Characteristics of Indian Society

Presentation (Edu-01)

1. CHARACTERISTICS OF INDIAN SOCIETY-Class, Religion, Ethnicity and Language. Anuja Roy JR Physical Science Roll no:-27

2. Characteristics of indian society INTRODUCTION India is one of the most diverse country in tha World. Indian society has its own uniqueness in terms of believes, traditions, customs, constitutional right, norms, religion, castes, diverse region, language, etc. In order to understand Indian society we should comprehend every aspects of Indian society including it’s social structure, caste structure, economy, stratification, etc.

3. 1) SOCIAL STRUCTURE: The social structure of traditional society was based mainly on the hereditary principle. The members were divided into a hereditary cast group each with its traditional occupation, they living in joint family system. Agriculture was the main profession in ancient Indian society. Religions has been playing an important role in Indian society. The forces of modernization have tended to break the traditional Indian joint family.

4. 2) CASTE BASED STRUCTURE The classification of castes in Hinduism mainly based on hierarchial social order of caste – Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Sudra arranged in a descending order of status.

5. Members in each Caste-group followed the same hereditary occupation and marry in their own caste. There was caste stratification also, people took education from different schools. The decreasing rigidity in terms of caste everybody’s upliftment only because of education. Today no doubt castes inherit in community through people are living together and develop themselves.

6. 3) MULTI RELIGIOUS: India is a Secular country. Indian society is a multi religious society and every religion has it’s own importance in Indian society. All the religious are tied by the thread of democracy and all are living together in harmony and enrich the Indian society.

7. 4) UNILINGUAL OR MULTILINGUAL SOCIETY India is a multilingual society. Indian society has different languages as per their culture. There is a common language for mutual communication between all, that is Hindi, Which is a national language of Indian society. Now English becomes a link language, which joins the people of different states.

8. 5) MULTI-CULTURAL SOCIETY India is a multi-cultural society. In Indian society different religious, linguistic, caste, and class groups have their own culture. Although all are living with harmony and peace.

9. 6) DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY Indian society is a democratic society, where everyone has an equal right to live in society. All the people of the country can vote to elect their representative. Though Indian society is multicultural all are following the rules and regulations of Indian society and live together. Justice, Equality, Brotherhood and Liberty are the four pillars of Indian Constitution.

10. 7) DEVELOPING ECONOMY: In the ancient time, the economy of Indian society was a simple and subsistence economy, because everyone’s earning was mainly based on agricultural, handicrafts, and small trade. The modern Indian society is a developing society with the help of developed science and technology. Today we see the impact of liberalisation, privatization and globalization on Indian economy and because of this we find the expansion in trade and commerce and business.

11. 8) STATUS OF WOMEN In ancient Indian society women were considered as second gender and their status was lower than that of man. In family parents gave more importance to male and gave them better education. Now women are as equal as males. In family women have given important place, gets higher education and enter into occupational activities, etc. In many field woman play a role as a role model for all.

12. 9) EDUCATIONAL HERITAGE In ancient Indian society, there was Gurukula system of education. After the arrival of Britishers and under their authority, the ancient ashrams turned into open schools and students got the formal education in schools.

13. SOCIAL CLASSES IN INDIA Caste, if it functions as social class, in modern India, is just a form of social order based on wealth, which may be acquired through education, trade, profession or business, or on hereditary wealth. The gradual dissolution of the former role of the caste system and the emergence of a new class system whose basis may or may not be caste. There are four types of social classes in India,

14. 1) The upper classes: These represent the aristocracy of wealthy families of former rulers, large landowners, jagirdars and the owners of the largest business. According to recent laws they are expected to pay heavy taxes on their wealth, in addition to income tax. Their children go to the most expensive and exclusive schools and colleges. Many of them send their children abroad for education. They lead better lifestyle In India 4% or 5% belong to this category.

15. 2) The Upper Middle Class These are represented by business men, bankers, top government officers, landlords and Zamindars. Their wealth is acquired primarily through their salaries. Their children may also go to expensive and exclusive schools, and later to universities, entering professional colleges, etc. They live comfortably, eat and dress well. In India approximately 10% to 15% belong to this category.

16. 3) The Lower Middle Class School teachers, shopkeepers, nurses, clerks, government subordinates and salesmen and other belong to this category. The source of income is salary, a few take on extra part time work in the evening. The children has a great desire for education, They generally strive very hard at school. Their industry and persistence stand out in their school performance. In many cases such as strain or poverty, lead to dissatisfaction in education, and facing unemployment. In India 30% to 40% people belong this category.

17. 4) Lower Classes It is estimated that over 50% of the people in India belong to this group. They are two types, labourers and no steady workers or unemployed. The children of the employed parents, go to the school. Few of them succeed in getting job. However a few of them are in the unemployed category, life is a series of misfortunes for them, their children valso remain illiterate. Only an economic revolution can change the plight of this category of people.

18. RELIGIOUS DIVERSITY Religion is a major concern of man. The Constitution of India proclaims to be a secular republic, where all citizens may freely worship and propagate any religion of their choice. The major negative impact of religions are, 1) Groupism Religion divides people, such divisions may affect the development of country.

19. 2) Frequent conflicts People belonging to different religions fell that their religion is superior. They even try to impose their religiois practices on others which would be lead to conflict situation. 3) Dogmatism Every religion has a set of beliefs, which may be superstitious, such ideas block the development of society and individual. 4) Block Social Change It is highly challenging to transform the attitude.

20. LANGUAGE DIVERSITY India is one of the most linguistically diverse country, ranking in terms of the number of languages spoken, according to the Ethnologue language catalogue of the World. The highly degree of large diversity found in India is due to the existence of diverse population groups. Although linguistic diversity increases the regionalism feeling it is not to threat to national unity. There is much friction in India because of language.

21. ETHNICITY India is ethnically diverse, with more than 2000 different ethnic groups. Ethnic group is a social category of people who shared common culture, common languages or dialect, a common religion, a common norm, practices, customs and history. India is an ethnological museum. Unity holds tightly together the various relationships of ethnic groups.

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