Page 251 - DSOC201_SOCIAL_STRUCTURE_AND_SOCIAL_CHANGE_ENGLISH

Sukanya Das, Lovely Professional University

Social Structure and Social Change Kirandeep Singh, Lovely Professional University

Notes
Unit 12: Processes of Change

CONTENTS
Objectives
Introduction
12.1 Sanskritization
12.2 Westernization
12.3 Modernization
12.4 Secularization
12.5 Globalisation
12.6 Impact of Globalisation
12.7 Summary
12.8 Key-Words
12.9 Review Questions
12.10 Further Readings

Objectives

After studying this unit students will be able to:
• Discuss the Concept of Sanskritization
• Explain Westernization
• Know about Secularization
• Understand Globalisation and Impact of Globalisation
Introduction

When we try to analyse the processes of change in Indian society - both rural and urban - we find that
the processes of Sanskritization, Westernization/Modernization and Secularization and
Democratization serve as important tools and concepts for this purpose.
The concepts of ‘Sanskritization’ and ‘Westernization’ were developed by M.N. Srinivas in 1952 in
the analysis of the social and religious life of the Coorgs of South India. Up to the middle of the
twentieth century, caste was studied either in terms of the varna model or in terms of status based on
notions of heredity and pollution and purity. Srinivas analyzed the caste system in terms of upward
mobility. He maintained that the caste system is not a rigid system in which the position of each caste
is fixed for all time. Movement has always been possible. A low caste was able to rise, in a generation
or two, to a higher position in the hierarchy by adopting vegetarianism and teetotalism. It took over
rituals, customs, rites and beliefs of the Brahmins and gave up some of their own considered to be
impure. The adoption of the Brahmanic way of life by a low caste seems to have been possible,
though theoretically forbidden (1985:42).
The occupations practised by castes, their diet, and the customs they observe determine their status
in the hierarchy. Thus, practising an occupation such as tanning, butchery, or handling toddy puts a
caste in a low position. Eating beef, fish and mutton is considered defiling. Offering animal sacrifices
to deities is viewed a low practice than offering fruit and flowers. As such, castes following these
customs, diet habits, etc. adopt the life of the Brahmins to achieve a higher status in the caste hierarchy.
This is moving of a low caste upwards in the social structure. Srinivas termed this process as
‘Sanskritization’.

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