Know India

We have been celebratingremembering our great leaderbe better to celebrate this day by knowing our country; past for adding love and respecuseful information aboutinteresting things about our country.Rabindranath Tagore…

celebrating our Independence Day with full enthusiasmgreat leaders and freedom fighters. On this auspicious day

be better to celebrate this day by knowing our country; its nomenclature and great past for adding love and respect more. Here, I have tried to present necessary

information about India, collecting from various resourcesinteresting things about our country. Let us start with

Where the mind is without fearWhere the mind is without fearWhere the mind is without fearWhere the mind is without fear

and the head is held high;and the head is held high;and the head is held high;and the head is held high;

Where knowledge is free;Where knowledge is free;Where knowledge is free;Where knowledge is free;

Where the world has not beenWhere the world has not beenWhere the world has not beenWhere the world has not been

broken up into fragments bybroken up into fragments bybroken up into fragments bybroken up into fragments by

narrow domestic walls;narrow domestic walls;narrow domestic walls;narrow domestic walls;

Where words comeWhere words comeWhere words comeWhere words come out fromout fromout fromout from

the depth of truth;the depth of truth;the depth of truth;the depth of truth;

Where tireless striving stretchesWhere tireless striving stretchesWhere tireless striving stretchesWhere tireless striving stretches

with full enthusiasm and interest by auspicious day it would nomenclature and great

present necessary and sources. Let us know beautiful poem by

its arms towards perfection;its arms towards perfection;its arms towards perfection;its arms towards perfection;

Where the clear stream of reasonWhere the clear stream of reasonWhere the clear stream of reasonWhere the clear stream of reason

has not lost its way into the drearyhas not lost its way into the drearyhas not lost its way into the drearyhas not lost its way into the dreary

desert sand of dead habit;desert sand of dead habit;desert sand of dead habit;desert sand of dead habit;

Where the mind is lead forward by theeWhere the mind is lead forward by theeWhere the mind is lead forward by theeWhere the mind is lead forward by thee

into everinto everinto everinto ever----widening thought widening thought widening thought widening thought and actionand actionand actionand action----

Into that heaven of freedom, my Father,Into that heaven of freedom, my Father,Into that heaven of freedom, my Father,Into that heaven of freedom, my Father,

let my country awake.let my country awake.let my country awake.let my country awake.

"Geetanjali"

- Rabindranath Tagore

History of the word ‘India’

Most experts agree today that the name India was derived from the river Indus (in

today’s Pakistan). But the name Indus itself has a fascinating history behind it. In

ancient times, the entire Indus river system (along with its seven tributaries Chenab,

Ravi, Sutlej, Jhelum, Beas and the now extinct River Saraswati) and the area it covered,

used to be called Sapta Sindhu i.e. the land of seven rivers (Sindhu means river in

Sanskrit). The word ‘Sindhu’ not only referred to the river system and adjoining area

but also became the label to denote the culture that had developed along its valleys (In

fact, continuing archaeological evidence suggests that the Indus Valley Civilization

should more accurately be called the Saraswati-Sindhu Civilization considering the

land mass where it developed).

The corruption of Sindhu into Hindu can be traced back to journeys made by

early Persian explorers from the Northwest who due to the peculiarities of their own

language aspirated the S sound in Sindhu to make the word Hindu

Thus to world beyond, the area around the Saraswati-Sindhu rivers and its culture

became to be known as the area of Hindus (thus the name Hindustan which literally

means the land of Hindus). This nomenclature stuck and became particularly prevalent

after the invasion and conquest of India by Mughals. The Mughals (based on the earlier

Persian terminology) used the term Hind to refer to the original inhabitants of the land

and this label became the way to distinguish native/indigenous/ancient culture form that

of the invaders. About 2500 years ago, when the Greeks first reached the river plains of

Punjab, they borrowed the name of the region from the Persians and simply modified it

to Indos. Indos later morphed into Indus in Latin by which name the river is still known

in the West. The Romans began to call the whole land mass after this river and thus the

name India came to stay which has been the form used by Europeans over the ages.

In this way, the term ‘Hindu’ did not signify any religion or set of religious

beliefs but was really a label for a specific landmass. At best the word simply

implied someone associated with (or dwelling in) the geographical area the

boundaries of which were roughly covered by the Saraswati-Sindhu rivers and their

tributaries.

Bharat, that is India

India’s official name is Bharat and this is accorded equal primacy as the word

India in the Constitution. In fact the First Clause of the Constitution begins with the

words, India, that is Bharat. There is a general mis-conception that India (or to be

more accurate, Bharat) as a nation did not exist until the British brought

hundreds of princely states and fiefdoms under central rule. This is false and

historically inaccurate those of you who have read History would be aware that

Samrat Ashok’s kingdom probably had the largest expanse of land of any kingdom in

ancient times and of course included almost all of the Indian sub-continent i.e. India,

Pakistan, Bangladesh and parts of neighbouring states such as Nepal and

Afghanistan.

In the words of Shri Srinivasan Kalyanaraman, For those who think that the

nation of Bharat is a British creation, they should be reminded about Rigveda verse

by Vis’vamitra RV 3.53.12: vis’va_mitrasya raks.ati brahmedam bharatam janam,

(this mantra of Vis’vamitra will protect the nation of the people of Bharata

Tamil bharatam (written pa_ratam) refers to the Hindu ra_s.t.ra.

“Bhugolah sarvato vrittah”Diameter of the earth was also known Bhaskaracharacharya (11c. AD) in his book “Leelavathi” answers a question posed by a little girl Leelavathi. Then during 16th /17th century Kepler, Copernicus & Galileo found the same to be true, before that west believed earth is flat

Many Indian Apples had fallen befo

Varahamihira (6th century AD) had observed the

Pancha Sidhanthi in 13.14).

Because of Dharanatmika

without falling away. It means that

Astronomical texts are replete

is not fair to say that Newton

Vedic Knowledge of Astronomy

� All ancient Vedic knowledge is very lucid in its expression about sun being the

centre of our universe.

� All celestial bodies are moving in elliptical orbits (RV1.164.1)

� Moon being the sub planet of earth is revolving around the motherly planet, as earth

revolving around the sun. (RV 10.189.1)


(this mantra of Vis’vamitra will protect the nation of the people of Bharata

Tamil bharatam (written pa_ratam) refers to the Hindu ra_s.t.ra.

” - the earth is round from all sides Diameter of the earth was also known Bhaskaracharacharya

book “Leelavathi” answers a question posed by a little girl Leelavathi. Then during 16th /17th century Kepler, Copernicus & Galileo found the same to be true, before that west believed earth is flat

Bhaskaracharacharya

Many Indian Apples had fallen before Newton’s

(6th century AD) had observed the same in

Pancha Sidhanthi in 13.14). Surya Sidhantha- (12.32)

Dharanatmika sakti, earth is standing firm

without falling away. It means that Ancient Indian

Astronomical texts are replete with the Gravitational laws. It

is not fair to say that Newton had discovered them first.

Vedic Knowledge of Astronomy

All ancient Vedic knowledge is very lucid in its expression about sun being the

centre of our universe.

bodies are moving in elliptical orbits (RV1.164.1)

Moon being the sub planet of earth is revolving around the motherly planet, as earth

revolving around the sun. (RV 10.189.1)


(this mantra of Vis’vamitra will protect the nation of the people of Bharatam). In

Tamil bharatam (written pa_ratam) refers to the Hindu ra_s.t.ra. ”

Bhaskaracharacharya

Varahamihira

All ancient Vedic knowledge is very lucid in its expression about sun being the

bodies are moving in elliptical orbits (RV1.164.1)

Moon being the sub planet of earth is revolving around the motherly planet, as earth

� Copernicus in 1453 was persecuted for propounding sun is the centre of our un

and earth is moving around. Later Galileo supported this view and became the sinner

in the eyes of church.

Acharya Sushrut- The father of Plastic Surgery.

Ayurveda is the oldest school of medicine codified by Charaka

2,500 years ago. Sushruta, the father of surgery, conducted

complicated procedures dealing with

limbs, fractures, urinary stones, plastic surgery, caesarean

section and brain surgery 2,600 years ago. Over 125 surgical

instruments were in use. The use of anesthesia was also

known in ancient BHARAT.

Textual masterpieces like " Ras Ratnakar ," "Rashrudaya" and "Rasendramangal" are his renowned contributions to the science of chemistry. Where the medieval alchemists of England failed, Nagarjunatransmuting base metals into gold.

Acharya Kanad has classified all the objects of creation into nine elements, namely: earth, water, light, wind, ether, time, space, mind and soul. He says, "Every object of creation is made of atoms which in turn connect with each other to form molecules." His statement ushered in the Atomic Theory for the first time ever in the world, nearly 2500 years before John Dalton.

Copernicus in 1453 was persecuted for propounding sun is the centre of our un


in the eyes of church.

The father of Plastic Surgery.

is the oldest school of medicine codified by Charaka

2,500 years ago. Sushruta, the father of surgery, conducted

complicated procedures dealing with cataracts, artificial

limbs, fractures, urinary stones, plastic surgery, caesarean

2,600 years ago. Over 125 surgical

instruments were in use. The use of anesthesia was also

Textual masterpieces like " Ras Ratnakar ," "Rashrudaya" and "Rasendramangal" are his renowned contributions to the

ience of chemistry. Where the medieval alchemists of Nagarjuna had discovered the alchemy of

transmuting base metals into gold.

has classified all the objects of creation into nine elements, namely: earth, water, light, wind, ether, time, space, mind and soul. He says, "Every object of creation is made of atoms which in turn connect with each other to form

ent ushered in the Atomic Theory for the first time ever in the world, nearly 2500 years before John

Copernicus in 1453 was persecuted for propounding sun is the centre of our universe


Acharya Sushruta

Nagarjuna

Founder of Atomic Theory

The Science of Yoga is one of several unique contributions of BHARAT to the world. It seeks to discover and realize the ultimate Reality through yogic practices.

Acharya Patanjali

Interesting Meaning of ‘Hridayam ‘

� ‘Hru’ means harinay (that receives) � ‘Da’ means daanay. (that gives) � ‘Ya’ means enngathow. ( that circulates)

� Vaastu Sastra in Sanskrit describe the methods of

planning and building towns and cities

� Harappa & Mahen-jo-daro stood 5000 years. Kallanai

Dam” (1st century AD) 320 meter, width is 60 meters

across the river Cauvery 48km away from the temple

town of Tanjavur

� Sudarshan Jalasayam(4th BC) the oldest man-made

reservoir in Gujarat

� Lothal Port city is the oldest port city in the world.

Indian Aeronautics- Hijacked??

“We owe a lot to the Indians, who taught us how to count, without which no worthwhile

scientific discovery could have been made”.

“When I read the Bhagavad-Gita and reflect about how God created this universe

everything else seems so superfluous”.

- Albert Einstein (German Physicist)Albert Einstein (German Physicist)Albert Einstein (German Physicist)Albert Einstein (German Physicist)

“If I were asked under what sky the human mind has most fully developed some of its

choicest gifts, has most deeply pondered on the greatest problems of life, and has found

solutions, I should point to India.”

-Max Mueller (German scholar)Max Mueller (German scholar)Max Mueller (German scholar)Max Mueller (German scholar)

“Our present knowledge of the nervous system fits in so accurately with the internal

description of the human body given in the Vedas (5000 years ago). Then the question

arises whether the Vedas are really religious books or books on anatomy of the nervous

system and medicine.”

- Rele (Jewish writer)Rele (Jewish writer)Rele (Jewish writer)Rele (Jewish writer)

“The Indian way of life provides the vision of the natural, real way of life. We veil

ourselves with unnatural masks. On the face of India are the tender expressions which

carry the mark of the Creator’s hand.”

- George Bernard Shaw (Irish playwrite)George Bernard Shaw (Irish playwrite)George Bernard Shaw (Irish playwrite)George Bernard Shaw (Irish playwrite)

“India is the cradle of the human race, the birthplace of human speech, the mother of

history, the grandmother of legend, and the great grandmother of tradition. Our most

valuable and most astrictive materials in the history of man are treasured up in India

only!”

-Mark TMark TMark TMark Twain (American writer)wain (American writer)wain (American writer)wain (American writer)

“The Sanskrit language, whatever be its antiquity is of wonderful structure, more

perfect than the Greek, more copious than the Latin and more exquisitely refined than

either.”

-SirSirSirSir William Jones (English scholar)William Jones (English scholar)William Jones (English scholar)William Jones (English scholar)

“If there is one place on the face of earth where all the dreams of living men have found

a home from the very earliest days when man began the dream of existence, it is India!”

- Romaine Rolland (French writer)Romaine Rolland (French writer)Romaine Rolland (French writer)Romaine Rolland (French writer)

"Civilizations have arisen in other parts of the world. In ancient and modern times,

wonderful ideas have been carried forward from one race to another...But mark you,

my friends, it has been always with the blast of war trumpets and the march of

embattled cohorts. Each idea had to be soaked in a deluge of blood..... Each word of

power had to be followed by the groans of millions, by the wails of orphans, by the tears

of widows. This, many other nations have taught; but India for thousands of years

peacefully existed. Here activity prevailed when even Greece did not exist... Even

earlier, when history has no record, and tradition dares not peer into the gloom of that

intense past, even from until now, ideas after ideas have marched out from her, but

every word has been spoken with a blessing behind it and peace before it. We, of all

nations of the world, have never been a conquering race, and that blessing is on our

head, and therefore we live....!"

---- Swami Vivekanand (Indian Philosopher)Swami Vivekanand (Indian Philosopher)Swami Vivekanand (Indian Philosopher)Swami Vivekanand (Indian Philosopher)

-Jay Hind

Shabir Parmar

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Know India