Perspectives on the study of caste systems: G. S. Ghurye, M. N. Srinivas, Louis Dumont, Andre Beteille
Key points
- Ghurye's attributional approach
- Srinivas's interactional approach
- Louis Dumont's homo hierarchicus
- Andre Beteille's class status and power approach
- Ambedkar's view on caste
Previous year questions
Questions asked from this topic in UPSC Sociology Optional:
- What are the different formus untouchability still practised in India? Discuss with suitable illustrations.
- What, according to you, are the factors responsible for the continuance of caste system in India? Explain.
- Critically examine the concept of Sanskritization with suitable illustrations.
- Contextualize Louis Dumont's concept of ‘binary opposition’ with reference to caste system in India.
- Are Tradition and Modernity antithetical to each other? Comment.
- In the context of the changing Indian society, how do you view Andre Beteille's conceptions of harmonic and disharmonic social structures?
- Explain different forms of untouchability in India
- Caste System studies in India have been dominated by the “book -view” initially. How did the entry of “field- view” bring about a balance in the study of Indian caste system? Discuss.
- What does Dr. B.R Ambedkar mean by the concept of “Annihilation of Caste”? 10
- Caste-like formations are present in Non-Hindu religious communities as well. Discuss with examples.