The Incredible India - Research Paper Example

It is also a country where marriage and family are regarded almost as a requirement for a full and happy life. Please join me in attempting to scratch the surface of the seventh largest country in the world, as together we uncover exciting facts about the country and the people that live within it. The Incredible India Introduction India, once a colony under the rule of Great Britain, is today an independent country with its own government, society, and culture. It is the seventh largest country in the world and in 2005 claimed the feat of being the second highest in population (Daniel, 2005).

To the world, it is officially known as the Republic of India (Daniel, 2005). It also has two other names including Bharat from the Sanskrit language as well as Hindustan, a name given by the Persians meaning people living near the river Indus (Daniel, 2005). To the people of the country, it is simply called India (Central Intelligence Agency, 2012). It has six border countries, including Nepal, Burma, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and China, some of which were formerly part of what was known as the colony of “British India” (Central Intelligence Agency, 2012). . gh India achieved its independence on the 15th of August 1947 after a very long struggle, the last of the British troops did not leave until 1950 (Daniel, 2005).

Until its independence in 1947, the present day neighbors of Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar were all a part of what was known as “British India” that included what is today the country of India, and were ruled under the concept of “divide and rule”, which split the areas into many different communities and offered absolutely no sense of nationalism whatsoever (Daniel, 2005).When it became clear that the British were going to leave, India demanded to be made into separate states that each reflected their own religious and political beliefs (Daniel, 2005).

The problem was finally solved when two nations were created, India and Pakistan, which continue to this day (Daniel, 2005). India, like many other countries, also had their capital moved by their imperial rulers. The former capital of India was Kolkata (Calcutta), situated in the east of India (Wright, 2011). However, in 1911, a letter was written by the Viceroy of the country under British rule that endorsed the idea of moving the capital to New Delhi (Wright, 2011). Among the reasons given was that, due to the Morley-Minto reforms, the Indian people were allowed to hold legislative positions (Wright, 2011).

This fact meant that a more central capital was needed (Wright, 2011). However, behind the scenes, a storm was brewing, and the movement to give India its independence had gained strength, most notably in Calcutta (Wright, 2011). It was felt that a more hospitable and new city was needed in order to protect the sanctity of the rule, and therefore the capital was moved to New Delhi (Wright, 2011). The city was built for the purpose of holding