Sanskritization

 Introduction -This term was made popular by Indian sociologist MN Srinivas. Sanskritization is a particular form of social change found in India, it denotes the process by which caste or tribes placed lower in caste hierarchy seek upward mobility by emulating the rituals and practices of the upper or dominant castes. It is a process similar to passing in sociological terms. 

Definition :"MN Srinivas defined that sanskritization is a process by which a lower caste or tribes or any other group changes its customs, rituals, ideology and way of life in the direction of a higher or more after twice born caste"

Characteristics: Sanskritization is a process of imitation in Indian society the social status of an individual is fixed on the basis of caste hierarchy. It was purely following or can be seen as copying others rituals and norms beliefs to improve their status in the society. It helps in socio-economic and cultural value transmission in several groups of the society. Sanskritization is a process of cultural change towards the twice born castes. Sanskritization is a process in adopt the cultural patterns of the higher castes to raise their status in the caste hierarchical order. To achieve a greater hierarchical in the society. It was not necessary for lower caste people to follow only Brahmins, but they also followed locally developed and famous castes like kshatriya and vaishya. Sanskritization process is not only confined to the caste people of Hindu society, but it is also found among the tribal society .

The major factors

The major factors in Sanskritization were:

• Position of the dominant caste

• Pilgrimage

• Migration of values and beliefs from great tradition to

little tradition

• Secular factors in determining the position of caste (in

addition to pollution and purity)

• Migration to new areas

• Bhakti movement that established the idea of equality

before God and thus the idea of equality among different groups and castes 

Rerefences. Book social change in india by MSA Rao


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