In this letter, Jawaharlal Nehru explains to his daughter how early humans developed religion and the concept of division of labor.

Nehru begins by describing how early humans lived in fear, attributing natural disasters and misfortunes to angry and vengeful gods. They imagined these gods in nature—mountains, rivers, and clouds. To appease them, people offered food and, in extreme fear, even sacrificed humans. This fear-driven mindset, according to Nehru, marked the beginning of religion, though it later evolved into something more complex. He reflects on how religion still causes conflict and fear in many societies. Nehru then shifts to describe early humans' daily struggles to find food. With the formation of tribes, life became a bit easier, as people could work together for mutual benefit. Cooperation made it possible to accomplish tasks, such as carrying heavy loads, that were impossible individually. The introduction of agriculture marked a significant advancement, making it easier for humans to obtain food. Nehru mentions that even some ants exhibit basic agricultural behavior. With agriculture, people no longer had to hunt constantly, leading to a less grueling lifestyle. This change led to the division of labor: while men used to focus solely on hunting, with agriculture, different tasks emerged, such as farming, tending to cattle, and other specialized roles. Nehru concludes by explaining that this division of labor, which began with the advent of agriculture, continues in modern society, with people specializing in different trades like carpentry, engineering, or medicine. This specialization allows people to excel in their specific fields, much like the early forms of labor division seen in ancient tribes.

Tags: Jawaharlal Nehru Indira Gandhi letters Pita ke Patr Putri ke Naam by Jawaharlal Nehru Letters from a Father to his Daughter Nehru ke patra Indira ko Nehru’s Letters to Indira पाठ 13 "मज़हब की शुरुआत और काम का बँटवारा" Lesson 13 "How Religion Began and Division of Labour"

Letter #12 | The Formation of Tribes (In English) | Letters From a Father to His Daughter

This letter describes the evolution of early human societies. Initially, early humans lived like animals, hunting alone. Over time, they began to form groups or tribes for safety and strength, much like animals that travel in herds. In these tribes, cooperation was essential, and each member had to prioritize the tribe's welfare. Leaders emerged, typically the strongest, to maintain order and ensure internal conflicts were minimized.

Early tribes were essentially large families and grew over time. Life before tribes was harsh, with humans lacking shelter and clothing, constantly fighting for survival, and struggling with natural elements they did not understand. Early humans also engaged in rituals to appease imagined gods, believing that sacrifices could influence natural events like rain and hail. From this letter: So also the first advance in civilization that early men made was to combine together in packs, or as these are called tribes. They began to work together. There was what is called cooperation. Each man had to think of the tribe first and then about himself. If the tribe was in danger every member of it had to fight for it and defend it. And if any person in the tribe did not work for the tribe he was kicked out."

Tags: Jawaharlal Nehru Indira Gandhi letters Pita ke Patra Putri ke Naam by Jawaharlal Nehru Letters from a Father to his Daughter Nehru ke patra Indira ko Nehru’s Letters to Indira पाठ 12 "जातिओं का बनना" Lesson 12 "The Formation of Tribes"

In "What is Civilization?," Jawaharlal Nehru explores the meaning of civilization, contrasting it with barbarism. He explains that civilization involves the refinement of human behavior, distancing from savage or barbaric tendencies. However, he questions the typical markers of civilization, such as clothing or military strength, pointing out that cultural differences, like how people dress, depend on factors like climate.

Nehru critiques the idea that European nations are more civilized simply because they are militarily stronger, using the example of World War I. He argues that the mass killing in wars is more barbaric than civilized, likening it to savage behavior. Despite the destruction, he acknowledges that fine things and people exist in these nations. Ultimately, Nehru suggests that true civilization is reflected not just in material achievements like art or architecture, but in human qualities such as selflessness, cooperation, and working for the common good. From this letter: "You will say that it is not easy to understand what civilisation means, and you will be right. It is a very difficult question. Fine buildings, fine pictures and books and everything that is beautiful are certainly signs of civilisation. But an even better sign is a fine man who is unselfish and works with others for the good of all. To work together is better than to work singly, and to work together for the common good is the best of all."

In this letter, Nehru explains the evolution of languages, focusing on how the Aryans spread across different regions, causing their language to evolve into distinct languages due to geographic separation and the inability to communicate easily. Despite these differences, many languages still share similarities, indicating that they once belonged to the same linguistic family. Nehru gives examples, like the words for "father" and "mother" in various languages, to illustrate this connection.

He emphasizes the importance of studying languages, as they help us understand our shared history and interconnectedness. Nehru criticizes national pride that leads to thinking one’s country is superior to others, noting that no country is entirely good or bad. He urges the reader to appreciate what is good in every culture and work on improving the bad.

Nehru also highlights the poverty and misery in India, stressing the need to improve the lives of its people. While Indians must work for their country, they should also remember their connection to the wider world, recognizing all people as part of a global family. Ultimately, Nehru advocates for making the world a happier place for everyone.

In this letter, Nehru provides an overview of the origins and development of human races and languages. He explains that early humans likely lived in warmer regions during the Ice Age and were nomads, moving in search of food and grasslands. Eventually, people settled near rivers, leading to the formation of civilizations in places like India, Mesopotamia, Egypt, and China.

Nehru identifies the Dravidians as the earliest known race in India, followed by the Aryans, who came from Central Asia and spread across Europe and Asia. He explains that the Aryans, despite their cultural differences today, share a common ancestry with people of Europe, Persia, and Mesopotamia. Over time, these races mixed, and their languages evolved.

He categorizes the world's races into the Aryans, Mongolians (East Asians), Africans, and Semitic peoples (Arabs and Hebrews). Nehru emphasizes the significance of language in understanding racial distinctions. The Aryan languages, such as Sanskrit, Latin, and Greek, gave rise to modern languages like English, Hindi, and Bengali. Similarly, other languages belong to distinct families, like the Chinese, Semitic, and Dravidian languages. Nehru concludes by highlighting that, despite their diversity, most languages trace back to a few common ancestors.