Definition
Culture is a vast term. The term is applied to the positive or negative characteristics on the basis of which a community or nation is identified and distinguished from other human groups. Sum total of the higher achievements of group life, which a community or nation has acquired through its historical experience in different fields like the physical sciences, social sciences, arts, crafts, religion, ethics and social behavior; is called its culture. Dr. Jameel Jalibi has defined culture in the following words:
- “Culture, therefore, connotes the entire range of a society's make-up such as religion, faith morals customs, laws, learning, arts, crafts, hobbies and leisure which a man acquires as member of society, and whose use and adoption enables the different and sometimes dissimilar individuals and groups to develop common interests and acquire common appearance and traits. “
- “Culture makes a man capable of distinguishing between uncivilized behaviours and urbanity, thus raising the arts and crafts to a higher level."
- According to T. S. Eliot 'culture' denotes the living patterns of the people living in a particular area or region. It is reflected through their arts, customs habits, religion and many other things like this.
Human communities inhabiting different areas of the world have distinct characteristics which differentiate them from each other. These characteristics bear the imprint of the historical process they have passed through; and the land, climate and environment they live in. Modern sociologists believe that culture plays a decisive role in the formation of nations and nationalities. In modern political science greater stress is laid on the study of political culture and dynamics, while traditionally study of political institutions was considered more important.
Relationship between culture and nationality can be easily understood by the study of the Pakistan Movement. Pakistan was not meant to be a national state, pure and simple, the Muslims of India wanted to establish a state, living under which they would safeguard and promote their culture and civilization. In other words, cultural aspirations of the Indian Muslims gave birth to Muslim nationalism in India, which later came to be known as "Pakistani Nationalism" and the culture as "Pakistani Culture.
Pakistan: With Reference to Ancient Civilization
Arnold Toynbee is the most eminent of all the western historians and his book "A Study of History" (in 12 volumes) is considered to be the most authentic treaties, on the history of civilizations and historiography. Written after, and of course, greatly inspired by Ibn-e- Khaldun's Tarikh-ul-Ibar. First volumes of Toynbee's history appeared in the year 1934. In this book he has given valuable information about the history of the Indus Valley Civilization. In the following lines we have tried to summaries pages 107 and 108 of the first volume of his history:
At Moenjodaro in north western Sindh and at Harapa in the Punjab, north east of Multan, excavations carried out by the Archaeological Department of the Government of India have brought to light the material remains of an ancient culture which is closely related to the ancient culture of Sumerians in Iraq. The affinity falls short of absolute identity.
Life span of the community at Moenjodaro is to be dated between 3250 and 2750 BC. (in the later period through investigations made with the help of newly devised scientific instruments, it was revealed that this culture was actually less older than it was estimated by Arnold Toynbee, these findings dated it at 2600 BC. Ancient city of Kot Diji in Sindh is older than Moenjodaro.)
Some Truks like some Aryas, crossed the Hindu Kush and descended upon India, while other Turks like other Aryas made their way westward as far as Syria. (this incidence manifests the ethnic affinity between the Pakistani people and the races of the Middle East.)
Sir John Marshall is the person who did pioneer work on the Indus Valley Civilization. According to him, there is completer uniformity of culture between Moenjodaro and Harappa, though the cities are located at a distance of nearly 650 km from each other.
The domain of this culture extends in to Baluchistan, but Baluchistan was not an important seat of it.
"There is no evidence, yet forthcoming for the presence of 'the Indus Culture' in the Ganges Basin".
We can summaries Toynbee's findings in the following three points:
i. The area that now forms Pakistan had a distinct cultural identity, even in the remotest past.
ii. History shows that the territory of Pakistan was culturally linked with the Middle East and not with the Ganges Valley. (Now a part of India).
iii. The people of Pakistan have closer ethnic affinity with the racial groups settled in the Middle East.
Pakistan's Cultural Heritage
Pakistan is a new country, it appeared on the map of the world on Aug. 14, 1947, but Pakistanis are an old nation. Tradition of civilized living in this land is as old as history itself. The magnificent Indus Valley Civilization flourished in this land. Remains of this civilization have now been unearthed at Harappa and Moenjodaro. The majestic Gandhara appeared in the later period and took over extensive areas of the Potwar Plateau. Taxila, the elegant headquarters of the Gandhara rulers became the centre of knowledge and learning, unmatched in the entire world at its time. But all these civilizations vanished into the mist of history for reasons not fully known. Due to many links missing, we are unable to establish perfect connecting relationship between our times and these defunct civilizations.
Islam was introduced in this region through the peaceful missionary efforts of the preachers and saints. This process started soon after the advent of Islam, most probably in the days of Hazrat Muhammad Rasool Ullah. The Muslims entered this land as conquerors in 712 AD and a Muslim government was established in Sind soon after. In the later period, the Muslims ruled extensive areas of this land for a long period of time. Architecture, painting, music and the calligraphic art developed during this period. Combined with the social traditions and ideological norms are the strong unbroken links that connect us with our glorious past.
