Making rigid distinctions between Indian and foreign 'historically untenable'

By A Representative 

Oral historian, filmmaker and cultural conservationist Sohail Hashmi has said that everyday practices related to attire, food and architecture in India reflect long histories of interaction and adaptation rather than rigid or exclusionary ideas of identity. He was speaking at a webinar organised by the Indian History Forum (IHF).

According to a statement issued after the event, the webinar, titled “The Story of Our Attire, Food and Architecture”, examined social and cultural developments in India between the 12th and 18th centuries. Hashmi said historical evidence shows that Indian society evolved through sustained contact with diverse regions and cultures, shaped by geography, climate, technology and the movement of people. He noted that contemporary debates often seek fixed definitions of what is “Indian”, whereas historical processes reveal layered and shared influences.

Discussing clothing traditions, Hashmi said India was among the earliest regions to cultivate cotton and that unstitched garments such as the dhoti, sari and lungi formed the basis of early attire. He said stitched garments became more common only after the introduction of scissors through European contact. Several garments now widely regarded as Indian, including the kurta, pyjama, kameez, blouse and petticoat, were described as having origins outside the subcontinent. He added that unstitched cloth continues to play a central role in rituals associated with birth, learning, marriage and death.

On food, Hashmi said Indian cuisine developed through centuries of exchange with other parts of the world. While many staples are indigenous, he pointed out that several fruits, vegetables and culinary techniques arrived through trade and empire, including items such as potatoes and chillies. He referred to grafting methods introduced by the Portuguese and later promoted during the Mughal period, and traced the spread of sugarcane from India to other regions, linking food history with global labour and trade networks.

Addressing architecture, Hashmi questioned colonial-era classifications such as Hindu or Islamic architecture. He said these labels overlook factors such as climate, available materials and technological practices. He cited examples from Asia and Europe to argue that architectural features like domes and arches predate organised religions and evolved in different forms across regions.

Hashmi said migration, travel and cultural exchange have been constant features of human history, making strict distinctions between what is Indian and what is foreign historically misleading.

The webinar was moderated by Humaira Afreen, Research Assistant and Coordinator at the Indian History Forum, who welcomed participants and thanked the speaker. She reiterated the organisation’s commitment to informed and inclusive engagement with India’s past.