Indian Sociologists and Their Impact

Study Notes

Indian sociology emerged due to colonial interest in understanding Indian culture and society.
Indian scholars have a long tradition of studying society and culture.
Foreign scholars introduced new dimensions to sociological studies linking real society with textual theories.
Indian sociology combines existing traditions with Western thought.
Increased government involvement in studying societal dynamics.
Focus on innovating methodologies to understand Indian society.
Indian sociology considers historical events.
Important sociologists (e.g., Radhakamal Mukherjee, G.S. Ghurye, D.P. Mukherjee, M.N. Srinivas) shaped Indian sociology from the 1920s to the 1980s by developing a unique tradition, but not following a universal methodology.
Irawati Karve, K.M. Capadia, I.P. Desai, M.S.A. Rao were students of Ghurye, contributing significantly to the field.

Born in Berhampore, West Bengal; grew up in Kolkata's intellectual atmosphere.
Contributed to the study of Indian sociology in its early stages.
Initiated adult education, highlighting social engagement.
Experimented with social action theory based on Indian philosophy.
Focused on field research, empirical observations, and micro-level analyses.
Examined rural economy, land, population, and working-class problems.
Viewed economics as a specialization, not a discipline, within social science.
Applied sociological perspective to planning.
Emphasized holistic approach including disciplines like political science, psychology, etc.
Highlighted human interaction with nature and culture.
Emphasized the interplay of environment, culture, and human adaptation.

Born in Mysore, emerged in Indian sociology's development phase.
Advocated for a strong emphasis on social change as a core theme in Indian sociology.
Introduced the concepts of Brahminization and Sanskritization.
Recognized the wide influence of Brahminic culture.
Explored the adoption of Brahminic customs by lower castes to improve social status (Sanskritization).
Recognized the mobility and influence of other dominant groups besides Brahmins.
Analyzed the process of adapting to Brahminic culture, exploring the impact on Indian society's structure.

First woman anthropologist in India.
Her career spanned both colonial and post-independence periods of Indian sociology.
Contributed to the study of kinship, caste, urbanisation, and women's role.
Worked at Pune University focusing on kinship organization.
Studied family structures, social customs, and women's position in Indian society.
Analyzed kinship systems in various regions of India and compared these with practices in other cultures.
Examined modern influences and changes in families and roles within them.

Indian sociologist; field research, and knowledge of tribes and castes.
His vision of Indian caste is integrative.
Focused on tribal absorption into Hindu society, addressing issues of integration.
Highlighted the role of caste in organizing Indian society.
Noted its connection with purity, pollution, and social hierarchies.