Indian culture has experienced unbroken continuity despite changes and invasions over the years. It originated in India and developed a vitality and originality of its own while also spreading across the subcontinent. Scholars note India's ability to withstand foreign invasions and maintain religious and cultural traditions due to the dominance of Hinduism. Some key characteristics of Indian tradition include unity in diversity, with diverse social, cultural, political and religious aspects tied together by common literature, philosophy and traditions. Dharma also plays a central role in Indian life and society.

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.