Essay on path to modernization 11 class for file
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Indian society was described as traditional society till the first quarter of the twentieth century. Social structure, social institutions, social interaction and behaviour were all based upon social values. Any change in social structure or in social institution will take place where there is change in social values. So it is necessary to understand traditional social values in Indian context in order to understand the process of modernisation in India.
Modernisation
According to K.M. Pannikar, the social structure of Hinduism rests on two fundamental institutions – the caste and the joint family. Prof. Y. Singh holds the view that the normative principles of Hinduism are based on beliefs, ideas, liberalism, being and becoming, creation and destruction, utilisation and spiritual transcendence.
Traditionally, the Hindus believe in ‘punarjanma’ or rebirth, immortality of the soul, Pap (Sin) Punya (Merit), Karma (deeds), and Purusharth. As Raghavan writes,, “one of the main concepts which underlies the Hindu attitude to life and daily conduct is that of the four ends of the man(Purusharthas) – Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha. The idea of Dharma tells to a Hindu that if he performs his duties well in this life, he is destined to take birth in a higher social group in the next birth.
There are other activities through which a man seeks to gain something for himself or pursue his own pleasure. When the object of this activity is some material gain, it is called Artha; when it is love or pleasure, it is Kama. Finally, there is the renunciation of all these activities in order to devote ourself to spiritual activities with the aim of liberating ourself from the worldly life; this is Moksha.
All aspects of social life in India are permeated by hierarchy. Whatever it may have been in the Vedic days right from the items of Dharma Sutra, Indian society has always been stratified by higher and lower groups. The caste system is one expression of this social hierarchy.
Every individual is looked upon as a member of a group and every group has its own position in the social hierarchy. Within the family and in the neighbourhood there is the authoritative behaviour from time immemorial.
The wife should obey the husband, the child should obey the parents, a person in the village or the neighbourhood should obey the chief man. Hence, the social structure is not hierarchical, it is also based on birth and social mobility is prohibited. Status is based on ascription rather than achievement.
One of the unique features of Indian society is the stronghold of kinship and kin obligation. The kinship ties were very wide extending not only to all the members of the joint family but also to other relatives and members of the same caste. A strong sense of belonging to the kin group is also seen at the time of celebration of marriage, festivals and feasts.