Rubia cordifolia L. or Indian Madder, holds significant ethnobotanical, pharmacological, and historical relevance for India that underscores its value in traditional and modern medicine. This chapter examines the species from multiple perspectives, including its taxonomy, geographical distribution, and morphological characteristics. Traditional applications, in both Ayurvedic and other medicinal systems, are also outlined, alongside with the ancient non-medicinal uses, notably as a red natural dye. Emphasis has been placed on its prominence in India, elucidating its traditional as well as modern uses, contemporary scientific results that validate the traditional claims. The plant’s antihyperglycemic, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and hepatoprotective properties are reviewed, as observed in animal models. The pharmacological effects are attributed to the plant’s rich content of biologically active compounds: alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, anthraquinones and triterpenoids.