indian

The term Indian has multiple uses. It most commonly refers to anything connected with the Republic of India, its people, culture, or institutions. It can function as a noun (an Indian) or as an adjective (Indian cuisine, Indian art). Historically, “Indian” was also used to refer to Indigenous peoples of the Americas, a usage tied to early European exploration. Today, many people prefer terms such as Indigenous, Native American, or the specific tribal names to avoid ambiguity.

India is a federal republic located in South Asia, with 28 states and eight union territories. The country is ethnically, linguistically, and religiously diverse. The population exceeds 1.4 billion, making it one of the most populous nations. The constitution recognizes Hindi in the Devanagari script and English as official languages, with 22 scheduled languages. Major religions include Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, and Jainism. Cultural life is varied, including regional music and dance, film (notably Bollywood), literature, art, and science.

The Indian diaspora is widespread, with large communities in North America, the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and Oceania. India’s economy is diverse and services- and knowledge-based, with significant information technology, manufacturing, agriculture, and energy sectors. Urbanization has accelerated, accompanied by substantial regional development differences. The term Indian continues to evolve as the country’s social, political, and cultural landscape changes.