The History of India begins with the birth of the Indus Valley Civilization in such sites as Mohenjo-Daro, Harappa, and Lothal, and the coming of the Aryans. These two phases are usually described as the pre-Vedic and Vedic perio ds. It is in the Vedic period that Hinduism first arose: this is the time to which the Vedas are dated.

In the fifth century, large parts of India were united under Ashoka. He also converted to Buddhism, and it is in his reign that Buddhism spread to o ther parts of Asia. It is in the reign of the Mauryas that Hinduism took the shape that fundamentally informs the religion down to the present day. Successor states were more fragmented. rhodesIslam first came to India in the eighth century, and by the 11th century had firmly established itself in India as a political force; the North Indian dynasties of the Lodhis, Tughlaqs, and numerous others, whose remains are visible in Delhi and scattered elsewhere around North India, were finally succeeded by the Mughal empire, under which India once again achieved a large measure of political unity.
The European presence in India dates to the seventeenth century, and it is in the latter part of this century that the Mughal empire began to disintegrate, paving the way for regional states. In the contest for supremacy, the English emerged 'victors', their rule marked by the conquests at the battlefields of Plassey and Buxar. rhodos

The Rebellion of 1857-58, which sought to restore Indian supremacy, was crushed; and with the subsequent crowning of Victoria as Empress of India, the incorporation of India into the empire was complete. Successive campaigns had the effect of driving the British out of India in 1947.

India today

India, is a sovereign country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second most populous country, and the most populous liberal democracy in the world. India has a coastline of over seven thousand kilometres, bounded by the Indian Ocean on the south, the Arabian Sea on the west, and the Bay of Bengal on the east. India borders Pakistan to the west, China, Nepal, and Bhutan to the north-east and Bangladesh and Myanmar to the east. In the Indian Ocean, India is in the vicinity of Sri Lanka, Maldives and Indonesia.rhodes

Delhi - the capital of India, reflects the cultural diversity and religious unity of India.The celebration of all the festivals of India by the residents of Delhi makes the capital full of colour and joy through out the year. But the celebration of Holi and Dewali in Delhi carries a totally different mood here. These two festivals paint a very different picture of Delhi.

Agra - The Taj Mahal, described as the most extravagant monument ever built for love, has become the de facto tourist emblem of India. This poignant Moghul mausoleum was constructed by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his second wife Mumtaz Mahal, whose death in childbirth in 1631 left the emperor so heartbroken that his hair is said to have turned gray overnight.rhodes

Bombay is such a cosmopolitan and modern city that makes the visitor feel at home. Coming by sea or air, the visitor will notice Bombay's lovely natural setting - far-away blue outlines of Western Ghats, the calm sea, and palm fringed beaches. In contrast, on the outskirts, is smoke rising from a thousand suburban mill chimneys - a reminder that Bombay is the largest commericial city in India.

Madras, the capital of Tamil Nadu is also its principal harbour and has one of the finest beaches in Asia.Head off in any direction from Madras – even east, across the Bay of Bengal by boat or plane to Port Blair in the Andaman Islands; a paradise archipelago, lush and forested, home of some of the most exotic plant-life in the world. The crystal clear waters shimmer with tropical fish, and the islands are famous for their corals and water-sports facilities.rhodes

As one enters the city of Calcutta, the impressive Howrah Bridge across the Hooghly river, a huge cantilever structure, supported by two 270 feet high piers, greets the eye.The one event that all of Calcutta anticipates, with a great deal of zest, is the Durga Puja (in the month of October) - when the city seems to don a brilliant garb of vitality and festivity, an atmosphere of bonhomie, that carries on through Christmas and the New Year. rhodes



Jaipur is surrounded on all sides by rugged hills, crowned with forts & enclosed by embattled walls. Houses with latticed windows line the streets with their rose pink colour, lending enchantment to the scene, which is almost magical at sunset.Jaipur was colour washed pink to create an impression of red sandstone buildings of mughal cities.rhodos