Tourism

Tourism Chapter 6 – Understanding Indian Culture and Heritage

NIOS Class 12 Tourism Chapter 6 Solutions

INTEXT QUESTIONS 6.1

1. Name the state where Bhangra is a popular dance form.

Ans: Punjab

2. What is the dance form of Assam known as?

Ans: Bihu

3. Which region is famous for Kantha Embroidery?

Ans: Bengal

INTEXT QUESTIONS 6.2

1. Give two examples of people who came to India from outside and settled here.

Ans: Kushans and Mughals

2. Name the civilisation with which the Harappans were known to have had trade relations across the seas.

Ans: China and Mesopotamia

INTEXT QUESTIONS 6.3

1. Define the concept of Heritage.

Ans: Heritage is specific and typical of a particular place, area, region or country, a family, community or people, that is inherited. It can be natural, and human-made made that is created or evolved during the course of history.

2. Name different types of Heritage.

Ans: Tangible, Intangible, Natural, Cultural

3. Differentiate between Tangible and Intangible Heritages with suitable Examples.

Ans: Tangible heritages are visible like coins, monuments, artefacts, real sculptures, etc.

Intangible heritages are invisible, like style particles, customs, etc.

4. With the help of suitable examples, describe major features of Natural Heritage.

Ans: Natural heritage includes natural features like mountains, forests, deserts, rivers, flora, fauna, large water bodies like seas and oceans, etc. These are not the creation of human beings but are gifts of nature and are exposed to natural agents of erosion, degradation, depletion and pressure of people on the resources, etc.

Terminal Exercises

1. What are the different components of culture?

Ans: Culture has two distinctive components, namely, material and non-material. Material culture consists of objects that are related to the material aspect of our life, such as our dress, food and household goods. Non-material culture refers to ideas, ideals, thoughts and beliefs.

2. Give the meaning of material and non-material culture.

Ans: Material culture consists of objects that are related to the material aspect of our life, such as our dress, food and household goods. Non-material culture refers to ideas, ideals, thoughts and beliefs.

3. Define the secular character of Indian culture.

Ans: The Constitution declares India to be a secular country. Everyone is free to profess, practice and propagate any religion of their own choice. The state has no religion of its own, and all religions are treated equally by the state. No one is to be discriminated against based on religion.

4. Describe the distinctive features of Indian culture.

Ans: Features of Indian Culture

Continuity and Change: Despite major changes and upheavals, significant threads of continuity can be traced throughout the course of Indian history right up to the present day. Archaeologists have found evidence to show that cultures existed here even before the mature phase of the Harappan civilisation. Vedic, Buddhist, Jain and many other traditions continue to be followed even today.
Variety and Unity: A large number of languages and dialects are spoken in our country, which has led to the growth of a great variety of literature. People belonging to eight great religions of the world co-exist here in a harmonious manner. Numerous styles of architecture, sculpture and painting have developed here. Different styles of music and dance, both folk and classical, exist in the country. So also are numerous festivals and customs.
Secular Outlook: Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsees and Jews live in India. The Constitution declares India to be a secular country. Everyone is free to profess, practice and propagate any religion of their own choice. The state has no religion of its own, and all religions are treated equally by the state. No one is to be discriminated against based on religion.
Universalism: India has been raising a strong voice against racism and colonialism. It has protested against the formation of power blocks in the world. In fact, India became one of the founder members of the Non-Aligned Movement. India is committed to the development of other underdeveloped nations.

5. Write short notes on the following:

a) Cultural synthesis in India

b) Spirituality

c) Adaptability as a characteristic of Indian culture

Ans:

a) Cultural synthesis in India

Cultural identities in India are based on various factors such as religion and region, giving each Indian multiple identities. Depending on the political, social or economic context in which people find themselves at a certain point in time, one of these identities asserts itself and prevails over the others. Thus, each person may have some things in common with another, but may be vastly different in some other aspects. Even in the forms of worship and rituals, there are sectarian and regional differences.

b) Spirituality

People of different religions and jatis may have common regional cultural traits like language, food, dress, values and also the worldview. In Bengal, both Hindus and Muslims take pride in being Bengalis. Elsewhere, one finds Hindus, Christians and Muslims sharing several elements

of regional culture.

c) Adaptability as a characteristic of Indian culture

For centuries, people migrating to India, with their respective cultures and traditions, and later mixing with the cultures and traditions of India,s have given birth to a new heritage and culture. This amalgamation of cultures has slowly but gradually enriched the values and faiths of the Indians even further. As a result, Hinduism and Buddhism. Islam, Jainism and Christianity have made India one of the largest secular countries of the World, where Diwali, Christmas, Eid, and

Buddha Jayanti is celebrated with equal enthusiasm and exuberance.

6. Explain in detail unity in diversity in the context of Indian culture.

Ans: A large number of languages and dialects are spoken in our country, which has led to the growth of a great variety of literature. People belonging to eight great religions of the world co-exist here in a harmonious manner. India is home to many religions of the world, like Jainism, Buddhism, Sikhism and of course, Hinduism. Numerous styles of architecture, sculpture and painting have developed here. Different styles of music and dance, both folk and classical, exist in the country. So also are numerous festivals and customs. This wide variety has led to the making of Indian culture, both composite and rich and beautiful at the same time. Since time immemorial, people from far and near have been coming and settling here. The people belonging to other cultures brought their cultural habits, thoughts and ideas, which got amalgamated into

the existing culture.

7. What is Culture? Discuss with examples the main characteristics and values of Indian Culture.

Ans: Culture is the expression of our nature in our modes of living and thinking. The main characteristics of Indian Culture are.

Continuity and Change: Despite major changes and upheavals, significant threads of continuity can be traced throughout the course of Indian history right upto the present day. Archaeologists have found evidence to show that cultures existed here even before the mature phase of the Harappan civilisation. Vedic, Buddhist, Jain and many other traditions continue to be followed even today.
Variety and Unity: A large number of languages and dialects are spoken in our country, which has led to the growth of a great variety of literature. People belonging to eight great religions of the world co-exist here in a harmonious manner. Numerous styles of architecture, sculpture and painting have developed here. Different styles of music and dance, both folk and classical, exist in the country. So also are numerous festivals and customs.
Secular Outlook: Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsees and Jews live in India. The Constitution declares India to be a secular country. Everyone is free to profess, practice and propagate any religion of their own choice. The state has no religion of its own, and all religions are treated equally by the state. No one is to be discriminated against based on religion.
Universalism: India has been raising a strong voice against racism and colonialism. It has protested against the formation of power blocks in the world. In fact, India became one of the founder members of the Non-Aligned Movement. India is committed to the development of other underdeveloped nations.

8. How do Culture and Heritage form core components of Tourism?

Ans: Culture and Heritage provides varieties of tourist attractions. For these reasons, they are core components of tourism. Cultural heritage includes tangible culture such as buildings, monuments, landscape books, works of art, and artefacts. Intangible culture also forms an

important part of culture, such as folklore, traditions, language, and knowledge. Natural heritage includes culturally significant landscapes and biodiversity. The number of important monuments and sites in India is so great that a single tour to discover the multifarious facets of its wonderful heritage is not enough. Nevertheless, it will give tourists an admirable glimpse into Indian history and heritage.

9. Discuss the different kinds of heritages with appropriate examples from India.

Ans: Heritage is Broadly Classified as

Tangible Heritage: Tangible heritage is the built heritage which is visible or seen. It comprises physical objects, materials in concrete form, etc., such as coins, monuments, artefacts, sculptures, seals, and inscriptions. Items collected over a long period of time, objects in concrete forms preserved in museums, can be seen and touched.
Intangible Heritage: It is a living heritage, invisible, unseen, but observable. It includes a host of things ranging from ideas to traditions, living styles, practices, beliefs, customs,
Natural Heritage: Natural heritage includes natural features like mountains, forests, deserts, rivers, flora, fauna, large water bodies like seas and oceans, etc. These are not the creation of human beings but are gifts of nature and are exposed to natural agents of erosion, degradation, depletion and pressure of people on the resources, etc.
Cultural Heritage: Cultural Heritage is human-centric and evolved through the creation, imagination, intelligence, skills, and artistic abilities of the people over a long period of time. These can be seen in customs, dance, music, loud-habits, living lifestyles, physical and behavioural patterns.