The Fascinating Country of India

1. The Fascinating Country of India By: Iran Suri Shirley Towers

2. Geography • India is located in Southern Asia • Borders the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal • Between Burma and Pakistan • Over 1/3 the size of the USA • The climate varies from tropical monsoons in the South to temperate temperatures in the North. • The South is a upland plain on the Deccan Plateau and the North is flat along the Ganges River, the west is a desert, and the North is high from the Himalayas. • Population: 1,095,351,995

3. Art and Culture

4. Monuments and Temples The Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka • the foothills of the Vindhayan Mountains in a dense forest. • They are five clusters of natural rock shelters that display paintings from the Mesolithic Period. The Mountain Railways of India • Still in operation today • Built from 1891-1908 because of the difficulty of the mountainous region and elevation changes. The Mahabodi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya • One of the 4 holy sites related to Buddhism • Built by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd Century B.C. • It is one of the earliest Buddhist temples and is still standing today. It was built in entirely brick.

5. Monuments and Temples Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (Victoria Terminus) • Located in Bombay • Blends British and Indian themes • It was designed by British architect F.W. Stevens • It was built from 1878-1978 • It had stone domes, turrets, and pointed arches all close to Indian styles Agra Fort • Near the gardens of the Taj Mahal is the 16th Century Mughal monument known as the Red Fort of Agra and it was built by Shah Jahan. • It is entirely red sandstone and marble. • It is said to look like a fairy-tale and is 2.5 km long.

6. Monuments and Temples Fatehpur Sikri • Built in the second half of the 16th Century by Emperor Akbar. • It means “The city of Victory” • It includes one of the largest mosques in India, Jama Masjid. • It was the capital of the Mughal Empire for about 10 years. Ellora Caves • 34 Monasteries and Temples extending over a mile. • They were dug side by side in the wall of a high cliff. • Built from 600 AD-1000 AD • Brings Ancient India’s civilization to life, it is devoted to Buddhism, Jainism, and Hinduism. Elephanta Caves • It is known as the “City of Caves” and is on an island close to Bombay. • It has a collection of underground rock art throughout it • Indian Art is expressed perfectly here.

7. Monuments and Temples The Qutb Minar in Delhi • Built in the early 13th century. • Made of red sandstone and is about 238 feet tall. It has a 9 ft. diameter at the top but a 47 ft. diameter at the base. • There are alternating angular and round flutings all the way around. • It has surrounding famous monuments also. The Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi • Built in 1570 • First Garden-Tomb in India ever made • Inspired many other architectural plans • Gave the idea for the Taj Mahal Great Living Chola Temples • Two temples built in the 11th and 12th century • Built by Kings of the Chola Empire which stretched all over South India. • It has massive statues that guard it and remarkable beauty inside with bronze.

8. Monuments and Temples • The Golden Temple • One of the most well known temples • It is a Sikh temple in Amritsar, India. • It was built from 1588-1601, taking 13 years to build. • It is a place of many historic moments and originally just was surrounded by a lake, but now everything has been built around it. • It is known as the greatest temple in India. • There is one temple for each Guru in the Sikh Religion. • The Taj Mahal • Started construction in 1632 and finished in 1648. • It was built in the Moghul Dynasty. • The Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan commissioned it as a mausoleum for his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. • It is generally considered the finest example of Mughal architecture. • It is located in the city of Agra and is guarded so heavily that unless you are inside the gate, it can't even be seen. • The Gateway of India • Bombay's most famous landmark. • It was designed by George Wikket in 1911. • It consists of a central hall with great archways, and side halls which can accommodate 600 people. • It is about 80 feet tall and is on the waterfront in the South part of the city. • The Gateway of India was built to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to Bombay. • It was completed on December 4, 1924

9. The Taj Mahal The Golden Temple

10. Parks Kaziranga National Park • In the State of Assam • One of the last parts of East India that wasn’t disturbed by humans. • It has the world’s largest population of one-horned rhinos and has many tigers, elephants, panthers, bears, and thousands of birds. Keoladeo National Park • Located just west of Agra • Formerly a place of duck hunting, but is now a major wintering area for 364 species of aquatic birds. Manas Wildlife Sanctuary • On the foothills of the Himalayas with grasslands and tropical forests. • Has a great variety of wildlife including the tiger, Indian Rhino and Indian elephant.

11. Parks Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Park • Most spectacular wilderness areas in the Himalayas. • Peak of Nanda Devi is over 25,500 Ft. tall. • Inhabits many endangered animals such as the snow leopard and musk deer. • The Valley of Flowers has incredible meadows and is home to the Asiatic black bear, the brown bear, and the blue sheep. The Indian wildlife heritage has a unique status worldwide. • It has the second largest base of bio diversity in the world, with 441 Wildlife Sanctuaries and 80 National Parks, which have become destinations for visitors from all around the world. • India's first wildlife park, Jim Corbett National Park, was formed in 1936. They house more than 500 species of mammals, over 2000 species of birds, over 500 species of reptiles and amphibians and around 30000 species of insects!

12. Classical Dance and Music • Natya Shastra is considered the seminal source book for dancers and performers. • It was written 2000 years ago by Bharata Muni. • It covers all the aspects of the art of Indian Theatre and Dance. There are 37 Chapters that describe every dance. • It is said that the Gods vanquished the Evil which related to the God of Creation who passed it down to the author of this book. • Temples were not only used for worship, but also for teaching music and dance. • The Kings were patrons of the arts and encouraged them, there were temples that had various sculptures and statues of dancing poses that are preserved in stone.

13. Bollywood • Bollywood is A popular Mumbai (Bombay)- based Hindi language film industry in India. • Bollywood has become one of the largest film industries, producing over 1,000 films per year in several different languages. • Today Bollywood attracts over 1 billion spectators worldwide a lot of whom don’t even understand these Indian languages • All Indian movies must have at least 3 or more songs and dance sequences for them to become popular.

14. Songs Bollywood Songs • Songs from Bollywood movies are generally pre-recorded by professional playback singers, with the actors then lip singing the words to the song on-screen, often while dancing. While most actors, especially today, are excellent dancers, very few are also singers. • All Indian movies must have at least 3 or more songs and dance sequences for them to become popular. • Western style and hip-hop/rap music are slowly finding their way into Bollywood. • Songs from Bollywood movies are generally pre-recorded by professional playback singers, with the actors then lip singing the words to the song on-screen, often while dancing. While most actors, especially today, are excellent dancers, very few are also singers. • All Indian movies must have at least 3 or more songs and dance sequences for them to become popular. • Western style and hip-hop/rap music are slowly finding their way into Bollywood.

15. Cuisine

16. Food • Food is an integral part of India's culture, with cuisines differing according to community, region, and state. • Indian cuisine is characterized by a great variety of foods, spices, and cooking techniques. Furthermore, each religion, region, and caste has left its own influence on Indian food. Everything is based on many religions for example the meats and fish are based on the Muslim Culture. • A couple of thousand of years back, the food consisted of only vegetables, fruits, and things they could hunt. India stayed vegetarian for many years throughout its history. • The main elements in cooking are rice and atta (flour) used to make rotis. In North India, meals consist of many dairy products such as paneer (cottage cheese) yogurt and also seafood and tandoori chicken are very popular. • Meals are served with flat breads that come in many different forms such as naan, paratha, roti, puri, bhatoora, and kulcha. • The samosa is a typical North Indian snack. These days it is common to get it in other parts of India as well. The most common (and authentic) samosa is filled with boiled, fried, and mashed potato, although it is possible to find other fillings. • In South India, the main cuisine consists of fish and rice. Another type of flat bread found mainly in South India is dosa and can be eaten any part of the day.

17. Spices • India has been known for its spices for thousands of years. • Not many people know that Columbus came looking for spices and silks in India when he discovered America. • Spices are an integral part of the Indian food. • Spices such as cloves, coriander, cardamom, cinnamon, turmeric powder, fennel, various chilies, and many others make the Indian food world renown.

18. Dessert • There are hundreds of desserts in India, and almost every state has its own unique dessert. • People of India crave for these mouth-watering delicacies. • Some of the most well-known ones are Gulab Jamun, Rasmalai, Barfi, Rasgulla, Toda, Pinni, Kulfi, Jalebi, Soan Papdi, and many more. • Most of these desserts have a milk base and are made from desi ghee (saturated butter).

19. Sports

20. Like other countries, India has many water activities. There is: Boating Sailing Yachting Swimming Diving Fishing Canoeing Kayaking Rowing Surfing Windsurfing Kite surfing Waterskiing Snorkeling Scuba Diving Rafting There are many beautiful beaches across the Indian coasts and also many neighboring islands that are perfect for these activities. Water Sports

21. Aero Sports The main aero sports in India are: • Balooning • Gliding • Hang Gliding In parts of India there are also lessons and training on how to fly small aircraft that are designed for one person. The vast scenery in India, from deserts to rain forests give gliding not just pleasure but a meaning. It is a sport that many people and tourists enjoy while visiting India so they can get a real view of the beautiful India.

22. Cricket: India’s Favorite Sport • Like baseball is America’s pastime, Cricket is India’s favorite sport. • It is as important and popular as football is in America. • The cricket team is given celebrity status all across India.

23. Education

24. Primary • Since 2000, 94% of rural populations had primary schools within a kilometer away. • Children ages 6-10, organized into classes from 1-5. • They are taught all subjects including English, Hindi, and one other language. • Starting from 1st grade all children have to take mid-terms and final exams to move on to the next grade. • About 82 % of kids 6-14 are enrolled in school. By 2010, the government hopes to make it 100% • In the 2001-2002 school year, there were 113.9 million kids enrolled in primary school.

25. Secondary • Children ages 11-15, organized into classes from 6-10. • In the 2001-2002 school year, there were 44.8 million kids enrolled in secondary school. • Since 2000, 84% of rural populations had secondary schools within 3 kilometers. • In order to prevent drop-out the government made a plan which • Creates Parental Awareness • Gives economic incentives • Gives community mobilization • Many other plans to make the school day better and a better nutritional system.

26. College/University • There are many different professional colleges available right after 12th grade. • Students are encouraged to go into the Medical and Engineering fields. • In 2001, 37,670,147 people graduated, and out of that 7 million went onto post graduation. • Today, the annual budget for schooling in India is about 4 billion dollars compared to only 34 million in 1956. • The advancement in schooling has increased the literacy rate greatly • Overall: 64.8% • Men: 75.3% • Women: 53.7%

27. Religion

28. Hinduism • Hinduism is the most worshiped religion in India. There are a countless number of Hindu temples across India. • It is one of the oldest living religions in the world. 83% of the population is Hindu. • Hinduism affects everything from food to architecture. • The caste system determines people’s way of life and sometimes even their occupation. • Today, Hinduism is found in many countries worldwide and Hindu literature and philosophy have influenced many people throughout the world.

29. Jainism • There are 863 Jain temples that all are built on hills or mountains because like Hinduism, they think that ascending a path will lead to a pilgrimage. • This religion has been around in India since 599 BC. • One of their rituals is bathing images of their God, and offering food and flowers to him.

30. In modern day India, Buddhism is only in isolated areas such as the West and East Himalayas. • Emperor Asoka converted to Buddhism after he caused the killing of thousands of innocent people in the Kalinga War, and he did his best to spread the religion and peace. • This religion is not only known for peace but it is known for its art and architecture that is a major expression of their religion. Buddhism

31. Christianity • Christianity has had long relations with India. • It started with St. Thomas who sailed to India from East Asia in the year 52 AD. • Thomas stayed for 12 years until he died and many places have been created in his name. • Apart from this, Europeans that were in India from the 15th century onwards led to the development of Christian worship places and some of the churches that are still there are the best in the world.

32. Islam • Islam has many important temples in India. • Ajmer Sharif- The tomb for Gharib-Nawaz. It was made in the year 1256 • Fatehpur Sikri is one of the most famous places of Islam worship in India. Emperor Akbar wanted a son and he prayed to a mystic for one. After it was granted he kept his promise and founded a new city that would reign for 16 years. • Haji Ali and Jama Masjid (Mosque in Fatehpur Sikri) are both beautiful mosques known throughout India.

33. Sikhism • The name of this religion means learner. • It was founded by Guru Nanak Dev Ji during. • He received a vision to preach the way of enlightment and God. • He rejected any system of caste and wanted everyone to be equal. • The goal of Sikhs is to build a close, loving relationship with God. • They believe in a single, Formless god, with many names that can be known through meditation and prayer. • Some Major Temples of the Sikhs are • The Golden Temple • Hemkund Sahib • Anandpur Sahib • Damdama Sahib • Poanta Sahib • Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib

34. Resources Internet Sites: • http://encarta.msn.com/media_461528319/Sitar_As_Played_by_Ravi_Shankar.html • http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/intoc.html • http://www.incredibleindia.org/ • http://www.geographia.com/india/index.html • http://www.hoi.welcometoindia.com/hist_text/indeco.html • http://indiaheritage.org/history/history.htm • http://www.ashepherdsbushmaneatsfromacan.co.uk/videoclips.htm • U:\rickshaw.wmv • U:\Amritsar.wmv Books: • India the People by Bobbie Kalman and India the Culture by Bobbie Kalman Images of India: • The Land and the People • Photographs of India