Indian Sociology Flashcards
(7 cards)
G.S Ghurye (1893-1983) - Father of socio
- caste originated from racial differences
- six features of caste - hierarchy, endogamy, commensality, occupational restrictions, social segregation, religious disabilities
- integration theory- Indian tribes are backward hindus rather than separate entities
Criticism - oversimplified caste, ignored tribal autonomy
M.N Srinivas (1916 - 1999) Structural Functionalist
- sanskritisation - lowered caste adopts upper caste behaviours to rise if status
- westernisation - influence of British rule on Indian traditions (values, culture science etc)
- dominant caste - caste with numerical strength, economic power and political influence (e.g lingayats in Karnataka)
- village studies - challenged the British notion that Indian villages were static and isolated
Criticism - ignored dalit perspectives
A.R Desai (1915-1994) Marxist Sociology
- social background of Indian nationalism (1948) - british capitalism led to Indian nationalism
- india state serves capitalist interests
- colonial land policies led to agrarian struggles
Criticisms - overemphasis on class and underplayed caste and identity politics
D.P Mukerji - dialectics approach
- indian society - indian society is neither completely traditional nor modern it’s a mix
- middle class intellectuals can shape indian social transformation
Criticisms - packed empirical research, mostly theoretical
Yogendra Singh - modernisation theorist
- indian modernity is unique, blending tradition with modern values
- urbanisation, industrialisation and globalisation impact caste and kinship (decline in caste based occupation, social mobility)
Criticism - overemphasis on continuity, underplayed radical changes
Rajni Kothari - Political Sociology
- caste is no longer just a social system but a political force
- advocated grassroots democracy and democratic decentralisation
Criticisms - overstated castes political role
B.R Ambedkar
Annihilation of Caste - caste as a rigid social hierarchy that must be abolished
Converted to Buddhism to escape caste oppression
Criticized hinduism for institutionalizing caste
Criticism - orthodox hindus opposed his radical anti caste view
