The culture of India is the way of living of the people of India.

India's languages, religions, dance, music, architecture, food, and customs differs from
place to place within the country. The Indian culture, often labeled as an amalgamation
of several cultures, spans across the Indian subcontinent and has been influenced by a
history that is several millennia old.[1][2] Many elements of India's diverse cultures, such
as Indian religions, Indian philosophy and Indian cuisine, have had a profound impact
across the world.
"Unity in diversity" - these are not just words, but something that are highly applicable to a
A few quotations or
country like India that is incredibly rich in culture and heritage.
statements cannot describe the pedestal that India holds on to the world
map because of its colourful and unique culture. From the times of Mauryas,
Cholas and Mughals to the period of British Empire, India has always been famous for its
traditions and hospitality. The
warmth in the relations and euphoria in
celebrations make the country stand out distinctively in the global fraternity.
The country's liveliness and generosity attract a number of tourists to its vibrant culture which is
an amalgamation of religions, festivals, food, art, crafts, dance, music and many other subtle
things. Everything, from the culture and values to customs, rituals and traditions, is 'special' in
this 'Land of Gods'.

The history of the British Raj refers to the period of British rule on the Indian
subcontinent between 1858 and 1947. The system of governance was instituted in 1858
when the rule of the East India Company was transferred to the Crown in the person
of Queen Victoria (who in 1876 was proclaimed Empress of India). It lasted until 1947,
when the British provinces of India were partitioned into two sovereign dominion states:
the Dominion of India and the Dominion of Pakistan, leaving the princely states to
choose between them. The two new dominions later became the Republic of India and
the Islamic Republic of Pakistan (the eastern half of which, still later, became
the People's Republic of Bangladesh). The province of Burma in the eastern region of
the Indian Empire had been made a separate colony in 1937 and became independent
in 1948.

The Indian independence movement encompassed activities and ideas aiming to end
the East India Company rule (17571858) and the British Indian Empire (18581947) in
the Indian subcontinent. The movement spanned a total of 190 years (1757-1947).
The very first organised militant movements were in Bengal, but they later took
movement in the then newly formed Indian National Congress with prominent moderate
leaders seeking only their basic right to appear for Indian Civil Service examinations, as
well as more rights, economic in nature, for the people of the soil. The early part of the
20th century saw a more radical approach towards political self-rule proposed by
leaders such as the Lal, Bal, Pal and Aurobindo Ghosh, V. O. Chidambaram Pillai. The
last stages of the self-rule struggle from the 1920s onwards saw Congress
adopt Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi's policy of nonviolence and civil
resistance, Muhammad Ali Jinnah's constitutional struggle for the rights of minorities in
India, and several other campaigns. Activists Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Bhagat
Singh and Vinayak Damodar Sawarkar preached armed revolution to achieve self-rule.
Poets and writers such as Rabindranath Tagore, Subramaniya Bharathi, Allama
Iqbal, Josh Malihabadi, Mohammad Ali Jouhar, Bankim Chandra
Chattopadhyay and Kazi Nazrul Islam used literature, poetry and speech as a tool for
political awareness. Feminists such as Sarojini Naidu and Begum Rokeya promoted the
emancipation of Indian women and their participation in national politics. Babasaheb
Ambedkar championed the cause of the disadvantaged sections of Indian society within
the larger self-rule movement. The period of the Second World War saw the peak of the
campaigns by the Quit India Movement led by Mahatma Gandhi and the Indian National
Army movement led by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.

Unified Indian states: We would have become small small countries or kingdoms, if
they would not have invaded - fighting all the time - they are one of the reasons for
unified India. Out of darkness comes light. Only when the Freedom movement triggered
all kingdoms joined hands with single goal to protest against the British. This was the
first seed.

so it can be said that one of the most important outcomes of the oppressive
British rule in India was that it gave birth to the unprecedented feeling
of nationalism amongst Indians and this started with the sepoy mutiny in the
year 1857. The Freedom movement triggered all small kingdoms to join
hands with single goal to protest against the British. This was the first seed.

Although the policy of the British divide and rule was implemented and
successful to a large extent, this was the first time that India stood as
a whole nation rather than being fragmented into many kingdoms -

So British rule is one of the reason for unified India.

SOCIETAL CHANGES
Socio-cultural changes:
- Abolition of sati, human sacrifice, slavery, thugi and caste disabilities
- The introduction of western education
- The emergence of Press and modern Indian Literature considerably
influenced public opinion and contributed to the rise of national
intelligentsia.
Socio-religious changes:
- Rise of modern reform movements such as Brahmo Samaj, Ramakrishna
Mission, Arya Samaj which were influenced by the western culture, instilled
new and progressive thoughts.
- Women emancipation movements of 19th century gave a great impetus
during the 20th century under Gandhi.
- Missionaries role in spreading western values and ides.
Economic changes:
- The introduction of railway, telegraphs, post etc all contributed to the rise
of a new Indian middle class and also helped in unifying the people of the
country.
Administrative changes:
- Organised judiciary and new laws which incorporated Indians.
- Open competition in Civil services saw the emergence of impeccable
Indians who played major role in the nationalist movements.
All these changes in the Indian society significantly contributed in creating
a spirit of renaissance. The exploitative colonial nature on the other hand
was complimented by these
changes, which gave rise to new classes of thinkers and social reformers
who influenced the masses with their nationalistic thoughts. Despite
several limitations, colonialism undoubtedly gave a new stimulus to nation
building and social reconstruction.
Sonnet 19

Devouring Time, blunt thou the lion's paws,

And make the earth devour her own sweet brood;
Pluck the keen teeth from the fierce tiger's jaws,
And burn the long-liv'd Phoenix in her blood;
Make glad and sorry seasons as thou fleets,
And do whate'er thou wilt, swift-footed Time,
To the wide world and all her fading sweets;
But I forbid thee one more heinous crime:
O, carve not with the hours my love's fair brow,
Nor draw no lines there with thine antique pen!
Him in thy course untainted do allow
For beauty's pattern to succeeding men.
Yet do thy worst, old Time! Despite thy wrong
My love shall in my verse ever live young. - Sonnet 19 , William Shakespeare

Again the poet declares the prospect of immortality for the youth through his verse. Not
only will he live forever, but he will be eternally young, and the ravages of time will not
touch him. According to Shakespeare, Time will do the conventional damage which is
customary and known to all, killing sweetness and beauty everywhere. Time will
proceed on its usual course, and even do its worst against the youth, the poet's love.
Yet despite this the youth will survive in the verses made to celebrate his beauty and
the poet's love for him.
Shakespeare , thus remarks that the beauty of his friend will remain immortal in his
poetry and is confident that his art has the capability to endure the ravages of time.