CULTURAL HERITAGE AND IDENTITY FORMATION IN SOUTH ASIA: A COMPARATIVE CIVILIZATION STUDY

Abstract

This study explores the role of cultural heritage in shaping  identity formation in South Asia through a comparative  civilization perspective. By examining historical traditions,  religious practices, linguistic diversity, and social institutions, the paper analyzes how collective memory and  heritage contribute to individual and national identities.  Using interdisciplinary methods, the research highlights the  interaction between colonial legacies, globalization, and  indigenous traditions. The findings reveal that culturalheritage remains a dynamic force influencing social  cohesion, political narratives, and cultural resilience. The  study emphasizes the need for inclusive heritage policies to  preserve diversity and promote intercultural understanding  in contemporary South Asian societies.