India: flag, capital, currency and history

India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in Southern Asia, Asia. Its capital is New Delhi. The currency is the Indian rupee. Languages spoken include English, Hindi and Tamil.

Quick facts about India

Official name: Republic of India
Capital: New Delhi
Region: Asia, Southern Asia
Currency: Indian rupee (INR, ₹)
Languages: English, Hindi, Tamil
Calling code: +91
Internet domain: .in
Area: 3,287,590 km² (1,269,345 sq mi)
Land borders: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, China, Nepal, Pakistan
Demonym: Indian
National day: Independence Day, August 15

Flag of India

Download the flag of India as a scalable SVG or as a PNG in three sizes. The flag emoji is 🇮🇳.

SVG (vector)

History of India

The Indus Valley civilisation flourished in the northwest of the subcontinent from about 2600 BC. Later states included the Maurya Empire and the Gupta Empire, and Hindu, Buddhist, Jain and Islamic traditions shaped the region. The Delhi Sultanate was founded in the early 13th century and the Mughal Empire in 1526. The British East India Company expanded its control from the 18th century, and the Crown assumed direct rule in 1858. After a long independence movement, India became independent in 1947 and adopted its constitution in 1950, becoming a federal parliamentary republic.

Key dates

c. 2600 BCThe mature phase of the Indus Valley civilisation begins.
c. 321 BCChandragupta Maurya founds the Maurya Empire.
1206The Delhi Sultanate is founded.
1526Babur wins the First Battle of Panipat, founding the Mughal Empire.
1858The British Crown takes over direct rule from the East India Company.
1947India becomes independent on 15 August, and British India is partitioned.
1950The Constitution of India comes into effect on 26 January.