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Sanskritization: Meaning, Characteristics and Effects

Sanskritization refers to the process by which lower castes in Indian society attempt to improve their social status by emulating the customs, rituals, ideology, and way of life of higher castes. Specifically: - It involves lower castes adopting cultural practices of Brahmins or locally dominant castes like the Kshatriyas and Vaisyas in order to raise their status in the caste hierarchy. - It is a process of social mobility rather than changing the underlying social structure. While it can improve economic and social status, it does not alter the caste system itself. - It is observed not just among castes but also among tribes seeking to emulate caste practices. Over time

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416 views

Sanskritization: Meaning, Characteristics and Effects

Sanskritization refers to the process by which lower castes in Indian society attempt to improve their social status by emulating the customs, rituals, ideology, and way of life of higher castes. Specifically: - It involves lower castes adopting cultural practices of Brahmins or locally dominant castes like the Kshatriyas and Vaisyas in order to raise their status in the caste hierarchy. - It is a process of social mobility rather than changing the underlying social structure. While it can improve economic and social status, it does not alter the caste system itself. - It is observed not just among castes but also among tribes seeking to emulate caste practices. Over time

Uploaded by

Anita Thangjam
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Sanskritization: Meaning, Characteristics and Effects

Meaning
The concept ‘Sanskritization’ was first introduced by Prof. M.N. Srinivas the famous Indian
sociologist. He explained the concept of sanskritization in his book “Religion and society among
the coorgs of South India” to describe the cultural mobility in the traditional caste structure of
Indian society. In his study of the coorgs of Mysore, he came to know that the lower castes were
trying to raise their status in their caste hierarchy by adopting some cultural ideals of the Brahmins.
As a result they left some of their ideals which are considered to be impure by the Brahmins. To
explain this process of mobility, Srinivas used the term ‘Brahminization’. Later on he called it
‘Sanskritization’ in a broad sense.
Defining Sanskritization Srinivas writes, “Sanskritization is a process by which a lower caste or
tribe or any other group changes its customs, rituals, ideology and way of life in the direction of a
higher or more often twice-born caste.”
Characteristics of Sanskritization:
1. Sanskritization is a process of imitation in Indian society, the social status of an individual is
fixed on the basis of caste hierarchy. There are many lower castes who suffer from economic,
religious or social disabilities. So in order to improve the status, the lower castes people imitate
the life style of the upper caste people.
2. Sanskritization is a process of cultural change towards twice-born castes. Sanskritization is a
process in which the lower castes adopt the cultural patterns of the higher castes, to raise their
status in the caste hierarchical order. In some societies the lower caste people followed not only
the customs of the Brahmins but also the customs of the locally dominant castes like Kshatriyas
and Vaisyas to raise their status.
3. Sanskritization is helpful in the social mobility of lower caste:
In this process a caste is only trying to change the status and not the social structure.
4. Sanskritization process also followed by the tribal:
Sanskritization process is not only confined to the caste people of Hindu society, it is also found
among the tribal society.
5. The concept of Sanskritization has also given rise to De-sanskritization. There are some
instances in modern times, some of the higher castes are imitating the behaviour pattern of lower
caste, and for example Brahmins have started taking meat and liquor. This process is called De-
sanskritization.
Effects of Sanskritization:
1. Sanskritization in social field:
The social aspect of sanskritization is much more important from the view point of change. The
low caste individuals are inclined towards sanskritization because in that way they can elevate
their social status and get higher status in caste hierarchy.
2. Sanskritization in economic field:
Economic betterment and sanskritization is another related issue. The lower caste people have
given up un-cleaned occupation to raise their economic status because clean trades are a symbol
of social light.
3. Sanskritization in religious field:
Sanskritization also can be observed in the religious field. Like Brahmins many of the lower castes
people put on sacred thread. They also go to their temple regularly and perform Arti and Bhajan.
They have left prohibited food and un-cleaned occupation. Even they have specialised in
performing ceremonies like Brahmins.
4. Sanskritization in living patterns:
The living patterns of lower castes have also Sanskritized. Like higher caste they also get Pucca
houses built for them. Now they sit along with the higher caste on the cots without any fear or
hesitation. They also keep their houses clean and put on dresses like higher castes.

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