History of India

History of IndiaIndia is a land of ancient civilization. India's social, economic,

and cultural configurations are the products of a long process of regional
expansion. Indian history begins with the birth of the Indus Valley Civilization
and the coming of the Aryans. These two phases are usually described as the
pre-Vedic and Vedic age. Hinduism arose in the Vedic period.
The fifth century saw the unification of India under Ashoka, who had
converted to Buddhism, and it is in his reign that Buddhism spread in many
parts of Asia. In the eighth century Islam came to India for the first time and
by the eleventh century had firmly established itself in India as a political
force. It resulted into the formation of the Delhi Sultanate, which was finally
succeeded by the Mughal Empire, under which India once again achieved a
large measure of political unity.
It was in the 17th century that the Europeans came to India. This
coincided with the disintegration of the Mughal Empire, paving the way for
regional states. In the contest for supremacy, the English emerged 'victors'.
The Rebellion of 1857-58, which sought to restore Indian supremacy, was
crushed; and with the subsequent crowning of Victoria as Empress of India,
the incorporation of India into the empire was complete. It was followed by
India's struggle for independence, which we got in the year 1947.

Indian Clothing
Traditional Indian clothing has come into prominence once again. Well, if you notice
the trends in fashion industry, you'll realize that modern fashion has aped the
styling and designing of the bygone eras, the period of royalty, when Maharajas and
Ranis used to spend extravagantly on their clothing. Whatever the royals chose to
go in for was reminiscent of splendor and luxury. The creative fashion designers of
today are in a lookout for ethnic designs that take us close to our cultural roots and
remind us of the glorious past. Well, in this section, we will provide you with
information on the different kinds of traditional clothing in India, so read on

Indian Ethnic Wear

Dhoti

Dhoti kurta is the traditional Indian clothing of men. Unlike other dresses, it is an
unstitched piece of cloth usually 5 yards long that is tied around the waist and legs.
The knot is tied at the waist. Dhoti is known by different names at different places
such as Laacha in Punjabi, dhuti in Bangla.

Kurta

Kurta is a term used to refer to a long loose shirt, the length of which falls below or
may be just above the knees of the wearer. In the olden times, it was primarily worn
by men, but today, it has become a unisex dress that both men and women can
wear.

Indian Salwar Kameez

Salwar kameez is the traditional Indian clothing for women. Due to its high
popularity in the region of Punjab, shalwar kameez is commonly referred to as
Punjabi suit. The fashion of Shalwar Kameez in India is not new. Since the past many
few centuries, women have been wearing this wonderful attire.

Indian Sari

Sari is one of the most wonderful dresses worn by Indian women. Infact, when one
thinks of a typical Indian woman, the first thing that strikes the mind is a woman
clad in sari, who is wearing the solah shringar including bindi, chudi, kajal etc.

Sherwani for Men

Sherwani is a long coat resembling achkan in styling. It is buttoned upto the collar
and lengthwise it is usually below the knee. It adds to the charm and grace of men,
especially the taller ones. Indian men spend lavishly on buying the sherwani suit for
the special occasion of their wedding.

Turban

In India, one can spot many men wearing turban. Well, turban is tied not for the
sake of fashion, but because it has a lot of significance in the lives of Indians. The
hair turban is a headdress that basically consists of a long piece of unstitched cloth,
which is wrapped around the head.

Temples in India
India is the land of spiritual bliss, splashed by the waters of holy rivers. The
rich cultural heritage of India owes to the glory of its historical past. It is the
land inhabited by the Lords themselves, leaving behind their imprints and
the sense of their divine presence, hanging in the environment for eternity.
These places are marked by a number of holy temples, which were
constructed by the great kings, who ruled India. Some of these Indian
temples are known for their architectural magnificence and sculptural
splendor, the world wide over.
Strong mythological believes have rendered these places as the religious
hubs of the country. People from all over the world visit these temples, in
order to take a dip in the ocean of spirituality. Meenakshi Temple, Dilwara
Temples, ISKCON Temple, Akshardham Temples, Lotus Temple, Tirupati
Temple etc. are the names of some of the famous temples of India. Apart
from this, there are a number of fairs and festivals organized in the vicinity of
these temples which are attended by the devotees in huge numbers.
Ajanta Cave Temple
Gangaikondacholapur
Akshardham Temple am
Delhi
Golden Temple
Amritsar
Akshardham
Gandhinagar
Guruvayur Temple
Badami Cave Temple Hampi Temple
Baijnath Temple
Hoysaleswara Temple
Banashankari Temple Iskcon Temple Delhi
Bankey Bihari Temple Iskcon Temple
Bharat Mata Temple Bangalore

Meenakshi Temple
Mukteswara Temple
Mumba Devi Temple
Naina Devi Temple
Nasiyan Temple
Neelkanth Temple
Osian Temple
Pattadakal Temples
Raghunath Temple

Birla Temple Delhi

Iskcon Temple
Rameshwaram
Vrindavan
Temple
Birla Temple Jaipur
Jagannath Temple
Ranakpur Temple
Brahma Temple
Pushkar
Jwala Devi Temple
Ranganathaswamy
Temple
Bull Temple
Kalighat Kali Temple
Sabarimala Temple
Chamunda Devi
Kalka Devi Temple
Temple
Sai Baba Temple
Kamakhya Temple
Shirdi
Chandi Devi Temple
Kamakshi Amman
Sankat Mochan
Chhatarpur Temple Temple
Temple
Chintaman Ganesh
Karni Mata Temple
Shankaracharya
Temple
Vishwanath Temple
Temple
Chintpurni Temple
Khajuraho Temples
Digambar Jain Temple Kheer Bhavani Temple Shakumbhari Devi
Temple
Dilwara Temple
Konark Temple
Shore Temple
Dwaraka Tirumala
Lingaraj Temple
Shrinathji Temple
Temple
Lotus Temple
Siddhivinayak Temple
Dwarkadhish Temple Mahabodhi Temple
Somnath Temple
Dwarkadhish Temple Mahakaleshwar
Sun Temple Modhera
Mathura
Temple
Teli Ka Mandir
Eklingji Temple
Mahalaxmi Temple
Tirupati Temple
Elephanta Cave
Mansa Devi Temple
Temple
Vaishno Devi Temple
Ellora Caves

Indian Architecture
One of the most enduring achievements of Indian
civilization is undoubtedly its architecture. Indian
architecture, which has evolved through centuries, is
the result of socio-economic and geographical
conditions. Different types of Indian architectural
styles include a mass of expressions over space and
time, transformed by the forces of history considered
unique to India. As a result of vast diversities, a vast
range of architectural specimens have evolved,
retaining a certain amount of continuity across history.
Indian architecture, belonging to different periods of history, bears the stamp of
respective periods. Though the cities of Indus Valley provide substantial evidence of
extensive town planning, the beginnings of Indian architecture can be traced back
to the advent of Buddhism in India. It was in this period that a large number of
magnificent buildings came up. Some of the highlights of Buddhist art and
architecture are the Great Stupa at Sanchi and the rock-cut caves at Ajanta.
With the establishment of Hindu kingdoms in South India, the south Indian school of
architecture began to flourish. The most notable achievements of the Pallava rulers
were the rock-cut temples of Mahabalipuram and the temples of Kanchipuram. The
Chola, Hoyasala and Vijayanagar rulers also did remarkable job in the field of
architecture. The temples at Thanjavur, Belur and Halebid bear testimony to the
architectural excellence of the South Indian rulers.
In north India, there developed a new a different style of architecture. This was
called as the Nagara style architecture. In central India, the Chandela rulers built a

magnificent temple complex at Khajuraho. With the coming of the Muslim rulers,
there developed a new architectural style in India- the Indo-Islamic architecture. The
Indo-Islamic style was neither strictly Islamic nor strictly Hindu. The architecture of
the medieval period can be divided into two main categories. They are the Delhi or
the Imperial Style and the Mughal Architecture.
It was followed by a new style of architecture that developed as a result of
colonization of India. This style of architecture came to be called as Indo-Saracenic.
The Indo-Saracenic architecture combined the features of Hindu, Islamic and
western elements. The colonial architecture exhibited itself through institutional,
civic and utilitarian buildings such as post offices, railway stations, rest houses and
government buildings.

Dances of India
India is a land of diversities. Various climatic
conditions have made India a diverse country. In
all spheres of Indian life diversities are clearly
visible. These diversities have made the Indian
culture a unique one. Like all other aspects of life,
the dance forms of India are also varied and
different. There are many types of dance forms in
India, from those which are deeply religious in
content to those which are performed on small
occasions.
The Indian dances are broadly divided into Classical dances and folk dances.
The Classical dances of India are usually spiritual in content. Though the folk
dances of India are also spiritual and religious in content but the main force
behind the folk dances of India is the celebratory mood. Dances are a form of
coherent expression of human feelings. Like the Indian culture, Indian
classical dances are equally diverse in nature. There are numerous classical
dance forms in India and innumerable folk dances. Each dance form can be
traced to different parts of the country. Each form represents the culture and
ethos of a particular region or a group of people
The most popular classical dance styles of India are Bharatnatyam of Tamil
Nadu, Kathakali and Mohiniattam of Kerala, Odissi of Orissa, Kathak of Uttar
Pradesh, Kuchipudi of Andhra Pradesh and Manipuri of Manipur.
Indian Classical Dances

India has thousands of year old tradition of fine arts and classical and folk
music and dances. Some of the world-famous dance forms that originated
and evolved in India are Bharatnatyam, Kathak, Kathakali, Kuchipudi,
Manipuri, Mohiniattam and Odissi. All these dance forms use basically the
same 'mudras' or signs of hand as a common language of expression and
were originally performed in the temples to entertain various Gods and
Goddesses.
Indian Classical Dancers
Indian classical dance has a distinct character that reflects the great cultural
and traditional endeavor. The forms of Indian dance have transcended
beyond the fences and socio-cultural hindrances. Exponents of the Indian
classical dance believe that it has the caliber of creating a new and
disciplined lifestyle. The Indian Classical Dance is often regarded as the form
of worship and meditation. The performers of Indian Classical Dance, despite
of the background and forms, have played a crucial role in presenting India
to the forefront of the World stage.

Indian Folk Dances

India is a land of varied cultures and traditions. Diversities in all spheres
make the Indian culture quite unique. Indian folk and tribal dances are
product of different socio-economic set up and traditions. Indian folk and
tribal dances are simple and are performed to express joy. In India we have
festivals and celebrations virtually every day. This has added to the richness
of Indian culture. Since every festival is accompanied by celebration, folk
dances have become an integral part of our social milieu.

Indian Music
Pakhawaj Music has always been an important part of Indian life. The range of
musical phenomenon in India extends from simple melodies to what is one of the
most well- developed "systems" of classical music in the world. There are references
to various string and wind instruments, as well as several kinds of drums and
cymbals, in the Vedas. Some date the advent of the system of classical Indian music
to Amir Khusro. Muslim rulers and noblemen freely extended their patronage to
music. In the courts of the Mughal emperors, music is said to have flourished, and
the Tansen was one of the jewels of Akbar's court.
The great poet-saints who chose to communicate in the vernacular tongues
brought forth a great upheaval in north India and the Bhakti or devotional
movements they led gained many adherents. The lyrics of Surdas, Tulsidas, and
most particularly Kabir and Mirabai continue to be immensely popular. By the

sixteenth century, the division between North Indian (Hindustani) and South Indian
(Carnatic) music was also being more sharply delineated. Classical music, both
Hindustani and Carnatic, may be either instrumental or vocal.

Hindustani Gharanas
There is a rich tradition of Gharanas in classical Hindustani music. The music
Gharanas are also called styles. These schools or Gharanas have their basis in the
traditional mode of musical training and education. Every Gharana has its own
distinct features.

Hindustani School
Hindustani classical music is an Indian classical music tradition. It originated
in North India around 13th and 14th centuries. In contrast to Carnatic music, the
other main Indian classical music tradition from South India, the Hindustani classical
music was not only influenced by ancient Hindu musical traditions and Vedic
philosophy but also by the Persian elements.

Music Glossary
Achal Swaras are the fixed swaras of the seven musical notes. Sa and Pa are
the achal swaras of the Indian classical music. The term Arohi, also known as
Arohana and Aroh, is used to define the ascending melody in music.

Indian Music Instruments

Sitar is of the most popular music instruments of North India. The Sitar has a long
neck with twenty metal frets and six to seven main cords. Below the frets of Sitar
are thirteen sympathetic strings which are tuned to the notes of the Raga. A gourd,
which acts as a resonator for the strings is at the lower end of the neck of the Sitar.

Carnatic Music
Carnatic music or Carnatic sangeet is the south Indian classical music. Carnatic
music has a rich history and tradition and is one of the gems of world music.
Carnatic Sangeet has developed in the south Indian states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala,
Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.

Indian Film Music

One of the most popular Indian music forms is the Filmi music. Hindi film industry,
popularly known as Bollywood, along with Indian regional film industries, produces
thousands of films a year, most of which are musicals and feature elaborate song
and dance numbers.

Indian Fusion Music

Fusion is not a very old trend in Indian music. Fusion trend is said to have begun
with Ali Akbar Khan's 1955 performance in the United States. Indian fusion music
came into being with rock and roll fusions with Indian music in the 1960s and 1970s.

Ghazals
Ghazal is a common and popular form of music in Indian and Pakistan. Strictly
speaking, it is not a musical form at all but a poetic recitation. However, today it is
commonly conceived of as an Urdu song whose prime importance is given to the
lyrics. Ghazal traces its roots in classical Arabic poetry.

Folk Music
India is a land of cultural diversities. Every region in India has its own form of folk
music. This rich tradition of folk music is very much alive in not just rural India, but
also in some metros. Though one may say that music has acquired a totally
different definition with the arrival of pop culture and new age cinema, there are
many who would beg to differ.

Shayari
Shayari or rhyming poetry basically comprises of a couplet known as Sher. This is
the way that this unique and beautiful form of poetry derives the name Sher O
Shayari. Most of the forms of Shayari are found in the Urdu language. However, one
may find Shero Shayari in Hindi, Punjabi, etc.

Ustad Bismillah Khan

Ustad Bismillah Khan was undoubtedly a gem that India is proud of. This Shehnai
maestro of India was a Bharat Ratna awardee and also has been awarded all the top
four civilian awards namely Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan
along with the Bharat Ratna.

Pandit Shivkumar Sharma

Pandit Shivkumar Sharma is a very famous classical musician who has acquired
international fame by playing the classical instrument, Santoor. The Santoor is a
trapezoid-shaped hammered dulcimer often made of walnut wood and has 72
strings, which are struck with two delicate carved wooden mallets.

Ustad Zakir Hussain

Popularly known as Tabla Maestro, Ustad Zakir Hussain is the son of the renowned
tabla player Ustad Allah Rakha. He was born on 9th March, 1951 and showed much
interest in tabla since a very young age. This child prodigy started touring by the
time he was twelve and started to perform at concerts and gain much recognition
and fame.

Pandit Ravi Shankar

Pandit Ravi Shankar is a living legend who is a genius Sitar player. Born on 7th April,
1920 in Banaras, his family was a Bengali Brahmin family who named him Ravindra
Shankar. Shyam Shankar, his father, was a barrister. He had an elder brother Uday
Shankar who was a famous Indian classical dancer.

Indian Classical Singers

The art of classical singing is being practiced in the Indian subcontinent since ages.
The art is popular, not as a form of entertainment, but as a means of connecting
with the Divine Being. Infact, it is considered as one of the basic ways through
which a human being can connect with God. The distinct forms of melodies sung by
classical singers are known as 'Ragas'. Some of these Ragas are said to have a
divine quality in them, which helps an individual in meditating. In this section, we
have provided a brief biography of the famous classical singers of India.

Indian Singers

Indian subcontinent is home to some of the best talents in every field, be it music,
singing, painting, acting, and so on. These famous personalities have made the
country proud at not only the national, but also international level. They have taken
the rich art and culture of India beyond geographical boundaries. Special mention
needs to be given in case of Indian singers, who have made Indian music famous
throughout the world. Their soothing voice and poignant performance has stirred
many hearts. This section gives a list of popular singers of India.

India Public Behaviour

The traditional way of greeting in India is performed by holding your palms
together, as in praying, and saying 'Namaste' [nah-mas-tay] or 'Namaskar' [nahmas-kar], with a slight bow. While, the Namaste or Namaskar are Hindu ways of
greeting, they are also accepted among all other communities. These other
communities, however, also have their own traditional greetings. For instance,
among Muslims, the traditional greeting is 'Salaam-Wale-Kum', which is responded
to by saying 'Wale-kum-Salaam.' Similarly, Sikhs traditionally greet each other by
saying 'Sat-Siree-Akaal.' Shaking hands is also an acceptable way to greet people
among urban and westernized Indians. Among the younger urban Indians, a 'Hello'
or 'Hi' with a wave of the hand is also an acceptable form of greeting when making
informal contact. In general, Indian society is conservative about heterosexual
physical contact and relationships. Refrain from greeting people with hugs and
kisses. Shaking hands with women, since it involves physical touch, is not
universally accepted in Indian society. Among the urban westernized Indians, you
may find some Indian women offering to shake hands. However, it is advisable to
shake hands only when it is offered. In most other situations, 'Namaste' is the safest
way to greet--in fact, it will also be appreciated as a gesture of friendliness. It is
customary to allow women and guests to proceed before yourself. The acceptable
way to beckon someone is to hold your hand out, palm downward, and make a
scooping motion with fingers. Beckoning someone with a wagging finger, with the
palm upward is seen as an authoritarian/ condescending signal, and will be
perceived as an insult. Do not point to someone with your finger, since that is likely
to be interpreted as an accusatory gesture. Use of hand/palm or chin is a more
acceptable way of pointing towards someone. Standing erect with your hands on
your hips is likely to be seen as an aggressive and dominating posture. Among
Indians, it is normal for them to use their hands to gesticulate while talking with
each other. Folded hands, or hands in one's pockets while talking are likely to be
perceived as arrogant gestures. Whistling and winking are usually perceived as rude
and unacceptable behaviours, as they have sexual connotations. Talking to a

woman who is walking alone is not advisable, since it is likely to be seen as a

proposition or other inappropriate gesture. Seniority, age and authority are
respected in India, both in business and in public life.

Folklore from India:

The Elephant and the Jackal

This is a nice tale / story from the collection of Hitopadesha Tales. Once upon
a time, there lived an Elephant by the name of Karpuratilaka in a forest. He
was brutal and haughty by nature. He used to roam in the forest without
restraint. All the animals of the forest were afraid of this wild Elephant.
Without any purpose, he used to pull down the trees and ripped the
branches. In this way, he destroyed innumerable nests with eggs and
crushed the nestlings under his massive feet.
In short, he had created all round chaos in the forest. Fierce animals like
Lions and Tigers also kept themselves at a safe distance from this Elephant.
Once it happened that he destroyed the burrows of the jackals in his
merciless stroll. This action of Elephant was not tolerable to the animals and
all of them wanted to kill the Elephant. They had a conversation regarding
this but thought it was nearly impossible to kill the Elephant due to his
gigantic size.
The Jackals were full of rage and planned to call a separate meeting. They
were ready to do anything to get rid of the mighty Elephant. But killing the
huge Elephant was not a tiny task to do. All of them had a discussion that
how could they kill the Elephant. Suddenly, an old Jackal said,Leave
everything on me. I will cleverly bring about his death. Everyone gave his
consent to the idea of the old Jackal.
The next day, old Jackal went to the Elephant, bowed respectfully before him
and said, My Lord! Favor me with your royal glance. The Elephant looked at
him and said in a loud voice, Who are you? Why you have come here? The
intelligent Jackal replied, I am only a poor Jackal. Your Majesty, no one can

deny your greatness. You are kind-hearted, gentle and possess all qualities of
a ruler. Taking these things in the mind, all the animals have chosen you to
be their King. Please accept this offer and make us obliged.
The Elephant appeared to be happy with all the praise thrown by the Jackal.
Jackal found the time to be appropriate and further acclaimed, Your
Highness, all the animals are eager to see your kingship ceremony. It will be
held in the middle of the forest, where thousands of animals have already
gathered to get your glimpse. Our astrologers have told this is the auspicious
moment for your crowning. Time is slipping fast. So, please come with me
without any delay.
The Elephant was really pleased by the Jackals talk. He always dreamt to
become a King. He contemplated that the kingship ceremony will be matter
of honor to him. Instantly, he got ready to accompany the Jackal to the place
where ceremony was to be held. The Jackal took the Elephant deep into the
forest. On the way, they had to walk through a swampy area by the side of a
lake. The Jackal walked across the swampy region easily.
But as soon as the Elephant stepped on the swamp, he got stuck in it. He
tried his best to come out of the swamp, but to no avail. The more he tried to
move out, the more he went deep into it. He got frightened and called out
the Jackal, Friend, Please help me to come out of this mud. I am sinking
deep into the mud. Call other animals quickly to help me otherwise I will
die.
The Jackal replied, I am not going to save you. You deserve this conduct. You
are a cruel, arrogant and a merciless creature. You killed our siblings and
kids. You have destroyed our burrows and nests of poor birds. You knew
everything, but remained indifferent. I am sorry to say that your end has
come. The Jackal left the place immediately and the Elephant kept shouting
for help. In a little while, the Elephant disappeared from the scene, sinking
into the deep mud.
Moral: Every despot has to meet his doom.