INTRODUCTION:

Indian society has been divided into various classes and caste system is very prevalent in India since starting of the
society till date. Dr. M.N. Srinivas defined sanskritisation as a process by which "a low or middle Hindu caste,
or tribal or other group, changes its customs, ritual ideology, and way of life in the direction of a high and
frequently twice-born caste. Generally such changes are followed by a claim to a higher position in the caste hierarchy
than that traditionally conceded to the claimant class by the local community and according to him, Sanskritization is
not just the adoption of new customs and habits, but also includes exposure to new ideas and values appearing in
Sanskrit literature. He says the words Karma, dharma, papa, maya, samsara and moksha are the most common
Sanskritic theological ideas which become common in the talk of people who are sanskritized.

Theory
The caste system is a rigid system in which the position of each component caste is fixed for all time. Movement has
always been possible, and especially in the middle regions of the hierarchy. A caste was able, in a generation or two,
to rise to a higher position in the hierarchy by adopting vegetarianism and teetotalism, and by Sanskritizing its ritual
and pantheon. In short, it took over, as far as possible, the customs, rites, and beliefs of the Brahmins, and adoption of
the Brahminic way of life by a low caste seems to have been frequent, though theoretically forbidden.

This process has been called 'Sanskritization' .The concept of sanskritization addressed the actual complexity and
fluidity of caste relations. It brought into academic focus the dynamics of the renegotiation of status by various castes
and communities in India. Sanskritization is a term coined by the famous Sociologist, Dr M.N. Srinivas. It refers to
the process by which castes lower in the hierarchy emulate the rituals and practices of upper castes, thereby seeking
upward mobility.
An example of this is the Nadars, formerly called the Shanars. The Shanars belonged to the caste of toddy-tappers in
the region around Madras and Travancore. Their position in the caste hierarchy was just above that of the
Untouchables. In the nineteenth century via education and a move towards a more respectable occupation, that of
merchants, the Nadars (as the Shanars now referred to themselves) gained both economic and social status.

Sociological impact of sanskritization on India:

Caste was something that you were born with if you were a Hindu but it was not something laid out in an official
document; there was also no way you knew what percentage of the population you belonged to. As with the relations
between Hindus and Muslims the tensions between the castes exacerbated only during the colonial era. The British did
not ‘invent’ the caste system but what they did do was to make it the primary basis of social classification. When the
British started taking the census, from 1882 onwards, caste was the basic unit of organizing society that they
considered. When caste is your identity then you have an incentive in figuring out ‘how many’ people belong to your
caste and when you organize politically or economically you do so along these lines.

For the British officers under the East India Company and even later under the Crown the caste system was an ideal
way to control society. If there were certain segments of society, the Brahmins or the rajas (kshatriyas) whom
everyone was supposed to obey then this was a very efficient way to maintain order. The other side of this dual-
headed coin was that as long as people thought of themselves along caste lines there was very little chance of their
uniting to fight the external enemy, the British. According to some sociologists the British aided the process of
Sanskritization during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries as it served their interests. To some extent
Sanskritization continued even during the early years of Independence when there was no political or economic
incentive to belonging to a lower caste. Things changed in the 1990s with the rise of caste-based politics
and religion based politics.

There was a rise of caste-based parties which claimed to speak on behalf of one or all backward castes. Even the non-
caste based parties found it convenient to appeal along these lines. The result was ‘de-Sanskritization’: it was no
longer beneficial to be an upper caste and so attempts were made to re-claim any lower or backward caste roots. The
aim of the article is not to question whether or not caste-based reservations should have been implemented in India.
Rather it is to point out that the notion that our caste is our main and major social identity can be traced back not to
3000 years but rather to a much nearer time – the colonial era As an impact of ‘de – sanskritization

Westernization of IndiaTerritorial
Definition of West:
The "west" was originally defined as Western World. Ancient Romans distinguished between Oriental (Eastern)
cultures that inhabited present-day Egypt and Occidental cultures that lived in the West. A thousand years later, the
East-West Schism separated the Catholic Church from the Eastern Orthodox Church. The definition of Western
changed as the West was influenced by and spread to other nations. Islamic and Byzantine scholars added to the
Western canon when their stores of Greek and Roman literature jump-started the Renaissance. The West expanded to
include Russia when Peter the Great brought back ideas from Holland. Today, most modern uses of the term refer to
the societies of Western and Central Europe and their close genealogical, linguistic, and philosophical descendants,
typically included are those countries whose ethnic identity and dominant culture are derived from European culture.

Further, as a result tradition was in touch and people were in accordance with the Indian tradition. As the time passed
by one and India got independence, the scenario started changing slowly and India is considered to be one of the
oldest nations in terms of culture and tradition. Epics like ‘Mahabharata’ and ‘Ramayana’ are the real evidences that
depict the strong Indian culture. Since ages, it has been a land of sages, saints and various renowned people.
Thousands of pious temples built in different parts of the nation reveal that people have been worshiping God and
following their culture and tradition since time immemorial. It was the same going on till few decades back. Most of
the people were farmers and survived on their pieces of land. They were satisfied with their earning and hardly had
any time to think gradually.

Westernization started attracting the Indian citizens towards it like a magnet. Call it an easy way to earn money or to
compete with the rest of the world or to imitate the other nations or for other purposes, but anywhere it was taking us
away from our culture at a slow pace. The intoxication of westernization was so strong that people started carrying
away with it. The things were new, appealing, attractive and something to try upon, but forgetting that these things
might become their habit some day and deviating them from their actual goods and culture.

Role of Britishers:
India was known as the ‘Golden Bird’ one time. It was known for its abundance in gold, silver, diamonds and various
other precious pearls. ‘Kohinoor’ one of the most expensive pearl in the world was mined from Golconda mines.
Kings and rulers in India owned these precious things. Scintillations of such commodities attracted the British people
towards India and they placed their feet on our motherland in the early 16th century. Initially their echo chamber
behavior pleased everyone without knowing the hidden motives behind it. It was due to such shrewd techniques that
they were able to take away tones of wealth in ships to their places. Eventually they took the authority in their own
hands and India became the slave of these English people. It was during this time that they introduced many things in
India which the general people were not at all aware of. Guns, cars, cinema, foreign clothes, cigarettes etc. were used
by them and hence came into existence. Though we cannot completely say that all the things were bad, most of us
were a boon for us, but the extra influence of all these things has hampered our Indian culture. As the years passed by
more and more western commodities came into the Indian market and people became aware of them. Thus taking
them away from their own things.

Mahatama Gandhi, known as the ‘Father of the Nation’ tried to bring back the public from eye catching western
things. He started a ‘Swadeshi Movement’, emphasizing on the use of commodities manufactured in the nation itself
with its own raw material. He asked people to make use of ‘Khadi clothes’ so that British cloth does not stand in
market. It will serve as a boon for the Indian manufacturing unit and will provide more employment. Though it was a
great move initiated by Gandhi, but seeds of westernization were so deep sown that after the death of Gandhi the
Indian scenario totally changed. India got freedom, and elite group from India started following British trends and
implementing them in the nation as well. As a result general public also started following it. Thus drifting the Indian
people slowly towards westernization.

Present State of westernization:

If we look into the present state of India, we will find westernization has made a place in each and everything. We
cannot even think of running the nation now avoiding these things. These things have now become a necessity.
Though culture, tradition, religion is still there and have many followers but its percentage as compared to earlier days
as fallen by a big amount. We can have a look at various examples where westernization can be seen at its
culmination:

1. Cinema:
Westernization has shown its major effect in the ‘Bollywood’ industry. Starting from the early 40 movies till 2009 the
concept, dresses, fashion and script has totally changed. Earlier main focus was made on the India culture, Indian
problems depicting an ordinary man. There was decency in dresses; story of the movie had some moral to the viewers.
Actors used to have good theatre experience. Money earning was not the sole concern that time. These days the idea
has totally changed. Vulgarity and obscenity is displayed every now and then. It is not our culture but a western
impact. Stories of the movies are copied or idea is taken from western movies. The main aim is always to compete
with ‘Hollywood’. Cinema is influences the youngsters and even the elders a lot. As a result they also start imitating
their movie role models. Hence westernization is spreading one or the other way

2. Opting foreign Countries for Profession:

Why there is a desire in a young Indian to go abroad after studies and continue there with the profession? Why cannot
we work for the country that imparted us with such a magnificent education? The only reason is that western countries
have mesmerized us. We are going for momentary things and forgetting the real rich source is with us that is our
nation.
3. Food and Cloth Items:
Trendy clothes are in vogue these days. But none could find a new fashion based on Indian work. Jeans, shoes, shirts,
jackets and every other accessory is foreign made. Adidas, Reebok, Wrangler, Woodland, Van Heusen all these are
foreign brands and we make use of them. It is not bad but at the same time completely forgetting our tradition and
culture is also not good though. One can find very few ‘Khadi’ showrooms throughout the country. Also various junk
food items have also made the hegemony over our traditional food items like rice, pulses, chapattis etc. Younger
generation is more affected by it.It becomes the duty of the parents to guide them.

4. Globalisation
Westernization as globalisation is seen by many as progress, as democracy and free trade spread gradually throughout
the world. Others view Westernization as a disadvantage. Some have protested that Asian cultures that have
traditionally existed on a primarily plant-based diet might lose this healthy lifestyle as more people in Asia switch to a
Western-style diet that is rich in animal-based foods.

It is a rousing call to the people of the nation which has rich culture, religion and heritage. People must get aware that
they are going far from their basic system. It is high time to put a halt to the westernization and give an edge to our
culture.

CONCLUSION:
Prof M.N Srinivas introduced the term sanskritization to Indian Sociology. The term refers to a process whereby
people of lower castes collectively try to adopt upper caste practices and beliefs to acquire higher status. It indicates a
process of cultural mobility that is taking place in the traditional social system of India.M.N Srinivas in his study of
the Coorg in Karnataka found that lower castes in order to raise their position in the caste hierarchy adopted some
customs and practices of the Brahmins and gave up some of their own which were considered to be impure by the
higher castes. For example they gave up meat eating, drinking liquor and animal sacrifice to their deities. They
imitiated Brahmins in matters of dress, food and rituals. By this they could claim higher positions in the hierarchy of
castes within a generation. The reference group in this process is not always Brahmins but may be the dominant caste
of the locality.Sanskritization has occurred usually in groups who have enjoyed political and economic power but
were not ranked high in ritual ranking. According to Yogendra Singh the process of sanskritization is an endogenous
source of social change .Mackim Marriot observes that sanskritic rites are often added on to non-sanskritic rites
without replacing them. Harold Gould writes, often the motive force behind sanskritisation is not of cultural imitation
per se but an expression of challenge and revolt against the socioeconomic deprivations.

M.N Srinivas (1962) pioneer of sociology in India has used the term ‘westernisation’ to indicate the change, which
took place in India during the British rule in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.Westernisation implies
changes in dress, style of eating, manners etc. The change in the medium of instruction. Westernisation started having
its impact on the elite because they studied secular subjects with English as medium of instruction.The Brahmins and
other castes with tradition of learning and traditions of science in the courts readily took to secular education with
English as a medium of education. Another big change introduced in the Indian society by the new system of
education is that the schools were thrown open all types in contrast to the traditional schools which were restricted to
upper-caste children and which transmitted mostly traditional knowledge.In as much as modernisation in India has
come about due to westernisation, therefore, the above-mentioned changes of Modernisation can be taken to be result
of westernisation.