Introduction India is home to one of the largest tribal populations in the world, with nearly 104 million individuals (Census 2011) officially recognized as members of Scheduled Tribes (STs). Spread across diverse geographical regions—from the dense forests of central India to the hilly terrains of the northeast and the deserts of Rajasthan—tribal communities represent a … Read more
Introduction on Marriage among Hindus In India, marriage is far more than a mere legal contract or a romantic union between two individuals. For Hindus, who constitute the majority of the country’s population, marriage is a profound sanskara (sacrament), a pivotal religious duty, and a fundamental building block of the social order. To understand Marriage among Hindus … Read more
Introduction on Marriage among Muslims in India In the vast and complex tapestry of Indian society, Muslim marriage, or nikaah, represents a fascinating intersection of religious doctrine, social structure, and cultural adaptation. While often simplistically viewed through a purely religious lens, the institution of marriage among Indian Muslims is a rich sociological phenomenon. It is a … Read more
Introduction on Monogamy and Polygamy Marriage In India, marriage is a complicated social institution that is ingrained in the nation’s religious, cultural, and legal fabric. It is not just a union of two people. A fascinating sociological contradiction arises from the practices of polygamy (having multiple spouses at the same time) and monogamy (marrying one … Read more
Introduction on Marriage in India In the vast and diverse landscape of Indian society, marriage is far more than a mere personal commitment or a religious ceremony; it is a fundamental social institution. It serves as the cornerstone of social structure, the primary mechanism for alliance between families, and a critical vehicle for the perpetuation … Read more
The caste system in India has long been perceived by both observers and its subjects as a rigid, hierarchical, and immutable structure. The varna model—dividing society into the fourfold hierarchy of Brahmins (priests), Kshatriyas (warriors), Vaishyas (traders), and Shudras (servants), with the Dalits (untouchables) existing outside its pale—presents an image of eternal, divinely ordained social … Read more
Introduction on Gram Sabha to Sammaan The landscape of rural India has been historically defined by a rigid social hierarchy, where power, resources, and voice were concentrated in the hands of a few dominant castes and classes. The constitutionalization of the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) through the 73rd Amendment Act of 1992 was not merely … Read more
Introduction on Panchayati Raj Institutions: 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992 stands as one of the most radical pieces of legislation in the history of independent India. On the surface, it is a legal document that provided constitutional status to the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), mandating a three-tier system of … Read more
Introduction of Panchayati Raj Institutions The introduction of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in India through the Balwant Rai Mehta Committee report of 1957 and its subsequent adoption, starting with Rajasthan on October 2, 1959, is often narrated as a political and administrative event—the decentralization of power. However, to view it merely through this lens is … Read more
Introduction The Green Revolution, which began in the 1960s, was a significant agricultural transformation that aimed to increase food production in India through the adoption of high-yielding variety (HYV) seeds, chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and modern irrigation techniques. While it successfully addressed food shortages and boosted agricultural productivity, it also brought profound socio-economic and cultural changes … Read more