Cultural Currents: 13th to 17th Centuries
Class 8th
NCERT
Language
Choose your preferred language
Cultural Currents: 13th to 17th Centuries
🎨 Reading Colors
Background
Text Color
Table of Contents
- Belief Systems
- Musical Traditions — Continuation and Evolution
- From Walls to Paper — Miniature Paintings
- Changing Landscapes — Gardens
- Women in Society — Contextual Variations in Their Role and Status
- Education and Knowledge Traditions
- Growth of Literature and Language
- Developments in Science and Technology
- Regional Architectural Developments
- Cultural Exchange in Daily Life
- Culture is the shared way of life that defines a group of people and is often passed down through generations, shaping how people see the world, interact with each other, and conduct their daily lives; it includes values, morals, customs, traditions, art, music, literature, philosophy, and science.
- Indian culture is among the most ancient in the world and developed over millennia through its languages, literature, art, food, architecture, knowledge systems, and values.
- Unlike many ancient cultures such as those of Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, and Rome, which were diluted or destroyed over time, Indian culture has remained alive and strong because of its deep roots, timeless values, scientific temper, and rich philosophical and artistic traditions.
- Indian culture has endured even during periods of political instability and invasions; it has remained open to external cultural currents, adopting or adapting their best elements, while also influencing other cultures through its arts, science, and philosophy.
- From ancient times, India received visitors including merchants and traders, knowledge-seekers and scholars, diplomats, and people persecuted in their homeland, who came from Greece, Persia, Central Asia, East Asia, and beyond, bringing their social norms, cuisine, food habits, fashion, jewellery, art, language, literature, religion, and festivals.
- India welcomed these visitors, and they assimilated into Indian society, benefiting both sides.
- A new chapter in India’s history began in the early 13th century, when rulers brought new political ideas, administrative systems, art and architectural styles, religious beliefs, and a different worldview; this period of cultural development spans the 13th to 17th centuries.
- Because India is vast and diverse, it is impossible to cover all cultural developments comprehensively, so the chapter presents selected examples showing the broad cultural currents, continuity, and changes of this period.
- Common patterns during this turbulent period were the continuation of traditional practices, patronage by rulers of various backgrounds for arts, languages, literature, and philosophy, and active participation by people across all sections of society.
- Despite political disruptions, Indian culture continued to grow richer and proved remarkably strong and adaptable, with developments in visual art and architecture, music and dance, language and literature, science and mathematics, and philosophy.
- Under the patronage of the ruling Muslim class in several parts of India, Persian and Arabic influences appeared in many aspects of local culture and often created new art forms.