Development of Sociology in India | NPTEL Course by Prof. Ashish Saxena
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 649 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Core |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 4 weeks |
| Categories | Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit Points | 1 |
| Level | Postgraduate |
| Start Date | 19 Jan 2026 |
| End Date | 13 Feb 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends | 02 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Registration Ends | 16 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date | 28 Mar 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
The Evolution of a Discipline: Tracing the Development of Sociology in India
Sociology in India is not merely an imported Western academic discipline; it is a vibrant field shaped by the nation's unique social fabric, historical struggles, and intellectual traditions. The journey of sociology in India reflects the country's own journey—from colonial encounter to post-independence nation-building, and into the complexities of globalization and identity politics. Understanding this development is crucial for anyone seeking to grasp the forces that shape Indian society.
This exploration is at the heart of a comprehensive postgraduate course, "Development of Sociology in India," offered on the NPTEL platform by the esteemed Prof. Ashish Saxena of the University of Allahabad. Designed as a 4-week deep dive, the course maps the intellectual trajectory of the discipline, introducing learners to the pioneers, pivotal debates, and diverse theoretical perspectives that define Indian sociological thought.
Meet the Instructor: Prof. Ashish Saxena
The course is guided by the expertise of Prof. Ashish Saxena, Professor & Head of the Department of Sociology at the University of Allahabad. With over 23 years of teaching experience, Prof. Saxena brings a wealth of knowledge and recognition to this subject. His research focuses on critical areas such as Social Development, Social Exclusion, Subaltern Communities, and the Sociology of Sanitation—a field for which he was honored with the Sulabh Swacchta Samman Gold Medal.
His academic accolades include the prestigious UGC-DAAD Fellowship at the University of Heidelberg, Germany, the D.P. Mukherji Memorial Award, and the Dewang Mehta National Education Award. As a resource person for major initiatives like e-PG Pathshala and SWAYAM Prabha, Prof. Saxena is a leading voice in making advanced sociological knowledge accessible across India.
Course Overview and Objectives
This course is meticulously structured to sensitize participants to the historical and intellectual journey of sociology in the Indian context. It moves beyond a simple chronological account to engage with the core questions that have driven the discipline:
- How did sociology emerge and take root in India?
- What does the "indigenization" of sociology entail?
- Who were the pioneering figures, and what were their seminal contributions?
- How have various theoretical perspectives been applied and adapted to understand Indian society?
The course is intended for faculty, scholars, and postgraduate students with a foundational background in sociology or social anthropology.
A Week-by-Week Journey Through Indian Sociology
The course layout provides a systematic framework to unpack the multifaceted development of the discipline.
| Week | Focus Area | Key Themes & Thinkers |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Foundations | Emergence of Indian Sociology, Indigenization, and the Indological perspective (e.g., G.S. Ghurye). |
| Week 2 | Classical Frameworks | Structural-functional perspective (M.N. Srinivas, S.C. Dube) and the Civilizational approach. |
| Week 3 | Critical Theories | Marxian perspective on class and agrarian structure, and the Feminist perspective (Sharmila Rege). |
| Week 4 | Contemporary Voices | Subaltern & Dalit perspectives (Ranajit Guha, Gail Omvedt) and the emerging Environmental perspective (Ramachandra Guha). |
Essential Readings for a Deeper Understanding
The course draws upon a rich canon of sociological literature. Key texts include:
- Yogesh Atal's "Indian Sociology: From where to where" for a reflective overview.
- G.S. Ghurye's "Caste and Race in India" for foundational Indological thought.
- M.N. Srinivas's "Religion and Society among the Coorgs" for structural-functional analysis.
- Ranajit Guha's "Subaltern Studies I" and Gail Omvedt's "Dalit Visions" for critical perspectives from the margins.
- Ramakrishna Mukherjee's "Sociology of Indian Sociology" for a meta-analysis of the discipline itself.
Why Study the Development of Sociology in India?
This course is more than an academic exercise. It offers a critical lens to understand contemporary India—its conflicts, developments, and social movements. By examining how Indian sociologists have studied caste, village life, gender, environment, and power, learners gain tools to analyze present-day issues of social justice, development, and identity. Supported by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and designed for higher education, this course is an invaluable resource for building a sophisticated, context-aware understanding of Indian society.
Enroll in "Development of Sociology in India" to embark on an intellectual journey that bridges history, theory, and the pressing social realities of the world's largest democracy.
Enroll Now →