Notes: Modernisation of Indian Tradition | Sociology Mains Optional for UPSC 2024 PDF Download

 Page 1


 
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Sleepy Classes 
Modernisation of Indian Tradition 
Define 
Modernity – 
- Modernity is ADAPCO. 
Ascription VS Achievement 
Diffusion VS Specificity  
Affectivity VS Affective neutrality  
Particularism VS Universalism  
Collective orientation VS Individual orientation  
 
- Rationalisation in PEST  
 
Overall societal process which brings about social changein norms, ethos, values, culture, structure 
and function of the society. Thus influences all facets of society 
Weber- Historic process with its roots in- Rennaisance,--> rise in democracy, growth of nation states, 
expansion of markets 
Others- Saint Simon, Simmel- Its a 19th century product-> secularisation, industrilisation, 
bureaucratisation 
Theory of modernisation not unique to India and various studies 
Features 
- Normative- norms changing 
- Individualisation 
- Social phenomenon- transforming MOP, ROP, political participation 
Modernity various Point of Views in India 
- Nationalist  
- Marxist  
- MNS 
- Gurnar Myrdal  
- L. D. & A. B.  
- Y. Singh  
 
  
Page 2


 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
https://testseries.sleepyclasses.com/ 
Sleepy Classes 
Modernisation of Indian Tradition 
Define 
Modernity – 
- Modernity is ADAPCO. 
Ascription VS Achievement 
Diffusion VS Specificity  
Affectivity VS Affective neutrality  
Particularism VS Universalism  
Collective orientation VS Individual orientation  
 
- Rationalisation in PEST  
 
Overall societal process which brings about social changein norms, ethos, values, culture, structure 
and function of the society. Thus influences all facets of society 
Weber- Historic process with its roots in- Rennaisance,--> rise in democracy, growth of nation states, 
expansion of markets 
Others- Saint Simon, Simmel- Its a 19th century product-> secularisation, industrilisation, 
bureaucratisation 
Theory of modernisation not unique to India and various studies 
Features 
- Normative- norms changing 
- Individualisation 
- Social phenomenon- transforming MOP, ROP, political participation 
Modernity various Point of Views in India 
- Nationalist  
- Marxist  
- MNS 
- Gurnar Myrdal  
- L. D. & A. B.  
- Y. Singh  
 
  
 
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https://testseries.sleepyclasses.com/ 
Sleepy Classes 
Modernity has been taken as a frame of reference by various thinkers 
Nationalist thinkers such as Ghurye and Mukherjee, RN Sharma, UtpalDutt 
o Effective instrument for development of Indian society 
o They were sceptical of colonial attempts 
o Synthesis should be there between tradition and modernity 
o Mahatama Gandhi- "While rejecting on modernity, indicated that man in India 
should be open to diverse thoughts, without compromising with his potential 
Indianness" 
o Vivekanand- "Synthesis between western materialism and Indian spritualism" 
o Arya Samaj- "English and sanskrit was taught in schools"- judicious mixture of Indian 
values and western thoughts 
o Conclusion- It is never an attempt to evolve (we are not bad), our process of 
modernisation is unique and specific to India 
o Tradition and modernity co exist in India 
Nationalists’ P.O.V. –  
- Synthesis be there b/w Tradition & Modernity.  
- Uniqueness of India shall be preserved  
 
  
Page 3


 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
https://testseries.sleepyclasses.com/ 
Sleepy Classes 
Modernisation of Indian Tradition 
Define 
Modernity – 
- Modernity is ADAPCO. 
Ascription VS Achievement 
Diffusion VS Specificity  
Affectivity VS Affective neutrality  
Particularism VS Universalism  
Collective orientation VS Individual orientation  
 
- Rationalisation in PEST  
 
Overall societal process which brings about social changein norms, ethos, values, culture, structure 
and function of the society. Thus influences all facets of society 
Weber- Historic process with its roots in- Rennaisance,--> rise in democracy, growth of nation states, 
expansion of markets 
Others- Saint Simon, Simmel- Its a 19th century product-> secularisation, industrilisation, 
bureaucratisation 
Theory of modernisation not unique to India and various studies 
Features 
- Normative- norms changing 
- Individualisation 
- Social phenomenon- transforming MOP, ROP, political participation 
Modernity various Point of Views in India 
- Nationalist  
- Marxist  
- MNS 
- Gurnar Myrdal  
- L. D. & A. B.  
- Y. Singh  
 
  
 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
https://testseries.sleepyclasses.com/ 
Sleepy Classes 
Modernity has been taken as a frame of reference by various thinkers 
Nationalist thinkers such as Ghurye and Mukherjee, RN Sharma, UtpalDutt 
o Effective instrument for development of Indian society 
o They were sceptical of colonial attempts 
o Synthesis should be there between tradition and modernity 
o Mahatama Gandhi- "While rejecting on modernity, indicated that man in India 
should be open to diverse thoughts, without compromising with his potential 
Indianness" 
o Vivekanand- "Synthesis between western materialism and Indian spritualism" 
o Arya Samaj- "English and sanskrit was taught in schools"- judicious mixture of Indian 
values and western thoughts 
o Conclusion- It is never an attempt to evolve (we are not bad), our process of 
modernisation is unique and specific to India 
o Tradition and modernity co exist in India 
Nationalists’ P.O.V. –  
- Synthesis be there b/w Tradition & Modernity.  
- Uniqueness of India shall be preserved  
 
  
 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
https://testseries.sleepyclasses.com/ 
Sleepy Classes 
Marxist school 
DP Mukherjee- 
? Modernity in India accelerated during British rule 
? Modern trade, education, liberal thinking, growth of Indian middle class 
? But our modernity is different from west (which came by Industrial 
revolution), which has come without industrialism 
? Middle class in India engaged in transforming politics 
? But confused, due to Modes of production not emerging as it is aspirational, 
want work but means not available 
Marxist P.O.V. ->  
Middle class with education formed, and has no MoP (no industrialisation), .: only politically active. 
Became agent of modernity & spread the idea of independence to ensure self – rule.  
But this is criticised by AR Desai 
o Modernity is a colonial construct 
o It has destroyed weavers, handicrafts, village industries, independent guils 
o New market centers have evolved selling foreign goods. Work is done for 
accumulation of wealth 
o Various classes have formed- Industrialists, landlords, middle class, industrial 
workers. They all have different interests and feel depressed; so they start 
participating in freedom struggle to get personal freedom 
o So Indian modernity is largely influenced by segmentory interest of class than the 
collective interest of masses 
Y Singh contradicts 
o This theory does not have much empirical evidence 
o It is more of an ideology than facts 
  
Page 4


 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
https://testseries.sleepyclasses.com/ 
Sleepy Classes 
Modernisation of Indian Tradition 
Define 
Modernity – 
- Modernity is ADAPCO. 
Ascription VS Achievement 
Diffusion VS Specificity  
Affectivity VS Affective neutrality  
Particularism VS Universalism  
Collective orientation VS Individual orientation  
 
- Rationalisation in PEST  
 
Overall societal process which brings about social changein norms, ethos, values, culture, structure 
and function of the society. Thus influences all facets of society 
Weber- Historic process with its roots in- Rennaisance,--> rise in democracy, growth of nation states, 
expansion of markets 
Others- Saint Simon, Simmel- Its a 19th century product-> secularisation, industrilisation, 
bureaucratisation 
Theory of modernisation not unique to India and various studies 
Features 
- Normative- norms changing 
- Individualisation 
- Social phenomenon- transforming MOP, ROP, political participation 
Modernity various Point of Views in India 
- Nationalist  
- Marxist  
- MNS 
- Gurnar Myrdal  
- L. D. & A. B.  
- Y. Singh  
 
  
 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
https://testseries.sleepyclasses.com/ 
Sleepy Classes 
Modernity has been taken as a frame of reference by various thinkers 
Nationalist thinkers such as Ghurye and Mukherjee, RN Sharma, UtpalDutt 
o Effective instrument for development of Indian society 
o They were sceptical of colonial attempts 
o Synthesis should be there between tradition and modernity 
o Mahatama Gandhi- "While rejecting on modernity, indicated that man in India 
should be open to diverse thoughts, without compromising with his potential 
Indianness" 
o Vivekanand- "Synthesis between western materialism and Indian spritualism" 
o Arya Samaj- "English and sanskrit was taught in schools"- judicious mixture of Indian 
values and western thoughts 
o Conclusion- It is never an attempt to evolve (we are not bad), our process of 
modernisation is unique and specific to India 
o Tradition and modernity co exist in India 
Nationalists’ P.O.V. –  
- Synthesis be there b/w Tradition & Modernity.  
- Uniqueness of India shall be preserved  
 
  
 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
https://testseries.sleepyclasses.com/ 
Sleepy Classes 
Marxist school 
DP Mukherjee- 
? Modernity in India accelerated during British rule 
? Modern trade, education, liberal thinking, growth of Indian middle class 
? But our modernity is different from west (which came by Industrial 
revolution), which has come without industrialism 
? Middle class in India engaged in transforming politics 
? But confused, due to Modes of production not emerging as it is aspirational, 
want work but means not available 
Marxist P.O.V. ->  
Middle class with education formed, and has no MoP (no industrialisation), .: only politically active. 
Became agent of modernity & spread the idea of independence to ensure self – rule.  
But this is criticised by AR Desai 
o Modernity is a colonial construct 
o It has destroyed weavers, handicrafts, village industries, independent guils 
o New market centers have evolved selling foreign goods. Work is done for 
accumulation of wealth 
o Various classes have formed- Industrialists, landlords, middle class, industrial 
workers. They all have different interests and feel depressed; so they start 
participating in freedom struggle to get personal freedom 
o So Indian modernity is largely influenced by segmentory interest of class than the 
collective interest of masses 
Y Singh contradicts 
o This theory does not have much empirical evidence 
o It is more of an ideology than facts 
  
 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
https://testseries.sleepyclasses.com/ 
Sleepy Classes 
Alternate views 
Marriot and Milton Singer 
o Theory of orthogenetic and heterogenetic change  (Urban [melting pot type] culture) 
o Which concludes-- In India is present "Indianisation of modern tradition" than 
"modernisation of Indian tradition" 
o Contradicted by SC Dubey 
? Social Change in India is not always synchronic 
? Though tradition influences modernity, but there have been examples 
where modernity has absolutely influenced tradition- as Brahminical 
tradition is slowly disintegrating under the influence of urban class 
consciousness 
Milton Singer & Marriot ->  
Ortho (indigenous change) & Hetro (imported or because of contact with other tradition  
 
DRAW DIAGRAM SHOWING RELATION OF LITTLE AND GREAT TRADITION wrt Parochialisation & 
Universalisation   
 
Parochialisation & Universalisation   
Parochialisation –  
- same elements of great tradition 
- circulate down to little tradition.  
- A new tradition emerges 
- Example, veil by Rajputs adopted from Islam.  
- Go–vardhan (cow- Protector) became Gobar Dhan (People started valuing cow dung) 
- Holi’s transformation to Hola – Mohalla in Punjab 
Universalisation - 
- element of Little tradition that have become part of Great Tradition. 
- Example, Rakshabandhan  
- Saluno festival in UP -> Precursors to Raksha Bandhan  
- Chhath Pooja of Bihar, being celebrated in Delhi 
- Ganesh Mahotsav of Mumbai being celebrated across India 
- Lohri of Punjab 
Contemporary -> Continuum: Because Of Globalisation, Migration, IT - Globalisation becoming 
Glocalisation. 
Little & Great Tradition (Robert Redfield, Mexico) 
Singer & Marriot used it in India to study Social changes 
(Robert Redfield, Mexico) (Used in India by Mckim Marriot)  
Page 5


 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
https://testseries.sleepyclasses.com/ 
Sleepy Classes 
Modernisation of Indian Tradition 
Define 
Modernity – 
- Modernity is ADAPCO. 
Ascription VS Achievement 
Diffusion VS Specificity  
Affectivity VS Affective neutrality  
Particularism VS Universalism  
Collective orientation VS Individual orientation  
 
- Rationalisation in PEST  
 
Overall societal process which brings about social changein norms, ethos, values, culture, structure 
and function of the society. Thus influences all facets of society 
Weber- Historic process with its roots in- Rennaisance,--> rise in democracy, growth of nation states, 
expansion of markets 
Others- Saint Simon, Simmel- Its a 19th century product-> secularisation, industrilisation, 
bureaucratisation 
Theory of modernisation not unique to India and various studies 
Features 
- Normative- norms changing 
- Individualisation 
- Social phenomenon- transforming MOP, ROP, political participation 
Modernity various Point of Views in India 
- Nationalist  
- Marxist  
- MNS 
- Gurnar Myrdal  
- L. D. & A. B.  
- Y. Singh  
 
  
 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
https://testseries.sleepyclasses.com/ 
Sleepy Classes 
Modernity has been taken as a frame of reference by various thinkers 
Nationalist thinkers such as Ghurye and Mukherjee, RN Sharma, UtpalDutt 
o Effective instrument for development of Indian society 
o They were sceptical of colonial attempts 
o Synthesis should be there between tradition and modernity 
o Mahatama Gandhi- "While rejecting on modernity, indicated that man in India 
should be open to diverse thoughts, without compromising with his potential 
Indianness" 
o Vivekanand- "Synthesis between western materialism and Indian spritualism" 
o Arya Samaj- "English and sanskrit was taught in schools"- judicious mixture of Indian 
values and western thoughts 
o Conclusion- It is never an attempt to evolve (we are not bad), our process of 
modernisation is unique and specific to India 
o Tradition and modernity co exist in India 
Nationalists’ P.O.V. –  
- Synthesis be there b/w Tradition & Modernity.  
- Uniqueness of India shall be preserved  
 
  
 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
https://testseries.sleepyclasses.com/ 
Sleepy Classes 
Marxist school 
DP Mukherjee- 
? Modernity in India accelerated during British rule 
? Modern trade, education, liberal thinking, growth of Indian middle class 
? But our modernity is different from west (which came by Industrial 
revolution), which has come without industrialism 
? Middle class in India engaged in transforming politics 
? But confused, due to Modes of production not emerging as it is aspirational, 
want work but means not available 
Marxist P.O.V. ->  
Middle class with education formed, and has no MoP (no industrialisation), .: only politically active. 
Became agent of modernity & spread the idea of independence to ensure self – rule.  
But this is criticised by AR Desai 
o Modernity is a colonial construct 
o It has destroyed weavers, handicrafts, village industries, independent guils 
o New market centers have evolved selling foreign goods. Work is done for 
accumulation of wealth 
o Various classes have formed- Industrialists, landlords, middle class, industrial 
workers. They all have different interests and feel depressed; so they start 
participating in freedom struggle to get personal freedom 
o So Indian modernity is largely influenced by segmentory interest of class than the 
collective interest of masses 
Y Singh contradicts 
o This theory does not have much empirical evidence 
o It is more of an ideology than facts 
  
 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
https://testseries.sleepyclasses.com/ 
Sleepy Classes 
Alternate views 
Marriot and Milton Singer 
o Theory of orthogenetic and heterogenetic change  (Urban [melting pot type] culture) 
o Which concludes-- In India is present "Indianisation of modern tradition" than 
"modernisation of Indian tradition" 
o Contradicted by SC Dubey 
? Social Change in India is not always synchronic 
? Though tradition influences modernity, but there have been examples 
where modernity has absolutely influenced tradition- as Brahminical 
tradition is slowly disintegrating under the influence of urban class 
consciousness 
Milton Singer & Marriot ->  
Ortho (indigenous change) & Hetro (imported or because of contact with other tradition  
 
DRAW DIAGRAM SHOWING RELATION OF LITTLE AND GREAT TRADITION wrt Parochialisation & 
Universalisation   
 
Parochialisation & Universalisation   
Parochialisation –  
- same elements of great tradition 
- circulate down to little tradition.  
- A new tradition emerges 
- Example, veil by Rajputs adopted from Islam.  
- Go–vardhan (cow- Protector) became Gobar Dhan (People started valuing cow dung) 
- Holi’s transformation to Hola – Mohalla in Punjab 
Universalisation - 
- element of Little tradition that have become part of Great Tradition. 
- Example, Rakshabandhan  
- Saluno festival in UP -> Precursors to Raksha Bandhan  
- Chhath Pooja of Bihar, being celebrated in Delhi 
- Ganesh Mahotsav of Mumbai being celebrated across India 
- Lohri of Punjab 
Contemporary -> Continuum: Because Of Globalisation, Migration, IT - Globalisation becoming 
Glocalisation. 
Little & Great Tradition (Robert Redfield, Mexico) 
Singer & Marriot used it in India to study Social changes 
(Robert Redfield, Mexico) (Used in India by Mckim Marriot)  
 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
https://testseries.sleepyclasses.com/ 
Sleepy Classes 
Little Tradition Great Tradition 
- Folks & Peasants (Both interact ) -> Foster 
collaboration, cooperation 
- Of illetrates 
- Local version of textual knowledge 
- Moulds the roles according to local settings 
- Local versions of epics with local examples 
for easy comprehension of folk people. 
- Low culture 
- Folk culture 
- Not scrutinised 
Pare chialisation – 
- Changes made to meat traditions at village 
level 
- Desans Kritisation occurs as local priests 
mould the great tradition according to their 
needs. 
- Elite or Reflection few 
- Literates 
- Textual or ‘Shastriya’ 
- Decides role of caste system, education, 
priests, teachers 
- Ramayana, Mahabharata major source of 
Great Tradition. 
- High culture 
- Popular culture 
- Classical culture 
- Up for scrutiny 
Universalisation –