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The '''Republic of India''' ('''Bharat''') ([[Hindi]]:'''हिंदुस्तान''' ''Hindustan'') is a massive [[Social democracy|social democratic]] nation located in [[South Asia]] with a [[population]] of 1.42 billion people - the most of any country in the world.<ref>https://www.downtoearth.org.in/video/governance/india-surpasses-china-to-become-most-populous-country-in-the-world-87257#:~:text=According%20to%20projections%20by%20the,now%20stands%20at%201.41%20billion.</ref> It spans from the [[Himalayas]] in the north to the [[Indian Ocean]]. It borders [[Afghanistan]], [[Tajikistan]],<ref>http://www.jammu-kashmir.com/documents/harisingh47.html</ref>[[Tibet]], [[East Turkestan]], [[Pakistan]], [[Bangladesh]], [[Nepal]], [[Bhutan]] and [[Myanmar]]. India is the 7th largest country in the world in terms of area and the second most populous country (standing at around 1.4 billion according to 2021 estimate), only behind China.  

The '''Republic of India''' ('''Bharat''') ([[Hindi]]:'''हिंदुस्तान''' ''Hindustan'') is a massive [[Social democracy|social democratic]] nation located in [[South Asia]] with a [[population]] of 1.42 billion people - the most of any country in the world.<ref>https://www.downtoearth.org.in/video/governance/india-surpasses-china-to-become-most-populous-country-in-the-world-87257#:~:text=According%20to%20projections%20by%20the,now%20stands%20at%201.41%20billion.</ref> It spans from the [[Himalayas]] in the north to the [[Indian Ocean]]. It borders [[Afghanistan]], [[Tajikistan]],<ref>http://www.jammu-kashmir.com/documents/harisingh47.html</ref>[[Tibet]], [[East Turkestan]], [[Pakistan]], [[Bangladesh]], [[Nepal]], [[Bhutan]] and [[Myanmar]]. India is the 7th largest country in the world in terms of area and the second most populous country (standing at around 1.4 billion according to 2021 estimates), only behind China.  

India is far more [[conservative]] than [[China]], and the vast majority of Indians practice [[Hinduism]], a religion which emphasizes family values, education, and tradition.  The belief in [[reincarnation]] in Hinduism gives primacy to the future rather than the past, in contrast with Chinese religions.

India is far more [[conservative]] than [[China]], and the vast majority of Indians practice [[Hinduism]], a religion which emphasizes family values, education, and tradition.  The belief in [[reincarnation]] in Hinduism gives primacy to the future rather than the past, in contrast with Chinese religions.

Founded on August 15, 1947, India was known as the ''Union of India'' until it re-declared itself a [[democratic republic]], using the name Republic of India. Though India is the world's third-largest economy in terms of purchasing power parity, and the fifth-largest economy in terms of nominal GDP, it has high levels of [[poverty]], [[illiteracy]], [[corruption]] and [[crime]]. However, poverty, illiteracy, corruption, and crime are declining dramatically, due to government reforms.

Founded on August 15, 1947, India was known as the ''Union of India'' until it re-declared itself a [[democratic republic]], using the name Republic of India. Though India is the world's third-largest economy in terms of purchasing power parity, and the fifth-largest economy in terms of nominal GDP, it has high levels of [[poverty]], [[illiteracy]], [[corruption]] and [[crime]]. However, poverty, illiteracy, corruption, and crime are declining dramatically due to government reforms.

==Etymology==

==Etymology==

Although India occupies only 2.4% of the world's land area, it supports over 15% of the world's population; only China has a larger population. India's median age is 25, one of the youngest among large economies. About 70% live in more than 550,000 villages, and the remainder in more than 200 towns and cities. Over the thousands of years of its history, India has been invaded from the Iranian plateau, Central Asia, Arabia, Afghanistan, and the West; Indian people and culture have absorbed and modified these influences to produce a remarkable racial and cultural synthesis.  

Although India occupies only 2.4% of the world's land area, it supports over 15% of the world's population; only China has a larger population. India's median age is 25, one of the youngest among large economies. About 70% live in more than 550,000 villages, and the remainder in more than 200 towns and cities. Over the thousands of years of its history, India has been invaded from the Iranian plateau, Central Asia, Arabia, Afghanistan, and the West; Indian people and culture have absorbed and modified these influences to produce a remarkable racial and cultural synthesis.  

Religion, [[caste]], and language are major determinants of social and political organization in India today. However, with more job opportunities in the private sector and better chances of upward social mobility, India has begun a quiet social transformation in this area. The government has recognized 18 official languages;<ref>"In the early 1900s ... English was ascendant in India. ... It was the lingua franca to which Indians, who spoke more than a dozen distinct languages, turned when they did not otherwise understand one another." ([https://www.amazon.com/The-Man-Who-Knew-Infinity/dp/0671750615 ''The Man Who Knew Infinity''], page 25 - [[Robert Kanigel]])</ref> and Hindi, the national language, is the most widely spoken, although English is a national lingua franca. Although 81% of its people are Hindu, India also is the home of more than 138 million Muslims—one of the world's largest [[Muslim]] populations. The population also includes [[Christian]]s, [[Sikh]]s, [[Jain]]s, [[Buddhist]]s, and [[Parsi]]s.  

Religion, [[caste]], and language are major determinants of social and political organization in India today. However, with more job opportunities in the private sector and better chances of upward social mobility, India has begun a quiet social transformation in this area. The government has recognized 18 official languages;<ref>"In the early 1900s ... English was ascendant in India. ... It was the lingua franca to which Indians, who spoke more than a dozen distinct languages, turned when they did not otherwise understand one another." ([https://www.amazon.com/The-Man-Who-Knew-Infinity/dp/0671750615 ''The Man Who Knew Infinity''], page 25 - [[Robert Kanigel]])</ref> and Hindi, the national language, is the most widely spoken, although English is a national lingua franca. Although 81% of its people are Hindu, India is also the home of more than 138 million Muslims—one of the world's largest [[Muslim]] populations. The population also includes [[Christian]]s, [[Sikh]]s, [[Jain]]s, [[Buddhist]]s, and [[Parsi]]s.  

The Hindu [[caste system]] reflects Indian occupational and socially defined hierarchies. Ancient [[Sanskrit]] sources divide society into four major categories, priests ([[Brahmin]]), warriors ([[Kshatriya]]), traders-[[merchant]]s ([[Vaishya]]) and farmers/laborers ([[Shudra]]). Although these categories are understood throughout India, they describe reality only in the most general terms. They omit, for example, the tribes and those once known as "[[untouchables]]." In reality, Indian society is divided into thousands of jatis—local, endogamous groups based on occupation—and organized hierarchically according to complex ideas of purity and pollution. Discrimination based on caste is officially illegal, but remains prevalent, especially in rural areas. Nevertheless, the government has made strong efforts to minimize the importance of caste through active affirmative action and social policies. Moreover, caste has been diluted if not subsumed in the economically prosperous and heterogeneous cities, where an increasing percentage of India's population lives. In the countryside, expanding education, land reform and economic opportunity through access to information, communication, transport, and credit have lessened the harshest elements of the caste system.

The Hindu [[caste system]] reflects Indian occupational and socially defined hierarchies. Ancient [[Sanskrit]] sources divide society into four major categories, priests ([[Brahmin]]), warriors ([[Kshatriya]]), traders-[[merchant]]s ([[Vaishya]]) and farmers/laborers ([[Shudra]]). Although these categories are understood throughout India, they describe reality only in the most general terms. They omit, for example, the tribes and those once known as "[[untouchables]]." In reality, Indian society is divided into thousands of jatis—local, endogamous groups based on occupation—and organized hierarchically according to complex ideas of purity and pollution. Discrimination based on caste is officially illegal, but remains prevalent, especially in rural areas. Nevertheless, the government has made strong efforts to minimize the importance of caste through active affirmative action and social policies. Moreover, caste has been diluted if not subsumed in the economically prosperous and heterogeneous cities, where an increasing percentage of India's population lives. In the countryside, expanding education, land reform and economic opportunity through access to information, communication, transport, and credit have lessened the harshest elements of the caste system.

*[[Sikhism]]

*[[Sikhism]]

Today, Hinduism and Buddhism are the world's third- and fourth-largest religions respectively, after Christianity and Islam, with a collective 1.4 billion followers.

Today, Hinduism and Buddhism are the world's third- and fourth-largest religions, respectively, after Christianity and Islam, with a collective 1.4 billion followers.

===Hinduism in India===

===Hinduism in India===

Hinduism as it is identified today has existed in India for over 4000 years; in the past it had spread to the rest of South-East [[Asia]] and [[Indonesia]], although Hinduism is practiced outside India today only on the island of [[Bali]].

Hinduism as it is identified today has existed in India for over 4000 years; in the past it had spread to the rest of South-East [[Asia]] and [[Indonesia]], although Hinduism is practiced outside India today only on the island of [[Bali]].

The beliefs and practices of the pre-classical era (1500–500BC) are called the "historical Vedic religion". Modern Hinduism grew out of the [[Vedas]], a large corpus of texts originating in Ancient India. They form the oldest layer of [[Sanskrit]] literature and the oldest sacred texts of Hinduism, the oldest of which is the [[Rigveda]], dated to 1700–1100BC. The Vedas center on worship of deities such as [[Indra]], Varuna and Agni, and on the Soma ritual. They performed fire-sacrifices, called yajña, and chanted Vedic mantras, but did not build temples or icons. The oldest Vedic traditions exhibit strong similarities to [[Zoroastrian]]ism and other Indo-European religions. During the Epic and Puranic periods, the earliest versions of the epic poems [[Ramayana]] and [[Mahabharata]] were written roughly from 500–100BC, although these were orally transmitted for centuries prior to this period. The epics contain mythological stories about the rulers and wars of ancient India, and are interspersed with religious and philosophical treatises. The later Puranas recount tales about devas and devis, their interactions with humans and their battles against demons.

The beliefs and practices of the pre-classical era (1500–500BC) are called the "historical Vedic religion". Modern Hinduism grew out of the [[Vedas]], a large corpus of texts originating in Ancient India. They form the oldest layer of [[Sanskrit]] literature and the oldest sacred texts of Hinduism, the oldest of which is the [[Rigveda]], dated to 1700–1100BC. The Vedas center on worship of deities such as [[Indra]], Varuna and Agni, and on the Soma ritual. They performed fire sacrifices, called yajña, and chanted Vedic mantras, but did not build temples or icons. The oldest Vedic traditions exhibit strong similarities to [[Zoroastrian]]ism and other Indo-European religions. During the Epic and Puranic periods, the earliest versions of the epic poems [[Ramayana]] and [[Mahabharata]] were written roughly from 500–100BC, although these were orally transmitted for centuries prior to this period. The epics contain mythological stories about the rulers and wars of ancient India, and are interspersed with religious and philosophical treatises. The later Puranas recount tales about devas and devis, their interactions with humans and their battles against demons.

===Buddhism in India===

===Buddhism in India===

==Government==

==Government==

According to its Constitution, India is a "sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic." Like the United States, India has a federal form of government. However, the central government in India has greater power in relation to its states, and has adopted a British-style parliamentary system.  

According to its Constitution, India is a "sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic." Like the United States, India has a federal form of government. However, the central government in India has greater power in relation to its states and has adopted a British-style parliamentary system.  

The government exercises its broad administrative powers in the name of the president, whose duties are largely ceremonial. A special electoral college elects the president and vice president indirectly for 5-year terms. Their terms are staggered, and the vice president does not automatically become president following the death or removal from office of the president.  

The government exercises its broad administrative powers in the name of the president, whose duties are largely ceremonial. A special electoral college elects the president and vice president indirectly for 5-year terms. Their terms are staggered, and the vice president does not automatically become president following the death or removal from office of the president.  

When India became independent from [[Britain]] in 1947, the Indian government recognized agriculture as a key area for economic development. Despite this, there has been limited modernization of the sector. There has not been an effective land reform package introduced to redistribute land from wealthy landlords to landless peasants. In the 1990s almost half of rural families had plots of 0.5 hectares or no land at all, but a quarter of India's agricultural land was owned by five percent of rich landowning families. This has made it nearly impossible to mechanize and introduce modern farm practices.

When India became independent from [[Britain]] in 1947, the Indian government recognized agriculture as a key area for economic development. Despite this, there has been limited modernization of the sector. There has not been an effective land reform package introduced to redistribute land from wealthy landlords to landless peasants. In the 1990s almost half of rural families had plots of 0.5 hectares or no land at all, but a quarter of India's agricultural land was owned by five percent of rich landowning families. This has made it nearly impossible to mechanize and introduce modern farm practices.

The dominant type of farming throughout India is intensive [[Subsistence farming]]. It is used especially in rural areas with high population density, where people depend on being able to feed themselves. [[Rice]] is very important for this type of farming, especially in the Indus and Ganges flood plains. Other crops such as wheat and millet are grown in drier parts of peninsular India. Farming is a family affair, with all planting, flooding and harvesting done by hand. One of the reasons rural Indians have such large families is to provide free labour to help harvest crops. This adds to the pressure on India's service sector and India's agriculture sector to meet the demands of India's ever-growing population.India is a country that has benefited from the Green Revolution. This refers to the development and introduction of genetically modified, high-yield varieties of staple crops, such as rice and wheat. These ‘miracle’ crops produce high yields and are resistant to disease and pests. Due to the Green Revolution, India has managed to become a net exporter of food.

The dominant type of farming throughout India is intensive [[Subsistence farming]]. It is used especially in rural areas with high population density, where people depend on being able to feed themselves. [[Rice]] is very important for this type of farming, especially in the Indus and Ganges floodplains. Other crops such as wheat and millet are grown in drier parts of peninsular India. Farming is a family affair, with all planting, flooding and harvesting done by hand. One of the reasons rural Indians have such large families is to provide free labor to help harvest crops. This adds to the pressure on India's service sector and India's agriculture sector to meet the demands of India's ever-growing population. India is a country that has benefited from the Green Revolution. This refers to the development and introduction of genetically modified, high-yield varieties of staple crops, such as rice and wheat. These ‘miracle’ crops produce high yields and are resistant to disease and pests. Due to the Green Revolution, India has managed to become a net exporter of food.

There are, however, some problems linked to the Green Revolution. It depends on large inputs of chemical fertilizers and pesticides that may be costly and harmful to the soil in the long run. Labour is often replaced with machinery, so rural unemployment goes up and more people leave the land and go to towns, increasing rural-urban migration. A well-educated farm population and capital investment are needed. It only really benefits comparatively few, large-scale farmers; large numbers of small-scale farmers may not be able to benefit from the process.

There are, however, some problems linked to the Green Revolution. It depends on large inputs of chemical fertilizers and pesticides that may be costly and harmful to the soil in the long run. Labor is often replaced with machinery, so rural unemployment goes up and more people leave the land and go to towns, increasing rural-urban migration. A well-educated farm population and capital investment are needed. It only really benefits comparatively few, large-scale farmers; large numbers of small-scale farmers may not be able to benefit from the process.

For a large number of Indian farmers, a better solution would be the introduction of more intermediate technology and a more effective programme of land reform. While the Green Revolution has brought some positive results, the vast majority of India's [[rice]] farmers use traditional farm practices that depend heavily on the natural environment. The need to match food production to India's growing population is a major concern for the government.

For a large number of Indian farmers, a better solution would be the introduction of more intermediate technology and a more effective programme of land reform. While the Green Revolution has brought some positive results, the vast majority of India's [[rice]] farmers use traditional farm practices that depend heavily on the natural environment. The need to match food production to India's growing population is a major concern for the government.

When India became independent in 1947, it had a largely underdeveloped industrial system, with textiles and food processing being the key industries in the country. Only two percent of the working population had been employed in industry, which was concentrated in the major cities; [[Bombay]], [[Calcutta]] and [[Madras]]. On gaining independence, the new government was determined to reduce India's dependence on imported goods and to promote greater wealth and employment throughout the country.

When India became independent in 1947, it had a largely underdeveloped industrial system, with textiles and food processing being the key industries in the country. Only two percent of the working population had been employed in industry, which was concentrated in the major cities; [[Bombay]], [[Calcutta]] and [[Madras]]. On gaining independence, the new government was determined to reduce India's dependence on imported goods and to promote greater wealth and employment throughout the country.

The size of India's population provided it a large home market, and the country had some natural resources ([[coal]] and iron), a large and cheap labour force, and outputs from agriculture (cotton, jute). Mineral resources encouraged the government to develop heavy industries, such as iron and [[steel]], shipbuilding and chemicals. Despite these advantages, development was relatively slow and only benefited a few growth centers. In addition, by the 1980s, many heavy industries were in decline. Industrial policy has changed to emphasize agri-industries, consumer goods industries and small craft industries, rural development (community-based development and self-help schemes), and high-technology industries.

The size of India's population provided it a large home market, and the country had some natural resources ([[coal]] and iron), a large and cheap labor force, and outputs from agriculture (cotton, jute). Mineral resources encouraged the government to develop heavy industries, such as iron and [[steel]], shipbuilding and chemicals. Despite these advantages, development was relatively slow and only benefited a few growth centers. In addition, by the 1980s, many heavy industries were in decline. Industrial policy has changed to emphasize agri-industries, consumer goods industries and small craft industries, rural development (community-based development and self-help schemes), and high-technology industries.

Agri-industries would be advantageous to India in that it already employs a large number of people in the agricultural sector. The development of fertilizers, machinery and food processing benefits rural communities and helps in the modernization of India's agricultural system.

Agri-industries would be advantageous to India in that it already employs a large number of people in the agricultural sector. The development of fertilizers, machinery and food processing benefits rural communities and helps in the modernization of India's agricultural system.

[[Consumer goods]] industries are more labour-intensive than large-scale heavy industries, so more jobs are created as a result. They also benefit from low labour costs and traditional skills, which make them more competitive in export markets (e.g., jewellery, clothing, leather goods, etc.).

[[Consumer goods]] industries are more labor-intensive than large-scale heavy industries, so more jobs are created as a result. They also benefit from low labor costs and traditional skills, which make them more competitive in export markets (e.g., jewellery, clothing, leather goods, etc.).

With more than 70% of India's population living in rural areas, jobs need to be taken to these people rather than encouraging migration to urban areas. This involves support for community development projects and self-help schemes that improve skills levels among the workforce.

With more than 70% of India's population living in rural areas, jobs need to be taken to these people rather than encouraging migration to urban areas. This involves support for community development projects and self-help schemes that improve skills levels among the workforce.