Question 8 · 20 marks · 213 words written
Bring out the differences between Srinivas’s and Dumont’s perspective in the study of caste system.
Opening · one block, no separate opening
Srinivas vs Dumont's perspectives.
Body · points and prose
The caste system of India studied by Srinivas and Dumont adds different perspectives and enriches the understanding. Sriniva's views on caste system:- According to M.N Srinivas, caste is not so rigid. He introduced dynamism through concepts of Sanskritization and dominant caste. According to him, caste has ritual hierarchy based on religious rituals, ways of eating, dressing and secular hierarchy based on Status, wealth and power. Thus by changes in secular hierarchy through sanskritisation or immitating behaviours of dominant caste, one can obtain changes in ritual hierarchy. However it is cultural mobility and not structural mobility. Eg., Lingayats of Karnataka & Patals of Gujarat. Dumont's views on caste system:- Indian caste system is based on the ideology of purity and pollution. It is not the power but the purity and pollution that determines hierachy. For eg., Kings may be powerful but their coronation is done by Brahmana priests. Hence caste is rigid since separation between pure and impure is maintained and pure is always above impure. Differences in perspective:- 1) Dumont's rigid view contradicted Srinivas's dynamic view of caste. 2) Pure and impure is fixed by birth for Dumont but it can be changed according to srinivas.
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Thus through different perspectives Srinivas and Dumont enriched cultural understanding of caste system.