When former Prime Minister of India Smt. Indira Gandhi asked Rakesh Sharma, the first Indian to travel to space, how India looked from there, he replied Saare jahaan se achcha! We need to be proud that we belong to a country that has rich cultural heritage and which is currently advancing at a very quick pace in all realms of life. Here’s a compilation of some unknown facts about our country.
- Indus Valley Civilisation is the world’s oldest civilization which flourished on the banks of the river Indus.
- India has the world’s third largest active army, after China and USA.
- Varanasi is one of the oldest, continuously inhabited cities in the world today.
- India has the highest number of universities in the world.
- The world’s first university was established at Takshashila (also known as Taxila), a part of ancient Indian territory around 700 BC.
- The Indian Constitution is the largest written constitution in the world with 467 Articles, 25 Parts and 12 Schedules.
- The parts of India’s first rocket were brought on cycle and a satellite on a bullock cart.
- India has the second largest pool of scientists and engineers in the world.
- India is the largest producer of milk in the world.
- India has the second largest road network in the world after the United States of America.
- India is the top exporter of generic medicines in the world.
- The first granite temple of the world, the Brihadeeswarar Temple is situated in Tamil Nadu. Built during the 11th century, it is a true engineering marvel and an excellent example of the Dravidian architecture.
- Yoga originated in India about 5000 years ago.
- The game of Chess was invented in India. And Viswanathan Anand is the first player in the history of Chess to have won the World Championship in three different formats: knockout, tournament, and match.
- The Indian Men’s Kabaddi team won all the Kabaddi World Cups held till now.
- In 1928, India won its first Olympic gold medal in hockey. From 1928 to 1956, the Indian men’s team remained unbeaten in hockey at Olympics, gaining six gold medals in a row.
- India has the second largest English speaking population in the world.
- Lunar water, i.e., water on the surface of the Moon was discovered by Chandrayan-1, India’s first lunar probe.
- India has never invaded or attacked a foreign country without provocation. It only defended itself against external aggression.
Image sources: Wikipedia, TheHolidaySpot, Hindu History.