Photo: Contiki
Old and new, colour and chaos, buzzing cities and tranquil mountain ranges. Whether you’re a history buff, a nature lover, or just a curious curry-lover, India’s packed with surprises at every corner. So, let’s dive into all the amazing facts about India that’ll make you wanna visit this oh-so-intriguing country.
1. Chess was invented in India (and so was shampoo!)
India has been home to many inventions. Both extraordinary (like yoga, and the number zero) and mundane (like buttons, apparently?). Turns out, India was also the home of OG gamers who invented classics like Chess, Snakes & Ladders and Ludo.
2. India has the largest vegetarian population in the world
This probably isn’t the most surprising fact about India seeing as there are 1.4 billion people in India. And about 39% of them are vegetarian. In case it wasn’t obvious, that’s a LOOOT of people who only eat plants. But that also means that there are loads of vegetarian Indian foods for all the veggie-lovers in the world.
3. Varanasi in India is one of the oldest inhabited places on Earth
Varanasi isn’t just old – it’s ancient. Dating back to around the 11th century BC, it’s been continuously inhabited for over 3,000 years. Nothing like a stroll along the Ghats, witnessing the mesmerising Ganga Aarti ceremonies and soaking up the energy of a place that has seen the rise and fall of empires – like on our Delhi to Kathmandu trip!
Image source:Pratish Srivastava / unsplash
4. India is the second largest English speaking country
With over 125 million people speaking English, India ranks second only to the US. From casual conversations to business meetings, English is everywhere. Plus, with so many languages spoken across the country (there are 22 official ones!), English has actually become the language that ties together this linguistic masterpiece.
5. India is one of the world’s 12 megadiverse countries
Wanna go on a safari in India? Why wouldn’t you? India is home to around 10% of the world’s species. That’s 92,873 species of flora and fauna, and this great biodiversity makes it one of the very few megadiverse countries in the world. Also, another fun fact about India – it’s the only country where you can see both Bengal tigers AND lions (not in the same area though, of course) Seriously, what are you waiting for? Get on that safari like we do on our Eternal India trip!
Image source:Upasana Saigal / unsplash
6. India’s Mars mission was cheaper than the budget for the film Gravity
Yeah, you read that right. India’s space agency ISRO, sent their spacecraft ‘Mangalyaan’ to Mars for $74 million. And the budget of the film Gravity? $100 million. Talk about going to space on a shoestring budget! Aren’t these amazing facts about India just…out of this world.
7. Floating post office? India’s got one
India is home to the only floating post office in the world! Located on Dal Lake in Kashmir, this post office sits on a houseboat. It serves the community while also being a tourist attraction.
8. India used to be one of the richest countries in the world
According to many historical records, India was one of the richest countries in the world between the 1st and 17th centuries AD (contributing around 27% to the world’s total GDP!) with a thriving art, textile, agriculture and handicraft industry. It unfortunately dropped to 3% by the time British rule ended in India in 1947.
9. The world’s highest motorable road is in India
Here’s an unexpected fun fact about India. It is home to the 2nd largest road network in the world. And one such road happens to be the Umling La Pass in Ladakh, soaring at 19,024 feet. That’s an altitude above the Everest base camp! It’s a popular spot for adrenaline-chasers and motorbiking lovers.
Image source:Manasi Gadgil
10. India is the world’s largest film producer
If you’ve heard anything about India, you’ve definitely heard of Bollywood. This booming film industry based in Mumbai produces about 1100-1500 films each year (that’s double of what Hollywood does), and also sells more tickets than any other film industry!
