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| 25 Interesting Facts About India That You Probably Didn't Know |
India is, the cradle of the human race, the birthplace of human speech, the mother of history, the grandmother of legend, and the great grandmother of tradition. Our most valuable and most instructive materials in the history of man are treasured up in India only.
These are not our words. These are the words of the great Mark Twain. And here are 25
Indians facts to support his statement:
1. A floating post office
India has the largest postal network in the world with over 1, 55,015 post offices. A single post office on an average serves a population of 7,175 people. The floating post office in Dal Lake, Srinagar, was inaugurated in August 2011.
2. Kumbh Mela gathering visible from space
The 2011 Kumbh Mela was the largest gathering of people with over 75 million pilgrims. The gathering was so huge that the crowd was visible from space.
3. The wettest inhabited place in the world
Mawsynram, a village on the Khasi Hills, Meghalaya, receives the highest recorded average rainfall in the world. Cherrapunji, also a part of Meghalaya, holds the record for the most rainfall in the calendar year of 1861.
4. Bandra Worli Sealink has steel wires equal to the earth's circumference
The length of steel wires used in the construction of the Bandra-Worli sealink, Mumbai, is equivalent to the earth's circumference. The eight-lane sealink, constructed at a cost of US$250 million, is the first cable-stayed bridge on open sea in India. Its weight is equivalent to that of 50,000 African elephants and its length is 63 times that of Qutub Minar.
5. The highest cricket ground in the world
Encircled by enormous deodar, Chail Cricket Ground is the highest cricket ground in the world. Built in the year 1893, this ground is also used as polo ground, located at the height of around 2,144m. It rests 7500 feet above sea level and is known as one of the famous cricket stadiums in India. Set in the state of Himachal Pradesh in India, this cricket ground is in the scenic hill station of Chail. Visitors can relish a splendid view of Sutlej Valley, Shimla and Kasauli at night from here. This ground is also used as the school playground by Chail Military School. There is a well maintained basket ball court and the same cricket ground also has goal posts that is used for playing football.
6. Shampooing is an Indian concept
Shampoo was invented in India, not the commercial liquid ones but the method by use of herbs. The first known mention of shampoo is from the 4th century B.C., when Greek historian Strabo wrote about India's practice of shampooing. The word is from the Hindu word champo, meaning to massage or knead.
7. The Indian national Kabaddi team has won all World Cups
The Indian national Kabaddi team has won all World Cups. India has won all 5 men's Kabaddi World Cups held till now and have been undefeated throughout these tournaments. The Indian women's team has also won all Kabaddi World Cups held till date.
8. Water on the moon was discovered by India
In September 2009, India's ISRO Chandrayaan- 1 using its Moon Mineralogy Mapper detected water on the moon for the first time.
9. Science day in Switzerland is dedicated to Ex-Indian President, APJ Abdul Kalam
Switzerland has declared May 26 as Science Day in honour of visiting former President, Late Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam. The Swiss government, considering his vast expertise in science and technology, announced this following his arrival in Geneva on 26th May 2005.
10. India's first President only took 50% of his salary
When Dr Rajendra Prasad was appointed the President of India, he only took 50% of his salary, claiming he did not require more than that. Towards the end of his 12-year tenure he only took 25% of his salary. The salary of the President was Rs 10,000 back then.
11. The first rocket in India was transported on a cycle
The first rocket was so light and small that it was transported on a bicycle to the Thumba Launching Station in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
In 1963 Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) launched its first rocket from Thumba Equatorial Launching Station.
The station had a single launch pad in the midst of coconut plantations. A local Catholic Church the St Mary Magadelene’s Church served as the main office for the scientists. The bishop’s house was converted into a workshop. A Cattle shed became the laboratory in which young Indian scientists like Abdul Kalam Azad worked and the rocket was transported to lift-off pad ON A BICYCLE.
12. India has a rare elephant spa that will make you jealous of elephants!
Every year a group of pampered elephants at the Punnathoor Cotta Elephant Yard Rejuvenation Centre receive elaborate spa treatments. The elephant yard is attached to the Guruvayurappan Hindu temple in Kerala, India.
The rejuvenation centre – which is attached to the famous Guruvayurappan Hindu temple – can host up to 59 elephants, and the tusked giants are happy to laze in the water while workers scrub them clean with brushes.The elephants play a key role in Kerala’s legendary temple processions and – with July considered a month of rejuvenation for humans and animals alike – these ellies are certainly not complaining.
13. India is the world's second-largest English speaking country
India is second only to the USA when it comes to speaking English with around 125 million people speaking the language, which is only 10% of our population. This is expected to grow by quite a margin in the coming years.
14. Largest number of vegetarians in the world
Be it because of religious reasons or personal choices or both, around 20-40% of Indians are vegetarians, making it the largest vegetarian-friendly country in the world.
India, the world's second most populous country, with a population of over 1.2 billion has around 500 million vegetarians. Walking into a typical McDonald's or KFC restaurant can be a distasteful experience for a vegetarian and many avoid it. In 2013, India is even opening up an entirely non-meat McDonald's
15. India is the world largest producer of milk
India is the world's largest producer of milk, contributing about 19% of the world's total milk production with over 150 million tonnes of milk production every year. India, whose milk output surpasses that of all the European Union countries combined, is followed by the US, China, Pakistan and Brazil.
16. The first chemically refined sugar appeared on the scene in India
The first chemically refined sugar appeared on the scene in India about 2,500 years ago. From there, the technique spread east towards China, and west towards Persia and the early Islamic worlds, eventually reaching the Mediterranean in the 13th century. Cyprus and Sicily became important centres for sugar production.
17. Shakuntala Devi – India’s Human Calculator Multiplied Two 13 Digit Numbers in nearly 20 Seconds – Got registered in Guinness Book.
Shakuntala Devi was an Indian writer and mental calculator, popularly known as the “human computer”.A child prodigy, her talent earned her a place in the 1982 edition of The Guinness Book of World Records.
As a writer, Devi wrote a number of books, including novels as well as texts about mathematics, puzzles, and astrology. She wrote the book, “The World of Homosexuals”, which is considered the first study of homosexuality in India. She treated homosexuality in an understanding light and is considered a pioneer in the field.
Shakuntla Devi was given this title after she demonstrated the calculation of two 13 digit numbers: 7,686,369,774,870 × 2,465,099,745,779 which were picked at random. She answered correctly 18,947,668,177,995,426,462,773,730 within 28 seconds..
18. Rabindranath Tagore also wrote the national anthem for Bangladesh
Rabindranath Tagore is credited not only for writing the Indian national anthem, Jana Gana Mana, but the Bangladeshi national anthem, Amar Sonar Bangla, as well. He was also offered knighthood by the British but refused the honour after the Jalianwala Bagh massacre.
19. Dhyan Chand was offered German citizenship
After defeating Germany 8-1 in the 1936 Berlin Olympics, Major Dhyan Chand, the wizard of hockey, was summoned by Hitler. He was promised German citizenship, a high post in the German military and the chance to play for the German national side. Dhyan Chand however declined the offer.
20. Freddie Mercury and Ben Kingsley are both of Indian descent
Freddie Mercury, the legendary singer of the rock band 'Queen' was born a Parsi with the name Farrokh Bulsara while the famous Oscar winning Hollywood star Ben Kingsley was born Krishna Pandit Bhanji.
21. Astronaut Rakesh Sharma said India looks "Saare Jahaan Se Achcha" (the best in the world) from space.
Wing Commander (Retd) Sharma had famously replied “Saare Jahaan Se Achcha” when Indira Gandhi, the then prime minister, asked him how India looked from outer space. That moment of pride for millions of Indian TV viewers, who watched the telecast, will be a highlight of the movie. In fact, that could also be the title.
22. Havell's is purely an Indian brand & named after its first owner
Though the company was bought for just 10 lakh Rupees a long time ago and is now a multi-billion electrical goods company, it's an Indian company and is still named after its original owner, Haveli Ram Gupta.
23. Diamonds were first mined in India
Diamonds are thought to have been first recognized and mined in India, where significant alluvial deposits of the stone could be found many centuries ago along the rivers Penner, Krishna and Godavari. Diamonds have been known in India for at least 3,000 years but most likely 6,000 years.
24. A special polling station is set up for a lone voter in the middle of Gir Forest
Mahant Bharatdas Darshandas has been voting since 2004 and during every election since then, a special polling booth is set up exclusively for him as he is the only voter from Banej in Gir forest. Darshandas is a temple priest. If the booth is not set up he will have to travel 20 km to cast his vote.
25. The board game, today called Snakes and Ladders, originated in ancient India.
Earlier known as Moksha Patamu, the game was initially invented as a moral lesson about karma to be taught to children. It was later commercialized and has become one of the most popular board games in the world.
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