“Origin of Indian Culture: An Archaeological Perspective” provides detailed information about the early history of the land. This is the first comprehensive account of the development of Indian society, history and culture from the historical past to the present period. It is significant in bringing about a comparative analysis across various societies of the world. The book has numerous references which prove to be useful for students. It also covers the major social milieu that existed in various states of India before the advent of the western cultures.
Accordingly, the history of early India can be divided into four phases namely Pre-classical India, Medieval India, Modern India and post-classical India. He traces the changes that took place in the architectural structure, lifestyle of the people, language and food of the people across the generations. The book points out various evidences for the existence of an ancient civilization in the country, especially in the Indus Valley Civilization. He discusses British colonization in India as the beginning of the decline of the Indian civilization.
He traces the evolution of Indian art from the Indus Valley Civilization to the periods of Mughal and British Rajasthan. He also traces the evolution of Indian dance and music across the centuries, which have witnessed innumerable changes and advancements. He discusses various aspects of the origin of Indian culture, which form the keystones of the diverse and colorful culture of India.
The book describes the role of the British in the demise of the ancient Indian culture. The role of the British in degrading the value of Indian art and architecture is well described. Apart from that, the author also examines the impact of the foreign powers on the ancient India’s culture, which was notable in terms of their demand for the practice of English language and English cuisine in Indian eateries and pubs. The British colonizers were also prominent in demanding for mass literacy and education in India. Ultimately, he analyzes the role of the nineteenth century British administration in determining the psyche and psychology of the people, who were then forced to adopt the British culture.
After tracing the changes that took place in the architectural structure and lifestyle of the people across the generations, he proceeds to analyze the meaning of the symbols used in Indian civilization, which form the essence of the tradition. Archaeology and linguistics also form the major components of the study, which traces the history of the origin of Indian culture. He adopts a combative tone when dealing with subjects such as gender issues in the society, which are considered to be highly controversial in the country. He has gone on to state that the gender division in the society has emerged due to social and cultural factors.
According to him, the greatest contribution of the British in determining the psyche and culture of India is their invasion and colonization. This marked the beginning of the twentieth century, when the western culture was imposed on the people, who responded positively by rejecting the west’s ways and patterns of thought. A similar response is visible in the present, with people of the country openly rejecting the materialism embedded in the minds of people from other cultures. He believes that Hindu philosophy, which has been subjected to the west’s lenses, is the key to understanding the origin of Indian culture. He notes that the fundamental beliefs of the Hindus, which have been diluted by the influence of the west, are essential elements of this philosophy.
According to him, the modern era witnessed three phases in the development of the country’s culture: the pre-modern period, the early modern period and the post-modern period. The pre-modern era witnessed various changes in the lifestyle of the individuals, as hinging on social factors such as caste, sex and age; the later period saw major changes in the advent of the industrial revolution, urbanization and enclosure. The last phase saw a shift in the mindset of the people, from medievalists to freedom fighters. All these have contributed to the creation of a distinctively Indian culture. He believes that the ideas of primeval India still prevail in present day India, though much weakened due to the influence of foreign materials.
He further states that there are many important symbol of this ancient and diverse country. Which symbolize love and affection between the people of south Asia and the people of north. The other significant figures of Indian culture include: Kalidasa temple in Mathura, the temples of Jainism and many more temples in th southern parts of Inida.
Very nice analysis. But in view of the latest information lot of in depth study has to be done to make more accurate account of the subject