Question 1(a) · 10 marks · 137 words written
Opening · a definition
MN Srinivas gave the concept of Sanskritization in his study of Coorg village in Mysore.
Body · points and prose
Sanskritisation is defined by him as the process by which lower caste or group takes over the customs, culture, ideologies and style of life of upper caste or 'dwijas'.
Sanskritization causing positional change: Eg: Kayastha, Bhedas and smiths, Chandragupta Maurya, they went for mobilisation in secular hierarchy with the help of skills, education etc and got change in their position in caste ladder.
But these positional change doesn't lead to structural change as they follow the caste system and maintain ritual hierarchy.
Eg: Lingayats do not accept water from Brahmins. Gonds of central India do treat dhool gonds as untouchables.
Close · a summary
As Yogendra Singh writes sanskritisation is product of imitation so the structure of caste is maintained as they act as closed group.