Anthropology short notes · Paper 2

Indigenous and exogenous processes of socio-cultural change in Indian society

5.3 Indigenous and exogenous processes of socio-cultural change in Indian society: Sanskritization, Westernization, Modernization; Inter-play of little and great traditions; Panchayati Raj and social change; Media and Social change.

Short notes

Indigenous and exogenous processes of socio-cultural change in Indian society

Indigenous And Exogenous Processes Of Socio-Cultural Change In Indian Society

Definition

Indigenous and exogenous processes of socio-cultural change in Indian society

Example / case study

  • Policies of China toward Uyghur Muslims.
  • Innovation explains endogenous culture change; diffusion explains exogenous change.

Sanskritization

Definition

Claimed → even tribes are backward Hindus, included in caste.

Example / case study

  • Lucia Michelutti (The Vernacularisation of Democracy, 2008) → Yadavs of UP link identity to Krishna descent.
  • John Cort (Jains in the World, 2001) → Oswals consider themselves superior to other Jain castes (Shrimals, Porwals).
  • Anuja Agrawal (Chaste Wives and Prostitute Sisters, 2008) → Bedia community narrates their Rajput origin despite prostitution as occupation.
  • Badri Narayan (Fascinating Hindutva, 2009) → Pasi community of Bihar trace descent from Parashuram (pa+asi = grip + sword), reinterpret pig-rearing as heroic defense of women during Mughal invasions.

Westernization

Definition

Term by Prof. Shyamlal (field study in Rajasthan- 13 dists).

Thinkers

  • Not only British impact – also Russia, China, global influences (e.g., Bhagat Singh inspired by socialism).

Modernization

Definition

Pioneer of village studies in India.

Thinkers

  • Not only British impact – also Russia, China, global influences (e.g., Bhagat Singh inspired by socialism).

Inter-Play Of Little And Great Traditions

Definition

Inter-play of little and great traditions

Example / case study

  • Policies of China toward Uyghur Muslims.
  • Innovation explains endogenous culture change; diffusion explains exogenous change.
  • Acculturation highlights power asymmetry, whereas transculturation highlights mutual creativity.
  • Ethnocide is increasingly discussed in the context of human rights, indigenous studies, and globalization.

Panchayati Raj And Social Change

Definition

Panchayati Raj and social change

Thinkers

  • Evans-Pritchard | Social Anthropology is part of Sociology; Ethnology classifies cultures
  • Durkheim | Influenced Functional Anthropology
  • S. C. Dube | Historical context in Indian Anthropology
  • K. S. Singh | Tribal and historical studies
  • Bronislaw Malinowski | Fieldwork; Cultural Anthropology

Media And Social Change

Definition

Anthropology cannot be understood without history.

Example / case study

  • Policies of China toward Uyghur Muslims.
  • Innovation explains endogenous culture change; diffusion explains exogenous change.
  • Acculturation highlights power asymmetry, whereas transculturation highlights mutual creativity.
  • Ethnocide is increasingly discussed in the context of human rights, indigenous studies, and globalization.

Thinkers

  • Evans-Pritchard | Social Anthropology is part of Sociology; Ethnology classifies cultures
  • Durkheim | Influenced Functional Anthropology
  • S. C. Dube | Historical context in Indian Anthropology
  • K. S. Singh | Tribal and historical studies
  • Bronislaw Malinowski | Fieldwork; Cultural Anthropology