Is India the Cultural Capital of the World?

Notably, McCurry’s neat and predictable photographs of India, taken over the course of 40 years, are more popular than Singh’s more realistic, chaotic and exciting images. Cole argues that this popularity is because of McCurry’s portrayal of places and people due to orientalism, based on conventional preconceptions of historical India. They are our colorful fantasies of old India realized on glossy

As a first generation Indian-American, I am no stranger to being a part of a distinct community while observing two unique cultures. Traveling to India exposed me to a dynamic population with rich diversity comprising of numerous languages and differing religions. Though these individuals may have had differing customs from their neighbors, there were similar ambitions to conquer grinding poverty. This poverty can be clearly noticed by seeing citizens sleeping on floors of a railway station, or the lack of air conditioning in searing hot weather. The frailty and mortality of the human condition was starkly visible in India. As a fellow human, I was humbled not only by the lack of privilege and opportunity of many citizens, but also by their

He also points out some of those atrocities to demonstrate how awful they were. He also talks about the Indian Gaming. In the end, he says that history is always repetitive. What happened in the past is happening nowadays in the world and this will probably continue in the

As India’s modernization developed, the entire civilization of India improved remarkably. The country’s improvement of civilization is exemplified through it’s establishment of schools and law. Western education was introduced by Britain and laws were well made with courts that enforce them. (Doc 3). One should take into account the speaker of this document because Romesh Dutt is an Indian like any other, yet he praises the British for what they have done to contribute to the development of India. In addition to these establishments is Britain bringing finer ideals of humanity to India. Infanticide, the killing of female babies, was brought to a halt as well as participation in the slave trade (Doc 5). Without the interference of Britain, these inhumane actions would be prevalent throughout India and the country would suffer from a bad reputation. These

The colonists were not thrilled about the Townshend duties. However, when the redcoats were marching down the streets even though their facial expressions showed dislike they kept it down. The other 12 colonies thought that they restrained because they were scared. On, March 5, 1770, it was a turning point for the colonist because Townshend Act was repealed except for tax on tea. On this day the 60 people of Boston gathered in front of the custom house and attacked the Redcoats with rocks and snowballs. The redcoats replied by firing back at the Bostonians without Captain Thomas’ permission. It resulted in the death of 5 people which lit up their desire for independence.

On March 5, 1770, colonists were taunting a British sentry outside the Customs House. This was common for a day in colonized America. However, this day was more meaningful than any other before. The British sentry retaliated causing a considerable mob of colonists to get involved. Then some more British came to aid their comrade. Amid the chaos, the British fired their muskets into the crowd killing five and injuring three. This would later be referred to as the Boston Massacre. A lack of discipline by the British Soldiers prompted the Boston Massacre.

Although the rebellion and revolts seemed to grow rather quickly, a series of events simply built up in such a way which makes the Massacre considerably ‘a wimpy way to rebel.’ First, nearly 5 years before this gruesome killing, Great Britain enforced the Townshend Act upon the colonists, forcing the payment and collection of taxes. Consequently, no person wanted to pay this imposed charge to a country which simply causes conflict. Instead, people began to revolt, rebel, and riot against these demands. In return, Great Britain passed the Quartering Act to suffice for the shelter of troops whom of which were placed in towns to act as a means of structure regarding control over the people. Beginning in 1765, the colonists were expected to provide shelter and food for soldiers at their own expense. In addition to the shipment of troops in order to control the people, many British

The Indian Mutiny, also known as the Indian Revolt, was a war between the Indians and the British. Basically the war was due to the prolonged British occupation over the land of the Indians. The war was the first war that the Indians fought over their independence and the Sepoy Mutiny. The British launched their presence in India during the 17th century. This was at the part time of the Mogul empire. At this period of time, the territory of Bombay had just been acquired by the East India Company which had over the years expanded its territory. The company had a strong army which eventually took-out the French after the Battle of Plassey, 1757, hundred years earlier. The army of the Indian soldiers was compromised of British soldiers who acted as the commanders. They were called sepoys. This war was propelled by several causes and eventually resulted to several consequences. We shall start by looking into the causes. These causes were mainly as a result of the policy of westernization.

First, it wasn’t a massacre because only 5 colonist died from this event. The definition of massacre is “Violently kill a large number of people” and 5 people isn’t a large amount of people. The soldiers shot and killed 5 people because they were trying to protect themselves. The soldiers were just acting in self-defense. An example of massacre is the Amritsar Massacre because

The Boston massacre occurred primarily because of the Townshend Acts and other acts that required colonist to pay taxes on common goods. The Townshend Acts were enforced by the British parliament that placed taxes on common goods. These taxes, naturally, upset the colonist. After months of tension, the conflict between British troops and the colonist began to arise. On March 5th, 1770 an angry crowd of colonist decided to protest and display their frustration to the British troops. British soldiers led by Thomas Preston met the angry protesters which would later become a fatal event. It is said that Thomas Preston ordered his troop not to fire but due to the chaos the troops misheard his command and began to fire their weapons at the protesters.

The Rebellion started with blood shed at the garrison in Meerut, where every Englishmen who was found was killed. After which, they marched to Delhi and “placed themselves under the leadership of the impotent and bewildered Mogul Emperor Bahadur Shah.” (Historical Dictionary of the British Empire.) By June the only British-held outpost, Cawnpore, was cut off. On July 17th, it was ascertained that 200 European men, women and children were murdered the prior month in the upheaval at Cawnpore. Vengeance was quick and onerous: anyone who was suspected to be a mutineer was tied to a cannon and executed. “In Six months, the mutiny had been broken, and, within the next year, British power was restored.” (Historical Dictionary of the British Empire.) These rebellions would later be in the back of the minds of some Indian freedom fighters as the first stage of the fight for independence from British colonialism that lasted until 1947. (Sepoy Rebellion: 1857.)

An event that has relation to war today is the tension in the northern region of India, Punjab, where the Sikh holy book was ripped up and thrown. Many Sikhs gathered in a peaceful protest, trying to bring to justice the people who were responsible, but the police ended up shooting and killing two peaceful protestors. Simran Jeet Singh, is one of the authors, who writes on this topic. He takes up this topic, because it represents part of the unjust that happened to Sikhs in 1984 where they were killed and murdered in the thousands by the Indian government. Singh says, “I was born in the United States in the summer of 1984, during the height of the anti- Sikh violence in Punjab” (Singh 1). He goes on to say how he feels the pain of his Sikh brothers and sisters who were killed in the year 1984, for their religious beliefs. Background about Singh shows us the importance of mediated narratives, as they show that Singh is trying to raise awareness about the issues going on in Punjab in an attempt to try to avoid the destruction that happened in 1984. Another one of these authors is Nirmala Ganapathy, who is part of The Straits Times. She takes up the same interest as Singh, as she works to raise awareness on the issues affecting her homeland of India. She writes about why Sikhs have been blocking major roads in India and the influence this has. Her curiosity is what has

Pierre Bourdieu developed the concept of cultural capital in order to attempt to explain the differences in educational outcomes in France during the 1960’s. Cultural capital is theorised as the forms of knowledge, skill, education; any advantages a person has which, give them a higher status in society, including high expectations (Nick Stevenson, 1995.pp.46-48). This differentiates economic and social status from the class agenda which, is rigidly sustained through an exclusive cycle. Cultural capital itself can be used in analysis of the class system, and how the dominant aesthetic and ideology is sustained from generation to generation.

India is country known all over the world for its culture and tradition. It is a land with various cultures and traditions which are as vast as the subcontinent upon which they are located. This essay will focus on the Indian culture and highlight the different beliefs that Indians have on life processes. The essay will show the different methods Indians use to stay healthy and how the Indian culture can determine how healthcare services are provided to the people.

The Taj Mahal is a prime example of India’s rich culture. A mix of Indian, Persian and Islamic characteristics, the two decade long project is a renowned “Wonder of the World” that boasts an emotional and romantic history; it was built by Emperor Shah Jahan of the Mughal era in a splendid tribute to his deceased wife. To this day, the Taj Mahal continues to be a famous landmark and cherished piece of Indian art.