I. P. Desai: A Pioneering Indian Sociologist

Book Details

• Author: Ragini P. Shah

• Publisher: Rawat Publications

• Language: English

• Edition: 2010

• ISBN: 8131603512

• Pages: 252

• Cover: Hardcover

• Package Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.8 x 0.7 inches

About the Book
This biography of I.P. Desai, a pioneering sociologist from India, highlights his substantial contributions to sociology, including his work on education, family, untouchability, migration, social movements, and social change. I.P. Desai played a pivotal role in shaping the teaching and research of sociology in India, having a profound influence on the discipline's growth.

Desai’s career spanned significant milestones, including his tenure as a Professor of Sociology, Dean of the Faculty of Arts at Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, and the founder Director of the Centre for Social Studies in Surat. He served as the President of the Indian Sociological Society from 1976 to 1978 and sparked notable debates on the role of caste in reservations while serving on the Second Backward Class Commission in Gujarat (Rane Commission).

This intellectual biography traces Desai’s journey from a school student to an eminent scholar and institution-builder, illustrating how the intellectual and social contexts of his time shaped his research and contributed to the evolution of sociology in India. The book is not only a detailed account of Desai's life but also an exploration of the development of sociology as a discipline in India, making it essential reading for students, teachers, and researchers interested in the field.

Contents

• Early Life and Education

• I.P. Desai’s Contributions to Sociology

• The Development of Sociological Research in India

• Desai's Influence on Indian Sociological Society

• Controversies and Debates on Reservations

• The Evolution of Sociology and Social Change

About the Author
Ragini P. Shah is a renowned academician in the field of Sociology. She earned her Ph.D. from Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda and has taught at various institutions, including Sardar Patel University. She is currently a Reader in Sociology at Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda.