Understanding the peculiar characteristics of Indian family and the social norms and values that drive and reinforce them is crucial in developing an understanding India. The fact that Indian marriages were conceived as inseparable bonds for the rest of one's life, was an important tool of social engineering adopted by Indian society, and led to significant consequences. These developments curtailed individual freedom, but strengthened the family, making it a central facet in Indian society....

The strength of Indian civilization and its unique social hierarchy where the ascetic intellectual, the Brahmin, was placed above the all powerful King, helped in putting restraint on its rulers. However, while this strengthened the ability of the society to reign the King, it also had a weakening effect on the State, which became crucial when India was faced with foreign invaders. The relatively weak State, with limited resources, and unable to indulge in uninhibited violence practiced by their invaders, were often inadequate in their confrontation with foreign invaders. Maybe therein lie several lessons for us....

To an outsider not familiar with it, India will always be something different. A flowing mass of humanity that has survived for at least seven to eight thousand years in continuity… of people who continue to follow their own traditional way of living even in 21st century… are some of the instant observations. But a more detailed understanding suggests unique social traditions that are centered around family, that self regulate themselves, that shun violence and even keep their King under check …...

The existing political state of India came into existence on 15th August, 1947. But with a history of at least several thousand years, India is clearly much more and extends much beyond its political boundaries. It is not just a country, but a nation, a state, a culture, a society and more than anything else ... a civilization....

History is usually written as the his story of our historical heroes - individuals, whose eventful lives and achievements make it worth to remember and document them. However, in the process of limiting our history to the stories of such greats, we miss out on the way civilizations organize themselves. This is particularly the case with India, the oldest continuing civilization on this planet. The History of India, as it is documented today, does not tell us how billions lived their lives. ...