RajeshwariAIR 2 · CSE 2025 · 268 wordsTheir whole copy
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Indological perspective deals with the societal studies based on the book view, historical texts.
Functional perspective deals with the social integrity and social solidarity perspective.
They differ in caste system studies
Indological and functional perspective on study of caste system:
| Indological | Functional |
|---|---|
| → Based on historical text - varna vivastha, manusmriti, vedas, etc. | → Based on the real time field view involving ethnographic approach |
→ strict adherence to caste hierarchy in the society (closed hierarchy) | → caste hierarchy not always closed & not always open
→ Caste endogamy is strictly practiced | → caste endogamy is generally prevalent
→ civil disabilities and duties are not contested and caste system is not competitive | → caste mobilisation efforts are made at many levels. Varna claims are used for this.
→ scholars like G.S. Ghurye, Max Muller, Louis Dumont | → Scholars like S.C. Dube, M.N. Srinivas, F.G. Bailey.
Close · a summary
| Indological | Functional |
|---|---|
| → Strict division of labour is upheld | → No strict division of labour. At times this is diluted |
| → Social segregation is major feature of caste system. | → Social solidarity (Vertical and horizontal solidarity) Interdependence in the society |
| eg G.S. Ghurye argue Agraharam is completely segregated unit | eg Srinivas Coorg study revealed vertical & horizontal solidarity between various caste. |
| eg Louis Dumont's binary opposition of pure - impure |
Both indological and functional studies on caste system throw light on the social reality of caste in Indian society.