Important General Information on States of India
India was once an island, and even a part of Antarctica! About 50 million years ago, it connected with the Asian continental plate, and the Himalayas was born.
The name ‘India’ derives from the river Indus.
The name ‘Hind’ is derived from the Persian equivalent of ‘Sindh’, as the Persian ‘H’ is cognate with Sanskrit ‘S’. And the Persian word ‘stan’ means land or country, hence the name: Hindustan.
Source: Wikipedia
India has the second-largest population in the world.
As of 2020 there are more than 1.2 billion people in India. China currently is the most populous country in the world with 1.4 billion, however, India is predicted to take the top spot by 2024.
India is the 7th largest country in the world.
The total land area of India is 3.287 million km². It is world’s largest democracy (by population size).
There are 22 recognised languages, with Hindi and English being the official languages. However, other commonly-spoken languages include Bengali (the second most spoken language), Telugu, Tamil, Urdu and Punjabi. There are as many as 19,500 known languages and dialects across the country.
Hindi is the fourth most spoken language in the world – with 310 million native speakers (4.5% of the world’s population). Bengali is the world’s 7th most spoken language and Punjabi is the 10th most spoken language.
The national symbol of India is the endangered Bengal Tiger.
Thanks to conservation efforts, the population of the Bengal Tiger has been slowly increasing – from around 1,800 tigers in 2010, there is an estimated 3,000 as of 2018.
India is the second largest English speaking country in the world.
With around 125 million speakers (about 10% of the population), it is second only to the USA, which currently has more than 300 million English speakers.
Hinduism, the world’s oldest religion, is the most popular religion in India.
Nearly 80% of the Indian population follows Hinduism. Islam is the second most popular, (14.2%), then Christianity (2.3%), Sikhism (1.7%), Buddhism (0.7%) and Jainism (0.4%).
India is the world’s largest arms importer.
During WW2, India produced the largest volunteer Army in world history.
Over 2.5 million men served for the British Empire. At least 38 Indians received the Victoria Cross or the George Cross.
Chess was invented in India.
One of the oldest games in the world that is still played, the popular game was invented around the 6th Century AD.
India is the world’s largest producer of milk.
Having recently overtaking the European Union, milk production in India reached over 132.4 million tonnes in 2014.
India has over 300,000 mosques.
There are more mosques in India than in any Islamic nation on earth.
Snakes & Ladders originated in India.
The game was initially invented to teach young children about morals and karma. It was later commercialised and has become one of the world’s most popular board games.
At over 5000 years old, Varanasi is one of the oldest inhabited places on earth.
It is also one of India’s holiest cities. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva founded the city 5000 years ago.
Only 3% of Indian citizens pay income tax!
A village in India is the wettest place on earth.
Due to its close proximity to the Bay of Bengal, Mawsynram in Meghalaya state, holds the record with with 11,873 millimetres of rain annually!
There’s a hill in India that defies gravity!
The strange phenomenon was discovered on a stretch of road near Tulsi Shyam in Gujarat. Signs at the road instruct drivers to park their cars and leave them in neutral, and the cars begin to roll up the hill against the pull of gravity!
A huge lake in India was formed by a Meteor.
One of the best-kept secrets in Maharashtra state is the Lonar Lake that was created when a meteor plummeted into it, some 52,000 years ago.
The number of people travelling on India’s trains each day is equal to the population of Australia.
With 7,172 stations, the Indian rail network is the largest in Asia – carrying a whopping 23 million passengers daily in 12, 617 trains.
The Golden Temple of Amritsar feeds up to 100,000 people – regardless of race, religion, or class – for free, every single day.
The Kumbh Mela is the world’s largest festival.
The gathering is so huge that the crowds can be seen from outer space.
There’s an experimental township in India called Auroville, where citizens are from all over the world, and there’s no money or religion.
The Himalayas have 9 out of 10 of the world’s highest peaks.
The world’s biggest mountain range, the Himalayas, runs through north India. The highest peak being Mt. Everest (in neighbouring Nepal), standing at 8,848 metres.
Source: Gulf News
- Largest state (in terms of area) Rajasthan
- Smallest state Goa
- Most populous state Uttar Pradesh
- Least populous state Sikkim
- Most populous union territory (not incl Delhi) Puducherry
- Least populous union territory Lakshadweep
- Most densely populated state Bihar
- Least densely populated state Arunachal Pradesh
- First state to be formed on linguistic basis Andhra Pradesh
- Most literate state Kerala
- Least literate state Bihar
- The state with the longest coastline Gujarat
- The state having boundaries with seven states and two countries Assam
- The state surrounded on three sides by Bangladesh Tripura
- The state surrounded by three countries and one state Sikkim
- The number of states which have a coastline Nine
- The number of Union Territories which have a coastline Four
- The states which have neither an international boundary nor a coastline M.P., Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Haryana
Neighbouring Countries and Indian States
Country Indian States which have boundary with it
Pakistan Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir
China Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh
Nepal Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Sikkim
Bhutan Sikkim, West Bengal, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh
Myanmar Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram
Bangladesh West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram
Land area: 3,287,263 km2
Capital city: New Delhi
Largest City: Mumbai
Total Population: 1,352,642,280 people (as of 2018)
Life expectancy: 68.8 years.
Currency: Indian Rupee (₹ / INR)
Official languages: Hindi, English
Religion: Hinduism (80%), Islam (14%), Christianity (2.3%), Sikhism (1.7%), Buddhism (0.7%), Jainism (0.4%), Other
National Holiday: 26th January (Republic Day), 15th August (Independence Day), 2nd October (Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday)
Government: Federal Parliamentary Constitutional Republic
President: Ram Nath Kovind
Prime Minister: Narendra Modi
Highest Point: Kangchenjunga (8,586m above seal level, 3rd highest mountain peak in the world)
Official Website: india.gov.in
Member of: UN. G20, G8+5, WTO, BRICS, Commonwealth of Nations
National anthem: “Jana Gana Mana” (Thou Art The Ruler Of The Minds Of All People)
Time zone: UTC+5:30 (IST)
Driving side: left
Country Number/Prefix: +91
Country Code: IN
India's Satellite Launches
As of now 109 launches have been done by the ISRO
List of Spacecrafts
SN Name Launch Date Launch Vehicle Orbit Type Application Remarks
109 GSAT-30 Jan 17, 2020 Ariane-5 VA-251 GSO Communication
108 RISAT-2BR1 Dec 11, 2019 PSLV-C48/RISAT-2BR1 LEO Disaster Management System, Earth Observation
107 Cartosat-3 Nov 27, 2019 PSLV-C47 / Cartosat-3 Mission SSPO Earth Observation
106 Chandrayaan2 Jul 22, 2019 GSLV-Mk III - M1 / Chandrayaan-2 Mission Lunar Planetary Observation
105 RISAT-2B May 22, 2019 PSLV-C46 Mission LEO Disaster Management System, Earth Observation
104 EMISAT Apr 01, 2019 PSLV-C45/EMISAT MISSION SSPO
103 GSAT-31 Feb 06, 2019 Ariane-5 VA-247 GTO Communication
102 Microsat-R Jan 24, 2019 PSLV-C44 SSPO
101 GSAT-7A Dec 19, 2018 GSLV-F11 / GSAT-7A Mission Communication
100 GSAT-11 Mission Dec 05, 2018 Ariane-5 VA-246 GTO Communication
99 HysIS Nov 29, 2018 PSLV-C43 / HysIS Mission SSPO Earth Observation
98 GSAT-29 Nov 14, 2018 GSLV Mk III-D2 / GSAT-29 Mission GTO Communication
97 IRNSS-1I Apr 12, 2018 PSLV-C41/IRNSS-1I GSO Navigation
96 GSAT-6A Mar 29, 2018 GSLV-F08/GSAT-6A Mission GSO Communication
95 Cartosat-2 Series Satellite Jan 12, 2018 PSLV-C40/Cartosat-2 Series Satellite Mission SSPO Earth Observation
94 INS-1C Jan 12, 2018 PSLV-C40/Cartosat-2 Series Satellite Mission SSPO Experimental
93 Microsat Jan 12, 2018 PSLV-C40/Cartosat-2 Series Satellite Mission SSPO Experimental
92 IRNSS-1H Aug 31, 2017 PSLV-C39/IRNSS-1H Mission Navigation Launch Unsuccessful
91 GSAT-17 Jun 29, 2017 Ariane-5 VA-238 GTO Communication
90 Cartosat-2 Series Satellite Jun 23, 2017 PSLV-C38 / Cartosat-2 Series Satellite SSPO Earth Observation
89 GSAT-19 Jun 05, 2017 GSLV Mk III-D1/GSAT-19 Mission GSO Communication
88 GSAT-9 May 05, 2017 GSLV-F09 / GSAT-9 GSO Communication
87 INS-1A Feb 15, 2017 PSLV-C37 / Cartosat -2 Series Satellite SSPO Experimental
86 INS-1B Feb 15, 2017 PSLV-C37 / Cartosat -2 Series Satellite SSPO Experimental
85 Cartosat -2 Series Satellite Feb 15, 2017 PSLV-C37 / Cartosat -2 Series Satellite SSPO Earth Observation
84 RESOURCESAT-2A Dec 07, 2016 PSLV-C36 / RESOURCESAT-2A SSPO Earth Observation
83 GSAT-18 Oct 06, 2016 Ariane-5 VA-231 GSO Communication
82 SCATSAT-1 Sep 26, 2016 PSLV-C35 / SCATSAT-1 SSPO Climate & Environment
81 INSAT-3DR Sep 08, 2016 GSLV-F05 / INSAT-3DR GSO Climate & Environment, Disaster Management System
80 CARTOSAT-2 Series Satellite Jun 22, 2016 PSLV-C34 / CARTOSAT-2 Series Satellite SSPO Earth Observation
79 IRNSS-1G Apr 28, 2016 PSLV-C33/IRNSS-1G GEO Navigation
78 IRNSS-1F Mar 10, 2016 PSLV-C32/IRNSS-1F GEO Navigation
77 IRNSS-1E Jan 20, 2016 PSLV-C31/IRNSS-1E GSO Navigation
76 GSAT-15 Nov 11, 2015 Ariane-5 VA-227 GEO Communication, Navigation
75 Astrosat Sep 28, 2015 PSLV-C30/AstroSat MISSION Space Science
74 GSAT-6 Aug 27, 2015 GSLV-D6 GTO Communication
73 IRNSS-1D Mar 28, 2015 PSLV-C27/IRNSS-1D GSO Navigation
72 Crew module Atmospheric Re-entry Experiment (CARE) Dec 18, 2014 LVM-3/CARE Mission Experimental
71 GSAT-16 Dec 07, 2014 Ariane-5 VA-221 GSO Communication
70 IRNSS-1C Oct 16, 2014 PSLV-C26/IRNSS-1C GEO Navigation
69 IRNSS-1B Apr 04, 2014 PSLV-C24/IRNSS-1B GSO Navigation
68 GSAT-14 Jan 05, 2014 GSLV-D5/GSAT-14 GSO Communication
67 Mars Orbiter Mission Spacecraft Nov 05, 2013 PSLV-C25 Martian Planetary Observation
66 GSAT-7 Aug 30, 2013 Ariane-5 VA-215 GSO Communication
65 INSAT-3D Jul 26, 2013 Ariane-5 VA-214 GSO Climate & Environment, Disaster Management System
64 IRNSS-1A Jul 01, 2013 PSLV-C22/IRNSS-1A GSO Navigation
63 SARAL Feb 25, 2013 PSLV-C20/SARAL SSPO Climate & Environment, Earth Observation
62 GSAT-10 Sep 29, 2012 Ariane-5 VA-209 GEO Communication, Navigation
61 RISAT-1 Apr 26, 2012 PSLV-C19/RISAT-1 SSPO Earth Observation
60 Megha-Tropiques Oct 12, 2011 PSLV-C18/Megha-Tropiques SSPO Climate & Environment, Earth Observation
59 GSAT-12 Jul 15, 2011 PSLV-C17/GSAT-12 GSO Communication
58 GSAT-8 May 21, 2011 Ariane-5 VA-202 GEO Communication, Navigation
57 RESOURCESAT-2 Apr 20, 2011 PSLV-C16/RESOURCESAT-2 SSPO Earth Observation
56 YOUTHSAT Apr 20, 2011 PSLV-C16/RESOURCESAT-2 SSPO Student Satellite
55 GSAT-5P Dec 25, 2010 GSLV-F06 / GSAT-5P GSO Communication Launch Unsuccessful
54 CARTOSAT-2B Jul 12, 2010 PSLV-C15/CARTOSAT-2B SSPO Earth Observation
53 GSAT-4 Apr 15, 2010 GSLV-D3 / GSAT-4 GSO Communication Launch Unsuccessful
52 Oceansat-2 Sep 23, 2009 PSLV-C14 / OCEANSAT-2 SSPO Climate & Environment, Earth Observation
51 RISAT-2 Apr 20, 2009 PSLV-C12 / RISAT-2 SSPO Earth Observation
50 Chandrayaan-1 Oct 22, 2008 PSLV-C11 Lunar Planetary Observation
49 IMS-1 Apr 28, 2008 PSLV-C9 / CARTOSAT – 2A SSPO Earth Observation
48 CARTOSAT – 2A Apr 28, 2008 PSLV-C9 / CARTOSAT – 2A SSPO Earth Observation
47 INSAT-4CR Sep 02, 2007 GSLV-F04 / INSAT-4CR GSO Communication
46 INSAT-4B Mar 12, 2007 Ariane5 GSO Communication
45 SRE-1 Jan 10, 2007 PSLV-C7 / CARTOSAT-2 / SRE-1 SSPO Experimental
44 CARTOSAT-2 Jan 10, 2007 PSLV-C7 / CARTOSAT-2 / SRE-1 SSPO Earth Observation
43 INSAT-4C Jul 10, 2006 GSLV-F02 / INSAT-4C GSO Communication Launch Unsuccessful
42 INSAT-4A Dec 22, 2005 Ariane5-V169 GSO Communication
41 CARTOSAT-1 May 05, 2005 PSLV-C6/CARTOSAT-1/HAMSAT SSPO Earth Observation
40 HAMSAT May 05, 2005 PSLV-C6/CARTOSAT-1/HAMSAT SSPO Communication
39 EDUSAT Sep 20, 2004 GSLV-F01 / EDUSAT(GSAT-3) GSO Communication
38 IRS-P6 / RESOURCESAT-1 Oct 17, 2003 PSLV-C5 /RESOURCESAT-1 SSPO Earth Observation
37 INSAT-3E Sep 28, 2003 Ariane5-V162 GSO Communication
36 GSAT-2 May 08, 2003 GSLV-D2 / GSAT-2 GSO Communication
35 INSAT-3A Apr 10, 2003 Ariane5-V160 GSO Climate & Environment, Communication
34 KALPANA-1 Sep 12, 2002 PSLV-C4 /KALPANA-1 GSO Climate & Environment, Communication
33 INSAT-3C Jan 24, 2002 Ariane5-V147 GSO Climate & Environment, Communication
32 The Technology Experiment Satellite (TES) Oct 22, 2001 PSLV-C3 / TES SSPO Earth Observation
31 GSAT-1 Apr 18, 2001 GSLV-D1 / GSAT-1 GSO Communication
30 INSAT-3B Mar 22, 2000 Ariane-5G GSO Communication
29 Oceansat(IRS-P4) May 26, 1999 PSLV-C2/IRS-P4 SSPO Earth Observation
28 INSAT-2E Apr 03, 1999 Ariane-42P H10-3 GSO Communication
27 IRS-1D Sep 29, 1997 PSLV-C1 / IRS-1D SSPO Earth Observation
26 INSAT-2D Jun 04, 1997 Ariane-44L H10-3 GSO Communication Failed in Orbit
25 IRS-P3 Mar 21, 1996 PSLV-D3 / IRS-P3 SSPO Earth Observation
24 IRS-1C Dec 28, 1995 Molniya SSPO Earth Observation
23 INSAT-2C Dec 07, 1995 Ariane-44L H10-3 GSO Communication
22 IRS-P2 Oct 15, 1994 PSLV-D2 SSPO Earth Observation
21 SROSS-C2 May 04, 1994 ASLV-D4 Experimental
20 IRS-1E Sep 20, 1993 PSLV-D1 LEO Earth Observation Launch Unsuccessful
19 INSAT-2B Jul 23, 1993 Ariane-44L H10+ GSO Communication
18 INSAT-2A Jul 10, 1992 Ariane-44L H10 GSO Communication
17 SROSS-C May 20, 1992 ASLV-D3 Experimental
16 IRS-1B Aug 29, 1991 Vostok SSPO Earth Observation
15 INSAT-1D Jun 12, 1990 Delta 4925 GSO Communication
14 INSAT-1C Jul 22, 1988 Ariane-3 GSO Communication Partial Failure in Orbit
13 SROSS-2 Jul 13, 1988 ASLV-D2 Earth Observation, Experimental Launch Unsuccessful
12 IRS-1A Mar 17, 1988 Vostok SSPO Earth Observation
11 SROSS-1 Mar 24, 1987 ASLV-D1 Experimental Launch Unsuccessful
10 INSAT-1B Aug 30, 1983 Shuttle [PAM-D] GSO Communication
9 Rohini Satellite RS-D2 Apr 17, 1983 SLV-3 LEO Earth Observation
8 INSAT-1A Apr 10, 1982 Delta GSO Communication Failed in Orbit
7 Bhaskara-II Nov 20, 1981 C-1 Intercosmos LEO Earth Observation, Experimental
6 APPLE Jun 19, 1981 Ariane -1(V-3) GSO Communication, Experimental
5 Rohini Satellite RS-D1 May 31, 1981 SLV-3D1 LEO Earth Observation
4 Rohini Satellite RS-1 Jul 18, 1980 SLV-3E2
3 Rohini Technology Payload (RTP) Aug 10, 1979 SLV-3E1 Launch Unsuccessful
2 Bhaskara-I Jun 07, 1979 C-1Intercosmos LEO Earth Observation, Experimental
1 Aryabhata Apr 19, 1975 C-1 Intercosmos Experimental
Source ISRO
Missiles Progress Of India
India’s Expanding Missile Force
September 9, 2020 By Jonathan McLaughlin
Test Launch of the K-15 (aka B0-5) SLBM, January 2013 (Courtesy: Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO))
This chart provides information on India’s arsenal of ballistic and cruise missiles. It is updated on a rolling basis to include the dates of the latest tests and other developments as they occur. An asterisk beside a data point indicates that this information did not come from an official source but from a reliable, secondary source.
Name Type Range Stages/Fuel Payload Capacity Last Reported Test Inducted? Nuclear Capable?
Prithvi-I Ballistic 150 km Single/Liquid 800 kg* May 2007 Y(a) Y
Prithvi-II Ballistic 350 km Single/Liquid 500-1,000 kg November 2019* Y Y
Dhanush Ballistic 350 km Single/Liquid 500 kg February 2018* Y* Y
Agni-I Ballistic 700-900 km Single/Solid* 1,000 kg* October 2018* Y Y*
Agni-II Ballistic 2,000 km Two/Solid 1 ton November 2019* Y Y
Agni-III Ballistic 3,500 km Two/Solid 1.5 tons November 2019(b)* Y Y*
Agni-IV Ballistic 4,000 km Two/Solid 1,000 kg* December 2018* Y* Y
Agni-V Ballistic +5,000 km Three/Solid 1,000 kg* December 2018 N Y
Prahaar Ballistic 150 km Single/Solid 200 kg September 2018* N* N*
Pragati Ballistic* 60-170 km* Single/Solid* 200 kg Not Tested N* N*
K-15 (aka B0-5) SLBM(c) 750 km* Two/Solid* 1,000 kg* August 2018* Y* Y*
K-4 SLBM* 3,500 km* Two/Solid* Unknown January 2020*(d) N* Y*
BrahMos Cruise 290-500 km* Two/Solid and Liquid(e) 200-300 kg December 2019(f) (g)N-I: Y
B-I: Y
B-II: Y
B-III: Y*
ALCM: N*
SLCM: N* N
Nirbhay Cruise 1,000 km Two/solid and liquid(h) 450 kg* April 2019 N* Y*
Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV) Cruise(i) Unknown One/liquid(j) Unknown September 2020 N* Unknown
Footnotes:
a. The Prithvi-I will reportedly be withdrawn from service and upgraded.
b. This test was reportedly not successful.
c. Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile.
d. India reportedly conducted two tests of the K-4 in January: one on January 19 and another on January 24.
e. The boost phase is solid-fueled while the cruise phase is powered by a liquid ramjet engine.
f. Two BrahMos variants were tested, one a land-based variant and the other an ALCM.
g. The BrahMos is deployed on multiple platforms. Each deployment has its own designation. N-I refers to deployments on surface naval vessels. Blocks (B) I-III refer to deployments with the Indian Army. ALCM refers to Air-Launched Cruise Missiles and SLCM refers to Submarine-Launched Cruise Missiles.
h. The boost phase is solid-fueled while the cruise phase is powered by a liquid turbofan engine.
i. The HSTDV is comprised of hypersonic cruise missile technologies.
j. In its first test, the HSTDV was reportedly launched on board an Agni-I, which was to bring it to testing altitude. The vehicle itself is powered by a supersonic combustion ramjet (scramjet) engine fueled by kerosene.
Amazing Facts About India
Bandra Worli Sealink has steel wires equal to the earth's circumference
It took a total of 2,57,00,000 man hours for completion and also weighs as much as 50,000 African elephants. A true engineering and architectural marvel.
The highest cricket ground in the world
At an altitude of 2,444 meters, the Chail Cricket Ground in Chail, Himachal Pradesh, is the highest in the world. It was built in 1893 and is a part of the Chail Military School.
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.
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.
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.
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
The world's largest producer of milk
India recently overtook the European Union with production reaching over 132.4m tonnes in 2014.
The human calculator
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 within 28 seconds.
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.
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.
Diamonds were first mined in India
Initially, diamonds were only found in the alluvial deposits in Guntur and Krishna District of the Krishna River Delta. Until diamonds were found in Brazil during the 18th century, India led the world in diamond production.
Mumbai was once an archipelago of seven different islands, known as Isle of Bombay, Colaba, Old Woman’s Island (or Little Colaba), Mahim, Parel, Mazagaon, and Worli.
Unifying the City’s 7 Islands Took 60 Years
It took six decades to merge the seven islands of Bombay into one landmass, starting in 1784 and completed in 1845. Through enormous 19th century landfill projects, British engineers combined the seven islands around Bombay into one landmass. The city eventually became a crucial port city, and one of the world’s largest cotton markets.
How Did the City Become Known as ‘Bombay’?
When the city was claimed by the Portuguese Empire, they saw it as a natural water bay and as such, named it ‘Bom Bhaia’ which translates as ‘good bay’. In 1661, King Charles II of England married the Portuguese princess Catherine of Braganza and as part of her dowry, Charles received the ports of Tangier and the Seven Islands of Bombay (which he leased to the British East India Company). For over 300 years the city was known as Bombay, until 1995 when the ruling regional political party Shiv Sena changed the name to Mumbai.
They felt the name Bombay was a symbol of British colonialism, so in order to reflect the Maratha heritage and pay tribute to the local deity goddess Mubadevi, they settled upon the name of Mumbai. The Mumbadevi temple is situated in Bhuleshwar.
Mumbai is the Most Populous City in India
It’s hardly surprising that Mumbai is the most populous city in India, with a population of over 23 million (as of 2020). It is also currently the 6th most populous metropolis city in the world.
On 16th April 1853 India’s first train commenced operation. was announced and opened to the public, and has become a hugely essential means of public transportation ever since. The Mumbai Local Train network is the busiest railway system in the world, carrying 2.2 billion passengers each year.
The First Ever Indian Bus
On 15th July 1926 the first bus service was introduced in India, starting in Mumbai. The first ever bus route was between Afghan Church and Crawford Market.
First Ever Airport in India
Mumbai led the country in the aviation industry when the country’s first aerodrome was built, Juhu Aerodrome, in 1928. It was also where the country’s first airport was founded, Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, in the same year. In 2011 it was ranked 3rd best airport in the world.
India’s First Ever Car Owner was Born in Mumbai
Jamshetji Tata was the first person in India to own a car, in 1901. Born in the former Bombay Presidency (now modern day Gujarat), Tata is famously known as the founder of the Tata business empire.
Authors Rudyard Kipling (The Jungle Book) and Salman Rushdie (Satanic Verses) were born in Mumbai, as were Gregory David Roberts, Rohinton Mistry (contemporary writer), Homi Bhabha (founder of science research centres in India), and Persis Khambatta (first Indian woman to win international beauty pageants as well as Hollywood actor).
The Kipling Bungalow, where the author was born, is one of the main attractions in the city for literature fans worldwide, it still stands on a campus at the JJ School of Art in Mumbai.
The Bandra-Worli Sea Link (officially the Rajiv Gandhi Sea Link) is a bridge that links Bandra in the western suburbs of Mumbai, to Worli in the south. With a length of 5.6 kilometres, its made from 90,000 tonnes of cement and steel wire, equal to the earth’s girth.
Dharavi slum in Mumbai was once Asia’s largest slum, housing a million people. Combined with Kurla-Ghatkopar, Mankhurd-Govandi, and Bahndup-Mulund slums, they account for more than half of the city’s 12.4 million people.
World’s Largest Park Within a City
The Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Borivali is the largest park in the world (located within the limits of a city). Covering an area of 104 km2 (40 sq miles), this dense forested park is a protected area and is home 2,000 year-old Buddhist caves, two enormous lakes, a resident tiger population, and more. Other awesome creatures here include leopards, monkeys, deer, crocodiles and snakes.
The park’s lush green forests even out Mumbai’s air pollution, which is why it’s known as the ‘lungs of the city’.
The Taj Mahal hotel in Colaba, Mumbai, is India’s first ever 5-star hotel. Founded in 1903, the hotel was the first in a India to be powered by electricity, and the first in the country to have German elevators, Turkish baths, an all-day restaurant, and a discotheque.
Asia’s Largest Park is in Mumbai
Central Park in Khargar, a region of the modern Navi Mumbai district, is believed to be the largest park in Asia, and the third largest in the world. As well as jogging tracks, botanical gardens and amphitheatres, the park also features fun fairs, cricket grounds, football grounds, water sports venues, and more.
Amongst the lesser-known facts of Mumbai is an interesting natural phenomenon known as Gilbert Hill – a 61-metre high, monolithic basalt hill in Andheri that was formed when molten lava was squeezed out of the earth’s clefts, 66 million years ago.
You can visit the hill which was declared a national park by the government in 1952 and a world heritage site in 2007, and the two Hindu temples at the top make for spectacular panoramic views of the city.
Chenab Bridge is the highest rail bridge in the world
Not all of India’s famous monuments are religious. The jaw-dropping bridge spanning the Chenab river in Jammu is 1,178 feet above the water.
A village with no locks and doors may be the safest on Earth
The village of Shani Shingnapur is famous for not having a door or lock on a single house. Beyond that, there has not been a recording of a criminal act for almost 400 years.
Many people think that the shared vulnerability has created a neighborly trust between the residents, which has formed a protection stronger than a deadbolt or heavy gate.
The world’s largest sundial is located in India
The town of Jaipur is home to the largest sundial in the world, which is a towering 27 meters (90 feet) tall! If that’s not impressive enough, the sundial is constructed from beautiful polished stone to create a truly impressive work of architecture.
The sundial has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Every year, it attracts thousands of visitors, who come to witness the shadow moving at about six centimeters per minute.
North Sentinel Island is one of the last “untouched” places on Earth
The Indian government has prohibited anyone from going within three miles of North Sentinel Island, home of the Sentinelese people.
In 1991, the anthropologist Madhumala Chattophadhyay had several peaceful encounters with the Sentinelese, but in subsequent years, the people made it very clear (sometimes violently) that they did not want to be disturbed.
It is now considered one of the last places untouched by the outside world.
India has the current tallest statue in the world
Measuring 600ft (182m) in height, the Statue of Unity is currently the tallest statue in the world. The statue, which is a tribute to the independence leader Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, is located in the western state of Gujarat, where Patel was born.
For comparison, this statue is almost twice as tall as the Statue of Liberty (305ft or 93m). It is made with more than 12,000 bronze panels and weighs about 67,000 tonnes.
INDIA NUCLEAR POWER
Nuclear power in India delivers a total capacity of 6.7GW, contributing to just under 2% of the country’s electricity supply. India’s nuclear plants are controlled by Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL), a state-owned corporation which was founded in 1987. India boasts a fleet of seven nuclear power plants, profiled here in order of size from largest production capacity to smallest.
Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant, Tamil Nadu
Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant is located in the Tamil Nadu, Southern India. It is the highest-capacity nuclear plant in India, with a total of 2,000MW currently installed with a further 2,000MW under construction.
Kudankulam is the only nuclear plant in India that uses pressurised water reactors (PWR) rather than boiling water reactors (BHWR) or pressurised heavy-water reactors (PHWR). The PWRs are based on Russian technology and were supplied by Atomstroyexport.
Construction was halted on the project in October 2011 after protests against the plant led by The People’s Movement against Nuclear Energy in the wake of Fukushima. The Indian Supreme Court dismissed the protestor’s public suit against the plant in May 2013.
Tarapur Nuclear Reactor, Maharashtra
The Tarapur Nuclear Reactor in Maharashtra, Western India is the oldest nuclear facility in India, having commenced commercial operations in 1969.
The reactor is currently the second most powerful in India, with two BHWR of 160MW and two PHWR reactors of 540MW forming a total of 1,400MW.
The two BHWR were part of the initial installation in 1969, with the two PHWR reactors being added in 2005 and 2006.
Rajasthan Atomic Power Plant, Rajasthan
The Rajasthan Power Plant in Rajasthan, North-Western India has a total installed capacity of 1180MW. Formed of six PHWR reactors with two more reactors planned, the first reactor was commissioned back in December 1973.
The plant was the target of protestors from the local chapter of the now ruling Indian People’s Party (BJP) in June 2012. The BJP called for a bandh – a protest similar to a strike – and led a protest rally against the plant, resulting in mass arrests of the protestors.
Kaiga Atomic Power Plant, Karnataka
The Kaiga Atomic Power Plant in Karanataka, Western India is formed of four 220MW PHWR reactors making a total of 880MW. The reactors became operational in December 1999, October 2000, April 2007 and January 2011.
Unit 1 of the Kaiga plant set the world record for continuous operation in December 2018. It had 962 days of unbroken operation from the 13 May 2016 to 31 December 2018, surpassing the previous record set by Heysham 2 in the UK by 22 days.
Kalapakkam Nuclear Power Plant, Tamil Nadu
Kalapakkam Nuclear Power Plant in Tamil Nadu first began operating in 1984 and currently has two 235MW reactors, with two more reactors of 500MW and 600MW to be added at a later date.
Kalapakkam has a prototype fast breeder reactor (PFBR) which does not produce highly radioactive nuclear waste and can produce 70% more energy.
The reactor survived the Vardah cyclone when winds of up to 90mph hit Tamil Nadu province in December 2016.
Narora Nuclear Reactor, Uttar Pradesh
The Narora Nuclear Reactor in Uttar Pradesh, Northern India has two PHWR which offer a total capacity of 440MW. Unit 1 was installed in January 1991, and unit 2 following in July 1992.
Despite a major fire occurring in unit 1 in May 1993 and unit 2 being out of service for a month after an air-locking inner door malfunction in September 1999, Narora is considered one for the safest nuclear plants in the country and won a Golden Peacock award for environment management in the year 2000.
Kakarapar Atomic Power Plant, Gujarat
The Kakarapar Atomic Power Plant in Gujarat, Western India has two PHWR reactors with a total installed capacity of 440MW. The two reactors were completed in May 1993 and September 1995 respectively.
The plant was shut down for 66 days in 1998 due to a leak in its water systems, but it recovered to be awarded the best PHWR in its class by the CANDU owners group in January 2003.
The plant also received a successful ‘heart transplant’ in September 2018 when all of its coolant channel and feeder tubes at the core of its reactor were replaced.
LIST OF INDIA'S FIRST PERSONS
List of First in India (Male)
First Prime Minister of free India Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru
First batsman to score double century in One Day International cricket match Sachin Tendulkar
First man to have climbed Mount Everest twice Nawang Gombu
First President of Indian Republic Dr. Rajendra Prasad
First Indian Pilot J.R.D. Tata
First Indian to win Nobel Prize Rabindranath Tagore
First president of Indian National Congress W.C. Banerjee
First Muslim President of Indian National Congress Badruddin Tayyabji
First Muslim President of India Dr. Zakir Hussain
First British Governor General of India Lord William Bentinck
First British Viceroy of India Lord Canning
First Governor General of free India Lord Mountbatten
First and the last Indian Governer General of free India C. Rajgopalachari
First man who introduce printing press in India James Hicky
First Indian to join the I.C.S. Satendranath Tagore
First Indian man in space Rakesh Sharma
First Prime Minister of India who resigned without completing Full term Morarji Desai
First Indian Commander-in-Chief of India General Cariappa
First Chief of Army Staff Gen. Maharaj Rajendra Singhji
First Indian member of the Viceroy’s executive council S.P. Sinha
First President of India who died while in office Dr. Zakir Hussain
First Prime Minister of India who did not face the Parliament Charan Singh
First Field Marshal of India S.H.F. Manekshaw
First Indian to get Nobel Prize in Physics C.V. Raman
First Indian to receive Bharat Ratna award Dr. Radhakrishnan
First Indian to cross English Channel Mihir Sen
First person to receive Gyanpith award Sri Shankar Kurup
First Speaker of the Lok Sabha Ganesh Vasudev Mavalankar
First Vice-President of India Dr. Radhakrishnan
First Education Minister Abul Kalam Azad
First Home Minister of India Sardar Vallabha Bhai Patel
First Indian Air Chief Marshal S. Mukharji
First Indian Naval Chief Vice Admiral R.D. Katari
First judge of International Court of Justice Dr. Nagendra Singh
First person to receive Paramveer Chakra Major Somnath Sharma
First person to reach Mt. Everest without oxygen Sherpa Anga Dorjee
First Chief Election Commissioner Sukumar Sen
First person to receive Magsaysay Award Achrya Vinoba Bhave
First person of Indian origin to receive Nobel Prize in Medicine
Hargovind Khurana
First Chinese traveller to visit India Fahein
First person to receive Stalin Prize Saifuddin Kitchlu
First person to resign from the central cabinate Shyama Prasad Mukharji
First foreigner to receive Bharat Ratna Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan
First person to receive Nobel Prize in Economics Amartya Sen
First Chief Justice of Supreme Court Justice Hiralal J. Kania
First President of Indian National Congress W.C. Banerjee
First batsman to score three test century in three successive tests on debut Mohd. Azharuddin
List of First in India (Female)
First Woman Speaker of Lok Sabha Meira Kumar (2009)
India’s First Woman President Pratiba Patil
India’s First Woman Prime Minister Indira Gandhi
India’s First Woman Governor Sarojini Naidu
India’s First Woman IPS Officer Kiran Bedi
First Woman Chief Minister of State Sucheta Kripalani
First Woman Union Minister Rajkumari Amrita Kaur
First Woman President of INC Annie Besant
First Woman Judge of Supreme Court Meera Sahib Fatima Bibi
First Woman to get Ashok Chakra Nirja Bhanot
First Indian Woman Ambassador at UN Vijalakshmi Pandit
First Indian woman who reached Antarctica Mahel Musa
First Indian Woman to get Nobel Prize Mother Teresa
First Indian Woman to swim across English Channel Arati Saha
First Indian Woman to climb Mt Everest Bachendri Pal
First Indian Woman to become Miss World Miss Reita Faria
First Indian Woman to climb Mt Everest twice Santhosh Yadhav
First Indian Woman to become Miss Universe Susmita Sen
First Indian Woman to get Bharat Ratna Indira Gandhi
First Indian Woman to get Jnanpith Award Ashapurna Devi
First Indian Woman to win WTA Title Sania Mirza
First Indian Woman Airline Pilot Durga Banerjee
First Indian Woman to win Gold in Asian Games Kamaljeet Sandhu
First Indian Woman President of INC Sarojini Naidu
First Indian Woman to Booker Prize Arundhati Roy
First Woman Musician to get Bharat Ratna MS Subbalakshmi
First Indian Woman to go to space Kalpana Chawla
Nick Names Of Indian Cities
Andhra Pradesh
City/town Nickname
Kakinada Second Madras of India
Tirupati Spiritual Capital of Andhra Pradesh
Visakhapatnam Financial Capital of Andhra Pradesh
The Jewel of the East Coast
Goa of the East
The City of Destiny
West Bengal
Calcutta (Kolkata) City of Joy, Joyful City
Cultural Capital of India
City of Palaces
City of Castles
Mecca of football
Howrah
Glasgow of India
Sheffield of India
Siliguri Gateway of east India
Gateway to the Dooars
Barddhaman
City of Peace
Royal Heritage city of Bengal
Jalpaiguri City of Dooars
Asansol City Of Brotherhood
Darjeeling Queen of the Hills
Tea City
Malda Mango city
Nadia
Oxford of east
Uttar Pradesh
Ayodhya Legendary city
Birth Place of Lord Rama
Ram Janma Bhoomi
Aligarh City of Locks
City of Cultural
Gateway to Delhi NCR
Aligarh-Smart City
Shaan-E-Aligarh
Jhansi City of Rani Laxmi Bai
Gateway of Bundelkhand
Noida IT capital of North India
Singapore of India
India's first smart city
Agra City of Love
City of Taj
Firozabad Bangle city of India
Meerut Sports Capital of India
Vrindavan City of widows
Ghaziabad Gateway of Uttar Pradesh
Lucknow City of Nawabs
Constantinople of East
Golden City of East
City of Tehzeeb
Happiest City
Kanpur Manchester of the East
Leather City of the UP
Prayag Raj Sangam City
Abode of God
King of Pilgrims
Varanasi The City of Ghats
The City of Shiva
The City of light
The City of Temples
Spiritual Capital of India
Telangana
Hyderabad Biryani Capital of India
City of Pearls
City of Aimim
Centre of Urdu language
City of Nizam's World
Tamil Nadu
Chennai (Madras; Madarasapattinam) Detroit of Asia
Gateway of South India
Healthcare Capital of India
Cultural Capital of South India
IT hub of TamilNadu
Automobile hub of Asia
Erode Turmeric city
Textile city
Coimbatore (Kovai) Hardware City of India
Sports Capital of South India
Manchester of South India
Tiruppur (Tiruppur) Knit Wear Capital of India
Textile City
Dollar City
Salem Steel City
Mango City
Sago City
Puducherry (Pondicherry) Paris of the East
Ooty Queen of Hill Stations
Kodaikanal
Princess of Hill stations
Kumbakonam Temple City of Tamil Nadu
Madurai (Vaigai; Pandiya Nadu) Sleepless city
City of Jasmine
City of Temple
Athens of east
Vellore Fort city of India
City with Golden Temple
City that started Indian Independence movement
Kanchipuram Temple city
Silk city of India
Bihar
Muzaffarpur The Land of Leechi
Nalanda land of knowledge
Gaya The City of Enlightenment
Patna The City of Leaders & Knowledge
Hajipur
Himachal Pradesh
Shimla Queen of hills
Dharamshala Mini Lahasa
Kinnaur Valley of Gods
Chhattisgarh
Chhattisgarh Rice bowl of India
Bhilai Steel city
Gujarat
Surat Diamond City of the World
Kutch City of largest salt desert in the world
Called as Rann of Kutch
Baroda (Vadodara) Banyan City
Cultural Capital of Gujarat (Sanskari Nagari)
Power Hub of India
Haryana
Kurukshetra City of Mahabharata
Panipat City of weavers
Gurugram Millennium City of India
Faridabad Industrial City of India
Jharkhand
Jamshedpur Steel City of India
Karnataka
Bengaluru (Bengaluru) Silicon Valley of India
Science City of India
Garden City of India
Coorg (Kodagu) Scotland of India
Mangaluru (Mangalore) Rome of The East
Ice Cream Capital of India
Gateway of Karnataka
Mysore (Mysuru) Sandalwood City
Cultural Capital of Karnataka
City of Palaces
Heritage City of Karnataka
Royal City of Karnataka
Bidar Crown Town of Karnataka
Land of Bidri Crafts
Kolar Golden City of India
Kerala
Kochi (Cochin) Queen of Arabian Sea
Financial capital of kerala
Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) The City Of Lord Anatha
The Evergreen City of India
The Royal City Of Kerala
The Capital City Of kerala
Kozhikode (Calicut) City of Spices
Madhya Pradesh
Bhopal City of Lakes
Ujjain City of Temples
Maharashtra
Mumbai city of seven island
City of dreams
Manchester of India
Nashik Grape city
Wine capital of India
Nagpur Orange City
Tiger Capital of India
Heart of India
Pune Oxford of the East
Queen of the Deccan
Cultural and historical capital of Maharashtra
Khamgaon Silver City
Yavatmal Cotton City
Jalgaon Banana city
Gold city
Solapur Textile City
Odisha
Bhubaneswar The Temple City
Puri Holy Capital
Rourkela Industrial capital of odisha
Punjab
Patiala Royal City
Abohar Africa of Punjab
Amritsar City of Golden temple
Rajasthan
Jaipur Pink City
Udaipur City of Lakes
Venice of the East
White City
Jodhpur Blue City
Suncity
Bikaner Camel Country
Jaisalmer Desert City of India
List of Spacecrafts
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