Seeking Educational and Language and Culture Employment Opportunities LANGUAGES: INDIANS HAVE COME TO THE UNITED STATES: INDIA 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 major languages of North are from Indo-Aryan family of • America offered good quality living and good jobs which Sanskrit is the foundation • Languages of South are of Dravidian origin, with distinct IMMIGRATION BEGAN IN THE 1800’s ancient literary heritage and script • As citizens of the British Empire (later Commonwealth), • English is one of the official languages of India, used in Indians settled in all parts of the world government and professional work • Early 1900’s: Thousands of Sikhs opposed to British rule • Ancient poems, songs, folk tales are highly regarded in came to the west coast, especially California, to become a modern Indian culture major farming community • The Vedas (1500 B.C.), hymns to gods, are world’s oldest • 1930-1940: Strict U.S. immigration laws prevented most continuously used literature Asians from coming; Only 496 Indians entered U.S.; all were • The Upanishads (800 B.C.): basis of Hindu philosophy 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 students, professionals and businessmen • on north by China, Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan and Himalayas enced other cultures • on west and northwest by Pakistan and Arabian Sea • Performed in Michigan are some classical and folk dances INDIANS IN THE U.S. number about one million, more than • on east by Bangladesh, Myanar (Burma) and Bay of Bengal and music (Bharat Natyam, etc.) half from northwestern state of Gujarat • on south by Sri Lanka and Indian Ocean INDIANS IN MICHIGAN number approximately 25,000. CULTURAL CHARACTERISTICS: IN STERLING HEIGHTS, approximately 200 Indian families FROM SNOWY NORTHERN MOUNTAINS TO EQUA- • Hindu and Buddhist teachings of non-violence and compas- make their home. TORIAL SOUTH, India has several climates, 3 main seasons: sion are related to widespread pure vegetarianism • “Hot” or dry and dusty season from March to June; 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; extended family with social and economic • “Cool” season; winds from northeast October to February support to members, especially elderly parents NAMED “SINDUS” BY GREEKS (after the Indus River), the • Most marriages arranged by parents with children’s consent official name of the country is BHARAT in honor of a legendary • Respect, reputation, honor of individual king. The people were called HINDUS from which the name Religious Beliefs • Respect for elders, parents, teachers, village customs and INDIA is derived. tradition • Located in South Asia, 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.) history 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, art, literature and society. • Peace-loving, law-abiding, active in community regions: • 80% are Hindus; philosophy of Indian origin • Modesty in dress, manners, behavior; very quiet • Far North: Himalaya mountain range: “Home of Snow”; • Hindus may believe in one god (the Universal Soul mani- • Education highly valued; scholarly hard to cross, even by airplane fest), two gods (Vishnu and Shiv) or many gods who help • North:Indo-Gangetic Plain: some of world’s richest farm- with success, learning, healing, etc. HOLIDAYS: land; many rivers; most populated Indian area; and • Religious book is the Bhagavad Gita NATIONAL: the West; plain becomes drier, joins Thar Desert in • +10% are Muslims. India has one of world’s largest Islamic • Independence Day: August 15 (1947) the Northwest communities. Muslims believe in the same one God as • Gandhi’s Birthday: October 2 (1869) “Mahatma” Gandhi • Deccan Plateau: lies south of plain; flat-topped hills, do the Christians and Jews. • Republic Day: January 26 (1950): constitution effective rolling plains bordered by low mountains (Eastern and • 2% are Christians; brought by St. Thomas (1st century A.D.) Western Ghats) • 2% are Sikhs, religion 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 VILLAGES. • 0.5% are Jains, an Indian religion • Most popular are the regional religious festivals and harvest • India has some of the world’s largest cities; four have over • Also there are Zoroastrians, Jews, Parsis and tribals festivals four million population: New Delhi (+6 million), Bombay • Jewish settlements since the days of King Solomon • Most common to all India is Diwali, in autumn; Homecoming (+8), Calcutta (+9), and Madras (+4). of Prince Ram after defeat of the demon-king; a festival of DETROIT AREA RELIGIOUS CENTERS: lights decorating homes and profusion of fireworks • Bhartiya Temple - Troy • Holi: early spring: colored water sprayed joyously on • ISKCON - Lenox Avenue, Detroit celebrants; evening street-corner fires, foods, songs ON THE COVER • Hindu Temple - Canton • Ramadan: Islamic month of fasting 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 Neera. • Sikh Gurudwara - Madison Heights • Mahavir's Birthday: Jain Holiday • Islamic Association of Greater Detroit - Auburn Hills Ancient History National Hero • 2500-1500 B.C.: Indus Valley Civilization: Major cities are THE “GREAT SOUL” (“MAHATMA”) MOHANDAS Mohenjo Daro and Harappa. 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 Africa in Vedic Age; Extensive use of Sanskrit language. • In India preached non-violence, led Indian people to revolt • 563-325 B.C.: Buddhist Period: establishment of major North against British rule; gained independence peacefully Indian kingdoms. Invasion of Alexander the Great. • 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, road building. Emphasis on compassion and renuncia- Indian- tion of war. Famous Indians • 190 B.C.-250 A.D.: Invasions from Greeks and Sakas. Major dynasty of Satavahanas in Deccan. INDIANS WHO CONTRIBUTED TO CIVILIZATION: • 320-454 A.D.: Gupta Period: “The Golden Age”: second • Gautam Buddha (6th century B.C.): Founder of Buddhism American major empire of classical India; art, literature and metallurgy • Mahavir (500 B.C.): Founder of modern Jainism • 454-647 A.D.: Huna invasions; end of Gupta Dynasty. • Aryabhatt (5th c. B.C.): influencial astronomer • 712-1565 A.D.: Islamic occupation of North India and • Ashok (3rd c. B.C.): famous compassionate king of India Neighbors Hyderabad; 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 • Charaka (1st c. A.D.): Founder, Ayurvedic medicine government • Kalidas (4th c. A.D.): Poet, playwright; still popular • Mid 1600’s: Taj Mahal, world’s most beautiful building built • Kabir (15th c. A.D.): Muslim weaver, poet, mystic at Agra; TOURIST SITE • Guru Nanak (15th c. A.D.): Founder of Sikhism • 1600’s: Holland and Britain came for trade; Britain estab- • Sri Ramakrishna (19th c. A.D.): Hindu religious saint lished East India Company, gained much Indian land, used • Rabindranath Tagore: Nobel Prize for Literature, 1913 army to defend EIC • Raman Maharishi (20th c. A.D.): Sage, holy man Modern History INDIAN NAMES IN AMERICAN SOCIETY: • Swami Vivekananda: Hindu revivalist at World Parliament of LED BY “MAHATMA” GANDHI, A PEACEFUL REVOLT Religions, 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 mutinies had occurred since mid-1800’s • Ravi Shankar: Musician, world famous sitar player • 1947, August 15: Britain gave India independence • Lata Mangeshkar: Recorded 31,000 songs in 21 languages • India divided into East and West Pakistan for Muslims and • Sabu Dastagir: Child film-star in U.S. during the 1930’s: India for Hindus “Elephant Boy,” “Thief of Baghdad,” “Jungle Book” • Jawaharlal Nehru became India’s first Prime Minister over • Zubin Mehta: Music Director, L.A. Philharmonic; N.Y. a parliamentary democracy; India is a republic of over 20 Philharmonic; lifetime conductor, Israel Philharmonic states with strong central government • Santha Ramu Rau: Essayist, novelist, “Passage to India” • 1947-1992: Government ruled essentially by Nehru family, •