1. Indian Tradition:
Characteristics:
Dr. Iravathi Karve:
• In the western world, we do not find a single
country with extensive, diverse cultural tradition
as India
• She called India- the epitome of the world
Unbroken continuity of Indian cultural heritage:
• Indian culture continued in spite of many changes
over years
• Heritage originated here and grew till it became
unalterable

2. • It has vitality, originality of its own
• It spread all over India
• It survived repeated shocks and invasions
from outsiders
Max muller:
• Unbroken continuity between modern and
ancient phases of Hindu thought
Oswald Spangler, Arnold Toynbee:
• Because of religious dominance, India is able
to maintain cultural continuity

3. Sorokin and Dr.S.Radhakrishnan:
• India withstood foreign invasions of Persians,
Greeks, Huns, Turks.
• Mentioned unbroken cultural tradition
Jadunath Sarkar:
• It stood test of time , dynastic revolutions
foreign invasions , religious conflicts , natural
disasters.
1.Unity in Diversity:
• One feature of India is its unity in diversity
• It is Indian self identity

4. Reflections of Diversities:
• Diversities in social , cultural, political, economic,
religious, racial matters
• Diversities in rural, urban, semi-urban areas
• Dissimilarities formed among people
• Geographic, biographic, ethnic, religious,
linguistic
Biological diversity
Aspects of Indian Unity:
• Despite diversities, Indian culture has unity
formed in literature, thought.
• Literature, philosophy, traditions, customs,
traditionally Indian

5. M.N Srinivas:
• Unity is religious one
• Puranas, Epics, Vedas-knit the groups together as one
religious society
• Common goal of religious merit is visiting a sacred place
Herbert Risley:
• Underlying uniformity of life from Himalayas to Cape
Camerin
• cultural tradition embrace people of all races, religion,
caste, creed
• Different religions exist side by side here
• Common languages as Hindi, English

6. • Centuries ago Sanskrit was the link language
• Caste also provided common cultural ideology
Our economic, social, political, philosophies
based on equality, justice, liberty, rationality,
secularism.
3.Dharma as theLife – centre of the society:
• Religious and spiritual orientation feature of
Indian culture.
• Concept of Dharma- basic idea in different
fields.
• This idea explains different functions and roles
of people,institutions.

7. • Religion and spirituality represent the vermeate
of our life.
India and its spiritual life:
• Holy sages, the risis appeal to Indian Hind.
• India produced holy men.
• Kings, commoners take heir advice.
• India is not only Mother Land, but also our
Karma bhumi, Tapo Bhumi and Punya Bhumi.
4.Scientific aspect of Indian heritage:
• Our scientific tradition is glorious
• The concept of Zero, Square roots, Cube roots is
known to ancient Indians.

8. • Brahmagupta’s achievements in Mathematics
• Indian Medical System – Ayurveda
• Sushruta Samhita on surgery.
• Superb temple Architecture.
• Town planning, drainage system.
• Ship building, Navigation.
• Cotton and Silk Textiles.
5.Spirit of tolerance : synthetic approach to religion:
• Hinduism accepted different religions
• The essence of all religions are one.
• Human culture given by Hindus.

9. • Humanism is the core of all religions.
• Similarity in teachings of all religions.
• Tolerance, accommodation in Indian Culture.
• India followed policy of “LIVE AND LET LIVE”
6.Harmony with Nature:
• Animals, birds, trees, rivers – part and parcel
of the Hindu way of life.
• God associated with animals.
• Shiva with Nandi or Bull.
• Vishnu with Garuda.

10. • Amarnath, Kedarnath – Pilgrimage.
• Rivers sacred for Hindus.
• Goddess Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswathi, are
sacred.
• Trees and plants are also sacred.
• Hindus have great concern for Nature.
• Nature is mother from whom man draws
sustenance.
• Environmental protection was sacred.