Society and cultures of Pakistan

9.2.1 Culture
Total life style and overall behavior of society which
includes language, dress, living, habits, customs,
beliefs, and traditions etc
Diversity = acceptance of positive variations, variety in
all aspects of life
Unity = condition of brotherhood of respecting each
other, Urdu language, religion
National cohesion = Urdu an instrument, common
script of all languages
Integration = coordination of mental processes, Urdu
a national solidarity, common heritage and struggle of
freedom
 9.1.1. basic features of Pakistani society
Religious uniformity and diversity
Mixed culture (Muslim, Hindu, British)
Dowry system
English an official language
Male-oriented society
Simplicity
Simple dress and diet
Easy languages Dowry system
English an official language
Literature
Handicrafts
Sports
Ulema, Mashaikh and Sufi poets
 Elements influence unity, national
cohesion, integrity,
Language
Diversity
Values / beliefs
Shared resources
Government structure
Class difference and social inequalities
Intolerance
Terrorism
Rich and poor
Multiple standard of education, food, housing
Posh and poor localities
Elite
Cantonment ? Civil line and Garibabad
Master and servant
Hindu caste system
Muslim Hidden caste and class difference
 Diversity
9.1.3. Regional disparity
Cultural dress (Provinces)
Languages
Cultural Festivals
Cultural heritages / customs
dress w.r.t climate & social occasions
Fine Art
Handicraft
 Role and status of woman
Important part of family manages all affairs
with the limits, household keeping,
upbringing of children
Right of education
Right of business
Right of property
Right in heritage
Right to rule the country
 9. 3.1. Major features of \Pakistani
culture
History and ideology
Attraction forces
Dynamics of culture due to influence of other
culture
Strong religious values
Mixed dress
Multiple languages
Rich literature
Rich heritages
Religious unity
 9.3.2. Festivals
Cultural festivals Religious festivals
Sibi festival Eid-ul-Fitre
Sindh horse and cattle Eid-ul-Azha
show Milad of Prophet
Basnat (PBUH)
Shandor polo festival Ashoora
Lok mela Shab-e-Barat
National horse and Shab-e-Qadr
cattle show Lahore Shab-e-Meraj
Saints mela
 9.3.4 Role of mass media in culture
New technologies; camera, phonograph, radio,
TV, dramas source of culture
culture became more democratic as modern
technology and mass media allowed it to reach
more people.
Holloywood, Bollywood cultural dominance
through mass media
Foods, dresses, hair style, language etc
modified due to mass media
Media brings diverse voice, ideas, critique of
government, trade,
9.4.1. Origin and Evolution of Urdu
300 years old
Arabic, Persian and Turkish gave birth to
Hindi, Hindustani, Shahjahani and finally
in Urdu
Amir Khursro, Sir Syed, Maulanai Shibli,
Allama Iqbal flourished Urdu
Urdu reached in whole subcontinent 16 th
century
1947 Urdu national language of Pakistan
 Significance of Urdu
Vehicle of communication
National cohesion or binding force of
various parts of Pakistan
Source of rich historical literature
Quranic translation in Urdu
National Language of country
Medium of instructions in institutions
 9.4.4.
Popular poets: Amir Khusro, Allama Iqbal,
Ghalib
Popular writers: Allama Iqba, Sir Syed,
Deputy Nazir Ahmed, Maulanai Hali,
Maulana Shibli,
Popular folklores: Arif Lohar, Noor Jehan,
Lata,
9.4.5. Role of English Language as
an official language
Official communitarian at local, national
and international level
Source of information
Medium of instruction in many institutions
Source of international trade
Its international passport
Important for globalization

 9.5 Art and architectural heritages

Taxila
Kot Dijian settlement
Mohenjodaro
Indus valley
Harapa
Taxila
Mansura, Bhambore
Gandhra civilization
9.5.2. name and significance Archaeological
and historical sites of Pakistan
Bambhore
Taxila
Harapa
Lahore
Thatta
Moenjo daro
Kot Diji
Hyderabad
Makil
Karachi