Essence of Indian Traditional Knowledge - Detailed Notes

UNIT-I Introduction to Culture

  • Culture is derived from the Latin term "cult" or "cultus", meaning tilling, cultivating, refining, and worship. It essentially involves cultivating and refining something to evoke admiration and respect.
  • The Sanskrit word "Samskriti" has a similar meaning.
  • Aspects of culture include: food, clothing, language, and religion.
  • Culture embodies how we think and act, encompassing values, beliefs, rules of conduct, and patterns of social, political, and economic organization. These are passed down through formal and informal processes.
  • Culture has two types:
    • Material: Technologies, instruments, household design, architecture, modes of production, trade.
    • Non-material: Norms, values, beliefs, myths, legends, literature, ritual, art forms, and other intellectual-literary activities.
  • Material culture changes faster than non-material culture.
  • Culture is learned and acquired, not inherited. It is acquired through family, group, and society.
  • Human culture is influenced by the physical and social environment.
  • Culture is shared by a group of people. A thought or action is considered culture if shared and practiced by a group.
  • Culture is dynamic and constantly changing with new ideas and techniques modifying old ways.
  • Culture provides a range of permissible behavior patterns, dictating how activities should be conducted and how individuals should act appropriately.
  • Culture is diverse, comprising several mutually interdependent parts that form a whole.

UNIT 1 Culture and Civilisation

  • Civilization involves better ways of living and adapting nature to fulfill needs. It includes organizing societies politically to improve life conditions regarding food, dress, and communication.
  • Some groups consider themselves civilized based on these advancements.
  • Culture refers to the inner refinement of head and heart, encompassing arts, sciences, music, dance, and higher pursuits.
  • Human beings operate at physical, mental, and spiritual levels.
  • Civilization includes improved ways of living socially, politically, and utilizing nature.
  • Being cultured involves expressing deeper levels of intellect and consciousness.

UNIT 1 Culture and Heritage

  • Cultural development is a historical process where each generation learns from its predecessors.
  • Cultural heritage is inherited from predecessors and exists at various levels:
    • Human heritage: Culture inherited by humanity as a whole.
    • National cultural heritage: Culture inherited by a nation.
  • Cultural heritage includes aspects and values transmitted by ancestors, cherished, protected, maintained, and a source of pride.
  • Examples of Indian cultural heritage: Taj Mahal, Swami Narayan Temple, Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Mysore Palace, Jain Temple of Dilwara, Golden Temple, Sanchi Stupa, Christian Church in Goa, India Gate.
  • Intellectual achievements, philosophy, treasures of knowledge, scientific inventions, and discoveries are part of heritage.
  • Contributions of Indian scholars:
    • Baudhayan, Aryabhatta, Bhaskaracharya: Mathematics, Astronomy, Astrology.
    • Kanad, Varahmihir: Physics.
    • Nagarjuna: Chemistry.
    • Susruta, Charak: Medicines.
    • Patanjali: Yoga.
  • These contributions are profound treasures of Indian cultural heritage.
  • Culture changes, but heritage endures.
  • Indian literature and scriptures (Vedas, Upanishads, Gita, Yoga System) provide knowledge, action, behavior, and practices that complement civilization development.

IMPORTANCE OF CULTURE IN HUMAN LIFE

  • Without culture, there would be no humans.
  • Culture consists of traditions, beliefs, and ways of life, from spiritual to material aspects.
  • Humans are creators and products of culture.
  • Value religious identity and promote interfaith dialogue.
  • Respect diverse cultures.
  • Truth, Beauty, and Goodness are linked with culture.
  • Culture brings us closer to truth and promotes understanding and dialogue.

Indian Culture

  • One of the most ancient cultures in the world.
  • Ancient cultures like Egypt, Greece, and Rome have declined, but Indian culture remains alive.
  • Fundamental principles remain consistent over time.
  • Examples: Panchayats, caste systems, and joint family system.
  • Indian culture is multifaceted.
  • Characterized by unity in diversity, continuity, and change.
  • Remarkable for maintaining its basic spirit while adapting to changes, including those from invasions.
  • Various ethnic groups like Iranians, Greeks, Kushanas, Shakas, Hunas, Arabs, Turks, and Mughals have influenced Indian culture.
  • Influences evident in dress, food habits, culture, and traditions.

Ancient Indian Culture

  • Evidence of neolithic habitation dating back to 7000 BC.
  • The Harappan civilization flourished around 2700 BC in northwestern India.
  • Known as the first known urban culture in India.
  • The Harappan civilization began declining by 1800 BC.
  • After the decline of the Harappan civilization, the Aryan culture flourished and spread across the Ganga-Yamuna plains.
  • They composed hymns in honor of gods and goddesses, which make up the Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda, and Atharvana Veda.
  • The word "Veda" means knowledge of the sacred spiritual knowledge.

Vedic culture

  • Aryan society was patriarchal, but women were treated with dignity and honor.
  • The family was the smallest social unit.
  • Society was divided into four varnas: Brahmans, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras.
    • Brahmans: Teachers
    • Kshatriyas: Ruling class
    • Vaishyas: Farmers, merchants, and bankers
    • Shudras: Artisans, craftsmen, and laborers
  • The system of chaturashrama divided life into four stages:
    • Brahmacharya: Celibacy, education, and disciplined life in guru’s ashram.
    • Grihastha: Family life.
    • Vanaprastha: Gradual detachment.
    • Sanyasa: Life dedicated to spiritual pursuit.

worship

  • Early Vedic people worshipped forces of nature as gods and goddesses.
  • Indra, Agni, Varuna, Marut: Gods.
  • Usha, Aditi, Prithvi: Goddesses.
  • Later, Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva became popular.
  • Religion became ritualistic.
  • Sanskrit mantras, monopolized by Brahmins, became essential in religious functions.
  • This made Brahmins powerful and Yajnas expensive.

Material life and economy

  • Aryans were pastoral and agricultural.
  • They domesticated animals like cows, horses, sheep, goats, and dogs.
  • Ate cereals, pulses, fruits, vegetables, milk, and milk products.
  • Drank Soma.
  • Games: Chess, chariot racing.
  • Initially, no money transaction or taxes.
  • Later, iron brought changes.
  • Iron axes enabled clearing forests for agriculture.
  • Iron tools led to varied crafts and technology.
  • Iron weapons and horses enabled wars and defense.
  • Towns and cities grew; territorial states emerged.
  • High-quality earthenware called ‘Painted Grey Ware’ and ‘Northern Black Polished Ware’ were found.
  • Coins came into circulation.
  • Trade was carried on overland and through waterways, enhancing material prosperity.
  • By the sixth century BC, there were sixteen large territorial states in North India and the upper Deccan known as Mahajanapadas like Anga, Magadha, Kosala, Kashi, Kuru, and Panchala.

Medieval Indian Culture

  • During the medieval period, the relationship between the classical and the folk was not disturbed.
  • New religious movements like Sufi and Sikhism along with Bhakti movement emerged.
  • Impact of Islam on many aspects of Indian culture.
  • The rulers of Delhi, who ruled from 1206-90, were Mamluk Turks.
  • They were followed by the Khiljis, Tughlaqs, Sayyids, and Lodis, who ruled northern India from Delhi till 1526.

Medieval Indian Culture

  • Distinctive features of Indo-Islamic architecture:
    • (a) dome
    • (b) lofty towers or minarets
    • (c) arch
    • (d) the vault
  • The Mughal rulers were great lovers of nature.
  • The famous Mughal gardens Shalimar Bagh Lahore (now in Pakistan) and Nishat Bagh.
  • Red Fort in Delhi the Taj Mahal at Agra Fatehpur Sikri complex,

Religion

  • The Sufis were not the only popular religious teacher of the time. There were also the Bhakti saints.
  • Their teachings were similar to those of the Sufis but they had been teaching for a longer time.
  • They were popular among the artisans, craftsmen and traders in the towns.

Economy Society & Culture INDIA IN THE 18TH CENTURY[Modern India culture]

  • The Portuguese and then the Dutch (Netherland /Holland), the French and finally, the British entered into a race.
  • Slowly they gained political and economic control of the country.