. D ifferent K inds of S ocial C hange In this chapter each of the four concepts, namely sanskritisation, modernisation, secularisation and westernisation, are dealt with in different sections. But as the discussion unfolds, it will become obvious to you that in many ways they overlap and in many situations they co-exist. In many situations they operate very differently.
It is not surprising to find the same person being modern in some ways and traditional in another. This co-existence is often seen as natural to India and many other non-western countries. But you know that sociology does not rest content with naturalist explanation. (Recall the discussion in Chapter , Class XI book - Introducing Sociology .
As the last chapter has shown colonial modernity had its own paradoxes. Take the example of western education. Colonialism led to the growth of an English educated Indian middle class. They read the thinkers of western enlightenment, philosophers of liberal democracy and dreamt of ushering in a liberal and progressive India.
And yet, humiliated by colonial rule they asserted their pride in traditional learning and scholarship. You have already seen this trend in the th century reform movements. As this chapter will show, modernity spelled not merely new ideas but also rethinking and reinterpretation of tradition. Both culture and tradition are living While you read the way the four processes are used in sociology, it may be interesting to discuss in class what you think the terms mean.
What kind of behaviour would you define as: Western Modern Secular Sanskritised Why? Return to Activity . after you finish the chapter. Did you find any difference between common sense usage of the terms and their sociological meaning?