Srinivas, M.N.

India: social structure - Delhi Hindustan Publishing Co. 1969 - 97p.

This essay on Indian social structure originally formed a chapter in Volume I of The Gazetteer of India: Indian Union published in 1965. It intro duces the reader to the caste system, the village community, religious groups, marriage, kinship and in heritance, and recent changes in the society.
The Indian social structure and cultural pattern are characterized by unity as well as diversity. Historically, India has been hospitable to numerous groups immigrants from different parts of Asia and Europe, but the culture of each group has undergone enough change over the centuries to become an integral part of the Indian mosaic. The institution of caste may be mentioned as a typical example of the paradox that is Indian society. Each caste stands for a way of life that is to some extent distinctive, but at the same time the castes of a region form part of a single social framework. It is important to note that caste is found not only among the Hindus but also among the Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Jains and Jews. Gaste is ubiquitous, and this has resulted in an ideology tolerant of diversity.


Structure of Indian society

305 SRI