Table of ContentsSummaryAn Overview of IndiaThe History of IndiaThe Many Religions of IndiaDifferent Languages ​​in IndiaCommunication FeaturesCustomsThe Role of FamilySocializationConclusionSummaryThis article explores multiple aspects of India and the people of this ancient country. The document includes information on the history, religion, language, communication (verbal and non-verbal), as well as customs, family (including values ​​and identity formation) and socialization of the people Indian and its culture. There are many layers to the ancient culture of India, not all of which can be covered in this article. India's existing civilizations span over 4,000 years, making it one of the oldest in the world. Indian culture is made up of several customs, traditions and beliefs which are the product of the rich culture and heritage of the country. The nation has been transformed by its rich history and every Indian inherently has a sense of national pride. This article is a modest attempt to show the culture and pride behind this beautiful country. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an Original Essay An Overview of India The History of India The history of India dates back to the beginning of human civilization. The Indus Valley Civilization, known as the Harappan Civilization, was the first people in the western part of South Asia, around 2500 BC. This region is what we today call Western India and Pakistan. Four of the greatest ancient civilizations inhabited the Indus Valley, namely Egypt, Mesopotamia, India and China. The Indus Valley Civilization, as modern and highly developed as their cities were at that time, posed no challenge to nature which ended this civilization, around 1500 BC, following floods recurring events, earthquakes and other natural disasters. of India were the Vedics, named after the Vedas of the early literature of the Hindu people. Hinduism is the religious and spiritual thought born from the Vedas. The Vedic civilization was followed by the Buddhist era (6th and 7th centuries BC), followed by the Kushanas, then the Gupta dynasty. For almost three centuries, India experienced strong Islamic influence under the rule of the Chalukyas, Pallavas, Pandyas, Rashtrakutras, Muslims and finally the Mughal Empire. The Mughal Empire united India's Muslim and Hindu kingdoms, as well as its millions of citizens, under one rule and became one of the greatest empires that ever existed. Many came to India, some to attempt to conquer, others to plunder the country, and still others. to trade. Immigrants to India included Persians, followed by Iranians, Parsis, and then Mughals. Chengis Khan invaded and plundered India several times. Alexander the Great attempted to conquer India. Columbus also attempted to travel to India, but instead landed in America. The Portuguese came to trade goods and the French came to establish colonies in India. But those who came to rule India, imposing their political power for almost 200 years, were the British. The British conquest of India lasted from 1757 until its completion in 1856. In 1857, Indians revolted in what is known as the First War of Indian Independence. But they were defeated in less than a year by the British powers. At the end of World War II, a new Prime Minister named Attlee came to power in Britain. Atlee was asympathizer of the Indian people and their freedom. In 1946, an interim government was set up to create a Constituent Assembly composed of elected and appointed members from the Indian states. The interim government was headed by Jawaharlal Nehru, a disciple of Mahatma Gandhi. The Muslim League was dissatisfied with the Constituent Assembly and advocated for making Pakistan a separate state. India was later divided into India and Pakistan separately due to Muslim rule. The League's strong pressure to do so. On August 14, 1947, India gained freedom from British rule and Jawaharlal Nehru became its first Prime Minister. As the voice of the newly liberated nation, the Prime Minister said: “Many years ago we had a date with destiny, and now the time has come. when we repay our commitment, not entirely or to the fullest extent, but very substantially. At the stroke of midnight, when the world sleeps, India will wake up to life and freedom. There comes a moment, which rarely happens in history, when we move from the old to the new, when an era ends and the soul of a nation, long repressed, finds voice... We end today Today is a time of bad luck, and India is discovering itself again. (Nehru, 1947) In 1949, the Constitution of India was created, and in 1950, the first President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, was elected by the people. India's Many Religions As in many other countries, India's economy, politics, and culture have been greatly influenced by religion throughout history. India is full of sacred and holy spaces across its vast territory. This is evident with the many people who pray publicly and often leave offerings in these spaces. What may look like an old mound of clay and dust to the average Westerner may be a ruined temple to nearby villagers. From fruits to flowers to chalk drawings, people have left prayers and offered pieces of their lives for some form of healing or spiritual blessing. India is very diverse in all its religions. They include Hinduism (the majority religion), Islam (Muslims are the largest minority religion), Sikhism, Buddhism, Christianity, and Jainism, as well as many others. All these religions are tolerated and practiced in harmony with each other. Many different religions have many different holidays, all celebrated by people of different religions. India is a country of brotherhood and love and this is evident in the celebrations that unite everyone in the neighborhoods, towns and villages of India. Hinduism is the oldest and third oldest religion in the world. It is the majority religion in India with 84% of the population. It is also known as Sanatan Dharma (the eternal religion). Islam. Islam is practiced by approximately 12% of India's population, but as the second largest religion in the country, it has a strong influence on Indian society. Islam has been part of India since the 8th century, after the fall of the Sindh province. Buddhism. Buddhism was created from the philosophical teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, a royal prince of Kapilvastu, India. Buddhism originated between 563 and 483 BC. It has spread from India to Sri Lanka, Tibet, Southeast and Central Asia, as well as Mongolia, China, Japan and Vietnam. There are approximately 25 million Christians in India. It was thought to have become an important religion in India due to British rule for almost 200 years. Sikhism. About 2% of the population is Sikh. The translation ofSikh is a disciple. A true Sikh believes that he should not be attached to worldly possessions. Jainism. Less than 1% of India's population is Jain. In ancient times, they were known as merchants and traders. The largest population of Jains resides in the states of Rajasthan and Gujarat. Various Languages ​​in India As with the multitude of religions in India, many different languages ​​are also spoken throughout the country. The predominant language is Hindi. Most Indians speak Hindi, as this language is taught in all Indian schools. There are 23 languages ​​(officially recognized), with more than 720 dialects and 13 written scripts. It is suggested that there are probably over 1,600 different languages ​​or dialects in India alone. English is widely spoken throughout India and is becoming increasingly common in large urban areas as American and European contractors set up shop in Indian cities. Many Indian languages ​​use the Devanagari alphabet. It is the most popular form of writing in India. It was originally used to write Sanskrit, an ancient language native to northern India. Devanagari is written from left to right and each letter resembles a vowel or a consonant. The major languages ​​of India are Hindi, English, Bengali, Telugu, Marathi, Tamil, Urdu, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Oriya, Punjabi, Assamese, Maithili and a small percentage distributed among the other 8 or 9 main languages. Some languages ​​have similar names depending on the region in which they are spoken. For example, Tamil is spoken in Tamil Nadu and Punjabi in Punjab. In India, language is regional and dialects affect the way languages ​​are spoken throughout India. bow. Men usually shake hands when greeting each other or leaving, but they generally do not shake hands with women. It is taboo for a man and a woman to touch each other. Indians use their right hand for greeting and touching things, including eating, but the left hand is reserved for toileting tasks. There is a hierarchy in Indian culture, such that elders are greeted first, and caste and social status affect all greetings. If you are not familiar with the way Indians communicate, verbally or otherwise, there can be many misunderstandings during a conversation. This also changes depending on the region. There are many forms of non-verbal communication that Indians use to communicate. Like many other Asian cultures, Indians generally have difficulty saying no, especially to a stranger or business associate. The word “no” seems offensive to them and they feel that it can damage the relationship, even between friends. Indians can appear vague or lack commitment when confronted with a disagreement. Vague answers like "I'll do my best" or "Yes, but it might be a challenge" may very well mean "no." Indians can tell others what they think they want to hear so as not to appear confrontational if they are pushed into giving an answer they are not comfortable with. Indians are very family oriented. This means they involve their family in almost every decision and take their opinions to heart. Surprisingly, most decisions, even in business, are family decisions, even if the family does not appear physically involved or financially invested in the business. All families are financially invested in the business affairs of their members because the family unit is so closely knit in India. Verbal communication. Indians tend to be indirect and appease thosewho they are not comfortable with. This is about avoiding any confrontation or conflict. They would much rather exchange their views or opinions in a way that feels more like a negotiation than an argument. However, they communicate directly with those who are close relations or with someone they trust a lot. Other times, they may stay silent rather than argue or say no. This is when it is important to pay attention to nonverbal communication. Lack of agreement is sometimes disagreement. When asked a question, an Indian may say yes to show that he is listening and understanding, but not necessarily that he agrees. For them, saying no is a way of ending the relationship, and therefore any negotiation. It is better to ask an Indian an open-ended question rather than a “yes” or “no” question. Asking them what they think about something, rather than asking them if they agree with you or your opinion, can eliminate any confusion or misunderstanding. Nonverbal communication. Indians generally prefer and respect personal space. It's not that different from most Westerners in this regard, but it also depends on the region. India can be very populated in many areas, causing crowds of Indians to crowd each other when queuing or on public transportation. In most cases, when allowed, they give more space to the opposite sex than a person of the same sex. Even among married Indians, you probably won't see any physical contact such as kissing, hugging, or holding hands. However, as with most things, this is changing among younger generations, especially in largely populated urban areas. Indians tend to stare regardless of whether it is rude or intrusive. For them, it is normal, just like for Westerners, to smile at each other. Men tend to stare more than women, who may avoid eye contact. Indians consider pointing a finger at someone to be accusatory, so they usually wave their hand, palm down, to get someone's attention or to attract attention somewhere. Physical gestures are very common in India. The “head bobble” where the head is tilted from side to side is a way of showing agreement or understanding. To a Westerner, the "headbutt" can seem like he or she is showing that he or she doesn't care or is ignoring what is being said, and this is how many Westerners react. to these feelings. Indians may also nod their heads to show that they understand what is being said, but this does not always mean that they agree. In India, the head is considered the most sacred part of the body and the feet the dirtiest part. It plays an important role in non-verbal communication. It is considered disrespectful to touch the top of someone's head and showing the soles of the feet is considered rude. Customs India has many customs which vary depending on region, religion, language, gender, age, among others. One of the most common traditions that we see almost immediately when we meet an Indian is tilak. The tilak is a ritual mark on the forehead usually placed as a blessing. Another custom we see often is the bindi. This is another type of mark, sometimes a piece of jewelry, placed on the foreheads of married Indian women. It is believed to symbolize the goddess Parvati. A customary greeting, to show respect, is to bow down and touch the tops of the feet of their elders, parents or teachers. The elders can thengive a blessing by touching the top of the head of the youngest Indian. This is generally the only time it is acceptable to touch another person's head or feet. Flower garlands are also a way to show respect and honor someone. This is usually done for a guest or a deity (a statue of a deity in a temple). Other customary acts of devotion are the lighting of the Diya and also what is called Aarti. A Diya is a lamp lit morning and evening in Indian homes to honor God. Aarti is a lamp that surrounds a deity, while songs of praise are sung to worship that deity or God. Aarti, in Sanskrit, means “towards virtue”. Indians always take off their shoes before entering a holy or sacred place. As a visitor, you will always know when you arrive at a sacred place by the piles of shoes in front of the door. It is customary to dress modestly when visiting these holy places. Tourists should always have extra clothes to wear if traveling in summer to cover up. It is taboo to show skin in a sacred or holy place. Some social customs include names that Indians give themselves. Many have a nickname given to them by their family or loved ones. Older women are often called “aunties” by those close to them. Younger males are called “little brothers”. Surnames indicate what region or caste a person is from and may have a suffix that indicates the type of business in which their ancestors worked. Indians can also be given a religious name. Customary social etiquettes include bringing gifts to hosts and their children during their visit. Remove your shoes before entering someone's home. Always accept a dinner invitation unless you have a good reason to decline the invitation. These are just a few of the many social and religious customs in India. The role of family Indians give the utmost importance to family. It is the core of their beliefs, values, loyalties, identity and life path. The interests of the family take precedence over the interests of individuals. Decisions, such as career and marriage, are made collectively by the family. Family reputation is always at the heart of most important decisions, including choosing a spouse. Even Indians living abroad maintain close relationships with their families in India and look to them for important life decisions. It is not uncommon for an Indian residing in the United States to return to India to marry someone his family has chosen for him.Values. From within the family, the ideals of Indian culture are born and developed. The old ideal of multigenerational households is still strong and widely practiced in Indian culture. As the family grows, families usually divide into smaller units, if only to obtain comfortable living space. Today, many family members move to find better jobs and send money home. But whatever the circumstances, Indians are loyal to their family and its economic security. Traditionally, in Indian culture, families continue to live together. How it works, sons stay with the families and daughters go to live with their husband's family once they get married. The father is usually the patriarch of the house and the mother takes care of the daughters and daughters-in-law. If an Indian family has only daughters, the parents may be left without anyone to care for them in their old age. It is for this reason that we grant a..