Notes: Green Revolution & changing modes of production in Indian agriculture | Sociology Mains Optional for UPSC 2024 PDF Download

 Page 1


 
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Sleepy Classes 
C (ii) Rural and Agrarian transformation in India 
 
Green Revolution and Changing modes of production in Indian agriculture: 
 
Imagine the changing mode of production in Indian agriculture to be like this: 
• The initial MoP of agriculture in Indian sub-continent can be imagined to have 
started as Asiatic MoP (Primitive communism) 
• Then British arrived, changing it to Semi–feudalistic type. They commercialized the 
agriculture. 
• Presently, LR, GR are moving it towards capitalism. 
 
What happened in Green Revolution: 
- Breakthrough in agricultural  production in 1960s 
- Application of HYV seeds 
- Chemical fertilizers 
- Assured Irrigation  
- Agri machinery used 
 
William Wiser: 
- Indian feudalism different from European (Jajmani) (Dependencies were there)  
- Indian agri -> feudalistic but changing to capitalistic  
 
Multidimensional effect of GR: 
1. Increased agricultural productivity  
2. Self sufficiency in food grain production  
 
Andre Beteille:  
It created a new faith in the dynamism of Indian farmer to absorb technology  
Rudolph & Rudolph 
Called GR Farmers to be Bullock Capitalists. That, GR farmers were “Progressive Farmers”. 
 
Page 2


 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
Sleepy Classes 
C (ii) Rural and Agrarian transformation in India 
 
Green Revolution and Changing modes of production in Indian agriculture: 
 
Imagine the changing mode of production in Indian agriculture to be like this: 
• The initial MoP of agriculture in Indian sub-continent can be imagined to have 
started as Asiatic MoP (Primitive communism) 
• Then British arrived, changing it to Semi–feudalistic type. They commercialized the 
agriculture. 
• Presently, LR, GR are moving it towards capitalism. 
 
What happened in Green Revolution: 
- Breakthrough in agricultural  production in 1960s 
- Application of HYV seeds 
- Chemical fertilizers 
- Assured Irrigation  
- Agri machinery used 
 
William Wiser: 
- Indian feudalism different from European (Jajmani) (Dependencies were there)  
- Indian agri -> feudalistic but changing to capitalistic  
 
Multidimensional effect of GR: 
1. Increased agricultural productivity  
2. Self sufficiency in food grain production  
 
Andre Beteille:  
It created a new faith in the dynamism of Indian farmer to absorb technology  
Rudolph & Rudolph 
Called GR Farmers to be Bullock Capitalists. That, GR farmers were “Progressive Farmers”. 
 
 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
Sleepy Classes 
Sociological implications of GR:  
1. Increased inequalities (increased class based division of society) 
2. Displacement of tenant cultivators  
3. Introduction of machinery led to displacement of service caste groups  
4. Rural – Urban migration  
5. Rich getting richer and poor getting poorer  
6. This economic influence got extended to political sphere also  
7. Search for exclusive political identity – Khalistan in Punjab 
8. Intensified Patriarchy; increase in dowry demands, increased female 
infanticide, great gender imbalance, cross regional demand for brides 
(Kerala, Orrisa, Assam to Haryana) 
9. Worsening of regional inequalities (Bihar, E. UP, Telangana, Vidharbha ? 
relatively undeveloped); resulted into inter caste conflict (Bihar), farmers 
suicide (Vidarbha & Telangana) and agrarian unrest  
 
Some Views:  
 
1. PC Joshi : it has contributed for the rise of capitalist agriculture and offered an economic 
foundation for the rise of big bourgeoise in the country side. 
2. Kathleen Gough: domination in economic base lead to domination in the superstructure 
of social life  
3. JPS Oberoi: affluence gave rise to the search for an exclusive political identity – 
Khalistan  
4. Deepankar Gupta: GR contributed for the intensification of caste consciousness; W.UP 
– Jats, Punjab – Sikhs, Haryana – Jats  
5. Lakshmi Menon: worst victims Women – intensified patriarchy  
6. AR Desai: Indian Agriculture was:  
? Before British -> Semi Feudal  
? During British -> Peasantry  
? After Independence -> Agrarian  
7. Utsa Patnaik: 
? 1990 afterwards -> Indian agri became Capitalistic & Commercial. 
? Increase in Conspicuous income 
? Increase in Farmer Suicides. 
  
Page 3


 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
Sleepy Classes 
C (ii) Rural and Agrarian transformation in India 
 
Green Revolution and Changing modes of production in Indian agriculture: 
 
Imagine the changing mode of production in Indian agriculture to be like this: 
• The initial MoP of agriculture in Indian sub-continent can be imagined to have 
started as Asiatic MoP (Primitive communism) 
• Then British arrived, changing it to Semi–feudalistic type. They commercialized the 
agriculture. 
• Presently, LR, GR are moving it towards capitalism. 
 
What happened in Green Revolution: 
- Breakthrough in agricultural  production in 1960s 
- Application of HYV seeds 
- Chemical fertilizers 
- Assured Irrigation  
- Agri machinery used 
 
William Wiser: 
- Indian feudalism different from European (Jajmani) (Dependencies were there)  
- Indian agri -> feudalistic but changing to capitalistic  
 
Multidimensional effect of GR: 
1. Increased agricultural productivity  
2. Self sufficiency in food grain production  
 
Andre Beteille:  
It created a new faith in the dynamism of Indian farmer to absorb technology  
Rudolph & Rudolph 
Called GR Farmers to be Bullock Capitalists. That, GR farmers were “Progressive Farmers”. 
 
 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
Sleepy Classes 
Sociological implications of GR:  
1. Increased inequalities (increased class based division of society) 
2. Displacement of tenant cultivators  
3. Introduction of machinery led to displacement of service caste groups  
4. Rural – Urban migration  
5. Rich getting richer and poor getting poorer  
6. This economic influence got extended to political sphere also  
7. Search for exclusive political identity – Khalistan in Punjab 
8. Intensified Patriarchy; increase in dowry demands, increased female 
infanticide, great gender imbalance, cross regional demand for brides 
(Kerala, Orrisa, Assam to Haryana) 
9. Worsening of regional inequalities (Bihar, E. UP, Telangana, Vidharbha ? 
relatively undeveloped); resulted into inter caste conflict (Bihar), farmers 
suicide (Vidarbha & Telangana) and agrarian unrest  
 
Some Views:  
 
1. PC Joshi : it has contributed for the rise of capitalist agriculture and offered an economic 
foundation for the rise of big bourgeoise in the country side. 
2. Kathleen Gough: domination in economic base lead to domination in the superstructure 
of social life  
3. JPS Oberoi: affluence gave rise to the search for an exclusive political identity – 
Khalistan  
4. Deepankar Gupta: GR contributed for the intensification of caste consciousness; W.UP 
– Jats, Punjab – Sikhs, Haryana – Jats  
5. Lakshmi Menon: worst victims Women – intensified patriarchy  
6. AR Desai: Indian Agriculture was:  
? Before British -> Semi Feudal  
? During British -> Peasantry  
? After Independence -> Agrarian  
7. Utsa Patnaik: 
? 1990 afterwards -> Indian agri became Capitalistic & Commercial. 
? Increase in Conspicuous income 
? Increase in Farmer Suicides. 
  
 
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Sleepy Classes 
Changing Powers structure in Rural Areas  
Earlier: In the hands of Zamindars. 
After Independence:  
MNS -> Dominant caste based on  
• Numerical  
• Economy  
• Political Power  
 
Y. Singh-> 4 Phases 
- Leadership based:  
o Pragmatism + Reconciliatory b/w castes.  
o Orenstein -> Mumbai village study 
 
- Factions developed b/w castes: 
o Brothers contesting against each other 
o Studies to quote: Harper -> Tottagadi, A Beals -> Namhalli 
 
- Regaining by Dominant caste: 
o Jaats in UP 
o Patels in Gujarat  (Andre Beteille) 
 
- PRIs & its Impact:  
o Empowering women, SC | ST  
 
Jeffrey & Jeffrey:  
Book “Dev. Failure & Identity Political”  
- Class based identity  
- Caste based identity  
- Interest based identity  
- Increasing Democratisation