Mysterious and amazing India ... In its open spaces there was one of the most ancient civilizations, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism and Hinduism were born. In this article we will talk about the device of this country. Consider the national-territorial division of India, as well as tell about the main attractions and holidays.
Republic of India. Type of government
India has long fought for its independence, being a colony of Britain. In this regard, the question often arises: "Is India a monarchy or a republic?" Conquered in the 18th century, the country gained independence only in 1947. Since then, the state has embarked on the democratic development and active development of the country as a whole.
India is a republic, a federal state, which is defined by the constitution as a sovereign socialist secular democratic republic. At the head of state is the president. India is a parliamentary republic with two chambers, which is represented by the Council of States (upper house) and the People's House (lower house).
States and territories represent the national territorial division of the Republic of India. So, in the state there are 29 states that have their own executive and legislative authorities. The national territorial division of India also implies the presence of territories. In total, the country has 7 territories, which are actually represented by six territories and one metropolitan district of Delhi. They are managed by the central government of India.
The population and language of India
The Republic of India, with one sixth of the world's population, is one of the most multinational countries. About 1.30 billion people live in the country, and researchers predict that it will soon overtake China in number.
Hindi is the state language and the most widely spoken; more than 40% of the inhabitants speak it. Other popular languages are English, Punjabi, Urdu, Gunjarti, Bengali, Telugu, Kannadi, etc. The Indian states have their own official languages.
The majority of the population profess Hinduism (almost 80%), followed by Islam, followed by the Christian religion, Sikhism and Buddhism.
India has a high unemployment rate. With more than a billion inhabitants and economically active people, only 500 million About 70% represent the sphere of agriculture and forestry, and almost half of the people living in cities are engaged in the service sector.
Ancient states and society
Proto-states were formed on the territory of India as early as the 1st millennium BC, with time being transformed into more confident state formations with a monarchical system of government. However, along with the monarchy, various sources often mention the parallel existence of the Indian republics.
Republics of ancient India are sometimes called Kshatriya or oligarchic republics. They often fought with the monarchies for the supremacy of power. Power in the republics was not hereditary, and elected rulers could be deposed in cases of dissatisfaction with their work.
Even then, in the republics there was a social division of society into castes, leaving a deep mark in the history of the state of India (caste division is still preserved in the villages). The greatest privileges in society were representatives of the oligarchy, who wore the title of "Raja". To obtain the title, it was necessary to undergo a special sacred rite.
Interestingly, the highest caste was originally considered to be the Brahmins - clergy. In monarchies such a custom was preserved. Kshatriyas are warriors, guards, and in all cultures they usually occupied the second, if not the third place, after high-ranking persons. In the ancient Indian republics, the ksatriyas fought with the brahmanas for their supremacy, and sometimes forced the brahmanas to obey them.
Indian castes
Modern Indian society still honors a long tradition. The social division prevailing in ancient times is still valid. The inhabitants of India are subject to conditional laws that are prescribed separately for each caste, now they are called varna.
There are four main varnas in India. The highest level, as in the ancient monarchies, is occupied by the brahmanas. Previously, they were clergy, but nowadays, they teach in temples, devote themselves to spiritual development and enlighten the population. They should not be engaged in labor and there is food that was prepared by people belonging to another caste.
Kshatriyas are one step lower. Usually they occupy administrative posts or associate themselves with military affairs. Women from this caste are forbidden to marry a man who is lower in rank. This ban does not apply to men.
Vaishya has long been farmers and merchants. In modern Indian society, they have too changed the occupation. Vaishyas can now hold positions related to finance.
The most dirty work has always been sudra. As a rule, these were peasants and slaves. Now they represent the poorest people living in slums.
Another caste is called “untouchables,” which includes all the outcasts. They, on a social level, are even lower than sudras. The untouchables, already inside the caste, are divided into separate groups. For example, there is a group that includes gays, bisexuals, hermaphrodites. Such people often entertain representatives of other castes at various holidays.
The only people who do not belong to any caste and are truly considered outcasts are pariahs - those who are born of people from different castes. They are not allowed to appear in stores, in public transport.
Republic of India: Attractions
The most famous place, of course, is the Taj Mahal - the marble mausoleum, which, according to legend, the Indian ruler built in memory of his beloved wife. Snow-white domes, confused patterns, walls decorated with precious stones and murals, a park with an amazing column gallery.
However, this is not all that the Republic of India can boast of. The sights of this country include both various architectural structures and natural beauties. For example, Dudhsagar Falls, which is considered the largest in India. It is located in the foothills of the Western Ghats and is surrounded by unique landscapes.
Indian cities also offer many interesting sites. In Delhi there is a fortification Red Fort, built in a special style and laid the foundation for Mughal architecture.
In Mumbai, you can wander around the pavilions of Bollywood - the main platform of the Indian film industry. The streets of the "pink city" can be walked in Jaipur. Here is the Maharaja Palace and Amber Fort.
In the city of Calcutta, in addition to the famous Kali Temple, there is the largest zoo in India and the Indian Museum.
Traces of antiquity
Many objects arose long before the advent of the modern Republic of India. The world's first stupa is located in the state of Madhya Pradesh. The Sanchi stupa was built in the 3rd century BC, the rest of the stupas were built in its image. The stupa is a monument of early Buddhist architecture, every detail of it is symbolic. The foundation means the earth and people, and the hemisphere - the gods.
Ancient attractions include cave temples in Maharashtra. They were carved for several centuries by Buddhist monks, starting from the II century BC. In Ellora, there are about 30 stone caves.
Hampi Temple on the site of the ancient city of Vijayanagara, is also mentioned in the "Ramayana" - the ancient Indian epic. This place is often called an abandoned city. The temple is valid and present. It is located among the high hills, consisting of huge stone blocks. According to legend, the stones were thrown here by the monkey god Hanuman.
The old town of Gokarna consists of only one street, on which almost all the houses are wooden. Hindus believe that in this city, the god Shiva rose from the bowels of the earth after exile, therefore he is sacred.
The largest Buddhist community is located in the so-called Small Tibet. There are three Buddhist temples and two monasteries. Any traveler has access to the entrance, so you can see the service for yourself. In Little Tibet, there is a Tibetan market and a center for crafts, where you can get involved in the manufacture of carpets.
Temples and tombs
One of the most interesting sights of the Republic of India are tombs and temples. The tomb of Humayun is not decorated with precious stones, unlike the above-mentioned mausoleum, but it is its prototype. It is located in Delhi and is an example of Mughal architecture.
The tomb of Itemad-ud-Dauli is also striking in its beauty. This is a quadrangular building, which is located on a small pedestal. Each corner is decorated with minarets up to 13 meters high. On the marble walls with the help of semiprecious stones, various images are laid out.
The Harmandir Sahib Temple should also not be overlooked. It was built in the XVI century, and now it is a place of worship among the Sikhs. A narrow path leads directly to the center of the artificial lake, where the Golden Temple is located . A dozen buildings surround the lake, forming, together with the temple, a rather large architectural complex.
Virupaksha Temple in southern India dates from around the 7th century. It is not one building, but a large temple complex. The tower of the main temple has 9 levels and rises 50 meters up. Nearby is a sanctuary and a platform with columns. Pilgrims and curious travelers constantly gather in this place. It is especially interesting here during various festivals, for example, the Virupaksha and Pampa wedding festival.
Urban slums
Having been in the Taj Mahal, it is absolutely impossible to say that you have been to India, because this is only one side of the life of this country. The other side is hidden in the slums of the big cities of the Republic of India. These areas are designed for the poor and live here for several million people.
The Dharavi slum in Bombay was once considered the largest in the world. Here are hospitals, schools and residential premises up to 10 square meters. m., which sometimes lives up to 20 people. The poorest people live in tents. Hindus are not very clean - they throw garbage right on the street, next to their place of residence. Some, however, try to take care of themselves by washing regularly and even cleaning their homes.
The general view of the slums is still metal multi-story plywood houses, tarpaulin rags hanging in an attempt to create a semblance of housing, and garbage. All activities, from cooking to washing, in slums are carried out on the street. The houses are designed to sleep. Waste is poured into specially equipped ditches with water.
Fans of extraordinary relaxation find such areas quite picturesque and colorful. However, recently, construction work is being actively carried out in slum areas, and soon this highlight may disappear from India.
Holidays and festivals
Due to the multinationality of the country, many religious holidays are celebrated here, besides them there are holidays of national significance: Republic Day, Independence Day and Gandhi's Birthday. On the Republic Day of India ( see photo below), the adoption of the country's Constitution on January 26, 1950 is celebrated, which indicates the final liberation from Britain.
Every year in India, a holiday dedicated to the Ganges River is celebrated - the Ganges of Mahotsawa. In November, the city of Varanasi revives, people gather on the banks of the sacred river to swim in it. Locals sing folk songs and dance. The main event is the launch of luminous lanterns on the river. Before this, you need to make a wish, and if the flashlight burns for a long time, then the gods will certainly fulfill the mystery.
Diwali is another holiday of the Republic of India. Cities at this time are filled with light, which, according to legend, must defeat evil and failure. Everywhere lights are lit, garlands, candles, accompanied by noisy songs and festivities.
The real holiday of spring - Holi - is celebrated at the beginning of March, and lasts five days. At this time, the effigy of Holiki is burned, and on the second day they pour colored powder and spices on each other, pour colored water, wishing happiness.
Interesting Facts
- Any manipulation of the import and export of local currency is prohibited by law.
- With all the numbers of people, India ranks first in the world in the number of abortions.
- It is this country that is the founder of chess, algebra and geometry. The name “chess” previously sounded like “chaturanga” and translated as four ranks of troops.
- The number of post offices here is greater than anywhere else in the world. This is surprising, because slum dwellers do not even have addresses.
- Having appeared about 3 thousand years ago, Ayur-Veda is considered the first medical school in the history of mankind.
- Navigation appeared in India more than 6 thousand years ago.
- In India, "greeted by clothes" and escorted too. Since she is talking about the social layer to which a person belongs. Important fabric, style and even color. A woman’s hairstyle also matters.
- There are about 1,500 dialects of various languages in the country.
- Until about the 1960s, marijuana was allowed in India.
- Once upon a time, Indian light fabrics conquered the Roman emperors. They were even compared to the wind. These were the first cotton fabrics in the world.
- Freddie Mercury had Indian roots.
- Before submitting to Britain and becoming its colony, India was one of the richest countries in the world. That is why sailors dreamed of finding sea routes to it.
- If an Indian shakes his head in different directions, as if reproaching you, do not worry, because this is a gesture of agreement.
- Most Indian cafes or restaurants do not have menus; visitors often order dishes that have long been familiar to them.
- If there are no seats on the train, then people climb onto shelves designed for luggage.
- In many states it is customary to eat on the floor, not because of poverty, just a tradition.
- Kumbh Mela is a religious festival that is celebrated in India only once every 12 years.
- Pronouncing your husband’s name in public is considered not quite decent, therefore, various indirect forms of “see”, “look”, etc. are used.
Conclusion
India is a federal republic divided into states and territories. This is in many ways an interesting and incomprehensible country. Tourists visit the richest temples and mausoleums, and the poorest people live in slums, in home-made plywood houses. A rich history is displayed in fairly well-preserved temples dedicated to different religions. Thousands of pilgrims come here to see the ancient shrines, travelers hope to touch the past. Every year they organize happy and colorful holidays and festivals full of lights, dances and folk music, naturally reinforcing them with legends and myths.