20 Interesting Facts About India That You Never Knew

Last updated on June 10, 2022

“We might say that India is the mother of history, the ancestor of myth and lore, the great-grandmother of legend and the great-great-grandmother of tradition.

Only in India do we have access to the most important and educational materials in human history.”

The statements made here are not our own. Twain’s famous words are said here. Here are 25 facts about Indians to back up his claim:

1. Floating Post Office in India

With about 1,55,015 post offices, India boasts the world’s largest postal network. The average population served by a single post office is 7,175 persons. In August 2011, Srinagar’s Dal Lake was inaugurated with a floating post office.

If you want to see this amazing post office and you are Japanese, then you should check this guide on how to get an Indian visa for Japan citizens.

2. Kumbh Mela, Visible From Sky

It was estimated that around 75 million people participated in this year’s Kumbh Mela, making it the greatest gathering to date. As a result of its size, the throng could be seen from outer space.

3. The World’s Wettest Populated Area

Meghalaya’s settlement of Mawsynram, located in the Khasi Hills, has the world’s highest recorded average rainfall. During the year 1861, the most rain fell in Cherrapunji, another Meghalayan town.

4. The Steel Cables in the Bandra Worli Sealink Has Lenght Equal to Earth’s Circumference

At a weight of 50,000 African elephants, this took 2,57,00,000 hours to build. One of the most impressive examples of both architecture and engineering ever seen.

5. The World’s Highest Cricket Ground

The highest cricket ground in the world is at Chail, Himachal Pradesh, at 2,444 meters. The Chail Military School owns and operates this 1893 structure.

6. Shampoo Invented in India

In India, the process of using herbs as shampoo was developed, not the commercial liquid variety. The Sanskrit word champu, meaning massage, is the root of the English word “shampoo.”

7. All Kabaddi World Cups Won by the Indian Team

India has won all five of the men’s Kabaddi World Cups to far, a perfect competition record. All Kabaddi World Cups have been won by the Indian women’s squad.

8. India Discovered Water on the Moon

When India’s ISRO Chandrayaan-1 used its Moon Mineralogy Mapper in September 2009, it discovered water for the first time on the moon.

American students may be interested to visit ISRO, so they should know about the eligibility for an Indian visa for American citizens.

9. Switzerland’s Science Day Dedicated to APJ Abdul Kalam, ex-Indian President

In 2006, India’s missile program’s founder paid a visit to Switzerland. A Science Day was created in honor of him by the Swiss government upon his arrival.

10. India’s 1st President Salary

As President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad took only half of his pay, arguing he didn’t need more. After 12 years, he only took 25 percent of his earnings. In those days, the President’s salary was just Rs 10,000.

11. A Bicycle Was Used to Transport India’s First Rocket

Thumba Launching Station in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, received the first rocket on a bicycle because it was so light and compact.

12. There is an Elephant SPA in India

The Punnathoor Cotta Elephant Yard Rejuvenation Centre in Kerala provides elephants with bathing, massages, and even food. For the country, it’s a huge step forward.

13. The 2nd Largest English-Speaking Nation in the world, India

Only the United States has a larger population of English speakers than India, with 125 million Indians fluent in the language. Future growth in this area is likely to be substantial.

14. The World’s Largest Population of Vegetarians

Nearly a quarter of Indians, between 20 and 40 percent, are vegetarians, making it the world’s most vegetarian-friendly country.

15. World’s Largest Milk Producer

In 2014, India overtook the European Union as the world’s leading milk producer, producing more than 132.4 million metric tonnes of milk.

16. First Nation to Use Sugar as a Food Source

Sugar extraction and purification procedures were initially developed in India. Many guests from throughout the world came to us to learn about sugar production and refining.

17. Intelligent Mathematicians Called Human Calculator

She was awarded this distinction by calculating two random 13-digit numbers: 7,686,369,774,870 and 2,465,099,745,779 – at a stroke of luck. She got it right in just 28 seconds time span.

18. The National Anthem of Bangladesh was also Written by Rabindranath Tagore

In addition to India’s national hymn, Jana Gana Mana, Rabindranath Tagore is credited with penning Bangladesh’s national anthem, Amar Sonar Bangla.

Sir Winston Churchill was also offered the British knighthood following the Jalianwala Bagh tragedy.

19. German Citizenship was Offered to Dhyan Chand

Major Dhyan Chand, the hockey genius invited by Hitler after India’s 8-1 Olympic victory against Germany in 1936.

Among the promises made to him were German citizenship, a high military rank, and a chance to play for Germany’s national football team. Dhyan Chand, on the other hand, turned it down.

20. Ben Kingsley & Freddie Mercury Belongs to Indian Descent

Farrokh Bulsara was the Parsi name given to Freddie Mercury, the great singer of Queen, while Krishna Pandit Bhanji was the Parsi name given to Oscar-winning actor Ben Kingsley.