India: Geography, History, Economy, Culture, and Government

Study Notes

Geography and Climate

Located in South Asia, bordered by Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar
Second-most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion people
Diverse geography: Himalayan mountains, Indo-Gangetic Plain, Deccan Plateau, and coastal plains
Climate varies from tropical to subtropical, with four distinct seasons: winter, summer, monsoon, and post-monsoon

History

Ancient Indus Valley Civilization (3300-1300 BCE)
Mauryan Empire (322-185 BCE): first unified Indian empire, founded by Chandragupta Maurya
Gupta Empire (320-550 CE): golden age of Indian culture and science
Islamic rule (712-1756 CE): Delhi Sultanate and Mughal Empire
British colonial rule (1756-1947 CE): Indian independence movement led by Mahatma Gandhi

Economy

Third-largest economy in the world in terms of purchasing power parity (PPP)
Diverse economy: agriculture, manufacturing, services, and IT sector
Major industries: textiles, steel, automobiles, and pharmaceuticals
Large and growing middle class, with increasing consumer spending

Culture

Rich cultural heritage, with diverse languages, religions, and traditions
Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, and Jainism are major religions
Festivals: Diwali, Holi, Navratri, and Eid-al-Fitr
Cuisine: diverse and vibrant, with popular dishes like tandoori chicken, naan bread, and biryani

Government and Politics

Federal republic with a parliamentary system of government
President serves as head of state, while Prime Minister is head of government
Bicameral parliament: Lok Sabha (House of the People) and Rajya Sabha (Council of States)
29 states and 7 union territories, with varying levels of autonomy

Description

Test your knowledge of India, a country with a diverse geography, rich history, and growing economy. From the Himalayan mountains to the Indo-Gangetic Plain, and from the ancient Indus Valley Civilization to the modern Indian economy, this quiz covers it all.