The information on or through this site is provided for general informational purposes only and should not be relied on as a substitute for specific advice about laws, regulations, taxes, finances, immigration or travel. For specific advice, contact a licensed attorney, financial advisor or other professional. We disclaim all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on this site. We do not warrant the accuracy or usefulness of this information. This site may contain links to other sites and information provided by third parties for your convenience. We do not endorse nor make any guarantees with respect to these sites, their accessibility, the information they contain or the way they treat any information you provide to them.

How do international remittances, or cross-border money transfers, help promote financial inclusion? Improve your financial literacy by learning about budgeting and saving, personal finance.    

Learn how to send money using Ria Money Transfer, new services we offer, our omnichannel services, tips for sending money and the expansion of our network.    

Learn how international migration trends affect remittances and the impact remittances have on the individuals and communities around the world who receive them.     

Videos that feature Ria customers explaining in their own words how their experience of migration has impacted themselves, their families and their communities.     

Learn about different cultures around the world, how people celebrate, what it is like to live abroad and great travel destinations.     

What's new in cross-border payments, tech and finance? Learn about new payments methods like mobile wallets, the importance of the omnichannel experience and workplace trends.

What is Ria doing for the community? What does CSR, corporate social responsibility, mean? What's new in sponsorships at Ria?    

The Ria Blog

We use our own and third-party cookies to analyze our services and to show you advertising related to your preferences based on your browsing habits. Learn more by reading our 

We use first and third-party cookies to help us understand how you interact with the site by collecting and reporting information, such as the number of visitors or clicks. They do not allow us to collect your activity data beyond our site.

🍪 Cookies give you a personalized  experience

We use our own and third-party cookies to analyze our services and to show you advertising related to your preferences based on your browsing habits. Learn more by reading our

These cookies are essential to the basic functioning of our website. They turn on functions like page navigation, authentication, and access to secure areas.

When we think about <a href="https://www.riamoneytransfer.com/en/blog/brief-history-migration-remittances-india" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">India</a>, we often think of oil lamps, chicken curry, and probably the Taj Mahal. However, Indian history is so rich and ancient that these are just the tip of the iceberg. Today, we’ll be sharing with you some fascinating Indian cultural facts that are bound to captivate your heart, mind, and stomach!



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Ancient Indian culture and tradition</h2>



Let’s start with one of the most interesting Indian cultural facts. The roots of Indian culture were first recorded during the Vedic period, which started around 1500 BCE in what are today the states of Haryana and Punjab. The name Vedic derives from the most ancient Hindu literature, the Vedas. This collection of four major texts (Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda, and Atharavaveda) are the earliest recordings of Indian culture. Spells, charms, hymns, and rituals that had been passed down through oral tradition were finally written down for posterity.



The Vedic civilization was followed by the Buddhist era in the 7TH and early 6th centuries BCE. Siddharta Gautama, the founder of Buddhism, was born in BC 560 and died in BC 480 in the Himalayas. Buddhism became a large part of both the religious and cultural landscape of India and beyond.



Later, as happened with a large part of Eurasia, Alexander the Great made an appearance. He crossed the Indus river in 326 BCE. While in India, he exchanged ideas with the Brahmins, Indian philosophers, generating a legacy for himself as a wise philosopher in his own right. Unfortunately for Alexander, he was wounded while trying to penetrate Punjab and ended up turning back to Macedonia.



From the aftermath, the Mauryan Empire was born. Considered a period of flourishment and unification, the years 322 – 185 BC consolidated most of modern-day India, as well as parts of Nepal, Kashmir, Afghanistan, among others.



These three periods, marked with cultural exchanges, sedimented Indian culture and traditions. As we’ll see below, this varied heritage gave way to continued, rich cultural history.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Indian Fashion Culture</h2>



Here’s another cool Indian culture fact. Remember the Vedas? The early recordings speak of clothes made with leaves and barks. Later volumes mention the existence of dyed and embroidered garments. Tailored garments can be traced back as early as the 10th century AD.&nbsp; Throughout their development, the manufacturing techniques were so well received that even the Roman emperors would buy clothes from the region.



Nowadays, India is the second largest textile exporter in the world, according to the Indian Brand Equity Foundation. Of course, this speaks to the millenary tradition of fashion culture we just discussed. Here are some of the traditional embroidery techniques known to be part of Indian culture and heritage:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Crewel. Surface embroidery done in wool.</li>



<li>Chikan. A versatile style of embroidery that can be done on fabrics like muslin, organza, silk, and cotton using a varied range of threads. The process begins with stamping block prints on the fabric, then the lines are used as guides for embroidering, and finally the fabric is washed to remove any line traces.</li>



<li>Zardosi. Metal embroidery done on silk, satin, or velvet using a silver or gold thread. Beads, pearls, and stones can be used as well.</li>
</ul>



India is also known for its silk and cotton blends, sported commonly in saris. Saris are long pieces of fabric that are wrapped around the waist and then draped over the shoulder. The most popular type is probably the Kangivaram sari, worn for weddings and special occasions. It originated in the Kanchipuram region and is a symbol of India.



Under British rule, Khadi became the predominant fabric. This hand-woven cotton fabric was meant to lessen the need for imported goods from the UK. The next big shift in fashion came in the 1920s, where the cholis emerged as a response to Charleston dresses. In 21st century terms, the choli is reminiscent of a long-sleeve crop-top and is worn with a sari.



In the 80s and 90s, Fashion schools began to open up everywhere in India. At this time, women were also joining the workforce in significant numbers, leading to their active involvement in the fashion industry. Today, fashion has become an intrinsic part of Indian culture and tradition, as well as a direct reflection of the country’s multiculturalism, which will talk more about below.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Different cultures in India</h2>



India is the second most populous country in the world, with <a href="https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/in.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">1.33 billion</a> inhabitants. Within its borders, there are more than 20 officially recognized languages, with the primary being English, Hindi and Bengali.



Although most of the population (<a href="https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/in.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">79.8%</a>) practice Hinduism, there are many Muslims, Christians, and Sikhs. This speaks to a variety of cultural and religious traditions coexisting within India, and remains one of the most important facts about Indian culture.



Diwali, the most popular festival in India, is a testament to this cultural mix. Each region celebrates in their own way, venerating different gods and commemorating different events.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Indian food culture</h2>



Speaking of Diwali, did you know there are more than <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Indian_sweets_and_desserts" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">100 types</a> of traditional Indian desserts? Also called mithai, most of these deserts are fried and milk-based, but the flavors, ingredients, and textures vary by region. Although sweets are enjoyed year-round, they are a must for Diwali celebrations.



We started with dessert because life is too short, but let’s talk about the main course. The staples of <a href="https://www.riamoneytransfer.com/en/blog/best-indian-food">Indian food culture</a> are basmati rice, chickpeas (specifically Bengal gram), curries, spices and chutneys. Curries are usually enhanced with spices and herbs such as cardamom, turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, coriander, and dried chilies. Chutneys, which are thick spreads, are made from different fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes, tamarind, and herbs like mint and cilantro.



Food is usually accompanied by some type of bread such as naan, a type of flatbread, and bhatoora, a fluffy deep-fried bread.



Lamb and chicken are popular in Indian cuisine, however a large percentage of Indians <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4662155/#:~:text=Other%20surveys%20conducted%20by%20FAO,of%20Indians%20are%20being%20vegetarian." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">(between 31% and 42%)</a> are vegetarian, resulting in a traditional diet based on lentils, vegetables, and cheese. Even amongst non-vegetarians, meat is not eaten as commonly. Vegetarian culture in India is serious business, with both restaurants and packaged food needing to be marked as lacto-vegetarian or non-vegetarian.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Indian cultural symbols</h2>



India is filled with cultural symbols, starting with the whopping <a href="http://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/IN" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">38 World Heritage Sites</a> found within its borders. Perhaps the most emblematic of them all is the Taj Mahal, commissioned in 1623 by Shah Jahan, the Mughal emperor. The structure is a mausoleum where Jahan and his favorite wife are buried.



Another crown jewel of Indian cultural symbols is Bollywood. Previously known as Bombay Cinema, Bollywood is the name given to the Indian Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai. The Indian cinema industry as a whole produces around 1,000 films a year, more than any other film industry in the world. Additionally, the films are often produced in all of India’s major languages and are known for their amazing fight scenes and choreographies.



And there you have it! Of course, there are so many other aspects of Indian culture that are worth mentioning and exploring further, but we hope this is a good place to get you started.



Ready to send money ? We&#8217;re here for you.<a href="https://riamoneytransfer.app.link/9RFwBl6qXib"> Download the Ria Money Transfer app today</a> for iOS or Android to get started!

The image shows the Taj Mahal, a stunning white marble mausoleum in Agra, India, epitomizing Indian culture with its large central dome flanked by four smaller domes and four minarets at the corners. All set against a clear blue sky, tourists are gathered at the entrance.

A Comprehensive Guide to Indian Culture

About the author

Gabrielle van Welie

Related posts

Ria to Sponsor 2025 Weston Shield Cricket Tournament

The Rich History of Baseball in Japan: A Beloved Sport and Cultural Phenomenon

From Caracas to Cooperstown: Venezuela’s Baseball Journey

The Heartbeat of Puerto Rican Baseball