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Essay on India For Students and Children

500+ words essay on india.

India is a great country where people speak different languages but the national language is Hindi. India is full of different castes, creeds, religion, and cultures but they live together. That’s the reasons India is famous for the common saying of “ unity in diversity “. India is the seventh-largest country in the whole world.

Geography and Culture

India has the second-largest population in the world. India is also knowns as Bharat, Hindustan and sometimes Aryavart. It is surrounded by oceans from three sides which are Bay Of Bengal in the east, the Arabian Sea in the west and Indian oceans in the south. Tiger is the national animal of India. Peacock is the national bird of India. Mango is the national fruit of India. “ Jana Gana Mana ” is the national anthem of India . “Vande Mataram” is the national song of India. Hockey is the national sport of India. People of different religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism , Jainism, Sikhism, Islam, Christianity and Judaism lives together from ancient times. India is also rich in monuments, tombs, churches, historical buildings, temples, museums, scenic beauty, wildlife sanctuaries , places of architecture and many more. The great leaders and freedom fighters are from India.

F lag of India

The indian flag has tricolors.

The first color that is uppermost color in the flag which is the saffron color, stands for purity. The second color i.e. the middle color in the flag is the white color and it stands for peace. The third color that is the lowest color in the flag is the green color and it stands for fertility. The white color has an Ashoka Chakra of blue color on it. Ashoka Chakra contains twenty-four spokes which are equally divided. India has 29 states and 7 union territories.

Follow this link to get a Physical and state-wise Map of India

My Favorite States from India are as follows –

Rajasthan itself has a glorious history. It is famous for many brave kings, their deeds, and their art and architecture. It has a sandy track that’s why the nuclear test was held here. Rajasthan is full of desert, mountain range, lakes, dense forest, attractive oases, and temples, etc. Rajasthan is also known as “Land Of Sacrifice”. In Rajasthan, you can see heritage things of all the kings who ruled over there and for that, you can visit Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Chittaurgarh, etc.

Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh is bigger than a foreign (Italy) country and smaller than Oman. It also has tourists attractions for its places. In Madhya Pradesh, you can see temples, lakes, fort, art and architecture, rivers, jungles, and many things. You can visit in Indore, Jabalpur, Ujjain, Bhopal, Gwalior and many cities. Khajuraho, Sanchi Stupa, Pachmarhi, Kanha national park, Mandu, etc. are the places must visit.

Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir are known as heaven on earth . We can also call Jammu and Kashmir as Tourists Paradise. There are many places to visit Jammu and Kashmir because they have an undisturbed landscape, motorable road, beauty, lying on the banks of river Jhelum, harmony, romance, sceneries, temples and many more.

In Jammu and Kashmir, u can enjoy boating, skiing, skating, mountaineering, horse riding, fishing, snowfall, etc. In Jammu and Kashmir, you can see a variety of places such as Srinagar, Vaishnav Devi, Gulmarg, Amarnath, Patnitop, Pahalgam, Sonamarg, Lamayuru, Nubra Valley, Hemis, Sanasar,  Anantnag,  Kargil, Dachigam National Park, Pulwama, Khilanmarg, Dras, Baltal, Bhaderwah, Pangong Lake, Magnetic Hill, Tso Moriri, Khardung La, Aru Valley, Suru Basin,Chadar Trek, Zanskar Valley, Alchi Monastery, Darcha Padum Trek, Kishtwar National Park, Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary, Nyoma, Dha Hanu, Uleytokpo, Yusmarg, Tarsar Marsar Trek and many more.

It is known as the ‘God’s Own Country’, Kerala is a state in India, situated in the southwest region, it is bordered by a number of beaches; covered by hills of Western Ghats and filled with backwaters, it is a tourist destination attracting people by its natural beauty. The most important destinations which you can see in Kerela are the museum, sanctuary, temples, backwaters, and beaches. Munnar, Kovalam, Kumarakom, and Alappad.

India is a great country having different cultures, castes, creed, religions but still, they live together. India is known for its heritage, spices, and of course, for people who live here. That’s the reasons India is famous for the common saying of “unity in diversity”. India is also well known as the land of spirituality , philosophy, science, and technology.

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Essay on India

Here we have shared the Essay on India in detail so you can use it in your exam or assignment of 150, 250, 400, 500, or 1000 words.

You can use this Essay on India in any assignment or project whether you are in school (class 10th or 12th), college, or preparing for answer writing in competitive exams. 

Topics covered in this article.

Essay on India in 150 words

Essay on india in 200-300 words, essay on india in 500-1000 words.

India, a diverse and culturally rich country located in South Asia, is renowned for its vibrant festivals, ancient heritage sites, and diverse landscapes. With a population of over 1.3 billion people, India is a melting pot of religions, languages, and ethnicities. It is a secular nation that upholds democracy and freedom. India has made significant contributions to art, literature, science, and philosophy. Despite challenges, it has achieved progress in various fields, including technology and economic growth. As the world’s largest democracy, India’s cultural richness, traditions, and hospitality attract tourists from around the world. With a young and dynamic workforce, India is emerging as a global player in innovation and entrepreneurship. India’s resilience, cultural heritage, and growing influence continue to captivate the world, making it an important player on the global stage.

India, known as the land of diversity, is a country of rich culture, history, and traditions. It is located in South Asia and is the seventh-largest country by land area. India is renowned for its vibrant festivals, ancient heritage sites, and diverse landscapes, ranging from the majestic Himalayas to the serene backwaters of Kerala.

With a population of over 1.3 billion people, India is a melting pot of different religions, languages, and ethnicities. It is a secular country that upholds the principles of democracy and freedom. India has made significant contributions to art, literature, science, and philosophy throughout history.

Despite its challenges, India has achieved notable progress in various fields, including technology, space exploration, and economic growth. It is the world’s largest democracy and has a parliamentary system of government. India’s cultural richness, traditions, and hospitality attract millions of tourists from around the world each year.

In recent years, India has emerged as a global player, contributing to the world economy, science, and technology. It is home to a young and dynamic workforce that is driving innovation and entrepreneurship.

In conclusion, India is a country that embraces diversity, celebrates its rich cultural heritage, and strives for progress. With its vast landscapes, ancient history, and vibrant culture, India continues to captivate the world. The resilience and spirit of its people, coupled with its growing influence, make India a significant player on the global stage.

Title: India – A Tapestry of Diversity, Heritage, and Progress

Introduction :

India, a nation located in South Asia, is a land of rich cultural heritage, diverse traditions, and breathtaking landscapes. With a population of over 1.3 billion people, India is known for its vibrant festivals, ancient history, and varied cuisines. This essay explores the multifaceted aspects of India, including its rich cultural tapestry, historical significance, economic growth, and contributions to the world. From the majestic Himalayas in the north to the serene backwaters of Kerala in the south, India’s beauty and diversity captivate the hearts of millions. Let us embark on a journey through the vibrant and enchanting land of India.

Cultural Heritage

India’s cultural heritage is as vast and diverse as its geographical expanse. It is a melting pot of religions, languages, and customs. The country is home to numerous religions, including Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, and Jainism. Each religion has its own unique rituals, traditions, and festivals, contributing to the colorful tapestry of Indian culture. Festivals like Diwali, Eid, Holi, Christmas, and Durga Puja are celebrated with great enthusiasm and are a reflection of India’s religious diversity.

Historical Significance

India boasts a rich history that spans thousands of years. It has been the birthplace of several ancient civilizations, including the Indus Valley Civilization and the Maurya and Gupta Empires. The country has been the center of learning and trade for centuries, attracting scholars, explorers, and traders from around the world. The Mughal Empire, known for its architectural marvels like the Taj Mahal, left a lasting legacy on India’s history. The British colonial rule in India and the subsequent struggle for independence led by Mahatma Gandhi shaped the modern history of the nation.

Economic Growth

India has experienced significant economic growth in recent years. It is one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies and has become a prominent player on the global stage. The country has embraced economic liberalization, attracting foreign investments and fostering entrepreneurship. India’s information technology industry, pharmaceutical sector, and service industries have flourished, contributing to its economic prosperity. However, challenges such as poverty, income inequality, and unemployment persist, highlighting the need for inclusive growth and sustainable development.

Contributions to the World

India has made remarkable contributions to various fields, including science, literature, arts, and spirituality. Ancient Indian scholars made significant advancements in mathematics, astronomy, and medicine. Indian literature, such as the Vedas, Ramayana, and Mahabharata, continues to inspire and influence people worldwide. Indian art forms like classical music, dance, and cinema have gained international recognition for their richness and beauty. Spiritual traditions like yoga and meditation have transcended borders, offering tools for holistic well-being.

Unity in Diversity

India’s strength lies in its unity amidst diversity. Despite its linguistic, religious, and cultural differences, the people of India have come together as a nation. The Constitution of India, adopted in 1950, upholds the principles of democracy, secularism, and unity. The diverse fabric of Indian society is reflected in its official languages, Hindi and English, and the recognition of regional languages. India’s unity in diversity is celebrated through cultural exchange, interfaith dialogue, and the promotion of national integration.

Future Challenges and Opportunities

India faces a range of challenges, including poverty, environmental degradation, healthcare disparities, and social inequality. Addressing these challenges requires concerted efforts in education, healthcare, sustainable development, and social welfare. However, India also presents immense opportunities for progress. With a young and dynamic workforce, a vibrant entrepreneurial spirit, and a growing middle class, India has the potential to achieve inclusive growth, technological advancements, and social transformation.

Conclusion :

India, with its diverse cultures, historical significance, economic growth, and contributions to the world, stands as a shining example of unity in diversity. The nation’s cultural heritage, ancient history, and rapid development reflect its resilience and potential. As India continues its journey toward progress and prosperity, it must embrace sustainable development, address societal challenges, and build an inclusive and equitable society. India’s beauty, traditions, and people leave an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of those who explore its captivating tapestry.

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• India Essay

Essay on India

India is the largest democratic country. It is a big country divided into 29 states and 7 union territories. These states and union territories have been created so that the government can run the country more easily. India also has many different kinds of physical features in different parts of the country that are spread over its states and union territories. India is a very diverse country as well, which means that the people around the country are different in many ways. Even though India is such a diverse place, it is united as one country. 

Political Divisions

India is the seventh-largest country and has the second-largest population in the world. Here is the map of India showing 29 states and 7 union territories. These political divisions are made so that the government can run the country more easily. Though we live in different states, everyone is an Indian first.

[Image will be uploaded soon]

Physical Features

The Indian subcontinent has many different physical features shared with its neighbours that are also in the subcontinent – Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh. The physical features of India form six different natural regions. 

The Northern Mountains

The Northern Plains

The Great Indian Desert

The Southern Plateau

The Coastal Plains

The Island Regions

The Northern Mountains: These are the Himalayas, the highest mountain range in the world. They form a natural boundary between India and a large part of Asia. Two neighbouring countries, Nepal and Bhutan are situated in these mountains. 

The Northern Plains: They are located to the south of the Himalayas. They extend into Pakistan in the west. Bangladesh is situated on the eastern part of the plains. 

The Great Indian Desert: The western part of India is a desert with less rainfall. This desert is called the Thar Desert. 

The Southern Plateau: This plateau region lies to the south of the Great Northern Plains and is called the Deccan Plateau. The Vindhya and Satpura ranges in the north, the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats surround the Deccan Plateau. 

The Coastal Plains: The Eastern coastal plain lies between the Bay of Bengal and the Eastern Ghats. The western coastal plain lies between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats.

The Island Regions: The island regions of India are two archipelagos on either side of Peninsula India. The Lakshadweep Islands are in the Arabian Sea and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are in the Bay of Bengal. 

The Rivers of India

The Indian subcontinent has many rivers. Some important rivers are the Indus, Ganga, Yamuna, Brahmaputra, Sutlej, the Narmada and Tapi rivers. 

These physical features and rivers link the people of India.

National Symbols

The National Flag of India is in the tricolour of deep saffron at the top, white in the middle and dark green at the bottom in equal proportions. The saffron stands for courage, sacrifice and the spirit of renunciation, the white for purity and the truth and the green for faith and fertility. In the centre of the white band, there is a wheel of law in the Sarnath Lion Capital.

The National Emblem of India is a replica of the Lion of Sarnath and symbolizes India’s reaffirmation of its ancient commitment to world peace and goodwill. 

The National Anthem of India is Jana Gana Mana and the National song is Vande Mataram.

The National Animal of India is Tiger, which symbolizes grace, strength and power.

The National Bird of India is Peacock, which symbolizes beauty, majesty and pride. 

The National Flower of India is Lotus, which symbolizes purity, wealth, richness, knowledge and serenity.

The National Tree of India is the Great Banyan Tree and because of its characteristics and longevity, the tree is considered immortal and sacred. It is an integral part of the myths and legends in India.

The National Fruit is Mango and it is the most cultivated fruit of the tropical world. 

Indian food is diverse. The geography of a region influences the food that people eat. The staple food of people is what grows in their regions. In North India, the staple food is Wheat. In East and South India, the staple food is Rice. In West India, the staple food is Millet. Daals are eaten in almost the entire country and prepared in different ways. 

Indians speak different languages. The Constitution of India mentions 22 languages. However, India has around 800 languages. Hindi is the official language of India. 

India is a country of many different religions and each has different festivals. Some important festivals are Baisakhi, Diwali, Eid, Ganesh Chaturthi, Dussehra and Christmas. 

Unity in Diversity

The people of India, their foods, festivals and languages – all these make India a very diverse country. However, there are also things that unite the people of India:

The National symbols like the Indian flag and the National Anthem.

The Constitution of India, which was written in the early years of our Independence. It unites the Indians because it has rules and laws that are the same for all people. 

The Constitution says that all Indians are equal in the eyes of the law.

All Indians who are over the age of 18 and have registered as voters can vote in elections.

FAQs on India Essay

Q1. Describe the National Flag of India.

Ans. The National Flag of India is in the tricolour of deep saffron at the top, white in the middle and dark green at the bottom in equal proportions. The saffron stands for courage, sacrifice and the spirit of renunciation, the white, for purity and the truth and the green for faith and fertility. In the centre of the white band, there is a wheel of law in the Sarnath Lion Capital.

Q2. What is the population of India?

Ans. The population of India is 1 billion 325 million. India has the second-largest population in the world.

Q3. What are the important Festivals Celebrated in India?

Ans. Some of the important festivals celebrated in India are Diwali, Dussehra, Eid and Christmas.

Q4. Why is India called the largest Democratic Country?

Ans. India is the largest democratic country because the citizens of India have the right to elect their representatives who form and run the government.

India is part of the continent of Asia. Most of India forms a peninsula, which means it is surrounded by water on three sides.

India is part of the continent of Asia. Most of India forms a peninsula, which means it is surrounded by water on three sides. The world's highest mountain range, the Himalaya, rises in the north. The southeast is bordered by the Bay of Bengal, and the southwest is bordered by the Arabian Sea.

India's terrain varies widely, from the Thar Desert in the west to jungles in the northeast. A fertile area called the Ganges Plain covers much of northern India. This formation was created from soil that was deposited by rivers running from the Himalaya. In some places, this layer of silt is over 25,000 feet (7,620 meters) deep.

Map created by National Geographic Maps

PEOPLE & CULTURE

Society throughout India is divided into social ranks, called castes. Caste is determined by birth and there is almost no way to change it. High castes include priests, landowners, and soldiers. So-called Untouchables have no caste and do the most menial jobs.

India is a very spiritual country. It has no official religion, but more than 80 percent of Indians are Hindu. About 13 percent are Muslim. Other religions include Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism, which all began in India.

For thousands of years, since the Hindu religion first evolved, respect for animal life has been an important part of Indians' beliefs. Cows in particular are sacred and cannot be harmed. They are even allowed to wander through city streets, which often causes traffic jams!

India's varied climate zones support about 65,000 animal species, including elephants , pythons, river dolphins, and rhinos, and 12,000 types of flowering plants. It is the only country in the world with both lions and tigers . It's also a bird watcher's paradise.

On the coast of the Bay of Bengal is the Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest. Here, tigers swim in the same rivers as dolphins, sea turtles, sharks, and saltwater crocodiles. This unique landscape is constantly under threat as sea levels rise and humans hunt illegally and clear trees for firewood.

The Himalaya mountains provide a home for some of India's rarest animals and plants. The most elusive animal is the snow leopard. Bears and black buck live lower down, and in the northeast, the tiger and one-horned rhinoceros can be found.

GOVERNMENT & ECONOMY

India's parliamentary government was inherited from the British. After independence in 1947, one party, the Congress Party, and one family, the Nehru family, dominated politics in India for decades. Now, however, many parties compete for elected positions.

India's economy is growing so fast that experts predict it will soon become one of the world's leading markets. Indians are hard workers. And though many are poorly educated, there are many others who are highly trained college graduates.

India's earliest known civilization arose about 5,000 years ago on the Indus River in what is now Pakistan. Archaeologists uncovered the remains of two huge cities with brick houses, piped water, and sewer systems. Nobody knows why, but these cities, called Harappa and Mohenjo Daro, were abandoned in 1700 B.C.

The Aryan people were farmers from Central Asia who arrived in India around 1500 B.C. They spoke Sanskrit, one of the world's oldest known languages. The Vedic Scriptures, writings that form the basis of the Hindu religion, were written during the Aryan reign.

In the 200-year reign of the Gupta Empire, starting in the fourth century A.D., arts, crafts, and sciences flourished. During this time, the Indian astronomer Aryabhatta determined that the Earth revolved around the sun. This was long before the Western world accepted the theory.

Beginning in the 16th century, following a series of invasions by Muslim forces, a Mongol leader named Babur founded the Mongol Empire. The Mongols oversaw a golden age of art, literature, and architecture in India between 1527 and 1707. They built roads, mosques, gardens, and enormous tombs, including the grand Taj Mahal.

In the late 1400s, Europeans arrived in India and began setting up trading companies. In 1757, Britain gained control over most of the country. Uprisings against British rule began in 1856. In 1920, the famous Mahatma Gandhi began nonviolent protests to push the British out. In 1947, India had independence.

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Geography Notes

Essay on indian geography.

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Here is an essay on ‘Indian Geography’ for class 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12. Find paragraphs, long and short essay on ‘Indian Geography’ especially written for school and college students.

The natural resources of a country are of primary importance for the economic development. As a matter of fact, natural resources determine the economic life of a nation. England, for example, is an industrial country but she owes her precept position to her coastline, rivers, the proximity of rich coal mines and iron fields, and the temperate climate.

The U. S. A. is both an agricultural as well as industrial country. It possesses the requisites of industrialisation and at the same time its soil at some places is very fertile. Japan, too, is an industrial country because there is no scope for agriculture, and also the nature of the soil is not favourable for agriculture.

Man may grow rich in knowledge and intelligence, however much he may have overcome nature but ultimately he will have to depend on the materials supplied by Mother Nature for the development of his economic life.

The physical factors like topography, soils, geologic formation, climate and the available flora and fauna, are the basic influences which lead to differences in land-use, cropping pattern, settlement and density of population and occurrence of minerals, water and power resources in different parts of the country. In the case of India, a study of agricultural problems should start with an investigation of the physical, edaphic and climatic factors.

In the north lies Himalaya which separates it from China, in north-west lies Pakistan and in the east it is flanked by Myanmar, separated from it by Assam hills. In the south it is bounded by the Arabian Sea in the west and by Bay of Bengal in the east. Sri Lanka lies on its south-eastern tip. In the Arabian Sea stand the Lakshadweep (Laccadive, Amindivi and Minicoy) and in the Bay of Bengal are the Andaman Nicobar Islands.

Essay # 1. Geographical Situation of India :

The Republic of India is a vast country. It lies entirely in the northern hemisphere. The mainland of the country extends between latitudes 8°4′ and 37°6′ north, longitude 68°7′ and 97°25′ east.

It is one of the central and the largest of the three irregular peninsulas of Southern Asia possessing a highly favourable position as regards the rest of the world for purposes of international trade. It measures 3,214 km from north to south and 2,933 km. from east to west. It has land frontier of 15,200 km. and a coastline of about 6,100 km. The total length of the coastline of main land, Lakshadweep Island and Andaman and Nicobar Islands is 7516.6 km. Tropic of Cancer divides it into two unequal halves, the northern half lying in the temperate zone and the southern half in the Torrid Zone.

India has an area of 328.7 million sq. hectares from the snow covered Himalayan heights to tropical rain forest of the south. India’s population as on 1 March, 1991 stood at 846.3 million as against 84.6 million in 1981. Out of the total population, the proportion of rural population was 74.3 per cent as against 82.7 per cent in 1951. India comprises 26 states and 6 union territories.

While India accounts for 16 per cent of the world’s population, it has only a 2.4 per cent share in the land surface of the world. In a relative sense, India’s position in this respect is distinctly unfavourable. In the terms of geographical area, India ranks seventh among the countries of the world after Russia, U. S. A., Canada, China, Brazil and Australia in that order.

India’s area is one-seventh of that of Russia and one-third of that of the U. S. A., Canada or China. But no less important is the fact that, in absolute terms, the geographical area of India is quite large 328.7 million sq. hectare. This is equivalent to two-thirds of the geographical area of Europe, exclusive of Russia. An important feature of the Indian area is that most of it is in the service of man.

In Russia and Canada, on the other hand, vast areas remain buried under perpetual snow. In Australia, there are large areas of desert useless for man. In Brazil, there are vast areas under tropical forests. Even in the U. S. A. more than 2.8 million sq. kms. are included in the western states which are mostly a desert. -This consideration naturally places India in the forefront among the countries of the world.

India’s-large size carries a few advantages. Firstly, in a country of so large dimensions, a variety of mineral resources are found. Secondly, the large size is associated with a variety of climates, and with this variety of climate goes the variety of crops, viz., she grows from tea to pepper and from saffron to cashewnut. Besides, India’s long coastline has its own economic advantages. In fact, its geographical area is one of its greatest assets.

Essay # 2. Physical Features of India:

Topography of the Land :

Of the total land area of 328.7 million hectares about 35.5 million hectares or 10.7 per cent lies in mountains. Nearly two-third of such mountainous tracts, 22.3 million hectares are found in Jammu and Kashmir. The remaining one-third is distributed in Eastern India i.e. 5.9 million hectares, North-West India i.e. 3.9 million hectares and in North India about 3.2 million hectares. In these mountainous areas, nearly 95% of the land is unsuitable for agriculture.

Hilly tracts comprise of 61 million hectares or 18.6 per cent of all land in India. Of this 21.1 million hectares lie in East India; 13.5 million hectares in Central India, 11.3 million hectares in South India., and 8.0 million hectares in West India.

Plateaus measure 103 million hectares or 27.7 per cent of all land in India. Almost half of the plateaus are found in Central India and the rest is distributed as 12.1 million hectares in North-West India, 11.5 million hectares in South India and 8.3 million hectares in East India.

Plains cover 141.6 million hectares or 43 per cent of the total land in India. These are distributed all over the country and are most suitable for cultivation. However, in these plain areas are also found unsuitable land such as the salt marshes of the Rann of Kutch and the sandy deserts of Western Rajasthan which are not suitable for cultivation.

The mainland comprises three well defined regions:

(1) The great mountain zone of the Himalaya;

(2) The Indo-Gangetic Plain and

(3) The Southern tableland.

(1) The Great Mountain Zone of the Himalaya:

The Himalaya runs for about 2,400 km. from the Pamir knot in the north-west to the border of Assam—with a breadth varying from 240 to 320 km. and covers about 500,000 sq. km. They comprise three parallel ranges interspersed with large plateaus and valleys like those of Kashmir and Kulu which are fertile, extensive and of great scenic beauty. Some of the highest peaks in the world are found in these ranges i.e. Mt. Everest 8,848 metres and Kanchenjunga 8,598metres.

The high altitudes limit travel only to a few passes notably the Jelep La, Natu La and Shipki La. In the east, these ranges are much lower and are known by different names in different parts such as the Patkoi and the Naga Hills North-East and the Jaintia. Khasi and Garo hills in the South West of Assam. These running almost East-West join the chain of Lushai and Arakan hills running North-South.

(2) The Indo-Gangetic Plain:

Between the folded mountains of the north and the stable tableland of the peninsula lies the vast plain drained by three river systems. In the far west are the Bias and Sutlej draining into Arabian Sea; in the east, Ganges and its tributaries (which flow into the Bay of Bengal) and Brahmaputra in the farther east.

The Delhi Ridge divides it into two parts, viz., the Western plain and the Eastern plain. The plain is a part of a great depression which is traceable across Northern Africa, Southern Europe, and Southern Asia. It occupies an area of more than a million sq. km. and covers more than 2,400 km. from East to West with a width of 240 to 320 km.

It is wholly composed of the sediment deposited by the three rivers of northern India and is literally “the dust of mountains.” No rock-bed is disclosed by borings of 165 to 333metres. It is the region of the deepest soil in India with great thickness of clay, loam, silt etc. There is hardly any variation in relief. It is one of the greatest stretches of the flat alluvium and also one of the most densely populated areas on earth.

(3) The Southern Plateau:

This is an elevated plateau separated from the Indo-Gangetic plain by the Vindhya and Satpura ranges, ranging from 500 to 1335metres covering about 16,00,000 sq. km. It is the part of the earth’s outer shell that is composed in great part of generally horizontal rock beds that stand upon a firm and immovable foundation and that have for immense number of years remained so impassive amidst all the cataclysm and revolutions that have again and again changed the face of the earth.

The rocks composing this plateau are the various gneisses and other crystalline rocks and there is a great richness of mineral wealth associated with them. Overlying these rocks is a great thickness of unfossiliferous rocks. The rift valley in which river Narmada flows divides the whole plateau into two irregular parts. The northern is known as the Malwa plateau and the southern as the Deccan tableland.

On the Malwa plateau are to be found large areas of ravines (formed by Chambal and its tributaries) which are quite unfit for cultivation. The soil which this trap yields is reddish to brownish soil, known as the black cotton soil, which represents one of the most fertile soils of India.

The peninsula is flanked by Coast Ranges known as the Western and the Eastern Ghats. The former are much more considerable and form a gigantic and continuous seawall rising over 2440 metres above the sea level. The latter are much less formidable (only 610 metres high) and are broken and discontinuous and interrupted by many broad valleys of the rivers such as the Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna and Cauvery all of which flow into the Bay of Bengal.

The rivers of the peninsula are rain-fed and hence they dry up during the summer. Their courses are rapid and abruptly descend from a higher to a lower level and are, therefore, of little use for irrigation. Irrigation is practiced by tanks and reservoirs.

Between the Ghats and the sea are the narrow strips of land on both the sides of the plateau. These have been formed by the wearing down of the oldest tableland into coastal plains. The Western Coastal Plains are very narrow and are 64 km. wide in some places. On this coast the monsoon floods bring enormous silt, and help the growth of large forests and plantation crops.

Coconut, palms, bananas, arecanuts, cashewnuts, mango, pineapples, rubber, rice, spices and cardamoms are largely grown. The shores of these plains have few creeks (i.e. lagoons) and inlets are joined by canals. They serve for good coastal traffic by boats and rafts, and in these fishes are caught.

The Eastern Coastal Plain:

It is wider and the beach is surf-beaten and is intersected by numerous swift-flowing rivers. The lower section of the plain consists of the Deltas of the rivers and is entirely alluvial, while the upper section consists of plains in the courses of the rivers and hence is partly alluvial and partly pene-plain. These plains produce good crops of rice, sugarcane, jute, coconut, mangoes, bananas, spices (like pepper and ginger), cardamom, arecanut, and sago palms.

Essay # 3. Climate of India:

Owing to the great size, position and the diversities of relief there are greater striking contrast of meteorological conditions in different parts of the country than are probably found in any other part of the world. One part of the country lies north of the tropic and the other within it. In the north-west lies the great Thar Desert with an average annual rainfall of less than 12.5 cm.

In the north-east are the Khasi hills with an average of 1150 at Cherapunji. Dras in Kashmir has recorded a minimum temperature of 9°C, while Sri Ganganagar in Rajasthan has several times recorded a maximum temperature of over 50°C. Hill stations in the Himalaya, such as Shimla or Nainital may be shrouded in cloud for days together in August with humidity of 100 per cent; while in December they may be overrun by air of nearly 0 per cent humidity.

The mean maximum temperature at Cochin does not go above 89°F in any month nor the mean minimum below 15°C, while at Ganganagar the mean maximum temperature goes up to 48°C in May and the mean minimum to 8°C in January.

The climate of India is influenced from outside by two adjoining areas. On the north the Himalayan ranges shut it off from the cold climate of Central Asia and give it a ‘continental climate’, the characteristic of which are “the prevalence of land winds, great dryness of air, large diurnal range of temperature and little or no precipitation.” On the south the ocean gives it a ‘hot monsoon climate’ more typical of the tropical than of the temperate zone.

“We always think of India as essentially a tropical country. And rightly so, for the whole area within mountain-wall must, be considered as a unit, with a common type of climate throughout, that of tropical monsoon, the chief features of which are “great uniformity” of temperature and hence small diurnal range of temperature, great dampness of the air and more or less frequent rains during the south-west monsoon period.”

Temperature :

For purposes of climatological studies India may be divided into two parts- Peninsular India and Northern India. The whole of Peninsular India lies within the tropics and has a tropical climate the variations of temperature between summer and winter being small. In winter the temperatures are controlled by the proximity of the Equator and the oceanic influences and it is between 18°C and 22°C.

But in summer the temperature rises over 14°C near the tropics. In the neighbourhood of the oceans the climate is equable and the atmosphere is generally cloudy. In Malabar, the range of temperature is about 15°C and in South-Eastern Tamil Nadu about 3°C. These features are especially observable on the windward coasts and they diminish with increasing distance from the sea.

Although the whole of Northern India lies beyond the tropic of Cancer, here the climate conditions are more complex. The severity of heat or cold and the amount of moisture in the air, however, differ greatly in the different states and during different seasons. Punjab and Western Rajasthan are very cold in winter and extremely hot in summer and air is generally devoid of moisture.

But in West Bengal, Assam, Bihar, and U.P. winter is cold and summer is moderately hot with plenty of moisture in the air. In winter the temperature in Northern India is controlled apart from the slanting rays of the sun in winter, by the anticyclone that covers this area then. The temperatures vary between 12°C and 18°C.

The summer temperatures are largely the effect of (i) direct rays of the sun, (ii) continentally emphasizing land influences far the sea, (iii) anticyclone, which maintains steadily rising temperatures, and (iv) modification by the south-west monsoons. The highest temperatures are to be found in the neighbourhood of M.P., Rajasthan South-West Punjab and Western U.P. Altitude tempers, the heat of low latitudes. Upon the hills it is delightfully cool and refreshing even in mid-summer, but beyond a certain point the excess of cold forbids human habitation.

The climate of India may be broadly described as a tropical monsoon type, India enjoys three well-marked seasons:

(i) A cool dry season, from October to the end of February, when northerly dry trade winds prevail over the greater part of India, the skies are clear, the weather fine and the humidity low so that there is little or no rainfall except in the northern parts where moderate cyclonic storms occasionally occur;

(ii) A hot dry season, from, the beginning of March to middle of June, usually comes suddenly with heavy thunder-storms and dry scorching westerly winds (known as loo); and

(iii) A hot season, from middle of June to end of September, with winds of oceanic origin, high humidity, much cloud and frequent rain.

Monsoon and Rainfall:

The most important feature in meteorology of India is the alternation of seasons known as ‘monsoon’. During winter, the general flow of surface air over the country is from north to south, north-westerly in the Northern plains, northerly in the central parts and north-easterly in the South of the Peninsula and the neighbouring seas. In this season, the air over the country mainly of continental origin and hence, of low humidity and the season is known as the north east monsoon season or winter season.

In the summer months, the general flow of winds is from the opposite direction i.e. from sea to land and the season is one of much humidity, cloud and rain. The direction of winds in the major parts of the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal being south-westerly, the season is named the south-west monsoon seasons or wet summer season.

(i) South-West Monsoon Season (1st June to 30th Sept.):

During this period 74 per cent of the total rainfall is recorded. The monsoon sets in June, spreads almost all over the country by July and August and gradually gets weakened in September. During the period rains are very important because they provide necessary moisture for agricultural operations for sowing of kharif crops which account for more than 80 per cent of the total area sown to crops.

Thus, the setting in of the south-west monsoon marks the beginning of the agricultural operations over a wide area viz., the Arabian Sea Branch and the Bay of Bengal Branch. The former brings rainfall to the southern and western parts of the country, but, as the monsoon advances, it penetrates further into the central and North-West India. The second branch comes slightly later and confines itself to Assam, West Bengal and North-Eastern India.

(ii) The Post-Monsoon Season (1st October to 15th Dec.):

The post- monsoon season begins with October, and extends up to December. It provides only 13 per cent of the annual rainfall. Normally good post-monsoon showers are received in three months in the eastern region comprising Assam, West Bengal, Orissa, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and parts of Kerala and Maharashtra.

In other parts of the country only light occasional showers are received and the intensity of these showers decreases from east to west. But these light showers are very important for the growing of the late-sown kharif crops, especially in Southern India as well as for the sowing of rabi crops. The rains during this period are of considerable local importance.

(iii) Winter Monsoon Season (15th December to 15th March):

Winter monsoon commences in January and lasts up to the end of February. Though this provides only 3 per cent of the annual rainfall, this is important for the proper growth of Rabi crops in Northern India, especially wheat, barley, gram and pulses in the Punjab, Haryana, U. P., Bihar, M. P., Rajasthan and parts of Assam.

(iv) Pre-Monsoon Season:

Pre-monsoon showers during March to May amount roughly to 10 per cent of the annual rainfall. This period of the year is generally dry over the land mass of northern and Peninsular India where rabi crops are harvested and the irrigated crops are grown.

But the stronger winds near the sea-coast, which increase in strength as the monsoon advances, brings rain to the north-eastern part of the country consisting of Assam, West Bengal, Orissa, Bihar and the North-West Coast of Karnataka and Kerala, and South-East Tamil Nadu. In the North-East region they help the sowing of autumn paddy and maize, while in the southern areas, these rains are beneficial for the sowing of kharif crops like paddy, coffee, sugarcane and some vegetables on land where irrigation facilities are available.

Importance of Rainfall :

The annual average rainfall of India is 120cms. which yields an annual precipitation of 400 million hectare metre, and variations from this normal—as great as + 30cms. and -20cms.—-occurred in 1971 and 1989 respectively. A feature of considerable importance is the variability of monsoon rainfall. The variation ranges from 12.5cms, in the desert areas of Rajasthan to nearly 1100cms. in the hills of Meghalaya.

Generally the variability decreases with increasing rainfall, the variability being largest in the driest parts of the country and least in the wettest regions. The high variability in areas of low rainfall is, however, not such a serious menace to agriculture as the comparatively low variability in areas which have just enough rainfall for agricultural purposes. Any decrease in rainfall in such areas makes it impossible for agricultural operations to be carried on and a famine is the result, as average rainfall diminishes from place to place and as it becomes more concentrated in one season, variations from year to year increases.

When the normal total is under 50 cms., no agriculture is attempted without irrigation, and rainfall fluctuations are expected and planned for. Where the total exceeds 200 cms., there is almost always a surplus of moisture available for growing of crops. 100 cms. of rain is normally adequate but when it fails, famine is threatened. Thus, the most seriously affected, areas are those where the rainfall is between 75 and 125 cms. and this is the famine zone of India. In Rajasthan, Saurashtra, Central India and parts of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu where some rain usually comes but the variation is great, famine descends frequently.

In this area there is enough rain for crops during normal years so that adequate provision of irrigation facilities does not exist. This fact is the source of considerable suffering in times of drought. Long experience with rainfall fluctuations has brought population distribution into close agreement with climatic possibilities but so great is the pressure of people that may have occupied the marginal lands where drought is certain to occur.

In certain areas, notably Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Western U. P., Haryana and Northern Rajasthan irrigation has made the settlers somewhat independent of rainfall changes, but a prolonged failure of monsoon causes rivers and wells (the source of irrigation) to have less water than usual and thus to be less adequate for irrigation.

Characteristic Features of Monsoon Rains :

The monsoon rains in India are often marked by some important variations from the normal, viz.:

(i) The beginning of the rains may be delayed considerably over the whole or a large part of the country,

(ii) It may end much earlier than usual causing damage to kharif crops and also make the sowing of rabi crops difficult or uncertain,

(iii) There may be prolonged breaks of rain lasting over the greater part of July or August, when the summer crops needing plenty of moisture are just growing,

(iv) The rains may persist more than usual in one part of the country and desist from another part,

(v) It is concentrated for a few months—fluctuations in which as regards climate, distribution and timeliness bring misery or prosperity to millions of people. For several months in a year, India is on trial for her life and seldom escapes without a penalty.

(vi) The normal duration of the monsoon varies from two to four months. It begins to withdraw from north-west by mid-September and from south by middle of December.

(vii) Over 80 per cent of India’s annual rainfall is recorded in the monsoon months. The south-west monsoon accounts for 80 per cent of the rainfall of India both seasonally and regionally. Much of the rainfall is caused by the rather fortuitous orientation of mountain barriers, although consecutive phenomena also play an important part.

There is also a small quantity of rain even in other seasons too e.g., south has its ‘mango showers’ in the months of March to May, while ‘spring storms’ bring rain to West Bengal and Assam, then retreating monsoons bring rain to South-East Coast during September to December,

(viii) It is unevenly distributed over the country. The sharp transition from heavy rain to dire scarcity is testified by the old proverb “One horn of cow lies within the rainy zone and one without.”

(ix) It is erratic, sometimes falling in torrents and heavy downpours leading to a considerable run-off. This result in excessive soil leaching and soil erosion.

(x) There are large variations in the amount of rainfall from year to year.

(xi) The variation from the normal is greatest where the rainfall is least. Rajasthan and Gujarat have shown the highest variations while Kerala and West Bengal have shown the least. Droughts frequently occur in the interior districts of Cuddapah, Kurnool, Anantpur in Andhra Pradesh, while at the same time, the adjoining parts of Tamil Nadu may be suffering from deluges and floods,

(xii) The driest tracts of the country have heavy down-pours when compared with the temperate countries, where the average rainfall is less than 0.25 cm. in 24 hours. In India a rainfall of 50 cm. in a day is common; the highest record was round about 86 cm. in a period of 24hrs. in Bihar (at Purnea), and 57 cm. in Andhra Pradesh (at Nellore).

Variability of Rainfall :

A very important aspect of rainfall in India is its variability. Variability from normal, when it is as low as 10 per cent, is serious in areas of modern precipitation where the precipitation is just enough for the crop produced there. It is in such areas that famines occur. In these areas, variability ranges from 20 to 50 per cent (as in the peninsular and north western India).

High variability, over 30 per cent is characteristic of the western section of the continental India where precipitation is moderate to low. Because of this low precipitation land- use is based on irrigation facilities on ‘risk’ basis. Precipitation below the normal in any year, does not take the people unaware; precipitation above the normal is a pleasant surprise.

Low variability below 15 per cent is characteristic of areas of high precipitation as in the North-East and South-West India. Here, precipitation below the normal could be unhelpful because the total quantity increases above the normal and tends to inundate vast areas.

Climatic Regions:

The Census of India-divided India into five clear-cut rainfall regions as given below:

A map of India outlining the areas which have different amounts of rainfall shows that approximately one-third of the total area has a rainfall in excess of 125cms. per year. This quantity is enough for intensive agriculture during the rainy seasons and often leaves a residue in the soil adequate to produce a winter crop such as wheat or grain, sorghum, etc. In addition, the rainfall in this area is more dependable than in areas of lower average precipitation, although there are occasional seasons when the monsoon is feeble even in these moister regions. In such seasons, drought frequently damages crops even though the average rainfall is high.

Moreover, a significant proportion of this area of heavy rainfall is in the Himalayan region where the topography prevents cultivation, except of perennial crops like tea and fruits in certain suitable locations. These regions of heavy to very heavy rainfall also contain some badly eroded areas.

The area having rainfall of 75 cm. to 125 cm. annually covers another one-third of the country. This amount of rainfall is generally adequate for fair to good crops, but less adequate than it would be in the temperate latitudes. Here the monsoon is also somewhat less dependable than in the area with a higher average annual rainfall. Short crops are not infrequent in this area, especially as the lower limit of rainfall is approached. Moreover, in the 75 to 100 cm. portion of this region the soil less frequently retains enough moisture from summer rains to insure a winter crop of any importance.

Another one-third of the country has an annual precipitation of 75 cm. or less. Here the seasonal fluctuations are so frequent that they are more or less regularly expected and when they occur, they causes a great deal of hardship to the people and expense to the government. The yellow belt (having 37.5 cm. or less of rainfall and containing 7 per cent of the land area) has so little rain that a great many people do not live there.

The brown belt (having 37.5 cm. to 75 cm. of rainfall and containing 24 per cent of the land area), where one-fourth of our people living has special hazards, which is a permanent problem for the people and the government. This area of light and highly variable rainfall, although much of it is topographically usable, must remain in an area of relatively low productivity, except where it can be irrigated and not a great deal more of it is irrigable.

On the basis of rainfall, four broad climatic regions may be demarcated:

(a) Practically, the whole of Assam and the West Coast lying at the foot of the Western Ghats and extending from North of Bombay to Trivandrum are areas of heavy rainfall.

(b) The Rajasthan desert extending to Kutch, and the high Ladakh region fall under regions of moderately low rainfall.

(c) A broad belt in the eastern part of the Peninsula merging northward with North India plains and southward with eastern plains falls under regions of moderately high rainfall.

(d) A belt extending from the Punjab plains across the Vindhya Mountains into the western part of the Deccan, widening considerably in the Mysore plateau comes under area of low rainfall.

The normal annual rainfall varies from about 11,680 mm in Assam hills and 7,620—10,160 mm at suitably exposed positions on the crests of the Western Ghats to less than 75 mm in Rajasthan. The following statement shows the areas under assured rainfall region, medium rainfall region and dry region.

Effects of Climate of Agricultural Economy :

Life in India is primarily based on agriculture, which is dependent for its very existence on the monsoons (particularly the south-west monsoons).

This monsoon may be said to be the pivot upon which the whole of Indian economic life swings. In one season, India is deluged with rain and is the scene of most wonderful and rapid growth of vegetation; in another period the same tract becomes dreary, sun-burnt and waste. In fact, if monsoon fails, there is a lockout in agriculture industry, a disaster which calls forth the virtues of patience, fortitude and charitableness.

As winter temperatures are never too low in any parts of the country, the growing period for the crops is prolonged so that two crops are grown. In parts of West Bengal, Assam and the Peninsular Coastal region, owing to availability of sufficient water supply as many as three crops of rice are grown. The summer temperatures are high and rise suddenly hence crops mature earlier. This rapid maturity of crops tends to deteriorate their quality. India is, therefore, not a ‘quality’ producer, but only a ‘quantity’ producer. This applies to winter crops as well as summer crops.

The weather fluctuations and destructive meteorological phenomena which affect crops adversely in India are- floods, droughts, storms, depressions and untimely rains, thunderstorms, hailstorms and dust storms, heat waves, cold waves and frost, excessive or defective insulation, and high winds.

The uniformly high temperatures during monsoon season are of great benefit for the quick growth and maturity of crops like millets, pulses, sesamum, cotton and maize. The hot and moist climate of this period produces an abundant vegetative growth in plants which serve as a fodder for cattle.

As the rainfall is concentrated to only few months, the greater part of the year is dry. This fact discourages the growth of grasslands in India. Whatever grass grows during the rains is scorched during the dry season. Hence, pasturage is poor in India and cattle and other livestock have, therefore, to be stock fed.

The extreme uncertainty and uneven distribution of rainfall in various parts of the country and its compression into one or two months have necessitated the practice of irrigation more universally and on a large scale in India than in any other part of the world. Further, through centuries of experimentation, Indian farmers have developed crop varieties and agricultural practices which fit in with this pattern of precipitation.

Agricultural Regions :

Dr. Cressy has rightly said. “Nowhere else are so many people, so intimately dependent upon rainfall rhythms, the whole prosperity in India is held up with the eccentricity of its seasonal rainfall.”

In determining agricultural and animal husbandry regions of India, factors like rainfall, temperature, altitude, latitude, natural vegetation, soils, crops and live-stock are taken into consideration. When all these factors are taken into account, what strikes one is their uniformity over wide belts of territory embracing many States. It should, however, be noted that transition from one region to another is gradual and it is only in the central areas that the differences emerge in full contrast.

Many authors have also attempted to divide India in specific agricultural regions such as Stamp, Simkins and Spate took geographical factors like topography, climate and density of population. Dr. Chen Hen Seng divided India into 16 regions on the basis of topographical situation, agricultural water supply, crop system, land tenure system, and general economic development.

The National Sample Survey Organization has divided the country, into 25 main agricultural regions with 66 sub-regions by grouping within each state/unions territory districts or parts of districts having similar population density and crop pattern, and having similar altitude above sea level and also having good transport and communication facilities.

According to Dr. Randhawa, the following regions can be defined:

1. Temperate Himalayan Region:

This region is usually divided into two sub-divisions:

(i) The Eastern Himalayan Region:

This includes Mishmi Hills in Upper Assam, Sikkim and Bhutan. Rainfall is heavier (over 250 cms) in the outer ranges and there are thick forests of sal. This is mainly a tea-growing area. Cultivation of paddy is done in some places.

(ii) Western Himalayan Region:

This includes Kumaon, Garhwal, Simla hills, Kulu and Kangra valleys, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir State. The climate is dry but in northern parts there is more winter rainfall. Horticultural crops—particularly walnuts, almond, apples, cherries, apricots, peaches, pears and plums—occupy a high place. Other cultivated crops are potato, maize and paddy. Goats and sheep are principal domestic animals providing meat and wool. Bee-keeping is also done.

2. Northern Dry (or Wheat) Region:

This comprises the Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, North Gujarat, Western U. P. and parts of West M. P. and Rajasthan. Annual rainfall is less than 75 cms. and in many places even less than 20 cms. The soil is alluvial and sandy. Wheat, barley, gram, maize, jowar, bajra and cotton are the chief crops. Camels are found exclusively in this region. Horses, donkeys, sheep and goats are also common. The cattle in the region are adequately fed as there is comparatively a large area under fodder crops and wheat straw is also available in abundance.

3. Eastern Wet (or Rice) Region:

It includes Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Tripura, Manipur, West Bengal, Bihar, Orissa, Eastern U. P., Andhra Pradesh, Eastern Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Eastern M. P. Annual rainfall is over 153cms. The soil is mainly alluvial. The crops are rice, jute, sugarcane and tea. The area under fodder crops is the smallest.

Rice being the staple crop, its straw is used as cattle feed. Buffalo is the favorable domestic animal.

4. Western Wet (or Malabar) Region:

It comprises of Kerala, Western Coastal strips, Karnataka and adjoining areas. Annual rainfall is over 253 cms. The soil is lateritic. This region is important from the point of view of plantation crops, but coconut is the predominant crop besides tapioca, cashewnut, arecanut, rubber, spices, black pepper and cardamom. Rice is the main food crop.

5. Southern (Medium Rainfall or Millet) Region:

This comprises of Southern U. P., South Gujarat, M. P., Western Andhra Pradesh, Western Tamil Nadu, Eastern Maharashtra and parts of Karnataka. Rainfall is between 50 cms. and 100 cms. The soil is partly black cotton and partly lateritic. Jowar, bajra, groundnut, castor seed and cotton are the chief crops. There are more sheep in this region than in any other but most of these do not produce good quality wool.

An important classification of the country into 4 macro- agricultural regions, 25 macro-agricultural and 60 micro- agricultural regions has been given by Sengupta and S. Dayuk.

These regions are:

1. The Himalayan Zone:

It covers Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Kumayun Himalaya and its foot hills. Darjeeling district of West Bengal, Assam, Himalayan including Arunachal Pradesh. In this zone, the rainfall varies from 125cms. to 250cms. Much of the mountainous tracts are negative areas from cultivation and settlement point of view. Only 7 per cent of the area is available for cultivation. The leading crops are wheat, maize, rice, buck-wheat, marketing, gardening, particularly seed potatoes, and a host of temperate fruits.

2. The West Zone:

It comprises in most part the North-Eastern Peninsular plateau (plateaus of Chota Nagpur, Northern Orissa, Bastar plateau, Central parts of Madhya Pradesh, upper Mahanadi basin and Kaimur hills), Eastern hills and plateau (Manipur, Mizo hill districts, Garo hills, United Mikir and North Cachar hill districts, Nagaland, Kachar valley, United Khasi and Jaintia Hills).

A relatively small part of it is shared by the alluvial plants-consisting of Ganga Delta and Northern Brahmaputra valley, Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal; Bhagirathi Delta; Orissa coast including Mahanadi Delta, west coast stretching from Surat district to Kanyakumari district (including Cambay coast, North and South Karnataka coast, and North and South Malabar district). The rainfall here is from 100 to 125 cm.

Irrigation is normally not necessary and rice is the predominant crop. Other crops grown are tea, jute, oilseeds, gram millets, wheat, sugarcane, spices, arecanut, banana, jack-fruit and coconut.

3. Sub-Humid Zone:

It embraces the upper and middle Ganga plain (Ganga and Jamuna doabs, tarai region, South Ganga plain, eastern district of U. P. and its contiguous Champaran district of Bihar); a vast stretch of land in Peninsular India from Bundelkhand plateau through the heart of the lava plateau down to the East Coast region (including the plateaus of Bundelkhand, Malwa, South Eastern Maharashtra, Northern and Southern Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Wardha basin, upper Tapti valley, Malnad and Maidan tract of Karnataka, Northern and Southern Andhra coast, Krishna-Godavari Deltas, and South Eastern Tamil Nadu coast.

The rainfall varies between 75 to 100cms. The proportion of cultivated region reaches a high figure wherever water is available for irrigation. The most intensively cultivated areas are the Ganga plain and the east coast deltas, where proportion of cultivated land to the total area goes to about 70 per cent. Wheat, sugarcane, rice, gram, maize, millets, cotton, groundnut, oilseeds, and tobacco are the main crops.

4. The Dry Zone:

It embraces in the North-West, North and South Punjab plains. Haryana, Western U. P., Rajasthan desert plain and semi-desert plain, Kutch Peninsula of Gujarat, and in the south a long-strip of the peninsular , plateau in the lee of the ghats (including Tapti-Narmada doab area, upper Godawari, Bhima and Krishna basins. Tungabhadra basin and Rayalseema plateau).

The rainfall is about 75cms. a year. Except in the alluvial plains of Punjab and Haryana, the entire dry area suffers from acute shortage of water. Millets, gram, wheat, oilseeds, cotton and groundnut are the main crops.

Essay # 4. Types of Soils in India :

The investigation of Voelcker in 1893 and of Leather in 1898 led to a classification of Indian soils into four major types, viz. – (i) Indo-Gangetic alluvium, (ii) black cotton soils (iii) red soils; and (iv) laterite soils. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research set up an All-India Soil Survey Committee, which reported in 1963. It divided Indian soils in 8 different categories.

Some of which are quite inclusive of a rather wide variety of soil conditions while others have quite uniform and consistent soil characteristic throughout. These eight soil groups are- alluvial, desert, soil saline and alkaline soils, patty and marshy soils, black soils, red soils, laterite soils, and mountain and hill soils.

The soil map prepared by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, shows 27 broad soil classes in India, according to it, the approximate areas of these classes of soils are:

1. Alluvial Soils:

These soils occupy extensive tracts of land in about 15 lakh sq. km. in northern, North-Western and North-Eastern parts of India and include greater parts of Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, North Western parts of Delhi, Bihar, parts of Assam (central Areas of Lakhimpur, Darang, Sibsagar, Kamrup, Goalpara), parts of Garo Hills.

West Bengal; Orissa; the valley of Narbada and Tapi and in the Mahanadi basin in Balaghat, Durg, Bastar, Raipur and Bilaspur districts in M. P. deltaic areas of Godavari, Krishna and Cauvery in Southern India, and the strips extending along the Eastern and Western coasts of the peninsula (in the river deltas and the Malabar coast respectively). They also occur in Ahmedabad, Vadodara and Kheda districts of Gujarat.

The depth of this soil exceeds 600metres below the ground surface. In North India, these soils are derived mainly from the debris brought down from the Himalaya or from the silt left by the old sea which has now retreated.

Geologically, the alluvium is divided into newer and older alluvium. The former (known as khadir) vary mostly from clayey to sandy loam in texture and are generally acidic in reaction. They are light coloured and of less kankary composition. These soils are deficit in lime, phosphoric acid and humus. The latter (known as Bangar) are more clayey in composition, generally of dark colour and fully kankary.

These soils are red coloured and differ in consistency from drift sand to loam in texture and are generally acidic in reaction. In other places they vary from fine silt to stiff clay. A few occasional pebbles are also present. These soils differ in different parts of the country in physical texture and chemical composition. In north and North-West India it is dry, porous and in some places sandy giving rise to crops not requiring the retention of a great deal of moisture about their roots.

In West Bengal, it becomes more compact, less coarse and moist where rice, sugarcane and jute are largely cultivated; while in the deltas of the peninsular India, it is actually clayey, non-porous and of dark colour. In Assam, these soils are less acidic in reaction, sometimes neutral or slightly alkaline.

Although these soils are rich in potash, phosphoric acid, lime, and organic matter they are deficient in nitrogen and humus contents. These soils are capable of fixing nitrogen very rapidly through leguminous crops. These soils are of marvelous fertility producing under irrigation splendid crops of rice, sugarcane, tobacco, banana, cotton, wheat, jute, maize, oilseeds, vegetables and fruits. The regions of these soils are heavily populated and constitute the “wheat and the rice bowls of India.”

2. The Desert Soil:

They occur under arid and semi-arid conditions and occupy large tracts in Rajasthan, Haryana and South Punjab, lying between the Indus valley and the Aravallis occupying about 1.42 sq. km. The Thar desert alone occupies an area of 1,06,000sq. km. The sands, with which it is covered, are partly derived from the disintegration of adjacent tracts but are largely blown in from the coastal regions of the Rann of Kutch and the Indus valley.

These soils contain high percentage of soluble salts, low loss on ignition, and varying percentage of calcium carbonate and are poor in organic matter, the limiting factor being mainly water. These soils may be reclaimed if proper facilities of irrigation are available.

Very few crops, especially coarse millets, jowar, and bajra are grown for want of water supply and hence population supported by the regions is very small. But Ganganagar district, under the influence of Ganga canal and areas irrigated by Rajasthan canal have now became the leading producers of wheat, gram and cotton.

3. Saline and Alkaline Soils:

These soils occur on about 68,000 sq. km. of area in the drier tracts of north specially of Bihar, U. P., Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan and all over the state of Maharashtra. The soils give rise to saline and alkaline efflorescence. These soils are popularly called Reh, Kallar and Usar.

Large areas, once fertile, have become impregnated with salt with highly deleterious effects on cultivation. The total area of such soils in the country has been estimated to be about 85,000 sq. km. spread along the sea coasts comprising states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Orissa and Goa.

Texturally, they are sandy to loamy sand. The alkaline soils are deficient in calcium and nitrogen and are highly impervious and have very low water holding capacity. On these soils are produced, a wide variety of crops including rice, wheat, cotton, banana, sugarcane, coconut and tobacco.

4. Peaty and Marshy Soils:

Peaty soils originate in the humid regions as a result of an accumulation of large amounts of organic matter in the soils. These soils cover about 150 sq. km. The soils are generally submerged under water during the monsoon. As soon as the rains cease, the soils are put under paddy cultivation. The soils are black, heavy and highly acidic, and contain 10 to 40 per cent of the organic matter.

On these soils, paddy is grown when water recedes. Marshy soils are found in coastal tracts of Orissa, in the Sundarbans and other places in West Bengal in the central portion of North Bihar, in the Almora district of U. P. and in the South-East coast of Tamilnadu. There are occurrences of muck and very humus soils in low lying situations. They contain about 18 per cent of the organic matter. Both these types of soils are highly saline, rich in organic matter but deficient in phosphate and potash.

5. Foot-Hill or Tarai Soils:

These soils cover about 56,600 sq. km. area in Jammu and Kashmir, U. P. and West Bengal in the submontane tract at the foot of the Himalaya. In U. P., this tract runs as a narrow belt from the district of Dehradun to Deoria. These soils are particularly deficient in phosphate but are inherently rich in nitrogen and organic matter.

In West Bengal, these are mainly sandy, raw humus type and deep black to grey black in colour. The soil is acidic and poor in bases and available plant food material. The soil is generally covered by all grasses and shrubs, under reclaimed conditions good crop of paddy, wheat, soyabean and sugarcane are grown.

6. Mountain and Hill Soils:

These soils cover about 13,300 sq. km. mainly in Jammu and Kashmir, H. P., Punjab, U. P., Bihar, West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, Manipur, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland, etc. Most of these soils are low in lime and are acidic. In areas of good rainfall, these are rich in humus and very fertile for the cultivation of plantation crops like tea, and temperate fruits. They may also be used for growing paddy.

7. Black Soils:

These soils may be of various kinds such as deep black, medium black, shallow black or chestnut. They cover an area of about 546,000 sq. km. These soils are found in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, M. P. and some parts of Tamil Nadu, Southern Rajasthan and in U. P.

The black soils extend in depth even up to 3metres, and more. Their chief characteristics are their high fertility, highly argillaceous character, and comparative richness in lime, high proportion of magnesium carbonate, ferrous-oxide and aluminium oxide. They contain sufficient quantities of potash and phosphoric acid.

These soils are highly retentive of moisture and extremely compact and tenacious when wet and rich in chemical properties. They are generally rich in iron, lime, calcium and magnesium carbonates, and alumina but are poor in phosphorus, nitrogen and organic matter. The potash content is available. In general, this soil is clayey and fine textured with dark colour.

Since the content of water soluble salts is high, these soils are unsuitable for heavy irrigation. Because of retentivity of moisture, fineness and chemical matters (especially lime), these soils are endowed with inexhaustible fertility. Both kharif and rabi crops are grown over it. Cotton, wheat, chillies, linseed, jowar, Virginia tobacco, castor, safflower, and millets are the chief crops. Vegetables of different kinds and citrus fruits can also be grown successfully.

8. Red Soils:

Such soils comprise practically the whole of Tamil Nadu, parts of Karnataka, South-East Maharashtra, north-east Andhra Pradesh, Goa and strip of the tract running along the eastern parts of M. P. to Chota Nagpur and Orissa.

In north, its area extends into and includes the greater part of the Santhal Pargana in Bihar, the Birbhum, Bankura districts of West Bengal, Mirzapur, Jhansi, Banda and Hamirpur districts of U. P., northern portion of M. P., the Aravallis and the eastern half of Rajasthan; southern part of Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur and Tripura covering in all about 5.18 lakh sq. km. of area.

The red soils differ greatly in consistency, colour, depth and fertility. On the uplands, they are thin, poor and gravelly, sandy, or stony and porous, light coloured soils on which food crops like bajra can be grown. But on the lower plains and valleys they are rich, deep dark coloured fertile loam on which, under irrigation can be produced excellent crops like cotton, wheat, pulses, millets, groundnut, sugarcane, potatoes, and fruits. Since these soils are airy, they need irrigation for cultivation.

9. Laterite and Lateritic Soils:

These occur most extensively and cover an area of about 248,000 sq. km. They are well developed on the summits of the basaltic hills and plateaus of M. P., West Bengal, Eastern Ghat region of Orissa, South Maharashtra, Karnataka and parts of Assam, Meghalaya, and in Santhal Parganas of Bihar. These soils are generally poor in nitrogen, potash and potassium and organic matter but are responsive to nitrogen and phosphate manuring and hence, produce good crops.

10. Red and Yellow Soils:

These soils are spread over 198,000 sq. km. of area in M. P., Rajasthan and Tripura. These soils are poor in phosphorus, humus are somewhat acid. They differ in fertility and produce a number of crops under irrigation, and are suitable for paddy, sugarcane, wheat and cotton.

Conclusion :

It will be observed that the soils of India offer a distinct contrast to those of many other countries, in as much as they are very old, fully matured, and so not in many cases show pedogenic processes and the close relationship between the soil and its rocky substratum. The weathered materials in most cases have been transported to great distances by various agencies. The majority of the soils in India are of ancient alluvial origin.

An examination of these shows that although the nature and composition reflect to some extent the composition of the original rocks from which they are derived, they are the result to a considerable extent of the climate, particularly the amount and seasonal distribution of rainfall. Other soils mostly of the Peninsula, are diluvial and these remain in the areas where they are formed and thus there is no mixing of different rock materials. The fertility of these soils depends upon the chemical constituents of the rocks from which they are derived.

In the midst of varying features two characteristics are to be found common to almost all soils. Firstly, their comparative dryness. This absence of moisture in the lands makes the supply of water an absolute necessity in Indian agriculture. Second, a major proportion of soils is deficient in nitrogen and organic matter. The phosphate deficiency is comparatively less marked while potash deficiency is rare.

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Essay on India | India Essay for Students and Children in English

February 14, 2024 by Prasanna

Essay on India: India is the seventh-largest country by area and the second-most populous country in the world, situated in Asia. Three sides of India are surrounded by the Indian Ocean on the south, the Arabian Sea on the southwest, and by the Bay of Bengal on the southeast, it shares land borders with Pakistan, China, Nepal, and Bhutan to the north; and Bangladesh, and Myanmar to the east. The National animal of India is The Royal Bengal Tiger, National Bird of India is Peacock, National Fruit of India is Mango, National Flower of India is Lotus, and the name of the national anthem of India is Jana Gana Mana.

You can read more  Essay Writing about articles, events, people, sports, technology many more.

Long and Short Essays on India for Students and Kids in English

We have provided a few sample essays on the topic India. There is one extended essay of 450-500 words; a short essay of 140-150 words; and ten lines on the subject of India.

Long Essay on India in English 500 words

Essay on India is usually helpful for students in classes 7, 8, 9, and 10. They can be asked to write these essays for assignments and exams.

India is the seventh-largest country by area and the second-most populous country in the world, situated in Asia. India got independence on 15th August 1947. Now, there are 29 States and 7 union territories in India and shares land with Nepal, Afghanistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, China, and Myanmar. The national flag of India is horizontal in shape, and it is tricolored with deep saffron color at the top, white color in the middle and hard green color at the bottom, and an Asoka Chakrasituated in the middle of the white color.

The National animal of India is The Royal Bengal Tiger, National Bird of India is Peacock, National Fruit of India is Mango, National Flower of India is Lotus. India’s national anthem is Jana Gana Mana written by Rabindranath Tagore, and the national song is “Vande Mataram”, and national sports is hockey.

New Delhi city is the capital of India and the business capital of India is the city of Mumbai. The currency of India is Rupees. India’s largest state by area in Rajasthan and The smallest state is Goa. India has the largest coastline. India is the only country all over the world which is named after an ocean; India ocean. India also has two islands named Andaman and Nicobar island and Lakshadweep island. There are many languages spoken in India, but Hindi is the national language. Like the languages, India has a huge land diversity with the mountains, plateau, plains, delta, desert, rivers, and seas.

In India, one can see various types of culture, dresses, and people. The famous Himalaya mountain and the largest Ganges delta is situated in India. The peoples of different states eat different food, talk in different languages, and their culture is also different. Nature and temperature are also different, in the hilly area the temperature is low, in desert temperature are high, and in the plateau, plane, and seashore area the temperature is pleasant. The main occupation of India is agriculture. Almost 50 percent of people are involved in agriculture.

India has now become one of the fastest-growing economic countries in the world. India is a country with rich culture and heritage, and also known for its monuments and relics. The Taj Mahal, made by Shah Jahan, is one of the seven wonders of the world, Situated in India. There are also many heritages situated in India like Humayun’s Tomb, Jantar Mantar, Agra Fort, Khajuraho temple, Hampi, Ajanta, Ellora, the Sanchi Stupa, Chola temples, etc.

The Ajanta is a rock-cut Buddhist cave monument, and The Ellora Caves, The Sun Temple area wonderful example of Indian-rock cut architecture. India has so many dance styles. Some famous dances are Bharatnatyam, Kathak, Manipuri, Bhangra/ Gidda, Garba, Bihu, Ghoomar, etc. Even though there are many diversities in India, the people of India all live together in harmony.

Short Essay on India in English 150 words

Essay on India is usually given to classes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.

The country India is situated in continent Asia is the seventh-largest country by area and the second-most populous country in the world. India got independence on 15th August 1947. India has 29 States and 7 union territories. The shape of the national flag of India is horizontal, and it is tricolored with deep saffron color at the top, white color in the middle and hard green color at the bottom, and an Asoka Chakra in the middle of the white color.

The capital of India is New Delhi. The National animal of India is The Royal Bengal Tiger, National Bird of India is Peacock, National Fruit of India is Mango, National Flower of India is Lotus. India’s national anthem is Jana Gana Mana written by Rabindranath Tagore, and the national song is “Vande Mataram” and national sports is hockey. We can see varieties of languages, food, cultures, lands, temperature in India. Even though there is so much diversity in India, the people of India all live together in harmony.

Read More: India Essay

10 Lines on Essay on India in English

• The country India is situated in continent Asia is the seventh-largest country by area and the second-most populous country in the world.
• India got independence on 15th August 1947.
• The shape of the national flag of India is horizontal, and it is tricolored with deep saffron color at the top, white color in the middle and hard green color at the bottom, and an Asoka Chakra in the middle of the white color.
• The National animal of India is The Royal Bengal Tiger, National Bird of India is Peacock.
• National Fruit of India is Mango; National Flower of India is Lotus.
• India’s national anthem is Jana Gana Mana.
• The national song of India is “Vande Mataram” and national sports is hockey.
• The main occupation of India is agriculture.
• India has now become one of the fastest-growing economic countries in the world.
• India is a country with rich culture and heritage, and also known for its monuments and relics.

Frequently Asked Questions on Essay on India

Question 1. When did India get independence?

Answer: India got independence on 15th August 1947.

Question 2. What is the National anthem of India?

Answer: India’s national anthem is Jana Gana Mana.

Question 3. Describe the National Flag of India?

Answer: The shape of the national flag of India is horizontal, and it is tricolored with deep saffron color at the top, white color in the middle and hard green color at the bottom, and an Asoka Chakra in the middle of the white color.

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Home — Essay Samples — Geography & Travel — India — India’s Diverse Tapestry: An Exploration of Its Physical Features

India's Diverse Tapestry: an Exploration of Its Physical Features

• Categories: India Indian Culture

About this sample

Words: 915 |

Published: Jan 29, 2019

Words: 915 | Pages: 2 | 5 min read

Table of contents

Introduction, the majestic himalayas, the great indian desert, the deccan plateau and fertile plains.

• Bilham, R. (2004). Plate-tectonic force essential for forming the Tibetan Plateau. Nature, 435(7044), 1062-1065.
• Jain, S. K., & Khare, P. (2009). Ecological significance of Thar Desert: An overview. Annals of Arid Zone, 48(4), 353-365.
• Valdiya, K. S. (2013). The making of India: Geodynamic evolution. Springer Science & Business Media.
• Chitale, V. S., & Behera, M. D. (2010). Large-scale deforestation in the Western Ghats of India: Present status, conservation needs, and implications for sustainable management. Tropical Conservation Science, 3(2), 249-262.
• Kale, V. S., & Rajaguru, S. N. (2011). Geology and geomorphology of India. PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd.
• Sridhar, A. N. (2009). Ecology of the coast of India. Oxford University Press.
• Misra, D. K., Tewari, R. C., & Venkatesh, B. (2005). Soils of India: Origin and classification. National Book Trust, India.

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India Essay

India is the seventh-largest country and most populous democracy in the world. It is located in South Asia and was officially declared as the Republic of India after its independence from British rule. India has unique topographical features – plains of central India, rain forests of the north east, icy cold Himalayan region and dry arid desert in west, among others. The cultural, linguistic and religious diversity of India is as much diverse as its geography.

Indian culture differs from place to place and is a union of several different cultures, spread across the length and breadth of the continent. Although there are 22 Languages imbibed in the Constitution of India, there are more than 1900 dialects or mother tongues are spoken throughout the nation. This huge cultural and linguistic diversity of India is one of its most distinguished features.

Long and Short Essay on India in English

India is one of the famous countries of the world. Every citizen of India must know about it means its history, struggle, culture and other important things.

Students are generally given this topic in their schools to write some paragraphs or full essay in the class tests or main exams.

Here we have given below long and short essay on India, which are well written essay on India to help students under various word limits.

They can select anyone of these India essay according to the words limit:

India Essay 1 (100 words)

India is a famous country all over the world. Geographically, our country is located to the south of Asia continent. India is a high population country and well protected from all directions naturally. It is a famous country for its great cultural and traditional values all across the world. It contains a mountain called Himalaya which is biggest in the world.

It is surrounded by the three big oceans from three directions such as in south with Indian Ocean, in east with Bay of Bengal and in west with Arabic sea. India is a democratic country ranks second for its population. The national language of India is Hindi however almost fourteen nationally recognized languages are spoken here.

India Essay 2 (150 words)

India is a beautiful country and famous all over the world for its unique cultures and traditions. It is famous for its historical heritages and monuments. Citizens here are very polite and understanding in nature. It was a slave country earlier to the 1947 under the British rule.

However, after many years of hard struggles and sacrifices of the great Indian freedom fighters, India got freedom from the British rule in 1947. Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru became the first Prime Minister of India and hoisted the Indian flag when India got freedom and he proclaimed that “When the world sleeps, India will wake to life and freedom”.

India is a democratic country where its public are authorized to take decisions for the betterment of the country. India is a famous country for the saying “Unity in Diversity” because people of many religions, castes, culture and tradition live together with unity. Most of the Indian heritages and monuments have been added to the world heritage sites.

India Essay 3 (200 words)

India is my mother country and I love it very much. People of India are very honest and truthful in nature. People of various unique traditions and culture live here together without any problem. The mother-tongue of my country is Hindi however many languages are spoken here by the people of different religions without any boundation. India is a great country of natural beauty where great people took birth from time to time and did great works. Indians are very heart-touching in nature and they heartily welcome their guests from other countries.

In India Indian philosophy of life is followed which is called as Sanatan Dharma and has become the main factor to maintain unity in diversity here. India is a republic country where its citizens have power to take decision about country.

There are many natural sceneries, places, monuments, historical heritage of the ancient time, etc which attracts people’s mind from every corner of the world. India is very famous for its spiritual works, Yoga, martial arts, etc. A huge crowd of pilgrims and devotees come here to see and enjoy the beauty of famous places, temples and other world heritage sites in India.

India Essay 4 (250 words)

My country India is a land of Shiva, Parvati, Krishna, Hanuman, Buddha, Mahatma Gandhi, Swami Vivekananda, Kabir, etc. It is a country where great people took birth and did great works. I love my country very much and salute it. It is famous for its biggest democracy and oldest civilization of the world. It is the second most populous country of the world after the chain.

It is a country where courteous people of many religions and cultures lives together. It is a country of great warriors such as Rana Pratap, Shivaji, Lal Bahadur Shashtri, Jawaharlal Nehru, Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Patel, Subhash Chandra Bose, Bagat Singh, Lala Lajpet Rai and so many.

It is a rich country where great people took birth in the field of literature, art and science such as Rabindranath Tagore, Sara Chandra, Premchand, C.V. Raman, Jagadish Chandra Bose, APJ Abdul Kalama, Kabir Das, etc. Such great people of India were the proud of my country. All the great leaders of the country came from villages and led the country to go ahead.

They fought for many years and sacrificed their lives to make India an independent country from the British rule. It is a country where famous rivers and oceans are run regularly such as Ganges, Yamuna, Godavari, Narmada, Brahmaputra, Krishna, Kavery, Bay of Bengal, Arabic sea, etc. India is a beautiful country surrounded by the oceans from three sides. It is a country where people are very intellectual and spiritual and believe in God and Goddess.

India Essay 5 (300 words)

India is my motherland country where I took birth. I love India and have proud of it. India is a big democratic country which ranks second in population after China. It has rich and glorious past. It is considered as the country of old civilization of the world. It is a land of learning where students from many corners of the world come to study in the big universities.

It is famous for its various unique and diverse culture and tradition of people of many religions. Some people in the abroad as well follow the Indian culture and tradition because of being attractive in nature. Various invaders came and steal the glory and precious things of India. Some of them made it a slave country however various great leaders of the country became successful in making my motherland free of biritshers in 1947.

The day our country got freedom means 15 th of August is celebrated every year as Independence Day. Pt. Nehru became the first prime minister of India. It is a country rich in natural resources yet inhabitants here are poor. It is growing continuously in the field of technology, science and literature because of the eminent people like Rabindra Nath Tagore, Sir Jagdish Chandra Bose, Sir C.V.Raman, Shri H. N. Bhabha, etc. It is a peace loving country where people of many religions follow their own culture and tradition as well as celebrate their festivals without any interference.

There are many glorious historical buildings, heritages, monuments and sceneries which attracts people’s mind from different countries every year. Taj Mahal is a great monument in India and symbol of eternal love and Kashmir as the heaven on the earth. It is a country of famous temples, mosques, churches, Gurudwaras, rivers, valleys, fertile plains, highest mountain, etc.

India Essay 6 (400 words)

India is my country and I proud to be an Indian. It ranks as the seventh largest country of the world as well as second most populated country of the world. It is also known as Bharat, Hindustan and Aryavart. It is a peninsula means surrounded by oceans from three sides such as Bay of Bengal in east, Arabian Sea in west and Indian Ocean in south. The national animal of India is tiger, national bird is peacock, national flower is lotus and national fruit is mango.

The flag of India has tricolor, saffron means purity (the uppermost), white means peace (the middle one having an Ashok Chakra) and green means fertility (the lowest one). Ashok Chakra contains equally divided 24 spokes. The national anthem of India is “Jana Gana Mana”, the national song is “Vande Mataram” and national sport is Hockey.

India is a country where people speak many languages and people of different castes, creeds, religions and cultures live together. That’s why India is famous for common saying of “unity in diversity”. It is well known as the land of spirituality, philosophy, science and technology. People of various religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Islam, Christianity and Judaism lives here together from the ancient time.

It is famous country for its agriculture and farming which are the backbones of it from the ancient time. It uses it own produced food grains and fruits. It is a famous tourist’s paradise because it attracts people’s mind from all over the world. It is rich in monuments, tombs, churches, historical buildings, temples, museums, scenic beauty, wild life sanctuaries, places of architecture, etc are the source of revenue to it.

It is the place where Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri, golden temple, Qutab Minar, Red Fort, Ooty, Nilgiris, Kashmir, Kajuraho, Ajanta and Ellora caves, etc wonders exist. It is the country of great rivers, mountains, valleys, lakes and oceans. The national language of India is Hindi. It is a country where 29 states and UTs. It has 28 states which again have many small villages.

It is a chief agricultural country famous for producing sugarcane, cotton, jute, rice, wheat, cereals etc crops. It is a country where great leaders (Shivaji, Gandhiji, Nehru, Dr. Ambedkar, etc), great scientists (Dr. Jagadeeshchandra Bose, Dr Homi Bhabha, Dr. C. V Raman, Dr. Naralikar, etc) and great reformers (Mother Teresa, Pandurangashastri Alhavale, T. N. Sheshan) took birth. It is a country where diversity exists with strong unity and peace.

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Essay on India

• Updated on  
• Feb 7, 2024

Essay writing is an important component of the English exam. It is designed to test your command of the English language and how well you are able to gather your thoughts and present them in a structure with a flow. To master your ability to write an essay, it is advisable to read as much as you can and practise on any given topic. In this Leverage Edu blog, we bring you a sample ‘ Essay on India ‘.

This Blog Includes:

India’s great features, essay on india for class 6 to class 8, essay on india for class 9 to class 12.

• Festivals of India Essay (300 Words)

Essay on India (100 Words) 

• Essay on India (200 Words) 

Essay on India (300 Words) 

Our country India is great and there a lot of things that contribute to the same. Some of those features are mentioned below:-

Political Divisions :- In India, political divisions are made by the government, so as to ensure the smooth functioning of the country.

Physical Features :- India has some of the best physical features including: The Northern Mountains, The Northern Plains, The Southern Plateau, The Great Indian Desert, The Island Regions, and The Coastal Plains.

Food :- Indian food is rich in taste because of the Indian spices. It is diverse as people of different regions have their own versions of food.

Diversity :- India has people of all religions, and each religion has its festivals. India is diverse not only in its people but also its festivities some of them are: Ganesh Chaturthi, Diwali, Dussehra, etc.

Also Read: Essay on Yoga Day

Also Read: Speech on Yoga Day

Here is an essay on India for Class 6th to 8th for approximately 250 words:

Around the globe, India is a representative of unity in diversity. India is a land of different cultures, castes, creeds, religions; despite the many differences we continue to live harmoniously. Indians are peace-loving and go out of the way to help people at times of peril. We believe in the motto, “Atithi Devo Bhava” which means our guests are our gods and are especially helpful and kind towards tourists visiting our nation. Our nation is a vibrant country that is home to hardworking people, rich flora and fauna and a marvellous heritage. A testament to the hardworking citizens, India is slowly and steadily growing to be one of the superpowers in the world.

Geographically, India is the 7th largest country in the world and has 28 states and 8 union territories. India is a colourful place with a tiger as our national animal, a lotus as our national flower, a peacock as our national bird and mango as our national fruit. Our national anthem is “Jan Gan Man” which was composed by Rabindranath Tagore and the national song is “Saare Jahan se acha“ which was composed by Muhammad Iqbal. Our land also hosts one of the 7 wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal. A thriving democracy, I am especially proud of India’s cultural heritage. Being a proud citizen of this country I hope to contribute to bringing India to newer heights and making it one of the most developed and safe countries in the world.

Also Read: Essay on Digital India

Here is an essay on India for Class 9th to 12th for approximately 400 words.

Festivals of India Essay  (300 Words)

Festivals are an essential aspect of human life because they bring joy and break up the monotony of our daily routines. Festivals happen every month or two, and they allow us to get together and enjoy many facets of life. It fosters communal cohesion and strengthens ties between people of various backgrounds. Every country has its own set of festivals that are tied to its culture and religion. India, on the other hand, is a country with diversified culture, and it celebrates a variety of festivals throughout the year. In India, festivals are split into three categories: national, seasonal, and religious.

National festivals honour significant national events, personalities, and historical figures. Independence Day, Republic Day, Children’s Day, Earth Day, National Environment Day, Gandhi Jayanti, and other national holidays are among them. People of all religions, creeds and genders participate enthusiastically in such events, which are marked by a strong sense of patriotism. 

Religious festivals, on the other hand, are observed throughout India and include Diwali, Christmas, Guru Nanak Jayanti, Eid-Ul-Fitr, Holi, Ganesh Chaturthi, Shivratri, Krishan Ashtami, and many others. Such celebrations are vibrant and enjoyable, and they are celebrated with a lot of hype.

Then there are the seasonal festivals, which are commemorated in accordance with the various seasons encountered in various Indian states. Pongal is a Tamil Nadu festival, while Bihu is observed in Assam, Onam is honoured in Kerala, and Basant Panchmi is celebrated in North India.

In a nutshell, festivals offer excitement and delight to people’s lives while also bringing them closer together. People put aside their thoughts of enmity and animosity and get together to celebrate festivals. Every year, India’s rich cultural past brings a slew of festivals to the country, and people from all walks of life come together to enjoy and celebrate them.

India is a well-known country in the world. Our country is situated in the southern part of the Asian continent. India is a densely populated country that is also well-protected from all sides. This country is well-known throughout the world for its rich culture and traditional values. It is home to the world’s highest peak, the Himalayas. Three oceans surround it on three sides: the Indian Ocean to the south, the Bay of Bengal to the east, and the Arabian Sea to the west. India is a democratic nation with the world’s second-largest population. The national language of India is Hindi, however, it is also spoken in roughly 14 other national languages. 

Essay on India (200 Words)  

India is my birthplace, and I cherish it. India’s people are known for their honesty and trustworthiness. People from all cultures and traditions live peacefully together. My country’s mother tongue is Hindi, although many other languages are freely spoken here by people of many religions. India is a beautiful place where great people have been born and accomplished great things. Indians’ nature touches people’s hearts, and visitors from other countries warmly welcome them.

In India, the Sanatan Dharma (Indian philosophy of life) is followed, and this is the major basis for keeping unity in diversity. India is a democratic country in which the people have the power to make decisions that affect the country. There are many lovely scenes from ancient times, sites, monuments, historical heritage, and other attractions to view here that draw visitors from all over the world. India is well-known for its spiritual functions, yoga, and martial arts, among other things. A great number of pilgrims and devotees from different countries visit India to see the beauty of the major temples, sites, and historical legacy.

My motherland is India, where I was born. I adore India and am immensely proud of it. India is a huge democratic country with a population that is second only to China. It has a storied and illustrious past. It is regarded as the homeland of the world’s ancient civilization. It is a land of learning, with students coming from all over the world to study in its universities. This country is known for its unique and diversified culture and traditions, which are influenced by people of various religions. People who live abroad are drawn to the culture and traditions of their home country because they are drawn to nature. Many assailants came here to steal their beauty and valuables. Some used it as a slave, but thanks to the efforts and sacrifices of many outstanding leaders throughout the country, our motherland was freed from British enslavement in 1947. 

Every year on August 15, the day our Motherland was liberated, we celebrate Independence Day. Pandit Nehru was India’s first Prime Minister. Despite the fact that the region is rich in natural resources, the people who live here are poor. This is constantly increasing in the realms of technology, science, and literature thanks to exceptional personalities like Ravindranath Tagore, Sir Jagadish Chandra Bose, Sir C.V. Raman, Shri H.N Bhabha, and others. This is a peaceful country where people freely celebrate their festivals and people of many religions adhere to their culture and traditions. The Taj Mahal is a significant memorial and symbol of love in India, and Kashmir resembles earth’s paradise. Famous temples, mosques, churches, gurudwaras, rivers, valleys, agricultural land, and the highest mountain are all found in this country.

Also Read: Essay On Sikkim

Related Reads:- 

1- How to write an essay about India?

2- What is a short note about India?

3- What makes India great?

There are a lot of things about India that make it great. Some of them being: historical architectural treasures, vibrant colours of lands, beautiful landscapes, diversity of people, its rich culture, etc.

These were some sample essays for students from classes 6-8 and classes 9-10. These samples can give you a fair idea as to how an essay should be constructed. Good luck with your preparations. If you are seeking guidance get in touch with our experts at Leverage Edu for a free session.

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India’s geographical location and extent (with maps).

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India’s Geographical Location and Extent (With Maps)!

India that is Bharat is a country of great geographical extent. Girdled by the young folded mountain Himalayan chains on its North-West, North and North-East and washed by the foundered basin of the Indian Ocean and its two main arms—the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal on the South-West, South and South-East, it has since historic times the privilege of being a well defined geo-graphical and geopolitical unit.

To the south of Himalayas is the great Indo-Gangetic plain which is well known for its fertile soils. South of this plain is the peninsular India comprising of the uneven plateaus and coastal plains.

India is the most natural geographical unit which has developed a very distinctive culture which is further conditioned by a common foreign rule of over two centuries. Thus due to its vastness and diversities India is considered to be a sub-continent as it comprises all the characteristics of a continent.

Size and Location :

The Union of India is the seventh larg­est country in the world covering an area of 32, 87,263 square kilometers and it is an important country of South Asia. India is twelve times larger than U.K. and eight times larger than Japan.

The mainland stretches from latitude 8°4′ north to 37°6′ north and from longitude 68°7′ east to 97°25′ east of Greenwich.

The latitudinal and longitudinal extent of the country is almost same in de­grees i.e. about 30 degrees. Due to vast longitudinal extent, the time difference between the two extreme points in the east and west is of two hours. As such, time along the standard meridian of In­dia (82°30E) passing through Allahabad is taken as the Standard Time for whole country.

The country is of a vast size and measures about 3,214 kilometers from north to south and about 2,933 kilometers from west to east. The Tropic of Cancer passes through its middle part. India is situated on the northern fringe of the Indian Ocean.

South of about 22° north latitude, the country begins to taper and pierces through the Indian Ocean for a distance of about 1,600 kilometers in the form of a wedge, dividing the ocean into two seas, the Bay of Bengal on the east and the Arabian Sea on the west.

India occupies the south-central Peninsula of Asia. It consists of the mainland and two groups of Islands namely Lakshadweep in the Arabian Sea and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal. India lies midway between the Far East and the Middle East.

The trans-Indian Ocean routes connecting the industrially developed countries of Europe in the East and the underdeveloped counties of East Asia pass close by. India being centrally located in South Asia, she enjoys an advantageous position for doing trade with Australia and the counties of Africa, the Middle East and the Far East. Thus, India dominates the Indian Ocean and commands an important strategic position.

Her land frontier is 15,106 kilometers long. Her northern borderland, being mountainous, is very difficult to cross and it offers very few transport facilities for trade with the arid, almost barren and very sparsely populated regions of Central Asia.

India has a coastline of 6,100 kilometers and she depends on the Indian Ocean for the bulk of her foreign trade. The total length of the coastline of the mainland, Lakshadweep group of Islands and Andaman and Nicobar group of Islands is 7,516.5 km.

Coastline of States:

Physical Boundaries :

The sub-continent is isolated in a remarkable way from the rest of Asia, making it a geographical unit. For example, barring the plateau of Baluchistan the two great ranges, namely, the Sulaiman and the Kirthar, cut it off from the West.

Along the North, the great mountain wall formed by the Hindu Kush, Karakoram and the Himalayas, cuts it off the countries that lie beyond as the mountains are very high and difficult to cross. Similarly, the Southward offshoots of the Eastern Himalayas separate it from Burma.

The Himalayas and other lofty mountains—Muztagh Ata, Aghil Kunlun mountains to the north of Kashmir and south eastern portion of Zaskar mountains to east of Himachal Pradesh—form India’s northern boundary, except in the Nepal region. She is adjoined in the north by China, Nepal and Bhutan.

A series of mountain ranges in the east separate India from Burma. Also, in the east, lies Bangladesh bounded by the Indian States of West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram. In the north-west lies, Afghanistan and Pakistan. The Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Straits separate India from Sri Lanka.

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal and Lakshadweep in the Arabian Sea are parts of the territory of India. Indira Point (earlier called Pygammlion point) in Great Nicobar in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is the southernmost territory of India.

India and the World :

India in south asia:.

India is a giant among South Asia where other members are Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Maldives, a total of seven countries, encompassing a total area of about 4.488 million sq. km.

Out of this, India has the largest area and occupies 73.2% of the total area. It is four times larger than Pakistan which is second largest in South Asia and 11 thousand times larger than the tiniest Maldives.

The subcontinent is often referred to as the Indian sub-continent since India occupies major part of it. Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Nepal Bhutan and Myanmar and Bangladesh form components of India’s land frontiers.

States Sharing International Boundaries:

India in the Eastern World:

India lies mid-way between West Asia and East Asia. The transoceanic routes connecting Africa, industrially advanced Europe and petroleum rich West Asia to South East Asian countries, China and industrially developed Japan.

Australia and Western Coast of the USA pass through India. Sea has played an important role in India’s external relations particularly with its neighbour in Southeast Asia, West Asia and East Africa.

To the West of India are West Asian countries of Oman, Iran, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia and East African countries of Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Mauritius to the north Of India bordering with the state of Jammu and Kashmir is the Sinkiang (Xinjiang) region of China.

It contains the tarim basin where once flourished a very rich civilization of K’ashi and Hotan (Khotan). Across the Himalayas lies Tibet, now an autonomous province of China and the Mansarovar Lake still attract the Indian pilgrims.

Locational Advantage :

India is a unique country as it is easily accessible to other parts of Asia, Africa, Europe and Americas. Its cultural influences have crossed its border from time immemorial and reached far off lands.

It acts as a bridge head between developed and developing countries of the world and between the East and the West.

India’s strength lies in its geography as much as in its culture. Since the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, distance between India and Europe has been reduced by 7000 kms. India enjoys a favourable situation on the international highway of trade and commerce.

The ocean routes from East and South-East Asia and Australia to Africa and Europe pass through Indian Ocean. India is connected with Europe, North America and South America through both the routes-the Cape of Good Hope and the Suez Canal. India can also reach Canada and the U.S.A. through the Strait of Malacca after crossing the Pacific Ocean.

Political Divisions of India :

A large number of factors like geography, population, local cultures, languages and administrative convenience are the considerations for the political divisions of India.

India is divided into 28 States and 7 Union Territories. The Union Territories are federally administered territories (Central or Union Government), presided over by the President and the Vice President.

1. The States that lie completely in the Himalayas :

1. Jammu and Kashmir; 2.Himachal Pradesh; 3. Sikkim, 4. Arunachal Pradesh; 5. Uttarakhand.

2. The States and the Union Territories that Cover Large Portions of the Great Northern Plains :

1. Punjab; 2. Haryana; 3.Uttar Pradesh; 4. Bihar; 5. West Bengal; 6. Assam

Union Territories :

1. Chandigarh 2. Delhi

3. A Large Area of the State of Rajasthan Covers the Great Indian Desert :

4. The States that make up the Great Peninsular Plateau;

1. Madhya Pradesh; 2. Maharashtra; 3. Odisha; 4. Andhra Pradesh; 5. Karnataka; 6. Kerala 7. Tamil Nadu, 8. Chhattisgarh

5. The States that are made up of hills in N.E. India. Geography was a major consideration in making up these states.

1. Arunachal Pradesh, 2. Nagaland, 3. Manipur, 4. Mizoram

6. The States that form the Coast of India :

1. Gujarat; 2. Maharashtra; 3. Goa’ 4. Karnataka; 5. Kerala; 6. Tamil Nadu; 7. Andhra Pradesh; 8. Odisha; 9. West Bengal

1. Daman and Diu; 2. Pondicherry

7. The Union Territories of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the Lakshadweep are made up of Islands.

India’s States and Union Territories:

Related Articles:

• Speech on India: It’s Location, Size and Shape
• Geographical Distribution of Tribes in India – Essay

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Essay on My Country India for Students in English [Easy Words]

January 13, 2021 by Sandeep

Essay on India: India, our motherland is a nation that believes in “Unity in Diversity”. It is the biggest democratic in the whole world. Incredible India is a mix of religions, languages, cultures, regions, traditions, food, etc. India’s beauty is defined by its geographical richness, and its natural splendour can be explored in its many rivers, lakes, valleys and hill stations.

Essay on India 500 Words in English

Below we have provided India Essay in English, suitable for class 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 & 10.

India is one of the greatest nations in this world. It is known for its rich culture and traditions. People belonging to different religions and speaking different languages live here together. Our country aptly represents Unity in Diversity .

India is the seventh-largest country in the entire world. It is also a democratic country which means we can choose our leader. It is an incredible nation enriched with the beauty of nature. The vast mountains, forests, lakes, and oceans are bound to captivate your mind. Moreover, India’s rich historical heritage promotes eco-tourism on an annual basis.

Distinctive Features of India

Some of the unique features of our country have been mentioned below:

• India is a peninsular country that is surrounded by water bodies on three sides.
• Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal cover the western and eastern sides of India respectively.
• India is also known as Bharat or Hindustan.
• Our national anthem is Jana Gana Mana which was originally composed by Rabindranath Tagore .
• Our national song is Vande Mataram which was written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee.
• Indian people are polite, sincere, and hard-working.
• Peacock is our national bird, and the tiger is our national animal.
• Mango is our national fruit and lotus is our national flower.
• Indian people mostly speak Hindi as it is our national language.
• India attained freedom on the 15th of August, 1947. We celebrate this day as Independence Day .
• Rupee is the currency of India.
• India has 29 states and 7 union territories.
• While Delhi is the capital of our country, Mumbai serves to be the business capital of India.
• Hockey is our national game.
• Indian flag is a tricoloured flag consisting of saffron (top), white (middle), and green (bottom) parts. There is also a blue-coloured Ashoka Chakra present in the center of the white strap.
• People from religious backgrounds like Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainism, etc. co-exist harmoniously in India.
• Our country is filled with rich historical beauty. Ancient monuments, churches, temples, tombs, and museums add on to the aesthetic value of India.
• Moreover, many hidden gems in India are closely associated with nature. Sanctuaries and wildlife reserves are a few of these natural spots.
• Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep are the two most popular Islands of India.

Cultural Heritage of India

Whatever we inherit from our ancestors and our past, define our heritage. India has always had a varied cultural and traditional background. Indian culture is certainly the oldest in the world. Our ancient civilization dates back to 4500 years ago. We Indians are a mix of unique ethnic races. This cultural heritage has somehow enabled us to build a stronger community. It has also inspired us to evolve as our better selves.

India has beautiful geological structures planted in its different regions. Some of the most captivating ones include Leh, Siachen glacier, Jammu & Kashmir, Barren Islands, Pillar rocks, etc. Historical monuments like Qutub Minar , Taj Mahal , Golden Temple, Red Fort , Ajanta and Ellora caves, etc. are fascinating. They are the wonders which have survived the race against time. Every year, these places attract tons of foreign tourists who witness the glory of these monuments.

10 Lines Essay on India in English

• India is a democratic country where people of different cultural backgrounds live together.
• There are 29 states and 7 union territories in India.
• India is the seventh-largest country in the entire world.
• It is also the second most populated nation in the world.
• Hindi is the national language of India.
• Indian national flag is a tricoloured flag made up of saffron, white, and green colours.
• Major festivals in India include Holi, Diwali, Durga Puja, Christmas, Eid, Guru Nanak Jayanti, etc.
• Indian people are humble, sincere, and sweet.
• The prime minister and the chief ministers run the administration of the country at central and state levels.
• I am an Indian, and I love my country.

Essay on India in English for Children and Students

Table of Contents

Essay on India : India is the seventh-largest country and the most populous democracy in the world. It is located in South Asia and was officially declared the Republic of India after its independence from British rule. India has unique topographical features – plains of central India, rain forests of the northeast, icy cold Himalayan region, and dry arid desert in the west, among others. India’s cultural, linguistic, and religious diversity is as diverse as its geography.

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Target Exam ---

Indian culture differs from place to place and is a union of several different cultures spread across the length and breadth of the continent. Although there are 22 Languages imbibed in the Constitution of India, more than 1900 dialects or mother tongues are spoken throughout the nation. India’s huge cultural and linguistic diversity is one of its most distinguished features.

Long and Short Essay on India in English

India is one of the most famous countries in the world. Every citizen of India must know about its history, struggle, culture, and other important things.

Students are generally given this topic in their schools to write some paragraphs or full essays in the class tests or main exams.

Here we have given below long and short essays on India, which are well-written essays to help students under various word limits.

They can select anyone of these India essays according to the words limit:

Essay on India 100 words

India is a famous country all over the world. Geographically, our country is located to the south of the Asia continent. India is a high population country and well protected from all directions naturally. It is a famous country for its great cultural and traditional values all across the world. It contains a mountain called Himalaya, which is the biggest in the world.

Three big oceans surround it in three directions: the south with the Indian Ocean, the east with the Bay of Bengal, and the west with the Arabic sea. India is a democratic country that ranks second in its population. The national language of India is Hindi however, almost fourteen nationally recognized languages are spoken here.

Essay on India 150 words

India is a beautiful country and famous all over the world for its unique cultures and traditions. It is famous for its historical heritages and monuments. Citizens here are very polite and understanding in nature. It was a slave country earlier to 1947 under British rule.

However, after many years of hard struggles and sacrifices of the great Indian freedom fighters, India got freedom from British rule in 1947. Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru became India’s first Prime Minister, hoisted the Indian flag when India got freedom, and proclaimed, “When the world sleeps, India will wake to life and freedom.”

India is a democratic country where its public is authorized to take decisions for the betterment of the country. India is a famous country for the saying “Unity in Diversity” because people of many religions, castes, cultures, and traditions live together in unity. Most of the Indian heritages and monuments have been added to the world heritage sites.

Essay on India 200 words

India is my mother country, and I love it very much. The people of India are very honest and truthful in nature. People of various unique traditions and cultures live here together without any problem. The mother tongue of my country is Hindi however many languages are spoken here by people of different religions without any foundation. India is a great country of natural beauty where great people took birth from time to time and did great works. Indians are heart-touching in nature and heartily welcome guests from other countries.

In India, the Indian philosophy of life is called Sanatan Dharma and has become the main factor in maintaining unity in diversity here. India is a republic country where its citizens have the power to take decisions about the country.

There are many natural sceneries, places, monuments, historical heritage of ancient time, etc., which attracts people’s minds from every corner of the world. India is famous for its spiritual works, Yoga, martial arts, etc. A huge crowd of pilgrims and devotees come here to see and enjoy the beauty of famous places, temples, and other world heritage sites in India.

Essay on India 250 words

My country India is a land of Shiva, Parvati, Krishna, Hanuman, Buddha, Mahatma Gandhi, Swami Vivekananda, Kabir, etc. It is a country where great people took birth and did great work. I love my country very much and salute it. It is famous for its biggest democracy and oldest civilization in the world. It is the second most populous country in the world after the chain.

It is a country where courteous people of many religions and cultures live together. It is a country of great warriors such as Rana Pratap, Shivaji, Lal Bahadur Shashtri, Jawaharlal Nehru, Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Patel, Subhash Chandra Bose, Bhagat Singh, Lala Lajpat Rai, and so many.

It is a rich country where great people took birth in literature, art, and science, such as Rabindranath Tagore, Sara Chandra, Premchand, C.V. Raman, Jagadish Chandra Bose, APJ Abdul Kalama, Kabir Das, etc. Such great people of India were proud of my country. All the great leaders came from villages and led the country to go ahead.

They fought for many years and sacrificed their lives to make India an independent country from British rule. It is a country where famous rivers and oceans are run regularly, such as the Ganges, Yamuna, Godavari, Narmada, Brahmaputra, Krishna, Kavery, Bay of Bengal, Arabic sea, etc. India is a beautiful country surrounded by the oceans from three sides. It is a country where people are very intellectual and spiritual and believe in God and Goddess.

Essay on India 300 words

India is my motherland country where I took birth. I love India and have proud of it. India is a big democratic country that ranks second in population after China. It has a rich and glorious past. It is considered the country of old civilization in the world. It is a land of learning where students from many corners come to study in the big universities.

It is famous for its various unique and diverse cultures and tradition of people of many religions. Some people abroad as well follow Indian culture and tradition because of being attracted to nature. Various invaders came and steal the glory and precious things of India. Some of them made it a slave country; however various great leaders of the country became successful in making my motherland free of Britishers in 1947.

The day our country got freedom means the 15 th of August is celebrated every year as Independence Day. Pt. Nehru became the first prime minister of India. It is a country rich in natural resources, yet the inhabitants here are poor. It is growing continuously in technology, science, and literature because of eminent people like Rabindra Nath Tagore, Sir Jagdish Chandra Bose, Sir C.V.Raman, Shri H. N. Bhabha, etc. It is a peace-loving country where people of many religions follow their own culture and tradition as well as celebrate their festivals without any interference.

There are many glorious historical buildings, heritages, monuments and sceneries which attract people mind from different countries every year. Taj Mahal is a great monument in India and a symbol of eternal love and Kashmir as the heaven on the earth. It is a country of famous temples, mosques, churches, Gurudwaras, rivers, valleys, fertile plains, highest mountain, etc.

Essay on India 400 words

India is my country, and I am proud to be an Indian. It ranks as the seventh largest country in the world as well as the second most populated country in the world. It is also known as Bharat, Hindustan, and Aryavart. It is a peninsula means surrounded by oceans on three sides as Bay of Bengal in the east, the Arabian Sea in the west, and the Indian Ocean in the south. The national animal of India is a tiger, the national bird is a peacock, national flower is the lotus, and the national fruit is mango.

The flag of India has a tricolor, and saffron means purity (the uppermost), white means peace (the middle one having an Ashok Chakra), and green means fertility (the lowest one). Ashok Chakra contains equally divided 24 spokes. The national anthem of India is “Jana Gana Mana,” the national song is “Vande Mataram,” and the national sport is Hockey.

India is a country where people speak many languages, and people of different castes, creeds, religions, and cultures live together. That’s why India is famous for the common saying of “unity in diversity.” It is well known as the land of spirituality, philosophy, science, and technology. People of various religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Islam, Christianity, and Judaism have lived together in ancient times.

It is a famous country for its agriculture and farming, which are the backbones from ancient times. It uses its own produced food grains and fruits. It is a famous tourist paradise because it attracts people from all over the world. It is rich in monuments, tombs, churches, historical buildings, temples, museums, scenic beauty, wildlife sanctuaries, places of architecture, etc., which are its source of revenue.

It is where Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri, golden temple, Qutab Minar, Red Fort, Ooty, Nilgiris, Kashmir, Khajuraho, Ajanta and Ellora caves, etc., wonders exist. It is a country of great rivers, mountains, valleys, lakes, and oceans. The national language of India is Hindi. It is a country where 29 states and UTs. It has 28 states which again have many small villages.

It is a chief agricultural country famous for producing crops of sugarcane, cotton, jute, rice, wheat, cereals, etc. It is a country where great leaders (Shivaji, Gandhiji, Nehru, Dr. Ambedkar, etc.), great scientists (Dr. Jagadeeshchandra Bose, Dr. Homi Bhabha, Dr. C. V Raman, Dr. Naralikar, etc.) and great reformers (Mother Teresa, Pandurangashastri Alhavale, T. N. Sheshan) took birth. It is a country where diversity exists with strong unity and peace.

Essay on India FAQs

What makes india special essay.

India is special due to its rich culture, history, and diverse traditions.

How to write an essay on my country India?

To write an essay about India, describe its culture, heritage, and achievements.

What are the 10 lines of India of my dream?

In my dream India, there's unity, education for all, and prosperity.

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• Government Exam Articles

List of Neighbouring Countries of India

The ‘Neighbouring Countries of India’ is an important General Awareness topic for the various  Government exams  conducted in the country.

The general awareness section is a part of almost every government exam, and the syllabus for this section is vast and comprehensive. The  Static GK  part forms the core of any competitive exam.

In this article, we shall discuss the countries which share their borders with India, be it a land border or sea border. A total of 9 countries share borders with India, of which 2 share sea borders and the other 7 land borders. 

India – Its Geographic Features

India is located in the southern part of Asia and has a land border of 15,106.7 km and a coastline of 7,516.6 km. It is latitudinally situated in the Northern Hemisphere and longitudinally located in the Eastern hemisphere.

In terms of population, India is the second-largest country in the world. In terms of area, India is the seventh-largest country in the world.

Given below is a table that showcases a brief description of India and its neighbouring countries:

India’s Neighbouring Countries – Capital & State Borders

The table given below gives the list of neighbouring countries of India and their capitals along with the Indian states that they share the border with:

Apart from Static GK, to know the detailed syllabus for the various Government exams, candidates can visit the below-mentioned links:

Neighbouring Countries – A Brief Summary

Further, we shall discuss the countries which share boundaries with India, along with the essential information with respect to the competitive exams.

• Afghanistan

Border Length- 106 km

Official Languages – Dari, Pashto

Currency – Afghan Afghani

States/ Provinces – 34 Provinces

Located in Central Asia, Afghanistan has an area of about 6,52,230 sq km. Major dependence of this country’s economy is on agriculture. The prominent religion that is followed by the people in Afghanistan is Islam, and the main industrial activities include manufacturing of cotton textiles, woven carpets, handicrafts and woollens.

Border Line – 4096.7 Km

Official Language – Bengali

Currency – Bangladeshi Taka

States/ Provinces – 8 Provinces

India and Bangladesh share one of the longest borders in the world and It covers an area of 1,43,998 sq km and has a coastline of 580 km. The Bangladeshi states, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Chittagong, Khulna, Rangpur and Sylhet, share their borders with India. 

Border Line – 699 km

Official Language – Dzongkha

Currency – Bhutanese Ngultrum

States/ Provinces – 20 States

Spread over an area of 38, 394 sq km, the population of this country follows Buddhism followed by Hinduism. There is a parliamentary form of Government in Bhutan, and the primary sources of the economy include Hydropower, agriculture, forestry and tourism.

Border Line – 3488 km

Official Language – Mandarin

Currency – Chinese Yuan

States/ Provinces – 26 Provinces

The world’s most populated country, China, spreads over an area of about 95,96,960 sq km. The country is one of the world’s fastest-growing economies. India and China hold cordial relations, but there are certain disputes which lead to strained relations between the two countries.

Border Line – 1643 km

Official Language – Burmese

Currency – Burmese Kyat

Located in the western portion of mainland South Asia Myanmar and is spread over an area of 6,76,578 sq km. The presidential republic governs the country by a bicameral legislature. India is Myanmar’s fourth-largest export market.

Border Line – 1751 km

Official Language – Nepali

Currency – Nepalese Rupee

States/ Provinces – 7 Provinces

Nepal is located to the northeast of India and extended over an area of 1,47,181 sq km. The world’s tallest peak, Mount Everest is located in Nepal. Also, eight of the tallest mountain peaks out of the 10 across the world, are located in Nepal. A major part of the economy is handled by tourism, and the Government is a federal parliamentary republic. 

Border Line – 3323 km

Official Language – Urdu

Currency – Pakistani Rupee

States/ Provinces – 4 Provinces

A country which was initially a part of India was separated to form a new country, named Pakistan. This country spans over an area of 7,96,095 sq km. The Prime Minister is the head of the country and all major decisions are made under his supervision.

Border Line – Sea Border

Official Language – Sinhala, Tamil

Currency – Sri Lankan Rupee

States/ Provinces – 9 States

One of the two countries which share Indian coastline, Sri Lanka is spread over an area of 65,610 sq km. It is considered as a tourist destination by many and is one of those places which is home to many ethnic groups and religious cultures.

Official Language – Dhivehi

Currency – Maldivian Rufiyaa

States/ Provinces – 1 Only

Located in the Indian Ocean-Arabian sea area, the island nation of Maldives is located to the south-west of India. Spread over an area of 298 sq km only, Maldives comprises more than a thousand coral islands. The predominant religion in the country is Islam.

The information given above shall help candidates prepare themselves for the various competitive exams.

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Sample Questions for Neighbouring Countries in India

Given below are a few questions for the reference of candidates to analyse the type of questions asked with respect to this topic in the various competitive Government exams.

Q 1. Which of these Indian states does not share a border with Bhutan?

• Arunachal Pradesh
• West Bengal

Answer: (3) Meghalaya

Q 2. Which two countries share the longest border in the world?

• India & Bhutan
• India & Pakistan
• China & India
• Myanmar & India
• India & Bangladesh

Answer: (5) India & Bangladesh

Q 3. How many countries share a sea border with India?

Answer: (5) Seven

Q 4. Which country shares the smallest border with India?

Answer: (5) Afghanistan

Q 5. Which State of India shares the longest international border with the neighbouring country?

• Jammu & Kashmir
• None of the Above

Answer: (2) West Bengal

The above-mentioned questions may help candidates understand the type of questions asked related to this topic in the general awareness section of the exam. 

Other Static GK Related Links:

Candidates who are looking forward to applying for any of the upcoming exams may look for study material, notes, tips or any other information related to the Government exams at BYJU’S.

Frequently Asked Question – Neighbouring Countries of India

Q.1. how many neighbouring countries of india are there, q.2. name the neighbouring countries of india., q.3. what are the neighbouring countries of india and their capitals that shares sea borders, q.4. where is india located, q 5. which is the smallest neighbouring country of india.

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Ancient India

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India is a country in South Asia whose name comes from the Indus River. The name 'Bharata' is used as a designation for the country in their constitution referencing the ancient mythological emperor, Bharata, whose story is told, in part, in the Indian epic Mahabharata .

According to the writings known as the Puranas (religious/historical texts written down in the 5th century CE), Bharata conquered the whole subcontinent of India and ruled the land in peace and harmony. The land was, therefore, known as Bharatavarsha (`the subcontinent of Bharata'). Hominid activity in the Indian subcontinent stretches back over 250,000 years, and it is, therefore, one of the oldest inhabited regions on the planet.

Archaeological excavations have discovered artifacts used by early humans, including stone tools, which suggest an extremely early date for human habitation and technology in the area. While the civilizations of Mesopotamia and Egypt have long been recognized for their celebrated contributions to civilization , India has often been overlooked, especially in the West, though its history and culture is just as rich. The Indus Valley Civilization (c. 7000-c. 600 BCE) was among the greatest of the ancient world, covering more territory than either Egypt or Mesopotamia and producing an equally vibrant and progressive culture.

It is the birthplace of four great world religions - Hinduism , Jainism , Buddhism , and Sikhism - as well as the philosophical school of Charvaka which influenced the development of scientific thought and inquiry. The inventions and innovations of the people of ancient India include many aspects of modern life taken for granted today including the flush toilet, drainage and sewer systems, public pools, mathematics, veterinary science , plastic surgery, board games, yoga and meditation, as well as many more.

Prehistory of India

The areas of present-day India, Pakistan, and Nepal have provided archaeologists and scholars with the richest sites of the most ancient pedigree. The species Homo heidelbergensis (a proto-human who was an ancestor of modern Homo sapiens ) inhabited the subcontinent of India centuries before humans migrated into the region known as Europe . Evidence of the existence of Homo heidelbergensis was first discovered in Germany in 1907 and, since, further discoveries have established fairly clear migration patterns of this species out of Africa .

Recognition of the antiquity of their presence in India has been largely due to the fairly late archaeological interest in the area as, unlike work in Mesopotamia and Egypt, western excavations in India did not begin in earnest until the 1920s. Though the ancient city of Harappa was known to exist as early as 1829, its archaeological significance was ignored and the later excavations corresponded to an interest in locating the probable sites referred to in the great Indian epics Mahabharata and Ramayana (both of the 5th or 4th centuries BCE) while ignoring the possibility of a much more ancient past for the region.

The village of Balathal (near Udaipur in Rajasthan), to cite only one example, illustrates the antiquity of India's history as it dates to 4000 BCE. Balathal was not discovered until 1962 and excavations were not begun there until the 1990s CE. Even older is the Neolithic site of Mehrgarh, dated at c. 7000 BCE but showing evidence of even earlier habitation, which was not discovered until 1974.

Archaeological excavations in the past 50 years have dramatically changed the understanding of India's past and, by extension, world history. A 4000-year-old skeleton discovered at Balathal in 2009 provides the oldest evidence of leprosy in India. Prior to this find, leprosy was considered a much younger disease thought to have been carried from Africa to India at some point and then from India to Europe by the army of Alexander the Great following his death in 323 BCE.

It is now understood that significant human activity was underway in India by the Holocene Period (10,000 years ago) and that many historical assumptions, based upon earlier work in Egypt and Mesopotamia, need to be reviewed and revised. The beginnings of the Vedic tradition in India, still practiced today, can now be dated, at least in part, to the indigenous people of ancient sites such as Balathal and their interaction and blending with the culture of Aryan migrants who arrived in the region between c. 2000-c. 1500 BCE, initiating the so-called Vedic Period (c. 1500-c.500 BCE) during which the Hindu scriptures known as the Vedas were committed to written form.

Mohenjo-daro & Harappan Civilization

The Indus Valley Civilization dates to c. 7000 BCE and grew steadily throughout the lower Gangetic Valley region southwards and northwards to Malwa. The cities of this period were larger than contemporary settlements in other countries, were situated according to cardinal points, and were built of mud bricks, often kiln-fired. Houses were constructed with a large courtyard opening from the front door, a kitchen/workroom for the preparation of food, and smaller bedrooms.

Family activities seem to have centered on the front of the house, particularly the courtyard and, in this, are similar to what has been inferred from sites in Rome , Egypt, Greece , and Mesopotamia. The buildings and homes of the Indus Valley peoples, however, were far more advanced technologically with many featuring flush toilets and "wind catchers" (possibly first developed in ancient Persia ) on the rooftops which provided air conditioning. The sewer and drainage systems of the cities excavated thus far are more advanced than those of Rome at its height.

The most famous sites of this period are the great cities of Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa both located in present-day Pakistan (Mohenjo-daro in the Sindh province and Harappa in Punjab) which was part of India until the 1947 partition of the country which created the separate nation. Harappa has given its name to the Harappan Civilization (another name for the Indus Valley Civilization) which is usually divided into Early, Middle, and Mature periods corresponding roughly to 5000-4000 BCE (Early), 4000-2900 BCE (Middle), and 2900-1900 BCE (Mature). Harappa dates from the Middle period (c. 3000 BCE) while Mohenjo-Daro was built in the Mature period (c. 2600 BCE).

Harappa's buildings were severely damaged and the site compromised in the 19th century when British workers carried away a significant amount of material for use as ballast in constructing the railroad . Prior to this time, many buildings had already been dismantled by citizens of the local village of Harappa (which gives the site its name) for use in their own projects. It is therefore now difficult to determine the historical significance of Harappa save that it is clear it was once a significant Bronze Age community with a population of as many as 30,000 people.

Mohenjo-Daro, on the other hand, is much better preserved as it lay mostly buried until 1922. The name Mohenjo-Daro means `mound of the dead' in Sindhi and was applied to the site by local people who found bones of humans and animals there, as well as ancient ceramics and other artifacts, emerging from the soil periodically. The original name of the city is unknown although various possibilities have been suggested by finds in the region, among them, the Dravidian name `Kukkutarma', the city of the cock, a possible allusion to the site now known as Mohenjo-Daro as a center of ritual cock-fighting or, perhaps, as a breeding center for cocks.

Mohenjo-Daro was an elaborately constructed city with streets laid out evenly at right angles and a sophisticated drainage system. The Great Bath, a central structure at the site, was heated and seems to have been a focal point for the community. The citizens were skilled in the use of metals such as copper , bronze , lead, and tin (as evidenced by artworks such as the bronze statue of the Dancing Girl and by individual seals) and cultivated barley, wheat, peas, sesame, and cotton. Trade was an important source of commerce and it is thought that ancient Mesopotamian texts which mention Magan and Meluhha refer to India generally or, perhaps, Mohenjo-Daro specifically. Artifacts from the Indus Valley region have been found at sites in Mesopotamia though their precise point of origin in India is not always clear.

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Decline of Harappan Civilization

The people of the Harappan Civilization worshipped many gods and engaged in ritual worship. Statues of various deities (such as Indra , the god of storm and war ) have been found at many sites and, chief among them, terracotta pieces depicting the Shakti (the Mother Goddess) suggesting a popular, common worship of the feminine principle. In c. 2000 - c.1500 BCE it is thought another race, known as the Aryans , migrated into India through the Khyber Pass and assimilated into the existing culture, bringing their gods and the language of Sanskrit with them which they then introduced to the region's existing belief system. Who the Aryans were and what effect they had on the indigenous people continues to be debated but it is generally acknowledged that, at about the same time as their arrival, the Harappan culture began to decline.

Scholars cite climate change as one possible reason noting evidence of both drought and flood in the region. The Indus River is thought to have begun flooding the region more regularly (as evidenced by approximately 30 feet or 9 meters of silt at Mohenjo-Daro) and this destroyed crops and encouraged famine. It is also thought the path of the monsoon, relied upon for watering the crops, could have changed and people left the cities in the north for lands in the south. Another possibility is loss of trade relations with Mesopotamia and Egypt, their two most vital partners in commerce, as both of those regions were undergoing domestic conflicts at this same time.

Racialist writers and political philosophers of the early 20th century, following the lead of the German philologist Max Muller (l. 1823-1900), claimed the Indus Valley Civilization fell to an invasion of light-skinned Aryans but this theory has now long been discredited. Equally untenable is the theory that the people were driven south by extra-terrestrials. Among the most mysterious aspects of Mohenjo-daro is the vitrification of parts of the site as though it had been exposed to intense heat which melted the brick and stone. This same phenomenon has been observed at sites such as Traprain Law in Scotland and attributed to the results of warfare . Speculation regarding the destruction of the city by some kind of ancient atomic blast, however, (the work of aliens from other planets) is not generally regarded as credible.

The Vedic Period

Whatever the reason for the abandonment of the cities, the period that followed the decline of the Indus Valley Civilization is known as the Vedic Period, characterized by a pastoral lifestyle and adherence to the religious texts known as The Vedas . Society became divided into four classes (the Varnas ) popularly known as 'the caste system' which were comprised of the Brahmana at the top (priests and scholars), the Kshatriya next (the warriors), the Vaishya (farmers and merchants), and the Shudra (laborers). The lowest caste was the Dalits , the untouchables, who handled meat and waste, though there is some debate over whether this class existed in antiquity.

At first, it seems this caste system was merely a reflection of one's occupation but, in time, it became more rigidly interpreted to be determined by one's birth and one was not allowed to change castes nor to marry into a caste other than one's own. This understanding was a reflection of the belief in an eternal order to human life dictated by a supreme deity.

While the religious beliefs which characterized the Vedic Period are considered much older, it was during this time that they became systematized as the religion of Sanatan Dharma ('Eternal Order') known today as Hinduism (this name deriving from the Indus (or Sindus) River where worshippers were known to gather, hence, 'Sindus', and then 'Hindus'). The underlying tenet of Sanatan Dharma is that there is an order and a purpose to the universe and human life and, by accepting this order and living in accordance with it, one will experience life as it is meant to be properly lived.

While Sanatan Dharma is considered by many a polytheistic religion consisting of many gods, it is actually monotheistic in that it holds there is one god, Brahman (the Self but also the Universe and creator of the observable universe), who, because of his greatness, cannot be fully apprehended save through the many aspects which are revealed as the different gods of the Hindu pantheon.

It is Brahman who decrees the eternal order and maintains the universe through it. This belief in an order to the universe reflects the stability of the society in which it grew and flourished as, during the Vedic Period, governments became centralized and social customs integrated fully into daily life across the region. Besides The Vedas , the great religious and literary works of the Puranas , the Mahabharata , Bhagavad -Gita , and the Ramayana all come from this period.

In the 6th century BCE, the religious reformers Vardhamana Mahavira (l. c. 599-527 BCE) and Siddhartha Gautama (l. c. 563 to c. 483 BCE) developed their own belief systems and broke away from mainstream Sanatan Dharma to eventually create their own religions of Jainism and Buddhism, respectively. These changes in religion were a part of a wider pattern of social and cultural upheaval which resulted in the formation of city-states and the rise of powerful kingdoms (such as the Magadha Kingdom under the ruler Bimbisara ) and the proliferation of philosophical schools of thought which challenged orthodox Hinduism.

Mahavira rejected the Vedas and placed the responsibility for salvation and enlightenment directly on the individual and the Buddha would later do the same. The philosophical school of Charvaka rejected all supernatural elements of religious belief and maintained that only the senses could be trusted to apprehend the truth and, further, that the greatest goal in life was pleasure and one's own enjoyment. Although Charvaka did not endure as a school of thought, it influenced the development of a new way of thinking which was more grounded, pragmatic, and eventually encouraged the adoption of empirical and scientific observation and method.

Cities also expanded during this time and the increased urbanization and wealth attracted the attention of Cyrus II (the Great, r. c. 550-530 BCE) of the Persian Achaemenid Empire (c. 550-330 BCE) who invaded India in 530 BCE and initiated a campaign of conquest in the region. Ten years later, under the reign of his son, Darius I (the Great, r. 522-486 BCE), northern India was firmly under Persian control (the regions corresponding to Afghanistan and Pakistan today) and the inhabitants of that area subject to Persian laws and customs. One consequence of this, possibly, was an assimilation of Persian and Indian religious beliefs which some scholars point to as an explanation for further religious and cultural reforms.

The Great Empires of Ancient India

Persia held dominance in northern India until the conquest of Alexander the Great in 330 BCE who marched on India after Persia had fallen. Again, foreign influences were brought to bear on the region giving rise to the Greco- Buddhist culture which impacted all areas of culture in northern India from art to religion to dress. Statues and reliefs from this period depict Buddha, and other figures, as distinctly Hellenic in dress and pose (known as the Gandhara School of Art). Following Alexander 's departure from India, the Mauryan Empire (322-185 BCE) rose under the reign of Chandragupta Maurya (r. c. 321-297 BCE) until, by the end of the third century BCE, it ruled over almost all of northern India.

Chandragupta 's son, Bindusara (r. 298-272 BCE) extended the empire throughout almost the whole of India. His son was Ashoka the Great (r. 268-232 BCE) under whose rule the empire flourished at its height. Eight years into his reign, Ashoka conquered the eastern city-state of Kalinga which resulted in a death toll numbering over 100,000. Shocked at the destruction and death, Ashoka embraced the teachings of the Buddha and embarked on a systematic program advocating Buddhist thought and principles.

He established many monasteries, gave lavishly to Buddhist communities, and is said to have erected 84,000 stupas across the land to honor the Buddha. In 249 BCE, on pilgrimage to sites associated with the Buddha's life, he formally established the village of Lumbini as Buddha's birthplace, erecting a pillar there, and commissioned the creation of his famous Edicts of Ashoka to encourage Buddhist thought and values. Prior to Ashoka's reign, Buddhism was a small sect struggling to gain adherents. After Ashoka sent missionaries to foreign countries carrying the Buddhist vision, the small sect began to grow into the major religion it is today.

The Mauryan Empire declined and fell after Ashoka's death and the country splintered into many small kingdoms and empires (such as the Kushan Empire) in what has come to be called the Middle Period. This era saw the increase of trade with Rome (which had begun c. 130 BCE) following Augustus Caesar 's incorporation of Egypt into the newly established Roman Empire in 30 BCE. Rome now became India's primary partner in trade as the Romans also had already annexed much of Mesopotamia. This was a time of individual and cultural development in the various kingdoms which finally flourished in what is considered the Golden Age of India under the reign of the Gupta Empire (320-550 CE).

The Gupta Empire is thought to have been founded by one Sri Gupta (`Sri' means `Lord') who probably ruled between 240-280 CE. As Sri Gupta is thought to have been of the Vaishya (merchant) class, his rise to power in defiance of the caste system is unprecedented. He laid the foundation for the government which would so stabilize India that virtually every aspect of culture reached its height under the reign of the Guptas. Philosophy , literature , science, mathematics, architecture , astronomy, technology, art, engineering, religion, and astronomy, among other fields, all flourished during this period, resulting in some of the greatest of human achievements.

The Puranas of Vyasa were compiled during this period and the famous caves of Ajanta and Ellora, with their elaborate carvings and vaulted rooms, were also begun. Kalidasa the poet and playwright wrote his masterpiece Shakuntala and the Kamasutra was also written, or compiled from earlier works, by Vatsyayana. Varahamihira explored astronomy at the same time as Aryabhatta, the mathematician, made his own discoveries in the field and also recognized the importance of the concept of zero, which he is credited with inventing. As the founder of the Gupta Empire defied orthodox Hindu thought, it is not surprising that the Gupta rulers advocated and propagated Buddhism as the national belief and this is the reason for the plentitude of Buddhist works of art, as opposed to Hindu, at sites such as Ajanta and Ellora.

The Decline of Empire & the Coming of Islam

The empire declined slowly under a succession of weak rulers until it collapsed around 550 CE. The Gupta Empire was then replaced by the rule of Harshavardhan (590-647 CE) who ruled the region for 42 years. A literary man of considerable accomplishments (he authored three plays in addition to other works) Harsha was a patron of the arts and a devout Buddhist who forbade the killing of animals in his kingdom but recognized the necessity to sometimes kill humans in battle .

He was a highly skilled military tactician who was only defeated in the field once in his life. Under his reign, the north of India flourished but his kingdom collapsed following his death. The invasion of the Huns had been repeatedly repelled by the Guptas and then by Harshavardhan but, with the fall of his kingdom, India fell into chaos and fragmented into small kingdoms lacking the unity necessary to fight off invading forces.

In 712 CE the Muslim general Muhammed bin Quasim conquered northern India, establishing himself in the region of modern-day Pakistan. The Muslim invasion saw an end to the indigenous empires of India and, from then on, independent city-states or communities under the control of a city would be the standard model of government. The Islamic Sultanates rose in the region of modern-day Pakistan and spread north-west.

The disparate world views of the religions which now contested each other for acceptance in the region and the diversity of languages spoken, made the unity and cultural advances, such as were seen in the time of the Guptas, difficult to reproduce. Consequently, the region was easily conquered by the Islamic Mughal Empire. India would then remain subject to various foreign influences and powers (among them the Portuguese, the French, and the British) until finally winning its independence in 1947.

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Bibliography

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• Archaeological Sites In India,Famous Archaeological Sites In India,Indian Archaeological Sites,Archaeology India - Indiasite , accessed 1 Dec 2016.
• Keay, J. India: A History. Grove Press, 2010.
• Koller, J. M. Asian Philosophies. Prentice Hall, 2007.
• Kulke, H. & Rothermund, D. A History of India. Barnes & Noble Books, 2008.
• Long, J. D. Historical Dictionary of Hinduism. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2010.
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• Mauryan Empire (ca. 323–185 B.C.) | Thematic Essay | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History | The Metropolitan Museum of Art , accessed 1 Dec 2016.
• Nagle, D. B. The Ancient World. Prentice Hall, 2008.
• Scarre, C. & Fagan, B. M. Ancient Civilizations. Routledge, 2008.

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Kashmir , region of the northwestern Indian subcontinent. It is bounded by the Uygur Autonomous Region of Xinjiang to the northeast and the Tibet Autonomous Region to the east (both parts of China ), by the Indian states of Himachal Pradesh and Punjab to the south, by Pakistan to the west, and by Afghanistan to the northwest. The region, with a total area of some 85,800 square miles (222,200 square km), has been the subject of dispute between India and Pakistan since the partition of the Indian subcontinent in 1947. The northern and western portions are administered by Pakistan and comprise three areas: Azad Kashmir , Gilgit , and Baltistan , the last two being part of a single administrative unit called Gilgit-Baltistan (formerly Northern Areas). Administered by India are the southern and southeastern portions, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh . The Indian- and Pakistani-administered portions are divided by a “line of control” agreed to in 1972, although neither country recognizes it as an international boundary. In addition, China became active in the eastern area of Kashmir in the 1950s and has controlled the northeastern part of Ladakh (the easternmost portion of the region) since 1962.

The Kashmir region is predominantly mountainous, with deep, narrow valleys and high, barren plateaus. The relatively low-lying Jammu and Punch (Poonch) plains in the southwest are separated by the thickly forested Himalayan foothills and the Pir Panjal Range of the Lesser Himalayas from the larger, more fertile, and more heavily populated Vale of Kashmir to the north. The vale, situated at an elevation of about 5,300 feet (1,600 metres), constitutes the basin of the upper Jhelum River and contains the city of Srinagar . Jammu and the vale lie in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, while the Punch lowlands are largely in Azad Kashmir.

Rising northeast of the vale is the western part of the Great Himalayas , the peaks of which reach elevations of 20,000 feet (6,100 metres) or higher. Farther to the northeast is the high, mountainous plateau region of Ladakh , which is cut by the rugged valley of the northwestward-flowing Indus River . Extending roughly northwestward from the Himalayas are the lofty peaks of the Karakoram Range , including K2 (Mount Godwin Austen), which at 28,251 feet (8,611 metres) is the second highest peak in the world, after Mount Everest .

The region is located along the northernmost extremity of the Indian-Australian tectonic plate. The subduction of that plate beneath the Eurasian Plate —the process that for roughly 50 million years has been creating the Himalayas—has produced heavy seismic activity in Kashmir. One especially powerful earthquake in 2005 devastated Muzaffarabad, which is the administrative center of Azad Kashmir, and adjacent areas including parts of India’s Jammu and Kashmir state (now Jammu and Kashmir union territory) and Pakistan’s North-West Frontier Province (now Khyber Pakhtunkhwa ).

The climate of the region ranges from subtropical in the southwestern lowlands to alpine throughout the high mountain areas. Precipitation is variable; it is heavier in areas that can be reached by the monsoonal winds west and south of the great ranges and sparse to the north and east where continental conditions prevail.

The people in the Jammu area are Muslim in the west and Hindu in the east and speak Hindi , Punjabi , and Dogri . The inhabitants of the Vale of Kashmir and the Pakistani areas are mostly Muslim and speak Urdu and Kashmiri . The sparsely inhabited Ladakh region and beyond is home to Tibetan peoples who practice Buddhism and speak Balti and Ladakhi.

According to legend , an ascetic named Kashyapa reclaimed the land now comprising Kashmir from a vast lake. That land came to be known as Kashyapamar and, later, Kashmir. Buddhism was introduced by the Mauryan emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century bce , and from the 9th to the 12th century ce the region appears to have achieved considerable prominence as a center of Hindu culture . A succession of Hindu dynasties ruled Kashmir until 1346, when it came under Muslim rule. The Muslim period lasted nearly five centuries, ending when Kashmir was annexed to the Sikh kingdom of the Punjab in 1819 and then to the Dogra kingdom of Jammu in 1846.

Thus, the Kashmir region in its contemporary form dates from 1846, when, by the treaties of Lahore and Amritsar at the conclusion of the First Sikh War , Raja Gulab Singh , the Dogra ruler of Jammu, was created maharaja (ruling prince) of an extensive but somewhat ill-defined Himalayan kingdom “to the eastward of the River Indus and westward of the River Ravi.” The creation of this princely state helped the British safeguard their northern flank in their advance to the Indus and beyond during the latter part of the 19th century. The state thus formed part of a complex political buffer zone interposed by the British between their Indian empire and the empires of Russia and China to the north. For Gulab Singh, confirmation of title to these mountain territories marked the culmination of almost a quarter century of campaigning and diplomatic negotiation among the petty hill kingdoms along the northern borderlands of the Sikh empire of the Punjab.

Some attempts were made in the 19th century to define the boundaries of the territory, but precise definition was in many cases defeated by the nature of the country and by the existence of huge tracts lacking permanent human settlement. In the far north, for example, the maharaja’s authority certainly extended to the Karakoram Range, but beyond that lay a debatable zone on the borders of the Turkistan and Xinjiang regions of Central Asia , and the boundary was never demarcated. There were similar doubts about the alignment of the frontier where this northern zone skirted the region known as Aksai Chin , to the east, and joined the better-known and more precisely delineated boundary with Tibet, which had served for centuries as the eastern border of the Ladakh region. The pattern of boundaries in the northwest became clearer in the last decade of the 19th century, when Britain, in negotiations with Afghanistan and Russia, delimited boundaries in the Pamirs region. At that time Gilgit, always understood to be part of Kashmir, was for strategic reasons constituted as a special agency in 1889 under a British agent.

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India is divided into 36 states and union territories. Can you find them all on a map? This quiz game can help. Check out Andhra Pradesh; it has mountains-to-sea topography, with land extending from the slopes of Eastern Ghats and Nallamala Hills to the Bay of Bengal. Look into the northern union territory of Ladakh, part of the larger, heavily disputed Kashmir region. How about Bihar? This Indian state is the third-most populous and is home to the highest proportion of young people compared to other Indian states. By using this map quiz game and keying in on a geographical detail about each state and union territory, you'll become an expert in no time!

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Vision India@2047: Transforming the Nation's Future

• 03 Nov 2023
• 14 min read
• GS Paper - 3
• Growth & Development
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• Government Policies & Interventions

This editorial is based on “Virtues of planning: On the Vision India@2047 plan ” which was published in The Hindu on 02/11/2023. It discusses the government’s blueprint to develop India by 2047, which is expected to be unveiled by the Prime Minister in early 2024.

For Prelims: Vision India@2047, NITI Aayog , PPP (Purchasing Power Parity) , Nominal GDP , Demographic dividend , Middle Income Trap, Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) , Labor force participation rate (LFPR) , Production-linked incentive scheme , National infrastructure pipeline

For Mains: Vision India@2047, Factors that may Contribute to India’s Economic Growth, Challenges before India’s 30 tn Dollar Economy Vision and Way Forward

In early 2024, the Prime Minister is expected to unveil a road map to transform the country into a developed nation with a USD 30 trillion economy by the time it completes 100 years of Independence.

The Vision India@2047 plan, as it is officially named, has been in the works for nearly two years with officials across ministries brainstorming on how to take the country from its current level of development to where it aspires to be.

The NITI Aayog , in the process of giving this vision document a final shape, will soon run its central ideas and goals past top minds across sectors, including World Bank President Ajay Banga, Apple chief Tim Cook, as well as Indian industrialists and thought leaders, to finetune them and factor in any blind spots. Coming ahead of the Lok Sabha election, the plan may well be viewed as the government’s policy playbook promise for prospective voters.

What is Vision India@2047?

• Vision India@2047 is a project initiated by the NITI Aayog , the apex policy think tank of India, to create a blueprint for India’s development in the next 25 years.
• The project aims to make India a global leader in innovation and technology , a model of human development and social welfare, and a champion of environmental sustainability.
• Achieving a USD 30 trillion economy with a per-capita income of USD 18,000-20,000 and strong public finances and a robust financial sector.
• Building world-class infrastructure and facilities in both rural and urban areas.
• Eliminating unnecessary interference by the government in the lives of citizens and promoting digital economy and governance.
• Developing 3-4 global champions in every sector by merger or restructuring and boosting indigenous industry and innovation.
• Becoming self-reliant in defence and space sectors and enhancing India’s role in the world.
• Fostering green growth and climate action by increasing renewable energy capacity and reducing carbon emissions.
• Empowering the youth with skills and education and creating more employment opportunities.
• Partnering with foreign R&D organizations to build top 10 labs in the country and bringing at least 10 Indian institutions among the top 100 globally.

What is the Current Status and Future Prospects of the Indian Economy?

• India is currently estimated to be the fifth largest economy in Nominal terms and 3rd largest in PPP (Purchasing Power Parity) terms.
• By 2022, the size of Indian GDP had already become larger than the GDP of the UK and also France.
• Ratings agency S&P estimates that India's nominal GDP will rise from USD 3.4 trillion in 2022 to USD 7.3 trillion by 2030.
• This rapid pace of economic expansion would result in the size of the Indian GDP making India the second largest economy in the Asia-Pacific region.
• India’s exports will be valued at USD 8.67 trillion in 2047 while its imports will be valued at USD 12.12 trillion.
• India’s average life expectancy will jump to 71.8 from 67.2 in 2021 and its literacy rate to 89.8% from 77.8% in 2021.

What are the Factors that may Contribute to India’s Economic Growth?

• According to reports, India has a population of over 1.4 billion people, with more than 40% below the age of 25. This provides a huge demographic dividend for economic growth.
• Growth of the Middle Class: India’s middle class is projected to expand from about 50 million in 2023 to over 500 million by 2050, creating a huge domestic market and demand for goods and services.
• These sectors have the potential to create new jobs, improve efficiency, and increase access to services.
• Sustainability-Focused Economy: India has been investing in renewable energy , green infrastructure , and climate resilience, aiming to reduce its carbon footprint and enhance its environmental quality. These initiatives can also create new opportunities for growth and development.

What are the Challenges before India’s 30 tn Dollar Economy Vision?

• According to the World Bank definition, the middle-income trap "refers to a situation whereby a middle-income country is failing to transition to a high-income economy due to rising costs and declining competitiveness".
• This means that India will have to deal with the challenges of an ageing population, such as rising health care costs, pension liabilities, and labor shortages.
• Moreover, various estimates show that the Indian Economy will grow at 7% for the next 10 years.
• While the preliminary numbers provided by the Niti Aayog, estimates show that the economy will need to post an annual average economic growth of 9.2% between 2030-2040, 8.8% between 2040-2047 and 9% between 2030 to 2047.
• The Rupee-Dollar Conundrum: India’s GDP in dollar terms is also a function of the rupee-dollar exchange rate, which is influenced by various factors such as inflation, trade balance, capital flows, and monetary policy.
• Geopolitics and regional integration: India faces a complex and dynamic geopolitical environment, with rising tensions with China, Pakistan, and other neighbors, and changing relations with the US, Russia, and other major powers.
• Stagnated Agriculture and Manufacturing sectors: Improving the productivity and competitiveness of the agriculture sector, which employs more than half of the workforce but accounts for just 17% of the GDP, and revitalizing the stagnated manufacturing sector, which has maintained a 15% GDP share for decades, while simultaneously generating employment opportunities for the expanding population.
• Lower Labor Force Participation : According to the latest Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) Annual Report 2022-2023, India’s labor force participation rate (LFPR) was 40.4% in 2022-2023, which is lower than the global average of 61.4%. Moreover, India’s LFPR has been declining over the years, especially for women.

What More Needs to be Done?

• Aim for Greater, Faster Divestitures: India has a large public sector that often suffers from inefficiencies, corruption, and losses. By divesting or privatizing some of these enterprises, India could raise funds, improve productivity, and attract foreign investment.
• Boost the Middle Class: India’s middle class is a key driver of consumption and growth, but it is also burdened by high taxes and low savings. By cutting tax rates or abolishing personal income tax and replacing it with a consumption tax, India could increase the disposable income and spending power of its middle class, while also simplifying the tax system and reducing evasion.
• Initiatives like New Education Policy and Skill India Mission are the right steps towards this.
• India has announced a Rs 100 lakh crore-plus National infrastructure pipeline, but it needs to speed up its execution and financing.
• India needs to further improve its ease of doing business, labor laws, and skill development to attract more domestic and foreign investment.
• Boost Private Investment: India needs to attract more foreign direct investment and encourage domestic companies to invest in the economy. The government can incentivize private investment by offering support for infrastructure projects and manufacturing.
• Implement Structural Reforms : India needs to undertake targeted reforms to raise productivity and competitiveness. McKinsey has identified six areas of targeted reform that can help raise productivity and competitiveness, including financial-sector reforms, urban planning, and e-commerce.
• Increase Capital Accumulation: Investment as a proportion of GDP needs to increase to achieve the goal of becoming a USD 30 trillion economy. The government can play a key role in boosting investment by offering substantial support for infrastructure projects and by incentivizing manufacturing.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Q1. Define potential GDP and explain its determinants. What are the factors that have been inhibiting India from realizing its potential GDP? (2020)

Newly released Yale Climate Opinion Maps show the diversity of climate knowledge throughout India. In  Maharashtra, a state in the western peninsular region, home to Mumbai,  33% say they know a lot or something about climate.

New Interactive Map Provides Local and Regional Climate Opinions in India

A new tool by the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication provides the first-ever estimates of public responses to climate change in 34 of India’s 36 states.

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India is the most populous country in the world and is among the top 10 greenhouse gas emitters, with most emissions stemming from energy production, manufacturing, and agriculture. Yet there has been little information about the diversity of climate opinions and response to climate change within the country. A new interactive map by the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication (YPCCC) at the Yale School of Environment, in collaboration with CVoter, provides the first-ever estimates of public responses to climate change in 34 of India’s 36 states and union territories and in 604 districts, depicting the variation in global warming knowledge, beliefs, risk perceptions, and policy preferences across the country at state and local levels.

“Understanding local climate opinions is a game-changer for policymakers. It allows them to implement effective climate solutions that have strong public support,” said Jennifer Marlon, lead researcher for the opinion maps at the YPCCC.

Previous studies had provided results on a national level, but the newly released Yale Climate Opinion Maps for India shows that only 41% of Indians say they know a lot or something about climate, and there is substantial geographic variation within the country. In Gujarat, a state along the western coast, 52% of Indians know a lot or something about the issue, whereas in Maharashtra, a state in the western peninsular region, only 33% report this level of knowledge. 

Understanding local climate opinions is a game-changer for policymakers – it allows them to implement effective climate solutions that have strong public support.” 

Since climate knowledge varies greatly across the country, this data can be used to determine where to focus climate communication initiatives, said Eric Fine, project manager at YPCCC

“When we first released the Yale Climate Opinion Maps for the United States in 2015, we had some ideas of how people might use them but could not have predicted many applications,” said Fine. “The same holds true now in India. In the United States, governments, journalists, companies, educators, and advocates use the maps to determine whether, how, and where to talk about climate change or promote specific solutions.” 

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The data underlying the maps come from national surveys of more than 6,500 respondents conducted between December 2021 and November 2023 as part of the Climate Change in the Indian Mind project.

Other key findings include:

• Across all of India’s states and districts, there is a consistently high level of worry about global warming.
• Strong majorities in every district across India think global warming will cause more severe heat waves.
•  Majorities in all but 16 districts think that India should use less fossil fuels in the future.

A better understanding of public climate change knowledge, beliefs, risk perceptions, and policy support can help decision-makers in India and beyond, Marlon said. As Indian states develop or update their respective State Action Plans on Climate Change and Net Zero targets , understanding and engaging the public will be critical to effectively implementing climate solutions. 

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Landslides in Southern India Kill More Than 100 People

Rescue workers struggled to reach isolated villages in the state of Kerala, where torrential rains have washed away terrain. The death toll was expected to rise.

By Sameer Yasir and Anupreeta Das

Reporting from New Delhi

At least 108 people were killed and dozens more injured in the southern Indian state of Kerala after days of heavy rainfall set off multiple landslides in a hilly region, in what government officials called one of its worst natural disasters.

The landslides in the district of Wayanad — a region whose natural, rugged beauty draws millions of tourists every year — uprooted trees, knocked down communication lines, submerged roads and washed away a bridge. Rescue operations were hindered by the region’s terrain, which made it harder to reach hundreds of residents in the areas that were hit the hardest.

“This is one of the worst natural calamities Kerala has ever witnessed,” said Pinarayi Vijayan, the chief minister of Kerala, in a statement. Mr. Vijayan said the damage to homes and livelihoods was “immense,” adding that his government had set up relief camps for thousands of people affected.

The death toll rose throughout the day as rescue workers recovered more bodies from under debris, and the number was expected to rise as the search continued, according to government officials. More than 125 people were injured.

“We are fighting nature at its worst,” said Akhilesh Kumar, an official with India’s National Disaster Response Forces who was overseeing the rescue operation along with the Indian Army and firefighters.

In his statement, Mr. Vijayan said the government was sending tankers of drinking water and rations and setting up temporary hospitals. He said there were efforts underway to identify the dead even as search teams looked for other victims of the catastrophe.

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