DEFINE RURAL SOCIOLOGY.

DESCRIBE
IMPORTANCE TO THE INDIAN CONTEXT?

ABOUT

ITS

NATURE,

SCOPE

AND

(WITHIN 1000 WORDS)

Rural life is the principal pivot around which whole Indian social life revolves. India is a land
of agriculture. Its history, customs and traditions, complex social organization and unity in
diversity can be understood by the study of rural life.
Rural sociology is the scientific study of rural society. It involves a systematic study of rural
society, its institutions, activities, interactions and social change. It not only deals with the
social relationships of man in a rural environment but also takes urban surroundings into
consideration for a comparative study.
According to A.R Desai rural sociology should be to make a systematic, scientific and
comprehensive study of the rural social organization of its structure, function and objective
tendencies of development and on the basis of such a study to discover the laws of its
development.
Such sociological aspects and principles as one derived from the study of rural social
relationships may be referred to as rural sociology. Bertrand has observed that in the
broadest definition rural sociology is the study of human relationships in rural environment.
Rural sociology is a holistic study of rural social setting. It provides us with valuable
knowledge about the rural social phenomena and social problems which helps us in
understanding rural society and making prescriptions for its all round progress and
prosperity.
NATURE OF RURAL SOCIOLOGY
1. Rural Sociology is an empirical discipline. It is more an empirical science than an
abstract one. It is not concerned with abstract phenomena. It asserts propositions
and builds up theories neatly on the basis of observed facts of rural life.
2. Rural Sociology is essentially problem-oriented. Rural studies are conducted with the
prime intention of solving rural social problems. The analysis of structure, change
and evolution are undertaken to understand the real nature of rural problems.

3. Rural Sociology possesses the characteristics of science such as universality,

generality, ethical neutrality, predictability, verifiability etc. Hence it is definitely a
science.

SCOPE OF RURAL SOCIOLOGY

Rural Sociology is comparatively a new branch of Sociology which is of recent origin. It is a
separate science having its own subject matter and method of study. The scope or Rural
Sociology refers to what it studies. To draw attention on the scope, N.L. Sims says, The
field of Rural Sociology is the study of association among people living by or immediately
dependent upon agriculture. Open country and village groupings and groups behavior are its
concern.
It studies society from the rural standpoint. But its main aim is concentrated on rural lives.
The subjects that are included within the scope are very comprehensive in nature and we
can blindly say that its boundary is varying large. The scope of Rural Sociology may be clear
from the analysis of the following subjects:
RURAL SOCIETY:
Rural Sociology, as is clear by the nomenclature, is the sociology of Rural Society. Rural
Sociology, basically studies Rural society, its nature and basic ingredients from the structural
and functional standpoints. Its main aim is to study of rural social life. Rural social life
covers the behavior patterns, web of relationship, social interactions, standard of living and
socio-economic conditions of the rural people. The scope of Rural Sociology, therefore,
expands where the boundary of Rural Society is expanded.
RURAL POPULATION:
Rural population is the basic essence of Rural Sociology. It studies the nature,
characteristics, size, density and distribution of rural population from different angles. Rural
Sociology aims at the study of the factors of growth of population, its evil effects of Rural
Society, rural urban migration for the greater interest of the country at large.
RURAL COMMUNITY:
Rural community is the oldest organisation of mankind. Rural Sociology, therefore, is mainly
concerned with the divine origin, nature characteristics, social attributes and human ecology
of rural community. It also studies the homogenous rigid and conservative nature of hither
to existing customs, traditions, folkways, mores, norms, values and so on in rural
community.
RURAL SOCIAL ORGANISATION:
Social organisation is the most fundamental basis of every society as well as social life. The
most important function of Rural Sociology, therefore, is to provide basic knowledge about

rural social organisaation. Rural Social organisation covers the spiritual lives, religious
activities sacred relationship and divine notion of rebirth, Karmaphala etc.
RURAL SOCIAL INSTITUTION:
Rural social institutions as we mean, is recognised forms of procedure governing the
relations between the rural people. Rural sociology, thus, studies the structure,
characteristics and functions of rural social institutions. Rural social institutions include
family, marriage, kinship, religion, caste and Rural Sociology studies the sociological
importance of these institutions in the rural context.
RURAL ECONOMY:
Rural economy is basically known as agricultural economy. Agriculture is the backbone of
rural economic life. Rural people directly depend on agriculture for their livelihood. Rural
Sociology therefore studies the factors responsible for the failure of agriculture and suggests
various measures for the improvement of agriculture in rural areas.
RURAL RELIGION:
Religion plays a predominant role in the rural society, considered as the soul of rural people
and it is regarded as the chief quintessence of rural life. The rural people blindly follow the
religious ideas and values; consider worshipping as a prime duty. Rural Sociology, in this
context, and studies the concept and social importance of rural religion and its impact on
rural society.
RURAL CULTURE:
Rural culture is strictly conservative and it is very static in nature. It includes old customs,
tradition, folkways, mores, norms, values and so on. Rural Sociology studies the
complexities of rural culture, its different structural organisations, cultural patterns, cultural
traits and cultural lag in the rural contexts.
RURAL SOCIAL PROBLEMS:
Rural Society is a hell of social evils. Its major problems are poverty, unemployment,
population growth, illiteracy, casteism, untouchabitlity and so on. Rural Sociology, therefore,
studies the causes and evil effects of these problems and also suggests measures for their
eradication for the greater interests of the country at large.
RURAL SOCIAL CONTROL:
Social control as we mean, is the control of society over individual. In Rural Society, social
control is in formal and rigid in nature. Rural Sociology significantly studies the informal
means and agencies such as religions, customs, folkways, mores, norms etc, of social
control. In Rural Society, the important primary groups like family and neighborhood play a
vital role in social control.

RURAL SOCIAL CHANGE:

Social change is meant only such alterations as occur in social organisation, that is,
structure and functions of society, Rural Society, now-a-days, is on the way of social change.

RURAL URBAN CONTRAST:

Both village and city, hypothetically, are the two contrasting modes of community life. Rural
Sociology studies the rural-urban contrast on the basis of social, economic, religious and
cultural point of view.
RURAL PLANNING AND RECONSTRUCTION:
Rural Society is full of social problems. For the eradication of these problems and for the
betterment of rural life, the proper planning and reconstruction should be made by the state
as well Central Government.
IMPORTANCE OF RURAL SOCIOLOGY
The importance of rural sociology can be evaluated properly when it realize the importance
of rural society. Rural society presents a scientific picture of rural life. Villages are important
because they are the springs to feed urban areas. The importance of rural sociology can be
put under following heads.
Man has an urge to know human relationship and this can be satisfied through rural
sociology.
a) Rural Population is in a Majority:
In almost all the Countries of the world majority or the world resides in villages in villages.
It is more true that over 80% population of India resides in villages.
b) It Gives Complete Knowledge of Village Life:
Rural sociology gives us complete knowledge of village life. Village is the first unit of
development in country. It is a centre of culture of any country.
c) Rural Reformation:
Rural reformation is the primary aim of rural sociology. In this context it helps in following
works.

What are the factors responsible for the growth of Village Community?

(within 500 words)

The growth of village community depends upon the following factors

(i) Topographical Factors:

Among the topographical factors are included land, water and climate. It is obvious that
these factors influence the growth of village community. Land is the most important
topographical factor. People would like to settle at a place where land is fertile and plain.
Water is required not only for drinking, bathing, cooking, etc., but also for irrigating the Ian
If water is not easily available, much use cannot be made even of fertile and plain lands.
A temperate climate is most favourable to the growth of village community. Man cannot- a
natural and prosperous life in areas of extreme climate.
(ii) Economic Factors:
Among the economic factors we may include the condition of agriculture economy and
cottage industries. The growth of village community depends upon t condition of agriculture.
If farming yields a good crop, the economic condition of the villa people will be better.
The village economy also is an important factor in the growth of village community. The
farmer must be in a position to procure animals of good breed, good seeds, good manure
and scientific implements.
While cottage industries provide a means of livelihood to landless people, they also offer
means of utilization of the farmers and female labour in productive activities.
(iii) Social Factors:
Among the social factors we include peace, security, cooperation and intelligent etc. For the
development of the village community it is essential that there must be peace in the village.
Besides peace, the village people must be guaranteed security-security from disease, and in
agriculture. They also need security against natural calamities.

Agriculture Insurance can give them this sense of security. In the village there are many
activities which depend upon cooperation of the whole community. Such activities, for
example, are public health and sanitation peace and order, proper use of public amenities,
education and recreation, etc. But, intelligence is also required. Lacking intelligence they
cannot raise the agricultural output nor profit by the scientific discoveries.
Give a detailed description on different types of Villages?
(within 500 words)

Rural sociologists are not unanimous on any generally agreed-upon classification of rural
community. However, some of the important criteria have been put forth to classify village
communities.According to one criterion, villages have been divided into three categories.
They are

migratory agricultural villages, semi

permanent

agricultural villages and

permanent agricultural villages. Migratory agricultural villages refer to the villages where the
people live in fixed abodes only for few months.

Semi-permanent agricultural villages are characterized by the people living in a village only
for few months. So far as permanent agricultural villages are concerned, the people live for
generations.

According to another criterion, villages have been classified into six groups. They are
isolated farmstead, villages, line villages, circular pattern, market centre settlements and
hamlets. So far as isolated farmstead is concerned, the individual lives on his farm with his
farmland surrounding him. Village as a pattern of settlement signifies concentration of the
ruralites together with their farmland.

In case of line villages residences are close and easily accessible to one another and at the
same time are located on their respective farms. Coming to circular pattern, we find that
village houses are arranged in a circle enclosing a central area with the houses and yard at
the apex of triangular plot.

Market centre settlements are predominantly inhabitated by merchants who handle

agricultural products, bankers, shopkeepers and others. Hamlets refer to small villages.
Ordinarily they do not provide the facilities and services which are readily available in the
larger village.
1. The nucleated village:

It is otherwise known as grouped village. In this type of village homes of farmers and
artisans are clustered together whereas the land cultivated by them is located outside the
village at varying distances. Their livestock are often housed along with them or nearby.
2. The linear village:

In linear type of settlement the houses are built on parallel rows. There is very little or no
physical

demarcation

to

show

where

one

village

ends

and

where

another

begins. Small streams or mountains separate one village from the other and serve as
natural boundaries.

Each house is surrounded by a small garden of cocoanuts, plantains, and cashew nuts. The
rice fields are at a little distance from the house. This pattern unites the social advantages
of residential closeness and economic advantages of living on ones land. Such villages are
found in Kerala, in the delta land of Bengal.
3. Dispersed village:

The village in which the dwelling places of the village lay scattered or diffused is called a
dispersed village. This type of village is found in hill areas, as in the Himalayan foothills, in
the highlands of Gujarat etc. These villages have no definite shape or structure and no
village streets. There are only footpaths connecting one cluster with another. Families living
on their farms retain all the livestock and other possessions in the farm.

4. The mixed village:

Mixed village is the mixture of nucleated and dispersed pattern of settlement. In this type of
village settlement there is a larger compact settlement of houses which is surrounded by a
few small hamlets at a distance. Such villages can be seen both in plain as well as hill areas.

Rural Urban Continuum

Rural-urban continuum is a process of socio-economic interaction between the villages and
the towns or cities. Many cultural traits are diffused from cities to the rural areas. For
example, dress patterns like pants, shirts, ties, skirts, jeans, etc. diffuse from cities to the
rural areas.
Besides these, new thoughts, ideologies are also diffused from the cities to the rural areas
due to increase in communication via radio, television, newspaper, etc. The urbanism, which
is urban way of life, emerges in the cities and gradually reaches to the rural areas,
depending on their proximity to cities.
Rural Urban Contrast
1. People living in urban India have better living conditions than those living in the rural
parts of India.
2. Rural India is very poor when compared to urban India.
3. In rural India, the parents seldom educate their children, and instead, make their children
work in the fields.
4. About three-quarters of the households in urban India live in pucca homes. On the other
hand, only a quarter of the people in rural India live in pucca homes.
5. Most of the developments have not yet reached the rural parts of India.
6. With regards to health care, rural India lacks good hospitals when compared to urban
India.
Caste System

This was Indias system of social hierarchy. At its root, it was a system referred to in Hindu
scriptures that aimed to classify people based on their nature, aptitude and conduct, and
put them to work in functions that suited their classification. Later interpretations resulted in
a hereditary and hierarchical structure that was the basis for centuries of segregation and
discrimination in traditional communities. It sharply limited socio-economic mobility.
Changes in the law since independence have removed many vestiges of caste-based
discrimination.
However, it persists in many traditional villages and communities. Caste also forms the basis
for a range of quotas and affirmative-action policies enacted by the Indian government
aimed at erasing the legacy of discrimination in higher education and government
employment.

Jajmani system

Jajmani system is a socio-economic institution of the pre-industrial self-subsistent village

economy. The term jajmani is derived from a Vedic term Yajman which means a patron,
who employs the services of a Brahmin for the performance of sacrifices or other religious
ceremonies.
The system has two institutional connotationsreligious and economic. Religiously, a jajman
is one, who employs a Brahmin for the performance of any solemn or religious ceremony.
Normally, the very same Brahmin is invited to perform a ceremony, in a particular locality,
and the fee payable to him becomes customary and even hereditary.
Dispersed village

The village in which the dwelling places of the village lay scattered or diffused is called a
dispersed village. This type of village is found in hill areas, as in the Himalayan foothills, in
the highlands of Gujarat etc. These villages have no definite shape or structure and no
village streets. There are only footpaths connecting one cluster with another. Families living
on their farms retain all the livestock and other possessions in the farm.