indian culture and western culture essay

• Key Differences

Know the Differences & Comparisons

Difference Between Indian Culture and Western Culture

On the other hand, Western culture , it is quite advanced and open. The norms, beliefs, values, traditions, customs and practices are greatly inspired by European culture. Moreover, Western Culture includes British culture, French culture, Spanish culture

In this article, you will find the most important differences between Indian Culture and Western Culture.

Content: Indian Culture Vs Western Culture

Comparison chart.

About Indian Culture

Indian Culture is the ancient and one of the most popular cultures in the world. India is very well known for its rich cultural heritage which is a combination of customs, traditions, lifestyle, religion, languages, rituals, cuisine, etc. depending upon area. Here you can see unity in diversity like people belonging to different religions live happily.

Guests are considered God here, people welcomed them with joined hands and a smile on their face. Not only the guests but here people worship animals, statues, rivers, stones, trees, kids, etc.

Indian Culture is now divided into two categories which are traditional and the modern one. In traditional culture, people give more importance to their society. Community comes first according to them, but this scenario is changing slowly with the impact of westernization.

About 3-4 decades ago, only arranged marriages are common, where the parents of the bride and groom choose the spouse for their child and then decides about the marriage but now love marriages are also equally respected.

There are so many festivals celebrated in the country like Holi, Diwali, Dusshera, Eid-UL-Fitr, Christmas, Baisakhi, Navratri, Muharram, etc. Here you can see the variety of clothing depending on the region. The Indian woman prefers Saree or Salwar Kameez with dupatta whereas Dhoti Kurta, and Kurta Payjama is the traditional outfit of men in India.

Here, transparent, revealing and tight fit dresses are not likened. Hindi is the most popular language of the country, but there are 122 major languages which are spoken in India. In India, there are is a wide variety of cuisines like northern, southern, eastern, western, etc. which differ in spices and ways of making them. Indian sculpture, architecture is also world famous.

About Western Culture

Western Culture is referred as the modern and advanced culture in the world. The main pillars of the western culture are capitalism, individualism, rights, ethical values, etc. You can see western culture in America, Germany, Spain, Europe, etc. Here most people belong to Christianity and Judaism.

People give more importance to their wants, needs, desires and happiness. Nobody here has time to think what other people thinks about them because they are busy in doing their own business.

If we talk about marriages, love marriages and consented marriages are very popular in western countries. People do not have a strong bond with their family; they leave home after reaching certain age to become self-dependent. Youngsters learn and earn at the same time.

Western architecture, paintings, and music are highly admired across the world. Ballet dance and ballroom dance are the popular dance forms here. In western countries, people are more concerned about their health, and that is why they prefer heavy lunch and a light dinner. Their food contains less oil and spices.

When its about clothing, people like to wear what the desire, there is no restriction on wearing anything. English, French, American, Spanish, etc. are the most common languages spoken in the Western countries.

Key Differences Between Indian Culture and Western Culture

The following are the major differences between Indian Culture and Western Culture

• The culture which is prevalent in India is known as Indian Culture. The culture, widespread in the western countries is known as Western Culture.
• Indian Culture has a variety of religions like Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Christianity, etc. while in Western Culture the people mostly belong to Christianity.
• In Indian Culture, joint families are common, however nuclear families are also there. Conversely, In Western Culture, small families are there.
• The traditional Indian outfit is worn in Indian Culture, although nowadays with the influence of western culture, western clothing is also preferred by the people. In contrast to Western culture, there is no such traditional outfit.
• A variety of Folk, Classical, Bollywood songs is preferred in Indian Culture. On the other hand, Western Culture promotes Hip-Hop, Jazz, Blues, Rap, Heavy Metal and Rock music.
• Hindi is mainly spoken in Indian Culture but in the case of Western Culture, English is spoken in a high ratio.
• Indian Culture is not that more open as compared to Western Culture.

Both Indian Culture and Western Culture are right at their places. There is a lot to learn from both the cultures. For last few decades, Indian culture has been influenced by the western culture, and they are adopting the merits of the western culture like cleanliness, equal rights for both men and women, frankness, etc. which helped in removing the shortcomings of Indian culture. Similarly, western culture is also getting an Indian touch regarding Indian cuisine and yoga.

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Er. Md Nadeem Alam says

October 21, 2015 at 12:07 pm

Its really cool

October 9, 2021 at 9:43 am

Really you are awesome.

August 3, 2016 at 4:27 pm

Saved my life

November 15, 2016 at 11:08 pm

Naim choudhary says

July 18, 2017 at 3:04 pm

very big difference between India culture and western culture

Sour Knight says

November 22, 2016 at 7:17 am

Thank u. ☺☺☺

mrunal jadhav says

December 12, 2016 at 11:22 am

nice ! quite impressive i think both the culture have equal values in the today’s life

April 8, 2017 at 2:02 pm

Thanks to information

November 17, 2017 at 7:17 pm

wow that was good can i get the same like how are western festivals and indian festivals mix and give values to our lives.

Abhishek Mallav says

November 23, 2017 at 7:03 pm

Very Perfect Information

Uma Shankar says

November 27, 2017 at 5:34 pm

Really big difference between Indian and western culture. Thank you

Shrawani says

November 30, 2017 at 11:08 am

Wow. Very nice information. Loved it.💝💖

Siddhart Gopalam says

April 20, 2018 at 8:25 pm

I love it. I’m an American Born Desi and I am often torn because I have two integral cultures, which are those mentioned above. Most people would say I should choose one over the other, but this displays everything perfectly. Thank you!

June 26, 2018 at 12:41 pm

Indian culture is one of the richest and oldest cultures in the world. Thanks for sharing this comparison. Keep updating such more posts

Alice Carroll says

September 28, 2020 at 5:21 am

Thanks for pointing out that one key distinction of Indian food is the amount of spices in their food. I’ve always wanted to try out new chicken recipes because it’s fascinating to me how common it is as a source of protein and yet every culture tends to have a different take in cooking it. Maybe when I start needing to have a higher protein intake for my diet, I should consider eating from Indian restaurants.

January 10, 2021 at 5:20 pm

I like it. short and simple with cover all the information about both culture

ganesh nandgure says

August 21, 2021 at 7:14 pm

It is the most prominent Information share by the portal. It is more give the strength to both cultures. and both culture is widely important at their places.

Priyanka says

October 22, 2021 at 1:37 pm

That was very optimal whatever you told us about western culture and Indian culture

mumtaz molai says

June 25, 2022 at 8:25 am

Awesome article thanks for sharing!

Chayanika says

July 27, 2022 at 7:47 am

August 2, 2022 at 9:37 pm

It was really nice

I’ll like it

August 3, 2022 at 3:12 pm

It was really very nice

Thank you so much

Please keep sending articles like it

October 17, 2022 at 11:15 am

thanks a lot

Manisha says

November 15, 2022 at 10:31 pm

It helped a lot. Thank you

Maininder saini says

January 18, 2023 at 1:47 pm

This article helped me so much in my project file Awesome article……👌 Thanks for posting this 🙏

January 27, 2023 at 6:34 pm

Thank you for sharing a post, nice to read it, good work, keep going

Surendra Kumar says

February 10, 2024 at 3:38 pm

The difference between Indian culture and western. the way you explained. its really amazing, it’s very helpful for us to understand the key difference of our cultures , thanks for providing us such types of Information.

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Indian Culture vs. Western Culture

What's the difference.

Indian culture and Western culture are vastly different in many aspects. Indian culture is deeply rooted in traditions, spirituality, and family values. It places great importance on respect for elders, close-knit communities, and the caste system. On the other hand, Western culture is more individualistic, emphasizing personal freedom, equality, and independence. It values innovation, progress, and a more relaxed approach to social norms. While Indian culture is known for its vibrant festivals, diverse cuisine, and ancient practices like yoga and meditation, Western culture is characterized by its technological advancements, liberal attitudes, and diverse art forms. Despite these differences, both cultures have their own unique beauty and contribute to the rich tapestry of global diversity.

Further Detail

Introduction.

Indian culture and Western culture are two distinct and diverse ways of life that have evolved over centuries. Both cultures have their own unique attributes, traditions, and values that shape the lives of their people. In this article, we will explore and compare various aspects of Indian culture and Western culture, including social norms, family structures, cuisine, clothing, and religious practices.

Social Norms

In Indian culture, social norms are deeply rooted in traditions and customs. Respect for elders, hierarchical relationships, and strong family ties are highly valued. The concept of "arranged marriages" is prevalent, where families play a significant role in finding suitable life partners for their children. On the other hand, Western culture emphasizes individualism and personal freedom. Relationships are often based on love and companionship, and individuals have the freedom to choose their life partners.

In Indian culture, the caste system has historically played a significant role in social norms, determining one's social status and occupation. However, in modern times, efforts have been made to reduce its influence and promote equality. In Western culture, social mobility is more prevalent, and individuals have the opportunity to pursue their desired careers regardless of their background.

Family Structures

Family is considered the cornerstone of Indian culture. Extended families often live together, and the concept of joint families, where multiple generations reside under one roof, is common. Respect for elders and the authority of parents are deeply ingrained values. In Western culture, nuclear families are more prevalent, with parents and their children forming independent households. Individualism and personal freedom are highly valued, and children are encouraged to become self-reliant and pursue their own dreams.

In Indian culture, the role of women in the family is often associated with nurturing and caregiving. Women are expected to prioritize their family's needs over their own aspirations. However, this perception is gradually changing, and women are increasingly pursuing education and careers. In Western culture, gender roles are more fluid, and both men and women are encouraged to pursue their passions and contribute equally to the family's well-being.

Indian cuisine is known for its rich flavors, diverse spices, and regional variations. It is characterized by a wide range of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes, including curries, biryanis, dosas, and kebabs. Indian meals often incorporate a variety of spices, such as turmeric, cumin, and cardamom, which add depth and complexity to the flavors. In contrast, Western cuisine varies greatly depending on the region, but it often includes staples like meat, potatoes, bread, and dairy products. Western cooking techniques focus on enhancing natural flavors and often involve baking, grilling, or roasting.

Another notable difference is the dining etiquette. In Indian culture, it is common to eat with hands, as it is believed to enhance the sensory experience and connect with the food. Sharing meals and hospitality are highly valued. In Western culture, the use of cutlery is prevalent, and individual plates are served. Formal dining etiquette, such as using utensils and following table manners, is emphasized.

Indian clothing is diverse and reflects the country's rich cultural heritage. Traditional attire for women includes sarees, salwar kameez, and lehengas, while men often wear kurta-pajama or sherwani. These garments are often made from vibrant fabrics and adorned with intricate embroidery or embellishments. In Western culture, clothing styles vary widely, but common attire includes jeans, t-shirts, dresses, and suits. Western fashion trends are influenced by global influences and individual preferences.

In Indian culture, clothing choices are often influenced by religious and regional customs. For example, women may wear sarees or suits during religious ceremonies, while men may wear dhotis or turbans. In Western culture, clothing choices are more individualistic and reflect personal style and fashion trends.

Religious Practices

Religion plays a significant role in both Indian culture and Western culture, but the practices and beliefs differ. In India, the majority of the population follows Hinduism, followed by Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, and other religions. Religious rituals, festivals, and pilgrimage sites are an integral part of Indian culture. Temples, mosques, churches, and gurudwaras (Sikh temples) are places of worship and community gatherings.

In Western culture, Christianity is the predominant religion, followed by various denominations such as Catholicism, Protestantism, and Orthodox Christianity. However, Western culture is also characterized by religious diversity, with significant populations practicing Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, and other faiths. Churches, synagogues, mosques, and temples serve as places of worship and spiritual guidance.

Indian culture and Western culture are distinct in their attributes, traditions, and values. While Indian culture emphasizes strong family ties, respect for elders, and traditional customs, Western culture values individualism, personal freedom, and diverse perspectives. Both cultures have their own unique cuisines, clothing styles, and religious practices that contribute to their rich heritage. Understanding and appreciating the differences between these cultures can foster mutual respect and promote cultural diversity in our increasingly interconnected world.

Comparisons may contain inaccurate information about people, places, or facts. Please report any issues.

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Indian Culture vs Western Culture: The Beauty of Diversity

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Table of contents

The history, traditional attire, family values, food culture, the verdict.

The debate on Indian culture vs Western Culture has been going on for a long time. Everyone contributes their unique insights on the topic. Both these cultures are unique, significant, and beautiful in their distinguished ways. The world, as we know it today, would never have existed had either of these cultures been absent. 

Western Culture derives most of its customs and traditions from the European culture. Indian culture, however, is more diverse. Each state in the country brings with it, its traditions and cultures that are quite different from those of its neighbor. Analyzing the differences between them, it comes as no surprise that the ever-living debate on Indian culture vs Western culture still finds an audience.

The term culture refers to the norms, rituals, beliefs, and practices followed by a set of people belonging to a particular region or community. Each nation and continent has its own culture. It is this knowledge of their indigenous culture that distinguishes a particular nation or community from others. The culture of land has a considerable role in influencing the lifestyle of its natives.

Indian History is quite ancient in comparison to the Western history. In fact, Indian history is said to have been begun with the advent of the Indus Valley civilization in 2600 BC. Through the ages, the country had undergone a number of changes, which are aptly reflected in the art, culture, literature and architecture of India .

Western civilization is also quite ancient and is said to have had its roots in the ancient civilization of Greece. Through the ages, the western culture and civilizations have provided a number of significant contributions to world literature and architecture. A glimpse through the western history would undoubtedly reveal several literary and artistic legends such as Michelangelo and William Shakespeare, who have been stalwarts in shaping the culture of the Western world today.

India is the land of many religion , though majority of the Indian population follow Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, and Jainism are also practiced by a significant number of people. In most Western countries, Christianity is the most followed religion, with Islam and Judaism also being practiced by a considerable number of people.

Indian culture is one of the most ancient cultures, which is prevalent in the world today. India is home to many festivals that take place all year round. Each state has its own distinct festivals, which mark certain pivotal events. The festivals are all celebrated with much pomp and splendour. Indian festivals include Holi , Onam , Pongal among others.

In Western culture too, people celebrate festivals with much joy. Popular Western festivals include Mardi Gras, Thanksgiving, St. Patrick’s Day, and many more. However, certain festivals are global. Many people across the world celebrate festivals like Christmas ad Eid regardless of their nationality.

Music has always been an inherent part of every culture around the world; each country has its distinct musical style, which suits the land and its people. Western music is entirely different from Indian music in several ways. Indian music is composed mainly of Hindustani Classical Music, Carnatic Music , among others. Traditional musical instruments , such as the Tabla, Veena, and Shehnai, are still used to produce soothing and melodious music in India.

In contrast to this, the Western musical scenario is quite different; it includes mainly jazz, rock, heavy metal, and Hip Hop. The opera is another popular attraction. It is a theatrical art form and is prominent for its musical component. 

India has a number of the art forms spread across the nation. From the mesmerizing Bharatanatyam and the splendid Mohiniyattam to the lively Garba and graceful Manipuri , the country has beautiful and majestic dance forms that are unique to each state.

In Western countries, one can find many different forms of dance as well! Ballet, Waltz, Salsa, Tango, etc. are some of the most popular dance, performed in various settings.

The themes of Indian art are different and varied in contrast to that of the Western art. Indian art mostly comprised elements of religious significance. The paintings also portrayed scenes inspired from the daily life of the artist. The legends of Indian art include, Abindranath Tagore, Raja Ravi Varma , M. F. Hussain, Jamini Roy , among others.

Western paintings are quite popular for its unique representation of the human figure and the mesmerizing landscapes. Apart from this, many paintings also portray scenes from the Bible. The legends of western art include, Vincent Van Gogh, Michelangelo, Leonardo Da Vinci, Picasso and more.

Western literature is an apt reflection of the society. Apart from the realistic portrayal of their life, Western literature is quite unique due to its liberal use of a variety of techniques to narrate the story. Chivalry, romance, loyalty, fantasy, and Individualism are some of the key elements of Western literature. The western literary legends include, William Shakespeare, Christopher Marlowe, and George Bernard Shaw.

Indian literature differs from that of the Western literature in both- themes and style of narration. Indian literature mostly focusses on the realistic portrayal of the issues that are prevalent in the society. Obedience, morality, bravery, and human values are some of the most recurring themes in Indian literature. Rabindranath Tagore , Sarojini Naidu, and Premchand are some of the most popular literary legends of India.

Every state in India has a distinct culture and hence, the dressing styles differ from one region to another. For instance, the attire worn in Rajasthan is widely different from the one worn in the southern state of Kerala . Most of the people in many states prefer the traditional attire that is saree for women and kurta, dothi for men.

People in the Western countries wear clothes which are perceived to be more modern than Indian clothes. But many indigenous communities in the West still take pride in their traditional clothing, which embodies their rich culture and history. But with the advent of globalization, people all over the world are adapting to a universal style of dressing which include jeans, skirts, t-shirts, etc. The younger generation of India is more attracted to the western style of clothing as opposed to traditional wear .

Suggested read –  Diversity Among The Traditional Dress of India (Infographic)

Though most of the modern families in India are mostly nuclear in contemporary times, this was not the case some years ago. Earlier, Indian families were mostly joint families, with every member of the family living under the same roof. The concept of arranged marriages , which is very popular in India, would undoubtedly be unheard of in the western countries.

The Indian staple mostly comprises of rice, and the cuisine includes a wide variety of side dishes. In India, the North Indian Cuisine varies significantly from that of the South Indian Cuisine . The popular dishes of North Indian cuisine include, Parathas, Pani Puri, Chole Bature, among others. While South Indian cuisine includes dishes such as, Dosa, Sambhar, Payasam, and Sadhya.

In western countries, food habits are quite distinct. The western cuisine is a mixture of various food cultures such as the European cuisine, North American cuisine, Mexican Cuisine, and more, Each of these cuisines are quite different from the other. The most popular dishes of the European cuisine include, the Arancini, Pierogi, and Palatschinken, while the Mexican cuisine is popular for its Tacos and Burritos. The people of the Western countries mostly prefer wheat over rice. Hence it forms a major part of their diet.

In almost every aspect of life, these cultures have their specific perspectives and practices, which suit their land and lifestyle. From the music they listen to, their dressing style, and the food they consume, everything highlights the differences which are prevalent between both the cultures.

Each culture is unique and beautiful in its own way. The Indian Culture vs Western Culture debate may never see its end. But it is up to the individual to choose the right elements from each culture, and incorporate that in their life.

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17 COMMENTS

Really great article. was searching for such detailed article and found this one. Thank you

Thanks Vandana!

Great article! Im sure it will help me in debate…

Thanks Manoj, All the best for your debate 🙂

Well explained…!

Thanks Richita 🙂

Tx It’s definitely helpful

Thanks, All the best 🙂

Great article! i was reading it for my debate i hope it helps thanks!

You cant decide with food, dance and music, but culture must uplift and protect human values, including those animals, rivers, and nature which depend on us. If any society because of its culture uplifts its habitant would be the “best culture ” but the culture which kills women for working, girls for dating, man for eating than it wont be the BEST for the least to say.

Hey Amar, every culture has good and bad elements. Most of the time good cultural practices are manipulated for personal benefits of a person or community. So why take the negatives better be proud of all the good things we have in our culture and make ourself better human beings.

Thank you so much…..very helpful

Thanks Florence, glad you found the info useful 🙂

This is the best article about Indian Culture. Personally i visited various websites about some informative information but when i saw this article my problems solved. Hats off to ur effort for helping you and this is gonna rock in debate. Thank You

Thanks Jashwanth, All the best for your debate 🙂

Thanks you so much that s very knowledgeable topic….

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Impact of Western Culture in India: A Critical Analysis

Effect of the Impact of Western Culture in India: A Critical Analysis of Western Culture V/s Indian Culture

Impact of Western Culture in India over Indian Culture is visible in every sphere of life.

Modern India evolving in a mixed culture due to  Impact of Western Culture in India

Before we start with this topic, we must first know what culture means.

Culture has been defined in a number of ways. It is said to be the learned and shared behavior of a community of interacting human beings.

Culture describes what people develop to enable them to adapt to their world, such as language, gestures, tools to enable them to survive and prosper, customs and traditions that define values and organize social interactions, religious beliefs and rituals, and dress, art, and music to make symbolic and aesthetic expressions.

Culture determines the practices and beliefs that become associated with an ethnic group and provides its distinctive identity.

Every culture is enriched with some good and bad features.

Broadly the world has been classified into the western and the eastern culture. The East-West dichotomy is a sociological concept used to describe perceived differences between Western cultures and the Eastern world.

Cultural rather than geographical in the division, the boundaries of East and West are not fixed but vary according to the criteria adopted by individuals using the term.

Aspects of culture

Now in this paper, we will discuss few aspects that vary widely between the western culture and the Indian culture.

Impact of Western Culture in India

Religion & spiritual beliefs, arts & crafts, family life, community & society.

Family and its values are the key part of Indian culture, which doesn’t exist in the western culture. Being in a family, giving love to your loved ones and respect to your elders, is the root of INDIAN culture. Sorry to say, but the family doesn’t exist in reality except in terminology, in western culture.

Either people have live-in relations or they get divorced, if they are not compatible with each other. So, how could a person in their right mind have mental peace in such an environment, where relationships are breaking every other day. Because of the lack of family values and existence of a family life, people end up doing drugs, crimes etc.

Even studies and research also proved that western civilization suffers more from depression and emotional misbalance than their eastern counter parts.

Below are few major differences that we can easily find between the two societies:

• Westerners place a high value on having fun. This doesn’t mean that they don’t care about serious issues. If they see someone upset, they will often assume that the person wants to be left alone, unless they are good friends. While, Indians tend to value people being concerned about them when they are upset or depressed, if your questions are not welcome, they will indicate it, but will generally appreciate the concern.
• Westerners can become intimate quite quickly in friendships, but that doesn’t mean that they are committed. Commitment takes longer to happen. In the India, commitment is more closely tied to intimacy. There is an expectation that friendship, after a deep talk, will continue at the same level.
• Westerners can have affectionate guy-girl friendships without any romantic interest. Be cautious in assuming a Westerner is romantically interested, even if their behavior appears intimate. If you’re not kissing or holding hands, you’re probably not dating. Indians tend to have a much lower threshold of what is considered a relationship. What Westerners might consider a normal guy-girl friendship can be read as definite interest in the other person. In particular, spending time alone with someone of the opposite sex is a strong sign of interest.
• Westerners tend to be more honest about their skills and to value a high self-esteem. They are not necessarily being arrogant if they openly admit that they are good at something. Indians are less likely to volunteer their talents. They will wait for someone to ask them to use their skills, rather than jumping in and volunteering them.
• Equality between men and women is valued in the West. To imply that women are weaker, more emotional or that they need protection can be offensive. Chivalry is still alive and well in the India. Many women expect doors to be opened for them, to be served first at dinner, and for help in carrying heavy things.
• Westerners do not take their work as personally as Indians tend to. It is not that they don’t care about their work. They are more relaxed about their jobs. Indians tend to take their work personally. Tromping across their freshly cleaned floor, or showing up late when you are to be working with them can be seen as disrespectful.

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Pandey sahab, your article is completely discuss every aspect though it’s not completely correct. There are some parts which are not correct. See, I’m teaching Intercultural Communication in a college in my country (INDONESIA). Actually there’s a theory invented by Edward T. Hall called “High Context Culture & Low Context Culture”. High Context Culture is Asian, African, Southern European (Spanish, Portuguese, Italian) culture. It characterized by collectivism, layers of relationship (elders generation & child generation) which differ to behave, family first, maintain relationship for long term & the weaknesses are not punctual & procrastination. While Low Context Culture is Western culture: Northern American, Southern American, Western European. Low Context Culture basically is Individualistic, prioritize privacy, short term relationship (only relate when it comes to work or certain project) & the strengths are punctual and get things done effectively & efficiently.

You still caught up in stereotype so you say Westerners don’t have family. They have family. Otherwise how come words aunt, uncle, nephew, niece, grandfather, grandmother, father-in-law, mother-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law exist in English, French, German language? They have family life. Just like Hindustani, they also celebrate festivals with family. If you ever watch Hollywood movies or American TV series, you will see they celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas & Hanukkah (Jewish religious festival) by lunch & supper/dinner together with joint family. On Thanksgiving whole roasted turkey served for whole family dining. On Christmas Eve, after return from church whole family gather to exchange Christmas gift that placed under Christmas tree. Even President of America also celebrate Thanksgiving & Christmas with similar traditions.

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Indian Culture vs Western Culture: A Fascinating Exploration

Embark on a cultural odyssey as we delve into the mesmerizing clash of worlds: Indian Culture vs Western Culture . Picture a vibrant tapestry where tradition dances with innovation, and family values meet individualism. In this blog post, we’ll unravel the intricacies of two rich and diverse cultures, inviting you to appreciate the depth and significance of their unique characteristics.

Cultural Fusion: Indian Culture vs Western Culture

Exploring the essence: an in-depth essay on indian culture.

• Speech on Indian Culture: Preserving Heritage Through Words
• Beyond Borders: Understanding the Global Impact of Indian Culture Heritage

Indian Culture vs Western Culture Introduction

India and the Western world boast rich and diverse cultures, each with its unique characteristics.

As we embark on a journey to compare Indian culture with Western culture, it’s essential to appreciate the depth and significance of these cultural nuances.

Cultural Values

In the heart of Indian culture lies a deep reverence for tradition, family, and spirituality.

These values often contrast with the individualism, innovation, and pragmatism found in Western cultures.

Social Structures

Family dynamics play a pivotal role in Indian culture, where extended families often live together.

This stands in stark contrast to the more individualistic family structures prevalent in the West.

Traditions and Customs

India’s tapestry is woven with myriad traditions and customs, from intricate wedding ceremonies to vibrant festivals.

Comparatively, Western cultures often exhibit more streamlined and modernized customs.

Clothing and Fashion

The kaleidoscope of Indian fashion is marked by vibrant colors and diverse traditional attire, contrasting sharply with the often minimalistic and trend-driven Western fashion scene.

Food and Cuisine

Indian cuisine is a gastronomic adventure, known for its rich flavors and diverse regional dishes.

This stands in stark contrast to the fast-food-dominated culture of the West.

Language and Communication

India’s linguistic landscape is vast, reflecting the country’s cultural diversity.

Contrastingly, the West often communicates in fewer languages, emphasizing efficiency over linguistic diversity.

Celebrations and Festivals

The Indian calendar is dotted with festivals, each celebrating a unique aspect of life.

This stands in contrast to the more standardized celebrations in the West.

Art and Entertainment

Traditional Indian art forms, from classical dance to intricate paintings, offer a stark contrast to the Western emphasis on contemporary entertainment like movies and pop culture.

Education Systems

India’s education system is marked by its emphasis on academic excellence and a competitive spirit, differing from the more holistic and flexible approach in Western education.

Indian work culture often prioritizes dedication and loyalty, while the Western approach may focus more on efficiency and innovation.

Religious Diversity

India’s religious landscape is incredibly diverse, with a multitude of beliefs coexisting.

In the West, there is a different type of diversity, with various religious beliefs and a growing secular trend.

Impact of Globalization

Globalization has impacted Indian and Western cultures differently, influencing traditions, values, and lifestyles in distinctive ways.

Generational Perspectives

The gap between generations is navigated differently in India and the West, with varying attitudes towards tradition, progress, and societal expectations.

As we navigate the intricate tapestry of Indian and Western cultures, it’s essential to appreciate the beauty of diversity.

Both cultures bring unique perspectives to the global stage, contributing to a richer and more interconnected world.

Frequently Asked Questions

How has globalization affected indian and western cultures differently.

Globalization has influenced Indian and Western cultures in diverse ways. While it has led to the modernization of traditions in India, it has accelerated cultural exchange and innovation in the West.

What are the key differences in the work ethic between India and the West?

Indian work culture often emphasizes dedication and loyalty, while Western cultures may prioritize efficiency and innovation.

How do family structures differ between Indian and Western societies?

Indian families often embrace extended family structures, while Western families tend to be more individualistic and nuclear.

What role does religion play in Indian culture compared to the West?

India boasts a diverse religious landscape, while the West exhibits a mix of various religious beliefs and a growing secular trend.

In terms of fashion, how do Indian and Western cultures differ?

Indian fashion is known for its vibrant colors and traditional attire, in contrast to the often minimalistic and trend-driven Western fashion scene.

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Indian Society and Ways of Living

Organization of social life in india.

India offers astounding variety in virtually every aspect of social life. Diversities of ethnic, linguistic, regional, economic, religious, class, and caste groups crosscut Indian society, which is also permeated with immense urban-rural differences and gender distinctions. Differences between north India and south India are particularly significant, especially in systems of kinship and marriage. Indian society is multifaceted to an extent perhaps unknown in any other of the world’s great civilizations—it is more like an area as varied as Europe than any other single nation-state. Adding further variety to contemporary Indian culture are rapidly occurring changes affecting various regions and socioeconomic groups in disparate ways. Yet, amid the complexities of Indian life, widely accepted cultural themes enhance social harmony and order.

Themes In Indian Society

India is a hierarchical society. Whether in north India or south India, Hindu or Muslim, urban or village, virtually all things, people, and social groups are ranked according to various essential qualities. Although India is a political democracy, notions of complete equality are seldom evident in daily life.

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India offers astounding variety in virtually every aspect of social life. 

Societal hierarchy is evident in caste groups, amongst individuals, and in family and kinship groups. Castes are primarily associated with Hinduism, but caste-like groups also exist among Muslims, Indian, Christians, and other religious communities. Within most villages or towns, everyone knows the relative rankings of each locally represented caste, and behavior is constantly shaped by this knowledge.

Individuals are also ranked according to their wealth and power. For example, some powerful people, or “big men,” sit confidently on chairs, while “little men” come before them to make requests, either standing or squatting not presuming to sit beside a man of high status as an equal.

Hierarchy plays an important role within families and kinship groupings also, where men outrank women of similar age, and senior relatives outrank junior relatives. Formal respect is accorded family members—for example, in northern India, a daughter-in-law shows deference to her husband, to all senior in-laws, and to all daughters of the household. Siblings, too, recognize age differences, with younger siblings addressing older siblings by respectful terms rather than by name.

Purity and Pollution

Many status differences in Indian society are expressed in terms of ritual purity and pollution, complex notions that vary greatly among different castes, religious groups, and regions. Generally, high status is associated with purity and low status with pollution. Some kinds of purity are inherent; for example, a member of a high-ranking Brahmin, or priestly, caste is born with more inherent purity than someone born into a low-ranking sweeper, or scavenger, caste. Other kinds of purity are more transitory—for example, a Brahmin who has just taken a bath is more ritually pure than a Brahmin who has not bathed for a day.

Purity is associated with ritual cleanliness—daily bathing in flowing water, dressing in freshly laundered clothes, eating only the foods appropriate for one’s caste, and avoiding physical contact with people of significantly lower rank or with impure substances, such as the bodily wastes of another adult. Involvement with the products of death or violence is usually ritually polluting.

Social Interdependence

One of the great themes pervading Indian life is social interdependence. People are born into groups—families, clans, subcastes, castes , and religious communities—and feel a deep sense of inseparability from these groups. People are deeply involved with others, and for many, the greatest fear is the possibility of being left alone, without social support. Psychologically, family members typically experience intense emotional interdependence. Economic activities, too, are deeply imbedded in a social nexus. Through a multitude of kinship ties, each person is linked with kin in villages and towns near and far. Almost everywhere a person goes, he can find a relative from whom he can expect moral and practical support.

In every activity, social ties can help a person and the absence of them can bring failure. Seldom do people carry out even the simplest tasks on their own. When a small child eats, his mother puts the food into his mouth with her own hand. When a girl brings water home from the well in pots on her head, someone helps her unload the pots. A student hopes that an influential relative or friend can facilitate his college admission. A young person anticipates that parents will arrange his or her marriage. Finally, a person facing death expects that relatives will conduct the proper funeral rites ensuring his own smooth passage to the next stage of existence and reaffirming social ties among mourners.

This sense of interdependence extends into the theological realm. From birth onward, a child learns that his “fate” has been “written” by divine forces and that his life is shaped by powerful deities with whom an ongoing relationship must be maintained.

Family and Kinship

Family ideals.

The essential themes of Indian cultural life are learned within the bosom of a family. The joint family is highly valued, ideally consisting of several generations residing, working, eating, and worshiping together. Such families include men related through the male line, along with their wives, children, and unmarried daughters. A wife usually lives with her husband’s relatives, although she retains important bonds with her natal family. Even in rapidly modernizing India, the traditional joint household remains for most Indians the primary social force, in both ideal and practice.

Large families tend to be flexible and well suited to modern Indian life, especially for the more than two-thirds of Indians who are involved in agriculture. As in most primarily agricultural societies, cooperating kin help provide mutual economic security. The joint family is also common in cities, where kinship ties are often crucial to obtaining employment or financial assistance. Many prominent families, such as the Tatas, Birlas, and Sarabhais, retain joint family arrangements as they cooperate in controlling major financial empires.

The ancient ideal of the joint family retains its power, but today actual living arrangements vary widely. Many Indians live in nuclear families—-a couple with their unmarried children—-but belong to strong networks of beneficial kinship ties. Often, clusters of relatives live as neighbors, responding readily to their kinship obligations.

As they expand, joint families typically divide into smaller units, which gradually grow into new joint families, continuing a perpetual cycle. Today, some family members may move about to take advantage of job opportunities, typically sending money home to the larger family.

Family Authority and Harmony

In the Indian household, lines of hierarchy and authority are clearly drawn, and ideals of conduct help maintain family harmony. [i] All family members are socialized to accept the authority of those above them in the hierarchy. The eldest male acts as family head, and his wife supervises her daughters-in-law, among whom the youngest has the least authority. Reciprocally, those in authority accept responsibility for meeting the needs of other family members.

Family loyalty is a deeply held ideal, and family unity is emphasized, especially in distinction to those outside the kinship circle. Inside the household, ties between spouses and between parents and their own children are de-emphasized to enhance a wider sense of family harmony. For example, open displays of affection between husbands and wives are considered highly improper.

Traditionally, males have controlled key family resources, such as land or businesses, especially in high-status groups. Following traditional Hindu law, women did not inherit real estate and were thus beholden to their male kin who controlled land and buildings. Under Muslim customary law, women can—and do—inherit real estate, but their shares have typically been smaller than those of males. Modern legislation allows all Indian women to inherit real estate. Traditionally, for those families who could afford it, women have controlled some wealth in the form of precious jewelry.

Veiling and the Seclusion of Women

A significant aspect of Indian family life is purdah (from Hindi parda, or “curtain”), or the veiling and seclusion of women. In much of northern and central India, particularly in rural areas, Hindu and Muslim women follow complex rules of veiling the body and avoidance of public appearance, especially before relatives linked by marriage and before strange men. Purdah practices are linked to patterns of authority and harmony within the family. Hindu and Muslim purdah observances differ in certain key ways, but female modesty and decorum as well as concepts of family honor and prestige are essential to the various forms of purdah. Purdah restrictions are generally stronger for women of conservative high-status families. [ii] Restriction and restraint for women in virtually every aspect of life are essential to purdah, limiting women’s access to power and to the control of vital resources in a male-dominated society. Sequestered women should conceal their bodies and even their faces with modest clothing and veils before certain categories of people, avoid extramarital relations, and move about in public only with a male escort. Poor and low-status women often practice attenuated versions of veiling as they work in the fields and on construction gangs.

Hindu women of conservative families veil their faces and remain silent in the presence of older male in-laws, both at home and in the community. A young daughter-in-law even veils from her mother-inlaw. These practices emphasize respect relationships, limit unapproved encounters, and enhance family lines of authority.

For Muslims, veiling is especially stressed outside the home, where a conservative woman may wear an all-enveloping black burka. Such purdah shelters women—-and the sexual inviolability of the family-— from unrelated unknown men.

In south India, purdah has been little practiced, except in certain minority groups. In northern and central India today, purdah practices are diminishing, and among urbanites and even the rural elite, they are rapidly vanishing. Chastity and female modesty are still highly valued, but as education and employment opportunities for women increase, veiling has all but disappeared in progressive circles.

Life Passages

The birth of an infant is celebrated with rites of welcome and blessing, typically much more elaborate for a boy than for a girl. Although India boasts many eminent women and was once led by a powerful woman prime minister, Indira Gandhi, and while goddesses are extensively worshiped in Hindu rituals, statistics reveal that girls are, in fact, disadvantaged in India. The 2001 Census counted only 933 females per 1000 males, reflecting sex-selective abortion, poorer medical care and nutrition, and occasional infanticide targeting females. [iii] Parents favor boys because their value in agricultural activities tends to be higher, and after marriage a boy continues residing with his parents, supporting them as they age. In contrast, a girl drains family resources, especially when a large dowry goes with her to her husband’s home. In recent decades, demands for dowries have become quite exorbitant in certain groups.

Marriage is deemed essential for virtually everyone in India, marking the great watershed in life for the individual. For most of Hindu northern and central India, marriages are arranged within the caste between unrelated young people who may never have met. Among some south Indians communities and many Muslims, families seek to strengthen existing kin ties through marriages with cousins whenever possible. For every parent, finding the perfect partner for one’s child is a challenging task. People use their existing social networks, and increasingly, matrimonial newspaper advertisements. The advertisements usually announce religion, caste, educational qualifications, physical features, and earning capacity, and may hint at dowry size (even though giving or accepting dowries is actually illegal).

Among the highly educated, brides and grooms sometimes find each other in college or professional settings. So-called love marriages are becoming less scandalous than in previous years. Among Indian residents of North America, brides and grooms often meet through South Asian matrimonial websites. Many self-arranged marriages link couples of different castes but similar socioeconomic status.

Usually, a bride lives with her husband in his parental home, where she should accept the authority of his senior relatives, perform household duties, and produce children—especially sons—to enhance his family line. Ideally, she honors her husband, proudly wears the cosmetic adornments of a married woman, and cheerfully fulfills her new role. If she is fortunate, her husband will treat her with consideration, treasure her contributions to his household, and allow her continuing contact with her natal relatives. For many young wives, this is a difficult transition. While some negative stigma is still attached to women’s employment in many circles, an increasing number of women are working in a variety of occupations.

Death causes the restructuring of any family. The demise of a woman’s husband brings the dreaded status of inauspicious widowhood. Widows of low-status groups have always been allowed to remarry, but widows of high rank have been expected to remain chaste until death.

Caste and Class

Varna, caste, and other divisions.

Social inequality exists throughout the world, but perhaps nowhere has inequality been so elaborately constructed as in the Indian institution of caste . Caste has existed for many centuries, but in the modern period it has been severely criticized and is undergoing significant change.

Castes are ranked, named, endogamous (in-marrying) groups, membership in which is achieved by birth. There are thousands of castes and subcastes in India, involving hundreds of millions of people. These large kinship-based groups are fundamental to South Asian social structure. Caste membership provides a sense of belonging to a recognized group from whom support can be expected in a variety of situations.

The word caste derives from the Portuguese casta, meaning species, race, or kind. Among Indian terms sometimes translated as caste are varna, jati, jat, biradri, and samaj. Varna, or color, actually refers to four large categories that include numerous castes. The other terms refer to castes and subdivisions of castes often called subcastes.

Many castes are associated with traditional occupations, such as priests, potters, barbers, carpenters, leatherworkers, butchers, and launderers. Members of higher-ranking castes tend to be more prosperous than members of lower-ranking castes, who often endure poverty and social disadvantage. The so-called “Untouchables” were traditionally relegated to polluting tasks. Since 1935, “Untouchables” have been known as “Scheduled Castes,” and Mahatma Gandhi called them Harijans, or “Children of God.” Today, the politically correct term for these groups, who make up some 16% of the population, is Dalit, or “Oppressed.” Other groups, usually called tribes (often referred to as “Scheduled Tribes”) are also integrated into the caste system to varying degrees.

In past decades, Dalits in certain areas had to display extreme deference to high-status people and were barred from most temples and wells. Such degrading discrimination was outlawed under legislation passed during British rule and was repudiated by preindependence reform movements led by Mahatma Gandhi and Bhimrao Ramji (B.R.) Ambedkar, a Dalit leader. After independence in 1947, Dr. Ambedkar almost single-handedly wrote India’s constitution, including provisions barring caste-based discrimination. However, Dalits as a group still suffer significant disadvantages, especially in rural areas.

Within castes, explicit standards are maintained. Rules of marriage, diet, dress, occupation, and other behaviors are enforced, often by a caste council (panchayat). Infringements can be punished by fines and temporary or permanent outcasting. Individuals and caste groups can hope to rise slowly on the hierarchy through economic success and adoption of high-caste behaviors. However, it is virtually impossible for an individual to raise his own status by falsely claiming to belong to a higher caste; a deception of this kind is easily discovered.

In rural areas, many low-caste people still suffer from landlessness, unemployment, and discriminatory practices. In the growing cities, however, caste affiliations are often unknown to casual associates, and traditional restrictions on intercaste interactions are fading fast. In some urbane circles, intercaste marriages linking mates of similar class status have become acceptable. Correlations between caste and occupations are declining rapidly.

In recent years, key changes have occurred in caste observances. It is now legally and socially unacceptable to openly advocate any caste’s superiority or inferiority, and lower caste groups are flexing their political muscle. Even as traditional hierarchies weaken, caste identities are being reinforced, especially among disadvantaged groups with rights to special educational benefits and substantial quotas reserved for them of electoral offices and government jobs. In protest against Hinduism’s rigid rankings, thousands of Dalits have embraced Buddhism, following the example of the revered B.R. Ambedkar. [iv]

Most Indians reside in villages, where caste and class affiliations overlap. Large landholders are overwhelmingly upper caste, and smallscale farmers middle caste, while landless laborers typically belong to the lowest-ranking castes. These groups tend to form a three-level class system of stratification in rural areas, and members of the groups are drawing together within regions across caste lines in order to enhance their economic and political power. For example, since the late 1960s, some of the middle-ranking cultivating castes of northern India, spurred by competition with higher-caste landed elites, have cooperated politically in order to advance their common economic interests.v In cities, class lines adhere less obviously to caste affiliations, as vested interests strongly crosscut caste boundaries.

When looking at India as a whole, defining classes is a difficult task, rife with vague standards. According to various estimates, the upper classes include about one percent of the population, or some ten million people, encompassing wealthy property owners, industrialists, former royalty, top executives, and prosperous entrepreneurs. Slightly below them are the many millions of the upper middle class. At the other end of the scale is approximately half of India’s population, including low-level workers of many kinds, as well as hundreds of millions of extremely poor people, who endure grossly inadequate housing and education and many other economic hardships.

But the big development in India is the rapid expansion of a prosperous middle class increasingly dictating the country’s political and economic direction. [vi] Estimated at perhaps 300 million people—-more than the entire population of the United States-—this new vanguard, straddling town and countryside and all religious communities, is mobile, driven, consumer-oriented, and, to some extent, forward-looking. This group includes prosperous farmers, white-collar workers, business and professional people, military personnel, and a multitude of others, all enjoying decent homes, reasonable incomes, and educated and healthy children. Most own televisions and telephones, and many possess cars and computers. Large numbers have close ties with prosperous relatives living abroad.

Village Structure and Unity

About three-fourths of India’s people live in some 500,000 villages, where India’s most basic business—agriculture takes place. Most villages have fewer than 1,000 inhabitants, but some have as many as 5,000 people. Indian villages are often quite complex and are not isolated socially or economically. Most villages include a multiplicity of economic, caste, kinship, occupational, and even religious groups linked vertically within each settlement. Residents typically range from priests and cultivators to merchants, artisans, and laborers. Various crucial horizontal linkages connect each village with many others and with urban areas both near and far. In daily life and at colorful festivals and rituals, members of various groups provide essential goods and services for one another.

Traditionally, villages often recognized a headman and a panchayat, a council composed of important local men. Usually, disputes were adjudicated within the village, with infrequent recourse to the police or courts. Today, the government supports an elective panchayat and headman system, which is distinct from the traditional system, and, in many cases, mandates the inclusion of members who are women or very low caste. According to a schedule rotating every few years, the head of the council of a certain percentage of villages must be a woman or a Dalit. State and federal government regulations increasingly intrude into village life, diminishing traditional systems of authority. Further, dissent and competitiveness seem to have increased in many parts of rural India as a result of the expanding involvement of villagers with the wider world via travel, work, education, and television, and increased pressure on land and resources as village populations grow.

The acceleration of urbanization is profoundly affecting the transformation of Indian society. Slightly more than one-quarter of the country’s population is urban. Mumbai (Bombay) is currently the sixth largest urban area in the world at 18 million, and Kolkata (Calcutta) ranks fourteenth at 13 million. In recent years, India’s largest cities have grown at twice the rate of its small towns and villages, with many of the increases due to rural-urban migration.

The largest cities are densely populated, congested, noisy, polluted, and deficient in clean water, electricity, sanitation, and decent housing. Slums abound, often cheek-by-jowl with luxury apartment buildings, with the roads overrun with pedestrians, cattle, refuse, and vehicles spewing diesel fumes.

Traditional caste hierarchies are weak in cities, but caste ties remain important, as scarce jobs are often obtained through caste fellows, relatives, and friends. Ingenuity and tenacity characterize poor urban workers supporting themselves through a multitude of tasks as entrepreneurs, petty traders, and menial laborers.

The ranks of the growing middle class are increasingly evident in cities, where educational and employment opportunities benefit them. For them, as for all in the city, linkages are affirmed through neighborhood solidarity, voluntary associations, and festival celebrations.

Cities, of course, are the great hubs of commerce, education, science, politics, and government, upon which the functioning of the nation depends. India’s movie industry is the world’s largest, centered in Mumbai and Chennai, and popular television stations are proliferating. These bring vivid depictions of urban lifestyles to small-town dwellers and villagers all over the country, affecting the aspirations of millions.

Social revolutions, too, receive the support of urban visionaries, such as those shaping the growing women’s movement. Largely led by educated urban women, the movement seeks gender justice on a wide variety of issues, focusing particularly on the escalating issue of dowry-related murders of young wives, which number in the thousands annually. The overwhelming economic needs of poor female workers are being addressed by organizations such as the Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) of Ahmedabad, led by Ela Bhatt.

Future Trends

Now numbering over one billion, India’s population grew by more than 18 million—the equivalent of an Australia—every year over the past decade. In ten years, the most populous state, Uttar Pradesh, expanded more than 25 percent to some 166 million, equal to 60 percent of the population of the United States. India supports a population more than three and a half times the size of the American population in an area about one-third the size. Family planning is gaining in popularity, so the rate of population increase is gradually declining, but it is estimated that by the year 2050, India’s people will number some 1.5 billion, and India will have surpassed China as the world’s most populous nation.

In India’s vociferous democracy, different groups are increasingly demanding their share of scarce resources and benefits. While new agricultural crops and techniques are expanding productivity, forests, rangeland, and water tables are diminishing. As competition grows, political, social, ecological, and economic issues are hotly contested. Justice in matters pertaining to class, gender, and access to desirable resources remains an elusive goal.

India is but one of many nations facing these crucial problems and is not alone in seeking solutions. For many centuries, the people of India have shown strength in creating manageable order from complexity, bringing together widely disparate groups in structured efforts to benefit the wider society, encouraging harmony among people with divergent interests, knowing that close relatives and friends can rely upon each other, allocating different tasks to those with different skills, and striving to do what is morally right in the eyes of the divine and the community. These are some of the great strengths upon which Indian society can rely as it seeks to meet the challenges of the future.

Discover More

Crime, Caste, and Corruption

Caste, Color, and Gender

Bumiller, Elisabeth. May You Be the Mother of a Hundred Sons: A Journey among the Women of India . New York: Fawcett Columbine, 1990.

Das Gupta, Monica, and Li Shuzhuo. “Gender Bias in China, the Republic of Korea, and India 1920-90: Effects of War, Famine, and Fertility Decline.” World Bank Policy Research Working Paper 2140. 1999. Forthcoming in Development and Change, Special Issue on Gendered Poverty and Wellbeing. Available from [email protected] or downloadable from www.worldbank.org .

Deliege, Robert. The Untouchables of India . Oxford: Berg Press, 1999.

Dubey, Suman. “The Middle Class.” India Briefing 1992 . Eds. Leonard A. Gordon and Philip Oldenburg. Boulder, CO: Westview Press, in cooperation with Asia Society. 137-64.

Dugger, Celia W. “Modern Asia’s Anomaly: The Girls Who Don’t Get Born.” The New York Times , 6 May 2001.

Fuller, C.J., ed. Caste Today. SOAS Studies on South Asia: Understandings and Perspectives . Delhi: Oxford University Press, 1996.

Gould, Harold A. “Political Economy and Emergence of a Modern Class System in India.” Boeings and Bullock-Carts: Studies in Change and Continuity in Indian Civilization: Essays in Honour of K. Ishwaran , 1: India: Culture and Society. Ed. Yogendra K. Malik. Delhi: Chanakya, 1990. 155-86.

Jacobson, Doranne. “The Veil of Virtue: Purdah and the Muslim Family in the Bhopal Region of Central India.” Family, Kinship, and Marriage among Muslims in India . Ed. Imtiaz Ahmad. New Delhi: Manohar Book Service, 1976. 169-215.

———. Purdah in India: Life Behind the Veil.” National Geographic Magazine August 1977: 152(2). 270-286.

———. “The Chaste Wife: Cultural Norm and Individual Experience.” American Studies in the Anthropology of India . Ed. Sylvia Vatuk. New Delhi: American Institute of Indian Studies and Manohar Publications, 1978. 95-138.

———. “Purdah and the Hindu Family in Central India.” Separate Worlds: Studies of Purdah in South Asia . Eds. H. Papanek and G. Minault. Columbia, MO: South Asia Books, 1982 and Delhi: Chanakya Publications, 1982.

———. India: Land of Dreams and Fantasy . London: W.H. Smith, 1992.

———. “Gender Relations: Changing Patterns in India.” Asia: Case Studies in the Social Sciences: A Guide for Teaching . Ed. Myron L. Cohen. Armonk, NY: M.E. Sharpe, 1992. 46-66.

———. “Women’s Work in a Central Indian Village.” Women and Work in South Asia: Regional Patterns and Perspectives . Eds. S. Raju and D. Bagchi London: Routledge, 1993. 158-179.

———. “A Reverence for Cows.” Natural History . June 1999. 58-63.

———. “Golden Handprints and Red-Painted Feet: Hindu Childbirth Rituals in Central India.” Unspoken Worlds: Women’s Religious Lives . Eds. N.E. Falk and R.M. Gross. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing Co., 2000. 83-102.

Jacobson, Doranne, and Susan S. Wadley. Women in India: Two Perspectives , 3rd enlarged edition. Columbia, MO: South Asia Books, 1999 and New Delhi: Manohar Publishers, 1999.

Lynch, Owen M. “Stratification, Inequality, Caste System: India.” Asia: Case Studies in the Social Sciences: A Guide for Teaching . Ed. Myron L. Cohen. Armonk, New York: M.E. Sharpe, 1992. 67-80.

———. “Untouchables in India’s Civil/Uncivil Democracy: A Review Article.” Ethnos 66.2 (2001): 259-268.

Mandelbaum, David G. Society in India: Continuity and Change , 2 vols. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1970.

———. Women’s Seclusion and Men’s Honor: Sex Roles in North India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan . Tucson: University of Arizona Press, 1988.

Mendelsohn, Oliver, and Marika Vicziany. The Untouchables: Subordination, Poverty, and the State in Modern India . Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1998.

Miller, Barbara D. The Endangered Sex: Neglect of Female children in Rural North India . Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 1981.

Papanek, Hanna, and Gail Minault, eds. Separate Worlds: Studies of Purdah in South Asia . Columbia, MO: South Asia Books, 1982 and New Delhi: Chanakya Publications, 1982.

Roland, Alan. In Search of Self in India and Japan: Toward a Cross-Cultural Psychology . Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1988.

Sharma, Miriam. The Politics of Inequality: Competition and Control in an Indian Village , 2nd ed. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 1984.

Sharma, Ursula. Caste. Concepts in the Social Sciences . Buckingham & Philadelphia: Open University Press, 1999.

Zelliot, Eleanor. From Untouchable to Dalit . Delhi: Manohar Publishers, 1996.

i For many references, see Mandelbaum 1970, Roland 1988, and Jacobson and Wadley 1999.

ii Purdah is discussed in detail in Jacobson 1976, 1977, 1978, 1982, and 1992; Papanek and Minault 1982; and Mandelbaum 1988.

iii According to demographers and economists, perhaps 50 to 80 million more girls and women might be alive today in India and China if they had received treatment equal to that of males (Dugger 2001). The disadvantages of being female have been amply researched; see, for example, Miller 1981, Das Gupta and Li 1999, and Bumiller 1990. In general, census figures show lower sex ratios in northern India than in the south, but in only one state—the southern state of Kerala—are there more females than males (1,058 females per 1,000 males).

iv Much has been written about caste, untouchability, and B.R. Ambedkar. For recent overviews on changes in caste, see Fuller 1996 and U. Sharma 1999. For a focus on untouchability, see Lynch 2001, Mendelsohn and Vicziany 1998, Deliege 1999, and Zelliot 1996. Especially helpful to teachers is Lynch’s 1992 outline of stratification in India.

v See M. Sharma 1984, Gould 1990.

vi See Dubey 1992.

This essay is © 2004 Doranne Jacobson and may be reproduced only with the permission of the author.

Author: Doranne Jacobson.

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Indian Culture vs Western Culture: Difference and Comparison

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Indian culture emphasizes collectivism, familial ties, and spiritual traditions, rooted in ancient rituals and customs. Western culture prioritizes individualism, innovation, and personal freedoms, with a strong emphasis on secularism and progressivism.

Key Takeaways Indian Culture places great importance on traditions, customs, and family values, whereas Western Culture values individuality, freedom, and self-expression. In Indian Culture, religion plays a significant role in daily life, while in Western Culture, religion is considered a personal choice. Indian Culture has a collectivist approach to social interaction, while Western Culture is more individualistic and emphasizes personal achievement.

Indian Culture vs. Western Culture

Indian culture is the old, more diverse culture. People of India follow Indian culture, which includes Hindi as the most spoken Language and various religions like Hinduism, Islam, etc. The culture followed in Western countries is modern, having English as the most spoken language. 

Comparison Table

What is Indian Culture?

Indian culture is a vibrant tapestry woven from the threads of its ancient civilization, spanning over thousands of years. It encompasses a rich diversity of customs, traditions, languages, religions, arts, and philosophies, making it one of the most intricate and fascinating cultures in the world.

Historical Roots

The roots of Indian culture can be traced back to the ancient Indus Valley Civilization, which flourished around 2500 BCE. This civilization, known for its advanced urban planning, trade networks, and sophisticated drainage systems, laid the foundation for many cultural practices still observed in India today.

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Over millennia, Indian culture evolved through interactions with various dynasties, empires, and religions, including the Vedic period, Mauryan Empire, Gupta Empire, Islamic rule, and British colonialism. Each era contributed to the synthesis and enrichment of Indian traditions, blending indigenous customs with foreign influences.

Key Features and Values

Spirituality and Religion : Spirituality is deeply ingrained in Indian culture, with a myriad of religious beliefs coexisting harmoniously. Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, and Islam are among the major religions practiced in India, each with its own sacred texts, rituals, and philosophies. The pursuit of spiritual enlightenment and the concept of karma (the law of cause and effect) are central tenets that shape Indian worldview.

Family and Social Structure : Indian society places a strong emphasis on familial bonds and social hierarchies. Extended families live together and play a crucial role in providing emotional support, childcare, and financial assistance. Respect for elders, obedience to authority, and adherence to traditional gender roles are commonly observed values within Indian families.

Arts and Literature : Indian culture boasts a rich artistic heritage, encompassing classical dance forms such as Bharatanatyam, Kathak, and Odissi, as well as traditional music genres like Hindustani and Carnatic. Literature in India spans ancient texts like the Vedas, Upanishads, and epics such as the Mahabharata and Ramayana, to modern works by acclaimed authors like Rabindranath Tagore and R.K. Narayan.

Celebrations and Festivals : Festivals form an integral part of Indian culture, serving as occasions for communal gatherings, religious observance, and cultural expression. Diwali, Holi, Eid, Christmas, Durga Puja, and Navratri are just a few examples of the diverse festivals celebrated across India, each marked by distinctive rituals, feasting, and revelry.

Influence and Global Impact

Indian culture has left an indelible mark on the world stage, influencing literature, philosophy, art, cuisine, and spirituality across continents. The spread of yoga, Ayurveda, Bollywood cinema, and Indian cuisine exemplifies the global reach and appeal of Indian cultural exports, fostering cross-cultural exchange and appreciation.

What is Western Culture?

Western culture refers to the social, artistic, philosophical, and political norms and values that have emerged primarily from Western Europe and North America. It encompasses a wide array of traditions, beliefs, and practices that have evolved over centuries, influencing societies across the globe.

Historical Development

The roots of Western culture can be traced back to ancient Greece and Rome, where foundational concepts of democracy, philosophy, and art laid the groundwork for Western civilization. The Middle Ages saw the rise of Christianity as a dominant cultural force, shaping moral values, artistic expression, and political institutions across Europe.

The Renaissance period witnessed a revival of classical learning and a flourishing of arts and sciences, marking a pivotal moment in Western cultural history. The Enlightenment further propelled the advancement of reason, individualism, and secularism, challenging traditional authority and paving the way for modernity.

Individualism and Personal Freedom : Western culture places a strong emphasis on individual rights, freedoms, and autonomy. Concepts such as democracy, human rights, and free speech are fundamental principles that underpin Western societies. The pursuit of personal fulfillment, self-expression, and achievement is highly valued, shaping lifestyles and aspirations.

Innovation and Progress : Innovation and progress are central to Western culture, driving scientific discoveries, technological advancements, and economic prosperity. The spirit of inquiry, experimentation, and entrepreneurship fuels a culture of innovation that has led to groundbreaking developments in fields such as medicine, engineering, and information technology.

Secularism and Pluralism : Western societies embrace secularism, separating religion from governance and promoting religious tolerance and pluralism. The separation of church and state ensures the protection of individual beliefs and the promotion of diversity within a multicultural framework. Secular values such as equality, justice, and inclusivity serve as guiding principles in Western legal and political systems.

Pop Culture and Mass Media : Western culture exerts a significant influence on global popular culture through mass media, entertainment, and consumerism. Hollywood films, music, fashion, and digital platforms shape trends and preferences worldwide, reflecting and reinforcing Western cultural values and lifestyles.

Western culture has had a profound impact on the world, spreading through colonization, globalization, and technological innovation. The English language has become a lingua franca of international communication, while Western legal systems, educational models, and political ideologies have been adopted and adapted in diverse contexts.

Western cultural exports, including literature, cinema, music, and fashion, enjoy widespread popularity and recognition, contributing to cultural homogenization and hybridization. However, Western cultural hegemony has also sparked debates about cultural imperialism, authenticity, and cultural appropriation, highlighting the complexities of cultural exchange in a globalized world.

Main Differences Between Indian Culture and Western Culture

• Indian culture emphasizes collectivism, where family and community ties are prioritized over individual needs.
• Western culture, on the other hand, promotes individualism, valuing personal freedoms, autonomy, and self-expression.
• Indian culture is deeply rooted in spirituality, with diverse religious beliefs and practices shaping everyday life and societal norms.
• Western culture tends towards secularism, separating religion from governance and promoting a more diverse range of beliefs and worldviews.
• Indian society adheres to traditional social hierarchies, respecting authority, elders, and familial obligations.
• Western societies value equality, meritocracy, and social mobility, with less emphasis on hierarchical structures and more focus on individual achievement.
• Indian culture tends to preserve traditional customs, rituals, and values, with a deep reverence for ancient wisdom and heritage.
• Western culture values innovation, progress, and scientific advancement, challenging traditional norms and embracing change and experimentation.
• Indian communities are closely knit, with strong bonds among extended families and neighbors, providing social support and collective decision-making.
• Western societies prioritize independence and personal autonomy, with individuals making decisions based on their own interests and preferences, sometimes leading to a more fragmented sense of community.
• Indian culture may exhibit a more flexible approach to time, with events and gatherings starting late and a focus on the present moment rather than strict adherence to schedules.
• Western culture tends to be more punctual and structured, with a greater emphasis on planning, efficiency, and time management.
• Indian cultural expressions include classical music, dance, literature, and art forms deeply rooted in tradition and spirituality.
• Western cultural expressions encompass a wide range of artistic styles and genres, from classical music and theater to contemporary art and experimental forms, reflecting diverse cultural influences and perspectives.
• Indian cuisine is diverse and vegetarian, with a wide array of spices, flavors, and regional specialties reflecting the country’s culinary heritage.
• Western cuisine varies greatly across regions but includes a heavier emphasis on meat, dairy, and processed foods, with different cultural influences shaping dietary preferences and culinary traditions.
• In Indian culture, education is highly valued and viewed as a means of upward social mobility, with an emphasis on academic achievement and respect for teachers and scholars.
• Western education systems prioritize critical thinking, creativity, and independent inquiry, encouraging students to question authority and explore diverse perspectives.

• https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/09544780710730014/full/html
• https://repository.si.edu/bitstream/handle/10088/15453/bulletin1591955smit.pdf

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Difference Between | Descriptive Analysis and Comparisons

Search form, difference between indian culture and western culture.

Key Difference: Indian Culture refers to the customs, traditions, religions and set of rules that are followed in India, while the Western Culture most commonly refers to culture that is followed in America and Europe.

This topic is always debatable and frankly there is never a winner as to which culture is better. Both are different types of culture and customs that are followed in different parts of the world. Indian Culture refers to the customs, traditions, religions and set of rules that are followed in India, while the Western Culture most commonly refers to culture that is followed in America and Europe. Both the cultures differ from each other in the traditional mindset, however, in today’s world both the cultures are coming to a mix. The Indian Culture has been dealing with westernization for a few decades now and the Western Culture has started developing a taste for the exotic Indian food and yoga.

Indian culture can be broken down into two parts; traditional culture and modern culture. Traditional Indian culture is the one that is followed in the rural areas of India, while modern culture is in the urban areas. The traditional culture has been on a continuous decline, with westernization play a huge part in an attempt to bridge the gap between different cultures. The Indian culture is one of the oldest cultures and has been around for several millennia. It encompasses various different cultures that are in the different part of the country.

Indian cultures place a lot of important on society; everything a person does has an effect on society’s perception of the person. Everything from going to a certain school, to dressing a certain way and even getting married, reflects the type of person you are to the society. Major religions part of the Indian culture includes Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism and even Catholicism. Family is the second most important part of a person; from an early age a child is taught the importance of a family and the part he/she is expected to play in the family. Girls are most commonly taught about cooking, while boys are taught family business.

The Indian cuisine, now popular all over the world, has distinct and rich flavors full of spices. The cuisine varies from region to region; northern, southern, eastern, western and north-eastern. Food from each region can be distinguished by uses of different herbs, spices and cooking techniques. A variety of Indian food has also been influenced by Persians and Mughals. India is also popular for its desserts, known as mithai.

Marriages also play an important part in a person’s life. Arrange marriages still play a huge part in rural India, where families pick out a proper bride and groom for the children to marry with their children’s permission. Love marriages are gaining popularity in India specifically among urban areas. Since a major importance is placed on family, Indian cultures suggest living in joint families, where parents, male children, children’s spouses and grandchildren, all reside in the same house. However, nuclear families have started receiving more importance in urban families.

Clothing that is considered appropriate for women according to Indian culture, includes salwar-kameez, chudidar, saris and clothes that are not too revealing or tight in fitting. India is still a male-driven society and gender equality is something that is still being fought for by women in many rural places in India, where women are still considered lesser compared to men. This is changing, are more women are fighting for their rights to be considered equal in society. Indian culture is also popular for its various different colorful festivals that take place throughout the year.

The core importance of Western Cultures are placed on individuals, they most commonly believe in making themselves happy first as an individual rather than trying to placate the society. A person does as he wishes and does all the things that make him/her happy, even if it does not please the society. Major religions that influence the Western culture are Christianity and Judaism. Similar to US being a melting pot for different types of people from different countries, Western culture is also considered as a melting pot of various cultures of different people from different countries. It includes cultures from India, Latin America, Europe, etc.

Cuisine also varies in this culture; however, meat is the core ingredient in almost all meals. Western culture includes cooking styles of Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, India, Italy, etc. Every person has their own way of cooking a certain dish and ingredients can vary depending on the person. The flavors also vary depending on the ingredients of the dish. Western culture is mainly known for its popular fast foods such as burgers, tacos, hot dogs, pretzels, etc.

Western cultures mainly believe in nuclear families, where once the child reaches a certain age, they move out of their parents’ house into their own home. A child receives independence at the age of 18 and is considered as an adult at that point of age. Depending on the household, a child can either continue living there until marriage or move out at the age of 18. A child is also expected to start working at that age, at least part time along with college.

In this culture, a person also has the freedom to choose who they want to get married to, if they want to get married at all. All of the marriages are consented and love marriages. A person is not forced into a marriage under the consent of the parents. However, in the olden days, mainly for women, fathers used to choose an appropriate suitor.

 A number of different festivals are also celebrated in the Western culture. These religions mostly have religions backgrounds such as Christmas (when Jesus Christ was born), Easter (when Christ was resurrected), All Saints’ Day, Valentine’s Day and Thanksgiving Day. Many festivals in Western cultures have lost the true meaning and have only become a commercial holiday, such as Valentine’s Day and Halloween.

In Western cultures, there is no differentiation between men and women as both are considered equal in today’s society. Though prior to this, women were considered lesser to men, it has not been so since the 1970s. Women also have the freedom to choose what they wish to wear; they are not limited to certain boundaries of dressing style. They are also free to wear revealing clothes, though not allowed to be fully nude in public.

Each culture has a set of negative and positive points. They are similar to the two sides of the same coin. No one culture ever surpasses the other culture, as it all depends on perception; to each person either culture could be better than the other one. Many people these days opt to take positive points from both the cultures and live as it suits them.

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both culture are good .......

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Indian Culture Essay

1. introduction to indian culture.

The Indian culture is a rich and diverse tapestry that encompasses a wide range of traditions, beliefs, and practices. In this section, we will provide an overview of the definition and scope of Indian culture, including the various elements that make up its vibrant mosaic. We will also delve into the historical evolution of Indian culture, tracing its roots and the factors that have shaped it over the centuries. By examining these key aspects, we aim to set the stage for a comprehensive exploration of the multifaceted nature of Indian culture. The definition and scope of Indian culture are multifaceted, reflecting the rich diversity of the country and its people. From ancient customs and rituals to modern art and literature, Indian culture encompasses a wide range of traditions and expressions. Furthermore, the historical evolution of Indian culture is a complex and dynamic process, influenced by a myriad of factors such as religion, language, and social structures. By examining the historical evolution of Indian culture, we can gain a deeper understanding of its intricate tapestry and the forces that have shaped it over time. In sum, this section will provide a foundational understanding of Indian culture, laying the groundwork for a deeper exploration of its various dimensions in subsequent sections.

1.1. Definition and Scope

Indian culture is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that encompasses a wide array of traditions, beliefs, rituals, and customs. It is a tapestry woven from the threads of diverse religions, languages, art forms, cuisine, and social practices, all blending together to create a rich and vibrant cultural heritage. The scope of Indian culture is vast, encompassing not just the geographical expanse of the Indian subcontinent, but also the global diaspora of people of Indian origin. This includes the influence of Indian culture on other societies and vice versa, shaping and being shaped by interactions with different cultures. Defining Indian culture requires an understanding of the various layers that make up its identity, from classical to folk traditions, from spiritual beliefs to secular practices, and from ancient heritage to contemporary expressions. It is a dynamic and ever-evolving tapestry that reflects the continuous interplay of tradition and modernity, preserving its roots while being open to new influences. The scope of Indian culture extends beyond the tangible aspects of food, clothing, and architecture, encompassing intangible elements such as values, attitudes, and worldview. It is a living culture, with a depth and diversity that defies any singular definition, inviting exploration and analysis from various perspectives.

1.2. Historical Evolution

The historical evolution of Indian culture is a complex and multifaceted journey that spans over thousands of years. The roots of Indian culture can be traced back to the ancient Indus Valley Civilization, one of the world's oldest urban civilizations, which flourished around 2500 BCE. Over the centuries, India has been shaped by a myriad of influences, including the migration of various ethnic groups, the spread of different religions, and the impact of colonialism. These diverse forces have contributed to the rich tapestry of Indian culture, giving rise to a unique blend of traditions, languages, art forms, and belief systems. One of the defining features of India's historical evolution is the assimilation and integration of diverse cultural elements. The country has been home to numerous dynasties and empires, each leaving its own mark on the cultural landscape. From the Mauryan and Gupta empires to the Mughal and British colonial periods, India has undergone significant social, political, and economic transformations, reshaping its cultural identity in the process. The interplay between indigenous traditions and external influences has been a driving force behind the evolution of Indian culture, making it a dynamic and constantly evolving phenomenon. This continuous process of adaptation and change has resulted in the vibrant and multifaceted cultural mosaic that defines India today.

2. Key Elements of Indian Culture

Section 2: Key Elements of Indian Culture Indian culture is characterized by several key elements that are integral to its rich tapestry. Religion and spirituality play a significant role in shaping Indian society, with Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, and Jainism being some of the major religions practiced in the country. Each religion has its own set of beliefs, rituals, and practices, contributing to the diverse and colorful religious landscape of India. Language and literature also form an essential part of Indian culture, with over 1600 languages spoken across the country. Sanskrit, Tamil, Hindi, Bengali, and Urdu are some of the prominent languages that have a deep-rooted connection to the cultural heritage of India. Indian literature, ranging from ancient texts such as the Vedas and epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata to modern works by renowned authors, reflects the country's rich literary tradition. Art and architecture showcase the creative prowess of Indian culture, with intricate paintings, sculptures, and architectural marvels such as the Taj Mahal and temples in Khajuraho and Hampi. These visual expressions embody the artistic and architectural ingenuity of Indian artisans and architects, while also serving as a testament to the country's historical and cultural heritage. In essence, the key elements of Indian culture encompass its diverse religious practices, linguistic diversity, and artistic expressions, all of which contribute to the multifaceted and vibrant identity of the nation.

2.1. Religion and Spirituality

Religion and spirituality have been integral to the rich tapestry of Indian culture for millennia. India is known for its diverse religious practices, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, all of which have deep-rooted histories and significant philosophical underpinnings. Hinduism, in particular, is considered the oldest major religion in the world and has a profound impact on Indian society, shaping its traditions, values, and rituals. The concept of karma, reincarnation, and the pursuit of moksha (liberation from the cycle of birth and death) are central tenets of Hindu spirituality. In addition to these major religions, India is also home to a variety of indigenous belief systems and practices, adding further complexity to the country's religious landscape. The spiritual diversity of India has not only influenced its cultural heritage but has also played a crucial role in shaping its social and political dynamics. Furthermore, the country is renowned for its numerous sacred sites, pilgrimage destinations, and religious festivals, which draw millions of devotees and tourists from around the world. Therefore, the exploration of Indian culture would be incomplete without a comprehensive understanding of its rich and multifaceted religious and spiritual traditions.

2.2. Language and Literature

Section 2.2. Language and Literature The rich tapestry of Indian culture is intricately woven with a diverse array of languages and literary traditions. With over 1,600 languages spoken across the country, India boasts a linguistic landscape that is as varied as it is vibrant. From the classical languages of Sanskrit and Tamil to the modern-day vernaculars such as Hindi, Bengali, and Telugu, each language carries with it a unique history and literature that reflects the cultural and social ethos of its speakers. Indian literature is equally diverse, spanning a wide range of genres and styles. From the ancient epics of the Ramayana and Mahabharata to the lyrical poetry of Tagore and the modern works of Arundhati Roy, Indian literature encompasses a wealth of narratives, themes, and perspectives. Through its literature, India provides a window into the soul of its people, capturing the essence of their experiences, aspirations, and collective consciousness. The exploration of Indian language and literature offers a compelling insight into the cultural fabric of the nation, revealing the intricate interplay of tradition and innovation, unity and diversity. As we delve into the linguistic and literary heritage of India, we are invited to appreciate the profound impact of language and literature on shaping the identity and ethos of its people, and to celebrate the enduring legacy of India's linguistic and literary traditions.

2.3. Art and Architecture

Art and architecture have long been integral components of Indian culture, reflecting its rich history and diverse influences. Indian art encompasses a wide range of forms, including paintings, sculptures, and textiles, each with its unique aesthetic and cultural significance. From ancient cave paintings to intricate Mughal miniatures, Indian art reflects the country's longstanding tradition of creativity and craftsmanship. On the other hand, Indian architecture boasts an equally impressive legacy, with iconic structures such as the Taj Mahal, the temples of Khajuraho, and the ancient caves of Ajanta and Ellora demonstrating the country's architectural prowess. These structures often serve as testaments to the historical, religious, and cultural developments that have shaped India over the centuries. As such, the art and architecture of India provide profound insights into the country's cultural heritage, serving as windows into its past while continuing to inspire contemporary creativity and innovation. With its myriad art forms and architectural wonders, India's cultural tapestry is indeed a testament to the richness and depth of its artistic expressions.

3. Cultural Festivals and Celebrations

Cultural festivals and celebrations in India hold a significant place in the hearts and lives of its people. Among the most noteworthy festivals are Diwali, Holi, and Navratri. Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, celebrates the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. It is marked by the lighting of oil lamps, fireworks displays, and the exchange of sweets and gifts. Holi, on the other hand, is a vibrant festival known as the "Festival of Colors". It is characterized by colorful powders, water balloons, and lively music, symbolizing the arrival of spring and the triumph of good over evil. Navratri, which translates to "Nine Nights", is a festival dedicated to the worship of the divine feminine. It consists of vibrant dance performances, traditional music, and elaborate decorations, honoring the goddess Durga. These festivals not only showcase the diverse cultural heritage of India but also bring people together in joyous celebration, fostering a sense of unity and togetherness. Through these festivals, the rich tapestry of Indian culture is woven, showcasing the traditions, beliefs, and values that have been passed down through generations.

3.1. Diwali

Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is one of the most significant and widely celebrated festivals in Indian culture. It symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. Diwali is a five-day festival that typically falls between mid-October and mid-November, with each day holding its own special significance. The festival is marked by the lighting of oil lamps and candles, decorating homes with colorful Rangoli designs, exchanging gifts, and indulging in festive feasts. Fireworks are also a common feature of Diwali celebrations, adding to the joyous atmosphere. Families come together to pray, perform religious rituals, and partake in various cultural activities. Diwali holds great cultural and spiritual significance for Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs, with each community celebrating it in their own unique way. The festival is a time for renewal, reflection, and the strengthening of familial bonds. Its vibrant and joyous celebrations make Diwali a truly enriching and unifying experience for people of all ages and backgrounds.

Holi, also known as the festival of colors, is a vibrant and joyous celebration that holds a significant place in Indian culture. This traditional Hindu festival is observed in the spring, usually in March, and is characterized by the throwing of brightly colored powders and water, symbolizing the victory of good over evil, the arrival of spring, and the blossoming of love. The festival is preceded by a Holika bonfire, which signifies the victory of good over evil. Holi is celebrated with great enthusiasm and fervor across India, with each region having its unique customs and traditions. During Holi, people come together to forget and forgive, play and laugh, and repair broken relationships. It is a time when social barriers are relaxed, and people from all walks of life come together to celebrate the spirit of unity and joy. The festival is also associated with traditional folk songs, dance, and delectable sweets like gujiya and thandai. Overall, Holi is a colorful and exuberant festival that reflects the rich cultural heritage of India and the spirit of togetherness and happiness that it embodies.

3.3. Navratri

Navratri is one of the most important festivals in the Indian cultural calendar, celebrated with great fervor and enthusiasm. The festival spans nine nights, during which devotees worship the various forms of Goddess Durga. Each night is dedicated to a different manifestation of the goddess, and the festival culminates with the celebration of Dussehra, marking the victory of good over evil. During Navratri, people across India engage in various traditional rituals and activities, including fasting, dancing, and feasting. In the state of Gujarat, the festival is synonymous with the colorful and energetic Garba and Dandiya Raas dances, where men and women come together to perform intricate and synchronized routines. Additionally, Navratri is a time for community gatherings, vibrant decorations, and the sharing of delicious food. The festival also holds deep spiritual significance, with devotees seeking blessings, offering prayers, and reflecting on the triumph of righteousness. Overall, Navratri is a celebration of cultural traditions, unity, and the enduring power of faith in Indian society.

4. Cultural Heritage Sites in India

In India, the rich cultural heritage is reflected in the numerous historical and architectural marvels that are designated as cultural heritage sites. These sites hold immense significance and are a testimony to the country's glorious past. The cultural heritage sites in India encompass a wide range of monuments, temples, forts, palaces, and other historical structures that showcase the diverse architectural styles and artistic expressions of different periods. One of the most renowned cultural heritage sites in India is the Taj Mahal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, renowned for its exquisite Mughal architecture and timeless beauty. Another notable site is the Qutub Minar in Delhi, a towering masterpiece of Indo-Islamic architecture. Additionally, the ancient caves of Ellora and Ajanta, with their rock-cut temples and breathtaking frescoes, offer a glimpse into the artistic evolution of India over the centuries. The cultural heritage sites in India not only serve as major tourist attractions but also play a pivotal role in preserving and promoting the country's rich cultural legacy. These sites are a testament to the enduring legacy of Indian art, architecture, and craftsmanship, and they continue to inspire awe and admiration from people around the world.

5. Impact of Globalization on Indian Culture

Globalization has had a significant impact on Indian culture in various aspects. With the advent of globalization, Indian society has seen a rapid influx of foreign ideologies, technologies, and consumer products. This has led to a shift in traditional values and customs, as well as a blending of Indian culture with global influences. One of the major areas affected by globalization is the Indian entertainment industry. The spread of Western music, films, and television shows has led to a change in the preferences and tastes of Indian consumers. As a result, there has been a rise in the popularity of Western culture and a decline in the consumption of traditional Indian art forms. Furthermore, globalization has also impacted the Indian economy and workforce. The outsourcing of jobs to India by multinational corporations has led to an increase in the number of young Indians adopting a more Western lifestyle. This has led to a decline in the practice of traditional occupations and crafts, as the younger generation seeks more lucrative and modern employment opportunities. Overall, the impact of globalization on Indian culture has been a mixed bag. While it has brought about rapid modernization and economic growth, it has also led to a dilution of traditional values and customs. As India continues to navigate the challenges of globalization, it must find a balance between embracing global influences and preserving its rich cultural heritage.

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Indian Culture vs. Western Culture: What's the Difference?

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Indian Culture and Tradition Essay | Essay on Indian Culture and Tradition for Students and Children in English

February 14, 2024 by Prasanna

Indian Culture and Tradition Essay:  Indian Culture and Traditions are unique across the world. The Indian Culture and Traditions Essay elaborated on the variety of traditions and cultures followed by people in India. India is a country of having many cultures, traditions, and religions that made people living in a peaceful, colorful, rich, and diverse nation. It is unbelievable that different directions of India like north, south, east, and west have their own cultures and traditions.

India is having 29 states and 7 union territories across all the directions. There are 22 languages and several religions like Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Jainism, Hinduism, etc. exist in India. Whereas Hindi is the official language of India. However, India is the oldest civilization where people still follow their old cultures of caring and humanity. Even though people became modern in today’s world, still they celebrate festivals as per the customs.

You can read more  Essay Writing  about articles, events, people, sports, technology many more.

Long and Short Essays on Indian Culture and Tradition for Students and Kids in English

Indian culture is famous across the world due to its diversity in music, art, dance, language, cuisine, costume, philosophy, and literature. The important characteristics of Indian Culture are civilized communication, beliefs, values, etiquette, and rituals. India is well known for its ‘Unity in Diversity’ across the world. That means India is a diverse nation where many religious people live together peacefully having their own different cultures. So, we can see people of different languages, dresses, food habits, and rituals living with unity in India.

Long Essay on Indian Culture and Tradition 500 Words in English

A Long Essay on Indian Culture and Tradition Essay will be helpful for students in classes 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12.

Indian Culture and Religion

Indian Religion has a great impact on shaping the culture and traditions of India. India has several religions that originated five thousand years ago. Hinduism originated from Vedas, so all Hindu scriptures have been scripted in the Sanskrit language. People believe that Jainism has an ancient origin and exists in the Indus valley. Whereas another religion, Buddhism originated through the teachings of Gautam Buddha in the country. There are various eras that came and gone but have not changed the influence of real culture. That is why the younger generations still follow the older generation’s culture.

However, Indian ethnic culture teaches people to care for the helpless, help poor people, and respect elders. The traditional aspect of India to greet anybody is by saying ‘Namaste’ and touching the elder’s feet. The traditional family structure in India is a joint family, where many generations stay together in one house. People in India still follow the traditional marriage concept of ‘Arranged Marriage’ where the life partner of a child will be chosen by their parents.

Art is also one of the special cultures of India. Each state of India has its own form of dancing and singing such as Kathakali, Bharatnatyam, Kathak, Mohiniyattam, Odissi, and so forth. Moreover, Indian people welcome their guests like God by following the great Indian culture. People believe in the popular saying that ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’. Therefore, humanity and spiritual practices are the roots of Indian culture.

Indian Festivals

Festivals play an important role in Indian culture and tradition. People from different religions celebrate different festivals in India. Popular festivals like Diwali, Dussehra, Navratri, Janmashtami, Shivratri, Ganesh Chaturthi, etc. are celebrated by Hindu people in India. Whereas Eid-ul-Fitr, Bakrid, Muharram, etc. festivals are celebrated by Islamic people in India. Other than this, many harvest festivals like Makar Sankranti, Chapchar kut, Pongal, Sohrai, etc. are celebrated by farmers.

However, Christians also celebrate Christmas, Good Friday, etc. festivals in India. There also exist different regional festivals in each state of India like Teej, Onam, Ugadi, Saraswati Puja, Panna Sankranti, Chhath Pooja, Pongal, Lohri, and so forth.

Indian Cuisine

Indian Cuisine is also equally diverse in India like festivals and religions. Indian food and eating habits differ from place to place as each state has its own particular food and eating habits. In other words, people belonging to various parts of the country have their own cuisine, living style, environment, and availability of goods. Indian cuisine is most inspirational. Different states have different cuisines. Indian foods include so many ingredients and are more influential across the world. Indian food is mainly influenced by the diversity of people, so it has a variety of rich Cuisine. North Indian food includes vegetables, roti, dal, rice, fish curry, parathas, etc. South Indian food includes dosa, sambar, idli, vada, upma, uttapam, etc. In general, South Indian people cook food using coconut oil rather than mustard or sunflower oil.

Short Essay on Indian Culture and Tradition 300 Words in English

A Short Essay on Indian Culture and Tradition will be helpful for students in classes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.

Indian Costume

Indian Costumes are different for the different states of India. It varies depending on the origin, climate, and heritage of the place. Indian culture still follows traditional costumes. In eastern states such as Odisha, West Bengal and southern states like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, women wear saree as the authentic clothing. It is a single and long fabric piece draped around the body.

In a similar way, men wear Dhoti-Kurta or Kurta-Pyjama as the authentic clothing in eastern states. In northern states like Punjab, women wear salwar kameez and Kurti as traditional clothing. Whereas men wear headgear or turban known as the Dastar as the traditional clothing. In India, all the married Women wear Sindoor, a vermilion powder in the parting of their hair. They also wear bindi, Mehendi, bangles, and earrings as part of their attire.

Indian Literature

In the 19th century, the first literature Rigveda was created in India. It was written in Sanskrit and became the foundation of many religious scriptures and literary works laterwards. Also, the Yajur Veda and Atharva Veda written by the Aryans followed by Indians. Other famous literary works are Ramayana written by Rishi Valmiki and Mahabharata written by Rishi Vyasa in India.

The Biographies of kings like the Mughal Empire, Baburnama, and Akbarnama are also precious literature by which we can know about the era. Other than this, foreign travelers have written some scriptures like Fa Hein and Hussein Tsung which provide knowledge about Indian people’s traditions and lifestyles.

Conclusion on Indian Culture and Tradition Essay

India is a land of rich culture and tradition which teaches people kindness, generosity, and tolerance. Indian culture differs from place to place as it is a multilingual, multicultural, and multi-ethnic society. Indian culture is a unique blend of modern western culture and historical traditions. India is a country of great legends where many great people were born and remembered forever due to their sacrifice for the nation. People across the world come to enjoy and feel the culture and tradition of India.

FAQ’s on Indian Culture and Tradition Essay

Question 1. What are Tradition and Culture?

Answer: Tradition is the customs and beliefs which are followed by people of one generation to another. Whereas culture is the customs, values, and social behavior within a group or society.

Question 2. What is the importance of Indian culture?

Answer:  Indian Culture is unique across the world. India is well known for its ‘Unity in Diversity’ across the world. That means India is a diverse nation where many religious people live together peacefully having their own different cultures. So, we can see people of different languages, dresses, food habits, and rituals living with unity in India. Indian culture is famous across the world due to its diversity in music, art, dance, language, cuisine, costume, philosophy, and literature.

Question 3. What is Indian Tradition?

Answer:  The traditional aspect of India is to greet anybody by saying ‘Namaste’ and touching the elder’s feet. The traditional family structure in India is a joint family, where many generations stay together in one house. People in India still follow the traditional marriage concept of ‘Arranged Marriage’ where the life partner of a child will be chosen by their parents.

Question 4. What is the food culture of India?

Answer: Indian food culture differs from place to place as each state has its own particular food and eating habits. Indian foods include so many ingredients and are more influential across the world. North Indian food includes vegetables, roti, dal, rice, fish curry, parathas, etc. South Indian food includes dosa, sambar, idli, vada, upma, uttapam, etc. In general, South Indian people cook food using coconut oil rather than mustard or sunflower oil.

Question 5. What are the important characteristics of Indian Culture?

Answer:  The important characteristics of Indian Culture are civilized communication, beliefs, values, etiquette, and rituals.

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Essay on Indian Culture for Students and Children

500+ words essay on indian culture.

India is a country that boasts of a rich culture. The culture of India refers to a collection of minor unique cultures. The culture of India comprises of clothing, festivals, languages, religions, music, dance, architecture, food, and art in India. Most noteworthy, Indian culture has been influenced by several foreign cultures throughout its history. Also, the history of India’s culture is several millennia old.

Components of Indian Culture

First of all, Indian origin religions are Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism . All of these religions are based on karma and dharma. Furthermore, these four are called as Indian religions. Indian religions are a major category of world religions along with Abrahamic religions.

Also, many foreign religions are present in India as well. These foreign religions include Abrahamic religions. The Abrahamic religions in India certainly are Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Besides Abrahamic religions, Zoroastrianism and Bahá’í Faith are the other foreign religions which exist in India. Consequently, the presence of so many diverse religions has given rise to tolerance and secularism in Indian culture.

The Joint family system is the prevailing system of Indian culture . Most noteworthy, the family members consist of parents, children, children’s spouses, and offspring. All of these family members live together. Furthermore, the eldest male member is the head of the family.

Arranged marriages are the norm in Indian culture. Probably most Indians have their marriages planned by their parents. In almost all Indian marriages, the bride’s family gives dowry to bridegroom. Weddings are certainly festive occasions in Indian culture. There is involvement of striking decorations, clothing, music, dance, rituals in Indian weddings. Most noteworthy, the divorce rates in India are very low.

India celebrates a huge number of festivals. These festivals are very diverse due to multi-religious and multi-cultural Indian society. Indians greatly value festive occasions. Above all, the whole country joins in the celebrations irrespective of the differences.

Traditional Indian food, arts, music, sports, clothing, and architecture vary significantly across different regions. These components are influenced by various factors. Above all, these factors are geography, climate, culture, and rural/urban setting.

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Perceptions of Indian Culture

Indian culture has been an inspiration to many writers. India is certainly a symbol of unity around the world. Indian culture is certainly very complex. Furthermore, the conception of Indian identity poses certain difficulties. However, despite this, a typical Indian culture does exist. The creation of this typical Indian culture results from some internal forces. Above all, these forces are a robust Constitution, universal adult franchise, secular policy , flexible federal structure, etc.

Indian culture is characterized by a strict social hierarchy. Furthermore, Indian children are taught their roles and place in society from an early age. Probably, many Indians believe that gods and spirits have a role in determining their life. Earlier, traditional Hindus were divided into polluting and non-polluting occupations. Now, this difference is declining.

Indian culture is certainly very diverse. Also, Indian children learn and assimilate in the differences. In recent decades, huge changes have taken place in Indian culture. Above all, these changes are female empowerment , westernization, a decline of superstition, higher literacy , improved education, etc.

To sum it up, the culture of India is one of the oldest cultures in the World. Above all, many Indians till stick to the traditional Indian culture in spite of rapid westernization. Indians have demonstrated strong unity irrespective of the diversity among them. Unity in Diversity is the ultimate mantra of Indian culture.

FAQs on Indian Culture

Q1 What are the Indian religions?

A1 Indian religions refer to a major category of religion. Most noteworthy, these religions have their origin in India. Furthermore, the major Indian religions are Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism.

Q2 What are changes that have taken place in Indian culture in recent decades?

A2 Certainly, many changes have taken place in Indian culture in recent decades. Above all, these changes are female empowerment, westernization, a decline of superstition, higher literacy, improved education, etc.

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• Indian Culture and Tradition Essay

Essay on Indian Culture and Tradition

As students grow older, it is important for them to improve their understanding and hold over the language. This can be done only through consistent reading and writing. Writing an essay is a task that involves cooperation and coordination of both the mind and body. Students must be able to think as well reproduce their thoughts effectively without any confusion. This is important when it comes to writing answers and other important documents as ones go to higher classes. The art of writing effectively and efficiently can be improved by students through writing essays. To help students in this domain, Vedantu provides students with numerous essays. Students can go through the same and learn the correct manner of writing the essay. 

Indian Culture and Tradition

India enjoys a wide variety of cultural and traditional presence amongst the 28 states. Indian origin religions Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism are all based on dharma and karma. Even, India is a blessed holy place which is also a native place for most of the religions. Recently, Muslim and Christianity also practised working amongst the whole India population. The pledge also added the line, ‘India is my country, and I am proud of its rich and varied heritage.’  

Indians are great with cooking; their spices are special for medicinal purposes, so visitors are difficult to adjust to with such heavy spices. The cricketers touring Indian pitches are out due to such food. Frequently, it's been observed that the sportsperson arrived in India either with cooking skills or with a cook. Spices such as cumin, turmeric and cardamom have been used for a long period, to make the dishes more delicious and nutritional. Wheat, rice and pulses help to complete the meal. The majority of the population is a vegetarian one due to their religious aspects.

Talking about the language, India is blessed with a wide range of languages used. Each state has its own language. A major part of the state is unable to speak other languages than the native one. Gujrathi, Malayalam, Marathi, Tamil, Punjabi, Telugu and many more are the representative languages of the respective state. It's easy to recognize the person with the language he spoke. There are 15 regional languages but almost all of them Hindi is the national language of the country. Sanskrit is considered an ancient and respected language. And most of the legendary holy texts are found in Sanskrit only. Along with these, most of the people are aware of plenty of foreign languages. 

Indian clothing is adorable to most of the foreigners. Woman wearing a sari is the pride of a nation. These create a pleasant effect and she looks so beautiful that a majority of foreign country’s female want to be like her. The origin of the sari is from the temple dancers in ancient times. Sari allows them to maintain modesty and freedom of movement. On the other hand, men traditionally wear a dhoti and kurta. Actually, Dhoti is a type of cloth without any further attached work done on it. The great Mahatma Gandhi was very fond of it and in their dignity, most of the people used to wear the same. 

Apart from all the above facts, Indians are legends with arts and studious material. Shah-rukh Khan, Sachin Tendulkar, Dhirubhai Ambani, Amitabh Bachchan Rajnikant, Sundar Pichai are many more faces of India who are shining and representing India on a global scale. There are 20-30 grand festivals celebrated every year in which every festival pops up with history and respect to the respective religion. Even in terms of business, India is not behind. Agriculture is the best occupation of 70% of people in India. It’s our duty to protect the wonderful culture that we have. 

Indian culture is one of the oldest and most unique cultures known across the globe. It has various kinds of traditional values, religion, dance, festivals, music, and cloth, which varies from each state or town even. Indian art, cuisine, religion, Literature, Education, Heritage, Clothes etc has a huge impact on the whole world where everyone admires and follows it. It is known as the land of cultural diversity.  India thrives on a variety of languages, religions, and cultures due to the diverse race of people living in the country. It can be referred to as one of the world’s most culturally enriched countries. When one thinks of India, they picture colors, smiling faces of children running in the streets, bangle vendors, street food, music, religious festivals etc. 

Religion 

India is a land where different religious beliefs are followed. It is the land of many religions such as Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Jainism and Buddhism.  Four Indian religions namely Hinduism, Sikhism, Jainism, and Buddhism were born in India while others are not of Indian origin but have people following those faiths. The people of India keep a solid belief in religion as they believe that following a faith adds meaning and purpose to their lives as it is the way of life. The religions here are not only confined to beliefs but also include ethics, rituals, ceremonies, life philosophies and many more.

Families 

Family plays a vital role in every Indian household. Indians are known to live together as a joint family with their grandparents, uncles and aunts, and the next generation of offspring as well. The house gets passed down from family to family throughout the generations. But with the new modern age, nuclear families are starting to become more common as children go out of town into cities for work or studies and get settled there, also everyone now prefers to have their own private life without any interference. But still, the concept of family get together and family gatherings are not lost as everyone does come together frequently. 

Indian Festivals

India is well known for its traditional festivals all over the world. As it is a secular country with diversity in religions, every month some festival celebration happens. These festivals can be religious, seasonal or are of national importance. Every festival is celebrated uniquely in different ways according to their ritual as each of them has its unique importance. National festivals such as Gandhi Jayanti, Independence Day and Republic Day are celebrated by the people of India across the entire nation. Religious festivals include Diwali, Dussehra, Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Zuha, Christmas, Ganesh Chaturthi, etc. All the seasonal festivals such as Baisakhi, Onam, Pongal, Bihu etc are celebrated to mark the season of harvest during two harvesting seasons, Rabi and Kharif. 

Festivals bring love, bond, cross-cultural exchange and moments of happiness among people.

Indian cuisine is known for a variety of spicy dishes, curry, rice items, sweets etc. Each cuisine includes a wide range of dishes and cooking techniques as it varies from region to region. Each region of India cooks different types of dishes using different ingredients, also food varies from every festival and culture as well. Hindus eat mostly vegetarian food items such as pulao, vegetables, daal, rajma etc whereas people from Islamic cultural backgrounds eat meat, kebabs, haleem etc. In the southernmost part of India, you will find people use a lot of coconut oil for cooking purposes, they eat a lot of rice items such as Dosa, Idli, Appam etc with Coconut chutney, sambhar.

Indian Clothing is considered to be the epitome of modesty and every style is very different in each region and state. But the two pieces of clothing that represent Indian culture are dhoti for men and saree for women. Women adorn themselves with a lot of bangles and Payal that goes around their ankles. Even clothing styles varied from different religions to regions to cultures. Muslim women preferred to wear salwar kameez whereas Christian women preferred gowns. Men mostly stuck to dhoti, lungi, shalwar and kurta.In modern days, people have changed their sense of style, men and women now wear more modern western clothes. Indian clothes are still valued but are now in more trendy and fashionable styles. 

There is no single language that is spoken all over India; however , Hindi is one common language most Indians know and can speak or understand. Every region has a different language or dialect. As per the official language act, Hindi and English are the official languages in India. Other regions or state wise languages include- Gujarati, Marathi, Bangla, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Kashmiri, Punjabi etc. 

FAQs on Indian Culture and Tradition Essay

1. What are the Popular Spices in India?

Popular spices in India include - Haldi(Turmeric), Chakri Phool(Star Anise), Til (Sesame seeds/ Gingili seeds), Saunf(Fennel Seeds), Kesar(Saffron), Laal Mirch(Red chilli), Khas(Poppy seeds), Jayphal(Nutmeg), Kalonji(Nigella Seeds), Rai/Sarson(Mustard Seeds), Pudina(Mint), Javitri(Mace), Patthar ke Phool​(Kalpasi), Kala Namak/ Sanchal/ Sanchar powder(Black salt/ Himalayan rock salt/ Pink salt), Sonth(Dry ginger powder), Methi dana(Fenugreek seeds), Suva Bhaji/ Sua Saag(Dill)

Kadi Patta(Curry Leaves), Sukha dhania(Coriander seeds), Laung(Cloves), Dalchini(Cinnamon), Sabza(Chia seeds), Chironji(Charoli), Ajwain(Carom seeds, thymol or celery seeds), Elaichi(Cardamom), Kali Mirch(Black Pepper (or White Pepper), Tej Patta(Bay Leaf), Hing(Asafoetida), Anardana(Pomegranate seeds), Amchoor(Dry mango powder)

2. What is the Language Diversity Available in India?

The Indian constitution has 22 officially recognized languages. Apart from it, there are around 60 languages that are recognized as smother tongue with more than one million speakers. India also has around 28 minor languages spoken by over one hundred thousand and one million people. Apart from these, there are numerous dialects spoken by a various sect of people based on their region of origin. 

3. Who are Some of the Most Famous Indian Celebrities Popular Across the Globe? 

India has people excelling in all aspects of art and activities. Few prominent celebrities to garner global fame include - Sudha Murthy, Amitabh Bacchan, Virat Kohli, Saina Nehwal, Sania Mirza, Priyanka Chopra, MS Dhoni, Sachin Tendulkar, Mohanlal, A R Rehman, Mukesh Ambani, Ratan Tata, Narayana Murthy, Kiran Majumdar Shah, Narendra Modi, Amith Shah. all these people have received great accolades in their respective area of expertise globally and getting recognition to India on a global level. 

4. How to Improve Writing and Reading Skills for Producing Good Essays?

Writing an essay becomes a tedious task when the mind and hand do not coordinate. It is important for you to be able to harness your mental ability to think clearly and reproduce the same on paper for a good essay. Always remember the first few thoughts that you get as soon as you see an essay topic is your best and purest thoughts. Ensure to note them down. Later you can develop your essay around these points. Make sure your essay has an introduction, body and the final conclusion. This will make the reader understand the topic clearly along with your ability to convey the any information without any hesitation or mistake. 

5. How many religions are there in India? 

As of now, there are a total of 9 major religions in India with Hinduism being the majority. The remaining religion includes- Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism and the Baha'i Faith. 

6. Which is the oldest language in India? 

Indian classical oldest language is Sanskrit, it belongs to the Indo- Aryan branch of Indo- European languages. 

7. What are the few famous folk dances of India? 

Folk dances are the representation of a particular culture from where they are known to originate. Eight famous classical dances are- Bharatnatyam from Tamil Nadu, Kathakali from Kerala, Kathak from North, West and Central India, Mohiniyattam from Kerala, Kuchipudi from Andhra Pradesh, Odissi from Odisha, Manipuri from Manipur, Sattriya from Assam. 

8. How many languages are spoken in India? 

Other than Hindi and English there are 22 languages recognised by the constitution of India. However, more than 400 languages and dialects in India are still not known as they change after every town. Over the years, about 190 languages have become endangered due to very few surviving speakers. 

9. Describe the Indian Culture. 

Indian culture is very diverse and the people of India are very warm and welcoming. They have a strong sense of family and firmly believe in unity in diversity. In India, there's a saying saying 'Atithi Devo Bhava'  means 'the guest is equivalent to god'. So if one visits India, they will never feel unwanted.

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A glimpse of India’s chess culture in 1850s books: Illustrations, Marathi verse and some history

The popularity of the game among british and indians in 19th century bombay inspired marathi and gujarati texts explaining its rules and tracing its history..

Competitive sport, as it is understood now, was uncommon in 19th century India. Wrestling was the only sport that was popular along the length and breadth of India. Lavishly patronised by the innumerable royal courts of India, champion wrestlers were icons who were revered and idolised by the common man. However, from the perspective of the upper classes and the literary intelligentsia, wrestling was exclusively a spectator sport. They would not, perhaps, could not, enter the arena themselves.

The upper classes preferred sedentary forms of recreation. India has a long tradition of such games, mainly games of chance. They were variously known as chaupat , songatya and pachisi in different parts of the country . They were played on boards which were embroidered on cloth or carved on wood. Sometimes, they were worked into the flooring itself. They involved a throw of dice, generally made of ivory or bone. These games feature prominently in the epic literature of India where games of chance are the agents of doom for Dharmaraja Yudhishthira and King Nala. In the 19th century, these games were universally popular across India and played by every segment of the population ranging from royalty to the sethias and from the classes to the masses. However, as these were games of chance which exuded a whiff of gambling, they were also frowned upon by the more puritanical segments of society.

Chess was perhaps the only board game that was well regarded as it was not a game of chance. Not only did the player have to master the rules of the game, he had to bring the full force of his intelligence to develop a winning strategy. Chess has a long history in India and is reputed to have traveled westwards to Iran and beyond and eastwards to China and Japan from here. Known as chaturanga in India , its name was Arabicised into shatranj and returned via Persia to north India under that guise . It may have been a national obsession, an impression best captured by the famous Urdu/Hindi writer, Premchand, in his fictional narrative, Shatranj ke khiladi , set in 1850s Lucknow.

Chess in western India

Chess was popular among both the colonisers and the colonised in Bombay. Though played by the highest British officials and Indians of all classes, chess hardly enjoyed any press in Bombay. Unlike other sports such as cricket, sailing and the hunt that regularly featured in the columns of the Bombay Courier and Bombay Gazette, chess kept a low profile.

The first book on chess to be published in Bombay was Essays on Chess, adapted to the European method of play . It was an English translation of a Sanskrit book, Vilas Muni Munjuri or “Diamond Flower Bud of Amusement” written by Trevangadacharya Shastree. Printed at the Bombay Gazette Press in 1814 by MD Cruz, the book owes its publication to a few high-ranking officials of the Bombay Government who were interested in chess. The author, originally from Tirupati, was a resident of Pune. His patron was Peshwa Bajirao II, the last ruler of the Peshwa dynasty, whose court was overrun by East India Company officials. Perhaps a few of them, impressed with Trevangadacharya’s prowess in chess, invited him to Bombay for a visit. It was during this visit that the book was published.

The book contains an introductory essay, followed by 96 game situations and their solutions. It does not have any illustrations of these situations simply because the technology for printing images was not yet available in any Bombay printing press. Trevangadacharya seems to have done the translation himself and it may have been revised by an Englishman who chose to remain anonymous. The book seems to have evoked a lot of interest as the list of nearly 150 subscribers appended to the book affirms. The buyers were very cosmopolitan. Not only do Europeans of every class feature in the list, it also contains numerous Parsi, Hindu and Muslim names. For the first time in Bombay, women feature prominently in the subscription list reflecting their interest in the game.

A later commentator ( Frazer’s Magazine March 1840), reviewing Trevangadacharya’s book, notes that “many of its positions are exquisitely beautiful, and, in fact, of first-rate merit and science”. So impressive was this 1814 Bombay publication that it was promptly plagiarised by a prolific chess writer named William Lewis who incorporated its text into a book titled Oriental Chess (London, 1817). Trevangadacharya was horrified but was helpless because copyright laws did not exist in India. He was not just a writer but also a chess wizard. The same commentator recalls his reputation as a player:

“A friend of mine has seen him play three, and even four games at once, blindfold, with the best players, – performing his laborious task with perfect accuracy. He would attend European residents for a certain fee; and would play eight, ten, and twelve hours at a sitting, – taking no refreshment but a little rice or tea, and seldom opening his lips to utter a single word. He played indifferently [that is, equally well] the English or Hindoo variety of chess; and never, it is affirmed, was beaten by any European.”

Trevangadacharya was hardly a unique character. In her 1839 book, Western India in 1838, Mrs. Postans recalls her encounter with Ramdass, a native of Kathiawar, whom she eulogised as the “Phillodor of India”, comparing him with the legendary 18th-century French chess player, Francois Phillodor:

“This man plays his best game, without looking at the board; and, as he sits in a corner of the room, it is curious to hear him muttering over the chances of the game, and reasoning with himself on the consequences of his moves. If a false step is made by his adversary, Ramdass immediately detects it, and enumerates with ease, and in correct succession, the previous moves of both parties. When arrived at that which he is satisfied he can follow up, with one of his ingenious mates, Ramdass patiently awaits his adversary’s move, and then, springing from the ground, instantly fixes on the required piece, and drops it on the effective square, with a smile of triumph, and a monosyllabic ‘ Bus ,’ (enough) ’tis hard to bear.”

Chess in the 1850s

It was only in the 1850s that chess again emerged as a subject worthy of print in Bombay. This emergence can be perhaps linked to the newly minted celebrity status which the game had begun to enjoy in the Western world, especially Great Britain. In 1851, the first international chess tournament was organised in London. It coincided with the Great Exhibition of 1851, when people from all over the world flocked to London. The chess tourney was initiated by Howard Staunton (1810-1874), one of the world’s leading chess players of his time and considered the first world champion of chess. Staunton was also the author of two best-selling books on chess, The Chess-Player’s Handbook (1847) and The Chess-Player's Companion (1849). All this talk of chess had a direct impact on the fortunes of the game in Bombay.

The Bombay Gazette, the only daily English newspaper then being published in Bombay, began featuring chess puzzles in its columns on a regular basis from the 1850s. In an early form of correspondence chess (as opposed to across-the-board chess), games were also played by two players residing at different locations communicating through the columns of the paper.

The increased level of interest in the game led to the formation of the Bombay Chess Club on July 1, 1853. It was perhaps inspired by the Calcutta Chess Club which had been in existence for a few years. In its first meeting, the Club resolved that “the Laws of Chess as laid down in Staunton’s Hand-book be adopted as the laws to be observed by this club”. The Bombay Chess Club soon acquired its own rooms where members could play chess at any time, and it was proposed that “a meeting will take place every Saturday evening at 5 o’clock when the principal contests are likely to come off”. ( Bombay Gazette, July 6, 1853).

Most of the members of the Bombay Chess Club were European, though it had a few Indian members including Bhau Daji, a medical doctor. Bhau Daji (1821-1874) first came into the public eye as a child in the 1830s because of his precocious talents in chess. His hagiographers have it that his prowess in the game caught the attention of a high official, presumed to be the then Governor of Bombay. Though the veracity of this story cannot be verified, it was not surprising that he was one of the promoters of the Bombay Chess Club.

Chess comes into print

The first non-English book to be published from Bombay on chess was the Ramuje shatranj in 1851. This Gujarati book was printed at the Jame Jamshed Press by its printer Hormusjee Dadabhoy. The authors of this 270-page book, Sorabjee Muncherjee Jalna and Aspundiarjee Jemsetjee Shroff, claimed to have incorporated the most useful and winning moves gleaned from the best sources with special attention being paid to moves played according to local or desi rules. It was initially intended to be a translation of Charles Tomlinson’s Amusements in Chess (1845) but as the authors could procure more books on chess by Staunton, Davis, and Irvine, they selected such matter from all of these books as would appeal to their Gujarati audience. Over a hundred game situations are illustrated and solved.

This is a revised version of an essay which first appeared in PrintWeek India (September 2019).

• Chess in India