because whisky is cheap in India(its made locally) and gets you drunk easily.. its probably cheapest by volume of alcohol( compared to beer)... many drink rum too for same reason.
Most Indians dont drink, those who do, do so to get drunk... drinking is not a social activity for most, unlike in UK for example were you go to a pub, grab a pint and socialize.
Yes, it is very much a male activity... wine is not produced in india in large enough quantity to keep price low... and too fruity for indian palate(indians like to eat while drinking, usually spicy food)
This applies to most people, but a small minority of city dwellers or upper/middle class people do drink socially.
it has less to do with masculinity... more about availability and what is considered normal... my first drink in college was whisky....