Punjabi culture

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Punjabi Culture is the culture of the Punjab region. It is one of the oldest and richest cultures in world history, dating from ancient antiquity to the modern era. The Punjabi Culture is the culture of the Punjabi people who are now distributed throughout the world. The scope, history, sophistication and complexity of the culture are vast. Some of the main areas include, Punjabi Philosophy, poetry, spirituality, education, artistry, music, cuisine, science, technology, military warfare, architecture, traditions, values and history.

1 Ancient Punjabi Culture
2 Middle Age Punjabi Culture
3 Modern Punjabi Culture
4 Punjabi Culture: A Big Melting Pot
5 Prominent Punjabis
6 Punjabi Culture in the Western world
7 Photo gallery
8 References
9 See also
10 External links

[edit] Ancient Punjabi Culture

Main article: History of the Punjab

Mature Harappan "Priest King" statue, Mohenjo-daro,Wearing Sindhi Ajrak, late Mature Harappan period, National Museum, Karachi, Pakistan

Ancient Punjabi Culture during the period of the Indus valley civilization is one of high sophistication and many world firsts, such as the world's first planned cities. Ancient Punjabi Culture is a counterpart of ancient Chinese culture, Mesopotamian, Egyptian and of ancient Greece. Some scholars believe, at its peak, it surpassed the sophistication and cultural achievements of its counterpart fellow cultures, during this time, to become the worlds leading advanced civilization.

Some of the unusual features of the civilization were the almost complete lack of weapons excavated by archaeologists, this in sharp contrast to its counterpart cultures. Archaeologists believe this indicates the civilization was remarkably peaceful. The other unusual feature was the lack grandiose temples or palaces, archaeologists believe this indicates that the civilization was non hierarchical in power structure, this is almost completely unique in world history.

Ancient Punjabis' were renowned for their architectural excellence and gave their civilization a highly distinct look with baked-brick urban architecture. The written alphabet of the Ancient Punjabis is yet to be cracked and deciphered; it remains one of the only ancient cultures whose literature remains unread and unknown.

Ancient Punjabis' enjoyed and were fascinated with games, this is supported by the very large number of games artefacts, such as dice, excavated by archaeologists.

[edit] Middle Age Punjabi Culture

The Shalimar Gardens in Lahore

Middle Age Punjabi Culture, during the period of foreign invasions, saw the already very high number of layers and complexity of the Punjabi Culture increase to another level. During this time contributions from Greek, Persian, Mongol and Afghan influences were incorporated into the enormous complexity and sophistication of the Punjabi Culture. During this period saw the birth and rise of a new world-religion in Punjab, Sikhism, this had a dramatic effect on the culture and gave it an additional dimension. This further increased the martial and military dimensions of the Punjabi culture and of the Punjabi People.

[edit] Modern Punjabi Culture

Due to the large number of Punjabi People distributed throughout the world, Pakistan and India, many people are increasingly experiencing the culture and becoming influenced by it. Traditional Punjabi culture is being strengthened and expanded in the Western world (e.g. U.S., UK, EU, Canada and etc), the scope is huge, ranging from Punjabi Philosophy, poetry, spirituality, education, artistry, music, cuisine, architecture and etc.

[edit] Punjabi Culture: A Big Melting Pot

Bhangra tournament concert

People of different languages, cultures, customs and races came to Punjab for good life and it was the strength and superiority of Punjabi culture and language that these all immigrants forgot their native culture and became Punjabi.

Punjabi Music

Main article: Music of Punjab

Bhangra is one of the many Punjabi musical art forms that is increasingly being listened to in the west and is becoming a mainstream favourite. Punjabi music is being used by western musicians, in many ways, such as mixing it with other compositions to produce award-winning music. In addition, Punjabi Classical music is increasingly becoming popular in the west due to the beauty of sounds of the Punjabi language and its composition.

Punjabi Cuisine

Tandoori chicken is a popular dish in Punjabi cuisine.

Main article: Punjabi cuisine

Punjabi Cuisine has an immense range of dishes and has become world-leader in the field so much so that many entrepreneurs that have invested in the sector have built large personal fortunes due to popularity of Punjabi Cuisine throughout the world.

Punjabi Poetry

Punjabi Poetry is renowned for its extremely deep meaning, beautiful, exciting and hopeful use of words. The poetry is one of the deepest insights into the Punjabi mindset. The large number of Punjabi poetry masterpieces are being translated throughout the world into many languages. Famous Punjabi poets.

See also: Punjabi Kisse

Punjabi Dances

Main article: Punjabi dance

Punjabi Dances, due to the long history of the Punjabi culture and of the Punjabi people there is a large number of dances. These dances are normally performed at times of celebration the most prominent being at Punjabi weddings, where the elation is usually particularly intense. The particular background of the dances can be non-religious and religious. The overall style can range from very high energy to more reserved, however the common elements make it particularly attractive to the viewers whether they be of Punjabi heritage or not, the allure is considered universal. Punjabi dances are designed for either men or women.

A Punjabi wedding reception

Punjabi wedding traditions

Main article: Punjabi wedding traditions

Punjabi wedding traditions and ceremonies are traditionally conducted in Punjabi and are a strong reflection of Punjabi culture. While the actual religious marriage ceremony, among Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims, Jains may be conducted in Sanskrit, Punjabi, Arabic, by the Pundit, Kazi, Granthi or Priest. There are commonalities in ritual, song, dance, food, dress. The Punjabi wedding has many rituals and ceremonies that have evolved since traditional times.

[edit] Prominent Punjabis

Allama Iqbal internationally famous Punjabi poet and scholar in deep thought; The picture earned him the Famous title of "The Thinker"

Main article: List of Punjabis

Main article: List of Punjabi poets

Main article: List of Punjabi authors

Main article: List of Punjabi musicians

Main article: List of Punjabi language poets

[edit] Punjabi Culture in the Western world

Due to the values and heritage of the Punjabi Culture, the Punjabi people have become one of the most successful and wealthiest sections of society in the west, this is in addition to on average being the wealthiest in Pakistan and India. [1]

[edit] Photo gallery

Shahi Masjid Lahore	The Bhakra Dam	The Punjabi Fort at Bathinda.	The Punjabi Fort at Bathinda.
The Punjabi Fort at Bathinda a view from inside the Fort.	The main gate of the Punjabi Qila Mubarak at night. Architect Atit Kumar.	Badshahi Masjid - The Punjabi mosque of the moghal empire built by the last mughal emperor, Aurangzeb.	The Punjabi Alamgiri Gate built in 1673, is the main entrance to the Lahore Fort.
The Punjabi Faisalabad Clock Tower, built during the British Raj	The Punjabi Phuara Chowk (lit. the Fountain Crossing) is the central land mark of Patiala.	Jallianwala Bagh memorial to commemorate the fallen brave Punjabi protestors at the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.	Wideview of the Punjabi Jallianwala Bagh memorial.
Entrance to the present day Punjabi Jallianwala Bagh.	Bullet marks, visible on a preserved wall, at present day Punjabi Jallianwala Bagh.	Mohindra College Patiala.	A Punjabi Phulkari from Patiala.
Punjabi Phul Cinema on The Mall facing the Fountain Chowk is built in Art Deco style.	Punjabi Tandoori chicken is a popular dish in Punjabi cuisine	Jalandhar Railway Station's reception block.	Irrigated land of Punjab.
Punjabi Clock Tower at Govt College University, Lahore.	Punjabi Mausoleum of Shah Rukn-e-Alam (1320 AD).	The Punjabi Shalimar Gardens.	Taxila is a World Heritage Site.
The Punjabi Shalimar Gardens in Lahore.	In Jalandhar Punjabi Community gets together at markets, amusement parks etc especially on weekends and annual Punjabi festivals.	The Punjabi Sutlej River Valley from Rampur ca. 1857.	The Punjabi Mohindra College, Patiala at night.
Sculpture depicting village kids playing marbles	The 33rd Punjabi Army (A Picture of an Commander: A Punjabi Subadar).

[edit] References

[Quraishee 73] Punjabi Adab De Kahani, Abdul Hafeez Quaraihee, Azeez Book Depot, Lahore, 1973.
[Chopra 77] The Punjab as a sovereign state, Gulshan Lal Chopra, Al-Biruni , Lahore, 1977.
Patwant Singh. 1999. The Sikhs. New York: Doubleday. ISBN 0-385-50206-0.
The evolution of Heroic Tradition in Ancient Panjab, 1971, Buddha Parkash.
Social and Political Movements in ancient Panjab, Delhi, 1962, Buddha Parkash.
History of Porus, Patiala, Buddha Parkash.
History of the Panjab, Patiala, 1976, Fauja Singh, L. M. Joshi (Ed).

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

punjab is religious place has wide history with gurus, fakirs and peers.has bhangra as punjabi dance and giddha for punjabi girls known in whole the world and liked by international people.