Social anthropology examines various aspects of the human society like family, kinship, gender roles, religion and organizational structures. It studies how these systems evolved and the impact they had on a particular society through its history.
An Introduction To Social Anthropology covers all these concepts in relation to Indian society. The book studies the development of social structures, and also takes into account the cultural aspects of this evolution. Thus, it also focuses on religion, art and magic in its scope. The book defines cultural and social anthropologies and also goes into the applications of this field of study. The authors treat the cultural aspects like religion and art as correlative concepts, rather than derivatives of social structures like family and kinship.
The book traces the racial and linguistic history of India. Here, it does not confine itself to one view, it provides alternative and conflicting theories prevalent on the topics. It traces the origins of the caste system in the Indian society and examines the status of women in tribal societies. It discusses the evolution of economic and social organization, and law and justice. The book contains a special focus on the tribal societies of India. It examines the history of these societies, the present status and the future prospects of these societies. It even goes into the administrative challenges involved in the management of tribal societies.
An Introduction To Social Anthropology is a comprehensive introduction to this subject in relation to India. It can be an ideal material for students doing courses in history or anthropology. It can also provide an interesting overview of social and cultural anthropology of India for the general reader.
About The Authors
D. N. Majumdar was a highly respected Indian anthropologist.
Dhirendra Nath Majumdar was born in 1903. After obtaining a Master’s Degree in Anthropology, he joined the Lucknow University as a Lecturer. Later, he studied at Cambridge University for his Ph.D. When he returned to India, he again joined the faculty of Lucknow University. He was a pioneer in the field of anthropology in India. He specialized in social anthropology. He focused on tribal societies and studied tribal societies in transition. He founded the Ethnographic and Folk Culture Society in UP.
Triloki Nath Madan is an anthropologist and a professor.
Other books by this author include Sociological Traditions: Methods and Perspectives in the Sociology of India, Family And Kinship Among The Pandits Of Rural Kashmir, India's Religions: Perspectives From Sociology And History and Religion In India.
Triloki Nath Madan was born in 1933. He has a Ph.D from the Australian National University. He has held visiting positions at various universities across the world including Harvard University. Triloki Nath Madan has received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Indian Sociological Society. He is currently the Emeritus Professor of Sociology at Delhi University's Institute of Economic Growth.
