UPSC Mains Previous Year Questions: Sustainability of Indian Society | Indian Society for UPSC CSE PDF Download

What makes the Indian society unique in sustaining its culture? Discuss (UPSC GS1 2019)

Culture is a way of life of people. It includes architecture, literature, art, science etc. Although Indian Society is multi cultural, plural, diverse having different religions, traditions, philosophies and lifestyles yet it is able to sustain its diverse culture. The various aspects which results in the sustenance of culture are as follows: Features of Indian Society which led to sustainability: Principles of Tolerance and Respect: Indian society has been founded upon these which result in mutual respect and understanding for each other. The religions like Buddhism and Jainism have been founded upon these. 

• Assimilation process: The migrants from the times of Aryans to the Mughals have come and lived in India peacefully assimilating into the Indian way of life. Thereby sustaining the culture of the nation. 
• Spiritualism: The Indians have always curious to find a unique way of life giving rise to spiritualistic elements in the way of life. The various philosophies have given way to a spiritual dimension in the living way of people. 
• Geographical: The monsoon makes the Indian subcontinent very suitable for the development of Agriculture. Thereby Agricultural way of life is lived by the people in various states still today. Agriculture gives way to tradition, festivals, interaction which over a long period turns into lifestyles of people. 
• Governance was basically based upon the Agricultural aspects, resulting in the Unified administration giving way to sustaining Indian way of life. This administration remains more or less similar from the times of Asoka to times of Akbar. 
• Political: The democratic threads have always been in the Indian polity though ruled by the King. Sabhas and Samitis in the Ancient to the Janapadas in the, medieval have always been focused on the promotion of interests of the people. 
• Social: The tribals today also are living their unique life depicting that they have been able to sustain their culture irrespective of foreign dominations on the country. Various castes also have unique way of living. 

Conclusion 
Though the foreigners have come to India looking at her as Golden Bird, but they assimilated into the culture of the Indian people and interacted with the commoners in their unique way and settled here as the Indians. Thereby giving rise to the Great Indian way of life depicting Unity in Diversity where everyone would live with dignity and fraternity. The villages in India are still based on the Harappan architecture which shows that the ancient wisdom is still used by the people of our country in the present times.

Topics Covered - Indian Diversity, Indian Secularism