Today we will discuss about Pakistani Culture Essay History Salient Features of Culture of Pakistan. Pakistan Culture is generally considered to be the basic identity of Pakistan nation as its trends, History, Silent Features, rituals and way of life form their culture of living, and this culture becomes their distinctiveness. Like all countries, Pakistan also does have the Culture which is circulated all over the territory but at the same time continuous amendments are being done to the national culture of the state. Let us have an overview of where the culture of Pakistan originated. Before independence in 1947, Pakistan was combined with the Sub Continent India, where Hindus and Muslims used to live together on one land. Before that, it was the Mughal Empire of Muslims that made us renowned and popular all over the globe and it is not surprising that still after hundreds of years we do have various features and reflections of that old traditional culture in our modern Pakistan.

Pakistani Culture Essay History Salient Features of Culture of Pakistan

So from those old days, the culture of Pakistan is being transferred and is being redefined at regular intervals. After the independence when the Muslims of Sub Continent got a separate homeland, it was the time when the real culture of Pakistan was being formed which was being made complementing the ideology on the basis of which the independence was being acquired. Sometimes it is the fact that the people living in any specific culture modify themselves to make them compatible with it, while in other cases people modify the culture which suits their way of life. Western countries are the major example of the second type in which people modify the culture as per their interest and their comfort. If we define the real concept of Culture then it can be stated in such a phrase that; “Culture” can be defined in many different ways, Culture may be defined as behavior peculiar to human beings, together with material objects used. Culture consists of language, ideas, values, attributes, beliefs, customs, codes, institutions, tools, works and arts, religion, law, morality, ceremonies, and festivals.

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Silent Features of Pakistani Culture:

The origination of the Pakistani culture and ethnic background has firm foundations and background in the past history; going back to the Indus Valley Civilization, which existed from 2800–1800 B.C, and was renowned for its ordered cities, advanced sanitation, excellent roads, and uniquely structured society. Various invasions have taken place in the territories of Pakistan as it has been invaded many times in the past and have been occupied and settled by many different peoples, each of whom has left their imprint on the current inhabitants of the country. Some of the largest groups were the ‘Aryans’, Greeks, Scythians, Persians, White Huns, Arabs, Turks, Mongols, Afghans, Buddhists, and other Eurasian groups, up to and including the British, who left in the late 1940s.

Being a Muslim and the country is the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the culture of the country should be aligned with the teachings of Islam, the Quran, and Sunnah. The rules and regulations which are being established in the state are not contradictory to the teachings of Islam and that is why after the independence the name of the state was finalized as the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Being an Islamic country the trend of Madaris and religious institutions are very much common and that has also given a unique identity for the Muslims as long beards and dresses of Shalwar Kameez are very much common which is concerned to be very important personality traits amongst the people of Pakistan. The constitution of the state is according to the rules and regulations of Islam. The national holidays of the state also include three major celebrations for Muslims, which are Eid-ul-Fitar, Eid-ul-Adha, and Eid Milad-un-Nabi (P.B.U.H). The fulfillment of all religious obligations is one of the most crucial and Significant characteristics of Pakistani Culture.

Pakistan does have a strong and traditional relationship with literature which is an important constituent of Pakistani culture. The poets and literature-associated people do tend to show their interest and focus on writing poems and literature on the religious beliefs, mankind and humanity, and praises of GOD and his Messenger (P.B.U.H). Pakistani culture has a very strong association with the Ulema; Mushaikh and Sufi poets Sufis like Lal Shahbaz, Data Ganj Baksh, Shah Abdul Lateef, Sachal Sarmast, Hazrat Sultan Bahu, and Waris Shah are considered to be renowned and very much popular amongst the national culture as they have rendered meritorious services for the spread of Islam in the Sub Continent.

There are so many languages which are being spoken in the country but when it comes to the national language solidarity is being observed as the national language of Pakistan is Urdu, which contributes a lot to the strengthening of the culture and the unity of the nation in Pakistan. The provincial languages are also very much important in Pakistani culture as each of the provinces does have their own local native language like; Pushto, Punjabi, Sindhi, Siraiki, Kashmiri, and Baluchi.

Pakistan is a sports-loving country in which the trend of sports not only on the major grounds but also on roads, streets, and small green belts is very much common which shows the affiliation of the people of Pakistan towards their sports. The national game of the country is Hockey but still a huge following for Cricket, Football, and Squash is being seen. The traditional culture of Pakistan also gives huge importance to games like Kabbadi and Wrestling.

Dresses have always been the most prominent feature in the culture of any country and that is why Pakistan does also have specific clothes which represent the national culture. The national dress of Pakistan is the Shalwar Kameez which is not just the national dress but also the main feature of the appearance of Pakistani culture. The official dress is the Sherwani with turbo or a round-topped cap which is also known as the Jinnah cap which was set after the respectable Quaid of Pakistan Mohammad Ali Jinnah. The dresses do vary in various provinces as well but that is just to represent their domestic identity but when it comes to nationality, then commonality and harmony are being observed which has literally fortified the culture of Pakistan.

Pakistan does have a very unique tradition, history, and culture as far as calligraphy & architecture is being concerned as the inheritance of this art in Pakistan is from the Muslim period of South Asia. The Mughals specially built different buildings, parks, monuments, places, Mosques & Forts. Their service in the field of art and architecture is a bright example of Islamic art & culture, as one of the very famous and long-lasting examples of this creativity and creation is the Taj Mahal which is located in Agra, India which was made by the emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his third and the most beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. Pakistani arts in metalwork, tiles, furniture, rugs, designs/paintings, literature, calligraphy, and much more are diverse and renowned internationally. Pakistani architecture is unique with its infusion of Islamic, Persian, Turkish, and Indigenous styles.

Media is the all-important feature of the Culture of Media, which plays a vital role in establishing a strong basis for the national culture but unfortunately in Pakistan, the case is reversed as media is one of those negative features which are endangering the national culture. Traditionally, the government-owned Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV). There are several private TV channels showing news and entertainment. There are many FM radio channels too. The world is becoming a global village for which the media has also advanced itself is such a way that they have crossed all the limitations which were bound to follow. In the Pakistani culture media has the ultimate freedom which is negatively used, as Western trends and Indian media are becoming more and more threatening and that is just because our national media has given them that space to accommodate themselves which has promoted such values, ethics and traditions which are against the national culture of Pakistan.

Pakistan does have a culture of celebrating national days which have had various significances in the past. There are so many such special days celebrated annually in Pakistan, some of which, including; Independence Day (14^th August), Pakistan Day (23^rd March), Defence of Pakistan Day (6^th September), Pakistan Air Force Day (7^th September), the anniversaries of the birth (25^th December, a national holiday) and death (11^th September) of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah and the birth of national poet Allama Mohammad Iqbal (9^th November), etc.

In Islam, males are given more rights as compared to women in inheritance, but in Pakistani culture, this superiority is being taken in the other aspect, and that is why Pakistan is a country having a male dominant culture where males are considered to be the head of the family. In the tribal areas and rural areas of the country, the condition is even worse where people behave with their women like bosses and treat them as slaves. This is a very dark side of the national culture, although that is not everywhere as in Pakistan, women are given the highest esteem and respect in the society where they are respected and treated with dignity. This is the main reason for the upbringing of the culture of dowry in Pakistan. Men when getting married to women always want a lot of possession of the property in the concern of dowry which is another very alarming sign, as behind this curse there are several physical assaults on women, throwing of acid and in severe cases, even the murders are being done.

Pakistan Culture History Essay Conclusion:

Pakistan has a very unique mixed culture in which the various cultures from different provinces combine together to form an amalgamation of ethics, values, norms, and beliefs which forms a very charming and attractive national culture of Pakistan. But the problem arises when the people of Pakistan start adopting the culture of other people mainly India from the neighbors and Western countries. This is when the commonality of the national culture becomes threatened and imperil. Then very common example of this is the Mehndi function which is nowadays a very important function in all the weddings in Pakistan is not our culture, but it is being adopted from India, Basant festival which is celebrated with the utmost excitement and enthusiasm is being adopted again from India, and the unethical dresses in females and males are being adopted from the west. The people of Pakistan should stick to their own Pakistan culture and should always promote it by being its brand ambassador so that the entire world show knows and praise them due to their exquisite culture of Pakistan. So, this is complete details about Pakistani Culture Essay History Salient Features of Culture of Pakistan.