Question

Discuss the characteristics of indian society.

Answer 1

Social Stratification in India has been basically a caste-based social stratification. The Indian society stand organised on the foundations of caste-system. It involves the presence of social relations based upon a system characterised by several castes. The Indian society is usually described as a caste-based society.

Answer 2

Salient features of Indian Society are as follows:  Institutionalization: Indian society is institutionalized in nature in the form of well developed systems like Family, Marriage, Gotra and Caste System  Multi-class: Indian society is a multi-class due to several classes exists in India. This classification is based ones birth as well as his achievements.  Patriarchal System: Indian society is largely a Patriarchal society. Men enjoy a greater status than women in society. Father is the head of the society. Some Tribal societies in India are exceptions, which are matrilineal societies.  Multi-ethnic Society: Indian society is multi-ethnic in nature due to various racial groups coexists in India. Almost all the races of the world can be seen in India.  Multi-Religious Society: Although Hinduism is the major religion in India, there exist various other religions such as Islam, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Christianity, Bahai and Parsi etc.  Multi-Lingual Society: There exist more than 1600 languages in India. Major languages are Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Bengali, Odia, Assamese etc.  Unity in Diversity: This is an inherent feature of Indian society. Diversity in India exists at various levels and in different forms. However, beneath this diversity, there is fundamental unity in social institutions and practices.  Assimilative Society: Indian society is assimilatory in nature. Throughout the history of India, it absorbed many elements from foreign cultures. As a result, the socio-cultural life in India still continues to evolve.  Co-existence of Traditionalism and Modernity: Traditionalism is the upholding or maintenance of tradition and its values, especially so as to resist change. Whereas the modernity refers to the questioning or rejection of tradition; the prioritization of individualism, freedom and formal equality; faith in inevitable social, scientific and technological progress and human perfectibility; rationalization and professionalization. These two ways of thinking coexists in India. Due to the spread of education and technological advances, modern thinking among Indians has increased. However, the family life is still based on traditional values and beliefs.  Balance between Spiritualism and Materialism: Spiritualism’s main focus is to promote an individual’s personal experience with God. Whereas the materialism is a tendency to consider material possessions and physical comfort as more important than spiritual values. India is considered as the spiritual center of the world. There are many great Bhakti saints in India who promoted spiritualism. However, materialistic tendencies among Indians are also quite visible.  Balance between Individualism and Collectivism: Individualism is a moral, political or social outlook that stresses human independence and the importance of individual self-reliance and liberty. Whereas the Collectivism is the practice of giving a group priority over each individual in it. There exists a fine balance between individualism and collectivism in Indian society.  Elements of Stress and Strain: Due to rapidly growing population in India and unfulfilled aspirations of younger generations, communal conflicts, criminal activities can also be witnessed in India.  Blood and Kinship Ties: Blood relations