In regions where non Sanskritic castes are dominant, it was their cultural influence that was stronger. This phenomenon is called _______.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → De-Sanskritisation
Option (1) Non Sanskritisation — Incorrect. There is no such term.
Option (2) De-Sanskritisation — Correct. Sanskritisation is the process by which a ‘low’ caste, tribe or other group takes over the customs, ritual and style of life of a high, in particular a ‘twice-born’, caste. It worked differently in different regions. Where a highly Sanskritised caste was dominant, the whole region became somewhat Sanskritised; but in regions where the non-Sanskritic castes were dominant, it was their influence that was stronger. This is termed the process of ‘de-Sanskritisation’.
Option (3) Re-Sanskritisation — Incorrect. There is no such term; the process described moves away from Sanskritic culture, not back to it.
Option (4) Un-Sanskritisation — Incorrect. There is no such term.
NCERT (2025-26): “2.3 Different Kinds of Social Change … It is primarily a process that takes place within the Hindu space though Srinivas argued that it was visible even in sects and religious groups outside Hinduism. Studies of different areas, however, show that it operated differently in different parts of the country. In those areas where a highly Sanskritised caste was dominant, the culture of the entire region underwent a certain amount of Sanskritisation. In regions where the non-Sanskritic castes were dominant, it was their influence that was stronger. This can be termed the process of ‘de-Sanskritisation’. There were other regional variations too.…” |