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[[File:(A) Valley of flowers, Garhwal Uttarakhand India.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[Valley of Flowers National Park]] in the Himalayan area in [[Uttarakhand]], [[India]].]]
The term '''North Indian Culture''' officially describes the cultural heritage of the eight [[North Indian]] states of [[Punjab, India|Punjab]], [[Uttarakhand]] [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu & Kashmir]], [[Chandigarh]] (Union Territory), [[Haryana]], [[Delhi]], [[Himachal Pradesh]], [[Rajasthan]], and [[Uttar Pradesh]] (which itself means "Northern State").<ref>[http://www.culturenorthindia.com/ North Zone Cultural Centre, Ministry of Culture, Government of India official website]. URl accessed on August 25, 2011</ref> Other states which are not formally part of North India, but which are traditionally — culturally and linguistically — seen to be so are [[Gujarat]], [[West Bengal]], [[Jharkhand]], [[Madhya Pradesh]], and [[Bihar]]. North Indian culture reflects the diversity of traditions and customs of the vast region it encompasses. North Indian Culture is mainly in sanatana traditions and customs, with the assimilation of — and impact from — other cultures over long periods of history. North Indian culture reflects the diversity of traditions and customs of the vast region it encompasses.

==Culture==

===Traditional clothing===
[[File:Rajput (Jodhpur) (8411728143).jpg|thumb|200px|left|Man in traditional dress smoking hookah, [[Rajasthan]], India.]]
Women traditionally wear [[salwar kameez]], [[gagra choli]], [[sari]] and [[phiran]]. [[Dupatta]] is worn to complete the outfit. Men traditionally wear [[kurta]], [[achkan]], kameez and [[sherwani]] for upper garment, lower garment includes [[dhoti]], [[churidar]], and shalwar. [[Pagri (turban)|Pagri]] is usually worn around the head to complete the outfit, especially in rural areas. In states like Uttarakhand and Himachal pradesh, women usually wear ghaghra and a full sleeved blouse or kurta salwar adorning a coat and an orni (headscarf). The men usually wear kurta and pants or shirt) coat with a [[Himachali cap]]. In the states of Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Haryana, traditional dress is Kameez Shalwar. In the states of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and southern Haryana, it is ghagra choli. Pagri is worn in various region styles and is the symbol which shows one's status and the respect in which one is held. In urban centres and as well as rural areas western influence can easily be seen nowadays.

===Cuisine===
[[File:Annapurna Naan.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Naan]] is popular form of flatbread eaten in Northern India.]]
[[Wheat]] forms the staple diet of North India and is usually served in the form of [[roti]] or [[chapatis]] along with subzi (vegetarian curry dishes). A vegetarian diet is a norm almost everywhere except in Kashmir, however, the non-vegetarian food is also popular. [[Mughlai cuisine]], especially that of [[Lucknow]] and [[Delhi]], is known for non-vegetarian dishes with a distinctive aroma, taste and with a different style of cooking. Punjabi food is known for being spicy and tasty.

Some of the popular dishes from Punjab includes [[sarson da saag]], Makki ki Roti, [[dal makhani]], [[Chana masala|choley]] (chickpeas, served with naan or kulcha), [[Chana masala|choley]] Bhature (fluffy deep-fried leavened bread ), [[Pakora|kadhi pakora]], [[lassi]], etc. Punjabi [[dhaba]]s can be found all over the region. Rajasthani cuisine is famous for its dishes like [[Baati|daal-baati]], [[churma]], etc. A variety of desserts can be found in North India, like [[Jalebi]] crispy sugary circular dessert also comes in another variant called [[imarti]], [[halwa]] (sweet pudding), gujia], kheer, [[petha]] (specially Agra petha), [[Bal Mithai|bal mithai]] (from Kumaon), to name but a few.

=== Music and Dance ===
{{main|Hindustani Classical Music|Kathak}}

[[Hindustani classical music]] or [[Hindustani classical music|Shastriya Sangeet]] is the classical music of North India. It is a tradition that originated in Vedic ritual chants and has been evolving since the 12th century. Around the 12th century, Hindustani classical music diverged from what eventually came to be identified as Carnatic classical music. The central notion in both these systems is that of a melodic mode or raga, sung to a rhythmic cycle or tala. The tradition dates back to the ancient Samaveda, (lit. sāma=ritual chant), which deals with the norms for chanting of {{transl|hi|srutis}} or hymns such as the Rig Veda. These principles were refined in the Natyashastra by Bharata (2nd-3rd century AD) and the Dattilam (probably 3rd-4th century)).<ref>A Study of Dattilam: A Treatise on the Sacred Music of Ancient India, 1978, p 283, Mukunda Lāṭha, Dattila</ref> Indian classical music has seven basic notes, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni, with five interspersed half-notes, resulting in a 12-note scale. The rhythmic organization is based on rhythmic patterns called [[Tala (music)|Taal]]. The melodic foundations are called [[ragas]]. Noted representatives of Shastriya Sangeet with a worldwide acclaim are Pandit [[Ravi Shankar]] and Ustad [[Ali Akbar Khan]].

The rich cultural diversity of North India is most clearly shown by the many different folk dance styles found here. Starting with [[Bhangra (dance)|Bhangra]] (men’s dance) and [[Giddha]] (women’s dance) from Punjab to [[Kathak]] in [[Uttar Pradesh]]; from [[Ghoomar]] and [[Kalbeliya]] dance from Rajasthan to [[Nati (dance)|Nati]] from Himachal Pradesh; from [[Jagars]] and [[Pandva Nritya]] from Uttarakhand to [[Rouf (dance)|Rouf]] of Kashmir celebrates the richness of culture and traditions of North India.
[[Kud (dance)|Kud]] dance of [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu & Kashmir]] is the way to thank local deities in the night of rainy season with the beats of drum like instrument [[Narsingha]]. Kathak is one of the eight classical dance forms as conferred by [[Sangeet Natak Akademi]]. This dance form traces its origins to the nomadic bards of ancient northern India, known as Kathaks, or storytellers. Some believe it evolved from Lord Krishna's [[raas lilas]], forms of which have also evolved into the popular Garba-style dances popular in other parts of region and Gujarat.[[Raas lilas]] portrays the love stories of lord [[Krishna]]. A dance form which depicts the eternal love. It was quintessential theatre, using instrumental and vocal music along with stylized gestures, to enliven the stories.

===Architecture and Art===
[[File:Taj Mahal.jpg|thumb|200px|Taj Mahal is one of [[UNESCO]] world heritage sites in the region.]]
The splendor and vastness of the architectural heritage of North India can easily be demonstrated by the fact that out of twenty-three cultural world heritage sites in India which have been declared by [[UNESCO]], ten are in North India.<ref>[https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/in World Cultural Heritage Listed Sites in India]. URl accessed on August 25, 2011.</ref> The [[Taj Mahal]], a perfect blend of Muslim and Indian architecture, is one of the new seven wonders of the world. The Mahabodhi Temple complex at [[Bodh Gaya]], Bihar built by Emperor [[Ashoka]] in 260 BC, marks the enlightenment of Siddhartha Gautam [[Buddha]]. [[Khajuraho]] temple and Buddhist monuments of [[Sanchi]] in Madhya Pradesh finds itself in the list of world heritage sites. Other renowned architectural and holy sites are Sri [[Harmandir Sahib]] ("The Golden Temple") in Amritsar, Punjab, Urban and Architectural Work of Le Corbusier in Chandigarh, [[Dilwara Temples]] of Mount Abu, Rajasthan to name only a few. A different genre of paintings evolved in North India especially the miniature paintings. [[Rajput Painting]] a style of Indian painting that evolved and flourished during the 18th century, in the royal courts of Rajputana. Rajput paintings depict a number of themes, events of epics like the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, Krishna's life, beautiful landscapes, and humans.

One of the best-known examples of North Indian sculpture is the [[Lion capital of Ashoka]], [[Sarnath]]. It is the source for the national emblem of India and hints at the richness and grandeur of the ancient [[Mauryan Empire]]. The [[Rampurva]] Bull capital is one of the best specimens of animal sculpture. Two different schools of art namely the Gandhara and Mathura schools of art evolved which represented the developments in sculptures, stucco, and clay as well as in mural paintings. The Kushana kings, particularly [[Kanishka]], encouraged the Gandhara artists to sculpture themes from Buddha’s life and the Jatakas. The distinctive school of art which grew here is called the Gandhara school of art. A large number of the images of the Buddha and the Bodhisattvas were produced. Mathura art, however, reached its peak during the Gupta period (AD 325 to 600). The human figure reached its most sublime representation in the Gupta classical phase when divine images, conceived and rendered in human shape, attained a superhuman aspect and manifested great spiritual import. The sculptures were marked by sharp and beautiful features, graceful and slim bodies, with many folds of transparent drapery and a new style of coiffure.

===Literature===
[[File:Utka Nayika. A lady awaits her lover in the forest. 1775-1780. Kangra, British Museum, London.jpg|thumb|200px|left|[[Ashta Nayika|Utka Nayika]] awaits her lover in the forest. [[Kangra painting]], c. 1775-1780 CE.]]
North India was the birthplace of [[Kalidasa]], who wrote classic [[Sanskrit]] plays like [[Mālavikāgnimitram]], [[Abhijñānaśākuntalam]] and [[Vikramōrvaśīyam]] and poems like [[Raghuvaṃśa]], [[Kumārasambhava]], [[Ṛtusaṃhāra]] and [[Meghadūta]] in which the use of imagination and similes remains unequaled by any other literary work. Apart from these Sanskrit dramas, [[Pāṇini]]'s [[Ashtadhyayi]] standardized Sanskrit grammar and phonetics and left an indelible mark on these aspects of Sanskrit. Panini was a grammarian from approximately 5th century BC, his Ashtadhyayi is looked upon as a masterpiece and as a study in brevity and completeness.

Medieval North India had great literary scholars like [[Tulsidas]], [[Surdas]], [[Chand Bardai]], [[Amir Khusro]] whose works [[Ramcharitmanas]], [[Sur Sagar]], [[Prithiviraj Raso]] and [[Khamsa-e-Nizami]] respectively contributed to the richness of literature. From the 19th century onwards Khadiboli became the general Hindu language; Khadiboli with heavily Sanskritized vocabulary or [[Sahityik Hindi]] (Literary Hindi) was popularized by the writings of [[Swami Dayananda Saraswati]], [[Bhartendu Harishchandra]] and others. Other important writers of this period are Munshi [[Premchand]], [[Mahavir Prasad Dwivedi]], [[Maithili Sharan Gupt]], R N Tripathi and Gopala Sharan Sinha. Premchand's works, such as [[Godaan]] and [[Gaban (novel)|Gaban]] have been translated into various languages, and are known for their subtlety and depiction of human psychology and emotions.

==Communities==
[[File:Suraj Kund Festival.JPG|thumb|200px|[[Surajkund#Surajkund International Crafts Mela|Surajkund International Crafts Fair]] showcases the North Indian culture.]]
The states of [[Uttarakhand]], [[Rajasthan]], [[Haryana]], and [[Himachal Pradesh]] are overwhelmingly Hindu. [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]] is the only state in India with a majority Muslim population while [[Punjab]] is the only state with a majority [[Sikh]] population, with a large Hindu minority. [[Uttar Pradesh]] has significant Muslim population despite being a Hindu-majority state. North India is predominantly Indo-Aryan and includes various ethnic groups such as [[Brahmin|Brahmins]], [[Ahir|Ahirs]], [[Jat people|Jats]], [[Rajput|Rajputs]], [[Meena|Meenas]], [[Gurjar|Gurjars]], [[Khatri|Khatris]], [[Tarkhan (Punjab)|Tarkhans]], [[Kambojas|Kambojs]], [[Bania (caste)|Banias]], and [[Dalit|Dalits]].

==See also==
{{div col|colwidth=13em}}
*[[Culture of India]]
*[[Sūtak]], Rules of Impurity
*[[North India]]
*[[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu & Kashmir]]
*[[Himachal Pradesh]]
*[[Punjab, India|Punjab]]
*[[Chandigarh]]
*[[Haryana]]
*[[Uttarakhand]]
*[[Delhi]]
*[[Rajasthan]]
*[[Uttar Pradesh]]

{{div col end}}

==Notes==
{{reflist}}

==References and bibliography==
{{commons category|Culture of North India}}
{{refbegin}}
* NZCC Compilation. "Flavours of India", North Zone Cultural Centre, Ministry of Culture, Government of India.
* Puran Chand Sharma. "Sanskriti ke Stambh", North Zone Cultural Centre, Ministry of Culture, Government of India.
* Kālidāsa; Johnson (editor), W. J. (2001), The Recognition of Śakuntalā: A Play in Seven Acts, Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press, {{ISBN|978-0-19-283911-4}}
* MacDonell, Arthur Anthony (2004), A History of Sanskrit Literature, Kessinger Publishing, {{ISBN|1-4179-0619-7}}
* Massey, Reginald (2006), India's Dances, Abhinav Publications, {{ISBN|81-7017-434-1}}
* Thapar, Romila (1990), A History of India, 1, New Delhi and London: Penguin Books, {{ISBN|0-14-013835-8}}
{{refend}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:North Indian Culture}}

[[Category:North India|c]]
[[Category:Indian culture]]

North Indian culture - Revision history

Indussource: corrected page additionally and fixed typos after review

imported>Whakayis at 07:08, 18 August 2021