This text is an all-encompassing look at India - a land as diverse as its religions and as vibrant as its vast population. Home to the world's largest democracy, India is not only a news-maker but a policy shaper in the Asian subcontinent. Facing population pressures and economic struggles, however, it is an emerging nation whose greatest assets are often the very factors it has to tackle to secure a place on the world's stage. With a population second only to China's and as the birthplace of Hinduism and Buddhism, it is hard to dispute India's central role in both the history of Asian culture and in the defining position it enjoys today. While India has grabbed media attention for its armed conflict with Pakistan, it is a nation perhaps more notable for its internal diversity and challenges than for a single external conflict. This text unites the geography, history, culture, and notable people and events into a wide-ranging yet concise work that brings this fascinating land to the page. Of interest to academic and general audiences, the volume presents an uncomplicated look at the varied, bustling nation of India. From geography that includes the Himalayas to a cultural fabric built upon the often-criticized caste system, India remains a land of mystery and intrigue.