 India History
The
first real civilization in India was around 2500 BC,
living near the Indus River valley.
From 1500 BC to around 200 BC, Aryan invaders
came from central Asia, taking over control of the
northern regions or India.
With them, they brought traditions for raising
cattle and eating meat, along with gods.
However, in the 8th century, the caste
system, which was a hierarchy governed by strict rules
took back supremacy.
Historians then tell us that around 500 BC,
Buddhism became the religion of India, being embraced by
the Indian people while driving through Hinduism
beliefs.
During
the time from 40 to 600 AD, several Indian empires rose
and fell and at this time, the practice of Buddhism
began to decline. Around
this time, north India separated into different Hindu
kingdoms, especially after being invaded by the Huns.
These kingdoms remained segregated until the
Muslims arrived in 1192 from the Middle East.
Over the next 20 years, all of Ganges basin was
under the control of the Muslims and Islam was not able
to penetrate the south.
Additionally, two powerful kingdoms were formed
in what we know today as Karnataka.
This region consisted of two kingdoms -
Vijayanagar, a Hindu kingdom and Bahmani, a fragmented
Muslim kingdom.
By
1525, the Sultan of Delhi was defeated by Mughal
emperors. As
they came to Afghanistan, they brought with them a new
age. By the
17th century, Goa was controlled by the
Portuguese and trading posts had been established by the
Dutch, Danes, and the French.
In 1803 when the British took control over the
Marathas, the majority of India was now controlled by a
British East Indian Company that had created a trading
post in 1612 in Gujarat.
India was looked upon only as a place to make
money, setting the religious beliefs and culture aside.
By
now, the British were expanding coal mining and iron,
and soon moved their focus to plantations to growing
cotton, coffee, and tea.
In addition, the massive rail network of India
was under construction.
Unfortunately, absentee proprietors were
encouraged, which took the responsibility of tax and
administration collection off them.
However, the result was a landless peasantry was
created that was horribly impoverished.
Today, that very problem remains in West Bengal
and Bihar. Then
in 1857, there was a mutiny in the northern part of the
country, which ended the East India Company.
With that, the British government was handed over
administration of India.
When
World War II erupted, Indian independence and
colonialism was hit hard.
Even so, the Muslim minority declared that India
would be independent but dominated by Hindu, causing
communalism to grow. This brought out a political standoff and increasing tension
among the people. Therefore,
the country was divided, meaning that two powerful
Muslim regions now resided on opposites ends of the
country. Because of that, Pakistan would soon be divided
by a hostile country.
Once the division was publicized, the most
impressive exodus in history occurred when the Muslims
moved to Pakistan while the Sikhs and Hindus move d
to India. At
that, more than 10 million people took different sides.
Experts believe this mass exodus resulted in
250,000 people losing their lives.
However,
after this traumatic change, the country’s first prime
minister named Jawaharlal Nehru, created socialist
central planning and many strict policies. Even with clashes in Pakistan from 1965 to 1971, the country
continued to be led by people who cared about India and
its people. Although
Jawaharlal Nehru had since left the position of prime
minister, his daughter, Indira Gandhi took over in 1966.
Regarded with respect, she had a bad habit of
getting involved with the democratic basis of the
country, which led to her being assassinated in 1984 by
Sikh bodyguards. However,
the Gandhi presence in India would continue when her son
took the position.
Rajiv came in with power and determination and
with him, brought new policies.
With
his guidance, India was brought out of isolationism in
the 1990s but he too was assassinated while on tour for
re-election when a supporter of the Sri Lanka’s Tamil
Tigers took his life.
Sadly, unrest continued throughout the country
with terrorist activity. Then in 1998, India’s first nuclear weapons were tested
even though some were outraged.
Today, India is a country still trying to set
boundaries and determine leadership.
It is a beautiful country but one that should be
visited with caution, especially in sight of the current
war.
What
you will find when visiting India is a country with a
long, rich history.
The main religion remains Hinduism, which is
practiced by about 80% of the population.
In all, more than 100 million Muslims live in
India, which makes this country the largest of all
Muslim nations. In
all, there are approximately 18 million Sikhs, who live
primarily in the Punjab. Although there is no one language in India, you will find 18
different languages spoken there to include English.
You
will discover beautiful Indian art, which usually has
some type of religious theme.
Other fascinating aspects of this country include
temple architecture and sculpture, classical Indian
dance, miniature paintings, and mesmeric Indian music.
The people of Indian are no different from others
in that they enjoy theater and film, which consists
mostly of melodramas based on music, romance, and
violence. As
far as diet, some Hindus are vegetarians, living mainly
in the south part of the country, but not all are.
In
fact, to the north you will find meat a common part of
meals. They
use what is called a Mughal style that is similar to
Central Asian and Middle Eastern cuisine.
For instance, the food is generally spices.
They also prefer breads and grains more than they
do rise. Now,
the south is where rice is the main dish, often spiced
with hot curry. When
eating, no utensils are used, just fingers and hands.
Just remember, it is considered impolite to eat
with the left hand!
Covering
some 1.2 million square miles, India is the seventh
largest country in the world, bordered by China and
Pakistan. To
the north are beautiful snow-capped peaks as well as
lush valleys of the Himalayas.
Howe ver,
you will also find plains and plateaus that reach
between 1,000 and 2,950 feet. You will even find magnificent hills along with fertile
coastlines. The
one thing you cannot take away from India is the
incredible festivals. For example, the Republic Day Festival is held every January
in Delhi. This
festival is bright and colorful, featuring a magnificent
procession, elephants, and much of the Indian culture on
display. Then
in February, Holi is held, which is considered one of
India’s finest festivals.
Taking place in the northern section, colored
water and red powder are thrown on as many people as
possible in one day.
Other festivals include Shi’ite Muharram, Kumbh
Mela, Rath Yatra, the Nehru Cup Snake Boat Races, Ganesh
Chaturthi, Dussehra Festival, the Festival of the Gods,
Diwali, Camel Festival, and more!
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