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.