Practising Sociology through History

The Indian Experience – II

Part 1 of this paper considered those sociologists who used classical texts,
i e, Indological sources, with a view to understanding contemporary social structures,
institutions, and cultural practices. Part II looks at the work of later sociologists, who
make up a different category: Those who take into account and narrate the historical
background of the social reality that constitutes their research. This paper lays stress
on the necessity of a “substantive” use of history for sociological purposes. It takes
particular note of those sociologists who have used history rigorously to arrive
at broader levels of explanation, generalisation and theoretical abstraction, in the
process thereby ensuring a “completion” of their sociological mission. It is this process
that needs to be further exploited by present day sociologists.
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Economic and Political Weekly August 25, 2007 3499

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Economic and Political Weekly August 25, 2007 3507

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 Economic and Political Weekly August 25, 2007