Question 1

Q1: How did Ananthakrishna Iyer and Sarat Chandra Roy come to practice social anthropology?

Accepted Answer

Ananthakrishna Iyer and Sarat Chandra Roy came to practice social anthropology by accident rather than through formal training, as the discipline was not yet established in India during their time.    L.K. Ananthakrishna Iyer (1861-1937): He began his career as a clerk and later became a college tea...

Question 2

Q2: What were the main arguments on either side of the debate about how to relate to tribal communities?

Accepted Answer

During the 1930s and 1940s, there was a significant debate on the place of tribal societies in India. The two main opposing arguments were: 1.  The 'Protectionist' View: This view was primarily held by British administrator-anthropologists. They believed that:        Tribal communities were 'primiti...

Question 3

Q3: Outline the positions of Herbert Risley and G.S. Ghurye on the relationship between race and caste in India.

Accepted Answer

Herbert Risley and G.S. Ghurye had differing, though related, positions on the relationship between race and caste in India. Both worked within the framework of the racial theory of caste, which was dominant in the early 20th century.    Herbert Risley's Position: Risley, a British colonial official...

Question 4

Q4: Summarise the social anthropological definition of caste.

Accepted Answer

Based on the work of G.S. Ghurye, the social anthropological definition of caste is a comprehensive one that emphasizes six key features. These features describe the institution as prescribed in classical texts: 1.  Segmental Division: Society is divided into a number of closed, mutually exclusive s...

Question 5

Q5: What does D.P. Mukerji mean by a 'living tradition'? Why did he insist that Indian sociologists be rooted in this tradition?

Accepted Answer

By a 'living tradition', D.P. Mukerji refers to a tradition that is dynamic and evolving. It is not merely a relic of the past but something that maintains its links with the past while also adapting to the present by incorporating new elements. It is a continuous process that involves both retainin...

Question 6

Q6: What are the specificities of Indian culture and society, and how do they affect the pattern of change?

Accepted Answer

According to D.P. Mukerji, the primary specificity of Indian culture and society is that it is not individualistic but is oriented towards group action, defined by caste, sect, or community. An individual's desires and actions are rigidly fixed by their socio-cultural group pattern. This group-centr...

Question 7

Q7: What is a welfare state? Why is A.R. Desai critical of the claims made on its behalf?

Accepted Answer

According to A.R. Desai, a welfare state is a modern state characterized by three unique features: 1.  Positive State: It is an interventionist state that actively uses its powers to design and implement social policies for the betterment of society, going beyond the minimal role of maintaining law...

Question 8

Q8: What arguments were given for and against the village as a subject of sociological research by M.N. Srinivas and Louis Dumont?

Accepted Answer

M.N. Srinivas and Louis Dumont had opposing views on the importance of the village as a unit of sociological research in India. Arguments Against the Village (Louis Dumont):    Louis Dumont, a French social anthropologist, argued that social institutions like caste were more important than the villa...

Question 9

Q9: What is the significance of village studies in the history of Indian sociology? What role did M.N. Srinivas play in promoting village studies?

Accepted Answer

Village studies hold immense significance in the history of Indian sociology, particularly in the post-independence era of the 1950s and 1960s. Their importance can be understood in the following ways: 1.  Showcasing Ethnographic Methods: Village studies provided an ideal opportunity to demonstrate...

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