India’s rich heritage can be found in the language, culture, food and architecture of the country. The first major civilisation developed around 9,000 years along the Indus river valley. The Vedic civilization that followed laid the foundations of Hinduism.

Later, India came under the rule of the Mughals followed by the British. Several European countries, including Portugal, France and Netherlands established their colonies in the country. India gained independence on 15 August 1947 and the country was partitioned to form Pakistan.

Indian classical dance and music is appreciated world-over. Classical dances like kathakali, kuchipudi, kathak and bharatnatyam are infused with mythological elements. Mahabharata and Ramayana are popular works in Indian literature. 

India has a varied landscape, from barren dunes of the Thar Desert to the dense tropical forests of the north-eastern region. Most parts of India consist of fertile river plains and high plateaus. India is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the south, the Arabian Sea to the west and the Bay of Bengal on the east. Its neighbouring countries are Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Sri Lanka.