---
title: "Sitar: Hindustani Classical String Instrument"
description: "The sitar is a fretted, plucked Hindustani string instrument with sympathetic strings and a gourd body—central to GS1 art-and-culture syllabus topics."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/sitar"
---

[New](https://modeldiplomat.com/)

#

Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- The sitar is a long-necked, plucked string instrument of Hindustani classical music, distinguished by sympathetic strings, movable curved frets, and a gourd resonator.
- How does the sitar differ from the sarod in Hindustani music?
- What are sympathetic strings on a sitar and why do they matter?
- Why is the sitar relevant to the UPSC General Studies syllabus?
- Who is credited with popularizing the sitar internationally?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

The sitar is a long-necked, plucked string instrument of Hindustani classical music, distinguished by sympathetic strings, movable curved frets, and a gourd resonator.

Go beyond the definition

## Research Sitar like a delegate

Model Diplomat's AI drafts position papers, speeches, and country research with real sources — built for MUN and politics students.

## Research it like a delegate

Research on modeldiplomat.com

## Ask a follow-up about Sitar

Open a cited briefing in Model Diplomat search — timelines, positions, and sources you can use in committee or exam answers.

[Start research on Sitar](https://modeldiplomat.com/search?q=Explain%20Sitar%20%E2%80%94%20key%20dates%2C%20actors%2C%20positions%2C%20and%20sources)

Example

Ravi Shankar performed the sitar before a Western rock audience at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967, accelerating the instrument's global popularity and its adoption in Western popular music.

Keep learning

## Go deeper than the definition

[Explore all Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams lessons](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services)[Test yourself with a quiz](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/quiz/civil-services)

## Take Sitar beyond the glossary

Ask the AI research engine built for diplomacy — get briefings, position papers, and speeches with sources you can cite in committee.