5.1. Introduction

As you saw in the opening chapter of your first book, Introducing Sociology, the discipline is a relatively young one even in the European context, having been established only about a century ago. In India, interest in sociological ways of thinking is a little more than a century old, but formal university teaching of sociology only began in 1919 at the University of Bombay.

This chunk highlights the recent emergence of sociology as an academic discipline, particularly in India. It notes that formally, sociology began to be taught at the University of Bombay in 1919, indicating that while undercurrents of sociological thought existed prior, systematic study and teaching of sociology is a modern phenomenon. This establishment reflects the broader societal changes and the quest for understanding social dynamics during the early 20th century.

Think of sociology like a young tree in a large forest of academic disciplines. The tree is still growing, needing sunlight and space to thrive but has begun to establish roots. Similarly, sociology in India needed to find its place among the older, well-established disciplines like history and philosophy.

In the 1920s, two other universities — those at Calcutta and Lucknow — also began programmes of teaching and research in sociology and anthropology. Today, every major university has a department of sociology, social anthropology, or anthropology, and often more than one of these disciplines is represented.

This chunk informs us about the expansion of sociology education in India beyond Bombay to other major universities like those in Calcutta and Lucknow in the 1920s. It underscores the growing recognition of the disciplines of sociology and anthropology in academic circles, leading to a significant establishment of departments specializing in these fields across Indian universities today. This broad proliferation suggests that sociology has become an integral part of the educational landscape in India.

Imagine the growth of a popular club in a community; it starts with a few members but spreads quickly as more people recognize its value. Similarly, as the significance of sociology and anthropology became clear, more universities embraced these disciplines, reflecting the growing interest among students and scholars.

Now-a-days sociology tends to be taken for granted in India, like most established things. But this was not always so. In the early days, it was not clear at all what an Indian sociology would look like, and indeed, whether India really needed something like sociology.

In this segment, the text outlines the initial hesitation regarding the need for sociology in India. It paints a picture of uncertainty experienced by early scholars who had to confront the question of what sociological inquiry should involve in a colonial context. This historical backdrop illustrates how sociology initially faced skepticism and profound questioning about its relevance, emphasizing that today’s acceptance did not come easily and required foundational work by early sociologists.

Think of starting a new subject or field in school, like coding or robotics. At first, students might wonder why they need it if they don’t know much about it. However, as more people become interested and see its importance in the modern world, it gains acceptance over time. Sociology as a discipline faced similar challenges before earning its place in academia.

The specificity of the Indian context raised many questions. First of all, if western sociology emerged as an attempt to make sense of modernity, what would its role be in a country like India? India, too, was of course experiencing the changes brought about by modernity but with an important difference — it was a colony.

This section highlights critical reflections on how western notions of sociology might be adapted to the Indian context, which was not only modernizing but also navigating the complexities of colonial rule. The uniqueness of the Indian scenario demanded that scholars not just import western theories but develop homegrown understandings of social structures and changes that recognized colonial influences and indigenous cultures.

Imagine trying to understand a new game using the rules of a different game. While you might capture some concepts, the nuances of the new game’s context greatly affect gameplay and strategy. Similarly, Indian sociologists had to innovate and adapt theories from the West to properly analyze India's unique social fabric influenced by colonialism.

Finally, what useful role could sociology have in a sovereign, independent India, a nation about to begin its adventure with planned development and democracy?

Here, the narrative moves towards the future, emphasizing the pivotal role sociology is expected to play in shaping post-independence India. As the country seeks to carve out its identity and navigate democratic and developmental pathways, sociology’s insights become instrumental in informing public policy and understanding social dynamics in a rapidly changing landscape.

Think of a navigator on a ship charting a course through uncharted waters after a storm. In this analogy, sociology serves as that navigator, providing insights and directions for policymakers and society to better understand and address social issues as India embarks on its journey as a newly independent nation.

The pioneers of Indian sociology not only had to find their own answers to questions like these, they also had to formulate new questions for themselves. It was only through the experience of ‘doing’ sociology in an Indian context that the questions took shape — they were not available ‘readymade’.

This chunk focuses on the early sociologists who pioneered the discipline in India. They were not just consumers of existing knowledge but active creators of new methodologies and inquiry frameworks that responded to Indian realities. Their experiences shaped the foundational questions of what sociology should study in the Indian context, emphasizing the dynamic and situational development of knowledge.

Consider an artist who, instead of using existing templates, develops their style by observing the world around them — creating out of experience. Similarly, Indian sociologists had to ‘create’ their discipline through their encounters with society, rather than relying solely on pre-existing Western frameworks.

--