Top 10 Facts About India

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India is one of the world’s most highly populated countries and boasts a rich cultural heritage. Many people have misconceptions about India and only see it as a poor and underdeveloped country. However, there are many things that are many interesting and fascinating facts about this beautiful country. With that in mind, check out below for the top 10 interesting facts about India.

10: The Country’s Population Growth May Surpass That of China By 2022

Currently, India is the second most populous countries in the world after China. The country’s birth rate is higher than its death rate. Currently, the birth rate is 19.3 births/1000 people while its death rate is 7.3 deaths/1,000 people. This means that the country is growing at a rate of 1.19% per year. However, this has not always been the case. In fact, between 1902 and 1921, the population remained stable because both birth rate and death rates were equal.

However, improvement in health and medical facilities after 1921 reduced incidences of death that were caused by epidemics, influenza, cholera, and plaque resulting in a reduced death rate.^[1]Untied Nations – World population projected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050 with most growth in developing regions, especially Africa – says UN Ever since, India has experienced unprecedented growth in population. In fact, population statisticians predict that by 2022, the population of India will surpass that of China.

#9: India Has Millions of Voters

The number of registered voters in India is among the most interesting facts about India. The country has millions of registered voters making election process quite vibrant.^[2]Election Commission of India – The Function (Electoral System) In fact, there are so many voters, that India is the only country where officials must estimate the number of voters because it is too difficult to count the total number of voters. On the voting day, millions of the population flock to the voter registration stations to choose leaders of their choice.

The numbers for the 2014 election were truly staggering. In fact, the General election in 2014 for the president of the country was the longest and highest turnout election in the history of the country. In addition, it was also the largest election to ever take place in world history. The election lasted from April 7 – May 12, 2014. There were 814.5 million eligible voters and a 66.38% voter turnout.

#8: India has a large Muslim Population

India is prominently a Hindu state; however, it still has one of the largest Muslim populations in the world. In fact, the history of Islam and India go back a long time. Muslim and Arab traders have interacted with India from the early days of Islam. It was these traders that transmitted the systems developed by India to Europe and the Middle East. Furthermore, the commercial trade between the two groups helped introduce Islam in India. It led to the building of mosques in southern India and the emergence of Indian-Arabian community through marriage.

However, the spread of Islam in the Indian subcontinent was not always so peaceful. Mohammed Bin Qasim, the first Muslim invader,  reached Sindh, India (western part of the country bordering modern day Pakistan) in 672 CE. Additionally, Mahmud of Ghazni invaded India a few centuries later and swept into the Gujarat area of western India. In fact, India is now has the 3rd largest Muslim population in the world with 189 million people. One of the most fun facts about India is that while this accounts for 10.9% of the world’s Muslim population, it is only 14.2% of the India’s population.^[3]Council on Foreign Relations – India’s Muslim Population

#7: More People Die from Road Accidents in India Than They Do In Any Other Country

One of the most unfortunate facts about India is that car accident rate in the country is higher than anywhere else in the world. The main reason for this is that the cities are overpopulated and the roads are too small to accommodate the ever-increasing traffic of thousands of cars and motorcyclists. In addition, the country is not well planned and is not properly spaced out.

The infrastructure did not develop to allow the humans to move freely. Furthermore, it is common to see animals running around the roads, children playing in the streets, groups of people crossing roads and homeless people who sleep on the edges of the roads. All of these factors result in the staggering death rate of 16.6/100,000 people dying due to road fatalities per year.^[4]ROAD ACCIDENTS IN INDIA – 2015

#6: India Is the Largest Producer and Consumer of Mangoes

One of the most interesting facts about India is that the country is both the largest producer as well as consumer of mangoes in the world. One of the main reasons for this is that Indians love mangoes irrespective of ethnicity, race or religion. This in addition to the country’s large population results in the fact that they eat so many mangoes. In addition, mango trees grow easily in India and can be found scattered all over the country.^[5]GROWTH ANALYSIS OF MANGOES IN INDIA In fact, there are so many mangoes that India produces enough mangoes to feed the entire country as well export its surplus.

According to fossil evidence, the presence of mangoes in India goes back about 30 million years. Archaeologists believe that mangoes came to India from Bangladesh and Myanmar. It was initially called Amra-Phal, Rasala, Sahakara. However, Indians called it Aam Kaay and later Maamkaay. The Portuguese gave it the name mango and helped introduce it to the rest of the world.

#5: India Ranks Third Among Countries That Break World Records

With such a large and diverse population, India has a lot of talented people. One of the most interesting facts about India is that is ranks third in the world in terms of world records.(Quora – Where does India stand in the world?)) For example, an Indian man is in the Guinness book of records for opening coconuts by smashing them using his hand. Abheesh Dominic smashed and opened 122 coconuts breaking the previous 2011 record that stood at 118 and was set by Muhamed Kahrimonovic from Germany.

Another example is that the the largest yoga lesson in the world took place in India. 54,522 participants attended the lesson, putting it in the Guinness Book of World Records. The Department of Sports organized it with the objective of getting the country’s youth into spiritual and physical practice.

#4: A Bicycle Transported the First Rocket in India

When most people think of rockets, the first image that might come to mind the massive platforms moving the space shuttle into place. However, in India, a bicycle brought the first rocket to the launch site. It may sound outrageous and difficult to believe, but on November 21 1963, a bicycle with no motor but which relied solely on a cyclist’s effort transported the first rocket.

#3: The Species of Shark in Holy River Ganges

The river Ganges is one of the longest and most well known rivers in the world. In India, the people consider the river as pure and holy. In fact, Indians bathe in River Ganges in order to purify themselves. However, the river is also home to sharks!^[6]WWF – Ganges Shark

There are two main sharks that live in the Ganges River, the Ganges shark and the bull shark. The Ganges shark is a true river shark, meaning that it lives its whole life in fresh water. On the other hand, the bull shark goes back and forth between the salt water in the ocean and the fresh water in the river. Unfortunately, the Ganges shark has the reputation for being a man eating shark. However, a majority of the attacks are probably due to Bull sharks and not the Ganges shark. In fact, the Ganges shark is quite rare and is a critically endangered animal.

#2: India is Home to Some of the Largest Cities in the World

India is one of the most populated countries in the world. In addition, it has some of the most populated cities in the world. In fact, one of the most fun facts about India is that New Delhi is the second most populated city in the world.^[7]United Nations – The World’s Cities in 2016 According to estimates, about 23.3 million people live in this city. This population many small countries. However, New Delhi is not the only large city in the country. In fact, Mumbai is nearly as large with an estimated population of over 23 million people. Additionally, Kolkata has a population of about 16 million people.

#1: The World’s Highest Cricket Ground

One of the most interesting facts about India is that it is home to the highest cricket ground in the world. Chail Cricket ground is at an altitude of about 8,000 feet (2,444 meters) and is the world’s highest cricket ground. Bhupinder Singh, the ruler of the area, built it in 1893 in Himachal Pradesh, India. He constructed it close to famous architectural beauty, Chail Palace.^[8]sportskeeda – World’s highest cricket ground in Himachal Pradesh, and the stadium that will soon be built even higher Singh built and used it as a summer retreat. Today, the former royal family still owns the cricket ground.