SANSKRITISATION,
WESTERNISATION, &
MODERNISATION
Dr.J.M.ARUL KAMARAJ
DEPT.OF SOCIAL WORK
LOYOLA COLLEGE, CHENNAI
SANKRISITSATION
• It was introduced into Indian Sociology by
Prof.M.N.Srinivas.
• The term refers to a process whereby
people of lower castes collectively try to
adopt uppers caste practices and beliefs as
a preliminary step to acquire higher status.
• Thus it indicates a process of cultural
mobility that is taking place in the traditional
social system of India.
DEFINITION
• “The process by which a low
caste or tribe or other group
changes its customs, rituals,
ideology and way of life in the
direction of hight and
frequently, twice born caste”
ANALYSIS OF THE PROCESS
• Sanskritisation denotes the process in which the
lower castes try to imitate the life styles of upper
caste in their attempt to raise their social status.
• It denotes the process of upward mobility – position
change.
• Major process of cultural change – it has been
universal.
• The castes which enjoyed higher economic and
political power but rated relatively low in virtual.
• It is not only found in Hindu community, it is found in
tribal community.
• Process of Sanskiritisation serves as a reference group.
• It does not take place in the same manner in all the
places.
• It does not automatically result in the achievement of a
higher status for the group.
• Serves to reduce or remove the gap between the ritual
and secular ranking.
• It has been often constructed as a kind of protest against
the traditional caste system.
• It does not denote a basic change in the structure of the
Hindu society.
WESTERNISATION
• it has been very significant in understanding the
socio-cultural changes of modern India.
• British rule produced radical and lasting changes in
the Indian society and culture.
• The British brought with new technology, institutions,
knowledge, beliefs, and values.
• These have become the main source of social
mobility for individual as well as groups.
• Westernisation – Changes that have taken place in
the Indian society and culture due to the Western
contact through the British rule.
DEFINITION
• “Westernisation refers to the
changes brought about in Indian
society an culture as a result of
over 150 years of British rule and
the term subsumes changes
occuring at different levels –
technology, institution, ideology,
values”
- M.N.Srinivas
MAIN FEATURES
• It is a simple concept – Indian society and
culture.
• It implies certain value preferences.
• Introduction of institution, news papers, elections,
Christian missionaries and fundamental changes
in older institution.
• Form and pace – vary from region to region and
certain population to another.
• It prevades political and cultural fields also.
MODERNISATION
• It does not denote any philosophy or movement, but it
only symbolises a process of change.
• It is a process which indicates the adoption of the
modern ways of life and values.
• The term refer to change in economic and its related
effect on social values and practices.
• It also described as a process that changed the
society, from primarily agricultural to primarily industrial
economy.
• As a result of the change in the economy, the society
itself underwent changes in values, beliefs and norms.
DEFINITION
• “Modernisation refers to a complex set of
changes that take place almost in every
part of society as it attempts to be
industrialised. Modernisation involves
ongoing change in a societ’s economy,
politics, education, traditions and religion”.
- Smelser
• “Modernisation is the application of
modern science to human affairs”
- Rutow and Ward
PROCESS OF MODERNISATION
• It involves a change from simple and
traditional towards the use of scientific
knowledge and technology.
• Agricultural shifts from subsistence farming to
commercial farming on a larger scale.
• Movement from the use of human and animal
to machinery.
• The society changes from the farm and the
village centered one to that of the industry
and city centered.
MEASURES OF MODERNISATION
• Industrialisation – technology
• Spread of scientific and technical education.
• Increase in material standards of living.
• High expectancy of life at birth.
• Increment of mobility in the society,
understood in terms of urbanisation, spread
of literacy, and media participation.
• Greater measure of public participation.
CAUSES OF MODERNISATION
• Education
• Mass communicaiton
• Nationalism and Democracy (Ideology based)
• Charismatic Leadership
• Strong and stable Governmental authority.
• Urbanisation and Industrialisation
• Universal legal system
PROBLEMS OF MODERNISATION
• Demands that society must change in all ways at
once.
• Structural changes mostly remain uneven –
Industry : religious system, family system.
• May create conflicts with traditional way of life.
• Values continue to be traditional - Industry
opened – Muhurtam.
• Creates frustration, disappointment and social
unrest.
