IGNOU MA Sociology Assignment Solution MSO-004

IGNOU MSO 004 Assignment Solution

Indira Gandhi National Open University
Masters in Sociology
MSO-004: Sociology in India
Tutor Marked Assignment (TMA)

Programme Code: MSO
Course Code: MSO-004
Assignment Code: MSO-004/AST/TMA/2023-24

Answer any five questions selecting at least two from each Section. Your answer should be in about 500 words each.

Section-I

1. Describe the heritage of social thought in India which led to the emergence of sociology.
2. Discuss with suitable examples the major research on villages in India.
3. Define the concept of caste and discuss the Brahminic perspective on caste in India with suitable examples.

Section-II

6. What are the major agrarian classes in India? Discuss with reference to the contributions of different Sociologists.
7. Discuss the relationship between tribe and caste in India with suitable examples.

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Answer

Section-I

1. Describe the heritage of social thought in India which led to the emergence of sociology.

Heritage of Social Thought in India and the Emergence of Sociology

India’s rich and diverse intellectual tradition has significantly contributed to the global understanding of society and culture. The heritage of social thought in India, which spans over millennia, has been shaped by various religious, philosophical, and cultural influences. This intellectual tradition has laid the groundwork for the emergence of sociology as a formal discipline in the country. The development of social thought in India can be traced through its ancient scriptures, medieval commentaries, colonial encounters, and modern intellectual movements.

Ancient Indian Thought and Social Philosophy

The roots of social thought in India can be found in its ancient religious and philosophical texts, such as the Vedas, Upanishads, and the epics like Mahabharata and Ramayana. These texts contain profound reflections on the nature of society, the role of individuals within it, and the ethical foundations of social life. The concept of Dharma, which refers to the moral order of the universe and society, plays a central role in these texts. Dharma emphasizes the duties and responsibilities of individuals in maintaining social harmony and justice.

The caste system (Varna system) and the Ashrama system (stages of life) were significant social institutions discussed in ancient Indian texts. These systems provided a framework for social organization and individual conduct, influencing the social fabric of Indian society for centuries. The Bhagavad Gita, a part of the Mahabharata, elaborates on the duties of individuals according to their Varna and Ashrama, promoting a sense of social responsibility and ethical living.

Buddhism and Jainism, which emerged as reformist movements in ancient India, also contributed to social thought by questioning the rigidity of the caste system and emphasizing principles like non-violence (Ahimsa), equality, and compassion. These ideas challenged the existing social order and provided alternative perspectives on social organization and ethics.

Medieval Indian Thought and Synthesis

The medieval period in India witnessed the synthesis of various cultural and intellectual traditions, including Hindu, Buddhist, Islamic, and Bhakti movements. The Bhakti and Sufi movements, in particular, played a crucial role in shaping social thought by advocating for social equality, the rejection of caste distinctions, and the idea of universal brotherhood. Saints like Kabir, Guru Nanak, and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu preached the importance of love, devotion, and equality, challenging the orthodox practices of their times.

Islamic scholars in medieval India also made significant contributions to social thought. The Mughal period, in particular, saw the flourishing of a composite culture that blended Persian, Turkish, and Indian elements. The writings of scholars like Al-Biruni and Abul Fazl provided insights into Indian society, culture, and social institutions. Their works emphasized the need for understanding and tolerance among different religious and cultural communities.

Colonial Encounters and the Birth of Modern Social Thought

The colonial period in India marked a significant turning point in the development of social thought. The encounter with Western ideas, particularly through British colonial rule, introduced new concepts of modernity, rationality, and social change. The introduction of English education and Western political ideas influenced a new generation of Indian intellectuals who began to critically engage with their own society and culture.

Social reform movements in the 19th and early 20th centuries, led by figures like Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Swami Vivekananda, and Mahatma Gandhi, played a pivotal role in shaping modern Indian social thought. These reformers sought to address social issues like caste discrimination, gender inequality, and religious orthodoxy by drawing on both indigenous traditions and Western ideas. Raja Ram Mohan Roy, for instance, advocated for the abolition of practices like Sati (widow immolation) and promoted the education of women, while Swami Vivekananda emphasized the importance of social service and the upliftment of the poor.

Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence (Ahimsa) and Satyagraha (truth force) further contributed to the development of social thought in India. Gandhi’s ideas on self-reliance, rural development, and communal harmony had a profound impact on Indian society and influenced the social sciences, including sociology.

Emergence of Sociology in India

The formal emergence of sociology as a discipline in India can be traced to the early 20th century. The establishment of sociology departments in Indian universities, beginning with the University of Bombay in 1919, marked the institutionalization of the discipline. Indian sociologists like G.S. Ghurye, M.N. Srinivas, and D.P. Mukerji played a key role in developing sociology in India by combining Western sociological theories with indigenous concepts and realities.

G.S. Ghurye, often regarded as the father of Indian sociology, focused on the study of caste, tribes, and rural society, emphasizing the importance of fieldwork and empirical research. M.N. Srinivas introduced the concept of “Sanskritization” to explain social mobility in Indian society and highlighted the dynamic nature of caste and social change. D.P. Mukerji emphasized the need for an Indian sociology that was rooted in the country’s cultural and historical context, advocating for a synthesis of tradition and modernity.

Conclusion

The heritage of social thought in India is a rich tapestry of religious, philosophical, and cultural traditions that have evolved over millennia. This intellectual heritage laid the foundation for the emergence of sociology in India as a formal discipline. The development of sociology in India reflects a continuous dialogue between indigenous traditions and Western ideas, resulting in a unique and vibrant field of study that continues to evolve in response to the changing social realities of the country.

2. Discuss with suitable examples the major research on villages in India.

Major Research on Villages in India: An Overview with Examples

Research on villages in India has been a crucial area of study in the field of sociology, anthropology, and rural studies. India’s villages, where a significant portion of the population resides, have long been the focus of scholars seeking to understand the social, economic, and cultural fabric of the country. The study of Indian villages has provided valuable insights into the dynamics of caste, kinship, religion, agriculture, and social change. In this essay, we will discuss major research on Indian villages, highlighting key studies and their contributions to our understanding of rural India.

Early Ethnographic Studies

One of the earliest and most influential studies of Indian villages was conducted by Sir Henry Maine in the late 19th century. Maine’s work, “Village-Communities in the East and West” (1871), focused on the legal and social organization of villages in India. He examined the role of customary law and the Panchayat (village council) in maintaining social order. Maine’s work laid the foundation for subsequent research on village communities and their governance structures.

Following Maine, British administrators and ethnographers such as Sir William W. Hunter and Sir Herbert Risley conducted extensive surveys and ethnographic studies of Indian villages. These studies provided detailed accounts of village life, including information on caste, kinship, land tenure, and religious practices. However, these early studies were often criticized for their colonial biases and for portraying Indian villages as static and unchanging.

The Functionalist Approach: M.N. Srinivas and the “Indian Village”

The mid-20th century marked a significant shift in the study of Indian villages, with Indian sociologists and anthropologists taking a more active role in research. One of the most prominent figures in this period was M.N. Srinivas, whose work on the village of Rampura in Karnataka became a landmark in Indian sociology. Srinivas’s study, “Religion and Society among the Coorgs of South India” (1952), and later “The Remembered Village” (1976), introduced the concept of “dominant caste” and the process of “Sanskritization.”

Srinivas’s research demonstrated how certain castes in villages could achieve social mobility by adopting the customs, rituals, and practices of higher castes, a process he termed “Sanskritization.” His work also highlighted the role of the “dominant caste” in shaping village politics, economy, and social relations. Srinivas’s functionalist approach emphasized the dynamic and changing nature of Indian villages, challenging earlier views that portrayed them as isolated and unchanging. (Continue…..)

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