Rajasthan

Appearance

Sankritization ​

  • Definition: The process by which lower castes or tribes adopt customs, ideologies, and lifestyles similar to upper castes.
    • Hindi Translation: संस्कृतिकरण
  • Origin:
    • Concept first given by M.N. Srinivas in "Religion and Society Among the Coorgs of South India."
    • Before this concept, the caste system was thought to be rigid.
  • MN Srinivas Observation: After this concept came it was noticed that cast system has flexible system, and mobility is possible in this system
  • Examples:
    • Hinduization of Bhils, Santhals, and Gond tribes.
    • Jangids using the Sharma surname.
    • Foreign invaders (Shakas, Kushans) becoming Hindus/Kshatriyas.
  • Reference Group:
    • Concept: A group that one is not a member of but aspires to join.
    • Anticipatory Socialization.
    • R.K. Merton: Process where non-group members learn values and standards to join a group.
  • Desankritization:
    • Opposite concept of Sanskritization.
      • Higher castes adopting lifestyles of lower castes.
      • Upper castes abandoning Ancient Indian Culture for Western Lifestyles
  • Resankritization:
    • Indian People Abandoning Western Culture and Adopting Indian Culture Again after Awakning.n and other values.

Features of Sanskritization ​

  • Long-lasting process.
  • Dynamic concept.
  • Collective action, not individual.
  • Universal process.
  • Two-way process.
  • No Structural Change
  • Not Limited To Hindu's, Tribes Too

Factors Promoting Sankritization ​

  • Accessibility of Vedas to all castes.
  • Social mobility due to communication and transportation.
  • Desire to move up the hierarchy.
  • Protection to lower classes as per constitutional provisions.
  • Urbanization.
  • Economic and Educational Developments
  • Political Power
  • Anulom marriages (Inter Caste)

Functions of Sankritization ​

  • Tries to explain changes in the structure of the Indian Society.
  • Helps bring tribes into the mainstream society.
  • Opportunity for lower castes to change their position.
  • Attacks supremacy of the upper castes and reduces caste discrimination.
  • Show Socio-Cultural Dynamics

Limitations of Sankritization ​

  • Limited Concept
  • No Structural change but merely positional change
  • The process is more based on reaction
  • May Lead to Inter Caste Enmity
  • Despite these limitations, we cannot deny the concept of Sanscritization.

Effects of Sanskritization ​

  • Social Sphere: Raises social status of lower castes.
  • Economic Sphere: Clean Business are adopted
  • Religious Sphere: Visiting Temples, Preforming Poojas, Sacrade Thread (Brahmin Thread)
  • Lifestyle: Clothing similar to upper castes, building nice houses, focusing on cleanliness.

Westernization ​

  • Definition: Adoption of Western culture, values, ideologies, and lifestyle.
  • M.N. Srinivas: Refers to changes in Indian society and culture as a result of 150 years of colonial rule.
  • Yogendra Singh: Modernity, rationalism, humanism that started institutional and social reforms.

Dimensions of Westernization ​

  • Internal Dimension:
    • Western Values
    • Western Ideology
  • External Dimension:
    • Western Culture
    • Western Lifestyle

Western Values ​

  • Equality
  • Liberty
  • Fraternity

Western Ideology ​

  • Democracy
  • Relativity
  • Scientific Temper

Western Culture ​

  • Arts
  • Religion
  • Festivals (Valentine's Day, Christmas)

Western Lifestyle ​

  • Dialect
  • Eating Habits
  • Table Manners
  • Attires

M.N. Srinivas Features ​

  • It is an Important, Imported Concept
  • Socio-economic, cultural, and political change brought by Britishers.
  • Affects different aspect of Indian Life
  • Neutral Concept
  • Westernisation can effect one side of personality partially or completely
  • Impact of Westernisation on National Movement:
  • Values of Freedom, Independence
  • Russian Revolution - equality

Positive and Negative Impacts of Westernization ​

  • Acquisition Of Knowledge
  • Modern education system accessible
  • British government in India made the opportunity of education available to all
  • Prevailing Evil Practice was highlighted, and they are trying to remove them

Positive Impacts ​

  • Social Sector: Reduces Caste based Discrimination, and Social Evils
  • Political: Democracy and Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights
  • Economic: Modernisation of agriculture, industries and urbanisation
  • Art and Culture: Development of Modern painting.
  • Religious:
    • Superstition Decrease
    • Humanism
    • Rational Thinking

Negative Impact ​

  • Cultural Fragmentation
  • Encourages Individualism, Materialism and Consumerism
  • Reduced Collectiveness
  • Environmental Degradation
  • Increases economic Inquality
  • Reduces Harmony
  • Family Impeded
  • Divorce Rates Incresed