Notes: Colonial Hangover | Sociology Mains Optional for UPSC 2024 PDF Download

 Page 1


 
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Sociology Paper-2 
A-2 
The colonial rule over India ended in 1947 but the colonial hangover continues till 
date. Comment. 
The British colonial rule brought a significant social change in the Indian society, 
polity and culture.  
While the foreign rule being mercantilist certainly drained India of its resources, 
there was a silver lining in the form of various social reforms, administrative 
unification and ultimately the rise of nationalism. 
Various sociologists have tried to sum up the impact of colonial rule.  
• M N Srinivas- Westernisation  
? MNS defines Westernisation as the changes brought about in Indian 
society and culture, as a result of over 150 years of British rule, the 
term subsuming changes occurring at different levels, technology, 
institutions, ideology and values. 
? It is a cultural change and not a structural change. 
? The impacts of Westernisation were seen in increased avenues for 
social mobility, changes in food habits and dressing, giving up of many 
superstitious rituals eg. Child marriage , sati , etc. 
? Westernisation is seen more as an imitation of exernal form of culture 
and does no necessarily mean adoption of modern values like 
democracy and equality. 
• Yogendra Singh – Modernisaton  
? Yogendra Singh contends that the British impact  brought a new great 
tradition of modernization which led to both cultural and structural 
changes.  
? At the cultural level, modernisation of tradition took place which was 
visible in the amelioration of case system, reforms for women, struggle  
against social evils , urbanization, form of education  and so on. 
? A the structural level, new social classes like middle class , industrial elite , 
working class and new institutions like market based economy , 
Page 2


 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
www.SleepyClasses.com 
 
Sociology Paper-2 
A-2 
The colonial rule over India ended in 1947 but the colonial hangover continues till 
date. Comment. 
The British colonial rule brought a significant social change in the Indian society, 
polity and culture.  
While the foreign rule being mercantilist certainly drained India of its resources, 
there was a silver lining in the form of various social reforms, administrative 
unification and ultimately the rise of nationalism. 
Various sociologists have tried to sum up the impact of colonial rule.  
• M N Srinivas- Westernisation  
? MNS defines Westernisation as the changes brought about in Indian 
society and culture, as a result of over 150 years of British rule, the 
term subsuming changes occurring at different levels, technology, 
institutions, ideology and values. 
? It is a cultural change and not a structural change. 
? The impacts of Westernisation were seen in increased avenues for 
social mobility, changes in food habits and dressing, giving up of many 
superstitious rituals eg. Child marriage , sati , etc. 
? Westernisation is seen more as an imitation of exernal form of culture 
and does no necessarily mean adoption of modern values like 
democracy and equality. 
• Yogendra Singh – Modernisaton  
? Yogendra Singh contends that the British impact  brought a new great 
tradition of modernization which led to both cultural and structural 
changes.  
? At the cultural level, modernisation of tradition took place which was 
visible in the amelioration of case system, reforms for women, struggle  
against social evils , urbanization, form of education  and so on. 
? A the structural level, new social classes like middle class , industrial elite , 
working class and new institutions like market based economy , 
 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
www.SleepyClasses.com 
 
universalistic legal superstructure, bureaucracy and changes like rise of 
nationalism , politicization of society were seen . 
• Revivalist Thinkers- Nationalism 
o The colonial rule helped re-emphasise the lost glory of India. 
Social change is understood as an evolutionary process and hence the changes 
brought about during the colonial rule did not end or reverse once the colonial rule 
ended.  
India achieved its political independence but its culture and institutions can still be 
seen in a colonial hangover as can be seen in the following examples. 
• Education Institutions- the primacy attached to the English language as a 
symbol of intellect continues which makes sure that till date the missionary 
schools are the most sought after for education of children. 
 
• Political institutions- Much of the parliamentary procedure working follows 
the conventions of the British rule. (Venkiah Naidu: “I beg to lay the papers” 
to be replaced with “ I rise to lay the papers on the table”) 
• Administration- While the recently developed corporate structure has a very 
fluid and dynamic way of functioning, government offices are still caught up 
with bureaucracy, strict hierarchy of positions and concentration of power 
at the top.eg. a sense of awe attached with IAS, Sahayak system in Army. 
 
• Culture- Western food and dressing habits are considered superior and have 
overshadowed indian versions to quite an extent,  
 
Examples 
? Jeans and trousers are much more common than saree, salwar suit and lungi.  
? The obsession with wearing coat-pant suits even if it doesn’t suit the Indian 
Weather. 
? The market for fairness products shows the value attached to the fair skin 
and how white supremacy still operates at the level of culture. 
 
• Legislations- The forest laws, Indian Police Act , Indian Evidence Act, Indian 
Penal Code and many others are largely based on the British rule ethics 
which aimed to control the local population through a dictatorial rule.  
Page 3


 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
www.SleepyClasses.com 
 
Sociology Paper-2 
A-2 
The colonial rule over India ended in 1947 but the colonial hangover continues till 
date. Comment. 
The British colonial rule brought a significant social change in the Indian society, 
polity and culture.  
While the foreign rule being mercantilist certainly drained India of its resources, 
there was a silver lining in the form of various social reforms, administrative 
unification and ultimately the rise of nationalism. 
Various sociologists have tried to sum up the impact of colonial rule.  
• M N Srinivas- Westernisation  
? MNS defines Westernisation as the changes brought about in Indian 
society and culture, as a result of over 150 years of British rule, the 
term subsuming changes occurring at different levels, technology, 
institutions, ideology and values. 
? It is a cultural change and not a structural change. 
? The impacts of Westernisation were seen in increased avenues for 
social mobility, changes in food habits and dressing, giving up of many 
superstitious rituals eg. Child marriage , sati , etc. 
? Westernisation is seen more as an imitation of exernal form of culture 
and does no necessarily mean adoption of modern values like 
democracy and equality. 
• Yogendra Singh – Modernisaton  
? Yogendra Singh contends that the British impact  brought a new great 
tradition of modernization which led to both cultural and structural 
changes.  
? At the cultural level, modernisation of tradition took place which was 
visible in the amelioration of case system, reforms for women, struggle  
against social evils , urbanization, form of education  and so on. 
? A the structural level, new social classes like middle class , industrial elite , 
working class and new institutions like market based economy , 
 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
www.SleepyClasses.com 
 
universalistic legal superstructure, bureaucracy and changes like rise of 
nationalism , politicization of society were seen . 
• Revivalist Thinkers- Nationalism 
o The colonial rule helped re-emphasise the lost glory of India. 
Social change is understood as an evolutionary process and hence the changes 
brought about during the colonial rule did not end or reverse once the colonial rule 
ended.  
India achieved its political independence but its culture and institutions can still be 
seen in a colonial hangover as can be seen in the following examples. 
• Education Institutions- the primacy attached to the English language as a 
symbol of intellect continues which makes sure that till date the missionary 
schools are the most sought after for education of children. 
 
• Political institutions- Much of the parliamentary procedure working follows 
the conventions of the British rule. (Venkiah Naidu: “I beg to lay the papers” 
to be replaced with “ I rise to lay the papers on the table”) 
• Administration- While the recently developed corporate structure has a very 
fluid and dynamic way of functioning, government offices are still caught up 
with bureaucracy, strict hierarchy of positions and concentration of power 
at the top.eg. a sense of awe attached with IAS, Sahayak system in Army. 
 
• Culture- Western food and dressing habits are considered superior and have 
overshadowed indian versions to quite an extent,  
 
Examples 
? Jeans and trousers are much more common than saree, salwar suit and lungi.  
? The obsession with wearing coat-pant suits even if it doesn’t suit the Indian 
Weather. 
? The market for fairness products shows the value attached to the fair skin 
and how white supremacy still operates at the level of culture. 
 
• Legislations- The forest laws, Indian Police Act , Indian Evidence Act, Indian 
Penal Code and many others are largely based on the British rule ethics 
which aimed to control the local population through a dictatorial rule.  
 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
www.SleepyClasses.com 
 
Till date, the tribals and forest dwellers do not enjoy their forest Rights in the 
real sense and the police is seen as an instrument for imposition, rather than 
being a government ‘servant’. 
 
• Economy – The post-independence land reforms were not successful and the 
legacy of the British rule continued.  
Majority of the land is still owned by a few dominant higher caste groups. 
Dalits were never allowed to acquire their meaningful share. 
 
• Social Lives- The Indian values of communitarian living have eroded and the 
consumerist culture continues to expand in the attempt to mark themselves 
as elite.  
Class stratification has replaced the Indian system of stratification and 
continues to operate. Some harmless symbols like left hand driving, cricket 
euphoria, tea culture can also be associated with India being a colony in the 
past.  
But some social evils like communalism are a hangover which is a he 
challenges to the fabric of Indian society. 
 
• International Relations and Boundaries – Arbitrary boundaries, both national 
and international, Inner Line Permit, etc. are colonial legacies. 
 
While the colonial hangover is a real phenomenon, but the present social 
conditions are defined by a multitude of factors as described in the following . 
- Globalisation has ensured that values and institutions from across the world 
are being shared to generate a cosmopolitan culture.  
- While the US cultural values are visible in the presence of American food 
chains like McD and Dominos, popularity of Hollywood, etc. On the other 
hand, Indian traditions like Yoga, Indian cuisines, Indian festivals finds a 
reverberation in the world. 
 
- So many phenomena like consumerist culture, nuclearisation of families are 
not entirely a colonial hangover but influence of western culture whose 
contemporary definition is wider than just the British culture. 
Page 4


 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
www.SleepyClasses.com 
 
Sociology Paper-2 
A-2 
The colonial rule over India ended in 1947 but the colonial hangover continues till 
date. Comment. 
The British colonial rule brought a significant social change in the Indian society, 
polity and culture.  
While the foreign rule being mercantilist certainly drained India of its resources, 
there was a silver lining in the form of various social reforms, administrative 
unification and ultimately the rise of nationalism. 
Various sociologists have tried to sum up the impact of colonial rule.  
• M N Srinivas- Westernisation  
? MNS defines Westernisation as the changes brought about in Indian 
society and culture, as a result of over 150 years of British rule, the 
term subsuming changes occurring at different levels, technology, 
institutions, ideology and values. 
? It is a cultural change and not a structural change. 
? The impacts of Westernisation were seen in increased avenues for 
social mobility, changes in food habits and dressing, giving up of many 
superstitious rituals eg. Child marriage , sati , etc. 
? Westernisation is seen more as an imitation of exernal form of culture 
and does no necessarily mean adoption of modern values like 
democracy and equality. 
• Yogendra Singh – Modernisaton  
? Yogendra Singh contends that the British impact  brought a new great 
tradition of modernization which led to both cultural and structural 
changes.  
? At the cultural level, modernisation of tradition took place which was 
visible in the amelioration of case system, reforms for women, struggle  
against social evils , urbanization, form of education  and so on. 
? A the structural level, new social classes like middle class , industrial elite , 
working class and new institutions like market based economy , 
 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
www.SleepyClasses.com 
 
universalistic legal superstructure, bureaucracy and changes like rise of 
nationalism , politicization of society were seen . 
• Revivalist Thinkers- Nationalism 
o The colonial rule helped re-emphasise the lost glory of India. 
Social change is understood as an evolutionary process and hence the changes 
brought about during the colonial rule did not end or reverse once the colonial rule 
ended.  
India achieved its political independence but its culture and institutions can still be 
seen in a colonial hangover as can be seen in the following examples. 
• Education Institutions- the primacy attached to the English language as a 
symbol of intellect continues which makes sure that till date the missionary 
schools are the most sought after for education of children. 
 
• Political institutions- Much of the parliamentary procedure working follows 
the conventions of the British rule. (Venkiah Naidu: “I beg to lay the papers” 
to be replaced with “ I rise to lay the papers on the table”) 
• Administration- While the recently developed corporate structure has a very 
fluid and dynamic way of functioning, government offices are still caught up 
with bureaucracy, strict hierarchy of positions and concentration of power 
at the top.eg. a sense of awe attached with IAS, Sahayak system in Army. 
 
• Culture- Western food and dressing habits are considered superior and have 
overshadowed indian versions to quite an extent,  
 
Examples 
? Jeans and trousers are much more common than saree, salwar suit and lungi.  
? The obsession with wearing coat-pant suits even if it doesn’t suit the Indian 
Weather. 
? The market for fairness products shows the value attached to the fair skin 
and how white supremacy still operates at the level of culture. 
 
• Legislations- The forest laws, Indian Police Act , Indian Evidence Act, Indian 
Penal Code and many others are largely based on the British rule ethics 
which aimed to control the local population through a dictatorial rule.  
 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
www.SleepyClasses.com 
 
Till date, the tribals and forest dwellers do not enjoy their forest Rights in the 
real sense and the police is seen as an instrument for imposition, rather than 
being a government ‘servant’. 
 
• Economy – The post-independence land reforms were not successful and the 
legacy of the British rule continued.  
Majority of the land is still owned by a few dominant higher caste groups. 
Dalits were never allowed to acquire their meaningful share. 
 
• Social Lives- The Indian values of communitarian living have eroded and the 
consumerist culture continues to expand in the attempt to mark themselves 
as elite.  
Class stratification has replaced the Indian system of stratification and 
continues to operate. Some harmless symbols like left hand driving, cricket 
euphoria, tea culture can also be associated with India being a colony in the 
past.  
But some social evils like communalism are a hangover which is a he 
challenges to the fabric of Indian society. 
 
• International Relations and Boundaries – Arbitrary boundaries, both national 
and international, Inner Line Permit, etc. are colonial legacies. 
 
While the colonial hangover is a real phenomenon, but the present social 
conditions are defined by a multitude of factors as described in the following . 
- Globalisation has ensured that values and institutions from across the world 
are being shared to generate a cosmopolitan culture.  
- While the US cultural values are visible in the presence of American food 
chains like McD and Dominos, popularity of Hollywood, etc. On the other 
hand, Indian traditions like Yoga, Indian cuisines, Indian festivals finds a 
reverberation in the world. 
 
- So many phenomena like consumerist culture, nuclearisation of families are 
not entirely a colonial hangover but influence of western culture whose 
contemporary definition is wider than just the British culture. 
 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
www.SleepyClasses.com 
 
 
Yogendra Singh talks of traditionalisation of modernity:  
Even in the present times, it is observed that traditions are being helped by 
western innovations eg: Sanskar channel over cable TV, Matrimonial websites 
providing caste and ethnicity fiters, temples offering e – darshana, kundli software 
in laptop.  
This shows many indian traditional values and institutions continue to operate. 
There also exists a call to the glorious past where traditional elements are being 
glorified to raise the pride associated with one’s own culture. Active efforts are 
being made for some  changes like separation of railway budget from general 
budget. 
Conclusion  
Indian society certainly experiences a colonial hangover.  
The elements which have caused a positive change like introduction to western 
scientific education and liberal values of democracy, equality, rule of law must be 
appreciated.  
Further the utility of knowing the English language, utility (greater mobility) of 
western clothes cannot be ignored.  
But a revamp of certain structures like police forces is a must as the ideal of 
independent democracy will not be achieved if dictatorial policies continue to exist.