The India culture is multi-faceted to say the least, mostly due to its wide variety of religions as well as the many languages spoken. These are made even more diverse by the existence of indigenous groups and tribes that are each unique in their faith and linguistic repertoires, all of which dwell together in one land.
One of the main features of Indian culture is its rigid hierarchy within the social arenas. Social classes are defined and maintained by specific hereditary groups, which are sustained by ensuring that all members marry within a specific class, ethnic group or social group. This is called endogamy. These groups are termed castes and this caste system is strictly adhered to in the vast majority of the families and societies of India. The family is headed by the patriarch (the father) and usually includes a number of generations within one household. This has not changed much in recent years, although urbanisation is resulting in more households consisting of just the parents and their children.