Discuss S C Dube’s views on Social structure of Indian Shamirpet village about the Indian Rural Family Structure and the main factors for social change in that village. [ Structural Perspective of S C Dube ]

There has been a growing literature on the people of India for more than a century, but not until till now, with the publication of Dube’s book, have we had a rounded picture by anthropologist of any one village. As a result of the increase in anthropological field work in India after World War II, other village studies were prepared by various writers; this is the first book on a single village to appear.

It is a fine introduction, both to the works which are to follow and to a general acquaintance with village life in India. It is well organized, clearly written and assumes no special knowledge of the area. The significant aspects of the community’s society and culture are described in broad outline; the author’s aim in this book is to give a comprehensive sketch rather than a detailed account. Thus, in discussing life cycle rituals, Dube writes, “In the course of our fieldwork we found cataloging of these variant customs quite stimulating, though somewhat tedious task; but a full ethnographic record of them will be out of place here, and only a broad outline of the essentials will be presented, to illustrate their place in the socio-religious life of the Hindus.”

Yet the nook gives considerably more than a broad outline of the village life, useful and important as that contribution is. It also entails a pertinent though brief consideration of change and stability, especially in recent years. Moreover, Dube formulates some theoretical propositions, such as that concerning the motivations of village folk, which can be tested in the light not only interested in principles or factors which will illuminate specific aspects of the culture, but he is searching for abstractions of a higher level, integrating ideas which characterize and colour the entire culture.”

The field work was done in 1951-52 as an interdisciplinary project sponsored by Osmania University. Eighteen staff members and students of the University participated under Dr. Dube’s direction; they were from six faculties of the University: Arts, Agriculture, Veterinary Science, Medicine, Engineering and Education. The value of collaborative effort, even in a broad ethnographic survey, is reflected in the statistical tables which the book provides. These tables are based on simple and uninvolved statistical data, but they give a clear picture of some salient factors in village life.

The village is Shamirpet, a Telgu speaking community of about 2,500 located 25 miles from Hyderabad City. Until 1948 it was part of the Jagir ( feudal estate ) of a nobleman of the court of the Nizam of Hyderabad. As of by land, and it is still a rather conservative village. But Dube notes that urban administrative influence have long affected the villages and these influences are now felt in increasing strength.

The book raises many interesting questions. One which will particularly interest students of India is the nature of relations between the Muslims, who constitute some 14 percent of the village population, and the rest of the villagers who are Hindus. Dube notes that culturally “the Hindus and Muslims stand in marked contrast to each other” and that socially the Muslims are “a separate and self-sufficient group” within the village. Yet he also tells us that Shamirpet Hindus and Muslims share the same agricultural techniques, calendar and folklore; that both manifest the same degree of religious devotion, similar attitude towards fate, similar beliefs in ghosts, spirits and witches; each group takes part in some religious ceremonies of the other ; the two share common family ethics and ideals. It seems clear that there are not only important differences but also important similarities between Muslims and Hindus in this and other villages. Dube’s account provides information for a better picture of this relationship than has yet been available.

Some passages bespeak of familiarity with the Indic culture sphere as well as with the world of the Shamirpet villagers. Thus in four pages Dube admirably sketches the typical development of husband-wife relations, a sketch which testifies to his sympathetic “insider’s” view of the Indic society.

Glimpses of actual people and tales of specific events are necessarily few in an ethnographic survey, but those which are given illuminate much. The brief vignette of a forceful woman’s decisive and withering action bring to life the part which women can play, and qualifies much that is solemnly laid down in formal village precept about masculine dominance.

We will await Dube’s further studies on vital parts of village affairs, as on factionalism, the processes of change, the carriers of change, and other problems which he could only mention in the present volume. But this volume is the kind of survey which is needed at the present stage of anthropological work in India. It will help those who need preliminary orientation and will stimulate those who have been carrying on research in village India.

Discuss in detail S.C. Dube Village Study UPSC.

S.C. Dube’s village study is very important for UPSC Sociology optional subject. This question has been asked a number of times in the mains exam. Besides important facts from the above paragraph you can also add the following point in your answer.

S.C. Dube has identified 6 important factors in the village of Shamirpet. They are ( 1 ) – Religion, ( 2 ) – Caste, ( 3 ) – Landownership, ( 4 ) – Wealth, ( 5 ) – Position in the government service and village organization, ( 6 ) – Age and distinctive personality behaviour.