Cool Facts Comparing Britain and India

British Empire

1. The British empire influenced other nations such as Germany who attempted a similar domination.
2. The Suez Canal was a direct link from Britain to India, and it was also a great technological breakthrough.
3. “The scramble for Africa,” in the 1880’s was Britain’s control over many large parts of Africa such as Uganda and Egypt.
4. At the peak of the Empire, Great Britain controlled 23 percent of the world under Queen Victoria.
5. Britain’s geographical positioning gave it a great advantage in Naval power, and without it they could not have been as powerful.
6. Marquis of Grandby led a charge during the Battle of Grandy during which his cover blew off known as “going at it bare-headed”. Following this a military tradition began in which soldiers would salute officers not wearing covers.
7. During the Crimean War, Queen Victoria started the Victoria Cross. It is the highest military award.  It is a piece of scrap medal taken from a Russian cannon captured during the war.
8. Trade was the biggest driving force for Britain’s colonization.
9. The British empire is marked by unacceptable ruthlessness, most likely do to their sense of superiority.
10. The economic superiority of the British empire was greatly suppressed from the emergence of the United States and Germany.

India

1. India has the largest postal network in the world totally approximately 155,015 post offices.
2. A village called Mawsynran receives the highest average rainfall in the world.
3. India is home to highest Cricket grounds in the world at an altitude of 2,444 meters.
4. Shampoo was invented in India.
5. India gained its independence from Great Britain on August 15, 1947.
6. India is the second populous country in the world though it is only one third the size of the United States.
7. Histroically, Indians did not use toilet paper and instead preferred to splash water on the area in need with the left. Therefore, the left hand is considered unclean.
8. Cows are found randomly wandering the streets because they are considered sacred.
9. Unfortunatley, diarrhea is normal in India due to poor drinking water.
10. Ghandi was married at the age of 13, and had 14 sons before declaration of celibacy.