This document discusses social changes that have occurred in Indian society, particularly since independence. It outlines major changes like modernization, urbanization, industrialization, and developments in agriculture, art, literature, politics, and the status of women and castes. Education has played a significant role in bringing about these social changes by introducing new ideas and filling the gap between present conditions and future goals in Indian society. Changes include a shift away from tradition towards rational thinking, patriotism, democracy, and greater social mobility across castes.

1. Submitted by,
ATHULYARAJ D S
Roll No : 30
Physical Science

2. INTRODUCTION
Society is never static. The dynamic nature of
society brings about changes in social
organizations, in the behaviour of groups and in
the culture of people. These changes in the
society are called social change.
It is reflected in the laws, institutions, customs
, modes and beliefs of people.

3. After independence, social changes are
happening in India also.
 In the process of evolutionary progress of
Indian society, education plays significant role.
Education can fill the gap between real
present and ideal future.
To make this social change, education must
make necessary adjustments in curriculum and
methods

4. INDIAN SOCIETY BEFORE
INDEPENDENCE
 In ancient India, during the Indo-Aryan days, the
society was divided into four- Brahmans, Kshtriyas,
Vaisiyas and Sudras.
The caste system continued for a long period.
 Indian Society took a new turn with the advent of
Buddhism. Buddha didn’t believed in caste system.
Further, he wished to loosen family ties.

5.  When the western came to India they didn’t take
much interest in the social life of Indians in the
beginning.
Their main concern was with spices and commerce
rather than with people and their culture.
But when they turned their attention from spice to
Christianity, they used education as an instrument of
the social change.

6. MAJOR CHANGES
OCCURRED IN INDIAN
SOCIETY

7. 1.MODERNIZATION
Nineteenth century has been described as the
century of science and technology. The impact of science on
Indian society began to be felt with the introduction of
English education in India after Macaulay’s interpretation of
Charter Act 1835. Western science and literature began to be
the content of Indian education since Macaulay’s minutes.
Thus modernization in India may be viewed as the blending of
East and West. Modernization has a civilizing effect on Indian
society. The traditional conservatism, fatalism, superstition,
priest craft etc. have given a place to an attitude based on
rational thinking. A new thought has been created in India
against irrational thoughts and beliefs. Another effect of
modernization of India is development of spirit patriotism
and democracy.

8. 2.URBANIZATION
It is an another outcome of
influence of science and technology on Indian
life. People from villages migrated to towns for
various reasons. The joint family system broke
down. Small families came into existence. The
spirit of cooperation and mutual respect that
bound the members of joint family together
gave place into competitions.

9. 3. AGRICULTURE
India is a land of agricultural
villages. In the past the traditional methods of
agriculture were followed. As a result the yield was
very poor. Farmers had to live a life of utter
poverty. But the use of science and technology
brought about drastic changes in agriculture. Better
seeds, better fertilizers and better method of
cultivation multiplied the yield many fold.

10. 4.INDUSTRIALIZATION
It is the most potent
influence of education, science and
technology on Indian society. Due to this the
standard of Indian life improved and life style
changed. Mode of travel and communication
have been revolutionized. Rapid industrial
growth has resulted in the expansion of
infrastructural facilities. The development of
modern industries has stimulated the growth
of banking, insurance, commerce, shipping,
air services etc.

11. 5.DEVELOPMENT OF MODERN ART AND
LITERATUE
Development of modern art and
literature is a major contribution of modernization.
New literacy forms like novel, prose and prose-drama
are the ultimate outcome of interaction between east
and west. The invention and use of printing machine
accelerated the production of these forms of
literature in the native languages. In addition to this
a new form of literature known as Indian writing in
English also came into existence. Radio, TV, Cinema
etc. provided new type of entertainment and
experience for the people. Thus modernization
developed a new culture.

12. 6.STATUS OF WOMEN
Indian society is now
undergoing major changes in its structure and
status. Women have a right to vote and 30% of
seats in Panchayati Raj institutions are reserved
for them. They are getting equal opportunities for
education and employment. As a result there are
lady engineers, doctors, teachers, administrators
etc. in modern India. All these signs indicate the
considerable change in the status of women.
Women education has perhaps been instrument
in bringing about such a change.

13. 7.CASTE SYSTEM
Social change is visible in the
breaking down of rigidity of caste system. The
backward classes are trying to go up in the society.
The lower classes are tending to change their
traditional occupations and are now on the move
towards higher social strata. The Scheduled caste
and Scheduled Tribes are trying to get them rid of
discrimination and exploitation by the upper castes.
We have developed greater sensitivity to the needs of
the under privileged and suppressed groups of the
society. Education has helped them to develop
socially and economically.

14. 8.POLITICS
The other aspect of social change is
visible in the country in the field of politics. The
monarchies that existed in India prior to
independence have gone and democracy has taken
deep roots. There is greater participation of our
people in political activities. Effective
communication of ideas and better opportunity for
mobility might have helped in creating such a sense
of political awareness, but the role played by
education in this regard has been the most crucial.

15. 9.SANSKRITISATION
According to M.N.Sreenivas,
“Sanskritization refers to a process in which
the lower castes tend to imitate the values,
practices and other life style of some
dominant upper castes.” Today the non-
Brahmin castes are getting themselves more
and more organised to challenge the
supremacy of the Brahmins and to assert their
rights.

16. The establishment of ‘Satyashodhak Samaj’ by
Jyotirao Phooley in Poona in 1873 marked the
beginning of such a non-Brahmin movement. These
kind of movements are known as Backward Classes
Movement.
These movements brought pressure on political
parties to create special opportunities for the lowest
caste people enabling them to come up to the level
of other higher castes. Due to this , Backward
Classes Commissions were established at Central
and State levels which recommended “reservation”
for backward castes or classes.