SANSKRITIZATION
The concept of Sanskritization has been used to explain the processes of cultural change in the caste ridden society of India . It is a truism that social change is caused by both endogenous (internal) and exogenous (external) factors. Sanskritization concept was developed to show the processes of change which arise due to endogenous causes. However, it must be noted that social change occurs due to a large number of known and unknown factors and their effects are mixed and confounded. It is not possible to attribute any one type of change to any one specific factor. Now let us look at the concept of Sanskritization more closely.
The concept of Sanskritization is given by M. N. Srinivas. According to him, Sanskritization had been occurring throughout the Indian history. It may be viewed as the model of social mobility in India . To understand this concept, it is important to distinguish between two related concepts of Varna and caste. Varna is an all-India framework and in this framework human society is divided into four hierarchical groups (Varnas). They are Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaisya and Shudra. Untouchables are outside the Varna system. On the other hand, caste refers to hereditary, endogamous groups which form a hierarchy, each having a traditional association with one or two occupations. Castes groups maintained relations in terms of purity and pollution. There were many castes which were only regional in character. Regarding hierarchy, in each region there are certain castes which are considered to be at the top and certain other castes are considered to be at the bottom. An interesting aspect of the caste system has been that the claims to position are contested and there is no general agreement regarding hierarchy, at least at the middle level. |
