Background: The Indus Valley civilization, one of the oldest in the world, dates back at least 5,000 years. Aryan tribes from the northwest invaded about 1500 B.C.; their merger with the earlier Dravidian inhabitants created the classical Indian culture. Arab incursions starting in the 8th century and Turkish in the 12th were followed by those of European traders, beginning in the late 15th century. By the 19th century, Britain had assumed political control of virtually all Indian lands. Indian armed forces in the British army played a vital role in both World Wars. Nonviolent resistance to British colonialism led by Mohandas GANDHI and Jawaharlal NEHRU brought independence in 1947. The subcontinent was divided into the secular state of India and the smaller Muslim state of Pakistan. A third war between the two countries in 1971 resulted in East Pakistan becoming the separate nation of Bangladesh. Despite impressive gains in economic investment and output, India faces pressing problems such as the ongoing dispute with Pakistan over Kashmir, massive overpopulation, environmental degradation, extensive poverty, and ethnic and religious strife.
July 12th 2008Asia » India » Rajasthan » Bikaner 13 July Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
The Thar Desert is selective on who lives or dies and what flourishes or withers. Make no mistake, it has the final word. It is a flat, featureless plain of l ... 9 photos[full story]
July 20th 2008Asia » India » Rajasthan » Jaipur Greetings all.
We have now embarked on our rajasthani adventure in a rather respectable white toyota jeep with our driver, Surindar (yes, like the one in Heroes!). He is quite a character, speaks p ... [full story]
July 17th 2008Asia » India » Rajasthan » Jaisalmer We took a bus from Jodhpur to Jaisalmer which was entertaining. Imagine a super duper uk coach. Now take out the overhead luggage compartments. What we have instead of luggage is people in the over ... [full story]
July 11th 2008Asia » India » Rajasthan » Bikaner 12 July Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
Mr. Chhalani and his son were there to meet me on the platform as promised. The father speaks in spurts. If you haven’t gotten to know him well enough, ... 6 photos[full story]
July 10th 2008Asia » India » Rajasthan » Jodhpur 9 July Jaipur, Rajasthan
The phone rang to his landline at home. His cell phone rings far more often. His primary servant Dinesh, a rather sheepish man, handed me the cordless receiver in ... 12 photos[full story]
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