India represents a unique 'unity in diversity'. There are different cultures , languages,  climates and  geographical features and on the basis of some of these differences, India has been divided into states and union territories.

India's history is said to be extending back perhaps to the dawn of civilization. The Indus Valley Civilization around 3,000 BC, was an advanced civilization that flourished over a large area of Rajasthan and Gujarat and what is now Pakistan. In the five thousand year since then, this subcontinent has seen many number of dynasties, rulers, invaders, and imperialists; they have come and gone. In addition to cultural diversity, the enormous size of India also ensures a great deal of variation in geographical, climatic and ecological conditions: from the heights of the majestic Himalayas, to the unexplored to the east windswept beaches in the south and the silent desert in the west. India offers itself as a fascinating tourist destination in its cultural and archaeological attractions, its leisure, adventure and sporting pleasures, its religious shrines, its attractive convention facilities and for a host of other reasons. Out of the many, fifteen languages have been recognized by the Indian Constitution are: Hindi, Telugu, Bengali, Marathi, Tamil, Urdu, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Oriya, Punjabi, Assamese, Kashmiri, Sindhi, Sanskrit.

Hindi in various dialects is understood and widely spoken throughout the country. English is spoken in most towns and cities.

Major Indian Wild life Sanctuaries
India has various wild life sanctuaries. Some of them are:

Corbett National Park in Uttar-Pradesh, a favourite haunt for wild life enthusiasts.

Gir Forest in Gujarat, the home of  the Indian lion.

Kaziranga National Park in Assam, the home of the one-horned rhinoceros.

Sunderban Swamps in West Bengal, the home of crocodiles and the Royal Bengal tiger.

Dachigam National Park, in Kashmir, the home of the Kashmir stag or hangul, and the famous

Ranthambhor National Park in Rajasthan, another tiger sanctuary.

To see the detailed list of wildlife sanctuaries Click here

Handicrafts and arts
India is famous for her handicrafts and arts. In the days of yore, under the patronage of kings and queens Indian artisans would spend years creating paintings, carvings, sculptures in stone and wood, marble inlay work and intricate filigree work in silver, to name only a few items of art work. The princely rulers have gone but the crafts are still alive and flourishing. And it is these traditional skills that have ensured India’s importance as a shopper’s paradise. Most items purchased in India, such as souvenirs, art objects, jewellery up to a certain value etc. can be exported without any restrictions.

To know more about Indian Art Click

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