Page 8 - Lesson Note

 Sociology emerged as a subject after the French Revolution of 1789. The
French Revolution brought about a tremendous socio-political change in
society, leading to disruption of social life and other social relations.

 In case of India, transformation of Indian society is linked to the history
of British capitalism.

 Thus, the work of the western sociologist on capitalism and other aspects
of modern society are important. It is relevant for understanding the
social change in India.

The growth of sociology in India

 During the course of their rule in India, the British officials realised that
for smooth administration, it was important that they acquire knowledge
of Indian society and culture. This prompted the origin of Sociology in
India.

 Western sociological writings about Indian society were sometimes
misleading. For instance, the understanding and portrayal of the Indian
village was unchanging. Many Indian scholars thus, took to sociological
studies to close such gaps.

 The diversified nature of the Indian society in terms of region, language,
religion, ethnicity, caste etc also led to the growth of sociology in India in
connection with the discipline of social anthropology. This is a
characteristic feature different from that of the western countries where
both disciplines have been kept distinct from each other.

 Indian sociologist realised that the transformation process of
contemporary Indian society is different from that of the western society.
Modernity as understood in the western European society is the outcome
of scientific process and democratic ideas. Whereas the same process of
modernity was introduced in Indian society under the colonial regime.

Scope of sociology

 The scope of sociology is extremely wide and it focuses its analysis on
several aspects of the society and can be about mere individual
interactions to larger social issues.

 The scope of sociology and its focus of analysis can be broadly classified
into three categories: