagar
3
Assam
Dispur
4
Bihar
Patna
5
Chhattisgarh
Raipur
6
Goa
Panaji
7
Gujarat
Gandhinagar
8
Haryana
Chandigarh
9
Himachal Pradesh
Dharamshala (Winter), Shimla (Summer)
10
Jharkhand
Ranchi
11
Karnataka
Bengaluru
12
Kerala
Thiruvananthapuram
13
Madhya Pradesh
Bhopal
14
Maharashtra
Nagpur (Winter), Mumbai (Summer)
15
Manipur
Imphal
16
Meghalaya
Shillong
17
Mizoram
Aizawl
18
Nagaland
Kohima
19
Odisha
Bhubaneswar
20
Punjab
Chandigarh
21
Rajasthan
Jaipur
22
Sikkim
Gangtok
23
Tamil Nadu
Chennai
24
Telangana
Hyderabad
25
Tripura
Agartala
26
Uttar Pradesh
Lucknow
27
Uttarakhand
Dehradun (Winter), Bhararisain (Summer)
28
West Bengal
Kolkata
Union Territories of India
S.N.
UT Name
Capital Name
1
Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Sri Vijaya Puram
2
Chandigarh
Chandigarh
3
Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu
Daman
4
Delhi
New Delhi
5
Jammu and Kashmir
Jammu (Winter), Srinagar (Summer)
6
Ladakh
Kargil (Winter), Leh (Summer)
7
Lakshadweep
Kavaratti
8
Puducherry
Pondicherry
About India
By 2024 India ranks among the most dynamic and fast expanding country in the world. Still the most populous nation, with a population of almost 1.42 billion, it ranks above China. Following a parliamentary style of administration wherein the Prime Minister heads of government and the President heads of state, India is the biggest democracy in the world. Positioning itself as a major actor in world events, the country has witnessed notable progress in several areas, including technology, infrastructure, healthcare, and global diplomacy.
With a GDP of around $3.9 trillion, the Indian economy is the fifth-largest nominal value economy and the third-largest by purchasing power parity (PPP). It is also still expanding at an amazing pace. Strong services, industrial production, and agricultural output underpin the nation's economic expansion. With cities like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune acting as worldwide technological centers, information technology, drugs, cars, and manufacturing continue to be primary drivers of economic development. With top exports like rice, wheat, and spices, the over 40% of the workers in the agricultural sector is still essential for India's economy. Government programs like Make in India and Startup India keep motivating entrepreneurship and drawing foreign direct investment (FDI), hence improving the state of the country's economy.
Thanks in large part to major expenditures in highways, railroads, and metropolitan transport systems, India's infrastructure has undergone notable development recently. Comprising more than 6.2 million kilometers, the nation has the second-largest road system in the world. Urban mobility has been enhanced by metro rail network development in major cities such Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Bengaluru. The aviation industry has also grown; among the busiest airports worldwide are Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai. India is also developing in renewable energy; its dedication to lowering carbon emissions and solar and wind power plants help much to produce its electricity.
With more than 2,000 ethnic groups and more than 1,600 languages spoken, India still is one of the most varied countries culturally. Official languages are Hindi and English; regional languages are also significant in everyday communication even though India's festivals, food, music, and ancient art forms all mirror her cultural legacy. Celebrated all throughout the nation, major holidays like Diwali, Holi, Eid, Christmas, and Navratri emphasize the religious and cultural diversity of this nation. With around 1,500 films produced yearly and worldwide audiences reached, the Indian film sector—especially Bollywood—remains a global entertainment powerhouse.
With colleges like the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), and All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) internationally known for excellence in engineering, management, and medical research, India's educational scene has also experienced notable developments. With continuous efforts to expand access to excellent education via government programs such the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes on skill development, digital learning, and vocational education, the literacy rate has improved to almost 78%.
Particularly in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology areas, Indian healthcare has achieved significant advancement. Providing for worldwide markets, the nation is among the top manufacturers of vaccines and generic drugs. Medical tourism has also exploded; India is now a top choice for reasonably priced, first-rate medical treatment. Initiated by the government, the Ayushman Bharat program has given millions of people access to healthcare, hence lowering medical costs for low-income groups.
Among the most famous sites in the world, India has the Taj Mahal, Qutub Minar, palaces of Jaipur, backwaters of Kerala, and Himalayan range. Its geographical variation covers the Western Ghats, the Thar Desert in Rajasthan, the rich Indo-Gangetic plains, and the highest Himalayan ranges. With about 100 national parks and more than 550 wildlife sanctuaries safeguarding species such Bengal tigers, Asiatic lions, and Indian elephants, the nation also boasts great biodiversity.
Globally, India is very important for diplomacy, commerce, and efforts on climate change. India actively contributes to world policy-making and economic cooperation as a member of the United Nations, BRICS, G20, and the Quad alliance. Focusing on trade, military, and technological cooperation, its interactions with big world powers such the United States, China, and Russia are always changing. Among the major accomplishments of India's space agency, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), is its successful Chandrayaan-3 mission to the Moon and its involvement in worldwide satellite launches and deep-space research.
India has problems including wealth disparity, urban congestion, environmental degradation, and infrastructure deficiencies notwithstanding its explosive development. Nonetheless, government projects aiming at addressing these problems and promoting long-term social and economic growth include Digital India, Smart Cities Mission, and sustainable energy programs. India is positioned to lead in determining the future of global economies, scientific discoveries, and international diplomacy given a young workforce, growing technology innovation, and strong worldwide alliances.
History
From ancient times, India has a rich and complex past that shapes its political, social, and cultural scene. India's history is split into numerous separate eras distinguished by major events, monarchs, and social changes.
Ancient and Prehistoric India Before 1500 BCE
With certain artifacts discovered in the area going back 500,000 years, archeological evidence points to human occupancy in India at least 75,000 years. Rising in what is now Pakistan and northwest India, the Indus Valley Civilization (c. 3300–1300 BCE) was the first known civilization in India. Highly developed with urban planning, drainage systems, and commerce networks, Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro were cities Most likely from environmental changes and resource depletion, this civilization finally fell around 1300 BCE.
Vedic Period, spanning c. 1500–500 BCE
Starting with Indo-Aryan migration into the Indian subcontinent in 1500 BCE, the Vedic era Comprising the earliest revered Hindu scriptures, the Vedas were written in this age. Originally mostly pastoral, society eventually moved into towns centered on agriculture. Emerging at this time, the caste system split society into four primary variances: Brahmins (priests), Kshatriyas (warriors), Vaishyas (traders), and Shudras (laborers). Small kingdoms and early forms of government emerged throughout the Vedic period.
Mahajanapadas, Buddhism's and Jainism's rise (c. 600–321 BCE)
Sixteen strong kingdoms, sometimes known as Mahajanapadas, ruled northern India by the sixth century BCE. Founded by Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) and Mahavira respectively, Buddhism and Jainism first arose at this time. Both faiths pushed austerity, nonviolence, and spiritual enlightenment while subverting the power of the Vedic Brahmins. Large-scale urbanization occurred during this period, and commerce grew all throughout the subcontinent.
Empire of Maurya (321–185 BCE)
Establishing the Mauryan Empire in 321 BCE, Chandragupta Maurya brought a great swath of India under consolidated control. Following the Kalinga War, his grandson Ashoka (r. 268–232 BCE) enlarged the empire much further and subsequently adopted Buddhism. Emphasizing moral government, nonviolence, and religious tolerance, Ashoka's edicts were etched into granite towers. After Ashoka died, the Mauryan Empire fell apart politically.
Gupta Empire: c. 319–550 CE
Founded by Chandragupta I, the Gupta Empire epitomized Indian history's finest period. Science, math, literature, and art all made notable progress during this time. Renowned mathematician Aryabhata made advancements to astronomy and first proposed zero. Notable examples of Gupta-era art include the Ajanta and Ellora caves, with rich frescoes Hinduism flourished, and Sanskrit books—including the epics Mahabharata and Ramayana—became well-known. Huns' invasions and internal strife caused the empire to collapse.
Early Medieval Period, 600–1200 CE
India's regional kingdoms—including the Chalukyas, Pallavas, and Cholas in the south and the Rajputs in the north—rose after the collapse of the Gupta Empire The Chola dynasty dominated a vast portion of Southeast Asia and increased maritime commerce Arab invasions of Sindh marked the start of Islamic conquests in the eighth century; major Islamic dominance only came about with the Ghaznavid and Ghurid invasions in the 11th and 12th centuries.
Delhi Sultanate (1206-1526 CE)
Islamic control in India began with the founding of the Delhi Sultanate. Over this era five dynasties—Mamluks, Khaljis, Tughlaqs, Sayyids, and Lodis—ruled. Under Alauddin Khalji, the Khalji dynasty fought back Mongol invasions and developed the realm. Ambitious but ultimately unsuccessful endeavors to consolidate government were undertaken by the Tughlaq dynasty. Indo-Islamic culture, architecture, and government sprang from the Delhi Sultanate.
Emperor Mughal (1526–1857 CE)
Founded the Mughal Empire in 1526 after his victory over the Lodi Sultanate at the Battle of Panipat, Babur, descended from Timur and Genghis Khan, Expanding the empire and putting principles of religious tolerance, central government, and land revenue reforms into effect, his grandson Akbar (r. 1556–1605) While Aurangzeb (r. 1658–1707) pushed Mughal control to its greatest geographical extent but encountered growing opposition, Shah Jahan (r. 1628–1658) commissioned the Taj Mahal. Internal turmoil, Maratha opposition, and European colonial incursion brought the empire down.
British Colonial Control (1858–1947)
The British Raj began with direct British Crown rule of India after the Indian Rebellion of 1857. British businesses were rewarded by economic measures meant at the cost of Indian farmers and artists. Though they mostly served colonial interests, infrastructure projects like telegraph lines and railroads were created. Leading political movements for freedom were the All India Muslim League (formed in 1906) and the Indian National Congress (started in 1885). Along with the division forming Pakistan, Mahatma Gandhi's nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience activities resulted in India's independence on August 15, 1947.
India after Independence (1947–Present)
India established a democratic constitution in 1950 after her independence. During the Cold War, first Prime Minister Jawahralal Nehru followed industrialization, secularism, and non-alignment policies. Along with internal strife and economic difficulties, the nation engaged in many wars with China and Pakistan. While economic liberalization in 1991 sped development, the Green Revolution in the 1960s raised agricultural output. With a GDP more than $3.7 trillion as of 2024, India is now the largest populous democracy in the world, a nuclear state, and a major actor in international technology and industry.
Cultural variety, resilience, and ongoing change define India's past. From prehistoric societies to current economic developments, the history of the nation still shapes its present and future.
