CULTURAL CHARACTERISTICS OF INDIA

INDIA HAS A RICH HISTORY

A civilisation started in this area around 2600 BC This civilisation was based on agriculture – wheat, barley

and peas as well as raising cattle, goats, sheep and water buffalo

The next major empire developed around 600BC – this was the Aryan Empire which are the main ethnic group making up modern India

Empires came and went until European colonisation These influences developed the caste system and the

Hindu religion which now dominate in India This region established trade relationships with China,

SE Asia and the Middle East. Each of these relationships has influenced India’s culture and traditions

Once the British, French and Portuguese arrived India’s people and resources were exploited and further development was squashed

• They established a railway network – India has one of the largest train usage rates in the world

THE BRITISH DID A FEW GOOD THINGS…..

THEY ESTABLISHED PORTS LIKE MUMBAI

And they established English as the official language

BUT THEY KEPT THE AVERAGE INDIAN POOR BY EXPLOITING IT’S

RESOURCES

UNTIL IT GAINED INDEPENDENCE IN 1947

THE PEOPLE STILL HAVE A RICH TRADITIONAL HISTORY

THIS IS MAINLY BASED ON THE HINDU RELIGION WHICH APPROX. 80% OF THE

POPULATION IDENTIFIES AS

HINDUISM

They believe in Karma – each individual creates his own destiny through what he does in this life. It means it is more than a belief but a way of life.

They believe in reincarnation – what you come back as depends on how you behave in this life

All creatures are part of the reincarnation cycle. It is like a ladder

Ultimate salvation is the freedom from this cycle of reincarnation. Monks are the closest to this state.

Cows are the most sacred of animals

A BIG EFFECT HERE IS THE ATTITUDE TOWARDS WOMEN

IT IS COMMON FOR WOMEN TO MARRY YOUNG – OFTEN ARRANGED

MARRIAGES

Dowries (bride prices) are still paid in many rural areas

THE TRADITIONAL SYSTEM OF DOWRIES AND ARRANGEMENT MARRIAGE HAS MAJOR AFFECTS

ON POPULATION GROWTH

WOMEN HAVE LOWER STATUS AND THEREFORE LESS EDUCATION AND LESS FREEDOM OF CHOICE

THEIR STATUS ONLY INCREASES BY HAVING MANY BABIES, PARTICULARLY SONS. THIS LEADS TO LARGE

FAMILIES

TODAY CHANGE IS TAKING PLACE IN THE URBAN AREAS WHICH ARE MOVING AWAY

FROM TRADITIONS…

HERE LIVE MANY MILLIONAIRES

WHILE IN THE RURAL AREAS, PEOPLE REMAIN VERY POOR

THE CASTE SYSTEM

An ancient social grouping system still applies called CASTES – you are born into caste

The lower castes are responsible for cremating bodies and are called THE UNTOUCHABLES