ABSTRACT
India's difficulties in nation building, economic development, and political stability have been strongly influenced by a host of complex factors, most prominently its geographical setting, its sociocultural history, and a pattern of continuous external interventions. Geographically, India is divided into three main regions, each with its own culture, traditions, and history. The cultural heritage of Hindus was also influenced by pre-Islamic Persia and especially by ancient Greece. The Mughals, especially Akbar tried to create a composite Indian culture, incorporating both Hindu and Muslim values. Syed Ahmad Khan strongly emphasized revival of Muslims' pride in their heritage, preservation of the Muslim subnational identity, and reconciliation of Muslim interests with British rule in India. The most important challenge to the teachings of Hinduism and its hierarchical social order in ancient India came from Buddhism and Jainism, which were founded at almost the same time by two princes born into Kshatriya families.
