India became a sovereign nation at the stroke of midnight on 15 August 1947, after spending nearly two centuries under the rule of the British.
Largest democracy: India is known as the "world's largest democracy" and its current Prime Minister (the country's 13th) is Dr. Manmohan Singh, who has held the position since 22 May 2004; a member of the ruling Congress Party, he is also the first Sikh to reach the post, and at 79, one of the oldest people today to head a government. With an estimated population of 1.2 billion - the world's second largest after China - the electorate alone was estimated at 714 million for the 2009 national election - more than the combined electorates of the USA and EU.
Most centuries scored in international cricket: When he scored 114 against Bangladesh in an ODI on 16 March 2012, the "Little Master" Sachin Tendulkar (India) became the first player to score 100 international centuries.
Largest ruby: The largest Ruby weighs 21,955 g (48 lbs 6.43 oz) and measures 310 x 165 x 140 mm (12.20 x 6.49 x 5.51 in) and is owned by Rajiv Golcha. The ruby has been named "The King Ruby" and is held in the Prestige Gems & Jewels showroom in India.
Largest roti / chapati: The largest chapati weighed 63.99 kg (141 lb 1 oz) and was made by the Shree Jalarm Mandir Jirnodhar Samitee organisation at the Jalaram Temple, Jamnagar, on 15 January 2005.
Highest box office film gross for a Bollywood film: 3 Idiots (2009), starring R Madhavan, Sharman Joshi and Aamir Khan, is the highest-grossing Bollywood film of all time taking more than 202,57,00,000 INR ($44.9 million; £29.9 million) to date, seeing off competition from the 2010 films Dabangg, Golmaal 3 and Raajneeti by a considerable margin.
Largest annual film output: India is the world's most prolific film-making nation, with approximately 800 to 1,000 feature films being produced each year by the 'Bollywood' film industry based in Mumbai. This is roughly double the number of films produced by Hollywood each year. In 2009, a total of 1,288 films were produced in India, in 24 different languages. By contrast, Hollywood produced 606 feature films during 2008 - an all-time record for the American film industry.
Most expensive wedding: The wedding of Vanisha Mittal, daughter of billionaire Lakshmi Mittal, to investment banker Amit Bhatia was the most expensive wedding in the world. The six-day event, held in Versailles in 2004, included a re-enactment of the happy couple's courtship and an engagement ceremony at the Palace of Versailles - the only private function ever to have been held in the palace. Guests at the wedding reception were entertained by a number of world famous performers, including Shah Rukh Khan and Kylie Minogue. And the bill picked up by the bride's father? A mere $55 million (then over £28 million).
Longest moustache: The longest moustache measures 4.29 m (14 ft) and belongs to Ram Singh Chauhan (India). It was measured on the set of Lo Show dei Record in Rome, Italy, on 4 March 2010.
Highest rainfall annually: By average annual rainfall, the wettest place is Mawsynram, Meghalaya, India, with 11,873 mm (467 in) of rain per annum. By average annual rainfall, the wettest place is Mawsynram, Meghalaya, India, with 11,873 mm (467 in) of rain per annum.
Largest gathering of people dressed as Mohandas Gandhi: The largest gathering of people dressed as Mohandas Gandhi was 485 and was achieved by the children of T.R.A.C.K.S. Training Resource & Care For Kids (India) in Kolkata, India, on 29 January 2012.