About the Country - India

The history of India begins with the Indus valley civilization, which spread and flourished in the northwestern part of the Indian subcontinent, from c. 3300 to 1300 BCE. Beginning in the mid-18th century and through the next century, India was gradually annexed by the British East India Company. Dissatisfaction with the rule led to the First War of Indian Independence, after which India was directly administered by the British Crown. The world then witnessed a period of both rapid development of infrastructure and economic decline. During the first half of the 20th century, a nationwide struggle for independence was launched by the Indian National Congress, and later joined by the Muslim League. India gained independence from Great Britain in 1947, after being partitioned into the dominions of India and Pakistan.

The economy of India, measured in USD exchange-rate terms, is the twelfth largest in the world, with a GDP of around $1 trillion (2008). Despite this phenomenal rate of growth, India's large population has a per capita income of $2,659. India's economy is diverse, encompassing agriculture, handicrafts, textile, manufacturing, and a multitude of services. The services sector is gaining importance in the country although agriculture forms the major chunk of income for people. With the digital age catching up in India, there is a large number of young and educated populace fluent in English who are fast transforming India into an important 'back office' destination for global outsourcing of customer services and technical support.

Transportation in India is a large and varied sector of the economy. Modes of conveyance for transport of goods in India range from people's heads (on which loads are balanced) and bicycle rickshaws to trucks and railroad cars. The national railroad was the major freight hauler at independence, but road transport in India grew rapidly after 1947. Both rail and road transports remain important. With many private domestic airlines and international airlines in the country, India is well-connected within and to the rest of the world. The railways in India provide one of the cheapest mode of travel, as well as some of the most expensive and luxurious trains in the world. Therefore, you can traverse the length and breadth of the country at minimal fares or you can enjoy a smooth, fast, almost non-stop journey in comfortable air-conditioned chair cars or sleepers. Some of the comfortable trains are the Rajdhanis and the Shatabdis, which run between major cities. Auto rickshaws, tricycles and taxis can also be found.