Are you looking for guidance on the Salient Features of Indian Society while preparing for UPSC Exam? You have landed on the right page and we will provide you with the entire information. You will find info regarding What is Indian Society, the Features of the Indian Society, and the Significant Issues Stagnating the Indian Society.
By going through the further modules you will learn about the Significant Features of Indian Society in detail in terms of UPSC Perspective. Let’s dive deep into the article and understand why studying about Indian Society is crucial in cracking the UPSC Exam.
What is the Indian Society?
Society is the sum of human relations depending on some common characteristics like tradition, norms, and values. Answering the Question What is Indian Society can be a bit difficult due to Indian Diversity. There is no Common Religion, Caste, or Community the only thing they share in common is being Indian. Indian Society can be described in broad terms with the following features
- Dynamic and Syncretic
- Traditionalism with modernity
- Unity in Diversity
- Caste and Class
- Patriarchy
- Rural and Agrarian
- Mutual respect and Tolerance
- Spiritual and Materialistic
- Individualism and Collectivism
About Indian Society
One thing that is unique about the Indian Society is due to its feature Unity in Diversity. The Name itself suggests oneness the citizens of India enjoy irrespective of culture, ethnic, geographical, and social differences. Unity in Diversity is best explained when the Citizens of India identify themselves as Indians in spite of their cultural differences.
Accommodation without assimilation is a prominent feature in Indian Society. India welcomed and interacted with various elements of society without making any of them lose their roots and authenticity. Every Indian living here enjoys the freedom to live their own life.
Significant Issues inhibiting the Growth of Indian Society
Below are some of the common issues in Indian Society that are stopping the country in terms of development. These need to be overcome to have an overall growth of the Country.
- Vast spread regionalism
- Modern-day urbanization and its problems
- Various problems arising out of a large population
- Threat of communalism
- Apparent social backwardness
- Effects of globalization of Indian society
- The vicious cycle of poverty
- Major developmental issues
Features of Indian Society for UPSC
- Indian Society is a crucial topic in UPSC Exam Syllabus and appears in UPSC Mains General Studies Paper I
- It is as important as Indian History, World History, and Physical Geography.
- In Comparison with other topics Indian Society is fairly easy to study and requires no specific knowledge or mugging up of facts. So, Prepare it without much effort.
- UPSC Exam will test your level of understanding of Indian Society.
Also, read:
Salient Features of Indian Society for UPSC CSE/ IAS Exam
Have a glance at the Salient Features of Indian Society that you might need as a part of your IAS Exam. They are described in detail in the forthcoming modules.
Merging of Tradition with Modernism
Globalization has bought a surge of modern values and practices. However, Traditionalism is still prevalent in the country, and traditions of the country have made their way to the outside world.
- Indian Dance and Music have become quite popular along with their Western Counterparts. However, the Fusion of them has been a prominent theme in Arts.
- Gyms might have gained popularity in the Indian LifeStyle, but Yoga has equal importance.
- Nuclear Families are common whereas Children still take care of their parents at their Old Age.
- International Cuisines and Food Habits are equally popular as the Local Ones.
India Society is Syncretic and Dynamic
Our Society Promotes accommodation as well as assimilation. Over the years multiple tribes have lost their core culture due to assimilation into the Indian Society. However, contact with different cultures gave birth to newer practices. Society is becoming dynamic day by day.
Assimilation
- The increase in the number of particularly vulnerable tribal groups is an example of Assimilation.
- On the other hand, ethnic tribes such as Naga are struggling to protect their culture from the outside world.
Syncretism
- Urdu arrives from both Arabic and Hindavi
- Rashtrapathi Bhawan is an Architectural Splendor created by the fusion of European, Rajput, and Mughal Design.
- Sufi and Bhakti Movement are complementary to each other.
Underlying Theme Unity in Diversity
Many political thinkers were doubtful regarding India’s amalgamation as one nation due to vast differences in language, culture, etc. Core Values in the Constitution and reorganization of State on basis of language and the efforts made by the government helped in maintaining the Unity intact.
Patriarchy
Patriarchy is a family system in which the supreme power lies with male members of the family. Women are considered second class citizens in the patriarchal society. This system hinders the emotional and social development of the fairer sex of the society.
Society is Largely Agrarian and Rural
For more than half of the population in India Agriculture remains the major source of livelihood. Agrarian festivals celebrate the harvest of crops and are celebrated namely as Holi, Lohri, Pongal, Onam, Sankrant, etc. Rural art forms such as Madhubani, Fabric Weaves like Khadi are equally popular in Urban Areas.
Class and Caste Division
The modern Caste System is the result of age-old varna system. Economic Reforms led to flourishing Urban Areas and people are categorized depending on class rather than social identity. However, the emerging class system closely resembles the caste hierarchy. Thus, downtrodden sections are given a chance for upward social mobility.
Coexistence through inter-caste marriages are examples of this.
Tolerance and Mutual Respect
Indian Society has accommodative values of tolerance and mutual respect from the early values. Invaders who entered India and made them this home lead to the co-existence of different cultures.
The mixing of Nagara and Dravid styles led to Vesara style, Arabic and Hindavi to Urdu, Bhakti and Sufi movements (Teachings of Kabir, Guru Nanak, Khwaja Chishti, etc.), Dīn-i Ilāhī of Akbar are good examples of mutual respect.
Final Words
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