Sanskritization: Process of Upward Mobility
The process described, where jatis (sub-castes) establish their own ritual practices and models for upward mobility within the existing ritual order of hierarchy, is known as Sanskritization.
Sanskritization, a concept introduced by sociologist M.N. Srinivas, involves lower castes adopting the customs, rituals, and beliefs of higher or dominant castes to improve their social standing.
Identifying Sanskritization in Caste Dynamics
- The question accurately reflects the core idea of Sanskritization: a lower or middle caste group imitating the practices of an upper caste to claim a higher position in the social hierarchy.
- This process involves changes in diet, customs, and adherence to Sanskritic or Brahminical rituals.
Distinguishing from Other Concepts
- Segmentation refers to the division of society into distinct, often endogamous, groups, rather than a process of mobility.
- Hypogamy is marriage with a spouse of lower rank, which represents downward or status-neutral mobility, not the upward aspiration described.
- Pauperization relates to the process of becoming poor and does not directly explain changes in ritual status or hierarchy.
Therefore, the ability of jatis to adopt higher ritual practices for upward mobility is termed Sanskritization.
Important Questions from Indian Structure: Caste–Class–Tribe
Match the following authors in Column I with their books on caste in Column II.
Column I Column II Author Book M Mukul Sharma 1 Caste Pride N Joel Lee 2 Deceptive Majority O Manoj Mitta 3 The Oxford Handbook of Caste P Surinder Jodhka 4 Caste and Nature Match the following scholars in Column I and their contributions in Column II.
Column I Column II Scholar Contribution M Prem Chowdhry 1 Dalit feminist standpoint position N Sharmila Rege 2 Yuganta O Irawati Karve 3 Gender and land rights in South Asia P Beena Agarwal 4 Caste and gender formation in Haryana - Which of the following statement(s) about tribes is/are CORRECT?
Which of the following proposition(s) is/are part of the argument that B. R. Ambedkar makes in his Caste in India: Their Mechanism, Genesis and Development
- Much before M. N. Srinivas' concept of ‘sanskritisation', which of the following scholar(s) framed caste as a process of imitation and social closure?
