11 NCERT CBSE Sociology Development of Indian Sociology and its Pioneers
Theme Analysis
Main ThemeDevelopment of Indian Sociology and its Pioneers
Subject CategorySociology
Key Concepts
Question FocusQuestions focus on the historical development of sociology in India, the specific contributions and theoretical perspectives of key Indian sociologists, and their engagement with core Indian social issues like caste, tribe, tradition, and the state. Difficulty is mixed, targeting recall, understanding, and analysis of concepts, debates, and applications discussed in the text. Paraphrasing is used to avoid verbatim recall.
When did formal university teaching of sociology officially begin in India?
Hint: Think about the specific year mentioned for the University of Bombay.
Answer
Formal university teaching of sociology in India began in 1919 at the University of Bombay.
Explanation
The text explicitly states that 'formal university teaching of sociology only began in 1919 at the University of Bombay.' This marks a significant milestone in the institutionalization of the discipline in India.
What was a unique challenge for Indian sociology compared to its Western counterpart, regarding modernity?
Hint: Consider India's political status during the early emergence of sociology.
Answer
India's experience of modernity was closely intertwined with colonial subjugation, posing a unique challenge for its sociology.
Explanation
The text highlights that while Western sociology emerged to make sense of modernity, India experienced modernity 'with an important difference — it was a colony. The first experience of modernity in India was closely intertwined with the experience of colonial subjugation.' This distinct context shaped the questions Indian sociologists had to address.
Which of the following figures is described as one of the earliest 'accidental anthropologists' in India, known for ethnographic surveys in Cochin and Mysore?
Hint: Recall the individual who started his career as a clerk and school teacher before engaging in ethnographic work.
Answer
L.K. Ananthakrishna Iyer is described as an early 'accidental anthropologist' who conducted ethnographic surveys in Cochin and Mysore.
Explanation
L.K. Ananthakrishna Iyer is specifically mentioned as one of the earliest and best-known pioneers of social anthropology in India, who began his career in other professions and later assisted with ethnographic surveys in Cochin and Mysore states.
Sarat Chandra Roy, another 'accidental anthropologist,' primarily developed his interest in tribal society due to which professional need?
Hint: Focus on his legal career in Ranchi.
Answer
Sarat Chandra Roy's interest in tribal society began as a byproduct of his professional need to interpret tribal customs and laws to the court as an official interpreter.
Explanation
The text states: 'Roy became deeply interested in tribal society as a byproduct of his professional need to interpret tribal customs and laws to the court.' This highlights how his legal profession led him into anthropological studies.
Who is considered the founder of institutionalized sociology in India, heading the first post-graduate sociology department at Bombay University for 35 years?
Hint: Recall the sociologist associated with Bombay University and establishing key sociological organizations.
Answer
G.S. Ghurye is considered the founder of institutionalized sociology in India.
Explanation
The text clearly states, 'G.S. Ghurye can be considered the founder of institutionalised sociology in India. He headed India’s very first post-graduate teaching department of Sociology at Bombay University for thirty-five years.'
G.S. Ghurye's Bombay University department successfully implemented two key features for the discipline. What were they?
Hint: Look for the specific innovations attributed to Ghurye's department.
Answer
Ghurye's department successfully combined teaching and research and merged social anthropology with sociology.
Explanation
The text explicitly mentions: 'Ghurye’s Bombay University department was the first to successfully implement two of the features... These were the active combining of teaching and research within the same institution, and the merger of social anthropology and sociology into a composite discipline.'
G.S. Ghurye founded the Indian Sociological Society and its journal. What is the name of this journal?
Hint: The name of the journal is directly stated in Ghurye's biographical timeline.
Answer
G.S. Ghurye founded the Indian Sociological Society and its journal, 'Sociological Bulletin'.
Explanation
Ghurye's biographical timeline notes: '1951: Ghurye established the Indian Sociological Society and became its founding President. The journal of the Indian Sociological Society, Sociological Bulletin was launched in 1952.'
In the debate regarding tribal societies in the 1930s and 1940s, how did G.S. Ghurye characterize the tribes of India, opposing the 'protectionist' view?
Hint: Consider Ghurye's nationalist perspective on Indian unity and development.
Answer
G.S. Ghurye characterized the tribes of India as 'backward Hindus,' arguing they were part of a larger assimilation process.
Explanation
Ghurye 'insisted on characterising the tribes of India as ‘backward Hindus’ rather than distinct cultural groups.' He argued they were 'simply further behind in the same process of assimilation that all Indian communities had gone through,' contrasting with the protectionist view that sought to preserve them as distinct.
What was the main argument of Herbert Risley, which Ghurye partially critiqued, regarding the origin of caste in India?
Hint: Focus on Risley's specific theory about caste's origins and its connection to physical characteristics.
Answer
Risley's main argument was that caste must have originated in race, linking higher castes to Indo-Aryan traits and lower castes to non-Aryan groups.
Explanation
The text states: 'Risley’s main argument was that caste must have originated in race because different caste groups seemed to belong to distinct racial types. In general, the higher castes approximated Indo-Aryan racial traits, while the lower castes seemed to belong to non-Aryan aboriginal, Mongoloid or other racial groups.' Ghurye later critiqued this as only partially correct.
G.S. Ghurye critiqued Herbert Risley's racial theory of caste by pointing out a problem with Risley's methodology. What was this problem?
Hint: Think about statistical analysis and geographical scope of Risley's theory.
Answer
Ghurye pointed out the problem with using averages alone without considering the variation in the distribution of a particular measurement, and believed Risley's thesis was broadly true only for northern India.
Explanation
Ghurye 'pointed out the problem with using averages alone without considering the variation in the distribution of a particular measurement for a given community. Ghurye believed that Risley’s thesis of the upper castes being Aryan and the lower castes being non-Aryan was broadly true only for northern India.' In other parts, inter-group differences were not large or systematic.
According to G.S. Ghurye's definition, which of the following is a feature of caste related to its internal structure?
Hint: Recall the first feature Ghurye described regarding how caste groups are structured.
Answer
Caste is an institution based on segmental division, meaning it is divided into a number of closed, mutually exclusive segments.
Explanation
Ghurye's definition states: '(i) Caste is an institution based on segmental division. This means that caste is divided into a number of closed, mutually exclusive segments or compartments. Each caste is one such compartment. It is closed because caste is decided by birth.'
How does Ghurye's definition of caste address social interaction, particularly concerning food sharing?
Hint: Consider the rules and taboos associated with caste interactions.
Answer
Caste necessarily involves restrictions on social interaction, especially the sharing of food, governed by ideas of purity and pollution, and includes untouchability.
Explanation
Ghurye's definition includes: '(iii) The institution of caste necessarily involves restrictions on social interaction, specially the sharing of food. There are elaborate rules prescribing what kind of food may be shared between which groups. These rules are governed by ideas of purity and pollution. The same also applies to social interaction, most dramatically in the institution of untouchability.'
Which of Ghurye's six features of caste explains why a person's occupation is typically determined by birth within the caste system?
Hint: Think about how caste influences economic roles.
Answer
The feature 'restrictions on the choice of occupation' explains why a person's occupation is typically determined by birth within the caste system.
Explanation
Ghurye's fifth feature is: '(v) Caste restricts the choice of occupation, which, like caste itself, is decided by birth and is hereditary. At the level of society, caste functions as a rigid form of the division of labour with specific occupations being allocated to specific castes.'
D.P. Mukerji came to sociology through which other academic disciplines?
Hint: Recall his dissatisfaction with existing approaches to Indian society.
Answer
D.P. Mukerji came to sociology via history and economics.
Explanation
The text states: 'D.P. came to sociology via history and economics, and retained an active interest in a wide variety of subjects... It was through his dissatisfaction with Indian history and economics that D.P. turned to sociology.'
What did D.P. Mukerji mean by a 'living tradition'?
Hint: Consider the dynamic nature of tradition as described by Mukerji.
Answer
A 'living tradition' for D.P. Mukerji is one that maintains its links with the past, but also adapts to the present and thus evolves over time.
Explanation
The text explains: 'For D.P. this study of tradition was not oriented only towards the past, but also included sensitivity to change. Thus, tradition was a living tradition, maintaining its links with the past, but also adapting to the present and thus evolving over time.'
According to D.P. Mukerji, which of the three principles of change recognized in Indian traditions is considered the 'revolutionary principle'?
Hint: Recall the principles of change and which one is highlighted as having a transformative power.
Answer
Anubhava, or personal experience, is considered the revolutionary principle of change by D.P. Mukerji.
Explanation
D.P. Mukerji believed that 'there were three principles of change recognised in Indian traditions, namely; shruti, smriti and anubhava. Of these, the last — anubhava or personal experience — is the revolutionary principle.'
D.P. Mukerji argued that in the Indian context, class conflict was often 'smoothed and covered by caste traditions.' What did he conclude was one of the first tasks for a dynamic Indian sociology based on this understanding?
Hint: Consider his emphasis on the unique aspects of Indian society and tradition.
Answer
D.P. Mukerji concluded that a primary task for Indian sociology was to account for internal, non-economic causes of change, given how caste traditions influenced class conflict.
Explanation
The text states: 'Class conflict, D.P. believed, had been “smoothed and covered by caste traditions” in the Indian context, where new class relations had not yet emerged very sharply. Based on this understanding, he concluded that one of the first tasks for a dynamic Indian sociology would be to provide an account of the internal, non-economic causes of change.'
A.R. Desai is known for his lifelong adherence to which political ideology?
Hint: Recall his association with political parties and his analytical framework.
Answer
A.R. Desai was a life-long Marxist.
Explanation
The text explicitly states: 'Desai was a life-long Marxist and became involved in Marxist politics during his undergraduate days at Baroda.'
A.R. Desai's best-known work, *The Social Background of Indian Nationalism*, offered a Marxist analysis of Indian nationalism. What did this analysis give prominence to?
Hint: Connect his Marxist ideology to the focus of his work on nationalism.
Answer
Desai's Marxist analysis in *The Social Background of Indian Nationalism* gave prominence to economic processes and divisions, while accounting for British colonialism.
Explanation
The text states: 'In this book, Desai offered a Marxist analysis of Indian nationalism, which gave prominence to economic processes and divisions, while taking account of the specific conditions of British colonialism.'
According to A.R. Desai, which of the following is NOT a unique feature of a welfare state?
Hint: Recall the economic characteristics Desai attributed to the welfare state.
Answer
A welfare state, according to Desai, does not involve a purely capitalist, free-market economy without state intervention; it has a mixed economy.
Explanation
Desai identifies three unique features of the welfare state: (i) a positive state, (ii) a democratic state, and (iii) a mixed economy. Option C contradicts the mixed economy feature, which explicitly mentions the coexistence of private capitalist and state-owned enterprises, and that the welfare state does not seek to eliminate the capitalist market nor prevent public investment.
A.R. Desai criticized the 'myth of the welfare state' by suggesting test criteria. Which of the following is one of his criteria for measuring the performance of a welfare state?
Hint: Think about the ideals that a 'welfare' state is supposed to achieve for its populace.
Answer
One of Desai's test criteria for a welfare state is whether it ensures freedom from poverty, social discrimination, and security for all its citizens.
Explanation
Desai's first test criterion is: '(i) Does the welfare state ensure freedom from poverty, social discrimination and security for all its citizens?' The other options contradict his Marxist critique of the welfare state's shortcomings.
M.N. Srinivas's intellectual orientation was significantly transformed during his years studying at which institution?
Hint: Recall where he pursued his second doctoral degree.
Answer
M.N. Srinivas's intellectual orientation was transformed during his years at the department of social anthropology in Oxford.
Explanation
The text states: 'Srinivas’ intellectual orientation was transformed during the years he spent at the department of social anthropology in Oxford.' This is where he was exposed to the dominant structural-functional perspective.
Which of M.N. Srinivas's works established his international reputation with its detailed ethnographic application of the structural-functional perspective?
Hint: Look for the specific book mentioned as a result of his doctoral dissertation at Oxford.
Answer
M.N. Srinivas's book *Religion and Society among the Coorgs of South India* established his international reputation.
Explanation
The text states: 'Srinivas’ doctoral dissertation was published as Religion and Society among the Coorgs of South India. This book established Srinivas’ international reputation with its detailed ethnographic application of the structural – functional perspective dominant in British social anthropology.'
What was a significant advantage of conducting village studies for Indian sociology, as highlighted by M.N. Srinivas?
Hint: Think about the practical and policy relevance of studying villages in post-independence India.
Answer
Village studies provided eye-witness accounts of rapid social change in the Indian countryside, which was highly relevant to the newly independent nation's planned development.
Explanation
The text explains: 'The village as a site of research offered many advantages to Indian sociology... It offered eye-witness accounts of the rapid social change that was taking place in the Indian countryside as the newly independent nation began a programme of planned development. These vivid descriptions of village India were greatly appreciated at the time as urban Indians as well as policy makers were able to form impressions of what was going on in the heartland of India.'
Louis Dumont argued against giving much importance to the village as a category for social analysis. What was his primary reason?
Hint: Consider what Dumont thought was a more enduring and fundamental unit of social organization.
Answer
Louis Dumont believed that social institutions like caste or religion were more important than the village, as these institutions followed people regardless of their physical location.
Explanation
The text states: 'Arguing against village studies, some social anthropologists like Louis Dumont thought that social institutions like caste were more important than something like a village, which was after all only a collection of people living in a particular place. Villages may live or die, and people may move from one village to another, but their social institutions, like caste or religion, follow them and go with them wherever they go.'
What does the term 'Anthropometry' refer to, as defined in the glossary?
Hint: Recall the definition provided in the glossary section.
Answer
Anthropometry is the branch of anthropology that studied human racial types by measuring the human body.
Explanation
The glossary defines Anthropometry as: 'The branch of anthropology that studied human racial types by measuring the human body, particularly the volume of the cranium (skull), the circumference of the head, and the length of the nose.'
Which term describes a social institution that defines the boundary of a social or kin group within which marriage relations are permissible, prohibiting marriage outside these groups?
Hint: Think about marriage rules that keep groups distinct.
Answer
Endogamy is the term for a social institution that defines a group within which marriage is permissible.
Explanation
The glossary defines Endogamy as: 'A social institution that defines the boundary of a social or kin group within which marriage relations are permissible; marriage outside these defined groups are prohibited. The most common example is caste endogamy, where marriage may only take place with a member of the same caste.'
The text mentions that in the early days, it was unclear 'whether India really needed something like sociology.' What key question did this uncertainty raise for early Indian scholars?
Hint: Consider the challenges of adapting a Western discipline to a non-Western society.
Answer
The uncertainty raised the question of what role sociology could play in India, given its specific historical and social context.
Explanation
The text states: 'In the first quarter of the 20th century, those who became interested in the discipline had to decide for themselves what role it could play in India. These scholars have helped to shape the discipline and adapt it to our historical and social context.' This highlights the need to define its relevance.
Which journal, founded by Sarat Chandra Roy in 1922, is considered the earliest of its kind in India and is still published today?
Hint: Recall the journal associated with Roy's work on tribal societies.
Answer
Sarat Chandra Roy founded the journal 'Man in India' in 1922.
Explanation
The text mentions: 'He founded the journal Man in India in 1922, the earliest journal of its kind in India that is still published.'
G.S. Ghurye was deeply influenced by W.H.R. Rivers' perspective during his studies at Cambridge. What was this perspective?
Hint: The biographical note for Ghurye directly states this influence.
Answer
G.S. Ghurye was deeply influenced by W.H.R. Rivers' diffusionist perspective.
Explanation
Ghurye's biographical box states: 'Later went to Cambridge to study with W.H.R. Rivers, and was deeply influenced by his diffusionist perspective.'
If a community strictly prohibits marriage between its members and any outside group, and this prohibition is hereditary, which of Ghurye's caste features is being demonstrated?
Hint: Focus on the aspect of marriage rules and group boundaries.
Answer
This demonstrates the feature of 'strict restrictions on marriage,' specifically endogamy, where marriage is confined within the caste.
Explanation
Ghurye's sixth feature of caste is: '(vi) Caste involves strict restrictions on marriage. Caste ‘endogamy’, or marriage only within the caste, is often accompanied by rules about ‘exogamy’, or whom one may not marry. This combination of rules about eligible and non-eligible groups helps reproduce the caste system.' The scenario directly describes endogamy.
The 'protectionists' in the tribal societies debate believed that contact with mainstream Hindu culture would lead to what outcome for tribals?
Hint: Consider the negative consequences the 'protectionists' feared from assimilation.
Answer
The 'protectionists' believed that assimilation would result in the severe exploitation and cultural extinction of the tribals.
Explanation
The text states: 'The ‘protectionists’ believed that assimilation would result in the severe exploitation and cultural extinction of the tribals.' They felt the state had a duty to protect tribal ways of life.
D.P. Mukerji strongly felt that the crucial distinctive feature of India was its social system, leading him to believe that each social science should be rooted in this context. What did he observe about India's social dimensions compared to the West?
Hint: Recall his quote about India having 'society, and very little else.'
Answer
D.P. Mukerji observed that India's social dimensions were 'over-developed' compared to the West.
Explanation
Mukerji believed that 'history, politics and economics in India were less developed in comparison with the west; however, the social dimensions were ‘over-developed’.' He famously wrote, 'India had had society, and very little else. In fact, she had too much of it.'
A sociologist following D.P. Mukerji's advice would study not only Sanskrit texts but also local dialects. What is the underlying reason for this approach?
Hint: Connect this to his idea of an Indian sociologist being 'Indian first' and understanding folk-ways.
Answer
The underlying reason is to understand both 'high' and 'low' languages and cultures, reflecting a rootedness in Indian tradition, as sociologists 'must be an Indian first'.
Explanation
In keeping with his view that sociologists 'must be an Indian first,' D.P. 'believed that sociologists should learn and be familiar with both ‘high’ and ‘low’ languages and cultures — not only Sanskrit, Persian or Arabic, but also local dialects.' This ensures a comprehensive understanding of Indian traditions.
A.R. Desai concludes that the notion of the welfare state is 'something of a myth.' Which of the following findings from his analysis most strongly supports this conclusion?
Hint: Consider the discrepancies between the claimed benefits of welfare states and their actual performance based on Desai's criteria.
Answer
Desai's finding that most modern capitalist states, even in developed countries, fail to provide minimum levels of economic and social security and are unable to reduce economic inequality strongly supports his conclusion that the welfare state is a myth.
Explanation
Desai examines the performance of welfare states and finds their claims 'greatly exaggerated.' He notes: 'Thus, most modern capitalist states, even in the most developed countries, fail to provide minimum levels of economic and social security to all their citizens. They are unable to reduce economic inequality and often seem to encourage it.' This directly undermines the core promises of a welfare state, leading to his 'myth' conclusion.
M.N. Srinivas criticized the British administrator-anthropologists for presenting a particular image of the Indian village. What was this image?
Hint: Think about the traditional, static view of Indian villages that Srinivas challenged.
Answer
Srinivas criticized the image of the Indian village as unchanging, self-sufficient 'little republics' put forward by British administrator-anthropologists.
Explanation
The text states: 'Srinivas also criticised the British administrator anthropologists who had put forward a picture of the Indian village as unchanging, self-sufficient, “little republics”. Using historical and sociological evidence, Srinivas showed that the village had, in fact, experienced considerable change. Moreover, villages were never self-sufficient, and had been involved in various kinds of economic, social and political relationships at the regional level.'
The French phrase 'laissez-faire' stands for a political and economic doctrine that advocates what?
Hint: Recall the literal translation of the phrase 'let be' or 'leave alone'.
Answer
Laissez-faire advocates for minimum state intervention in the economy and economic relations.
Explanation
The glossary defines Laissez-faire as: 'A French phrase (literally ‘let be’ or ‘leave alone’) that stands for a political and economic doctrine that advocates minimum state intervention in the economy and economic relations; usually associated with belief in the regulative powers and efficiency of the free market.'
The chapter concludes that the four Indian sociologists helped to 'Indianise' the discipline. What does this 'Indianisation' primarily refer to?
Hint: Consider how these scholars shaped sociology to be relevant to India.
Answer
Indianisation refers to adapting the discipline to India's unique historical and social context and developing indigenous perspectives.
Explanation
The conclusion states: 'These four Indian sociologists helped to give a distinctive character to the discipline in the context of a newly independent modernising country. They are offered here as examples of the diverse ways in which sociology was ‘Indianised’.' This involved bringing intimate knowledge of classical texts (Ghurye), rediscovering Indian tradition (Mukerji), offering critical views of the Indian state (Desai), and adapting training to the Indian context (Srinivas).
Despite his active interest in a wide variety of subjects, D.P. Mukerji was strongly influenced by which particular ideology, viewing it as a method of social analysis?
Hint: Recall the political and economic theory that shaped his analytical approach.
Answer
D.P. Mukerji was strongly influenced by Marxism as a method of social analysis.
Explanation
The text notes: 'He was strongly influenced by Marxism, though he had more faith in it as a method of social analysis than as a political programme for action.'
D.P. Mukerji argued that the most important principle of change in Indian society was 'generalised anubhava.' What does this refer to?
Hint: Recall how individual experience could 'flower' in the Indian context.
Answer
Generalised anubhava refers to the collective experience of groups, which D.P. Mukerji considered the most important principle of change in Indian society.
Explanation
The text states: 'However, in the Indian context personal experience soon flowered into collective experience. This meant that the most important principle of change in Indian society was generalised anubhava, or the collective experience of groups.' Examples like the bhakti movement and Sufi traditions are given.
Despite being a Marxist, A.R. Desai openly criticized the shortcomings of Communist states. What was a key principle he emphasized as important, even under communism?
Hint: Consider his stance on human rights and individual freedoms, even within a Marxist framework.
Answer
Desai strongly argued that political liberties and the rule of law must be upheld in all genuinely socialist states, emphasizing the importance of democracy.
Explanation
The text states: 'In these writings we can see that Desai does not take a one-sided view but openly criticises the shortcomings of Communist states. He cites many Marxist thinkers to emphasise the importance of democracy even under communism, arguing strongly that political liberties and the rule of law must be upheld in all genuinely socialist states.'
M.N. Srinivas is recognized for helping to establish Indian sociology on the world map through his international contacts and associations. What was the dominant theoretical perspective he applied in his early ethnographic work at Oxford?
Hint: Recall the theoretical school that was prominent in British social anthropology when he studied at Oxford.
Answer
Srinivas applied the structural-functional perspective, dominant in British social anthropology at the time, in his early ethnographic work.
Explanation
His book *Religion and Society among the Coorgs of South India* established his international reputation with its 'detailed ethnographic application of the structural – functional perspective dominant in British social anthropology.'
Apart from the University of Bombay, which two other universities also began teaching and research programs in sociology and anthropology in the 1920s?
Hint: Recall the early centers of sociological study mentioned after Bombay.
Answer
In the 1920s, Calcutta and Lucknow universities also began programs in sociology and anthropology.
Explanation
The text states: 'In the 1920s, two other universities — those at Calcutta and Lucknow — also began programmes of teaching and research in sociology and anthropology.'
D.P. Mukerji criticized 'unthinking borrowing from western intellectual traditions' but was also an 'admiring critic of modernity.' What does this stance imply about his view on adopting new ideas?
Hint: Consider his balanced approach to both tradition and modernity.
Answer
D.P. Mukerji's stance implies a selective and critical engagement with modernity, integrating it thoughtfully with Indian traditions rather than blind adoption.
Explanation
The text highlights this balance: 'Tradition was neither to be worshipped nor ignored, just as modernity was needed but not to be blindly adopted. D.P. was simultaneously a proud but critical inheritor of tradition, as well as an admiring critic of the modernity that he acknowledged as having shaped his own intellectual perspective.'
What is 'Assimilation' in the context of cultures, according to the glossary?
Hint: Recall the definition that implies one culture losing its distinctness.
Answer
Assimilation is a process by which one culture gradually absorbs another, leading to the assimilated culture merging into the assimilating culture and no longer being alive or visible.
Explanation
The glossary defines Assimilation as: 'A process by which one culture (usually the larger or more dominant one) gradually absorbs another; the assimilated culture merges into the assimilating culture, so that it is no longer alive or visible at the end of the process.'
Besides caste and race, on what other broad range of themes did G.S. Ghurye write?
Hint: Recall the diverse areas of study Ghurye undertook beyond his most famous work.
Answer
Ghurye wrote on a broad range of themes including tribes; kinship, family and marriage; culture, civilisation and the historic role of cities; religion; and the sociology of conflict and integration.
Explanation
The text states: 'Best known, perhaps, for his writings on caste and race, Ghurye also wrote on a broad range of other themes including tribes; kinship, family and marriage; culture, civilisation and the historic role of cities; religion; and the sociology of conflict and integration.'
The 'bhakti movement' is cited as an example of which of D.P. Mukerji's concepts of change in Indian society?
Hint: Connect the popular devotional movement to the idea of group-level transformative experience.
Answer
The bhakti movement is cited as an example of collective experience (generalised anubhava) periodically challenging high traditions.
Explanation
The text states: 'The high traditions were centred in smriti and sruti, but they were periodically challenged by the collective experience of groups and sects, as for example in the bhakti movement.' This illustrates the power of generalised anubhava.
One of the unique features of a welfare state, according to A.R. Desai, is that it is a 'positive state.' What does this mean?
Hint: Contrast this with the 'laissez faire' approach.
Answer
A 'positive state' means it is an interventionist state that actively uses its powers to design and implement social policies for the betterment of society.
Explanation
Desai defines a positive state as one that, 'unlike the ‘laissez faire’ of classical liberal political theory, the welfare state does not seek to do only the minimum necessary to maintain law and order. The welfare state is an interventionist state and actively uses its considerable powers to design and implement social policies for the betterment of society.'
M.N. Srinivas's work on village studies provided a 'new role for a discipline like sociology in the context of an independent nation.' What was this new role?
Hint: Consider how village studies contributed to the nation's development agenda.
Answer
The new role was to make sociology relevant to a modernizing society, beyond just primitive cultures, by providing vivid descriptions of village India that were appreciated by urban Indians and policy makers.
Explanation
The text explains: 'Village studies thus provided a new role for a discipline like sociology in the context of an independent nation. Rather than being restricted to the study of ‘primitive’ peoples, it could also be made relevant to a modernising society.' The policy relevance for planned development is also emphasized.
The conclusion of the chapter highlights that 'succeeding generations have subjected the work of these pioneers to constructive criticism in order to take the discipline further.' What does this indicate about the health and strength of Indian sociology?
Hint: Think about how continuous critique and evolution contribute to a discipline's vitality.
Answer
It is a sign of the discipline's health and strength, demonstrating that succeeding generations learn from and go beyond their predecessors through constructive criticism.
Explanation
The text explicitly states: 'It is a sign of the health and strength of a discipline when succeeding generations learn from and eventually go beyond their predecessors. This has also been happening in Indian sociology. Succeeding generations have subjected the work of these pioneers to constructive criticism in order to take the discipline further.'
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