CULTURE OF INDIA

Culture is derived from Latin term cult or cultus meaning cultivating or

refining and worship. The term Sanskriti has been derived from the root Kri (to
do).
prakriti (basic matter or condition),
Kri;
Sanskriti (refined matter or condition)
vikriti (modified/ decayed matter or condition)
When prakriti is refined it becomes Sanskriti and when broken/damaged it
becomes vikriti.
CULTURE

Culture is a way of life.

Culture may be defined as the way an individual and especially a group
live, think, feel and organize themselves, celebrate and share life.
Culture thus refers to a human-made environment which includes all the
material and non-material products of group life that are transmitted from
one generation to the next.
In deeper sense it is culture that produces the kind of literature, music,
dance, sculpture, architecture and various other art forms as well as the
many organizations and structures that make the functioning of the society
smooth and well-ordered.
Culture is the expression of our nature in our modes of living and thinking.
Material (dress, food, and household goods)
Culture
Non-Material. (ideas, ideals, thoughts and belief)
Self restraint in conduct, consideration for the feelings of others, for the rights
of others, are the highest marks of culture.

CIVILIZATION

Civilization means having better ways of living and sometimes making

nature bend to fulfill their needs.
On the other hand culture refers to the inner being, a refinement of head
and heart.
One who may be poor and wearing cheap clothes may be considered
uncivilized, but still he or she may be the most cultured person.
One possessing huge wealth may be considered as civlilized but he may
not be cultured
Civilization is advanced state of culture.

HERITAGE

The culture we inherit from our predecessors is called our cultural

heritage.
Humanity as a whole has inherited a culture which may be called human
heritage.
A nation also inherits a culture which may be termed as national cultural
heritage.
Culture is liable to change, but our heritage does not.

Architectural creations, material artifacts, the intellectual achievements,

philosophy, pleasure of knowledge, scientific inventions and discoveries are parts
of heritage.
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF CULTURE

Culture is learned and acquired:

Culture is shared by a group of people:
Culture is cumulative:
Culture changes:
Culture is dynamic:
Culture gives us a range of permissible behaviour patterns:
Culture is diverse:
Culture is ideational:

IMPORTANCE OF CULTURE IN HUMAN LIFE

Culture is closely linked with life.
It is what makes us human. Culture is made up of traditions, beliefs, way
of life, from the most spiritual to the most material.
Human beings are creators of culture and, at the same time, culture is what
makes us human.
The three eternal and universal values of Truth, Beauty and Goodness are
closely linked with culture.
CHARACTERISTICS OF INDIAN CULTURE
Due to its adaptability and comprehensiveness, Indian culture has survived
through the ages.
Unity in diversity is one of the major characteristics of Indian culture
which makes it unique.
A synthesis of various cultures came about through the ages to give shape
to what is recognised as Indian culture today.
Spirituality and value based life style is the core of Indian culture but it
has a scientific temperament too.

INDIAN ARCHITECTURE
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 INDUS VALLEY CIVILIZATION

traced as far back as third millennium BC.

on the banks of the river Indus particularly at the bends that provided
water, easy means of transportation of produce and other goods and also
some protection by way of natural barriers of the river .
consisted of walled cities which provided security to the people.
rectangular grid pattern of layout with roads that cut each other at right
angles.
used standardised burnt mud-bricks as building material.
evidence of building of big dimensions which perhaps were public
buildings, administrative or business centres, pillared halls and courtyards.
no evidence of temples.
granaries which were used to store grains which give an idea of an
organised collection and distribution system.
Great Bath - public bathing place shows the importance of ritualistic
bathing and cleanliness in this culture. It is still functional and there is no
leakage or cracks in the construction.
most of the houses had private wells and bathrooms.
dominant citadal - treated as evidence of some kind of political authority
ruling over the cities.
evidence also of fortifications with gateways enclosing the walled cities
which shows that there may have been a fear of being attacked.

Dholavira , Rangpur, Rojdi, Lothal , Sarkotada , Kuntasi, Padri (Gujarat)

Kalibangan (Rajasthan),
Bhagwanpura, Banawali (Haryana), Diamabad
(Maharashtra), Alamgirpur (U.P.), and Mauda (Jammu).
THE MAURYAN PERIOD

Ashoka, first Mauryan to "think in stone".

most of the shapes and decorative forms employed were indigenous in
origin, some exotic forms show the influence of Greek, Persian and
Egyptian cultures.
beginning of the Buddhist School of architecture in India.
monolithic Ashokan pillars are marvels of architecture and sculpture.
These were lofty free standing monolithic columns erected on sacred sites.
Originally there were about thirty pillars but now only ten are in existence,
of which only two with lion capitals stand in situ in good condition at
Kolhua and Laurya Nandangarh respectively.
Sarnath pillar - finest pieces of sculpture of the Ashokan period.
Two Ashokan edicts - found at Laghman, near Jalalabad ( Afghanistan).
most important ones are located at Bharhut, Bodhgaya, Sanchi, Amravati
and Nagarjunakonda.
Chinese traveller Fa-hien stated that "Ashokas palace was made by
spirits" and that its carvings are so elegantly executed "which no human
hands of this world could accomplish".
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 Its existence was pointed out during the excavations at Kumrahar, near
Patna, where its ashes have been found preserved for several thousand
years.
Megasthenes, the Greek ambassador of Selucas Nikator who visited the
Mauryan court described Chandragupta Mauryas palace as an excellent
architectural achievement.
THE STUPAS

SANCHI STUPAS:
hemispherical in shape with a low base.
symbolized the cosmic mountain.
inscription by the ivory carvers of Vidisha on the southern gateway
throws light on the transference of building material from perishable
wood and ivory to the more durable stone.
AMARAVATI STUPA:
built in 2nd or 1st century BC was probably like the one at Sanchi
but in later centuries it was transformed from a Hinayana shrine to a
Mahayana shrine.
GANDHARA STUPA:
further development of stupas at Sanchi and Bharhut.
the base, dome and the hemisphere dome are sculpted.
stupas of Nagarjunakonda in Krishna valley were very large.
Maha Chaitya of Nagarjunakonda has a base in the form
of Swastika, which is a sun symbol.
THE SCHOOLS OF ART
GANDHARA SCHOOL OF ART (50 B.C. TO 500 A.D.):

region extending from Punjab to the borders of Afghanistan was an

important centre of Mahayana Buddhism up to the 5th century A.D.
imbibed all kinds of foreign influences like Persian, Greek, Roman, Saka
and Kushan.
origin can be traced to the Greek rulers of Bactria and Northwest India.
during the reign of Kanishka that the art received great patronage.
also known as the Graeco- Buddhist School of Art since Greek techniques
of Art were applied to Buddhist subjects.
most important contribution- evolution of beautiful images of the Buddha
and Bodhisattavas, which were executed in black stone and modelled on
identical characters of Graeco-Roman pantheon.
Gandhara artist had the hand of a Greek but the heart of an Indian."
most characteristic trait - depiction of Lord Buddha in the standing or
seated positions.
seated Buddha is always shown cross-legged in the traditional Indian way.
typical feature - rich carving, elaborate ornamentation and complex
symbolism.
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tallest rock-cut statue of Lord Buddha - Bamiyan (Afghanistan) - 3-4

century AD.

MATHURA SCHOOL OF ART( 50 B.C. - 500 A.D.):

at the holy city of Mathura between 1-3 A.D.

established tradition of transforming Buddhist symbols into human form.
Buddhas first image can be traced to Kanishkas reign (about 78 A.D.).
earliest sculptures of Buddha were made keeping the yaksha prototype in
mind.
strongly built - right hand raised in protection and left hand on the waist.
The figures do not have moustaches and beards as in the Gandhara Art.
seated figures are in the padmasana posture.
not only produced beautiful images of the Buddha but also of the Jain
Tirthankaras and gods and goddesses of the Hindu pantheon.
although of indigenous origin, but greatly influenced by the Gandhara
School of Art.
Guptas adopted, further improvised & perfected Mathura School of Art.
observed at - Sarnath, Sravasti and even as far as Rajgir in Bihar.

AMRAVATI SCHOOL OF ART(200 B.C. - 200 A.D.):

on the banks of the Krishna River in modern Andhra Pradesh.

largest Buddhist stupa of South India.
construction began in 200 B.C. and was completed in 200 A.D.
stupendous stupa could not withstand the ravages of time
its ruins are preserved in the London Museum.