Notes: Regional Cultures | Social Studies & Pedagogy Paper 2 for CTET & TET Exams - CTET & State TET PDF Download

A regional culture encompasses various aspects such as language, food, habits, clothing, poetry, dance, music, and paintings, among others. In the 9th century, significant developments occurred in different regions of India:

Malayalam Script

1. Development of Malayalam

The Chera kingdom of Mahodayapuram, established in the 9th century in present-day Kerala, played a crucial role in the development of Malayalam language and script. Malayalam was likely spoken in this region, and the rulers introduced the language and script in their inscriptions. Additionally, the temple theatre of Kerala, traced back to this period, incorporated stories from Sanskrit epics.

2. The Jagannath Community

In Orissa, the Jagannath community has a significant presence, particularly around the cult of Jagannath at Puri. The deity, originally a local god, was later identified with Vishnu. In the 12th century, under the Ganga dynasty ruler Anantavarman, a temple for Purushottama Jagannath was erected at Puri. Subsequently, King Anangabhima III dedicated his kingdom to the deity and proclaimed himself as the 'deputy of God' in 1230.

3. The Rajputana

In the 19th century, the British referred to the region constituting most of present-day Rajasthan as Rajputana. The Rajputs, who identify themselves in various areas of Northern Central India, have significantly contributed to the distinctive culture of Rajasthan.

Kathak Dance

The Kathak dance tradition is deeply rooted in various parts of North India. The term 'Kathak' is derived from 'Katha', a Sanskrit word meaning story. Originally, Kathaks were a caste of storytellers in the temples of North India, known for embellishing their performances with gestures and songs.

Kathak began to evolve into a distinct dance form in the 15th and 16th centuries, influenced by the spread of the Bhakti movement. Folk plays called 'rasa lila', which depicted the legends of Radha-Krishna, played a significant role in this evolution by combining folk dance with the storytelling gestures of Kathak performers.

Under the patronage of the Mughal emperors and their nobles, Kathak flourished in the royal courts, acquiring its present features and distinctive styles. It developed into two major traditions or 'gharanas': one in the courts of Rajasthan (Jaipur) and the other in Lucknow.

The Tradition of Miniatures

Another significant tradition that emerged during the Mughal period was that of miniature painting. Miniatures are small paintings, usually executed in watercolor on cloth or paper.

The earliest miniatures were created on palm leaves or wood. Some of the most exquisite examples, found in Western India, were used to illustrate Jain texts. During the Mughal era, highly skilled painters patronized by emperors like Akbar, Jahangir, and Shah Jahan primarily illustrated manuscripts containing historical accounts and poetry.

In Rajput kingdoms, miniature painting evolved to depict portraits of rulers, court scenes, and themes from mythology and poetry. Notably, regions like Mewar, Jodhpur, Bundi, Kota, and Kishangarh developed their own distinctive styles.

In the Himalayan foothills, the region around modern-day Himachal Pradesh became renowned for its bold and intense style of miniature painting known as Basohli. This style often depicted themes from Bhanudatta’s Rasamanjari.

The invasion of Nadir Shah and the conquest of Delhi in 1739 led to the migration of Mughal artists to the hills, resulting in the founding of the Kangra school of painting. By the mid-18th century, Kangra artists had developed a style deeply inspired by Vaishnavite traditions.

The Gonds

The Gonds inhabited the vast forested region of Gondwana and practiced shifting cultivation. They were divided into numerous smaller clans, each with its own raja or ruler. The administrative system of the Gond kingdom of Garh Katanga was centralized, with the kingdom divided into garhs, further subdivided into units of 84 villages called Chaurasi. The Gonds, led by figures like Aman Das, amassed wealth by exporting wild elephants and were eventually annexed by the Mughals.

The Ahoms

The Ahoms migrated to the Brahmaputra valley from Myanmar in the 13th century and established a new state by subduing existing political systems. They expanded their territory by annexing neighboring kingdoms and were known for their military prowess, utilizing firearms and advanced methods of rice cultivation. Despite facing challenges from the Mughals, the Ahom state thrived, with society organized into clans controlling multiple villages. Over time, Hinduism became the dominant religion, and Ahom society developed a sophisticated culture, promoting literature, theatre, and historical works.

The Mongols

The Mongols were pastoral and hunter-gatherer tribes inhabiting the steppes of Central Asia. Under the leadership of Genghis Khan, they were united into a formidable military force by 1206, incorporating various Mongol and Turkish tribes.