INDIAN CULTURE-I
UG Arts & Science
(First year-First Semester)
Syllabus
UNIT DETAILS
I Introduction & Uniqueness of Indian Culture
II Early Indian Literature
III Early Indian Education
IV Early Indian Scientific Thoughts
V Importance of Upavedas
STUDY MATERIALS
UNIT-I
Introduction and Uniqueness of Indian Culture
Indian Culture: refers to ideas, customs, tradition and social behavior of a particular
group or society that are transmitted from one generation to the next generation. Culture
is subjective andis internal with respect to an individual/society.
Indian Civilization: refers to a complex and organized social order consisting of different
cultures over generations. Civilization is objective and is external by nature.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF INDIAN CULTURE
INDUS VALLEY CIVILIZATION
(1) 3300 BC-1700 BC
(2) Bronze Age Civilization/ Harappan Civilization
(3) Flourished in the basins of the rivers Indus (Sindhu) and Saraswati –
present Afghanistan, Pakistan and India
SINDH-VEDIC CIVILIZATION
(1) 1500 BC-600 BC
(2) Iron Age civilization
(3) Flourished in the region of the seven rivers (Sapta-sindhu) and later in the valleys of
rivers
Ganga and Yamuna- Afghanistan, Punjab and western Uttar Pradesh
UNIQUENESS OF INDIAN CULTURE - How it is different from other Cultures
1. Religion/Spirituality - Sanatana dharma - the Vedas
2. Educational Structure - the Gurukula system
3. Language - Scripts
4. Social Structure - 4 Asrama dharmas – 4 Purusharthas
5. Temples and Festivals - Deities and Seasons.
6. Dance and Music
7. Scientific Thoughts- medicine, metals, mathematics, polity, astronomy, etc.
8. Food and Dress
9. Unity in Diversity.
UNIT-II
EARLY INDIAN LITERATURE
The Indian Literature may be broadly classified into TWO major Groups, namely, the INDO-
ARYAN/INDO-EUROPEAN GROUP AND DRAVIDIAN GROUP
The Indo-Aryan group consists of predominately SANSKRIT Literature and POST-VEDIC
Literature such as Prakrit, Pali, Hindi and others.
The Dravidian group includes TAMIL, TELUGU, KANNADA & MALAYALAM
Literature
INDO-ARYAN/INDO-EUROPEAN GROUP
THE VEDAS
The word ‘vedas’ is derived from the root ‘vid’ which means ‘to know’ and hence the word
‘vedas’ means ‘knowledge’. In fact, the Vedas are the repository of all knowledge.
Classification of the Vedas
The entire Vedas has been classified into four main groups by the great sage Vedavyasa.
They are:
The Rig-veda: contains hymns or prayers addressed to the Almighty and other celestials.
The Yajur-veda: contains mantras regarding the performance of the sacrificial rites.
The Sama-veda: contains a part of the Rig-veda set to music and to be sung at appropriate
stages during the sacrificial rituals.
The Atharva-veda: contains mantras for medicinal herbs, philosophy, science as well as
ethical and moral codes to guide human behavior.
The Ancillaries to the Vedas- Upavedas
There are four ancillaries to the Vedas. They are based on the Vedas. It must be noted that
ancient Scientific tradition were based on the upavedas. The upavedas are:
The science of medicine- Ayurveda
The science or archery and warfare-Dhanurveda
The science of music and dance- Gandharvaveda
The science of polity and political economy-Arthasastra
The limbs of the Vedas- Vedangas
Another group of six works attached to the Vedas are known as the limbs or angas of the
Vedas. They contain mostly verses with incidental elaborated metrical explanation. The
Vedangas are:
Prosody/Rhythm (Chandas)
Phonetics (Siksa)
Grammar (Vyakarana)
Etymology (Nirukta)
Astronomy and Astrology (Jyothisha)
Ritual practice (Kalpa)
Schools of Philosophy-Darsanas
Indian tradition recognizes six systems of vision (darsanas), that are based on the authority
of the Vedas and three systems that are opposed to the Vedas. The Six systems are referred to
as the six orthodox systems (asthika darsanas) and the three systems are referred to as the
Nasthika darsanas.
The six systems are:
The philosophy of Indian Logic-Nyaya of Gautama
The philosophy of atomic theory-Vaisesika of Kanada
The philosophy of evolution-Sankhya of Kapila
The philosophy of yoga-Yoga of Patanjali
The philosophy of vedic ritualism-Mimamsa of Jaimini
The philosophy of Metaphysics - Vedanta
The three un-orthodox systems are the materialism (carvaka), the Buddhism and the Jainism.
Book on code of conduct - Smritis
Deriving their authority from the Vedas, the smritis are the books on code of conduct to
regulate life and society. Some of the famous smritis are Manu smriti, parasara smriti and
yagnavalkya smriti.
Agamas
These are sectarian scriptures dealing with the worship of particular God and Goddesses as
well as the discipline for the worshippers.
Epics-Ithihasas
‘Ithihasa’ means ‘thus, it happened this way’. The two great epics are the Ramayana and the
Mahabharata. The famous ‘Bhagavad gita’ is contained in the Mahabharatha and is set in
the form of a dialogue between Sri Krishna and Arjuna.
Puranas
Puranas are 18 in number. They are very ancient semi-historical works that contain stories
woven around some historical event or personality with the objective to inculcate basic
values through concrete evidences.
CLASSICAL SANSKRIT LITERATURE
4 BC – Ashtadhyayi of Sri.Panini- very important text on Grammar.
Poetry (Kavya)
1 AD – Buddha Charita of Asvaghosha
3 AD – 41 works of Sri. Kalidasa- Known for his Similes- Upama Kalidasasya.
Greatest poet and dramatist
Five great epic poems (Pancha- maha Kavyas) :
3 AD – Raghuvamsha and Kumarasambhava of Kalidasa
6 AD – Kiratarjuniyam of Bharavi
7AD – Sisupalavada of Maghabhatta
12 AD – Naishadhiya Charita of Sri Harsha.
Devotional work:
12 AD – Gita Govinda of Jayadeva.
Prose (Gadya Kavyas)
2 AD – start of proper Literary prose work
6 AD – Dasakumaracarita of Dandin- master of prose style
7 AD – Vasavadatta of Subandhu
Kadambari and Harshacartia of Banabhatta
11 AD – Rajatarangini of Kalhana- Historical Kavya.
Campu Kavyas: mixture of prose and poetry
10 AD – Yasastilaka campu of Somadeva
Ramayana campu of Bhoja
17 AD – Bhagavata campu of Chidambara Kavi
Dramas (Rupakas)
1BC – 1 AD – Natyasastra of Bharata
3 AD – Abhigyanashakuntala of Kalidasa
Malavikagnimitra of Kalidasa
4 AD – Mricchakatika of Sudraka
5 AD – Mudra Rakshasa of Vishakhadutta
7 AD – Uttara Rama Charita of Bhavabhuti
Swapna Vasavadatta of Bhasa.
POST-VEDIC LITERATURE- LITERATURE IN OTHER LANGUAGES
Prominent post-vedic literature consists of literature in PRAKRIT, PALI & HINDI
Languages. The three languages have evolved from Sanskrit.
PRAKRIT (5 BC-5 AD)
Language used by Jainas (Jainism). The following three important Jainism scriptures are in
Prakrit: Angas, Upangas and Parikramas.
PALI (5 BC-5 AD)
Language evolved from Prakrit and used by the Buddhists. Sri Buddha spoke in Pali.
Buddhists holy scripture, namely the Triptikas (the three baskets of knowledge) are in Pali.
HINDI (7 AD – 14 AD)
Evolved from Apabhramsha, which itself is a development over Prakrit.
Early Hindi grew through the Bhakti movement of Kabir (Dohas/couplets), Tulsidas
(Ramcharitmanas), Surdas (Sur sagar) and Mirabai (Devotional songs).
DRAVIDIAN LITERATURE
Major Dravidian Literature are in TAMIL, TELUGU, KANNADA and MALAYALAM
Languages.
TAMIL Literature
Oldest of the Dravidian Language
3BC -3 AD – Sangam (Lit. Conference) period- development of Tamil
Major works: Tolkappiyam – Grammar
Thirukural- all aspects of human life
Athicudi- moral values
6 AD- Silappadhikaram of Ilango Adigal
Manimekalai of Chattanar
7 AD- 12 AD: Bhakti movement
Shaivism- Nayanmars
Vaishnavism- Alvars
Works: Periya puranam
Kambaramayanam
TELUGU Literature (5AD-8AD)
Widely spoken Dravidian Language
11 AD- Nannaya- first poet in Telugu
15 AD- Vijaynagara period- golden age of the Telugu Literature
Uttaraharivamsam of Nachana Somanatha
Amukla Malyada of Krishnadevaraya
Manucharitam of Allasani Peddana- known as Andhra Kavita Pitamaha
Parijathapaharanam of Nandi Timmana
Panduranga Mahatmayam of Tenali Ramakrishna
Ramabhyudayam of Ramabhadra
KANNADA Literature
10 AD- used widely by Jainas.
Kavirajamang- Amoghavarsha-I –First text in Kannada
The ‘Three Gems’ (Ratnatraya) are:
Pampa- the father of Kannada- Two works: Adi purana & Vikramarjiva Vijaya
Ponna- Shanti purana
Ranna- Ajitanatha purana
Other major texts:
Harishchandra Kavya of Harishvara
Jiva sambodhana of Bandhuvarma
Madana Vijaya of Andayya- first pure Kannada text without any
Sanskrit word
Shabdamanidarpana of Kesirja- Grammar text
Suktisudharnava of Mallikarjuna
Jaimini Bharata of Lakshamisha
MALAYALAM Literature
Started flourishing during the 11 AD
Major early texts:
Kokasandisan
Bhasa Kautilya
UNIT-III
EARLY INDIAN EDUCATION
THE VEDIC GURUKULA SYSTEM
It is the earliest knowledge system developed in India.
Under the gurukula system, the students stayed in the house of the teacher (guru or
acharya) andearned their knowledge.
The teacher is expected to be an expert, both in theory and practice, have impeccable
character and earnestness to teach.
The student is expected to have humility, self-control and eagerness
to learn.
Significance:
Kings and the rich provided these gurukulas with sufficient funds and property so that
qualityeducation may be provided to all the students.
The Curriculum were divided into two broad streams, namely, the Secular Sciences (apara-
vidya)that enable students to become self-sufficient in life and the Spiritual wisdom
(para-vidya) that enable students for self-realization (moksa).
All branches of study were taught.
The normal course of education was 12 years.
Advantages:
1. High quality of education.
2. Individual attention.
3. Practical knowledge.
4. Secular and spiritual education.
5. Life-long relationship
Learning Methods:
Oral method of teaching was adopted and the method of learning included memorization,
criticalanalysis, introspection, story-telling, seminars, question-answer method and hands-
on-method.
The Buddhistic system of education was organized in monasteries, known as Viharas
and theJaina system was known as Gurukuls/Pallis.
EARLY EDUCTIONAL INSTITUTIONS
The important centre of learning in early Indian includes:
The Sharada peth in
Kashmir Varanasi in
Uttara Pradesh Ujjain
in Madhya Pradesh
Valabhi in Gujarat
Jagaddala in Bengal
Puspagiri in Odhisa
Kanchipuram in
Tamil Nadu
Nagarunjuna konda in Andhra
PradeshManykheta in
Karnataka, and Triuvalla in
Kerala
GHATIKASTHANAS: These are special centre that measures the scholarship of learned
scholars. In such centre, students are provided training in 14 to 18 branches of learning.
Students were encouraged to acquire advanced and deep knowledge of their chosen
branch of study. Centre of learning in places like Pataliputra, Kasi, Vidisa and
Kanchipuram were called ghatikasthanans.
UNIVERSITIES: Let us now briefly see the three famous Universities of
early India.TAKSASILA UNIVERSITY (400 BC- present Pakistan)
Eighteen branches of learning were taught to over 10,000 students across the
world.Renowned for its maha-pathasalas (colleges)
Alumni includes Jivaka (medicine), Panini (grammar) and Chanakya
(polity)Only 20% of the aspirants could succeed in getting admission.
NALANDA UNIVERSITY (600 AD- Bihar)
Largest library with invaluable collection
Renowned for its faculty of logic and cosmopolitan
environment 8,500 students taught by 1,500 teachers
Education was mostly residential and free, but students who could afford to pay, did pay
voluntarily.
VIKRAMASHILA UNIVERSITY (800 AD - Bihar)
14 branches of learning
were taughtRenowned for
its tantric study
Many buildings comprised of several lecture halls.
NOTE: All the above Universities were systematically destroyed by the invasion of
Bakhtiyar Khilji in 12 century AD.
UNIT- IV
SCIENTIFIC THOUGHTS OF EARLY INDIAN SAGES
The sages of India never considered religion and science as two conflicting areas of
knowledge.While religion is a quest for truth within/internal/subjective world of
individuals, science is considered as a quest of truth in the external/objective world of
individuals.
Ancient Indian scientific thoughts may be traced from the ancillaries of the Vedas
(Upavedas)and the limbs of Vedas (Vedangas).
MATHEMATICS, ASTRONOMY AND ASTROLOGY
Astronomy and astrology (Jyotisha) are considered as a limb of the Vedas (Vedangas).
Mathematics, astronomy and astrology were highly inter-connected disciplines in the
ancient Indian scientific tradition. In fact, mathematics developed through the process
of calculation on the position of planets and its movements (ie. astronomy) as well as
their impact on human lives (ie. astrology).
(1) Sulbasutras of Baudhyana - 6 BC: Clearly explains a geometric theorem
(2) Sulbasutras of Apastamba – 2 BC: The concepts of practical geometry
(Rekha Ganita)
(3) Aryabhattiya of Aryabhatta – 5 AD : deals with algebra (Bija Ganita),
arithmetic (Anka Ganita) and astronomical geography - Aryabhatta has
elaborated on his theory on the earth being a sphere rotating on its own axis.
He was the earliest to include mathematical principles in the science of
astronomy.
(4) Pancasiddhantika of Varahamihira – 6 AD: Varahamihira, regarded as the
father of Indian astrology, was an authority both on astronomy and astrology.
The pancasiddhantika is a valuable astronomical treatise dealing in
depth about the
position of planets, their movements and inter-connectedness, etc., and their
impacton lives.
(5) Brahmasputa siddhantika of Brahagupta – 7 AD: Invented the concept of
Zero as a number as well as negative numbers.
VETERINARY SCIENCES
Not only human sciences, but also animal sciences were given importance in ancient
India. Since the society was heavily depended on cows, horses and elephants.
Veterinary science centered around them developed in course of time. They are:
(1) Gavayurveda - Ayurveda pertaining to cows.
(2) Asvayurveda – Ayurveda pertaining to horses.
(3) Hastyayurveda – Ayurveda pertaining to elephants.
CHEMISTRY
In ancient India, chemistry was called ‘Rasayan sastra/ Rasa tantra’ which means
‘scienceof liquids’.
The beginning of the science of chemistry may be traced to the philosophical
schools –
Nyaya- Vaisesika that put forth the atomic theory of matter.
Materials such as water-pots, vessels, jewellery, etc., recovered from the excavation
sites at Harappa and Mohenjo daro shows that the people of the Indus Valley
Civilization were skilled in employing a wide range of chemical processes.
The Rasaratnakara of Nagarjuna provides details regarding the preparation of liquids
(mainly mercury) and the use of mercury to turn base metals like copper into gold.
BOTANY
A fairly deep knowledge of the botanical sciences existed in ancient Vedic period. The
Vedic Aryans were well aware of what is now termed as ‘photosynthesis’ and plants
were regarded as living organisms.
Gulma-viksa-Ayurveda (science of bushy plants and trees) provides lot of information
regarding soils, seed selection, sowing, germination, grafting and cutting, plant
classification, etc.
The famous Sanskrit lexicon, the Amarakosa of Amarasimha (400 AD) has
enumerated more than three hundred species of plants. Medicinal herbs and plants
received great attention due to their being closely associated with Ayurveda, the
science of medicine and surgery.
Thus, we have seen the scientific thoughts of early Indian sages on important
subjects/domains.
UNIT-V
IMPORTANCE OF UPAVEDAS
MEDICIAL SCIENCES - AYURVEDA:-
Ayurveda (the science of medicine), one of the ancillaries to the Vedas (Upavedas), is
basically attached to the Atharva veda. Sri. Dhanvanthri is considered as the deity of
medicine and surgery, while the twin-deities, Ashwini Kumars were the practitioners of
medicine and surgery.
The Ayurvedic approach to health is holistic, prevention-oriented, free from harmful
side- effects, creating balance among the individuals and ecology. The system
identifies three causes for diseases to occur, namely, poison, micro-organism and
imbalance among the three doshas (ie) vata, pitta and kapha.
During the 6th and 5th century BC, Takshila and Varanasi emerged as the centres for
medicinal learning and practice.
The two important works during this period were:
(1) Susruta Samhita of Susruta – 6 BC
Susruta studied anatomy in great detail with the aid of human dead bodies. He was an
expert in rhino plasty (plastic surgery) and cataract operation.
(2) Caraka Samhita of Caraka – 5 BC
The work mainly concerns with the use of plants and herbs for medicinal purposes.
Carakawas an expert in General medicine, paediatrics and ophthalmology/ENT.
THE SCIENCE OF WARFARE - DHANURVEDA
Dhanurveda, one of the ancillaries to the Vedas (Upavedas), provides elaborate details
regarding military device, conduct of battles, use of different sorts of weapons,
division ofthe army, deployment of forces, warfare strategies, etc.
THE SCIENCE OF POLITY AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION – ARTHASASTRA
The Arthasastra of Kautilya/Chanakya, one of the Upavedas, is a well known codified
work on polity and public administration. It consists of 572 verses (sutras) spread over
15 sections (adhikaranas) that includes topics on kings, ministers, priests, spies, civil
and military strategies, economics, etc.
THE SCIENCE OF MUSIC AND DANCE – GANDHARVA VEDA
Music and dance are a dominant feature of Gandharva Veda, an Upaveda having its
origin in Sama Veda.
In Sanskrit, music is referred to as ‘samgitam’, meaning ‘that which is sung/played
well’, indicating a definite process. Music consists of vocal and instrumental. In
Sanskrit, dance is referred to as ‘natya/nrtya’. The art of dance is of very ancient
mythological origin and Lord Shiva is regarded as the first greatest dancer of the
Universe.
Important works on music and dance includes the Natya Sastra of sage Bharata
and the Sangitaratnakara of Sarangadeva.
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