DISCUSS BRIEFLY THE CONTRIBUTION MADE BY DR. RADHA KAMAL MUKHERJEE TO INDIAN SOCIOLOGY.

Dr. Radha Kamal Mukherjee and Indian sociology – Dr. Radha Kamal Mukherjee is recognised as one of the fathers of the Indian sociology. He because of his situation, did contribute to the origin and growth of the modern Indian sociology, but his thinking and approach are, as Dr. R.N. Saxena has remarked, not responsible for the present trend of the Indian sociology.

His approach was interdisciplinary and he had tried to show that economic laws, based on physical and psychological theories are helpful in institutional structure. In this field, he has been very much influenced by the institutional Economists and sociologists of America.

According to Heinz Mans, Dr. Mukherjee attached himself to the American School of Institutionalist [ Veblen and Common ] and emphasized the central role played by traditions and values, laying increasing emphasis on the importance of myth, language, ritual, art and symbolism.

Institutional Theory of Economics and Sociology – His approach to present sociology is founded on the principles enunciated by him to his book – Institutional Theory of Economics. Through this book he has, he has reflected thoughts of Veblen, Common, Mitchenn, etc. to Indian Social Thought. He tried to give a new trend to the theories and the laws attributed by this school. 

He has said that development of man and individual is very much influenced by the interests and the inter – related process of the group. In his book “Dynamics of Morals” he has clarified his approach further. Dr Mukherjee has divided group under the following heads : –

1. Crowd
2. Community
3. Interest Group
4. The Community

According to Dr.Radha Kamal Mukherjee, the standards of organisation and structure, the evaluation standards, means of control, objectives and values of these groups, differ from one another. All this shows that Dr. Radha Kamal Mukherjee was only a torch-bearer in the field of sociology. His thinking is only a landmark in the field and guides other sociologists. Shri A.K. Saran in his work ‘Recent Trends in Sociology’  has correctly pointed out:

“The basis of Dr. Mukherjee’s synthesis of traditional and modern thought are concepts of rebels, hierarchy and theory of symbolism; also the methods of re-interpretation and adaptation. 

The concept and the methods are traditional. In both Economics and Sociology, he had made a big effort to meet the challenge of the west.”

Radha Kamal Mukherjee contribution to Indian Sociology : – 

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