Comprehension

Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions based on it:

When many cultures co-exist in a given geographical area, without one dominating the other, it is known as “cultural pluralism”. There is a common national culture in India, but at the same time the various communities have the freedom to maintain and develop their own cultural and religious traditions, so long as they are not detrimental to the unity and general welfare of the nation. This is cultural pluralism in the Indian context. Nehru (1946) described the “unity in diversity” within India when he said, “it is fascinating to find how the Bengalis, the Marathas, the Gujaratis, the Tamils, the Andhras, the Oriyas, the Assamese, the Canares, the Malayalis, the Sindhis, the Punjabis, the Pathans, the Kashmiris, the Rajputs and the great Central block of the Hindusthani speaking people, have retained their peculiar characteristics for hundreds of years.... have remained distinctively Indian. “Indian Culture is grand and unique and has fostered other cultures. We can call Gandhi the embodiment of Indian cultural Heritage. He was the one who highlighted India’s culture and spoke of its characteristics of magnanimity, flexibility and above all of its synthesis. The history of the country’s culture goes back to the ancient past or we can certainly line it up at least with the Dravidian era. Later on, many other cultures came in contact with the Indian Culture and easily merged themselves into it according to the circumstances and conditions that prevailed in India. In the same context, Gandhiji regarded the homogeneity of the Indian environment as the basis of this synthesis.

India is land of : 

  1. A pervasive dominant culture 
  2. Multiple cultures 
  3. Individualistic identities 
  4. Earliest civilizations  

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 2 : Multiple cultures 

Detailed Solution

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The correct answer is - Multiple cultures

Key Points

  • Multiple cultures
    • India is known for its cultural diversity, reflecting a wide range of traditions, languages, and religions.
    • The coexistence of various communities contributes to the rich cultural tapestry of the nation.
    • Examples include festivals like Diwali, Eid, Christmas, and Navratri, which showcase the pluralistic nature of Indian society.
    • This diversity is a result of India's long history of migration and colonization, influencing its cultural landscape.

Additional Information

  • Regional Diversity
    • India is divided into multiple regions, each with its own distinct cultural practices and languages.
    • The northern states such as Punjab and Uttar Pradesh have different cultural practices compared to southern states like Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
  • Linguistic Diversity
    • India is home to several hundred languages, with 22 officially recognized by the Constitution of India.
    • Hindi and English are the primary languages used for official purposes, but regional languages play a significant role in day-to-day communication.
  • Religious Diversity
    • India is the birthplace of major religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism.
    • It also has significant populations of Muslims, Christians, and other religious communities, contributing to its multi-religious fabric.
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