Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India

Salient features of Society/”>Indian Society and Unity in Diversity

Features of Indian Society

India is a vast country and has a long history. Its society has evolved through the ages and has also been affected by foreign influences giving it extreme diversity and made unity amidst diversity a characteristic of the Indian society. However, to understand the process, we need to understand the meaning of diversity, unity and pluralism as well as their relevance to the Indian society.

Diversity

In literary terms, diversity means differences. However in social context the meaning is more specific; it means collective differences among people, that is, those differences which mark off one group of people from another. These differences may be of any sort: biological, religious, linguistic etc. On the basis of biological differences, for example, we have racial diversity. On the basis of religious differences, similarly, we have religious diversity. The point to note is that diversity refers to collective differences.

Institutionalization

Indian society is institutionalized in nature in the form of well developed systems like Family, Marriage, Gotra and Caste System.

Multi-class

Indian society is a multi-class due to several classes exists in India. This Classification is based ones birth as well as his achievements.

Multi-ethnic Society

Indian society is multi-ethnic in nature due to various racial groups coexists in India. Almost all the races of the world can be seen in India.

Multi-Religious Society

Although Hinduism-2/”>Hinduism is the major Religion in India, there exist various other religions such as Islam, Buddhism-2/”>Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Christianity, Bahai and Parsi etc.

Multi-Lingual Society

There exist more than 1600 languages in India. Major languages are Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Bengali, Odia, Assamese etc

Unity

Unity means integration. It is a social psychological condition. It connotes a sense of one-ness, a sense of we-ness. It stands for the Bonds, which hold the members of a society together. There is a difference between unity and uniformity. Uniformity presupposes similarity, unity does not. Unity is of two types, first which may be born out of uniformity, and second which may arise despite differences. French sociologist has termed these two types as mechanical and organic solidarity respectively.

Unity in diversity

Inspite of diversities, Indian community Shares certain bonds of unity. The first bond of unity of India is found in its geo-political integration. India is known for its geographical unity marked by the Himalayas in the north and the Oceans on the other sides. Politically India is now a sovereign state. The same constitution and same parliament govern every part of it. We share the same political culture marked by the norms of Democracy and Secularism-2/”>Secularism. The geo-political unity of India was always visualized by our seers and rulers. The expressions of this consciousness of the geo-political unity of India are found in Rig-Veda, in Sanskrit literature, in the edicts of Asoka, in Buddhist monuments and in various other sources. The ideal of geo-political unity of India is also reflected in the concepts of Bharatvarsha (the old indigenous classic name for India), Chakravarti (emperor), and Ekchhatradhipatya (under one rule).

Another source of unity of India lies in what is known as temple culture, which is reflected in the Network of shrines and sacred places. From Badrinath and Kedarnath in the north to Rameshwaram in the south, Jagannath Puri in the east to Dwaraka in the west the religious shrines and holy rivers are spread throughout the length and breadth of the country. Closely related to them is the age-old culture of pilgrimage, which has always moved people to various parts of the country and fostered in them a sense of geo-cultural unity. As well as being an expression of religious sentiment, pilgrimage is also an expression of love for the motherland, a sort of mode of worship of the country. It has acted as an antithesis to the regional diversity and has played a significant part in promoting interaction and cultural affinity among the people living in different parts of India.

Indian culture, has a remarkable quality of accommodation and Tolerance. There is ample evidence of it. The first evidence of it lies in the elastic character of Hinduism, the majority religion of India. It is common knowledge that Hinduism is not a homogeneous religion, that is, a religion having one God, one Book and one Temple. Indeed, it can be best described as a federation of faiths. Polytheistic (having multiple deities) in character, it goes to the extent of accommodating village level deities and tribal faiths. For the same reason, sociologists have distinguished two broad forms of Hinduism: sanskritic and popular. Sanskritic is that which is found in the texts (religious books like Vedas, etc.) and popular is that which is found in the actual life situation of the vast masses. Robert Redfield has called these two forms as great tradition of Ramayana and Mahabharata and the little tradition of worship of the village deity. And everything passes for Hinduism. What it shows is that Hinduism has been an open religion, a receptive and absorbing religion, an encompassing religion. It is known for its quality of openness and accommodation. Another evidence of it lies in its apathy to conversion. Hinduism is not a proselytising religion. That is, it does not seek converts. Nor has it ordinarily resisted other religions to seek converts from within its fold. This quality of accommodation and tolerance has paved the way to the coexistence of several faiths in India.

Indian society was organized in such a way that various social groups were independent of each other. One manifestation of it is found in the form of Jajmani system, i.e., a system of functional interdependence of castes. The term “jajman” refers generally to the patron or recipient of specialised Services. The relations were traditionally between a food producing family and the families that supported them with goods and services. These came to be called the jajmani relations. Jajmani relations were conspicuous in village life, as they entailed ritual matters, social support as well as economic exchange. The whole of a local social order was involved (the people and their values) in such jajmani links. A patron had jajmani relations with members of a high caste (like a Brahmin priest whose services he needed for rituals). He also required the services of specialists from the lower jati to perform those necessary tasks like washing of dirty clothes, cutting of hair, cleaning the rooms and toilets, delivery of the child etc. Those associated in these interdependent relations were expected to be and were broadly supportive of each other with qualities of ready help that generally close kinsmen were expected to show.

Sociologist M.N.Srinivas has called this ‘vertical unity of castes’. The jajmani relations usually involved multiple kinds of payment and obligations as well as multiple functions. No caste was self-sufficient. If anything, it depended for many things on other castes. In a sense, each caste was a functional group in that it rendered a specified service to other caste groups. Jajmani system is that mechanism which has formalised and regulated this functional interdependence. Furthermore, castes cut across the boundaries of religious communities. We have earlier mentioned that notions of caste are found in all the religious communities in India. In its actual practice, thus, the institution of jajmani provides for inter linkages between people of different religious groups. Thus a Hindu may be dependent for the washing of his clothes on a Muslim washerman. Similarly, a Muslim may be dependent for the stitching of his clothes on a Hindu tailor, and vice-versa.

Efforts have been made from time to time by sensitive and sensible leaders of both the communities to synthesise Hindu and Muslim traditions so as to bring the two major communities closer to each other. Akbar, for example, founded a new religion, Din-e-Ilahi, combining best of both the religions. Some bhakti saints like Kabir-2/”>Kabir, Eknath/”>Eknath and Guru Nanak, as well as some sufi saints made important contributions in forging unity among to communities. At the time of independence struggle, Mahatama Gandhi laid extreme emphasis on Hindu Muslim unity which was instrumental in India becoming A Secular State and moving on the path of progress.

One of the most salient features of Indian society is the caste system. The caste system is a social hierarchy that divides people into different groups based on their birth. The caste system is deeply rooted in Indian culture and has a significant impact on the lives of Indians.

Another important feature of Indian society is religion. India is home to a wide variety of religions, including Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, and Buddhism. Religion plays a major role in the lives of many Indians and shapes their worldview.

Language is another important feature of Indian society. India is home to over 120 languages, making it one of the most linguistically diverse countries in the world. The Official Language of India is Hindi, but English is also widely spoken.

Culture is another important feature of Indian society. Indian culture is rich and diverse, with a long history and many traditions. Indian culture is influenced by Hinduism, Islam, and other religions, as well as by the country’s geography and history.

Food is another important feature of Indian society. Indian cuisine is known for its use of spices, its variety of dishes, and its delicious flavors. Indian food is popular all over the world, and there are many Indian restaurants in cities around the world.

Festivals are another important feature of Indian society. India is home to many festivals, which are celebrated with great pomp and show. Some of the most popular festivals in India include Diwali, Holi, and Durga puja.

Family is another important feature of Indian society. The family is the basic unit of Indian society, and it plays a major role in the lives of Indians. The family is often extended, with grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins all living together.

Marriage is another important feature of Indian society. Marriage is a sacred union in India, and it is often arranged by the parents of the bride and groom. Marriage is a major life event in India, and it is celebrated with great pomp and show.

Education is another important feature of Indian society. Education is highly valued in India, and the Literacy rate is high. There are many schools and universities in India, and the government is committed to providing quality education to all its citizens.

economy is another important feature of Indian society. India is a developing country with a rapidly growing economy. The economy is based on agriculture, manufacturing, and services. India is a major player in the global economy, and it is expected to become one of the world’s largest economies in the coming years.

Politics is another important feature of Indian society. India is a democracy with a Multi-Party System. The government is headed by the Prime Minister, who is elected by the people. India is a member of the United Nations and other international organizations.

Government is another important feature of Indian society. India is a federal republic with a parliamentary System of Government. The government is divided into three branches: the executive, the legislative, and the judicial. The executive branch is headed by the Prime Minister, who is the head of government. The legislative branch is headed by the President, who is the head of state. The judicial branch is headed by The Supreme Court.

India is a country with a rich and diverse history and culture. It is home to over 1.3 billion people, making it the second most populous country in the world. India is also a land of contrasts, with a wide range of geographical features, climates, and cultures. The caste system, religion, language, culture, food, festivals, family, marriage, education, economy, politics, and government are all important features of Indian society.

Here are some frequently asked questions about the salient features of Indian society and the diversity of India:

What are the salient features of Indian society?

Indian society is a diverse and complex society with a rich history and culture. Some of the salient features of Indian society include:

A strong sense of community and family ties
A deep respect for tradition and elders
A strong work ethic
A vibrant and diverse culture
What is the diversity of India?

India is a country with a diverse Population of over 1.3 billion people. This diversity is reflected in the country’s language, religion, culture, and ethnicity. Some of the key factors that contribute to India’s diversity include:

The country’s size and geography
Its history of invasions and migrations
The caste system
The country’s federal structure
What are the challenges of India’s diversity?

India’s diversity is both a strength and a challenge. On the one hand, it has led to a rich and vibrant culture. On the other hand, it has also led to conflict and division. Some of the key challenges of India’s diversity include:

The caste system
Religious conflict
Regionalism
POVERTY
What are the opportunities of India’s diversity?

India’s diversity is also an opportunity. It can be a source of strength and innovation. Some of the key opportunities of India’s diversity include:

A large and growing market
A skilled and educated workforce
A diverse range of cultures and languages
What is the future of India’s diversity?

India’s diversity is likely to continue to be a major factor in the country’s development. The country will need to find ways to manage its diversity in order to achieve its full potential. Some of the key factors that will shape the future of India’s diversity include:

The country’s economic Growth
The rise of Social Media
The increasing Urbanization of the population
The country’s political development

Question 1

India is a country with a rich and diverse culture. Which of the following is not a feature of Indian society?

(A) Caste system
(B) Religion
(C) Language
(D) Food

Answer

(D) Food is not a feature of Indian society. It is a part of Indian culture, but it is not a feature of Indian society in the same way that caste system, religion, and language are.

Question 2

India is a country with a population of over 1.3 billion people. Which of the following is the most spoken language in India?

(A) Hindi
(B) English
(C) Bengali
(D) Telugu

Answer

(A) Hindi is the most spoken language in India. It is spoken by over 400 million people.

Question 3

India is a country with a long and rich history. Which of the following is not a historical period of India?

(A) The Indus Valley Civilization
(B) The Mughal Empire
(C) The British Raj
(D) The Republic of India

Answer

(D) The Republic of India is not a historical period of India. It is the current period of India.

Question 4

India is a country with a diverse geography. Which of the following is not a geographical feature of India?

(A) The Himalayas
(B) The Ganges River
(C) The Thar Desert
(D) The Indian Ocean

Answer

(D) The Indian Ocean is not a geographical feature of India. It is a body of water that surrounds India.

Question 5

India is a country with a diverse economy. Which of the following is not a sector of the Indian economy?

(A) Agriculture
(B) Manufacturing
(C) Services
(D) Tourism

Answer

(D) Tourism is not a sector of the Indian economy. It is an Industry that contributes to the Indian economy, but it is not a sector of the economy in the same way that agriculture, manufacturing, and services are.