11 Things You Didn’t Know About India
From Holi celebrations to the Ganges, from Goa to Panjabi MC, there are so many things people think they know about India. But be sure, that there are many, many more facts that you have surely never heard about. Here are 11 things you didn’t know about India (and will maybe still don’t believe them after reading this).
1. There are more vegetarians in India than anywhere else
That’s right. While being a vegetarian is still kind of „en vogue“ in some western countries, India is full of vegetarians. In fact, the country even has the lowest meat consumption rate in the world, which can be attributed to mostly religious and cultural beliefs. 31 % of Indians are vegetarians. Eat this!
2. Shampoo is Hindi
The word shampoo comes from a Hindi word (in sanscript “champu”) and means massage. Do you know when it is the best time to use shampoo in India? Definitely after Holi celebrations that can end very ver wild.
3. India doesn’t have a national language
That’s sound super weird, right? In fact, over 120 major languages and about 1600 other languages can be found in India. No wonder, Indians use the English languages when talking to other Indians from different states and areas.
4. Hinduism knows more than just a couple of gods
Hinduism has about 330,000 gods. (Oh my gods!)
5. India has the lowest number of prison inmates in the world
India has a very large population but comparatively few prisoners, despite nearly 1400 prisons in the country. Did you know that about India?
6. India owns the largest postal system worldwide
The postal network in India is run by the state. With over 150,000 postal offices across the country, Indian post is not only serving in the most rural areas, but also offers banking services.
7. The Indians invented chess
One of the things you didn’t know about India is that chess was invented here a while ago, namely 1500 years. It was called Chaturanga, which appears to have been invented in the 6th century AD.
Read more about the origin of chess at the Silkroad Foundation.
8. There is still the caste system in India
There are five different class distinctions in Indian trains and also in the society the classification in classes is usual. Although the caste system is officially abolished in India, the idea of higher and lower people is still widespread. Read more about the caste system at the BBC.
9. In India, most people are married forever
One of the things you didn’t know about India is that the country has one of the lowest divorce rates in the world. Of 1,000 marriages, only 13 are divorced.
10. Traveling in India can be everything: extremely cheap and expensive
Choose between high lass luxury trains and absolute low fare rides. Fly across the country for just a couple of bucks or business class. In India, there is an affordable way of transport for everyone.
11. Things you didn’t know about India: Not all Indians look the same
The Hollywood stereotype of a full-bearded Indian guy wearing a turban goes back to the Sikh ethnic group, which is only 2% of the Indian population.
