Pahari culture refers to the cultural practices, traditions, arts, languages, lifestyles, and social behavior of the people living in the hilly regions of northern India, Pakistan, and Nepal.[1][2] The term "pahari" originates from the Hindi word "pahad", denotes "mountain" or "hill",[3] and collectively describes the inhabitants of mountainous areas, including parts of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and northern Pakistan, as well as the Himalayan foothills in Nepal.[4]
Historically, Pahari communities, including Bangladeshi Pahari groups—though their cultures are not extensively documented—and Indo-Aryan speaking populations developed distinct identities due to their geographical isolation. This separation encouraged the emergence of a unique art forms, folk traditions, and linguistic patterns. However, these cultures also absorbed elements from broader civilizations, including Indo-Aryan, Central Asian, and Tibetan influences.[5]
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