Culture of Ancient India. Main stages and characteristics

India is considered one of the ancient foci in human civilization, having a high level of culture. A large amount of evidence of the ancient origin of its culture has been found on the territory of the country. Many of the findings refer to the primitive system, the period of the Lower Paleolithic, the Mesolithic and, especially, the Neolithic. We are talking about a variety of hunting tools, Tesla, grain, remains of tissues, shards of vessels and other things. A rock painting was found depicting separate figures of man and animals, as well as hunting. The culture of Ancient India is one of the unique and, undoubtedly, interesting.

Excavations, which were made in the valley of the Indus River, proved that civilization was here already in the third - second millennium BC. In addition to traditional stone tools, there were articles of copper and bronze (spears, axes, arrowheads, fishing hooks, knives, chisels, saws and sickles). The inhabitants learned how to spin cotton. Pottery and jewelry have become widespread. In the settlements there were two- and three-story buildings, as well as sewerage and water supply systems.

In the second half of the third millennium BC. The culture of Ancient India is characterized by the fact that scientific knowledge has begun to take shape. There is written language, agriculture, blacksmithing, medicine, geometry, as well as invented chess.

The true rise and flowering is the fourth - second century. BC, when the Gupt dynasty and Mauryev ruled. Scientists have created a decimal system of calculus, a modern digital outline, algebra, arithmetic, trigonometry, astronomy.

During this period the science and culture of Ancient India were supplemented by knowledge of chemistry. This made it possible to prepare complex preparations from mercury, metal salts, cement, perfumes, drugs, paints, acids, and so on.

The knowledge gained contributed to the creation of a modern and highly developed civilization.

The artistic culture of Ancient India began to develop actively at the end of the second - the beginning of the first millennium BC. Among the monuments of literature it is necessary to note the Vedas, Vedic literature, "Sacred Traditions", sutras (the system of recommendations for carrying out sacrificial rituals, legislation and rules of home life), and among the genres - epic literature. On the basis of the cult and folk images, unique drama and lyrical poetry developed.

The culture of Ancient India is famous all over the world and has preserved to this day its unique music, which is the unity of singing and instrumental music, accompanied by necessarily facial expressions, dances and gestures.

The peak of perfection are samples of fine art (frescoes, sculpture and art crafts), as well as unique architecture. Applied types are inherent in wealth, expressiveness, uniqueness of images, bold creative solutions, variety and complexity of composition.

Features of the culture of Ancient India became more pronounced when Buddhism spread in the country. The new religion led to the development of sculpture and the mass erection of religious buildings: cave temples, monolithic pillars, statues of the gods and so on.

With the development of culture and science, the structure of ancient Indian society began to change. This led to a more severe differentiation and a strong stratification in the country. It was based on only the social origin and nature of the activity. Further, this led to the formation of closed groups:

• Four varnas were allocated according to the estates;
• On professional activity - three and a half thousand castes.

The culture of India remains unique due to its ancient and ancient roots. She managed to preserve those features that make her truly national and recognizable throughout the world.