Differences between Pakistanis and Indians
**Language/linguistics: **
About 75% of languages spoken in Pakistan are Indo-Aryan and 24%
are Iranian, both part of the Indo-Iranian 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 70% of languages spoken in India are Indo-Aryan, 25% are
Dravidian, and 5% are Sino-Tibetan and Austro-Asiatic, all 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, 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.
**Race/genetics: **
About 65% of Pakistanis are Caucasoid by race, 23% Australoid-
Negroid, and 12% Mongoloid in their overall genetic composition.
Majority of Pakistanis are tall with fair skin complexion, similar
to Middle Eastern and Mediterranean peoples. Majority are brunettes,
with occasional green/gray/hazel eyes and brown hair colors, thin
and long noses, etc. 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
uniqueness.
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.
Pakistani food is rich in meat (including beef), whereas wheat is
the main staple. 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 food is mostly vegetarian, with wheat as the main staple in
the north and west, and rice is the main staple in south and east.
Hindi, Gujarati, Tamil, Bengali, etc. 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
through out 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 any thing, it were the ancestors of Pakistanis who colonized
north/northwest India, among them were Harappans, Aryans, Sakas,
Kushans, White Huns, Turks, Afghans, and Mughals.
**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 mostly 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.