Indian Society, Culture & Values

Essay Category: 1.6 | Last updated: 2026-06-04

PYQs Asked

Culture is what we are, civilization is what we have. -2020
Indian culture today: a myth or a reality? -2000
Modernism and our traditional socio-ethical values. -2000
The composite culture of India. -1998
The Indian society at the crossroads. -1994
From traditional Indian philanthropy to the gates-buffet model — a natural progression or a paradigm shift? -2010
New cults and godmen: a threat to traditional religion. -1996

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Jainism — Anekantavada (doctrine of many-sidedness): The Jain principle that reality has multiple perspectives and no single viewpoint is absolute — a foundational philosophical argument for India's composite, pluralistic culture. Useful for essays on "The composite culture of India" and tolerance as India's civilisational value. (Class notes, 02-03-06-2026)
Buddhism — Middle Path: Buddha rejected both extreme asceticism and indulgence, advocating the Middle Path. Strong analogy for essays on modernism vs tradition, or development vs environment — India's civilisational approach has always sought balance, not extremes. (Class notes, 02-03-06-2026)
Jainism — Ahimsa as core value: Jainism's absolute non-violence (ahimsa) influenced Gandhi's satyagraha and India's civilisational identity. Relevant to essays on Indian values, composite culture, and why India's culture has survived without breakdown. (Class notes, 02-03-06-2026)

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