Indian Traditional Social

Order, Continuity & Change

Social Structure Social structure refers to the pattern of social
relationships in a society. Such social structure regulates the
interactions among members of the society, providing guidelines
within the cultural norms for achieving the goals, defined by cultural
values. Generally, social structure maintains societal stability.
However, when the social structure and the societal values become
incompatible, the structure must embrace social change to allow the
society to survive and continue healthy development.

The concept of social change implies changes in characteristics of

group of individuals and these changes usually are beneficial to
society. Changes in social structure may result in negative side-effects
also, that undermines or eliminates existing ways of life that are
considered positive. On the whole social change has resulted in
evolution in humanity, indicating that humankind is progressing
toward a society to live in peace and prosperity. The term social change
refers to qualitative changes in the structure and functioning of society
that help society to better realize its aims and objectives. Development
can be broadly defined in a manner applicable to all societies’ at all
historical periods as an upward ascending movement, featuring
greater levels of energy, efficiency, quality, productivity, complexity,
comprehension, creativity, mastery, enjoyment, and accomplishment.

Social Structure of India

Indian society is very old, complex, plural and it has a long history. It is
composed of different religious groups, racial groups and groups
having cultural differences. In the long span of Indian history various
groups from” different parts of the world entered into India with their
own socio-cultural and racial features. The best example is Indus
valley civilization.
In the later stage the Indo-Aryans came and they had interaction with
earlier inhabitants of the land. They had their own socio-cultural

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pattern of living. They considered themselves as superior. They
developed norms and customs for different social groups with their
own category and for the outsiders. That was the phase when Varna’s
originated.
The Indo-Aryans were divided into different groups: Brahmins
(Priests), Kshyatriyas (Kings and warriors) Vaishyas (trade and
commerce) Sudras (Servicing group/those who serve these three
categories). It is believed that sudras were outside of the Indo-Aryan
group. Perhaps this category emerged due to the union of Indo—
Aryans and the inhabitants of the land.

Features of Social Structure of Indian Society

The following are the Important features of social structure of Indian
society:

Indian society is characterized as a pluralistic society because it

possesses complex social order. It suffers from multitude of ethnic,
linguistic, religious and caste divisions.
About 70% of the Indian people live in villages. Indian villages
continue to be underdeveloped. Even rural areas suffer from lack of
infrastructural facilities. The gains of industrialization and
technological breakthrough which once enjoyed by urban areas not yet
reached the rural areas. Only now our Government has started giving
due importance to the objective of rural development.
Illiteracy and ignorance among the people of India is another
important feature of the social system in India. About 60% of the
population continues to be illiterate in India. Illiteracy creates many
social problems. Concerted Governmental action and strong social
support are needed in removing the rate of illiteracy.
As already stated, people belong to different races such as Aryan,
Dravidian, and Mongolian. inhabit India. People in the Eastern States,
have affinity with Mongolian race. Hence the racial Inter-mixing has
taken place to a limited extent in India.Even though the principle of
unity in diversity is accepted diversities are many times allowed to
dominate the objective of unity. The Constitution provides for
secularism. But racial factor plays major role in real operation of socio-
political processes in India.

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 Diversity in languages is another feature of the social environment in
India. The Constitution of India recognizes 22 languages as the major
languages, which are spoken by 87% of the population. Of them Hindi
is spoken by 31% of the population. Linguistic diversity and love and
affection of people towards their regional languages have made the
Government to reorganize Indian states on the basis of languages.
Hence, language has emerged as a key factor of social and political
climate in India.
Caste has been the predominant feature of Indian social system. The
Constitution, has taken a great step towards the dilution of caste and
casteism. Caste and Casteism have been playing important factor in
Social, Economic, Cultural and Political life in India. As caste system
has deep historical roots, it cannot be abolished.
In India, both tradition and modernity exist side by side. Tradition is
clearly affected by modern trends and pressures.

Thus the social structure of Indian society is characterized by religious,

regional, linguistic, communal and caste diversities. All these factors
determine the environment of Indian social structure, social system
and political system. All institutions are in a position to continuously
adjusting themselves to a changing society, though there still exists
many conflicts between them. The Socio-political system is maintained
stable despite these constraints.

Change in Social Structure

Change is the Law of Nature. Social change depends on many factors,
and with the current pattern of time the cycle of human civilization
moves. Modern India, too, is fast drifting to a new conception of
civilization, which promises her many a new boon in the domain of
economic and political achievements.
If we assess the social change that have occurred in the Indian society
from the middle of the 19th century, we notice the two directions in
which such changes have proceeded.
 Certain changes in the traditional values and conventions have been
wholly beneficial and are the result of the social reform movements
which had or marginal influence on the society during the second half

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 of the 19th century but gathered momentum since 1920’s when the
Indian National Movement became mass based.
 The second set of changes which have been increasing in intensity or
coverage throughout the 20th century particularly after Independence,
constitute the disturbing features of the present Indian society and
have generally turned out to be serious problems. Such features are
increasing (now explosive) population, increasing disorganization at
all levels, crass materialism coupled with religiosity but without
morality, increase in sophisticated crimes and socio-economic crimes,
etc.
Some of the major areas in which social change is significant in the
post-Independent India are the caste system, status of women, the
status and role of backward classes, family, etc.

Continuity in change
Social change in India may be considered as a process through which
definite alterations in the structures and functions of a particular social
system result. A particular social change may be good or bad, desirable
or undesirable, sacred or profane, progressive or regressive depending
upon the views and understanding of the observer. It is to be
understood that when a particular social change occurs it will be
evaluated in the light of the ideals, goals and theories of the observer.
The change implies continuity. Only when certain existing conditions,
situations or things are partially modified we use the term ‘change’. So
change and continuity coexist. Any social change may produce
discernible and widespread changes in social structures, functions,
behaviour, values, norms, and ways of life, attitudes, roles and status.

Determinants of continuity in change in INDIA

In the Indian context certain terms, Westernization, Sanskritization
and Modernization are used to explain the direction of social change.
The various factors of social changes in India are technology,
industrialization, urbanization, legislation, education, economic
factors, planning, religion and mass media.

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Modern India is passing through a transition. The effect of English
education and our contact with foreign peoples have considerably
influenced our society. The educated class has not only adopted
Western ideas but also their dress, manners, ways of living and culture.
English is widely spoken in many states. It can still be called the only
inter-State language.

Our customs and traditions are changing fast. New beliefs are
replacing old ones. The barriers of caste, color, province and religion
are gradually breaking. Inter-caste marriages are coming to stay. We
even hear of inter-religious marriages.

New cities are being planned on western lines. The markets are flooded
with Western articles. If we look into our daily routine, we shall find it
more akin to West than to ancient India. The articles of our everyday
life have been taken from the Western world though many of them are
now made in India. Cloth is cut to suit the latest fashion of the West.
The day is not far off when even our ladies will not hesitate to adopt
Western customs. Our screens are also in tune with Hollywood.
Contemporary fictions and stories are full of romanticism, realism and
intellectualism, of the Western World. Our poetry is passing through a
rapid change on Western lines. In art, we find impressionism as the
latest trend.

Culture is the life blood of the nation. It is the result of thousands of

years of experience of the race living under particular geographical
conditions. Hence we may conclude at the very outset that India has to
maintain her cultural heritage through all the changes. What we have
to change is the outer form of its expression. What we have to learn
from the West is its science and industry.

Thus, continuity will be maintained in the ongoing process of chance

in Indian Traditional Social Order

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