cultural heritage essay in english

The Importance of Cultural Heritage

This essay will discuss the significance of cultural heritage and its impact on individual and collective identity. It will explore how cultural heritage, encompassing traditions, languages, history, and artifacts, contributes to the sense of belonging and continuity in societies. The piece will discuss the role of cultural heritage in fostering diversity, understanding, and respect among different communities. It will also examine the challenges in preserving cultural heritage in the face of globalization and modernization. Additionally, PapersOwl presents more free essays samples linked to Cultural Diversity.

How it works

Cultural heritage is the backbone of every nation around the world. Culture was developed naturally in the lives of every human being. It provides individuals with an automatic sense of unity and belonging within a group and allows people to share stories of the past and the history of where we come from. Cultures are not developed over a decade or even a century but require many years of practice to be considered as the tradition and culture of a particular place or a country. Need a custom essay on the same topic? Give us your paper requirements, choose a writer and we’ll deliver the highest-quality essay! Order now

For example, the country of Bhutan has relied on it's geographic isolation and their government to protect their culture from outside influences. A small populated country bordered by India to the south, Bhutan has maintained a strict isolation both culturally and economically with the goal of preserving its own cultural heritage and independence (GCC News). In the 20th century, the Bhutan government started allowing limited numbers of foreigners to visit the country. In this way, Bhutan has successfully preserved many aspects of its culture, art, architecture and handicrafts which date back to the mid 17th century.

The emergence of the concept of cultural heritage is a result of a long historical development in which different values are attached to tangible cultural heritage such as monuments, buildings, works of arts, artifacts, landscapes and intangible cultural heritage such as rituals, language and traditions. The destruction and misuse of these significant cultural elements has a lot to do with the controversial issues that are related to cultural arrogance, cultural appropriation and cultural borrowing in today's society. Instead of taking the time to learn and understand the traditions of a particular culture, people often take elements of culture for their own personal gain.

Cultural heritage and traditions represent a critical piece of culture. Both constituents form the structure and foundation of our families and society. They remind people that they are part of a history that defines their past, shapes who they are today and who they can become. If they ignore the meaning of our traditions, they are in danger of diminishing our identity.

Culture is an important part of many people's lives. It influences views, values, hopes, loyalties and the way we take action in today's society. For this reason, It is important that when an individual is working with different people and building relationships with them, they have some perspective and an understanding of different cultures. As we explore culture, it is important to acknowledge the fact that while we do have differences, we also have many things in common with others. Many people observe the world very differently, but they know what it is like to wake up and face another day. We are all human beings. We were all taught to love, learn, to have hopes and dreams, and we all experience pain and fear. However we cannot pretend our individual cultural differences do not matter. In today's society, it is common for people not to acknowledge other cultures and their traditions and as a result to disrespect and even discriminate against them.

One particular example of an issue associated with cultural heritage is the issue of cultural arrogance. Cultural arrogance is considered an attitude of superiority in an overbearing manner. It often implies that one believes or acts as though their culture or beliefs are better than another culture. The recent death of American missionary John Allen Chau caused a lot of controversy after the young missionary was killed approaching the shores of North Sentinel Island. This young man from Washington state had decided that the small tribe on a remote island needed him to personally deliver them a taste of his religion. A self-styled Christian missionary, Chau tried to foist his presence and beliefs on the Sentinelese tribe who wished to be left alone. What he found was an early grave. Chau did not die from the tribes. He was killed by his own arrogance. (Review News). John Allen Chau's death was a result of cultural arrogance. The Sentinelese who killed John Allen Chau were soldiers defending their culture and society against a potential threat; they were not murderers. Chau met his fate after ignoring the rules and regulations, as well as the warnings that were given to him by authorities to protect the Sentinelese people.

The Sentinelese were expected to respond to his intrusion exactly as they did. Chau brought his death upon himself. When people are unaware or chose not to respect the beliefs and practices of cultural groups, they could harm the people of that culture and also themselves. Those who adopt ideas of another culture may only be interested in what they have to offer and hope to gain from it by selfishly adopting the cultures values. It is important that tourists take the time to learn and develop different elements of a culture before representing these cultures. It is a code and form of respect that should be followed by all. Cultural arrogance can also imply that one believes or acts as though their culture is better than another culture. For example, there are a lot of Americans who arrogantly assume that Americans are better than Europeans or there are Japanese who believe they are superior to Chinese. In the US, Americans tend to believe that the American way of life is better or more superior than any other country when it comes to pursuing life goals, freedom and happiness. When people watch American films, they are given a over-fantasize the idea of the "American dream" and they promote the ideal of the american lifestyle to make Americans appear more dominant than other cultures.

Another example of an problem associated with cultural heritage is the issue of Culture appropriation. Cultural appropriation is the taking of intellectual property, traditional knowledge, cultural expressions, or artifacts from another culture without permission. This can include unauthorized use of another culture's dance, dress, music, language, folklore, cuisine, traditional medicine, religious symbols, etc (Thought.co). In a way it can harmful when the source community is a minority group that has been racially discriminated or exploited in other ways or when the object of appropriation hold a significant meaning to them, e.g. sacred items. In the United States, cultural appropriation tends to involve people of the dominant culture (or those who identify with it) borrowing from minority cultural groups. African Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans and Africans are often targeted for Cultural Appropriation(thought.co).

For example, ancient African artifacts like Traditional mask have been stolen and replicated to sell to people all around the world. African artefacts have also been stolen from archaeological sites and placed on display in European museums. Cultural Appropriation takes many forms. Native American fashion, decoration, cultural symbols and designs, and Asian martial arts and dress have been targeted for cultural appropriation. In many cases, Buddhist designed tattoos, Muslim-inspired headdresses as fashion, the wearing of native american headdresses for halloween and white gay men adopting the dialect of black women are other examples of cultural appropriation that are often called out (Thought.co). The examples are endless but it is important to consider the context of these situations. For example, is a tattoo performed on a person because it holds significance to that person or is the person receiving the tattoo because think it is cool? Why are musicians like Pharrell appearing on the front page of Elle fashion magazine wearing a traditional Native American headdress when this is considered a sacred item of the Native American culture which is only to be worn by war chiefs and warriors of native tribes?

Cultural appropriation is a huge concern for many reasons. For one, the concept of negative stereotypes is exploitative because it robs cultural groups of the respect and acknowledgement they ultimately deserve. In addition, a variety of Art and music forms had originated from minority cultural groups who then became associated with members of the dominant cultural groups who have been known to discredit the minority. The dominant group is usually deemed innovative, while the minority group are labelled with negative stereotypes that imply they lack in intelligence and creativity. During the 2013 American Music Awards, Katy Perry performed with a geisha-inspired performance of her new single, "Unconditionally."

She claimed that she was paying homage to the Japanese culture. Asian Americans disagreed as they believed that her "yellowface"performance. They also believed there was an issue with the song choice, "Unconditionally," with the stereotypical presentation of a passive Asian women. What one person perceives as a tribute to a culture, another group of people will perceive as a mockery or a form of disrespect. Katy Perry may not have intended to hurt or afford asian people, however, it was considered offensive that she was taking parts of the Japanese culture to promote her music. She took the beautiful, visual elements of the culture but did not embrace the significant and core traditions associated with it.

When adopting anything from a foreign culture it is crucial to follow some fundamental steps to create cultural awareness and avoid being accused of cultural appropriation. There are many people who have made cultural infringements that have affected another person or another cultural group without even realizing they are doing so. For this reason, it is important that people are aware of the steps they need to take to embrace other cultures and to also avoid disrespecting cultures unintentionally. The first step you should take towards avoiding cultural appropriation is to take the time to research the culture. Prior to adopting another culture, it pays to properly research and understand it. Taking elements of a culture without respect, knowledge or insight will ultimately lead to accusations of cultural theft and misrepresentation.

The second step is to ensure you do not overlook the sacred traditions of a culture. In western societies, it can be easy to completely ignore the sacred aspect of a culture. What might seem like a joke, or an innocent mistake to some, can actually cause serious distress and anger to others. Much of the world still holds some things sacred, whether that be God, gods, spirits, or any other symbolism. Using and abusing the sacred is an absolute no-no, unless you intentionally want to cause trouble.

The third step is to avoid encouraging shallow, one-dimensional stereotypes of a culture. One of the biggests problems with adopting from other cultures is that it can be based on stereotypes, which are often negative and incorrect. Stereotypes are often rigid generalized ideas that society imposes on others with whom they are unfamiliar or do not understand. The less people know about another person or cultural group, the more people have become dependent on stereotypes.. Hence, it is important that people decided to make a conscious effort to learn about a culture in more depth to understand it's true identity and to avoid shallow stereotypes.

The fourth step is to acknowledge the diversity of the culture that you are embracing and promoting. An understanding of other cultures and traditions is vital when it comes to the long-term survival of humanity on earth. According to UNESCO, the conservation of many cultures and, in particular indigenous cultures is as important as the conservation of species and ecosystems to life (Butterworth-Heinemann). When people take the time to pay attention to the significance of other cultures and traditions, people are able develop a wider perspective and succeed in different areas of life. Recognizing and acknowledging other cultures is important aspect in the workforce as it encourages mutual knowledge and understanding between people by encouraging education and spreading culture and knowledge. For example, paying attention to the cultural differences in a business company can raise levels of co-operation and capitalize on different skills and abilities which can be an important asset in the productivity of a company. The ability to understand and utilize cultural differences can provide can cause a company to become a competitive threat.

Overall, it is important that people take the time to engage, promote and share the benefits of embracing the true traditions of a culture. It is important to engage with the culture you are adopting from to avoid cultural appropriation. Spend time in it, understand it, and then when you use a pattern, symbol, headdress or anything else, make sure you use that platform to promote that culture, its people and if possible share the benefits. To effectively build communities that are powerful enough to change, we need more people working together. If cultural groups join forces, they will be more effective in reaching common goals, than if each group operates in isolation.

Every culture has unique strengths and perspectives that all other cultures can benefit from. If people take the time to truly understand different cultures, there would be less racial and ethnic divisions. Racial and ethnic divisions result in misunderstandings, loss of opportunities, and can also lead to violence. Racial and ethnic conflicts drain communities of financial and human resources and they distract cultural groups from resolving the key issues they have in common.

An appreciation of cultural diversity is strongly connected to with an equal society. For example, research reveals that when students' cultures are understood and they are appreciated by teacher, the students and friends, they tend to do better in school. In turn, students are more accepted and they feel as though they are a part of the school community. Hence, they work harder to achieve in life, and they are more successful in school. If we do not learn about the influences that cultural groups have had on our different cultures, we are all going to miss out on an accurate view of society and our communities. We would lose the unique, sacred, and beautiful part of who we are and also lose the meaning behind the traditions and beliefs of our ancestors.

Cited sources

• Barker, Neave. "Bhutan: What It Means to Be Happy in the 'Happiest Country'." GCC News | Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera, 31 Oct. 2018, www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/10/bhutan-means-happy-happiest-country-181031111711933.html.
• Fallas, Amy."The Landmark 85-Year-Old Report Absent From Debates Over Missionary's Death" Rewire News, Nov. 29, 2018, https://rewire.news/religion-dispatches/2018/11/29/the-landmark-85-year-old-report-absent-from-debates-over-missionarys-death/
• Feeney, Nolan."Katy Perry's 'Geisha-Style' Performance Needs to Be Called Out", The Atlantic, NOV 25, 2013
• https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2013/11/katy-perrys-geisha-style-performance-needs-to-be-called-out/281805/
• Nittle, Nadra. "A Guide to Understanding and Avoiding Cultural Appropriation", Thought.co. June 01, 2018, https://www.thoughtco.com/cultural-appropriation-and-why-iits-wrong-2834561
• Reisinger, Yvette. "International Tourism: Cultures and Behavior". Butterworth-Heinemann, 2008.

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Essay on Cultural Heritage

Students are often asked to write an essay on Cultural Heritage in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Cultural Heritage

Understanding cultural heritage.

Cultural heritage is the legacy of physical artifacts and intangible attributes inherited from past generations. It includes traditions, languages, and monuments that are important to our identity.

Types of Cultural Heritage

There are two types: tangible and intangible. Tangible heritage includes buildings and historical places, while intangible heritage includes folklore, traditions, language, and knowledge.

Why is it Important?

Cultural heritage helps us understand our past and shapes our future. It gives us a sense of belonging and understanding of our community and others.

Preserving Cultural Heritage

We must respect and preserve cultural heritage, as it’s a bridge between the past, present, and future. It’s our responsibility to pass it on to future generations.

250 Words Essay on Cultural Heritage

Cultural heritage is the legacy of physical artifacts and intangible attributes inherited from past generations. It encompasses a broad spectrum, from monuments, artworks, literature to practices, traditional knowledge, and expressions of human creativity.

Significance of Cultural Heritage

Cultural heritage provides a sense of identity and continuity, offering a link from the past to the present and paving the way to the future. It is a mirror that reflects societal values, beliefs, and customs, serving as a valuable educational tool. It also contributes to social cohesion, fostering a sense of belonging and promoting mutual respect among different cultural communities.

Preservation of Cultural Heritage

The preservation of cultural heritage is crucial for maintaining cultural diversity in the face of growing globalization. It involves safeguarding significant cultural items and intangible aspects from threats such as natural disasters, conflict, and neglect. This task necessitates the collaboration of local communities, governments, and international organizations.

Cultural Heritage in the Digital Era

The digital era has brought new opportunities and challenges for cultural heritage. Digitization can help preserve and disseminate cultural heritage, making it accessible to a wider audience. However, it also raises issues related to copyright, authenticity, and the potential loss of context.

In conclusion, cultural heritage is an essential part of our shared human experience. It holds significant value for both individuals and societies, and its preservation is vital for our collective future.

500 Words Essay on Cultural Heritage

Introduction.

Cultural heritage, a term that signifies the wealth of physical artifacts and intangible attributes inherited from past generations, plays a crucial role in shaping societal identity. This heritage, passed from one generation to the next, encompasses practices, places, objects, artistic expressions, and values. It is a mirror reflecting the historical journey of a civilization, offering insights into its evolution, achievements, and challenges.

The Tangibility and Intangibility of Cultural Heritage

Cultural heritage bifurcates into tangible and intangible forms. Tangible cultural heritage includes buildings, monuments, landscapes, books, works of art, and artifacts, which are significant milestones in a community’s history. For instance, the Great Wall of China, the Pyramids of Egypt, and the Taj Mahal of India are emblematic of their respective civilizations’ architectural prowess and aesthetic sensibilities.

Intangible cultural heritage, on the other hand, refers to traditions or living expressions passed down over generations. This includes oral traditions, performing arts, rituals, festive events, knowledge and practices concerning nature, and traditional craftsmanship. The Flamenco dance of Spain, the tea ceremony of Japan, and the storytelling tradition of West Africa are examples of intangible heritage that shape the cultural identities of these regions.

The Importance of Preserving Cultural Heritage

Preserving cultural heritage is of paramount importance for several reasons. Firstly, it promotes a sense of identity and continuity in a fast-changing world, offering a source of pride and belonging for communities. Secondly, cultural heritage serves as a bridge between the past and the present, providing valuable lessons and guiding societal progress. Lastly, cultural heritage is an important driver of tourism, contributing to economic growth and sustainable development.

Challenges in Cultural Heritage Preservation

Despite its importance, cultural heritage faces numerous threats. Uncontrolled urbanization, environmental degradation, armed conflicts, and even tourism can lead to the deterioration or destruction of both tangible and intangible heritage. Moreover, the rapid pace of modernization and globalization can lead to the erosion of traditional practices and knowledge systems.

In conclusion, cultural heritage is an invaluable asset that offers a window into the past, shapes present identities, and guides future progress. It is a testament to human creativity, resilience, and diversity. As such, it is incumbent upon us, as custodians of the past for future generations, to safeguard and preserve our cultural heritage. This requires concerted efforts at local, national, and international levels, as well as the integration of heritage conservation into broader socioeconomic development strategies.

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Essay on Indian Heritage for Students and Children

500+ words essay on indian heritage.

Heritage means what we inherit from our ancestors and from our past. India is a land of varied cultures and traditions. People from numerous castes, religions, and creeds reside in our country. Each ethnic group in our country has its own tale of origin and its set of unique traditions and culture. They have all contributed to the making of Indian history and culture. Nature has made India into a distinct geographical entity.

Indian Heritage: A Gift from the Older Generations

Indian heritage and culture are vast and vivid because of the large number of religious groups residing in our country. Every community has its own set of customs and traditions which it passes on to its younger generation.

However, some of our customs and traditions remain the same throughout IndiaOur traditions teach us to inculcate good habits and make us a good human being. Our cultural heritage is thus a beautiful gift from our older generation that will help us become a better human being and build a harmonious society.

Respect for our Indian Heritage

The elders should take responsibility to invoke love for the Indian heritage in the younger generations. This must be done from the very beginning only then we can preserve our rich heritage. It is the duty of the elders to invoke love for the Indian heritage in the younger generations.

This must be done from the very beginning only then we can preserve our rich heritage. Schools must teach students about Indian heritage and how it has survived for centuries. They must also share the importance of preserving it. This would help in invoking a feeling of pride in them and they would be inspired to continue the tradition and also pass it on to the new generation. This needs a collective effort by the teachers as well as parents.

Our Literature

Indian literature is as rich as its culture. We have various books written on many topics since ancient times. We have the Vedic literature, epic Sanskrit literature, Classic Sanskrit literature and Pali literature among other kinds of Indian literature. Many of our books are being translated to other languages to provide access to a greater number of readers so that more and people can benefit from the knowledge. Such a wonderful and rich literature must be preserved at any cost.

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Beautiful Geological Structures

Numerous beautiful geological structures found in different parts of India. Best of the splendid geological structures that form a part of our country include Lonar Crater Lake, Siachen Glacier, Jammu and Kashmir, Pillar Rocks, Kodaikanal, Barren Island, Andamans, Magnetic Hill, Leh, Columnar Basaltic Lava, Udupi, and Toad Rock. All these structures are true wonders of nature. A lot of tourists every year from around the world especially visit these places just to catch a glimpse of these marvelous creations of God.

UNESCO World Natural Heritage Sites in India

The below geological places have been enlisted in UNESCO World Natural Heritage Sites. These sites include:

1. Home for the rare one-horned rhinoceros, Kaziranga National Park, in 1985.

2. Home for numerous species of beautiful birds, Keoladeo National Park, in 1985.

3. A beautiful wildlife sanctuary, Manas Wildlife Sanctuary, in 1985.

4. The biggest mangrove forest, Sundarbans, in the year 1987.

5. Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Park, in 2004.

6. The Western Ghats, in 2012.

7. The Great Himalayan National Park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year 2014.

India is an ancient country. We are blessed with a beautiful heritage. We are solely responsible to preserve the same so that our future generations also get to see and experience the same.

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British Council

Cao Trung Vinh

The essay collection is available to download below.

The essays in this collection were originally commissioned by the British Council and Nordicity as independent thematic studies during the pilot phase of the Cultural Heritage for Inclusive Growth programme . They have since been updated by their authors and edited for the British Council by Inherit .  

Cultural Heritage for Inclusive Growth is a British Council action research programme which, since 2018, has been exploring ways in which local culture can improve the lives of individuals around the world. 

The essays are published as part of the British Council’s What Works Cultural Heritage Protection programme which is designed to support better outcomes for cultural heritage protection and local communities by bringing the best available evidence and learning to practitioners and other decision makers across the international heritage protection sector.

Together, the essays explore the role of cultural heritage in a sustainable future, and the principles and approaches that can guide action to realise the potential of heritage for human development. From different perspectives, and with reference to examples from around the world, the essays look at major themes including people-centred approaches to heritage, and transparent, accountable and participatory governance.

Introduction

Cultural heritage and human development Chris Dalglish

In his introduction to the collection, the series editor Chris Dalglish of Inherit places the essays in context by looking at the co-evolution of global cultural and sustainable development agendas in the 20th and 21st centuries. He discusses how cultural heritage relates to the purpose of development – understood in terms of human wellbeing and dignity – and at how heritage helps to create conditions in which human development can occur.

Cultural heritage for inclusive growth John Samuel, Abraham George and Pallavi Rachel George 

Samuel, George and George of the Centre for Communication & Development Studies in India connect culture to ‘inclusive growth’ with reference to the human development approach which has become embedded in the UN sustainable development agenda. They analyse global policy frameworks and the work of global development actors and look at the implementation of inclusive growth at the national level, with examples from India, Columbia, Kenya and Vietnam.

Culture on purpose: sustainable development opportunities for culture Ben Sandbrook 

Ben Sandbrook of World Pencil writes about Culture on Purpose, or the deliberate deployment and harnessing of culture in relation to major societal challenges. Sandbrook looks at the question ‘what are the challenges and opportunities in the world, and what help, if any, could culture provide in responding to those?’ and discusses the contribution of culture and heritage across the economy, education, health, wellbeing and other areas, with examples from India, Spain, the UK and the USA.

The role of cultural awareness and participation in sustainable development Leandro Valiati  

Leandro Valiati is a lecturer in Arts & Cultural Management at the University of Manchester. In his essay, he discusses the relationship between participation in cultural activities and wellbeing, especially in disadvantaged areas. Valiati provides a theoretical argument for looking beyond contribution to GDP as a measure of the value of culture and for considering other indicators associated with human development. He grounds these ideas by exploring the case of cultural participation in Complex da Maré, a conglomeration of 16 favelas in Rio de Janeiro.

Principles and approaches 

People-centred approaches to cultural heritage and sustainable development Anne Torreggiani and Sophia Woodley 

Anne Torreggiani and Sophia Woodley of the Audience Agency look at the philosophy and practice of People-centred Approaches to Cultural Heritage and Sustainable Development. They review the use of people-centred approaches in a variety of contexts around the world. From there, they identify the defining characteristics of people-centred working and key lessons relating to good practice.  

Governance principles for inclusive heritage James Doeser 

James Doeser - a freelance researcher, writer and consultant –uses the UN-Habitat’s New Urban Agenda (NUA) as a starting point for exploring how to embed cultural heritage in sustainable development and connects the NUA with the wider trends in global policy. He concludes that a practical synergy is possible between current discourses in the fields of heritage and development, and that greater, deeper and fairer community impacts can be achieved by adopting eight governance principles.

Narrating heritage: oral history and inclusive growth Suzanne Joinson 

Suzanne Joinson’s essay Narrating Heritage looks at the relationship between oral history and inclusive growth. In her essay, she provides an overview of oral history as a discipline and practice, and presents examples from Malaysia, Turkey, the UK, the USA and Vietnam. She draws conclusions about the value of oral history for cultural relations and people-centred, community-led development.

Case studies 

Pedro Affonso Ivo Franco is a Brazilian researcher and consultant who is based in Germany and works across the cultural, creative and development sectors. He presents two case studies exploring the participatory governance of heritage and development from two different perspectives, one community led and the other institution led.

The Cambinda Estrela Cultural Centre and the preservation of Maracatu intangible heritage

In his first essay, Ivo Franco looks at Maracatu – a living carnival tradition with roots in the period of enslavement – and how this is being mobilised by the Cambinda Estrela Cultural Centre in Recife, Brazil, as part of their wider efforts to boost community self-esteem and help people to further their education, develop skills and networks, and enhance their economic prospects.

The Trafo programme and the distribution of power among its stakeholders

In his second essay, Ivo Franco analyses the TRAFO programme, an initiative of Kulturstiftung des Bundes in Germany, and how this has created conditions through which regional stakeholders can share power in the planning, implementation and monitoring of cultural projects.

Conclusion 

Cultural heritage, self determination and community development Chris Dalglish 

In conclusion to the essay collection, Chris Dalglish identifies the threads that run through the collection and distinguish it as a contribution to the wider body of knowledge and thought on cultural heritage and sustainable development. He presents key messages which emerge from the collection as a whole, and recommendations relating to cultural rights, self determination, community development, inclusion and exclusion, cultural relations, and the transfer of learning about ‘what works’ from one place to another.

Key messages from the essay collection 

Three overarching conclusions emerge from the collection as a whole:  

• Cultural heritage is at the heart of human development. The fulfilment of people’s right to cultural life is an essential part of sustainable development because cultural life, in all its forms, is essential to human wellbeing and dignity.  
• Cultural relations create conditions for human development. Cultural relations activities bring people together within the space of culture and civil society to build relationships based on the principle of mutuality.  For relationships which cross national and cultural boundaries to flourish and be equitable, a deep understanding of cultural differences is needed.
• Alongside the evidence for what works, analysis of how it works is critical to the spread of good practice. While human development is context specific, analysis of how positive change has been achieved in particular circumstances can generate learning which is of wider relevance, when the focus is on identifying the underlying principles which characterise successful and ethical human development processes.   

Inherit — York Archaeology’s Institute for Heritage & Sustainable Human Development — supports community development through cultural heritage. Inherit helps people to safeguard their heritage and transmit it to future generations. They provide practical support to communities so that they can fulfil their cultural rights and use their heritage for the collective good. They carry out purposeful research and advocate evidence-based policy change which enables people to sustain their heritage and achieve their development goals. Inherit works with communities, non-profit organisations, public bodies and experts around Europe, the Mediterranean and Asia.

Watch the Perspectives on Cultural Heritage and Development event recording to learn more about the essays.

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Essay on Indian Heritage in English for Students and Children

Table of Contents

Essay on Indian Heritage: Heritage refers to the valuable legacy passed down to us by our forebears and our history. India boasts a rich tapestry of diverse cultures and customs. Our nation is home to people from various backgrounds, including different castes, religions, and beliefs. Each community in our country has its own unique history, traditions, and way of life.

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Indian Heritage in English – Long and Short Essay

Here we have provided short and long essays on Indian Heritage of varying lengths to help you with the topic in your exam.

After reading these short and long Indian heritage essays, you will know what Indian heritage is and how significant it is to the country and its pupil.

You can select any Indian Heritage Essay per your need and interest and use it during the essay, speech giving, or debate competition in your school or college.

Short Essay on Indian Heritage – Essay 1 (200 words)

Indian heritage dates back several centuries. It is vast and vibrant. We have valued our culture and tradition since the beginning and have preserved them beautifully for future generations. Our cultural heritage is of utmost importance to us. No matter how much we have progressed and how far we plan to reach, we can never forget our culture and traditions as they are embedded in us and are an inseparable part of ours.

India is a land of varied cultures and traditions. People from numerous castes, religions, and creeds reside in our country. Each of these castes and religions has its own customs and traditions. The culture followed by every religious group has deep underlying roots and is followed with unwavering faith.

Each religion has its own set of festivals, dance forms, music, and various other art forms, and each of these has its own charm. The beauty of our culture is that we not only have respect for our heritage but also show respect for other religions. This is the reason why the vivid Indian heritage has survived for centuries.

Besides, we also have a magnificent monumental heritage. Most of the beautiful edifices built by the past rulers still stand tall and exhibit our royal past. We take pride in our heritage.

Essay on Indian Heritage and Culture – Essay 2 (300 words)

India is a culturally rich country. People from different religions, castes, and ethnic groups reside in our country, adding to its vibrancy and diversity. Each ethnic group in our country has its tale of origin and set of unique traditions and cultures.

Indian Customs and Traditions

Indian customs and traditions encourage us to stay humble, respect others and live harmoniously in society. We value our customs and traditions immensely. These are embedded in our lifestyle, and many decisions are based on our cultural and traditional values. These are passed on from generation to generation.

The Indian festivals are a reflection of the country’s culture and tradition. There is a set traditional pattern in which these are celebrated. This pattern has been followed since ancient times. These celebrations offer a great way to meet and greet our loved ones and bring positive energy. These are a part of our rich heritage.

Indian Art Forms: A Part of Its Heritage

The various art forms, such as different kinds of classical dances, music, and paintings, are also a part of our heritage. Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kuchipudi, and Odissi are famous Indian dance forms. Carnatic music, Thumri, Rabindra Sangeet, Odissi, and folk music are India’s contributions to the field of music. The Madhubani, Mughal, Tanjore, Mysore, and Pahari paintings are some of the beautiful forms of paintings that originated in India.

Indian monuments add to the galore of its heritage. Each of our monuments is known for its marvellous architectural design. Taj Mahal, Qutub Minar, Red Fort, Ajanta and Ellora Caves, Sun Konark temple, Khajuraho Group of Monuments, Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi, Brihadishwara Temple, Hawa Mahal, and Mysore Palace are some of the heritage monuments of our country.

Essay on Preserving Indian Heritage – Essay 3 (400 words)

Indian Heritage is known for its vastness. It includes our cultural heritage, monumental heritage, literature, and other works of art. Our heritage dates back several centuries. With time both our tangible and intangible heritages are fading away. We must take it as our responsibility to preserve our rich heritage and pass it on to future generations.

Preserving Our Customs

Indians value their customs and traditions immensely. Since childhood, we have been taught to act in a certain manner and refrain from indulging in certain practices so as to remain true to our culture. Indian customs and traditions are beautiful. They encourage us to stay humble and respect others. We must preserve them and instil them in future generations as they contribute to a better society.

Preserving Our Literature

Indian literature is as rich as its culture. We have numerous books written since ancient times. We have Vedic literature, epic Sanskrit literature, Classic Sanskrit literature, and Pali literature, among other kinds of Indian literature. These have been written by some of the most learned men who have ever existed on Earth. Our books shed pearls of wisdom, were true to their times, and have the power to create a positive impact even today. Such wonderful and rich literature must be preserved at any cost.

Many of our books are being translated into other languages to provide access to more readers so that more people can benefit from the knowledge shared through them. Many of these are also being uploaded on the internet. This is a good way of preserving our literature.

Preserving Our Heritage Sites

India encompasses numerous heritage sites – both natural and man-made. Some of the most beautiful heritage sites belong to our country. Their beauty has been appreciated worldwide. However, many of these deteriorate with time. Natural calamities, as well as human negligence, are contributing to the deterioration of these beautiful heritage sites.

Many of these are losing their chance and may diminish in the coming times if we do not try to preserve them. These reflect our historical and cultural past, and we should not lose them. Besides, these sites also contribute to the country’s economy as they attract tourists worldwide. The government must take stringent steps to preserve these heritage sites. We must also contribute whatever little we can in this direction.

Essay on Natural Heritage of India – Essay 4 (500 words)

India is known to have a rich natural heritage. This is because of the country’s vast geographical area. The climatic conditions of different parts of the country differ because of the huge geographical expanse. While the northern regions experience extremely cold climates, the southern tip sees high temperatures. Due to the huge disparity in climatic conditions and landforms, India has a rich biodiversity. It also encompasses different kinds of breathtaking geological structures.

The richness of Flora and Fauna

India is known to be a mega-diversified nation. We have rich and diverse plants growing in different parts of the country. We take pride in two of the world’s biodiversity hotspots in our country- the Western Ghats and the Eastern Himalayas. These have been termed so because of their exceptionally high level of species richness. There are more than 45,500 plants in India, many of which are found in our country. We have some of the most beautiful flowering plants that are rarely found anywhere else. Indians also cultivate numerous crops and export them to the rest of the world.

India also has thousands of species of fauna in different regions. From the Bengal Tiger to the Yak in the Himalayas – the richness of biodiversity in animals in India remains unmatched. We also have approximately 1,200 species of beautiful and colourful birds that add to the biodiversity of our country. These are a delight to watch. Many of these species of plants and animals are found only in India.

Beautiful Geological Structures

India is also home to numerous beautiful geological structures in different parts of the country. Some of the most splendid geological structures that form a part of our country include Lonar Crater Lake, Siachen Glacier, Jammu and Kashmir, Maharashtra, Pillar Rocks, Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu, Barren Island, Andamans, Magnetic Hill, Leh, Columnar Basaltic Lava, Udupi Karnataka, and Toad Rock, Mount Abu, Rajasthan.

All these sites are true wonders of nature. Numerous tourists from around the world especially visit these places to catch a glimpse of these marvellous creations of God.

UNESCO World Natural Heritage Sites in India

It is a matter of great honour for every Indian that some of our beautiful geological places have been enlisted in UNESCO World Natural Heritage Sites. These sites include:

• Kaziranga National Park : Home to the rare one-horned rhinoceros, this was declared World Heritage Site in 1985.
• Keoladeo National Park : Home to numerous species of beautiful birds, this was also declared World Heritage Site in 1985.
• Manas Wildlife Sanctuary : This beautiful wildlife sanctuary was also declared World Heritage Site in 1985.
• Sundarbans National Park : It became known as the World Heritage Site in 1987.
• Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Park : This beautiful and serene natural surrounding was enlisted as a World Heritage Site in 2004.
• Western Ghats : One of the most beautiful places in our country, this was declared World Heritage Site in 2012.
• Great Himalayan National Park : This beautiful place was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014.

Long Essay on Indian Heritage and the New Generation – Essay 5 (600 words)

Indian Heritage is known to be one of the richest worldwide. Our ancestors have bestowed a beautiful cultural and traditional heritage on us. We are lucky to have a splendid natural heritage encompassing rich biodiversity and spectacular geological structures.

Besides, our stunning monumental heritage attracts people from different parts of the world. Indian heritage has been preserved for centuries and passed on from generation to generation. But does the new technology-driven generation value the Indian heritage as much as the earlier ones? Will it b able to preserve and passed on further, or will our heritage fade away soon? These are a few questions that haunt the older generations as they want our heritage to remain intact.

Indian Heritage: A Gift from the Older Generations to the Younger Generation

Indian heritage is vast and vivid. It is vast because of the large number of religious groups in our country. Each religious group has its customs and traditions, which it passes on to its younger generation. However, some of our customs and traditions remain the same throughout India. For instance, our tradition includes respecting our elders, helping the needy, speaking the truth, welcoming guests, and treating them nicely. Our traditions teach us to inculcate good habits and make us good human beings.

Our cultural heritage is thus a precious gift from our older generation to help us become better human beings and build a harmonious society.

Value of Indian Heritage for New Generation

Our cultural heritage has remained intact for centuries; however, its charm seems to be declining in the current times. The new generation does not seem to value our cultural heritage as much.

Our society has seen tremendous changes in the last few decades. The colonization of our country by the British brought western culture to our country. The age-old traditions began to change. Today, Indian attire is highly influenced by Western culture. New kinds of schools replaced our ancient gurukul education system, and many other changes were brought about in that era. Since then, there has been no looking back.

Our society has seen numerous changes. For instance, our joint family system faded away, giving way to the new nuclear family system. Technological growth and the advent of the internet and smartphones have further distanced us from our cultural heritage. Western culture allures the country’s youths, and most look down upon our culture and traditions.

The young generation is so engrossed in its world and has become so self-centric that it does not pay much heed to the cultural values given by the elders.

Invoking Love and Respect for Indian Heritage

The elders must invoke love for the Indian heritage in the younger generations. This must be done from the very beginning. Only then can we preserve our rich heritage.

One way of invoking love for our heritage is by acquainting the young generation with our glorious past. This would help invoke a feeling of pride in them, and they would be inspired to continue the tradition and pass it on to the new generation. This needs a collective effort by the teachers as well as parents.

Schools must teach students about Indian heritage and how it has survived for centuries. They must also share the importance of preserving it.

Related topics on World Heritage Day in India

Essay on Indian Heritage FAQs

What is indian heritage.

Indian heritage refers to the rich and ancient traditions, customs, and culture that have been passed down through generations in India. It includes art, music, dance, languages, religions, and historical knowledge that make up the country's unique identity.

What are the types of heritage in India?

Cultural Heritage: This includes historical monuments, traditions, art, and music that have been passed down through generations. Natural Heritage: It refers to the country's natural beauty and includes national parks, wildlife, and scenic landscapes.

What is the biggest heritage of India?

The biggest heritage of India is its rich and diverse culture, including its ancient traditions, art, and history, which have been passed down for thousands of years.

What is the main heritage of India?

The main heritage of India includes its rich history and culture, which includes ancient traditions, art, music, and diverse languages.

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Home — Essay Samples — Arts & Culture — Tradition — The Importance Of My Culture

The Importance of My Culture

• Categories: Heritage Tradition

About this sample

Words: 833 |

Updated: 15 November, 2024

Words: 833 | Pages: 2 | 5 min read

Table of contents

Why traditional food matters, health perks of traditional dishes, tackling challenges, bridging past with present, culinary renaissance, a final thought.

• Smith, J., & Lee, K. (2020). Cultural Identity Through Food: A Sociological Perspective.
• Johnson, L., et al. (2019). Social Eating Habits: Implications for Cultural Continuity.
• Brown, M., & Williams, T. (2021). Traditional Diets: Health Benefits Explored.

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Essay On Indian Heritage | Indian Heritage Essay for Students and Children in English

February 14, 2024 by Prasanna

Essay On Indian Heritage:  India is known for its unity in diversity. And the heritage of India is a testimony for this statement. India has numerous religions that millions of people follow and there are popular and historical heritage places from each of these religions. The fact that these heritages sights that were made thousands of years ago, still exists and is celebrated widely says a lot about how we Indians value our ancestral possessions and traditions.

In this Indian heritage essay, we are going to talk about the richness and vastness of Indian heritage, what it represents to today’s Indians and what is its significance in the future.

You can read more  Essay Writing  about articles, events, people, sports, technology many more.

Long and Short Essays on Indian Heritage for Students and Kids in English

Find below long Indian heritage essay with a word limit of 600 and a short Indian heritage essay with a word limit of 200. Both these essays can be used by schoolchildren and students for their essay writing competition, test, holiday assignment and project work.

Long Essay on Indian Heritage 600 Words in English

Find below the 600-word essay on Indian heritage is helpful to students of classes 7,8,9 and 10 in English.

India has a rich heritage in its history. Fromcho las and dravidas in the south to Mughals and Rajputs in the north, every region in every corner of the country has a unique story to tell. Some of the monuments and heritage sites like Hampi in Karnataka or Ajanta Ellora caves in Maharashtra are UNESCO world heritage sights. They are of the utmost importance to the tourism industry in India. Other than revenue, tourism and economic aspects of our heritage sites, the preservation of these heritage sites are important to celebrate the architectural and cultural marvels of our people thousand of years back.

If we look at the architectural and engineering marvel of heritage sites like Ajanta Ellora caves or Belur-Halebeed temples, it signifies the knowledge about art, engineering, management construction, patience and perseverance that people had back then. Many such monuments back then took more than 100 years to be built. Such caves and monuments are difficult to build even now, in 2020, with so much of technological and engineering expertise.

Taj Mahal has become the face of India in the rest of the world. The importance of love and sacrifice that the Taj Mahal signifies is an important message to people even today. Being one of the seven wonders of the world, the architectural marvel of Taj Mahal is beyond words to describe. From Taj Mahal to Laal Kila (red fort) to Qutub Minar and Jamma Masjid, the Mughal rule in India has definitely left its imprint in the country and it continues to leave one for years to come.

When we say heritage, it does not necessarily mean monuments and buildings. Heritage refers to any possession that our ancestral generations have left for us. In this Indian heritage essay, we will be talking about such possessions as well.

From the swords and jewels of Tipu Sultan, ruler in Karnataka, to the collection of vintage cars left behind by Rajput of Rajasthan and Maharajaas of Mysore region, such possessions in India are numerous. One of the biggest heritage of India, the Kohinoor diamond,  which was looted and taken away by the Britsh, still lies with the United Kingdom. There are various such valuable possessions in the UK and other parts of the world that belongs to India, which has never come to us, which rightly and fully belongs to us. In fact, the reparations that the UK has to pay India, for its brutal regime of 200 years in the country, will be in billions of dollars.

It is not just the architectural, artistic and engineering marvel that these heritages represent. They represent something far more than that. The sacrifices, immolations, tortures and renunciations that people had to go through while making these legendary arts. It is said that the labourers who built the Taj Mahal had their thumbs cut off so that they shall not be employed again to build a similar structure. While we awe the beauty of these structures now, we should also understand and learn from the sacrifices that went behind making these heritages.

Many statues of kings and queen were built by hard-working labourers, soldiers and artists. They are the real unsung heroes of those times and not just the queens and kings. The heritage of India celebrates not only the traditions and culture of our land but also the sacrifices and immolations that our heroes have gone through.

Short Essay On Indian Heritage 200 Words in English

Find below a 200-word limit short essay on Indian heritage in English for schoolchildren and students of classes 1,2,3,4,5 and 6.

India represents 9 religions, tens of languages, hundreds of ethnicities and cultural backgrounds and yet works as one nation. India is, without an ounce of doubt,  a testimony for unity in diversity. There are hundreds of heritage sites in India namely, red fort, the Tajaj Mahal, Hampi temples, Ajanta Ellora caves, Gol Gumbaz, Hawa Mahal, Mysore palace and Qutub Minar. There were plenty of rulers who had their own set of heritage sites in India. Some of the popular rulers were the Rajputs, the Cholas, the Dravidians, the Mughals, the Mayuryans and finally the British raj. Each of the dynasties has left an imprint on the cultural as well as the political dynamics of the country that we see today in 2020.

The heritage sites also represent the sacrifices and the love for the motherland by our ancestors, other than the fact that people at that time were in fact ahead of us in architectural, management and engineering expertise.

10 Lines on Indian Heritage Essay

• India has 34 heritage sites that are listed under world heritage sites
• Indian heritage represents traditions, cultures, ethnicities, idiosyncrasies and the features of our lives.
• The buildings and monuments are as much heritage as our paintings and artworks
• India has more than 9 religions and different cultures that are represented by various types of heritages in the country
• The architectural and engineering marvel of our heritage is an embodiment of the expertise that existed in India hundreds of years back
• Popular heritage sites in India are Taj Mahal, Hampi, Ajanta Ellora caves and Qutub Minar
• Popular heritage paintings in India are Kahligat Pat art, Madhubani Paintings, Pithora paintings and Warli arts and paintings
• One of the legendary and epic paintings of India is Shakuntala paintings by Raja Ravi Varma
• Some of the priceless are facts of India are Kohinoor diamond and the Natraj
• Most of our heritage was looted and plundered by invaders from outside India.

FAQ’s on Essay On Indian Heritage

Question 1. What is Indian heritage?

Answer: The valuable things we have inherited from our ancestors’ count as Indian heritage. These can be monuments, artifacts and paintings

Question 2. What are the three types of heritages?

Answer: The three types of heritages are cultural heritage, mixed heritage and natural heritage

Question 3. Which is the most popular heritage site in India?

Answer: Ajanta Ellora caves in Maharashtra and Agra fort in Uttar Pradesh are considered as the most popular heritage sites in India.

Question 4. Which is the heritage city of India?

Answer: Jaipur in Rajasthan is known as the heritage city of India.

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