Genesis of Sociology in India – Indological, Historical-Dialectical and Subaltern Perspective

Author: Subrata Majumder, Teacher MA Sociology

📘 Short Notes

• Genesis of Sociology in India: Developed during colonial rule; focused on caste, kinship, religion, and rural society. Indian thinkers blended Western sociology with Indian traditions.
• Indological Perspective: Started by G.S. Ghurye; emphasized study of ancient texts, scriptures, cultural traditions, caste, kinship, family, religion.
• Historical-Dialectical Perspective: Inspired by Marxism; scholars like D.P. Mukerji and A.R. Desai analyzed Indian society through class struggle, colonial exploitation, historical changes.
• Subaltern Perspective: Developed in 1980s by Ranajit Guha, Gyan Prakash; studied history and society from the viewpoint of marginalized groups (peasants, tribals, women, Dalits).
• Significance: These perspectives together shaped Indian sociology into a blend of cultural tradition, historical materialism, and voices of the marginalized.

❓ 50 Short Questions with Answers

1. Q: What is meant by Genesis of Sociology in India?
   A: The origin and development of sociology as a discipline in Indian context.
2. Q: Who is called the father of Indian sociology?
   A: G.S. Ghurye.
3. Q: Which approach studies ancient texts to understand society?
   A: Indological perspective.
4. Q: Who pioneered Indological studies?
   A: G.S. Ghurye.
5. Q: Indological perspective mainly studies what?
   A: Culture, caste, kinship, family, religion.
6. Q: Which perspective was influenced by Marxism?
   A: Historical-Dialectical perspective.
7. Q: Who was a leading Marxist sociologist in India?
   A: A.R. Desai.
8. Q: What does dialectical method emphasize?
   A: Class conflict and social change.
9. Q: Which perspective highlights peasants and workers?
   A: Historical-Dialectical.
10. Q: Who introduced Subaltern Studies?
    A: Ranajit Guha.
11. Q: What is the focus of Subaltern perspective?
    A: Marginalized groups’ experiences.
12. Q: Subaltern perspective emerged in which decade?
    A: 1980s.
13. Q: Name one Subaltern scholar.
    A: Gyan Prakash.
14. Q: Indology is also called what?
    A: Textual or cultural approach.
15. Q: What does historical sociology study?
    A: Social change through history.
16. Q: Who linked sociology with nationalism?
    A: D.P. Mukerji.
17. Q: Which perspective studies Dalits and tribals?
    A: Subaltern perspective.
18. Q: Which colonial factor influenced Indian sociology?
    A: British rule and modernization.
19. Q: Who studied Indian villages extensively?
    A: M.N. Srinivas.
20. Q: What concept did Srinivas introduce?
    A: Sanskritization.
21. Q: Which perspective critiques elite dominance in history?
    A: Subaltern perspective.
22. Q: What method is central to Indology?
    A: Textual analysis of scriptures.
23. Q: Which perspective focuses on exploitation under colonialism?
    A: Historical-Dialectical.
24. Q: What did Subaltern studies challenge?
    A: Eurocentric and elitist history.
25. Q: Name one theme of Indological studies.
    A: Caste system.
26. Q: Who analyzed Indian nationalism in Marxist terms?
    A: A.R. Desai.
27. Q: Subaltern literally means what?
    A: Lower rank or marginalized.
28. Q: Which method did Marxist sociology adopt?
    A: Historical materialism.
29. Q: Indology preserves which tradition?
    A: Indian cultural heritage.
30. Q: Which approach connects economy and society?
    A: Historical-Dialectical.
31. Q: Which school emphasizes peasant consciousness?
    A: Subaltern Studies.
32. Q: Who criticized elitist historiography?
    A: Ranajit Guha.
33. Q: Which sociologist linked tradition with modernity?
    A: Yogendra Singh.
34. Q: Indological studies depend on what sources?
    A: Vedas, epics, Smritis, texts.
35. Q: What is dialectical materialism?
    A: Change through contradictions and class struggle.
36. Q: Subaltern studies highlighted whose voices?
    A: Peasants, tribals, Dalits, women.
37. Q: Which approach studies kinship and rituals?
    A: Indological.
38. Q: Which perspective is radical and critical?
    A: Historical-Dialectical.
39. Q: Subaltern perspective is part of which discipline?
    A: Sociology & history.
40. Q: Which Indian thinker emphasized contextual sociology?
    A: D.P. Mukerji.
41. Q: What is the relevance of Indology today?
    A: Understanding tradition in modern society.
42. Q: Which approach critiques colonial exploitation?
    A: Historical-Dialectical.
43. Q: Subaltern historians studied what kind of movements?
    A: Peasant uprisings and local resistances.
44. Q: Which approach sees society as text-bound?
    A: Indological.
45. Q: Who emphasized that Indian sociology must be rooted in Indian reality?
    A: D.P. Mukerji.
46. Q: Historical sociology uses what method?
    A: Comparative and diachronic analysis.
47. Q: Subaltern perspective gave voice to whom?
    A: The marginalized and voiceless.
48. Q: Indological studies risk what limitation?
    A: Being too textual and ignoring change.
49. Q: Historical-Dialectical approach risk?
    A: Overemphasis on economy and class.
50. Q: Subaltern perspective risk?
    A: Fragmentation of history.
51. Q: Together, these perspectives give what?
    A: A holistic understanding of Indian society.

Study Material Prepared by Subrata Majumder, Teacher MA Sociology | Indian Sociology Notes for Students

Tags: Genesis of Sociology in India, Indological Perspective, Historical Dialectical Perspective, Subaltern Studies, Sociology Notes, Subrata Majumder