According to the definition of the Oxford dictionary lifestyle is "a particular way of life of a person or group". This particular lifestyle is the product of innovation, creativity, taste and resources of an individual or a group that wants to be distinguished from others and have a separate identity of its own. To be different from others is the motive force of lifestyle. That is why lifestyle never remains static, but changes from time to time to project individuality and a sense of difference. Moreover, once a group sets up a life style, it becomes a standard and an ideal for the society inspiring others to adopt it. However, sometimes the standard is so high that it becomes difficult for other groups to achieve it.

When we talk about a particular lifestyle, it covers most of the aspects of daily life that includes dress, food, houses, etiquette, manners, sports, games, and language. Those who adhere to a certain type of lifestyle are identified by it and acquire a special status in the society. Lifestyle is also closely related to classes. The rich and wealthy change their lifestyle frequently on the basis of their resources. Fashion is the key that makes their lifestyle glamorous and glittering. On the other hand, the lifestyle of the common people remains unchanged for a longer period of time, unless economic development and process of democratization provide them access to the modern facilities. However, in every society different groups emerge from time to time that challenge the high standard of lifestyle of the elite classes and set up their own in defiance. The example of the Bankas of Lukhnow is very interesting. They evolved their own lifestyle that was different to the mainstream and defied all the normal practices, which were in vogue in the Lukhnawi culture. Such was the impact of the Banka lifestyle that it became proverbial in North India. Abdul Halim Sharar gives vivid account of the Bankas in his book "Cultural Glimpses of the bygone Lukhnow" (Guzishta Luknow ke Tammuddani Jalwe) The other example is the hippy lifestyle of the 1960s and 9170s which defied the elite culture of the western society and gained immense popularity among the youth because of its rebellious nature.

Historically, we find that in India the life style of individuals and groups changed as a result of political, social, cultural, and economic changes. In the medieval period, the Turks and the Mughals (ethnically they were also Turks) brought quite a different lifestyle to India. The nobility maintained its Central Asian and Persian lifestyle in their early period but slowly the local culture and the impact of climate influenced them to mould their lifestyle to the new environment. The nobility or the ruling classes, having financial resources and political power, wanted to display their wealth and authority in order to get respect in the society. Their ostentatious living style was expressed in the huge palatial houses which were built on the river banks having gardens, halls, rooms, and separate quarters for the harem. K.M.Ashraf gives details of such palaces in his book Life and condition of the People of Hindustan: "The palace walls were decorated with silk hangings and velvet tapestries fringed with brocade and worked with precious stones. The usual articles of decoration were arms and weapons with gold, ebony and damascened work, candle-sticks, candle-brass, carpets, ewers, scent boxes, writing cases, chess boards, book cases and covers." The nobility, conscious of their status, gave particular attention to the dress. It indicated not only the social status of an individual but also showed his taste. That is why to get unique and innovative dresses for themselves the ruling elite patronized the artisan class that achieved expertise in producing the finest cloths in the world. The dress was made of thin material interwoven with golden threads and decorated with an embroidered pattern of flowers and foliage. Costly diamonds, pearls, rubies, and precious stones were attached to different pieces of the costumes. Sometimes ordinary people were ordered not wear the dress which was for the nobility. Akbar introduced a system whereby certain kinds of dresses were to be worn only by persons of different ranks. Generally, common people were not allowed to carry arms. It was the privilege of the nobility only.

Food played an active role in determining the lifestyle of the medieval nobility of India. One of the large establishments within the palace of a high rank person was the Matbakh khana or the kitchen. It was divided into various departments for preparation of different articles of food, e.g. the Rikab khana (pantry), Abdar khana (for water), Mewa khana (for fruits), Sherbat Khana (for beverage), Tambal Khana (for betel), and Aftabchi khana (for ewer). The noble did not eat alone .He always enjoyed his food in the company of friends or family. Dishes were also sent as gifts to friends. Poor and needy people were also provided food to show the generosity of the nobles. Kitchen was the status symbol of a noble. His generosity was measured from the number of people who got food from his kitchen.

In matter of manners and etiquette, the elite classes consciously took care to behave according to their social status. There were different modes of respect in the hierarchical society. It was the custom that when the elite classes met each other, they observed equality in manners and etiquette. They would embrace each other, sit side by side on the carpet and speak politely. But once they addressed the lower classed, their attitude would change from politeness to arrogance. They addressed them with contempt and used harsh language. Poor people countered it with flattery to protect them from the wrath and bad temper of their patron.

The Mughal nobility maintained high standard of life as long as there was political stability, peace, and plenty of resources at their disposal. The situation changed with the decentralization of the Empire and the weakness of political power. By the 18th century, their lifestyle was badly affected and it became difficult for them to maintain their class characteristics. In such a situation a new genre of literature emerged to provide them guidance as to how to preserve their dignity and class character in the society. This was known as 'Mirzanama' in which the 'ashraf' (elite) were instructed how to dress, eat, and behave in public and keep their status high above others. For example, it was advised that "When talking, he should not speak at length; he should be brief and concise. If someone also speaks to him at length, and he has to listen to him, then he should only outwardly be attentive, but inwardly occupy his mind with something better, not to let time be wasted. He should always provide perfumes in his parties to keep his party fragrant with them. All sorts of vases full of flowers in every season should be on view. Without them, he should consider the luxury of living as forbidden. He should form the habit of eating with the tips of his fingers. He should stop eating before he is full; even though he remains hungry; for it is not easy to be a Mirza.He should not eat outside the dinner room; for eating outside it like eating at the shop in the bazaar. Of all means of riding, he should regard a palki (palanquin) as the best." (English translation by Aziz Ahmad)

With the political ascendancy of the British, the lifestyle of the Indian society came into conflict with the western culture that became a sign of progress and prestige. Sir Saiyed tried his best to modernize the Muslim Ashraf (Nobility) and prepare them mentally to accept the new cultural and social trends. His magazine 'Tahzib al-Akhlaq' was an attempt to accelerate the process of mdernization. He himself adopted the European lifestyle. When Muhsin al-Mulk met him for the first time and saw him in three-piece suit eating with fork and knife on the dinning table he was shocked. Sir Saiyed convinced him and exhorted him not to hesitate to adopt the new lifestyle.

Slowly and gradually, the European lifestyle became a fashion among the feudal classes. After 1857, the new generation of the landlords fully adopted it. A British officer observed that as a result of modern education, the class of landlords changed its life style and no longer remained uncultured and rustic. They transformed themselves like English feudal lords, wore European dress, entertained their guests with Champaign and cigars, and showed the photo album of their family to their European guests without any hesitation.

Both Indian and European lifestyles continued parallel up to beginning of the 20th century. Josh Malihabadi vividly narrates the contrast of both in his memoirs. He points out that there were three groups having different lifestyles: one was purely Eastern, insisting on maintaining the old traditions and way of life. They were against any change in their lifestyle or cultural values. The second group was semi-eastern and semi-western, while the third group was completely immersed in the western culture and adopted the modern lifestyle. According to Josh, the eastern values and norms dominated the cultural life, but the intense on going conflict between the forces of continuity and modernity ultimately resulted in the disappearance of traditional lifestyle and acceptance of European cultural way of life by the elite and middle classes.

The brief sketch of the history of lifestyle shows that it had never been a monolith but varied from class to class and changed according to needs and desires of groups or individuals. It also indicates conflict between the old and new traditions and the ultimate defeat of the established one by the new emerging ideas and values. The conflict in lifestyle also shows that change is inevitable and society should be ready for it.