IV. Culture of India

A. Taj Mahal Taj Mahal – Most famous work of Islamic architecture Located in India Was built as the tomb of an Indian Queen

Taj Mahal

B. Music and Film Indians love watching movies and listening to music India makes more movies than any other country in the world Style of music that is unique to this area of the world

Bollywood – Bombay, India

Indian Movie Snacks

C. Languages of India 18 official languages Dialect – Regional variety of a language Hundreds of different dialects are spoken throughout India

Indo-Aryan – Language family which come from the ancient Aryan language Sanskrit Dravidian – Original language spoken in India many years ago English – Language of business, government, and science

D. Religion in Daily Life Hindus can believe in one god, many gods, or no gods at all There is no single set of rules that all Hindus must follow They do not have churches Ganges River – Considered to be the holiest waters in the world by Hindus

Followers Bathing in the Ganges River

Looks Clean

E. Family in India Most Indians live with members of their extended family Arranged Marriage – Parents select who their children wed Many marriages in India are still arranged

Dowry – Money or property given by a bride to her new husband and his family Practice is growing less common today, but still common

Indian Bride-To-Be