Culture of India

Indian culture is a vast heritage of social norms and technologies. It is associated with the diverse people of the Indian subcontinent. This culture also extends to countries in South Asia and Southeast Asia. These connections grew through immigration, colonization, or historical influence. Today, the culture is seen as an amalgamation of many groups. These include Indian Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, and many others.

It is one of the oldest continuous cultural traditions in the world.

Many religious traditions serve as the foundation for Indian life. Indian-origin religions include Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. These faiths are built upon the concepts of dharma and karma. They also emphasize ahimsa, which is the philosophy of nonviolence. Shri Mahatma Gandhi used civil disobedience and ahimsa to unite India. This specific philosophy later inspired Martin Luther King Jr. in America.

Other faiths like Islam, Christianity, and Judaism are also present. Zoroastrianism and the Baháʼí Faith are also practiced within the country.

Religion and philosophy have shaped the intellectual history of the region. Indian philosophy includes six orthodox schools known as āstika. These are Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Samkhya, Yoga, Mīmāṃsā, and Vedanta. There are also four heterodox schools called nāstika. These include Jain, Buddhist, Ājīvika, and Cārvāka. The Cārvāka school, originating around the 6th century BCE, was a materialistic and atheistic movement.

Some schools consider atheism valid by rejecting creator deities and ritualism. These philosophical traditions were formalized between 1000 BCE and the early centuries of the Common Era.

History shows how much India has influenced the wider world. The culture began with the ancient Indus Valley Civilisation. Later, the concept of "Greater India" described the spread of Indian culture. This included Hinduism, Buddhism, and Indian writing systems. These ideas traveled to other parts of Asia via the Silk Road. Travelers and maritime traders carried these traditions during the early centuries of the Common Era.

In Southeast Asia, Indian architecture and administration became widespread. Even rice cultivation was influenced by groups moving through Northeast India.

India is a massive and diverse nation by the numbers. It is currently the most populated country in the world. The nation is divided into 28 states and 8 union territories. According to the 2011 census, 79.8% of the population practices Hinduism. Islam is the second largest religion at 14.2%. Christianity accounts for 2.3%, Sikhism for 1.7%, Buddhism for 0.7%, and Jainism for 0.4%.

These numbers show a deeply religious and ethnically diverse society.

Artistic expression is visible in many different forms across the land. Traditional dances range from classical styles to energetic folk dances. Examples include the Bhangra dance or the Mohiniyattam style.

Culinary traditions are also incredibly varied and specific to regions. A Kerala Sadya is a traditional meal served in the south.

North Indian dishes like Chicken Tikka Masala offer different flavors. These arts and foods represent the pride and skill of various communities.

Social structures like the family unit are also undergoing changes. For generations, the joint family system was the prevailing tradition. In this system, extended family members lived together in one home. Usually, the oldest male member acted as the head of the household. He made important decisions for the entire group.

However, urbanization and economic changes are shifting this model. Many people are moving to metro cities and adopting nuclear family settings. This transition changes how families interact and how older members are supported.