1. INDIA The Indian flag is an horizontal tricolour:saffron, white and dark green.In the centre, there is a wheel in navy blue to indicate the Dharma Chakra. This centre symbol or the 'CHAKRA', is a Buddhist symbol.

2. HISTORY TIMELINE Important facts (before Christ) 2500BC the Indus Valley civilization developped around the valley of the Indus River. It was a very powerful civilization and larger than any other ancient empire, including that of Egypt. But it collapsed in 2000BC. 1500BC the Aryan people from East Europe invaded India from the North. They spread through the Indus Valley and down into the Ganges Valley. 326BC Alexander the Great crossed the Indus River.

3. Important facts (after Christ) 320-550 AD After centuries of divisions in small kingdoms and republics, India was ruled by the Gupta Empire. Under the rule of the Gupta Kings, Hinduism became the major religion of the empire. Literature, art, architecture and science flourished during this “classical age” of peace and prospertity.

4. 1526 the rule of the Mogul empire began, unifying South India to the North for the first time. 1600s Holland, Great Britain and France established key trading posts here to gain access to spices, rice, silk, tea and jewels.

5. During the Mogul Empire the Taj Mahal was built. It was a funeral monument and now it's one of the most famous touristic attractions. With precious gems and stones pressed into its walls, the Taj Mahal took 22,000workmen and 22 years to be completed.

6. 1858 the British overthrew the Moguls and took the control of India. 1915 Mohandas Gandhi launched a campaign of nonviolent resistance against British rules in India. 1947 India gained independence from Great Britain and it is divided into two countries: India and Pakistan( under the Muslim control)

7. Varanasi has been the religious capital of India known as the eternal city. It’s built on the banks of Ganges river, which Indians consider the holiest of the rivers. Many of them come to the edges of the Ganges for a ritual bath, to offer blessings and have a swim.

8. Which was the first civilization of India? Describe why it was so important. What happened under the reign of Gupta Kings? When were north and south of India unified? Under which Empire? When did the Europeans begin to travel to India? Why? What is the Taj Mahal? How is Varanasi called? Where is it built? How do the Indians consider the Ganges river? What do they do there?