Indian

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Indians are argumentative by nature and it is this inherent quality that has played a vital role in shaping India in its present form. With a rich civilization heritage of over 5000 years Indians are probably among the few people in the world who have a continuous uninterrupted past. The Indian nationality consists of many regional ethno-linguistic groups, reflecting the rich and complex history of India. The history of the Indian people goes back to the Indus Valley Civilization and since then there have been many Indians who have left their lasting legacy in different fields, be it philosophy, science, arts, culture and sports. Great philosophers like Buddha and Mahavira showed people an alternative way of life and gave birth to new religions. Ancient Indian mathematicians Aryabhata, Bhaskara and Brahmagupta invented the concept of zero and the decimal system.  Great Indian writers like Kalidasa, Premchand, Rabindranath Tagore and others vividly portrayed the social life during their era and made the world of literature a lot richer by their contribution.

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 1 
Mahatma Gandhi
(Indian Freedom Fighter who Employed Non-violent Resistance & Known as 'Father of the Nation')
Mahatma Gandhi
214
Listed In: Lawyers & Judges
Birthdate: October 2, 1869
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Porbandar, India
Died: January 30, 1948

An Indian lawyer and anti-colonial nationalist, Mahatma Gandhi was a major figure in India’s fight for independence from British rule. He is renowned for his employment of non-violent resistance and civil disobedience methods. Despite his popularity, he had numerous detractors as well and was assassinated in 1948. He is widely considered the Father of the Nation in India.

 2 
Virat Kohli
(Indian International Cricketer Who is Considered as One of the Greatest Batsmen of All Time)
Virat Kohli
226
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: November 5, 1988
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: New Delhi, India

Counted amongst world’s best batsmen, Virat Kohli is the former captain of Indian national cricket team. Under his captaincy, Indian cricket rose to great heights and he is the most successful Indian Test captain till date. He shot to fame when he led India’s Under-19 team to victory at the 2008 Under-19 World Cup. Since then, Virat Kohli has proved his talent in all forms of the game.

 3 
A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
(Aerospace Scientist & 11th President of India)
A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
122
Listed In: Engineers
Birthdate: October 15, 1931
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, India
Died: July 27, 2015
A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, India’s 11th president, had earlier been an aerospace scientist at DRDO and ISRO. Known as the “People’s President” and the “Missile Man of India,” he was instrumental in India's Pokhran-II nuclear tests. He died of a cardiac arrest while delivering a lecture at IIM Shillong.
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 4 
Sundar Pichai
(CEO of Google Inc)
Sundar Pichai
146
Listed In: Engineers
Birthdate: June 10, 1972
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Sundar Pichai is the CEO of Google and its parent company Alphabet Inc. An alumnus of IIT, Stanford and Wharton, Pichai has come a long way, from innovating Google’s products such as Chrome, Google Drive and Google Apps to leading the software giant and being one of the most sought-after names in the tech industry.

 5 
Mother Teresa
(Roman Catholic Nun, Founder and Active Member of the ‘Missionaries of Charity’)
Mother Teresa
187
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: August 26, 1910
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Skopje, North Macedonia
Died: September 5, 1997

An Albanian-Indian Roman Catholic nun and a missionary, Mother Teresa was the founder of Missionaries of Charity, a Roman Catholic religious congregation. She was both an admired and controversial figure and was the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. While she was admired by many for her charitable work, she also earned criticism for her stance against abortion and contraception.

 6 
B. R. Ambedkar
(One of the Architects of the Indian Constitution)
B. R. Ambedkar
120
Listed In: Lawyers & Judges
Birthdate: April 14, 1891
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Madhya Pradesh, India
Died: December 6, 1956

India's first Minister of Law and Justice, B. R. Ambedkar inspired the Dalit Buddhist movement. He also fought against social discrimination prevalent in India at that time. Widely regarded as the chief architect of the Constitution of India, Ambedkar was posthumously honored with India's highest civilian award - The Bharat Ratna.

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 7 
Shah Rukh Khan
(Film actor)
Shah Rukh Khan
102
Birthdate: November 2, 1965
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: New Delhi, India

Referred to as King of Bollywood and King Khan in the media, Indian actor Shah Rukh Khan is considered one of the most successful film stars of the Hindi film indusrty. Beginning his career as a TV actor, he struggled for many years before making it big as a Hindi film star. 

 8 
Priyanka Chopra
134
Listed In: Fashion
Birthdate: July 18, 1982
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, India

The Winner of Miss World 2000; a successful actress in Hindi films; the owner of production house that promotes regional Indian cinema and the first Indian actor to play the lead character in an American television show – Priyanka Chopra’s list of achievements is long. The popular star is also a singer, a tech investor and the UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.

 9 
M. S. Dhoni
(Cricketer)
M. S. Dhoni
90
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: July 7, 1981
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Ranchi, Jharkhand, India

Former Indian international cricketer M. S. Dhoni captained the Indian national team from 2007 to 2016. He played as a right-handed middle-order batsman and wicket-keeper. With more than 10,000 runs scored, he is one of the highest run-scorers in One Day Internationals (ODIs). He also became the first wicket-keeper to effect 100 stumpings in ODI cricket.

 10 
Srinivasa Ramanujan
(Mathematician)
Srinivasa Ramanujan
92
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: December 22, 1887
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Erode
Died: April 26, 1920

A self-taught genius Indian mathematician, Srinivasa Ramanujan is known for his contributions to mathematical analysis, number theory and continued fractions. Born into a humble family, the celebrated mathematician struggled with poverty but still managed to publish first of his papers in the Journal of the Indian Mathematical Society. Later, his collaboration with English mathematician G. H. Hardy proved very productive.

 11 
Sachin Tendulkar
(One of the Greatest Batsmen in the History of Cricket)
Sachin Tendulkar
61
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: April 24, 1973
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Often referred to as the God of Cricket in India, Sachin Tendulkar is a retired cricketer. Also known for his humility on and off the field, Sachin is one of the most revered, celebrated, and decorated cricketers. Considered one of the greatest batsmen of all time, Sachin Tendulkar played a key role in turning India into a cricket-frenzy nation.

 12 
Narendra Modi
(14th Prime Minister of India)
Narendra Modi
184
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: September 17, 1950
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Vadnagar, Gujarat, India

The 14th PM of India, Narendra Modi, created history when he became the first prime minister outside of the Congress party to win two consecutive terms with a full majority; he achieved this feat in 2019. From Bharatiya Janata Party worker to India’s PM, Modi’s journey is remarkable. However, he’s been plagued by controversies too, including the handling of 2002 Gujarat riots.

Rabindranath Tagore
68
Birthdate: May 7, 1861
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Kolkata, West Bengal, India
Died: August 7, 1941

Rabindranath Tagore was an Indian polymath who contributed greatly to the fields of literature, art, and philosophy. Referred to as the Bard of Bengal, Tagore is credited with reshaping Bengali literature and music. The first non-European to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature, Tagore is also credited with composing the national anthems of India and Bangladesh.

 14 
Bhagat Singh
(Revolutionary Hero of the Indian Independence Movement)
Bhagat Singh
51
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: September 28, 1907
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Banga, Punjab, British India
Died: March 23, 1931

Bhagat Singh is one of the most revered freedom fighters of Indian Independence movement. His execution by the British rulers at a young age of 23 inspired many young people to join the freedom struggle. His life’s mission was to free India from colonial rule and his legacy as a symbol of bravery and patriotism continues to live on.

 15 
Mukesh Ambani
(Indian businessman)
Mukesh Ambani
58
Listed In: Business People
Birthdate: April 19, 1957
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Aden, Yemen

The richest person in Asia, Mukesh Ambani is an Indian billionaire business magnate. He is the chairman and managing director of Reliance Industries Ltd. (RIL). The son legendary Dhirubhai Ambani, he started his career by helping his father build their family business. As of today, he is the only Indian businessman on Forbes' list of the world's most powerful people.

 16 
Indira Gandhi
(3rd Prime Minister of India)
Indira Gandhi
61
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: November 19, 1917
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India
Died: October 31, 1984

The third Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi served as PM from 1966 till 1977 and then again from 1980 till her assassination in October 1984. She is considered one of India’s strongest PM and is hailed for leading India to victory over Pakistan in 1971, which resulted in the creation of Bangladesh. However, she is also categorised as authoritarian and is criticised for imposing Emergency in 1975.

 17 
Rajinikanth
(Indian Actor Who Works Predominantly in Tamil Cinema)
Rajinikanth
31
Birthdate: December 12, 1950
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

Born Shivaji Rao Gaekwad, Rajinikanth had humble beginnings and had even worked as a coolie and a bus conductor in his younger days. Starting his career with minor plays, he had phenomenal success in Tamil movies and grew up to be one of India’s greatest superstars, earning the nickname Thalaiva.

 18 
Subhas Chandra Bose
(Indian Nationalist Who Participated in Indian Freedom Movement)
Subhas Chandra Bose
55
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: January 23, 1897
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Cuttack, India
Died: August 18, 1945

An Indian nationalist known for his role in the country’s struggle for freedom from the British, Subhas Chandra Bose was a politician with radical views. He was part of the Indian National Congress in the late 1920s and 1930s. However, his association with Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan made him a controversial figure.

 19 
Ratan Tata
(Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons)
Ratan Tata
48
Listed In: Business People
Birthdate: December 28, 1937
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Surat

Ratan Tata is a well-known Indian industrialist and the former charman of Indian multinational conglomerate Tata Sons. His reign as chairman was marked by acquisitions of iconic global brands, such as Tetley, Jaguar Land Rover and Corus by the Tata Group. Ratan Tata was instrumental in turning Tata Group from a largely India-centrist group into a global business.

 20 
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
(Founder of the Maratha Kingdom of India)
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
40
Birthdate: February 19, 1630
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Maharashtra, India
Died: April 3, 1680

Shivaji was an Indian warrior-king. He is credited with founding the Maratha Empire, which became a force to reckon with during the 18th century. He is also credited with creating his own navy. Considered one of the most important Indian kings and a hero of the Hindus, Shivaji's life and work have inspired several works of art, including films.

 21 
Amitabh Bachchan
39
Birthdate: October 11, 1942
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India
The megastar of Indian film industry, Amitabh Bachchan’s body of work is awe inspiring. From Zanjeer to Sholay and from Black to Paa, he has delivered performances that have become iconic. He is the host of KBC, the Indian version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? and has also lent his baritone voice to some super hit songs.
 22 
Hrithik Roshan
48
Birthdate: January 10, 1974
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Mumbai

Hrithik Roshan is one of the most popular and highest-paid Indian actors. Also known for his dancing skills, Hrithik has established himself as a style icon and sex symbol over the years. One of the most bankable Indian stars, he started his career with romantic films, eventually finding success as an action hero. 

 23 
Ashoka
(Indian emperor of the Maurya Dynasty)
Ashoka
67
Birthdate: 0304 BC
Birthplace: Pataliputra
Died: 0232 BC
Ashoka the Great of the Maurya Dynasty was the grandson of Chandragupta Maurya and ruled the Indian subcontinent from c. 268 to 232 BCE. Following the death and destruction caused by the Kalinga War, which was part of his expansion plan, he converted to Buddhism and propagated the faith.
 24 
Akbar
(3rd Emperor of the Mughal Empire (1556 - 1605))
Akbar
74
Birthdate: October 25, 1542
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Umarkot, Pakistan
Died: October 27, 1605

Akbar, the third Mughal emperor, played an important role in inculcating Persian culture into the Indian subcontinent. Akbar is considered one of the most important rulers of the Mughal Empire, an empire that seeped foreign ideas and culture into medieval India, the effects of which are still visible in modern-day India, especially in the northern parts of the country.

 25 
Rohit Sharma
(Indian Cricketer Who Holds the World Record for the Highest Individual Score in ODIs)
Rohit Sharma
33
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: April 30, 1988
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Nagpur, Maharashtra, India

Indian right-handed batsman Rohit Sharma is also the vice-captain in the limited-overs format. One of the few cricketers to score a century in all three formats, he is also the first player with two ODI double centuries. He is WWF-India’a Rhino Ambassador and works for PETA’s campaigns for street animals.

 26 
P. V. Sindhu
(The First and Only Indian to Become the Badminton World Champion)
P. V. Sindhu
70
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: July 5, 1995
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India

P. V. Sindhu is an Indian badminton player. In 2016, she won the Olympic silver medal in Rio de Janeiro, becoming the first Indian woman to receive an Olympic silver. Sindhu became a national icon following her performance in the 2016 Olympics. In January 2020, she was honored with the Padma Bhushan, India's third-highest civilian award.

 27 
Irrfan Khan
(One of the Finest Actors in Indian Cinema)
Irrfan Khan
36
Birthdate: January 7, 1967
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Tonk, Rajasthan, India
Died: April 29, 2020
Padma Shri- and National Award-winning actor and NSD graduate Irrfan Khan initially worked as an air conditioner repairman in Mumbai before he got a breakthrough in Salaam Bombay! He also impressed international audiences with movies such as The Namesake. He died of a colon infection at 53, leaving behind countless mourning fans.
 28 
Rani Lakshmibai
(Queen of the Princely State of Jhansi & One of the Leading Figures of the Indian Rebellion of 1857)
Rani Lakshmibai
40
Birthdate: November 19, 1828
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
Died: June 18, 1858

Remembered for her heroics against the British, the Indian Joan of Arc Rani Lakshmibai remains an icon of the 1857 Indian Rebellion. The wife of Maharaja Gangadhar Rao, she is known for leading the fight against the British after her husband’s death. She also inspired the legendary lines Khoob Ladi Mardani.

 29 
Deepika Padukone
(One of the Highest-Paid Actresses in India)
Deepika Padukone
67
Birthdate: January 5, 1986
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Copenhagen, Denmark

Deepika Padukone is one of the highest-paid Indian actresses. She is also known for her off-screen work, which involves supporting charitable organizations. She founded The Live Love Laugh Foundation, which aims at creating awareness on mental health. In 2018, she was named in Time magazine's list of 100 most influential people in the world.

 30 
A. R. Rahman
(One of the Most Famous Indian Film Composers)
A. R. Rahman
20
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: January 6, 1967
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

A. R. Rahman is an Indian film composer, singer, songwriter, and record producer. Rahman is one of the most decorated and celebrated musicians in Indian history. He was won several prestigious awards including two Grammy Awards, two Academy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and a BAFTA Award. In 2009, he was named among the 100 most influential people in Time.

 31 
Aamir Khan
(Actor)
Aamir Khan
66
Birthdate: March 14, 1965
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Considered one of India’s most influential and best actors of all time, Aamir Khan is known for his interesting choice of films, which are well-crafted, entertaining and commercially successful. They mostly have a social message and are appreciated both by critics and the people. Sarfarosh, Lagaan, Rang De Basanti, 3 Idiots, PK and Dangal are some of his acclaimed films.

 32 
Ranbir Kapoor
36
Birthdate: September 28, 1982
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Bombay, Maharashtra, India
Son of Bollywood actors Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh, Ranbir Kapoor is best known for his roles in Rockstar, Barfi!, Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, and Sanju. Named to Forbes’s Celebrity 100, he has also won six Filmfare Awards. He owns a football team and works for empowerment of women, too.
 33 
Atal Bihari Vajpayee
(Former Prime Minister of India)
Atal Bihari Vajpayee
42
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: December 25, 1924
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Gwalior
Died: August 16, 2018

Atal Bihari Vajpayee served as the 10th Prime Minister of India and was the first prime minister who did not belong to the Indian National Congress. The BJP politician had been a journalist and an RSS member. He was a noted poet, too. During his tenure as prime minister, he carried out Pokhran II nuclear tests in 1998 and declared India as a country with nuclear weapons capability.

 34 
Akshay Kumar
(One of the Biggest and Most Popular Actors in Bollywood Known for His Versatility)
Akshay Kumar
54
Birthdate: September 9, 1967
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Amritsar, Punjab, India

Akshay Kumar is one of the most popular and successful actors of Hindi cinema. He has been honored with several prestigious awards, such as Filmfare Awards, a National Film Award, and Padma Shri. Dubbed Indian Jackie Chan, Akshay Kumar is renowned for performing dangerous stunts in films.

 35 
Aishwarya Rai
(Actress and the Winner of the Miss World 1994 Pageant.)
Aishwarya Rai
41
Listed In: Fashion
Birthdate: November 1, 1973
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Mangaluru, Karnataka, India

Indian actress Aishwarya Rai is one of the most popular and influential celebrities in the country. She began her career as a model and was crowned the Miss World 1994. She started acting soon after and became one of India’s top actresses. Besides acting, she is a Goodwill Ambassador for the Joint United Nations Programme on AIDS (UNAIDS).

 36 
Madhuri Dixit
(One of the Most Popular Leading Actresses of Hindi Cinema)
Madhuri Dixit
35
Birthdate: May 15, 1967
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Padma Shri-winning actor Madhuri Dixit ruled Bollywood in the 1990s, with her performances in films such as Dil, Beta, and Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! The multiple-Filmfare-winning actor is a talented Kathak dancer. She owns a production company and an online dance school, and has also worked with UNICEF.
 37 
Rekha
(Actor, Politician)
Rekha
28
Birthdate: October 10, 1954
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
 38 
Jawaharlal Nehru
(First PM of India & Freedom Fighter)
Jawaharlal Nehru
82
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: November 14, 1889
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Allahabad
Died: May 27, 1964

Jawaharlal Nehru was one of the central figures of the Indian independence movement along with personalities like Mahatma Gandhi. He became the first prime minister of India and left behind such a legacy that his direct descendants continue to play an important role in Indian politics.

 39 
Anushka Sharma
49
Listed In: Fashion
Birthdate: May 1, 1988
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, India

Indian actress and producer, Anushka Sharma is one of the most popular and highest-paid actresses in the country. She was featured by Forbes Asia in their 30 Under 30 list of 2018 and is the recipient of numerous awards. Beginning her career as a model, she soon ventured into acting and made a name for herself within a short while.

 40 
Satya Nadella
(Chairman & CEO of 'Microsoft')
Satya Nadella
23
Listed In: Business People
Birthdate: August 19, 1967
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India

Satya Nadella is an Indian-American business executive, currently serving as the chief executive officer of Microsoft. Since he became CEO, the company has seen a 27% annual growth rate. Born in India to a Telugu-speaking family, Nadella serves as an inspiration to millions of Indians who nurse 'The American Dream'.

 41 
Sania Mirza
(Indian Professional Tennis Player and a Former Doubles World No. 1)
Sania Mirza
83
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: November 15, 1986
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

An impressive doubles tennis player, Sania Mirza has six Grand Slam titles under her belt. A former doubles world No. 1, Sania Mirza is one of the greatest Indian female  tennis players ever. In 2005, Sania Mirza was named in Time magazine's 50 Heroes of Asia list. In 2016, she was named in the magazine's 100 most influential people in the world list.

 42 
Chandragupta Maurya
(Emperor of India and Founder of the Mauryan Dynasty)
Chandragupta Maurya
78
Birthdate: 0340 BC
Birthplace: Pataliputra
Died: 0297 BC

Chandragupta Maurya established the Maurya Empire in India. He was mostly advised by philosopher Chanakya. He conquered the Nanda Empire and fought the Seleucid-Mauryan War, too. His reign was marked by religious tolerance, and cultural and economic prosperity. He later relinquished his throne and became a Jain monk.

 43 
Kareena Kapoor
(Indian Actress Known for Her Films: ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham’, ‘3 Idiots’ and ‘Jab We Met’)
Kareena Kapoor
51
Birthdate: September 21, 1980
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

One of the most popular and also amongst the highest paid Bollywood actresses, Kareena Kapoor is best known for her roles in movies like Chameli, Omkara, 3 Idiots and Jab We Met. Born into a film family, the beautiful, accomplished and award winning actress always aspired to enter the film industry and eventually made her debut at the age of 19 with the movie Refugee.

 44 
Sridevi
(Indian Actress Cited as the 'First Female Superstar' of Indian Cinema)
Sridevi
23
Birthdate: August 13, 1963
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Sivakasi, Madras State, India
Died: February 24, 2018

Sridevi was an Indian film actress who appeared in Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam language films. Considered one of the most popular actresses of all time, Sridevi was dubbed the First Female Superstar in India. With several prestigious awards under her belt, she was also regarded as one of the finest actresses of her generation.

 45 
Aryabhata
(5th & 6th Century Indian Mathematician and Astronomer who Calculated the Value of Pi)
Aryabhata
180
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: 0476 AD
Birthplace: Assaka
Died: 0550 AD
Indian mathematician and astronomer Aryabhata pioneered the concept of “zero” and used it in his “place value system.” He had also worked on the approximation of pi and laid down the basic concepts of trigonometry, such as sine and cosine. He also mentioned that the Earth rotates on its axis.
 46 
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
(First Deputy Prime Minister of India and First Home Minister of India)
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
21
Listed In: Lawyers & Judges
Birthdate: October 31, 1875
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Nadiad, Gujarat, India
Died: December 15, 1950

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was an Indian politician who played an influential role in the Indian independence movement. Dubbed the Iron Man of India and Unifier of India, Sardar Patel played an important role in integrating various princely states into a united, independent nation. In 2018, the world's tallest statue called the Statue of Unity was dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

 47 
Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
(2nd President of India (1962 – 1967), 1st Vice President of India (1952 - 1962))
Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
83
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: September 5, 1888
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Thiruttani, Tamil Nadu, India
Died: April 17, 1975

Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was the second President of India and served from 1962 to 1967. He is regarded as one of India’s most eminent scholars and wrote extensively on Indian philosophy and religion. Lifelong he defended Hindu traditions and culture against criticism from the West. September 5, his birthday, is observed as Teachers Day in India, in his honour.

 48 
Alauddin Khilji
(13th Sultan of Delhi (1926-1316))
Alauddin Khilji
36
Birthdate: 1261 AD
Birthplace: Qalāt-e Ġilzay, Afghanistan
Died: December 31, 1316
 49 
Salman Rushdie
(Indian-born British-American Author Best Known for His Novel ‘The Satanic Verses’)
Salman Rushdie
18
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: June 19, 1947
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Salman Rushdie is a British Indian novelist whose work Midnight's Children is widely considered the best novel of all Booker Prize winners. In 2007, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for his services to literature. In 2008, he was ranked 13th in the 50 greatest British writers since 1945 list published by The Times.

 50 
Shah Jahan
(Mughal Emperor)
Shah Jahan
53
Birthdate: January 5, 1592
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Lahore
Died: February 1, 1666

Shah Jahan, emperor Jahangir’s son, ruled as the fifth Mughal emperor, from 1628 to 1658. He is known for commissioning the Taj Mahal for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, among other contributions to Mughal architecture. He was put under house arrest by his son, Aurangzeb, during his final years.

In modern times too Indians have been trailblazers in many fields. Mahatama Gandhi gave the novel concept of Ahimsa and led the world on to the path of non violence.  Artists such as Ravi Shankar and Bhimsen Joshi made us aware of rich Indian musical heritage. In the field of sports, people such as Vishwanathan Anand and Sachin Tendulkar reached the pinnacle of their profession and inspired us to achieve similar feats. This section is dedicated to all such Indians who have excelled in their chosen field and have made India proud.