Page 4 - Lessonnote_Indian Sociologist

• Ghurye believed that Risley’s theory was true only for
north India that is racial purity was preserved for only

North India and rest racial groups had been mixing
with each other for a very long time.

Caste

Ghurye emphasised six features of Caste:
a) Caste is an institution based on segmental division:

It is closed . It is ascribed in status means caste is decided by

birth.
b) Caste is based on hierarchical division:

No two castes are ever equal. Caste is in hierarchical order

from higher to lower like Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and

Sudras

Involves restriction on Social Interaction:
• Specially with sharing of food.

• Elaborates rules prescribing what kind of food may be
shared between which groups.

• These rules are governed by ideas of purity and

pollution.
• Concept of untouchability.

d) Involves differential rights and duties:
These rights and duties pertain not only to religious practices

but extend to the secular world.

e) Restricts the choice of occupation:
It is decided by birth and hereditary. Caste functions as a

rigid form of the division of labour with specific castes.

f) Involves strict restrictions on marriage:

Endogamy marriage was more prevalent in caste system.

Criticism
His conceptual definition was based on what the classical

texts prescribed. But in actual practice many of these