Yaksh ChaudharyAIR 6 · CSE 2021 · 180 wordsTheir whole copy
Opening · a definition
MN Srinivas defines sanskritisation as a process of imitation of values, ideology and lifestyle of higher castes, more frequently twice born castes by lower castes or tribes.
Body · continuous prose
Through the process of sanskritisation, one caste try to improve its ritual ranking in the framework of caste system. There are some presuppositions to the process of sanskritisation- like improvement in economic conditions, relatively higher rank in caste system etc. once a caste attain these preconditions, it imitates the life-style of higher castes and try to improve its ritual ranking. for example- jatavs of UP abandoned
the practice of jewellery wearing and piercing of ears.
Positional change occurs in a hierarchy when an individual moves from one strata to other. which is a case in Sanskritisation. Sanskritisation does not threaten the overall structure of hierarchy of caste system but mobility of castes or individuals is within the system. Hence it is a case of change in system and not change of system.
Close · a summary
Hence sanskritisation as a concept can define the positional change of a caste but not the structural change of that caste.