About India

India is a vast continent that is tailored for the independent holiday maker. We invite you to discuss your travel plans with us and allow us to create a tailored package to meet your budget and needs. The Indus Valley civilization, one of the oldest in the world, goes back at least 5,000 years. Aryan tribes from the northwest invaded about 1500 B.C.; their merger with the earlier inhabitants created the classical Indian culture. Arab incursions starting in the 8th century and Turkish in 12th were followed by European traders, beginning in the late 15th century.

By the 19th century, Britain had assumed political control of virtually all Indian lands. Non-violent resistance to British colonialism under Mohandas GANDHI and Jawaharlal NEHRU led to independence in 1947. The subcontinent was divided into the secular state of India and the smaller Muslim state of Pakistan. A third war between the two countries in 1971 resulted in East Pakistan becoming a separate nation of Bangladesh. Fundamental concerns in India include the ongoing dispute with Pakistan over Kashmir, massive overpopulation, environmental degradation, extensive poverty, and ethnic and religious strife.

India In Brief:

National Capital : New Delhi
Total Area : 3,287,590 sq. km.
Land : 2,973,190 sq. km.
Water : 314, 400 sq. km.
Currency : Rupee (Rs.) 1 USD = 48.23 (2006)
Location : South Asia
Comparative Area : Slightly more than one-third the size of the US
Climate : Varies from tropical monsoon in South to temperate in North
Population : 1,095,351,995 (July 2006 estimation)
Religions : Hindu (80.5%), Muslim (13.4%), Christian (2.3%), Sikh (1.9%) and others
Official Language : Hindi, English commonly used and understood
National Days : Independence Day (August 15), Republic Day (January 26)
Standard Time : 5.5 hrs (5 hrs. 30 min) ahead of Green Wich Mean Time (GMT+5.5 hrs.)