India: a nation on the rise. A nation so large, that its populations boasts the second largest in the world, numbering at 1.2 billion and counting. The space is minimal, and the constant hustle and bustle of such of a large nation may be disconcerting, but this is only an indication of a diverse set of cultures that reflect a rich and glorious history woven by different civilizations, religions and people. These cultures have only strengthened from generation to generation to create a mosaic loosely unified by a set of Indian mannerisms that we see today. We can see such examples of unifying aspects of Indian culture in its cuisine, its architecture, and its flag. Though India has a vast array of different cultures, that span from village to village, caste to caste, these three aspects of modern India are relatively uniform, and represent what makes India so unique from all the other developing nations.
The architecture of India is rich in its history, and so yes, also then different from region to region, and from the times that they were made. However, the very fact that they serve as indications of a rich history is what unifies the nation. India’s cultures are those that are dependent on those histories, and these cultures share histories that all have magnificent architecture.
Built for his beloved Mumtaz, Mogul emperor Shah Jahan built the majestic Taj Mahal in Agra. Today, this romantic monument is one of the modern wonders of the world and a crowning jewel of India’s history, as well as its tourism. Indeed, this marvel of architecture has its own history in itself, taking over twenty-two years to finish. Such a site, is seen as a testament to all cultures of India. But besides the Taj Mahal, India speaks wonders in architecture and even just sites of note. The Sikh’s holy Golden temple, the Tawang Monestary, the Jaiselmeer Fort, the Red Fort, the Sun Temple, Ellor and the Janta Caves, the Himalayas and the Rajastan Indian desert – all indicative to all cultures of India – no matter what region they are located in or time they come from.
The food of India is different from wherever you go, what religion you practice, and what socioeconomic class you belong to. However the method in eating, along with a few common menu staples are uniform throughout India. Such a method stands unique from the western fork and knife and markedly Indian.
Indians eat with their hands. Yet, there is a strict decorum that follows what can itially be seen as such crude methods. In India, food is usually only eaten with the right hand, and it is considered a disrespect to allow the food to pass the first joint of one’s fingers. The finger cannot touch the mouth directly, and while today, people do use a fork and knife to eat some meats, the food is usually precut to allow the use of one’s fingers.
This common method is also accompanied by a common palette. Indian food is one that is either very spicy or very sweet – flavor and spice is an essential part of all meals. Hence, Indians tend to gravitate towards the sweetest things, and the spiciest of things.
With this palette comes along a few menu staples – a hot bread: roti, a rice dish:
