History of Indian Culture begins with the culture prevalent in the Indus Valley Civilisation. Cultural history in the medieval age begins with the death of Harsha Vardhan. This ends with the decline of the Mughal Empire in the eighteenth century. Thereafter India witnesses the British rule. The Britishers tried to impose their way of living and mannerisms some of which has been absorbed into the Indian culture.

Ancient Indian Culture
The cultural evolution of ancient India begins with the culture of Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa that dates from 3250 to 2750 B.C. The Vedic period witnessed the rise of tribal chieftainship and democratic assemblies. During the epic period India was divided into a number of kingdoms. The country had witnessed political and cultural upsurge during the Classical Age. Thereafter, Mauryan dynasty ruled the politically important city Magadha. The decline of the Mauryan Empire saw India being divided into a number of independent kingdoms. Foreign races like the Shakas, Greeks and the Kushans had invaded India. Among the kings of foreign extraction the most famous was Kanishka. Some time later the rise of a fresh empire under the Guptas from 319 or 320 A.D. was witnessed. The Gupta period was the golden age of Ind0ian culture. Ancient Indian culture is a treasure house of classical forms of dance. Sage Narada`s Natyashastra is the primitive manuscript that deals with different art forms and had references of dance styles like Odissi, Kathakali and Bharatnatyam.

Medieval Indian Culture
Culture in the medieval period was a continuation of the ancient Indian culture to some extent. Literature witnessed development of the vernacular languages. Various `Apabhramshas` developed now. Tulsidas was a great Hindi poet. The most famous of his work was Ramcharita Manas. Surdas was another poet who wrote in Brijbhasha. The Bengali language also made a significant progress in this period in the realm of poetry. Marathi vernacular developed during this period. The oldest writer is Jnaneshwar who completed his Jnaneshwari in 1290 A.D. In Rajasthan also Vernacular literature had developed. The most famous chronicle was Prithviraj Raso by Chandvardai. The Punjabi literature and vernacular literature in Bihar had also made a marked progress. The Sanskrit literature also continued to make great progress. Many works were written in the field of poetry also. The composition of Kalhana`s Rajtarangini can be sighted as an example. The philosophies of the medieval India were based on the Vedic and post-Vedic philosophical works. They laid great emphasis on love, emotional aspect of man and self-surrender to God. The medieval period witnessed the development of Hinduism with its symbols and mythology. Bhakti cult was dominant. At this time the two most-important schools of Bhakti - Shaivism and Vaishnavism had become popular. Rajput painting and art had developed during this period. Temple architecture gained importance during this period. Khajuraho temples are an example of Temple architecture during the medieval age. Caste system was followed in the society as seen in the previous age. Though agriculture was given a major importance trade and commerce was equally placed on high standards. Many cities became economically important like Madurai, Kannauj and Ujjain and so on.

The Muslim influence on Indian culture cannot be ignored. Muslim architecture, painting and crafts enriched the Indian culture. The development of Urdu language was significant in the medieval age. Dress, manners and food did undergo certain reorientation in following the Muslims. The Muslim society under the Sultans was feudal. The age of the Sultanate presents a vivid contrast between affluence and poverty. Material wealth was concentrated in the hands of the few. The positive feature as far as religion is considered was the intense love of religion among the masses and the development of devotional sects like those of the Sufis.

Culture in Modern India
Modern Indian Culture has primarily been influenced by the rule of the British Empire. Modern machinery of government was created. The rule of law operated by means of the law codes and the courts. English as a language was used in the administration. It gave birth to new ideas Christian schools and colleges were set up. The British administration had destroyed and uprooted the age-old village institutions. Capitalism had forayed into India due to the economic policies adopted by the British. Indian industries were destroyed and the country was forced back to the rural economy. Commercial banks and industries grew during this time. Western influences poured into India through the Middle class society. Untouchability, a social evil was eradicated. Women however were treated on an equal basis. Social consciousness aroused among the Indian masses. The press introduced by the British acted as the spearhead of social movements like abolition of untouchability, widow re-marriage, widows` homes, girls` schools, asylums for the blind and the orphans. Materialism, realism and idealism were new philosophies introduced by the West.