The significant differences between North and South India can be traced back to India's history, which is inextricably linked to India's history of conquest.
First, India's caste system was perpetuated in conservative northern India. Although there are more than a hundred ethnic groups in India today, their ancestry can be traced mainly to two groups of people: the indigenous Dravidians and the nomadic invaders represented by the Aryans.
Ancient India is considered to be one of the four great ancient civilizations, originating from the Harappan civilization founded by the Dravidians. However, around 1500 BC, nomads from near the Black Sea began to invade south.
The two groups differ markedly in appearance: the Aryans are generally white and high-nosed, while the Aborigines have darker skin. The Aryans entered the Indus Valley from the Hindu Kush pass and gradually expanded southward, forcing the indigenous peoples to migrate south.
This difference is roughly bounded by the Vindya Mountains, and many dynasties prevailed in northern India, expanding southward, and then contracting when weakened.
In the process, the Harabha civilization gradually disappeared and was replaced by the caste-based Vedic civilization.
The Aryans relegated most indigenous peoples to the status of "untouchables", effectively slaves, while the unconquered indigenous peoples were classified as "untouchables", a lower status.
The Aryans were divided into three classes: priesthood, nobility, and common people. The conquered are confined to the lowest social strata and do the hardest work for generations.
Although Aryan rule was not permanent, other invaders such as the Persians, Greeks, Moon, and Arabs had invaded. New conquerors also adopted the caste system, adding their own surnames to the higher castes and perpetuating the system.
North India is full of signs of "exchange and integration" with the surrounding civilizations, with urban buildings such as Buddhist temples, Brahmin temples, mosques, Zoroastrian temples, and Orthodox churches.
The centripetal force is stronger in North India, but the influence of the caste system is deeper. According to the survey, North India has a higher birth rate, vegetarianism, rape, poverty and illiteracy than South India, and a more conservative society.
South India is closer to modern civilization. Due to the arrival of colonists from the sea, South India was exposed to Western industrial civilization earlier. In addition, the convenience of the sea promotes social and economic development, and the influence of capitalism on tradition is more significant.
The caste system became an obstacle to the development of capitalism. When people can't change their social status through effort or investment, they don't put energy into pursuing education or striving.
The result is a development gap between North and South India: the North lacks highly qualified workers and the poor cannot provide purchasing power. South India, by contrast, is more defined by wealth and less defined by caste.
However, caste remains influential in South India, with lower caste groups fighting for their rights by supporting political parties that represent their interests. However, it has also fostered corrupt activities and collusion between business and government.
The differences between North and South India were exacerbated during the British colonial period. British colonists took control of India through the East India Company and established a colonial government. Although the British enforced the "partition of India and Pakistan" when they were forced out, they left behind an unprecedented Indian unity.
Indians have mixed feelings about the British, but they seem proud of the British colonial period. The colonial government of British India, known as the Indian Empire, covered present-day India, Burma, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sikkim, and Kashmir.
Despite India's lingering north-south divide and lack of identity among social hierarchies, the ability to manage unity is a feat. The caste system has become one of the main obstacles to India's modernization and the realization of its "great power dream."
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