Sol –
Role of M.N. Srinivas in the development of sociological thought in India
- Introduced the concept of “Sanskritization”. (“Religion and Society among the Coorgs of South India”, The Cohesive Role of Sanskritization”)
- Discussed the other concepts of social change: Brahminization, Westernization, Secularization, Urbanization, Modernization.(“Social change in modern India”)
- Gave the concept of Dominant castes(“The Dominant Castes and Other Essays”)
- Conducted extensive fieldwork, helped in understanding society (“The Remembered Village”).
- Challenged Eurocentric theories and advocated for indigenous frameworks. (“India social structure).
- Influenced subsequent sociological research in India.
- Founded the Department of Sociology at Delhi School of Economics and Baroda University; served as President of the Indian Sociological Society..
- Engaged with contemporary social issues like caste dynamics.
- Emphasized the significance of village studies in sociological research (“India’s villages,” “Village, caste, gender and method”).
- Published influential works like “Caste in Modern India” and “Social Change in Modern India.”
Sol –
1914 | Elective subject in Mumbai University |
1917 | Sociology was introduced as an elective subject in 1917 in University of Calcutta under Brijendra Nath Singh. |
1919 | The Department of Sociology was established under Patrick Geddes. |
1921 | Lucknow University introduced Sociology. |
1923 | Andhra and Mysore Universities introduced it. |
1939 | Department of Sociology was established at Pune University under Iravati Karve. |
1952 | Indian Sociological Society was formed to connect sociologists across India. |
Sol –
According to D.P. Mukherjee, three principles of change in Indian traditions
- Shruti: It refers to the knowledge and traditions contained in sacred books like Vedas and Upanishads, which are passed from generation to generation orally or in written form
- Smriti: It refers to traditions related to memory or remembrance, which reflect religious and social rules, customs and practices
- Anubhav: It refers to the knowledge and understanding gained through individual or collective experience, which can be the source of change and development in traditions.
Sol –
“Caste is a product of race that came to India along with Aryans”- Herbert Risley
- Theory: The caste system originated from racial differences, with Aryans (Indo-Aryans) imposing their supremacy over the Dravidians, the indigenous people of India.
- According to this theory, Aryans defeated the natives and developed the caste system to protect the supremacy of their blood, which later changed into a caste system. Risley believed that the higher castes originated from Indo-Aryans while the lower castes originated from non-Aryan races.
- Criticism: Critics argue that the racial theory oversimplifies the complexity of the caste system and ignores other significant factors like occupation and social roles.
- Other supporters: Ghurye(Book- Caste and Race in India) partially supported this theory; Mazumdar(Book-Races and Culture in India)
Sol –
No, the Jajmani system cannot be considered entirely exploitative in nature.
- It was a mutually negotiated system of remuneration in which various castes exchanged goods and services. The caste receiving the service was called the Jajman, and the service-providing caste was called the Praja/Kameen. While it promoted the social division of labor, it simultaneously reinforced the existing caste hierarchy negatively.
- Louis Dumont (Homo Hierarchicus)- termed it an exploitative system that promotes inequality(Ex-Brahmins were not called Praja; Sweepers were not paid for service), whereas William Wizer (The Hindu Jajmani System)- considered it an equal based system fostering interdependence(Ex- Landlord treated the potter well, as he needed his service.
Sol –
Modern education, industrialization, and other developments have led to many changes in the class system. New dimensions are-
- .Intellectual class—emerged with education and science; unified society; teachers, scientists, philosophers, etc.
- Administrative or ruling class– Members of the ruling political party; ensure socio-economic development
- Peasant class- agricultural and related activities
- Bourgeoisie or Capitalist class– influences industrial and economic activities; businessmen, industrialists.
- Labour or working class– earn daily wages, vendors, farm and factory workers, rickshaw pullers.
- Elite class – Independent professionals; bring about social changes through knowledge and logic; Doctors, lawyers, artists.
- Bureaucratic class– permanent organ of government; runs administration; Collector, SDO
Sol –
Majumdar and Madan have written in their book that caste is a closed group. This means that in the Indian caste system it is not possible to change caste or join another caste.
- Birth-Based Membership: Membership is inherited, not chosen.
- Endogamy: Marry within their own caste, maintaining its exclusivity.
- Rigid Boundaries: Social mobility between castes is limited, and interactions between different castes are often restricted.
- Fixed Occupations: Traditionally, each caste has specific occupations, passed down through generations, further limiting movement.
- Social Norms: Caste dictates social behavior, with strict rules on who you can associate with, reinforcing the closed nature of the group.
Sol –
Dalit Panthers movement
- It is an anti-cast movement founded in 1972 in Maharashtra by Namdeo Dhasal, J.V. Pawar, Raja Dhale and others.
- Inspired by Black Panther movement of USA.
- Objective → Fight caste oppression, untouchability, social injustice and economic exploitation of Dalits.
- Used literature, militant protests, and political activism as tools → mobilized Dalit youth, challenged social and political structure.
- Promoted Ambedkarite ideology, emphasized Dalit pride and assertion of rights.
Sol –
G.S. Ghurye {Book- Caste, Class and Occupation; Caste and Class in India; Caste and Race in India} characterises caste as under-
- Segmental division of society – society is divided into sections and subsections – The status of members is fixed. It is based on birth and flows from generation to generation.
- Hierarchy – Caste is a closed class; hierarchical order cannot be changed on the basis of wealth, property, and prestige. Hierarchy determines caste norms and is reflected through the division of labour in society.
- Restrictions on food and social intercourse – The principle of purity and pollution is followed.
- Civil and religious disabilities reflect the rigidity in the caste system. Unequal distribution of privileges and disabilities between the higher and the lower classes. Eg- untouchables were not allowed to take water from public wells and to enter temples.
- Lack of unrestricted choice of occupation: Predetermined or traditional occupation; no right to change it so as to maintain the social system.
- Endogamy (Restrictions regarding marriage)- Most important characteristic; members should marry within the group.
Sol –
Basis | Caste | Class |
Meaning | Segmental division of society based on heredity and restrictions imposed on marriage, occupation and lifestyle. | Open system of stratification whose basis may be social , economic, educational, or cultural status. |
Membership | Innate and ascribed. | Has to be acquired |
Occupation | Fixed. No mobility. | Not fixed |
Norms | Expected to follow prescribed rituals and norms | No such compulsion |
Type | Closed and static system. | Dynamic and open system. |
Marriage | Endogamous | Can marry outside one’s class. |
Nature | Permanent | Temporary |
Religion | The caste system has religious connotations. | The class system is not based on any religion. |
Distinction | Based on the inferiority-superiority of human beings. | Based on inferiority – superiority of social status. |
Democracy | Does not promote democracy.Democracy. | Does not necessarily act as a hindrance to democracy. |
Inequality | Cumulative Inequality. Wider social gap. | Dispersed Inequality. Social gap is not so wide. |
Sol –
The caste system restricts social mobility by assigning individuals to a fixed social status at birth, which they cannot change. Key factors include:
- Birth-Based Hierarchy: Social status is inherited and unchangeable.
- Endogamy: Marrying within the same caste maintains rigid social boundaries.
- Occupational Segregation: Occupations are decided based on caste but skills. Specific castes are tied to certain jobs, limiting opportunities for change.
- Social Norms: Strict norms prevent interaction and movement between castes.
- Limited Access to Education: Lower castes historically had restricted access to education and resources, hindering upward mobility.
In the modern scenario the traditional role of castes is diluting due to various processes of social change like globalization, westernization, secularization etc, hence, increasing social mobility.
