Page 3 - Lessonnote_Indian Sociologist

G.S. Ghurye- Govind Sadashiv Ghurye (1893-1983)
• His major themes that Ghurye worked on ‘Tribal’ or

‘Aborginal’ Cultures.

Debate between Protectionist and Nationalist in regard to

Tribal Culture

Protectionist:
• British anthropologist were interested in studying the
tribal culture of India.

• They believe that assimilation of Tribal Culture with
main stream Hinduism will lead to exploitation of

tribal people by Hindus and their culture should be
protected and preserved.

Nationalist :
• They believe in unity of India and the need for

modernising Indian Society and culture.

• They believe that attempt to preserve tribal culture
were misguided and resulted in maintaining tribes in

a backward state.

• Ghurye became the exponent of nationalist view.

Ghurye on Caste and Race
• Ghurye provides a detailed critique of the dominant

theories about the relationship between race and
caste.

Race
• Herbert Risley thought humans can be divided into

separate races on the basis of physical characteristics
(Length of nose, size of skull etc)

• He argued caste originated in race because different

caste groups seemed to belong to distinct racial
types.