Geography and Politics of India

Location: South Asia, bordered by Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar.
Area: Approximately 3.287 million square kilometers, the seventh-largest country.
Landforms:
- Himalayas: Northern border, includes some of the world's highest peaks.
- Indo-Gangetic Plain: Fertile region between the Himalayas and the Deccan Plateau.
- Deccan Plateau: Large plateau in south-central India.
- Western and Eastern Ghats: Mountain ranges along the western and eastern coasts.
- Thar Desert: Arid region in the northwest.
Rivers: Major rivers include the Ganges, Yamuna, Brahmaputra, and Indus.
Climate: Varied, ranging from tropical in the south to temperate in the north; influenced by monsoons.

Type: Federal parliamentary democratic republic.
Constitution: Adopted in 1950; the longest written constitution in the world.
Branches of Government:
- Executive: President (head of state), Prime Minister (head of government).
- Legislative: Bicameral Parliament (Lok Sabha – House of the People, Rajya Sabha – Council of States).
- Judiciary: Independent system, with the Supreme Court at the apex.
States and Union Territories: 28 states and 8 Union territories.
Political Parties: Major parties include the Indian National Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Ancient India:
- Indus Valley Civilization (c. 2500 BCE) - advanced urban culture.
- Vedic Period (c. 1500-500 BCE) - foundation of Hinduism and social structure.
Medieval India:
- Rise of empires like the Maurya, Gupta, and Mughal Empires.
- Cultural flourishing in arts, architecture, and literature.
Colonial Period:
- British East India Company established control in the 18th century.
- Indian Rebellion of 1857 marked a significant uprising against British rule.
- Independence movement led by figures like Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru.
Independence: Achieved on August 15, 1947, leading to partition and the creation of Pakistan.

Languages: Constitution recognizes 22 scheduled languages; Hindi and English are the official languages.
Religions: Major religions include Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, and Jainism.
Festivals: Diwali, Eid, Christmas, Holi, and many regional festivals reflecting diverse traditions.
Arts: Rich heritage in music (classical and folk), dance forms (Bharatanatyam, Kathak), and visual arts.
Cuisine: Diverse regional cuisines with an emphasis on spices; notable for vegetarian and meat dishes.

Flag: Tricolor of saffron, white, and green with a blue Ashoka Chakra in the center.
Emblem: State Emblem of India features the Lion Capital of Ashoka.
National Anthem: "Jana Gana Mana" composed by Rabindranath Tagore.
National Song: "Vande Mataram" from the novel Anandamath by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee.
National Animal: Bengal Tiger.
National Bird: Indian Peafowl (Peacock).
National Flower: Lotus.
National Tree: Banyan Tree.

Located in South Asia, bordered by Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar.
Covers an area of approximately 3.287 million square kilometers, making it the seventh-largest country in the world.
Himalayas: Forms the northern border, featuring some of the highest peaks globally.
Indo-Gangetic Plain: A fertile agricultural region situated between the Himalayas and the Deccan Plateau.
Deccan Plateau: A significant geological feature located in south-central India.
Ghats: The Western and Eastern Ghats are mountain ranges along India's west and east coasts, respectively.
Thar Desert: An arid region located in the northwestern part of India.
Major rivers include the Ganges, Yamuna, Brahmaputra, and Indus, which are crucial for agriculture and culture.
The climate varies widely, from tropical in the southern regions to temperate in the northern areas and is significantly influenced by monsoons.

India operates as a federal parliamentary democratic republic.
The constitution, adopted in 1950, is the longest written constitution worldwide.
Branches of Government:
- Executive: Comprises the President as head of state and the Prime Minister as head of government.
- Legislative: Features a bicameral Parliament consisting of Lok Sabha (House of the People) and Rajya Sabha (Council of States).
- Judiciary: An independent judiciary, with the Supreme Court being the highest legal authority.
Comprises 28 states and 8 Union Territories, each with varying degrees of autonomy.
Major political parties include the Indian National Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Ancient India:
- The Indus Valley Civilization (c. 2500 BCE) is known for its advanced urban culture.
- The Vedic Period (c. 1500-500 BCE) marks the foundation of Hinduism and its social structures.
Medieval India:
- The Maurya, Gupta, and Mughal empires emerged, contributing to cultural advancements in arts and literature.
Colonial Period:
- The British East India Company gained control in the 18th century leading to significant changes in governance and society.
- The Indian Rebellion of 1857 symbolized considerable resistance against British rule.
- The independence movement was significantly driven by leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru.
Independence: Achieved on August 15, 1947, culminating in the partition and establishment of Pakistan.

Languages: The constitution recognizes 22 scheduled languages; Hindi and English are the official languages.
Religions: India’s religious landscape includes Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, and Jainism.
Festivals: Major celebrations include Diwali, Eid, Christmas, and Holi, reflecting the nation’s cultural plurality.
Arts: Rich tradition in various forms of music (both classical and folk), dance (e.g., Bharatanatyam, Kathak), and visual arts.
Cuisine: India showcases a diverse culinary scene with a strong emphasis on spices, known for both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes.

Flag: Features tricolor bands of saffron, white, and green, with a blue Ashoka Chakra at its center.
Emblem: The State Emblem of India displays the Lion Capital of Ashoka.
National Anthem: "Jana Gana Mana," composed by Rabindranath Tagore.
National Song: "Vande Mataram," taken from Bankim Chandra Chatterjee's novel Anandamath.
National Animal: The Bengal Tiger represents India's wildlife.
National Bird: The Indian Peafowl, known for its colorful plumage.
National Flower: The Lotus symbolizes purity and beauty.
National Tree: The Banyan Tree is recognized for its extensive canopy and longevity.