sign in sign up
<<
Home , India, Indian people, Lata Mangeshkar, North India, Zubin Mehta

Seeking Educational and and Culture Opportunities : INDIANS HAVE COME TO THE : IS DIVIDED INTO MANY STATES WHICH ARE • Early immigrants came for freedom from foreign oppression BASICALLY LANGUAGE-REGIONS. • American universities later attracted thousands from India • All languages of North are from Indo- of • America offered good quality living and good jobs which is the foundation • Languages of South are of Dravidian origin, with distinct BEGAN IN THE 1800’s ancient literary and script • As citizens of the British (later Commonwealth), • English is one of the official , used in Indians settled in all parts of the government and professional work • Early 1900’s: Thousands of opposed to British rule • Ancient poems, songs, folk tales are highly regarded in came to the west coast, especially , to become a modern Indian culture major farming community • The (1500 B.C.), hymns to gods, are world’s oldest • 1930-1940: Strict U.S. immigration laws prevented most continuously used Asians from coming; Only 496 Indians entered U.S.; all were • The (800 B.C.): basis of Hindu denied citizenship • Mahabharat and Ramayan, stories of good and evil, are • 1960’s to present: Increased immigration of Indians, espe- BORDERED: known by almost every villager; have artistically influ- cially , professionals and businessmen • on north by , , , and enced other cultures • on west and northwest by and Arabian • Performed in Michigan are some classical and folk INDIANS IN THE U.S. about one million, more than • on east by , Myanar (Burma) and Bay of and (Bharat Natyam, etc.) half from northwestern state of • on south by Sri and INDIANS IN MICHIGAN number approximately 25,000. CULTURAL CHARACTERISTICS: IN STERLING HEIGHTS, approximately 200 Indian FROM SNOWY NORTHERN MOUNTAINS TO EQUA- • Hindu and Buddhist teachings of non-violence and compas- make their home. TORIAL SOUTH, India has several , 3 main seasons: sion are related to widespread pure • “Hot” or dry and dusty season from March to ; tempera- • Social pressure from Indian community dictates a pattern of Physical Characteristics of India tures reach up to 115° degrees good behavior; offenders are shunned • “Rainy” season: violent rain, muddy June - August • Family important; with social and economic • “Cool” season; winds from northeast to support to members, especially elderly parents NAMED “SINDUS” BY GREEKS (after the ), the • Most arranged by parents with children’s consent official of the is BHARAT in honor of a legendary • Respect, reputation, honor of individual king. The people were called from which the name Religious Beliefs • Respect for elders, parents, teachers, customs and derived. tradition • Located in South , India is 1/3 the size of U.S. RELIGIOUS PHILOSOPHY SHAPES THE CULTURE, • Hospitality to family and guests • Is home of 900 million people (4 times that of U.S.) and the character of the people and is the foundation for • Hard working, conscientious • India has over 20 states; is divided geographically into three Indian music, , literature and society. • Peace-loving, law-abiding, active in community regions: • 80% are Hindus; philosophy of Indian origin • in dress, manners, behavior; very quiet • Far North: Himalaya mountain range: “Home of ”; • Hindus may believe in one god (the Universal Soul mani- • highly valued; scholarly hard to cross, even by airplane fest), two gods ( and Shiv) or many gods who help • North:Indo-Gangetic : some of world’s richest farm- with success, learning, healing, etc. HOLIDAYS: land; many rivers; most populated Indian ; and • Religious is the NATIONAL: the West; plain becomes drier, joins Thar in • +10% are . India has one of world’s largest Islamic • : (1947) the Northwest communities. Muslims believe in the same one God as • Gandhi’s Birthday: October 2 (1869) “Mahatma” Gandhi • Deccan : lies south of plain; flat-topped hills, do the and . • Day: 26 (1950): constitution effective rolling bordered by low mountains (Eastern and • 2% are Christians; brought by St. Thomas ( A.D.) Western ) • 2% are Sikhs, of Indian origin RELIGIOUS CELEBRATIONS VARY in different parts of • 1% are Buddhists. Religion began in India, spread eastward India. MOST INDIANS LIVE IN THE 500,000 . • 0.5% are Jains, an Indian religion • Most popular are the regional religious festivals and harvest • India has some of ’s largest ; four have over • Also there are Zoroastrians, Jews, and tribals festivals four million population: New (+6 million), Bombay • Jewish settlements since the days of King Solomon • Most common to all India is , in autumn; Homecoming (+8), Calcutta (+9), and (+4). of Ram after defeat of the demon-king; a festival of DETROIT AREA RELIGIOUS CENTERS: lights decorating homes and profusion of fireworks • Bhartiya - Troy • : early : colored water sprayed joyously on • ISKCON - Lenox Avenue, Detroit celebrants; evening -corner fires, foods, songs ON THE COVER • - Canton • : Islamic month of The Parikh family shares an evening together in their Sterling • Jain Derasar - Farmington Hills • Baisaiki: Sikh holiday in honor of Guru Gobind Singh Heights home. Left to Right: Niknil, Anil, Pratibha, and . • Sikh Gurudwara - Madison Heights • Mahavir's Birthday: Jain Holiday • Islamic Association of Greater Detroit - Auburn Hills National Hero

• 2500-1500 B.C.: Indus Civilization: Major cities are THE “GREAT SOUL” (“MAHATMA”) MOHANDAS Mohenjo Daro and . Extensive empire, central gov- KARAMCHAND GANDHI “The Father of India” ernment, technology. Priestly influences. • Born Oct. 2, 1869 in Porbunder, Gujarat Getting to know your... • 1500-500 B.C.: Vedic Age: Aryan invasions from northwest • English educated attorney, gained civil rights for “colored and north. Emphasis on warfare. Ritual and philosophy late people” in South in Vedic Age; Extensive use of Sanskrit language. • In India preached non-violence, led to revolt • 563-325 B.C.: Buddhist Period: establishment of major North against British rule; gained independence peacefully Indian kingdoms. Invasion of . • A spiritual leader; many followed his gentle, spiritual ex- • 322-183 B.C.: Mauryan Period: established by Ashok; Public ample. Often he fasted to point of death for cause of peace. works, building. Emphasis on compassion and renuncia- Indian- tion of war. Famous Indians • 190 B.C.-250 A.D.: Invasions from Greeks and . Major of Satavahanas in Deccan. INDIANS WHO CONTRIBUTED TO CIVILIZATION: • 320-454 A.D.: Period: “The ”: second • Buddha ( B.C.): Founder of American major empire of classical India; art, literature and • Mahavir (500 B.C.): Founder of modern • 454-647 A.D.: Huna invasions; end of Gupta Dynasty. • Aryabhatt (5th c. B.C.): influencial astronomer • 712-1565 A.D.: Islamic occupation of and • Ashok (3rd c. B.C.): famous compassionate king of India Neighbors ; many kingdoms in north and south; ornate temple • Kautilya (3rd c. B.C.): Author of texts on government building, literary and religious movements. Era of good • (1st c. A.D.): Founder, Ayurvedic medicine government • Kalidas (4th c. A.D.): Poet, playwright; still popular • Mid 1600’s: , world’s most beautiful building built • (15th c. A.D.): Muslim weaver, poet, mystic at ; TOURIST SITE • (15th c. A.D.): Founder of • 1600’s: Holland and Britain came for trade; Britain estab- • Sri (19th c. A.D.): Hindu religious saint lished Company, gained much Indian land, used • : for Literature, 1913 army to defend EIC • Raman Maharishi (20th c. A.D.): Sage, holy man

Modern History INDIAN IN AMERICAN SOCIETY: • : Hindu revivalist at World of LED BY “MAHATMA” GANDHI, A PEACEFUL REVOLT , 1893; famous humanitarian by Indians from 1920’s until 1947 released India from British • G.J. Watumull: Merchant, philanthropist, built educational rule. links between U.S. and India • Various had occurred since mid-1800’s • : Musician, world famous sitar player • 1947, August 15: Britain gave India independence • : Recorded 31,000 songs in 21 languages • India divided into East and for Muslims and • Sabu Dastagir: film- in U.S. during the 1930’s: India for Hindus “ ,” “Thief of ,” “Jungle Book” • became India’s first Prime Minister over • Zubin : Music Director, L.A. Philharmonic; N.Y. a parliamentary ; India is a republic of over 20 Philharmonic; lifetime conductor, Philharmonic states with strong • Santha Ramu : Essayist, novelist, “Passage to India” • 1947-1992: Government ruled essentially by Nehru family, • Over 5,000 faculty members in American universities (elected) • Over 30,000 Indian in America • Nehru’s daughter (no relation to ) imposed martial law; was assassinated after gov- ernment attack on Sikh holy temple Council Sterling Heights Ethnic • Her son, Gandhi, assassinated by supporter of Tamil Richard J. Notte Issues Advisory freedom movement of Mayor Pro-Tem Kathryn George Sharron D. Allen, Chair Councilman Richard L. Bracci William Dechavez • Since independence, heavy emphasis on technology, urban- Councilwoman Deanna Koski Harold Dallou ization and . There has been a rapid rise of Councilman Steve E. Dutchik middle classes, bureaucracy, increased for the masses, Councilman Joseph V. Romano Charles Franz Councilwoman Barbara A. Ziarko Stojadin B. Naumovski widespread Betty Rush • INDIA IS THE WORLD’S LARGEST DEMOCRACY! City Manager Iqbal Singh Steve M. Duchane City Liaison: Pat Lehman Dept. Liaison: Sgt. Al Gross In compliance with the with Disabilities Act, a copy of this brochure will be made available in an alternate format upon request.

© 1/94 Copy by Permission Information: (586) 446-CITY