Society and Culture in India: Their Dynamics Through the Ages

Book Details

• Author: Indradeva

• Publisher: Rawat Publications

• Binding: Hardcover

• Pages: 308

• ISBN: 9788170335160

• Language: English

• Release Date: 01-05-2018

• Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.7 x 0.9 inches

About the Book

Society and Culture in India: Their Dynamics Through the Ages is an insightful work that emerges from a unique and sustained collaboration between a Sanskrit scholar and a sociologist over three decades. This meticulously researched volume provides an in-depth exploration of the fundamental elements shaping social structure and culture in India, using a sociological lens to analyze Sanskrit texts.

The book presents a fresh and profound understanding of the processes behind social change, social stratifications, family dynamics, the status of women, religion, the doctrine of Karma, the Sanskaras, and the Asramas. By integrating sociological theories with ancient texts, the work examines the latent functions of beliefs and practices that have long pervaded Indian society. The author explores how metaphysical ideas, though abstract, are deeply intertwined with social realities, thereby enriching our understanding of social existence.

Unlike other works on Indian society that tend to paraphrase texts from different historical periods, this book takes a critical approach by relating the content of the texts to the specific socio-cultural eras in which they were created. This methodology allows for a more authentic and verifiable account of India’s social and cultural evolution, providing an objective view without glorification or detraction.

The study spans key aspects of the Indian social system, including the emergence of traditional social stratification, the role of the family, and the cultural perceptions surrounding women. Additionally, the book delves into the doctrine of Karma and its latent functions, as well as the historical rise of Indian civilization through elite traditions. The work also explores the consequences of cultural interactions between ancient India and Iran, shedding light on the antagonistic dynamics that shaped these relationships.

This thought-provoking work offers a comprehensive view of Indian society and culture, making it a valuable resource for scholars and students of sociology, anthropology, and history, as well as anyone interested in the sociological dynamics of ancient and modern India.