Differences between Pakistanis and Indians
Language/linguistics
About 99% of languages spoken in Pakistan is Urdu which is came from
Indo-Iranian (sub-branches: 75% Indo-Aryan and 24% Iranian), a branch of
Indo-European family of languages. All languages of Pakistan are written in the
Perso-Arabic script, with significant vocabulary derived from Arabic and
Persian. Punjabi, Seraiki, Sindhi, Pashto, Urdu, Balochi, Kashmiri, etc. are
the languages spoken in Pakistan.
About 69% of languages spoken in India is Hindi, Bengali, Telgo, Malayalam and
so many others are Indo-Iranian (sub-branch: Indo-Aryan), 26% are Dravidian,
and 5% are Sino-Tibetan and Austro-Asiatic, all unrelated/distinct family of
languages. Most languages in India are written in Brahmi- derived scripts such
as Devangari, Gurmukhi, Tamil, etc. Hindi, Bengali, Gujarati, Marathi, Telugu,
Tamil, Malayalam, Assamese, Punjabi, Naga, and many others are the
mother-tongue languages spoken in each of India's states.
As you can see both countries have distinct linguistic
identities. Even in the case of Punjabi, while it is the mother-tongue of a
majority in Pakistan, it represents the mother-tongue of only 2% Indians.
Besides, Pakistani Punjabi (Western Punjabi) is distinct in its
vocabulary/dialect and writing script when compared to Indian Punjabi (Eastern
Punjabi). Another thing to keep in mind is that Indian Punjabi is mostly spoken
by Sikhs who consider themselves distinct from the rest of Indians and had been
fighting for independence. In the case of Urdu/Hindi, while Hindi is the
mother- tongue of a majority in India, Urdu is the mother-tongue of only 8%
Pakistanis. Besides, they both are distinct languages, Urdu has a writing
script and strong vocabulary derived from Arabic and Persian, whereas Hindi has
strong vocabulary derived from Sanskrit and is written in Devangari script.
Most Pakistanis can understand English and watch American/Brit movies but that
does not make them British/American, same is the case with Hindi.
Religion
The region has formed a distinct cultural unit within
the main cultural complex of South Asia, the Middle East and Central
Asia from the earliest times, and is analogous to Turkey's position in
Eurasia. There are differences in culture among the different ethnic groups in
matters such as dress, food, and religion, especially where pre-Islamic customs
differ from Islamic practices. Their cultural origins also reveal
influences from far afield, including Tibet, Nepal, India and
eastern Afghanistan. All groups show varying degrees of influence from Persia, Turkestan and Hellenistic
Greece. Pakistan was the first region of South Asia to receive the full impact
of Islam and has developed a distinct Islamic identity,
historically different from areas further west
Festivals
Eid Milaad un Nabi (Birthday of the Islamic
prophet Muhammad), Ramadan
The holiest month of the Islamic Calendar, which
is a month of fasting from sunrise to sunset and self-discipline, Chand
Raat,Eid celebrations( Eid ul-Fitr and Eid ul-Adha)
Muharram (Ashura), Jashn-e-Baharan (Basant), Nowruz
and Independence Day
Popular religious festivals include the Hindu
festivals are Radha and gopikas celebrating Holi,
known as the "festival of colors". Navratri, Diwali, Ganesh
Chaturthi, Durga puja, Holi, Rakshabandhan and Dussehra.
Several harvest festivals, such as Sankranthi, Pongal and Onam,"Nuakhai.
Race/genetics
About 70% of Pakistanis are Caucasoid by race, 20% Australoid- Negroid, and 10%
Mongoloid in their overall genetic composition. Majority of Pakistanis are tall
with fair skin complexion, similar to Middle Eastern and Mediterranean peoples.
While the racial features of each ethnic group are not uniform, Pashtuns are
the most Caucasoid, followed by Kashmiris, Baluchis, north Punjabis, and then
Sindhis, Seraikis, Urdu-speakers, etc. The Australoid-Negroid and Mongoloid
racial elements are quite infused within the dominant Caucasoid genes among
Pakistanis, however there are some that have retained their distinct racial
characteristics.
About 50% of Indians are Australoid-Negroid by race, 35% Caucasoid, and 15%
Mongoloid in their overall genetic composition. Majority of Indians are darker
in their skin complexion, with wider noses, shorter heights, etc. The
Australoid-Dravidoid racial element dominates among the lower caste Indians,
South Indians, Eastern and Central Indians, etc. The Caucasoid racial element
dominates in Northwest Indians and higher caste Indians. The Mongoloid racial
element dominates in Northeast Indians and border regions with China.
Obviously, both countries have distinct racial identities. A common
international perception based on observance of physical features is that most
Pakistanis are lighter skinned than most Indians. Most Pakistanis resemble the
looks of peoples inhabiting on its western borders and beyond. Indeed, many
Pakistanis also resemble many Northwest Indians or higher caste Indians, but
those are a minority in India. Similarly, a few people of Pakistan resemble
peoples of South India, lower caste Indians, Northeast India, etc. but they are
a minority in Pakistan. And besides, let's say, if some Saudis look similar to
the French that does not make them one people, same applies here between
Indians and Pakistanis.
Culture/Traditions
Pakistanis have a distinct culture, traditions and customs. Shalwar kamiz is
the dress commonly worn, both by men and women in Pakistan.Pashto, Punjabi,
Balochi, Sindhi, etc. music and dances are distinctly unique with their own
melodies, instruments, patterns and styles. Pakistani arts in metal work,
tiles, furniture, rugs, designs/paintings, literature, calligraphy, etc. are
distinct and diverse. Pakistani architecture is unique with its Islamic styles.
The manners and lifestyles are guided by a blend of Islam and local traditions.
India's commonly worn dress is dhoti for men and sari for women. Indian music
and dances are distinctly unique. So are Indian arts in the many areas. Indian
architecture is unique in its mostly Hindu styles. The manners and lifestyles
of most Indians are guided by Hinduism.
Pakistanis and Indians definitely have distinct cultures of their own. Some
Indian women wear shalwar kamiz, but that was introduced by the ancestors of
Pakistanis. Many Pakistani food dishes are absent in Indian cuisine and vice
versa, and if some dishes are shared, they were also introduced by the
ancestors of Pakistanis (like naan, tikka, kabob, biryani/pulao, etc.). There
is barely any Hindu architectural influence in Pakistan (Gandhara is Graeco-
Buddhist and Harappan is distinct), but significant influences by the ancestors
of Pakistanis can be found in India. The lives of most Pakistanis are shaped by
Islam, whereas the lives of most Indians are shaped by Hinduism.
History/background
Pakistanis are a blend of their Harappan, Aryan, Persian, Greek, Saka,
Parthian, Kushan, White Hun, Arab, Turkic, Afghan, and Mughal heritage. Waves
of invaders and migrants settled down in Pakistan throughout the centuries,
influencing the locals and being absorbed among them.
Most Indians are a blend of their heritage of Dravidoid-Australoid hunters and
gatherers, and Aryans (in north). Northwest Indians have a heritage from
Harappans, Aryans, Sakas, and White Huns. Northeast Indians have a heritage
based from Mongoloid hunters and gatherers. Also, Turks, Afghans and Mughals
ruled north India for centuries.
Pakistan and India have a distinct history and background. The region of
Pakistan was never part of India except for 500+ years under the Muslims, and
100 years each under the Mauryans and the British. If anything, it was the
ancestors of Pakistanis who colonized north/northwest India, among them were
Harappans, Aryans, Sakas, Kushans, White Huns, Turks, Afghans, and
Mughals Cuisine
Culinary art in Pakistan comprises a mix of Middle
Eastern, Iranian, Afghan, and Turkish cuisine that
reflects the country's history as well as the variation of cooking
practices from across the surrounding regions. Besides the main dishes of salan,
with meat and cooked with vegetables or lentils, there are a
number of provincial specialties such as karahi, biryani and tikka,
in various forms and flavours, eaten alongside a variety of breads such
as naan, chapati and roti.
Food is an important part of Indian culture,
playing a role in everyday life as well as in festivals. Indian cuisine varies
from region to region, reflecting the varied demographics of the
country. Generally, Indian cuisine can be split into 5 categories — northern, southern,
eastern, western and north-eastern. India is known for its love for Food
and Spices .Cuisine across India has also been influenced by various
cultural groups that entered India throughout history.
Geography
Pakistan is geographically unique, with Indus River and its tributaries as its
main water supply. It is bordered by the Hindu Kush and Sulaiman Mountain
ranges in the west, Karakoram Mountain range in the north, Sutlej River and
Thar desert in east, and Arabian Sea in the south. The country in its present
form was created by the Pakistanis themselves out of the British Raj, the Indus
people themselves who are now almost Muslims.
India is geographically unique, with Ganges River and its tributaries as its
water supply in the north, and other river systems in the rest of the country.
Himalayas as its northern boundary, Sutlej River and Thar desert as its western
border, the jungles of northeast as its eastern border, and Indian Ocean in the
south. The mountains in the central-south India are the great divide between
Dravidians of the south and Indo-Aryans of the north. The country itself was
created by the British, a direct descendent of the remnants of British Raj.
It is evident that India and Pakistan have their own unique geographical
environments. Pakistan is located at the crossroads of South Asia, Central
Asia, and the Middle East. On the other hand, India is located at the core of
South Asia.
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