Country book · Asia

India

A subcontinent, not a country

India spans deserts, Himalayan peaks, tropical coastline and megacities, holding together 22 official languages and thousands of years of continuous civilisation. This book is India today — the people, the truths, the myths, the food and the cities that make sense of its scale.

Myths

What's true, what isn't

Actually true

It really is the world's most populous country
India overtook China in population in 2023 and is now home to more than 1.4 billion people.
Bollywood genuinely produces more films per year than Hollywood
India's film industries collectively release well over a thousand films annually across Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and other languages.
Cricket is a genuine national religion
The Indian Premier League is one of the richest sports leagues in the world, and cricket stars are treated with celebrity status rivalling film stars.
It has functioned as the world's largest democracy since 1947
India holds elections with hundreds of millions of voters, the largest democratic exercise on the planet.

Commonly believed, wrong

"India is one culture and one language"
India has 22 constitutionally recognised languages and hundreds more spoken; Hindi is not understood everywhere, especially in the south.
"It's all poverty and chaos"
India has a massive and growing middle class, world-class tech hubs like Bangalore, and space and nuclear programmes.
"Curry is one dish"
Regional cuisines from Punjab to Kerala to Bengal are entirely distinct, with different staples, spices and cooking techniques.
"Everyone is vegetarian"
A majority of Indians actually eat meat at least occasionally; vegetarianism varies significantly by region and religion.

Highlights

The best of India

The Taj Mahal

A white marble mausoleum built by Shah Jahan, one of the most recognisable buildings on Earth.

The Himalayas and Ladakh

High-altitude desert monasteries, turquoise lakes and some of the world's highest motorable passes.

Kerala's backwaters

A network of lagoons and canals navigated by traditional houseboats through palm-lined villages.

Rajasthan's forts and palaces

Desert cities like Jaipur, Jodhpur and Udaipur filled with Mughal and Rajput architecture.

Culture

Cultural riches

Festivals of colour and light

Holi and Diwali turn entire cities into public celebrations of colour, fire and sweets.

Classical dance and music

Bharatanatyam, Kathak and Hindustani classical music trace back over a thousand years.

Textiles and sarees

Regional weaving traditions like Banarasi silk and Kanjeevaram produce some of the world's finest textiles.

Yoga and Ayurveda

Ancient practices of physical and medicinal wellness, still central to daily life and now practised worldwide.

Food

What to eat

Butter chicken

Tandoori chicken in a rich tomato and butter gravy, invented in Delhi in the mid-20th century.

Masala dosa

A crisp fermented rice-and-lentil crepe filled with spiced potato, a South Indian breakfast staple.

Biryani

Layered spiced rice and meat, with distinct regional styles in Hyderabad, Lucknow and Kolkata.

Chaat

Tangy, spicy street snacks like pani puri and bhel puri, eaten fast and standing up.

Masala chai

Black tea brewed with milk and warming spices, the daily ritual drink across the country.

Music

World-famous voices

A. R. Rahman

Oscar-winning composer.

Lata Mangeshkar

Playback singing legend.

Arijit Singh

The most-streamed Indian voice today.

Diljit Dosanjh

Punjabi pop taken worldwide.

Ravi Shankar

The sitar master who taught the world.

History

Important people in history

Mahatma Gandhi

Independence movement leader, d. 1948

Led India's nonviolent independence movement against British colonial rule.

Jawaharlal Nehru

1947–1964

India's first prime minister, who shaped its early industrial and democratic institutions.

Ashoka the Great

c. 268–232 BCE

Mauryan emperor who unified much of the subcontinent and later spread Buddhism widely.

Cities