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Do Regions Rather Than States Constitute Cultural Units in India? An Analytical Perspective

Do Regions Rather Than States Constitute Cultural Units in India? An Analytical Perspective

Introduction India is globally renowned for its immense cultural diversity. From languages and cuisines to festivals, dress patterns, and social customs, the Indian subcontinent exhibits a complex mosaic of identities. Since Independence, India has been politically organized into states largely based on linguistic considerations. However, cultural realities often transcend administrative boundaries. This raises an important…

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Cultural Pockets of “Small India” All Over the Nation

Do We Have Cultural Pockets of “Small India” All Over the Nation? An Analytical Exploration

Introduction India is often described as a civilization rather than merely a nation-state. Its cultural diversity is unmatched, with hundreds of languages, cuisines, rituals, art forms, and social traditions coexisting within one political framework. This diversity does not remain confined to geographical regions alone. With increasing internal migration, urbanization, and economic integration, cultural identities are…

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Reinventing Caste: Changing Identities and Associational Forms in India

Reinventing Caste: Changing Identities and Associational Forms in India

Introduction The caste system has been one of the most enduring social institutions in India. Rooted in ancient occupational divisions and later rigidified into hereditary hierarchies, caste has historically structured social relationships, economic opportunities, and political power. After Independence, the Indian Constitution sought to dismantle caste-based discrimination through legal safeguards, affirmative action, and the promotion…

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