G. S. Ghurye’s Indological Perspective in Indian Sociology

I. Background and Influences

• G. S. Ghurye (1893–1983) – Pioneer of modern Indian sociology.
• Trained Sanskrit scholar; studied Vedas, Shastras, Kalidasa.
• Influenced by W.H.R. Rivers (diffusionist anthropology) and Bhandarkar Institute, Pune.
• Founded Indian Sociological Society and Sociological Bulletin.
• Mentored prominent sociologists: M. N. Srinivas, A. R. Desai, I. P. Desai, Irawati Karve, M. S. A. Rao.

II. Methodology and General Approach

• Developed Modern Indology – blending textual, historical, and ethnographic methods.
• Rejected mythological explanations; focused on historical context and cultural continuity.
• Emphasized indigenous concepts over Western theories.

III. Views on Indian Society

• Believed India is a Hindu society best understood through Hindu traditions.
• Preferred understanding over reform; social change through internal tradition not colonial influence.
• Explored both social order (caste, tribe, religion) and change (tradition-based evolution).

IV. Key Thematic Contributions

1. Caste

• Major Work: Caste and Race in India (1932)
• Diffusionist theory: caste spread from Gangetic plains.
• Six attributional features of caste:
  • Division of labor
  • Purity and pollution
  • Hierarchy
  • Civil/religious disabilities
  • Hereditary occupation
  • Endogamy (most important)
• Coined "Caste Patriotism" for caste associations in modern India.
• Compared caste with class and tribe; called tribals "Backward Hindus".

2. Religion

• Key Works:
  • Indian Sādhu (1952) – role of ascetics in society.
  • God and Men (1962)
  • Religious Consciousness (1965) – compared Mesopotamian, Egyptian, Indian traditions.
• Religion is dynamic and central to Indian culture.
• Sadhus seen as a social link between commoners and spiritual elite.

3. Tribes

• Rejected British policy of tribal isolation.
• Tribes categorized as:
  • Hinduized Tribes
  • Partially Hinduized Tribes
  • Hill Section Tribes
• Debated Verrier Elwin; favored assimilation into Hindu society.
• Studied specific tribes like Santhals, Bhils, Gonds, Kolis.
• Criticized British forest policy for harming tribal welfare.

4. Village and Urbanization

• Refuted colonial view of villages as self-sufficient.
• Highlighted role of caste in village structure.
• Optimistic about urbanization; rejected Louis Wirth’s negative view.
• Believed rural and urban areas are organically linked.

V. Style and Intellectual Legacy

• Preferred descriptive sociology over theorization.
• Nationalist orientation; skeptical of Western theories.
• Dialogued with thinkers like Toynbee, Spengler, and Bertrand Russell.
• Published over 30 books spanning caste, tribe, religion, race, civilization.

VI. Criticisms

• Hindu-centric bias; underrepresented minorities and lower castes.
• Ignored colonial impacts on Indian society.
• Did not analyze power or economic structures of caste.
• Idealized tradition and failed to capture caste oppression.

VII. Conclusion

Ghurye's contribution lies in institutionalizing sociology in India and formulating an indigenous, text-based yet empirically sensitive sociology. While his work is critiqued for its limitations, his legacy in shaping Indian sociological thought is irrefutable.

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