Culture that endured

The chapter opens with Mahatma Gandhi: he wanted the cultures of all lands to blow about his house as freely as possible, "But I refuse to be blown off my feet by any." In short: learn from everyone, and stay yourself.

Culture is the shared way of life of a group of people. It includes:

• values and morals;
• customs and traditions;
• art, music, literature;
• philosophy and science.

Indian culture is one of the oldest in the world. Most other ancient cultures, such as those of Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece and Rome, were weakened or destroyed over time. Indian culture is still alive and strong.

Why? The chapter gives reasons:

• deep roots;
• timeless values;
• a scientific temper (the habit of asking questions);
• rich traditions of philosophy and art.

And one more, which may sound surprising: Indian culture has always been open to good ideas from outside, and has adopted them (taken them in) or adapted them (changed them to fit).

From ancient times, people came to India from Greece, Persia, Central Asia and East Asia: merchants, scholars, diplomats, and people escaping persecution at home. (One was Megasthenes, a Greek scholar, in the 4th century BCE.)

They brought their food, clothes, art, language, religion and festivals. India welcomed them, and they settled into Indian life. Both sides gained.

In the early 13th century a new chapter began. For several centuries, India was ruled by newcomers who brought new ideas of government, new ways of running a state, new art and building styles, religious beliefs, and a different view of the world.

Through it all, the chapter sees three patterns:

• Indian communities kept their traditions;
• rulers of many backgrounds supported (patronised) the arts, languages, literature and philosophy;
• people from every part of society took part.