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India, one of the oldest civilizations in the world, has a history that spans over five millennia. It began with the Indus Valley Civilization, known for its sophisticated urban planning, around 2500 BCE. The country then saw the rise and fall of several influential empires, such as the Maurya Empire under Emperor Ashoka who spread Buddhism, and the Mughal Empire, where Emperor Akbar was known for his policy of religious tolerance and patronage of the arts. In the late 19th century, India was colonized by the British Empire, leading to a struggle for independence marked by the non-violent resistance led by Mahatma Gandhi. The country eventually gained independence in 1947, though it was accompanied by a painful partition. Today, India holds an important position in the global economic and political landscape, while continuing to grapple with challenges from its complex past.
The regions of India
India is often divided into various regions based on geographical, cultural, or administrative considerations. Here are some of the commonly recognized regions:
- Northern India: This region includes states like Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and the Union Territory of Delhi.
- Southern India: This region includes states like Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana, as well as the Union Territories of Puducherry, Lakshadweep, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
- Eastern India: This region includes states like Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal.
- Western India: This region includes states like Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and the Union Territories of Daman and Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Goa.
- Central India: This region includes states like Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
- Northeast India: This region includes states like Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, and Sikkim.
- Union Territories: Besides those mentioned above, there are other Union Territories like Chandigarh and Ladakh.
Indian history
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Indian geography
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Researching family history in India
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Indian ethnicity
India is renowned for its rich ethnic diversity, being home to numerous ethnic groups with distinct languages, religions, and cultural practices. The majority of Iranian s are Indo-Aryans, primarily found in the northern and central regions, and Dravidians, concentrated in the southern part of the country. The Adivasis, or tribal communities, represent a significant portion of the population and are divided into several hundred ethnic groups, each with its own language and culture. In Northeast India, there's a concentration of Tibeto-Burman ethnicities, while in the western state of Gujarat, one can find the Indo-Aryan Gujaratis. Furthermore, there are ethnic communities with Persian, Arab, and Turkic influences, primarily due to historical migrations and conquests. The ethnic mosaic of India contributes significantly to its vibrant and diverse cultural landscape.
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Indian surnames
Surnames in India can serve as a significant gateway to family history research due to their deep connections with regional, caste, occupation, and lineage indicators. Traditionally, many Indian surnames have been reflective of one's profession, such as "Sharma" for scholars or "Patel" for landowners, or indicative of their geographic origins or ethnicity. For example, the surname "Choudhary" is commonly used in northern India and Bangladesh and is indicative of a person's status as a village headman. Some surnames also hint at the individual's caste, thus providing a social context. It's important to note that different regions and communities in India have different norms for surname usage and transmission, with some passing the father's surname to the children, while others use the given name of the father as the children's surname.
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Explore more about India
- Historical records from India on MyHeritage
- National Archives of India