Here's 'Multi-Cultural Diversity Of Indian Society'- from Foundation Course-Semester 1. Enjoy Learning!

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MULTI-CULTURAL
DIVERSITY OF
INDIAN SOCIETY
PROF. KARISHMA SHETTY

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LET’S DISCUSS!

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INTRODUCTION
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∎ Multiculturalism is defined as the state of co-existence of diverse
cultures.
∎ Culture includes, racial, religious, linguistic, etc. which may have
differences and distinctions in customer behavior, cultural
assumptions and values, patterns of thinking and communicative
styles.
 Multicultural nations like Canada, Australia, USA, UK European Union countries,
where people of different cultures look very much alike in their physical size and
facial features, dress. language, food habits, religious practices, way of life etc.
 People of India show clear distinctions in their physique, dress, language,
food habits, religious practices and rituals. It has its own geographic, ethnic,
religious, and linguistic background.

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CHARACTERISTICS
OF
MULTI-CULTURAL
DIVERSITY
OF INDIAN SOCIETY:

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RELIGION:
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 India, being a democratic, socialistic and secular republic , has no state
religion.
 India is the birth place of world religions such as Hinduism, Sikhism,
Buddhism and Jainism.
 India is a land where people of different religions and cultures live in
harmony. This harmony is seen in the celebration of festivals. The message
of love and brotherhood is expressed by all the religions and cultures of
India.
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LANGUAGES:2
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 The languages of India belong to several language families, the major ones being
the Indo-Aryan languages spoken by 74% of Indians and the Dravidian languages
spoken by 24% of Indians.
The principal official language of the Republic of India is Standard Hindi, while
English is the secondary official language.
The constitution of India has recognized 22 languages and there are total 1,652
languages in India.

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CASTE SYSTEM:
∎ Caste is a form of social segmentation.
∎ It is hereditary way of a lifestyle which often includes an occupation,
status in a hierarchy, and customary social interaction and exclusion.
∎ Caste system in India is the most prominent among the caste systems all
around the world.
∎ It had started in ancient times and it still continues in India.
∎ Although we can say the caste system in India is declining as a result of
urbanization and also the positive steps taken by the Government of
India.
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It is a social structure used to designate any social class of extreme rigidity.
It is composed of four varnas or classes, and from this, a rank-order of
different sub caste or jati was formed:
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Brahmins:
The first and the
highest class;
intellectuals of the
nations such as
landowners,
scholars, and
priests.
Kshatriyas:
A class directly
follows Brahmins;
mostly rulers,
nobles and
warriors. They
manage the land,
military service,
and administration
Vaishyas:
The third class
composed of
traders,
shopkeepers,
moneylenders,
farmers, and
artisans: Trading and
Banking.
Shudras:
The fourth class
composed of
labourers and
service
providers.

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ILL EFFECTS OF
CASTE SYSYTEM
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∎Hampered the concept of national unity
∎Works against the concept of democracy
∎Resulted in suppression.
∎Hampered national development.
∎Resulted in betrayal.
∎Resulted in religious conversion.
∎Undermined the ability and aspirations of the
people.
∎Created a false sense of prestige among higher
castes
∎Resulted in introduction of untouchability.
∎Gave a lower status to women
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DEMOGRAPHIC
COMPOSITION

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India has 17.50% of world population.
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Rank State/ Union Territory % of India’s population
1 Uttar Pradesh 16.5
2 Maharashtra 9.28
3 Bihar 8.6
Rank State/Union Territory % of India’s population
33 Dadra and Nagar Haveli 0.03
34 Daman and Diu 0.02
35 Lakshadweep 0.01
State/ Union Territory With Highest Indian Population
State/ Union Territory With Lowest Indian Population
(Data as per Census Report of 2011)

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India is culturally diversified through religion
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Religious Group Population
(2011)%
Hinduism 79.80%
Islam 14.23%
Christianity 2.30%
Sikhism 1.72%
Buddhism 0.70%
Jainism 0.37%
Others/Religion not
specified
0.90%
Total 100.00%
Hinduism
Islam
Christianity
Sikhism
Buddhism
Jainism
Others/Religion
not specified

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HINDUISM

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 It is believed that Hinduism is the oldest religion in the world.
 Hinduism is world's third largest religion after Christianity and Islam.
 India is home for Hinduism.
 It is the largest religion in India, where Hindus form about 80% of the total
population.
 Ramayana, Bhagavad Gita, Vedas and the Upanishads are the holy books of the
Hindus.
 They worship the idols or murtis which is considered as a reflection of God.
 There are many Hindu festivals like Diwali, Holi, Bihu, Ganesh Chaturthi, Durga
Puja and many more which are celebrated in the country.
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ISLAM

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 It is the second largest religion in the country and its followers
are known as Muslims.
 They are divided into sub sections, most famous being Sunnis and
Shias.
 India has third highest Muslim Population after Indonesia and Pakistan.
 The holy book of the Muslims is the Quran.
 They believe in Allah (One almighty) and follow the teachings
of Prophet Muhammad.
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CHRISTIANITY
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 It is the third largest religion in India.
 Christian population can be found all over the country but majority of
the people who belong to this religious section lives in the parts of
South India, North-East and the Konkan Coast.
 The Christians worship and believe in Jesus Christ.
 Christmas is the major festival of Christians.
 Good Friday, Easter are some other festivals celebrated by the
 people of this religion in the country.
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SIKHISM
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 Sikhism is a dominant religion in state of Punjab and it has a good
amount of population in Haryana, Delhi NCR, Rajasthan and
Uttarakhand.
 Guru Nanak is the founder of the religion Sikhism in India.
 Guru Granth Sahib is the holy book of the Sikhs which is a collection
of the writings of the Guru.
 Gurpurab, Baisakhi, Nagar Kirtan, Hola Mohalla are some of the
festivals and events celebrated by the Sikhs.
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BUDDHISM
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 Buddhism was founded in India by Siddhartha Gautama,
also known as 'Buddha'.
 Buddhists are concentrated in majorly in state of Maharashtra.
 Buddhism believes in attaining enlightenment through love,
kindness and wisdom.
 Birthday of Buddha (also known as Vesak), Asalha Puja Day,
Magha Puja Day and Lo Krathong are some of the festivals
celebrated by the Buddhists.
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JAINISM
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 Most of Jains live in states of Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya
Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka and Delhi NCR.
 Jainism is believed to have originated in India in the 7th-5th
century BC and was founded by Lord Mahavir
 The propagators of this religion are known as Thirthankar.
 Mahavir Jayanti, Paryushan Parva, and Maun-agiyara are some
of the festivals celebrated the Jains.
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ZORASHTRIANS
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 Though the total number of Zoroastrians in Indian population is very
less yet they continue to be one of the important religious
communities of India.
 People who follow Zoroastrianism are known as Parsis.
 Most of the Parsis (Zoroastrians) live in Maharashtra & Gujarat.
 Zoroastrianism considers that humans are the helpers of God
 Parsis worship in Dar-E-Mehr or The Fire Temple.
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JUDAISM
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 According to Judaism, there exists a covenant relationship between
God and people.
 Those who follow Judaism are called Jews.
 Jews worship in holy places called synagogues and their
spiritual leaders are called rabbis.
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GENDER WISE
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• Gender wise ratio is the ratio of the females to the males.
• Gender is a demographic factor which tells you about the
male/female composition in a particular region.
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SEX RATIO OVER THE YEARS IN INDIA
YEAR SEX RATIO
1991 921/1000
2001 933/1000
2011 940/1000
We can see from the above table, the number of males is higher than females and
It clearly shows the preference of Indian population towards males as compared to females.
The gender ratio is slowly and gradually improving as the government is
taking a lot of initiatives towards saving of the girl child.

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The main reasons for this gap in the
female to male ratio can be:
• Practices of female feticides due to the problem of dowry
• Most people in the Indian society had always preferred
male child over the female child.
• Since males are treated better than females, they face
the problem of malnourishment.
• Many cases of infanticide.
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LINGUISTIC
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• India has become a land of many tongues and has been called
"as a tower of veritable languages" or a "Museum of
languages".
• There is no national language as declared by the Constitution
of India. Hindi and English are used for official purposes such
as parliamentary proceedings, judiciary, communications
between the Central Government and a State Government.
• States within India have the liberty and powers to specify their
own official language through legislation and therefore there
are 22 officially recognized languages in India.
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Languages Language speakers as a
% of total population
Hindi 43.63%
Bengali 8.03%
Telugu 6.86%
Marathi 6.70%
Tamil 5.70%
Gujarati 4.58%
Urdu 4.19%
Kannada 3.61%
Oriya 3.10%
Malayalam 2.88%
Punjabi 2.74%
English 0.2%
Sanskrit 0.002%
Other
Languages
7.78%
Total 100%
Hindi
Bengali
Telegu
Marathi
Tamil
Gujarati
Urdu
Kannada
Oriya
Malayalam
Punjabi
English
Sanskrit
Others
(Data according to Census Report 2011)

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CLASSIFICATION OF
INDIAN LANGUAGES:
People of India speak a large number of languages which are
broadly divided into the following four families:
(1) Indo-European Family (Aryan),
(2) Dravidian Family (Dravida),
(3) Austric Family (Nishada), and
(4) Sino Tibetan Family (Kirata)
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(1) Indo-European Family (Aryan Languages)
This is the most important of all the families of languages spoken by 3/4th
of the Indian population.
The Aryan languages are divided into two main branches:
[1] The Dardic Aryan languages
[2] The Indo-Aryan languages
[1] The Dardic Aryan Languages:
-Spoken by Mountain Communities in Kashmir
The Dardic languages fall into 3 branches:
(a) Shina- Kashmiri, Shina proper and Kohistani
(b) Khowar or Chatran or Chitrali
(c) Kafuistan or Nuristani dialects.
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[2] The Indo-Aryan Languages
-Second sub-group of Aryan languages.
Based on regional distribution of the people speaking these languages are further grouped as:
(a) Northern Aryan Languages:
-Includes Nepali, Central Pahari and Western Pahari Aryan languages.
(b) North-Western Aryan languages:
-Khanda, Kachchi and Sindhi are well known North-Western Aryan languages.
(c) Southern Aryan Languages:
-includes Marathi and Konkani languages.
(d) Eastern Aryan Languages:
-includes Bihari, Oriya, Bengali and Assamese languages.
(e) East Central Aryan Languages:
-includes Avadhi, Bugheli and Chhatisgarhi are their languages.
(f) Central Aryan Languages:
-includes Hindi, Punjabi, Rajasthani and Alawari languages.
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(2) Dravidian Languages:
Dravidian languages are older than the Aryan Languages.
The Dravidian Languages fall into several groups. Two major groups are as under:
(a) The North Dravidian Languages:
(b)South Dravidian Languages:
(a) The North Dravidian Languages:
-Includes Telugu, Gondi dialects, Kuruth or Oraon, Maler or Malpahariya, Kui or Kandh, Parji and Kolami.
(b)South Dravidian Languages:
-Includes Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam, Tulu, Kota, Kurgi or Kedagu and Toda.

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(3) Austric Languages:
Sub-divided into two branches:
(a)Munda
(b)Mon-Khmer
(a)Munda Tribe:
Munda languages are the largest of Austric group of languages.
They consist 14 tribal languages.
The Kherwari is the major group which is current in Eastern India
(b)Mon-Khmer Languages:
It has two sub-groups:
[1]Khasi- spoken by Khasi tribal people of Meghalaya
[2]Nicobari- are spoken by the tribal people of Nicobar Islands.
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(4) Sino- Tibetan Languages:
- Spoken by variety of people.
- Includes Chamba, Lahauli, Kannauri, Lepcha, Tibetan, Balti, Ladakhi,
Sherpa, Sikkim Bhutia, Aka, Dafta, Abor, Miri, Mishnil Naga, Kukichin,
Burmese etc. languages
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REGIONAL
VARIATIONS
IN INDIA
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• ‘Unity In Diversity’ is a fundamental characteristic of India.
• The growth pattern of Indian Economy has reflected in various dimensions
of social, economic, political, geographical, religious, cultural and linguistic
diversities.
• Indian Economy has been experiencing the annual average growth rate of
around 6.02% from 1951-2015, which is quite a good performance as
compared to another developed and developing economy.
• In India, the rate of socio-economic development is commendable, but the
benefits of this kind of development were not distributed among different
states or regions, which enlarge the socio-economic disparities among
them.
• In the next few slides, we will learn about the regional variation in India.
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(1)Natural Resources:
Most important reason for regional disparity is that India’s different regions are endowed
with different natural and human- based resources.
Some states like West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh etc are endowed with
better minerals while Punjab and Haryana have better irrigation facilities .
(2)Differences in Literacy Rate:
India’s Literacy Rate is at 74.04%.
Kerala- Most Literate State (93.91%)
Bihar- Least Literate State (63.82%)
There is a wide gender disparity in literacy in
India. Literacy rates 2011 were 82.14% for men
and 65.46% for women.
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Literacy Rate in India Over The
Years
Years Literacy Rate
1991 39%
2001 47%
2011 63.8%
2018 74.04%

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(3)Degree of Urbanisation:
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Population residing in Urban Areas in India over the years
Years Population residing in Urban Areas in India
2001 28.53%
2011 31.16%
States having higher degree of urbanisation-
Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Karnataka, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal
States having lower degree of urbanization-
Himachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Orissa, Arunachal Pradesh
(4)Per Capita Consumption of Electricity:
States like Punjab, Gujarat, Haryana, Maharashtra etc., having higher degree of industrialization
and mechanization of agriculture, have recorded a higher per capita consumption of electricity.
The economically backward states like Assam, Bihar, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh
and Uttar Pradesh have lower per capita consumption of electricity.

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(5) Employment Pattern:
States attaining higher degree of industrialization are maintaining a
higher proportion of industrial workers to total population.
It is found that industrially developed states like Maharashtra, Gujarat,
Haryana, Punjab, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal are maintaining a higher average daily
employment of factory workers as compared to that lower average maintained in
industrially backward states like Assam, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan etc.
(6)Industrialization:
Before Independence, West Bengal and Maharashtra were two industrialized states of
India.
But after independence, Gujarat, Punjab and Tamil Nadu have developed the industrial
sector considerably by developing industrial units of all different sizes.
On the other hand, states like Assam, Bihar, Orissa and Uttar Pradesh
have been lagging behind in industrial development.
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(7) Population living below Poverty Line:
The percentage of Population living below Poverty Line for the whole country was
12.4% in 2015.
Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh are the states which have the
highest percentage of population living below Poverty Line.
Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Kerala, Karnataka and Punjab have the
lowest percentage of population living below Poverty Line.
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RURAL
CHARACTERISTICS
Rural Community is an area which is under development and
not civilized, based on geographical conditions.
In the next slides, the characteristics of rural community.
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(1) Size of the Community:
The village communities are smaller in area than the urban communities.
As the village communities are small, the population is also low.
(2) Intimate Relationship:
As the density of population is low, the people have intimate relationships and
face-to-face contacts with each other. In a village, everyone knows everyone.
(3) Agriculture is the Main Occupation:
Agriculture is the fundamental occupation of the rural people and forms the basis of
rural economy.
A farmer has to perform various agricultural activities for which he needs the
cooperation of other members. Usually, these members are from his family. Thus,
the members of the entire family share agricultural activities.
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(4) Close Contact with Nature:
The rural people are in close contact with nature as most of their daily activities
revolve around the natural environment.
This is the reason why rural people are more influenced by nature than an urban
people.
The villagers consider land as their real mother as they depend on it for their food,
clothing and shelter.
(5) Homogeneity of Population:
The village communities are homogenous in nature. Most of their population is
connected with agriculture and its allied occupations, though there are people
belonging to different castes, religions and classes.
(6) Social Stratification:
In rural society, social stratification is a traditional characteristic, based on caste.
The rural society is divided into various strata on the basis of caste.
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URBAN
CHARACTERISTICS:
An urban area is the region surrounding a city.
Most population of urban areas has non-agricultural jobs.
Urban areas are very developed.
There is a density of human structures such as houses commercial
buildings, roads, bridges, and railways.
"Urban area" can refer to towns, cities, and suburbs.
In the next few slides, we will learn about
the characteristics of Urban Lifestyle.
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(1) Size:
The size of an urban community is much larger than that of a rural community.
(2) Density of Population:
Density of population in urban areas is greater than in rural communities. Urbanity and
density are positively correlated.
(3) Family:
So far as urban community is concerned, greater importance is attached to the
individual than to the family, Nuclear families are more popular in urban areas.
(4) Marriage:
In case of urban community there is a preponderance of love marriages and inter-caste
marriages. One also comes across a greater number of divorces. Sons and daughters
enjoy considerable freedom in choosing their life partners.
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(5) Occupation:
In the urban areas, the major occupations are industrial, administrative and professional
in nature.
Divisions of labor and occupational specialization are very much common in cities.
(6)Class Extremes:
A town and a city house the richest as well as the poorest of people.
In a city, the slums of the poor exist alongside the palatial bungalows of the rich, amidst
the apartments of the middle class members. The most civilized modes of behavior as
well as the worst racketeering are found in the cities.
(7) Social Heterogeneity:
Cities symbolize cultural heterogeneity.
The cities are characterized by diverse peoples, races and cultures.
There is a great variety in regard to the food habits, dress habits, living conditions,
religious beliefs, cultural outlook, customs and traditions of the urban people.
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(9) Mobility:
The most important feature of urban community is its social mobility.
In urban areas the social status of an individual is determined not by heredity or birth
but by his merit, capacity and intelligence.
(10) Materialism:
In urban area status of individual depends upon what he has.
Urban society gives lots of important to income, wealth, financial assets, salaries, costly
home, and material possessions
(11) Individualism:
The urbanites attach supreme importance to their own welfare and happiness.
They hesitate to think or act for the good of others.
(12) Rationality:
In urban community there is emphasis on rationality. Their relationship with others is based
on gain or loss. Relationship takes place on a contractual basis. Once the contract is over,
human relationship automatically comes to a close
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TRIBAL
CHARACTERISTICS:
Tribal is a group of people, often of related families, who live
together, sharing the same language, culture, and history.
A tribe is a group of distinct people, dependent on their land for their
livelihood, who are largely self-sufficient, and not integrated into the
national society.
In the next few slides, we will learn about
the characteristics of Indian tribes.
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(1)Definite Common Geographical Area:
Tribal people live within a definite common geographical area and it is a common place for
all the members of a particular tribe occupying that region.
(2)Common Name:
Each tribe has a distinct name of its own through which it is distinguished from others.
For example in India name of tribe caste are Gond, Bhil, Garo, Munda, Kota, Meena, Naga,
etc.
(3) Common Language:
Members of one tribe speak the same language.
Each tribe has its own language, if not the script.
Members of a tribe exchange their views in a common dialect.
This element further strengthens their sense of unity.
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(4)Common Culture:
Each tribe has its own common culture.
Each tribe has prescribed patterns of behavior, festivals, dances, songs, and way to
worship.
Common culture produces homogeneity among the tribals.
(5)Sense of Unity:
Sense of unity is necessity for a true tribal life.
The existence of a tribe depends upon the tribal's sense of unity during the times of
peace and war.
(6)Marry within Group:
Tribal people generally do not marry outside their tribe and marriage within the tribe
is highly appreciated and much applauded.
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(7) Ties of Blood-relationship:
Blood-relation is the greatest bond and most powerful force inculcating
sense of unity among the tribal.
(8) Occupation:
Majority of tribal workers are engaged in agriculture. Apart from agriculture
tribal's engaged in forestry, hunting, food-gathering, etc.
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(9) Political Authority:
Tribal people need protection for this a single political authority is established and all
the powers are in the hand of this authority.
The tribal chief is helped by a tribal committee, in the events of contingencies.
Tribe is divided into a number of small groups and each group is headed by its own
leader.
The chief of a group work according to the directives received by him from the
tribal chief.
(10) Democratic Values:
The tribal social organization is based on the democratic principle.
Thus there are no institutionalized inequalities like the caste system or sex based
inequalities.
Thus men and women enjoyed equal status and freedom.
However some degrees of social inequality may be found in case of tribal chiefs or
tribal kings who enjoy a higher social status, exercise political power and possess
wealth.
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Diversity as Difference:
"Indian" culture is actually an amalgamation of very diverse, radically different cultures.
Unity in diversity focuses on the existence of unity even after lots of differences of
cultural, social, physical, linguistic, religious, political, ideological, psychological, etc.
In the next few slides, we will learn about the positive aspects of India's diversity.
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(1) Sense of togetherness:
Culturally speaking, there has been an emphasis on living a happy life
instead of a hard one.
All of our scriptures and practices seek togetherness. In us there is a sense of belonging.
We celebrate different festivals and respect their cultures.
(2)Knowing ones neighbor :
Unlike most western countries, we still know our neighbors
We might not love them but we know them, we help each other, some even half-heartedly
thinking that someday in an emergency we'll at least have someone close by.
(3) Emphasis on unity through education:
There is a pro active role on the part of government to introduce
in school and colleges inter-religious education that
can promote communal harmony.
The curriculum material always tries to show a more balanced view of religious history,
as well as promote respect for all religious traditions.
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(4)Harmonious co-existence of multiple religions:
India is a country where it is very clear to see unity in diversity because
people of many religion, race, culture and tradition live together without
affecting each other's feelings and believes to their religion.
People in India are highly spiritual and God fearing in nature so they give
respect to everyone's religion.
(5)Harmonious co-existence of multiple languages:
India is a well-known country of oldest civilization in the world where people
of many ethnic groups live together for years.
India is a country of diverse civilization where people use almost 1652
spoken languages and dialects according to their religion and choice.
In spite of being related from different cultures, traditions, religions and
languages; people here respect each other and live together with lots of
love and feeling of brotherhood.
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(6)Religious Tolerance:
Indian people have power of religious tolerance. Indians belonging to
different religions accept and respect each other's religious practices.
(7) Workplace Harmony:
Unity in diversity boosts morale of people at workplace, organization, and
community. It helps in enhancing esprit de corps, relationships, teamwork
among people thus improve performance, quality of work,
productivity and lifestyle
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8) Co-existence of various lifestyles:
People belonging to various cultures give rise to the various lifestyles on
the basis of their interest and belief.
Within India we find people from different communities preparing each
other's delicacies cuisines.
E.g.: Punjabi cooking dosa for his breakfast.
Our clothing has also been influenced by the co-existence
of multiple religions and races.
(9)Influence of multicultural in Arts:
Every ethnic group is unique and rich with its own cultural heritage.
The state has been responsible in protecting and preserving the historical
and cultural legacies, and promoting arts.
Areas like music, fine arts, drama, dance (classical, folk, etc.), theatre,
sculpture, etc. have been greatly influenced by the co-existence
of multiple ethnic groups and their cultures.
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