Chapter Info (Click Here)
Book No. – 22 (Sociology)
Book Name – Indian Society & Culture (Nadeem Hasnain)
What’s Inside the Chapter? (After Subscription)
1. Socio-Cultural Dynamics through the Ages
2. Impact of Modern West on Indian Society.
3. Continuity and Change
Note: The first chapter of every book is free.
Access this chapter with any subscription below:
- Half Yearly Plan (All Subject)
- Annual Plan (All Subject)
- Sociology (Single Subject)
- CUET PG + Sociology
LANGUAGE
Historical Moorings of Indian Society
Chapter – 1
Table of Contents
- India has had immense cultural diversity but since the 6th century B.C., different regions have been brought together, despite a lack of a commonly understood language and culture.
- Since the 19th century, there has been a growing convergence of cultures in India due to several emerging forces and factors.
- Contributing factors include a common political structure, common legal system, uniform administrative system, uniform educational system, and growing economic interdependence.
- Additionally, there has been a growing sense of national awareness which has contributed to the formation of an Indian society.
- The technological and cultural impact of westernization, such as modern transport, communication technologies, new printing technology, the use of English and Hindi languages, and growing secularization, has played a significant role.
- Despite this, Indian society remains more of a cultural entity than a structural entity.
- Religion plays a central role in Indian society, and it is often considered the foundation of the traditional social system.
- The primary mooring of Indian society is religion, with Hinduism being the oldest and most prevalent religion in India.
- Hinduism is distinct because it lacks fixed dogmas and a centralized authority. It is a vast network of structures, institutions, beliefs, values, and norms spread across the country.
- The economic system and educational system in India have never been fully separated from the guidelines set by religion.
Socio-Cultural Dynamics through the Ages
- Socio-cultural dynamics refers to the changes in the social and cultural attributes of society.
- Social refers to the structural aspects, such as patterned interactions through social institutions.
- Cultural attributes involve collectively shared values, ideas, and symbols associated with human groups.
- Socio-cultural dynamics is a universal and timeless process—no society is static, and all societies go through this process of change.
- It is a highly complex phenomenon.
- If changes come from within the social structure, they are endogenous. Example: the rise of socio-religious ideologieslike Buddhism or Jainism.
- Changes from outside the society are exogenous, such as the advent of Islam or Christianity.
- Changes in Indian society have occurred through both endogenous and exogenous processes.
Impact of Modern West on Indian Society
- Socio-cultural change in India due to the impact of the modern West presents an important facet of socio-cultural dynamics.
- India was traditionally a highly traditional society; modernization, both technological and cultural, began with the contact with the modern West.
- Sociologists described these changes as a heterogenetic process of change.
- The British influence had the most profound impact, even though other European powers like the Portuguese, French, and Dutch also had contact with India.
- Indian culture was traditional, while Western culture was modernizing with elements of Rationalism, Individualism, Utilitarianism, Egalitarianism, and Universalism.
- Traditional Indian society was based on status and hierarchy with a strong religious orientation.
- The advent of British rule introduced new structures like education, legal systems, and military, which contributed to changes in social stratification.
- A key factor of change was the introduction of the English language and secular education, which opened a window to new values based on egalitarianism, rationalism, and secularism.
- New means of transport and communication increased spatial and social mobility.
- Printing technology, postal services, and radio helped in the dissemination of ideas, sparking social change.
- The introduction of a new penal code brought changes to the legal system and attacked traditional discriminatory Hindu law, especially towards Dalits.
- The principle of equality before law and a uniform legal system were established across India.
- Industrialization and urbanization facilitated new determinants of social status, introducing secular indicators like material indicators.
- The concept of nationalism gradually emerged, playing a role in unifying Indian society.
- Westernization also led to the rise of a new westernized elite that replaced the traditional elite.
- This new elite reinterpreted Hinduism and the caste system in a more progressive, humane way, becoming a harbinger of a new social order.
- Westernization contributed to the technological and cultural modernization of India.
- Despite debates on India’s “mistaken modernity”, sociologists like Deepankar Gupta have questioned how modern India really is.
- The fact remains that Indian society could not be the same after being influenced by the West.
- Traditional structures in India showed resilience, adapting to new roles without total replacement.
- Caste and religion adapted and retained their basic features.
- Yogendra Singh‘s book title “Modernization of Indian Tradition” reflects this adaptation, highlighting the blend of modernization with traditional elements.
Continuity and Change
- Every society continues from the past, maintaining continuity amidst change, ensuring societal identity over time.
- Human nature remains immutable, which necessitates some continuity.
- S.C. Dube (1990) suggests ascribed status, hierarchy, ritual purity and impurity have been the basics of Hindu social structure.
- These elements have been challenged by social and religious reform movements, secularization, but the system shows remarkable resilience.
- For example, when caste is removed from the religious domain, it reappears in the political process and caste consciousness resurfaces, especially with urbanization.
- Despite scientific temper, religiosity and ritualism have increased, and even the educated class often accepts irrational or superstitious practices.
- Religions like Islam and Christianity have also adapted to some Indian attributes, becoming Indianized.
- Joint family norms have not faded with urbanization and industrialization, instead, they’ve adapted to democratization and acceptance of dissent.
- Clifford Geertz‘s concept of “Old Societies, New States” reflects this transformed continuity.
- Continuity of Little Traditions with Great Traditions: Even educated, urban families may use both modern medicine and traditional sorcery or visit swamis.
- In villages, a tractor purchased by a farmer might be blessed with rituals involving local deities, showing a blend of modern technology and traditional practices.
- Little Traditions and Great Traditions may coexist, or even fuse; for example, Hindus praying at both a Sufi saint’s mazar and a temple.
- Muslim contributions to Shastriya Sangeet and respect for Saraswati show the fusion of religious practices across traditions.
- Ustad Bismillah Khan playing Shehnai at Kashi Vishwanath temple after Haj highlights cultural continuity.
- Indian civilization facilitates this cultural continuity despite modern changes.
- Factors of change: Independence from British rule, democratization, adult franchise, the Constitution, industrialization, urbanization, modern education, and legislative means.
- Industrialization and market economy led to the breakdown of the Jajmani system.
- Urbanization resulted in occupational mobility, the disorganization of the joint family, and the emergence of achievement-based stratification.
- These changes don’t replace traditional structures wholesale but lead to a craving for retaining traditional institutions like caste and religion.
- This retention along with modernization can create cultural lag, leading to communalism, casteism, and violence.
- Television and modern technology can fuel religious animosity and separatism.
- Affluent urban middle class participation in communal violence (e.g., Gujarat’s holocaust) reflects the communalization of modern society.
- Increased ritualism, religiosity, and religious consciousness coupled with a strong economy and declining toleranceare concerning signs.
- S.C. Dube (1990) discusses the trauma of change and the dilemmas and paradoxes India faces.
- Some traditional aspects will survive due to their vitality and usefulness, but prejudices and structures of exploitationmust be eradicated.
- The road to change may be painful, but every Indian citizen has a stake in the future.