interesting facts about ancient India

• India is the largest democracy in the world, the 7th largest Country in the world, and one of the most ancient civilizations.
• India was one of the richest countries till the time of British rule in the early 17th Century. Christopher Columbus, attracted by India's wealth, had come looking for a sea route to India when he discovered America by mistake. 
• India was the first to establish a culture. We discovered it when many cultures were only nomadic forest dwellers over 5000 years ago. The established culture was known as Harappan culture in Sindhu Valley (Indus Valley Civilization).
• The Baily Bridge is the highest bridge in the world. It is located in the Ladakh valley between the Dras and Suru rivers in the Himalayan Mountains. The Indian Army built it in August 1982.
• The game of Chess was invented in India.
• Until 1896, India was the only source of diamonds in the world.
• India has the largest number of Post Offices in the world.
• The Art of Navigation & Navigating was born in the river Sindh over 6000 years ago. The very word Navigation is derived from the Sanskrit word 'NAVGATIH'. 
• The world's first university was established in Takshila in 700 BC. More than 10,500 students from all over the world studied more than 60 subjects. The University of Nalanda built in the 4th century was one of the greatest achievements of ancient India in the field of education.
• Ayurveda is the earliest school of medicine known to mankind. The Father of Medicine, Charaka, consolidated Ayurveda 2500 years ago.
• The 'Place Value System' and the 'Decimal System' were developed in India in 100 B.C.
• Budhayana was the first mathematician who calculated the value of "PI" and explained the concept of Pythagorean theorem. He discovered this in the 6th century, long before the European mathematicians. Algebra, Trigonometry and Calculus were also originated in India. Sridharacharya was the first mathematician to use Quadratic Equations in the 11th century. 
• The four religions born in India - Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, are followed by 25% of the world's population. 
• Jainism and Buddhism were founded in India in 600 B.C. and 500 B.C. respectively.
• Islam is India's and the world's second largest religion. 
• There are 300,000 active mosques in India, more than in any other country, including the Muslim world.
• Jews and Christians have lived continuously in India since 200 B.C. and 52 A.D.
• The largest religious building in the world is Angkor Wat, a Hindu Temple in Cambodia built at the end of the 11th century.
• The Vishnu Temple in the city of Tirupathi built in the 10th century, is the world's largest religious pilgrimage destination. Larger than either Rome or Mecca, an average of 30,000 visitors donate $6 million (US) to the temple everyday.
• Varanasi, also known as Benaras, was called "the Ancient City" when Lord Buddha visited it in 500 B.C., and is the oldest, continuously inhabited city in the world today.
• Martial Arts were first created in India, and later spread to Asia by Buddhist missionaries.
• Yoga has its origins in India and has existed for over 5,000 years.