Java is a platform-independent, object-oriented programming language that offers features like simplicity, security, and robust management through the Java Virtual Machine (JVM). It was initiated in 1991 for interactive television and has evolved through various versions, with JDK 1.0 released in 1996. The architecture includes components such as JVM, Java Runtime Environment (JRE), and Java Development Kit (JDK) which facilitate the execution and development of Java applications.