Comment on the viewpoints of different historians on the rural society in India
Historians have provided various perspectives on the rural society in India. Some of the key perspectives include the traditional, modern, and subaltern perspectives.
The traditional perspective, represented by historians such as R.S. Sharma and D.D. Kosambi, views rural society in India as being static and unchanging. According to this perspective, the caste system and the joint family system were the major factors that shaped rural society in India. This perspective also highlights the role of religion and tradition in shaping the social and economic structures of rural India.
The modern perspective, represented by historians such as B.R. Ambedkar and A.R. Desai, views rural society in India as being in a state of transition. According to this perspective, the colonial rule and the subsequent economic and social changes brought about by the British had a significant impact on the rural society in India. This perspective highlights the role of economic and political factors in shaping the social and economic structures of rural India.
The subaltern perspective, represented by historians such as Ranajit Guha and Gyanendra Pandey, views rural society in India from the perspective of the marginalized and oppressed groups. According to this perspective, rural society in India was shaped by the power dynamics between the dominant upper-caste groups and the marginalized lower-caste groups. This perspective highlights the role of power and resistance in shaping the social and economic structures of rural India.
The different perspectives provided by historians on rural society in India highlight the complexity and diversity of this society. While traditional and modern perspectives focus on the role of religion and economic factors, the subaltern perspective focuses on the role of power and resistance in shaping the rural society in India.
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