4. Linguistic and Cultural Diversity

According to census of India \(2001\), India has \(122\) major languages and \(1599\) other languages. Tamil is the oldest Dravidian language.  Indo-Aryan, Dravidian, Austroasiatic and Sino Tibetian are the four major Indian language families.

 

Historically, the Portuguese, the Dutch, the British, the Danish, and the French came to India for trade. Their occupation of India or some parts of it has left behind a particular impact upon the culture and language of the people. Because the British ruled over entire India for over three hundred years before independence in \(1947\), the English language gained importance in India.

 

As time passed, English has emerged as an essential language and a medium of instruction in schools and colleges. It is widely used in official communication and daily life.

 

  

Indian Constitution recognises \(22\) languages as official languages. The Indian government has declared Tamil as the first classical language in \(2004\). Apart from Tamil, five other Indian languages have been declared as the classical languages, by the Government of India.

 

 

 

Art and architecture are an integral part of every community. It develops as a part of culture and tradition. Each of the \(29\) states and \(7\) Union territories of India has rich traditions and unique ways of artistic expression.