Home to the Indus valley civilization and a region of historic trade routes and vast empires - the Indian subcontinent was identified with its commercial and cultural wealth for much of its long history. Four major world religions have originated in these lands - Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism. Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam arrived in the first millennium CE and call it home as well. 

Gradually annexed by the British East India Company from the early 18th century and eventually colonised by the United Kingdom - India attained freedom and became a modern nation state in 1947 after a long struggle for independence, marked by widespread nonviolent resistance. 

The 2nd fastest growing large economy, the 3rd largest in terms of purchasing power, and the 12th largest economy at market exchange rates – economic reforms have transformed and sped up India’s growth. While it still suffers from high levels of poverty, illiteracy and malnutrition, it is also home to a pluralistic, multilingual and multiethnic society with a diverse wildlife and biosphere.