This study is an attempt to study the broad patterns of social stratification prevailing in the district of Pulwama. As a complex social phenomenon, social stratification, which refers to the division of society into various hierarchical strata, is as old as human civilization. While many have talked about a „classless‟ society of either the past or the future, these ideas found very little support in historical experience. Though the phenomenon is common to all societies, its nature and forms vary from society to society, and from culture to culture.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Social Stratification & India
Social Stratification & Kashmir
Class Stratification
Power Stratification
Wrapping up the dialogue
Objectives & Core Themes
This study examines the patterns of social stratification within the district of Pulwama, exploring the transition from traditional, caste-based hierarchies to modern, class-based structures influenced by socioeconomic factors and political change.
- Evolution of social stratification from caste to class
- Influence of Islamic principles on social equality
- The role of modern education and economic prosperity in social mobility
- Transformation of power structures in rural Kashmiri society
- Sociological perspectives on traditional vs. contemporary hierarchy
Excerpt from the Book
Social Stratification & Kashmir
In pre-Islamic period, the valley was wholly peopled with Hindus, in which the Brahmans were at the top of the social hierarchy because they were considered the most knowledgeable person. The enjoyed the superiority and exploited the lower castes (Shudra) for their vested interests. But it was only after the 14the century, when Muslim saints reached here and started their mission by converting the people (Hindus) in to the Islamic religion. They taught the basic philosophy of Islam, which is based on the equality of all. It is because of this egalitarian philosophy, most of Pundits convert into Muslims and had a sigh of relief of the oppression which they had faced in the typical Hindu caste system. The Islamic religion, when we see from the strict theoretical sense, is without the caste barriers. In fact, it negates the very notion of caste stratification. It generally emphasizes on egalitarian system, the holy Quran says:
O mankind! We (God) created you from a single pair of male and female and made you into peoples and tribes, that ye may know each other (not despise each other). Verily, the most honored in the sight of God is (he who is) the righteous among you…………….. (Surah Al-hujuraat verse-13)
This verse makes it quite clear that though Islam accepts differentiation based on gender and tribe. It does not recognize social stratification. It clearly opposes to draw the line of demarcation on the basis of race, colour, creed and caste. But, at the same time, it is true only up to the theoretical understanding of Islam. But in reality, the Muslim community remains diversified, fragmented and as caste-ridden as any other community of India. Practically, the situation in the Muslim society is somewhat different. Muslims too are stratified on the basis of caste. There had been always an element of superiority present with those castes which are considered to be at top, and a kind of inferiority present with those castes which are considered to be at the bottom.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Defines social stratification as a universal phenomenon and discusses the theoretical framework used to understand human hierarchical structures.
Social Stratification & India: Provides a literature review of sociological perspectives on the Indian caste system and the transition toward diverse forms of inequality.
Social Stratification & Kashmir: Analyzes how Islamic egalitarianism interacts with traditional social hierarchies in the Kashmir Valley, highlighting the persistence of caste-like attitudes.
Class Stratification: Examines the shift from land-based status to income-based socioeconomic standing as the primary driver of hierarchy in modern Kashmiri society.
Power Stratification: Explores the evolution of power from traditional feudal authority to contemporary influence driven by political affiliation and economic success.
Wrapping up the dialogue: Concludes that while traditional caste structures have lost their rigidity, new markers of inequality have emerged, significantly altering the community's social fabric.
Keywords
Social Stratification, Inequality, Kashmir, caste, Class, Power, Indian Society, Islam, Modernization, Secularization, Social Mobility, Rural Society, Political Awareness
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this academic work?
The study investigates the changing nature of social stratification in the Pulwama district of Kashmir, specifically looking at how the society has evolved from a caste-dominated system to one based on class and economic factors.
Which central themes are explored throughout the text?
Key themes include the impact of Islam on traditional hierarchy, the transition from agricultural land-holding to income-based status, the role of political modernization, and the influence of education on social mobility.
What is the core research objective of this study?
The research aims to understand the patterns of social inequality among Muslims in the Kashmir Valley and how these patterns have shifted in response to modernization and social change since 1947.
Which methodology is employed in this sociological analysis?
The author utilizes an empirical approach, drawing upon historical context, sociological literature on the Indian caste system, and field-based observations of changing social hierarchies in rural Kashmir.
What topics are covered in the main body of the work?
The main body covers the theoretical basis of stratification, a review of sociological literature regarding India, an analysis of the Kashmiri social context, and specific sections detailing class and power dynamics.
Which specific keywords define the scope of this research?
The research is characterized by terms such as Social Stratification, Inequality, Kashmir, caste, Class, Power, and Modernization.
How does the author define the shift in the 'Zaildari' system?
The author notes that the 'Zaildar' system, which was based on feudal land ownership, has been replaced by modern sources of power, such as political connections and economic prosperity, following land reform acts.
In what way does the author suggest marriage customs persist despite social change?
The author identifies that while class and income have become the main indicators of social status, endogamy—or marriage within the same caste—remains one of the few traditional institutions where caste distinctions continue to play a vital role.
- Quote paper
- Irshad Ahmad Wani (Author), 2017, Social Stratification and Kashmiri Society, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/376930
