NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY TRIPURA

COURSE OUTLINE
SEMESTER V: B.A.LL.B.(Hons.)

SOCIOLOGY-II

“SOCIOLOGY OF INDIAN SOCIETY”

COURSE TEACHER

Dr. Barnali Das

Course designed by @ Dr. Barnali Das

INTRODUCTION
This course is designed to provide law students with a foundational understanding of Indian
society through the lens of sociology. It emphasizes the relationship between law and society,
introducing students to core social institutions, systems of stratification, rural and urban
transformations, and pressing social issues. The aim is to enable future legal professionals to
critically analyze legal frameworks within their broader social contexts, fostering inclusive,
informed, and empathetic approaches to legal interpretation, advocacy, and reform.

OBJECTIVE OF THE COURSE

The primary objective of this course is to introduce law students to the sociological
understanding of Indian society. This course aims:
1. To understand historical development of Indian society especially during the pre-British
and colonial periods.
2. To understand the social structure of Indian society.
3. To understand and analyse the functioning and transformation of key social
institutions—family, marriage, kinship, and religion—in Indian society.
4. To understand the structure and functioning of caste and tribal systems in India and
their impact on social justice, discrimination, and legal frameworks.
5. To understand the socio-economic realities of rural and urban India, their
transformations, and the legal challenges that arise within these settings.
6. To examine the interplay between law and society through the lens of pressing social
issues like drug abuse, casteism, gender inequality, and violence against women.
7. To develop a sociological imagination among law students for better interpretation and
application of legal principles in a socially responsive manner.

LEARNING OUTCOME
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of the foundational concepts and frameworks of
sociology as applied to Indian society.
2. Analyze the structure and functioning of key social institutions in India, and their
interplay with legal processes.
3. Critically engage with issues of caste, class, gender, religion, and regional diversity, and
assess their implications on law and justice.
4. Evaluate the role of social change, movements, and policies in transforming Indian
society.
5. Apply sociological insights to legal problems, promoting context-sensitive legal
reasoning and practice.

Course designed by @ Dr. Barnali Das

 6. Apply sociological insights to legal problems, promoting context-sensitive legal
reasoning and practice.

Teaching Pedagogy:
1. Classroom lectures and interactive sessions with students.
2. Film screening based on social issues to understand social and cultural context of different
societies at different time.
3. Field visits to accustom students with people of different societal context.
Academic Honesty
Plagiarism and Cheating are strictly prohibited. Plagiarism is defined as taking or using the
thoughts, writings, or inventions of another without acknowledging him/her. It also means
using direct quotations without quotation marks, as well as using the ideas of another without
proper credit. Do not purchase, borrow, or revise another student's work. Do not "double dip"
an assignment you did in another class to turn it in for this one. Students indulging in such
activities shall be punished according to university rules.
Evaluation System
Sl. No Assessment Mode Marks
1 Research Paper/ Project Presentation/ Internal Assessment 25
2 Mid Term Exam 25
3 Attendance 5
4 End Semester Exam 45
5 Total 100

MODULE MODULE TITLE LECTURE

HOURS
MODULE I NATURE OF INDIAN SOCIETY AND 12
DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIOLOGY IN INDIA

MODULE II INDIAN SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS 12

MODULE III CASTE AND TRIBE IN INDIA 12

MODULE IV RURAL AND URBAN SOCIETY IN INDIA 15

MODULE V LAW AND SOCIAL ISSUES 15

Course designed by @ Dr. Barnali Das

 COURSE CONTENT

MODULE I: NATURE OF INDIAN SOCIETY AND DEVELOPMENT OF

SOCIOLOGY IN INDIA
How society developed in India? How it has evolved from ancient to modern Indian society?
Why there is need to study Indian society? How sociology emerged in India? The module
introduces students to the historical and sociological foundations of Indian society and the
evolution of sociology as a discipline within it. This module also helps in understanding the
complexities of post-independence society, diversity, and nation-building. The module will
discuss followings:
• Society in Pre-British India
• Transformation of Indian society during British rule
• Unity in Diversity in India
• Racial, religious, ethnic and linguistic composition of India.
• Challenges of Nation Building
• Social Background of the Emergence of Sociology in India
• Emergence of the Discipline: issues and Themes
Reading list:
1. Ahuja, Ram (1993), ‘Indian Social System’, Rawat Publication, Jaipur.
2. Bhattacharyya, Swapan Kumar. (1990). Indian Sociology; The Role of Benoy Kumar
Sarkar, The University of Burdwan, Burdwan.
3. Bose, Ashish (1991), ‘Demographic Diversity in India’, B. R. Publishing Corporation
Delhi, India.
4. Das, Veena, (2008), ‘Handbook of Indian Society’, Oxford University Press, New Delhi
110001.
5. Desai A.R. (1949), ‘Social Background of Indian Nationalism’, Popular Prakashan,
Bombay.
6. Dhanagare, D.N. (1993), ‘Themes and Perspectives in Indian Sociology’, Rawat
Publication.
7. Dube S.C. (2005), ‘Indian Society’, National Book Trust of India, New Delhi.
8. Mandelbaum, David, (1970), Society in India, University of California press, London
9. Nagla, Bhupendra Kumar (2008), ‘Indian Sociological Thought’; Jaipur, Rawat
Publication.
10. Oomen T.K. & Venugopal C.N. (2023), Sociology for Law Students, Eastern Book
Company, New Delhi.
11. Shankar Rao C.N., (2006), Sociology, Principles of Sociology with an Introduction to
Social Thought, S. Chand & Co. Ltd., New Delhi.
12. Shankar Rao C.N., (2004), ‘Sociology of Indian Society’ S. Chand & Co. Ltd., New
Delhi.

Course designed by @ Dr. Barnali Das

MODULE II: INDIAN SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS
The module is a foundational component that introduces students to the core social structures
that underpin Indian society. Students will understand how institutions such as family,
marriage, kinship, and religion influence not only individual lives but also the functioning of
law, justice, and governance. This module equips students with an interdisciplinary
understanding of how social institutions influence legal systems and social behaviour, enabling
them to analyze and engage with legal issues from a context-sensitive and inclusive
perspective. The module will include:
• Family: Types: nuclear, Joint, Single parent, Dual earner, Matrilineal, Patrilineal,
Matriarchal and Patriarchal families; Functions & Changes in family pattern and
causes. Distinction between family and household.
• Marriage: Marriage system in India: Hindu, Muslim, Christian. Dowry and bride price
• Kinship: differential kinship pattern in India: North India and South India
• Religion: Religious Groups in India: Hinduism-Hindus, Islam-Muslims, Christianity-
Christians, Buddhism-Buddhists, Jainism-Jains, Sikhism-Sikhs. Secularism.
Reading list:
1. Bhargava, Rajeev, (Ed), (2010), ‘Secularism and its Critics: Themes in Politics’, Oxford
University Press, New Delhi.
2. Bose, N.K., (1975), ‘The Structure of Hindu Society’, Orient Longman Limited,
Bombay.
3. Karve, Irawati, (1965), ‘Kinship Organisation in India’, Asia Publishing House,
Bombay.
4. Madan, T.N.(Ed), (2008), ‘Religion in India’, Oxford University Press, New Delhi,
India.
5. Madan, T.N. (2011), ‘Images of the World, Essays on Religion, Secularism, and
Culture’, Oxford University Press, New Delhi, India.
6. Nagla, Bhupendra Kumar (2008), ‘Indian Sociological Thought’; Jaipur, Rawat
Publication.
7. Oberoi P. (ed) (1993), Family, Kinship and Marriage in India, Oxford University Press,
New Delhi.
8. Oomen T.K. & Venugopal C.N. (2023), Sociology for Law Students, Eastern Book
Company, New Delhi.
9. Patel, Tulsi (ed). (2005), ‘The Family in India: Structure and Practice’, Sage, New Delhi.
10. Rao, M.S.A. (1974), ‘Urban Sociology in India’. Orient Longman, New Delhi.
11. Shah, A.M. (1998), ‘The Family in India: Critical Essays’ Orient Longman, New Delhi.
12. Shankar Rao C.N., (2006), Sociology, Principles of Sociology with an Introduction to
Social Thought, S. Chand & Co. Ltd., New Delhi.
13. Shankar Rao C.N., (2004), ‘Sociology of Indian Society’ S. Chand & Co. Ltd., New
Delhi.
14. Srinivas, M.N, (1982) ‘Indian Social Structure’. Delhi: Hindustan Publishing
Corporation (India).

Course designed by @ Dr. Barnali Das

MODULE III: CASTES AND TRIBE IN INDIA
This module introduces law students to the complex and deeply entrenched social structures
that continue to shape Indian society and its legal landscape. The module begins by examining
the caste system beyond Hindu society, exploring how it manifests among Muslim and
Christian communities, and its broader socio-legal implications, including discrimination,
exclusion, and constitutional remedies. The module also provides a comprehensive
understanding of tribes in India—their definitions, features, and geographical distribution—
highlighting their cultural distinctiveness and constitutional recognition. The module will cover
following topics:
• Caste system among other groups in India (Muslim, Christian), Impact of caste system,
Origin and sociolegal implication of caste system
• Dominant Caste: Characteristic & Significance
• Jajmani System: Features
• Tribe: definition, features, geographical distributions of Tribe
• Tribe -Caste Continuum
Reading list:
1. Ambedkar, B.R. (1945). ‘Annihilation of caste’ (3rd edition). Gautam Book Centre,
Delhi.
2. Beteille, Andre (2012rpt) Caste, Class and power: Changing pattern of Stratification
in Tanjore Village, Oxford University Press.
3. Das, Veena, (2008), ‘Handbook of Indian Society’, Oxford University Press, New
Delhi 110001.
4. Dube S.C. (2005), ‘Indian Society’, National Book Trust of India, New Delhi
5. Fuller C.J. (ed) (May 23, 1996), ‘Caste Today’, School of Oriental and African
Studies, United Kingdom.
6. Gupta, Dipankar (ed), (2011), ‘Social Stratification’, Oxford University Press, New
Delhi, India.
7. Nagla, Bhupendra Kumar (2008), ‘Indian Sociological Thought’; Jaipur, Rawat
Publication.
8. Oomen T.K. & Venugopal C.N. (2023), Sociology for Law Students, Eastern Book
Company, New Delhi.
9. Shankar Rao C.N., (2006), Sociology, Principles of Sociology with an Introduction
to Social Thought, S. Chand & Co. Ltd., New Delhi.
10. Shankar Rao C.N., (2004), ‘Sociology of Indian Society’ S. Chand & Co. Ltd., New
Delhi.
11. Shah G. (2001). Dalit Identity and Politics in India. Sage Publication Ltd. Wassenaar
12. Sharma K.L, (1997), ‘Social Stratification in India’, Sage Publication, New Delhi
13. Singh Y., (1993), ‘Social Change in India’, Har-Anand Publications, New Delhi.
14. Srinivas, M.N. (1995), ‘Social Change in Modern India’, Orient Longman Private
Limited, New Delhi
15. Srinivas, M.N. (1977), ‘Village, Caste, Gender and Method: Essays in Indian
Anthropology’, Oxford University Press, New Delhi
16. Vidhyarthi L.P. (1985). Tribal Culture of India, Concept Publishing house. New
Delhi.
Course designed by @ Dr. Barnali Das
MODULE IV: RURAL AND URBAN SOCIETY IN INDIA
The module is designed to provide with a critical understanding of the socio-economic
structures, cultural patterns, and legal dimensions of both rural and urban India. As law operates
within the lived realities of people, a nuanced grasp of how society is organized across rural
and urban settings is essential for any legal practitioner engaged in public policy, governance,
or social justice. This module enables students to understand the diverse and interconnected
realities of rural and urban India, preparing them to approach legal issues—such as land rights,
migration, housing, labour, and urban planning—with a grounded and sociologically informed
perspective. Following issues will be discussed in this module:
• Agrarian Society and Agrarian Class Structure in India
• The myth of ‘self-sufficient village community’
• Dynamics and Changes in Rural Society; Impact of Migration
• Origin & Growth of cities, City Characteristics and Types
• Classification of Urban Centres in India
• Impact of Urbanization in Indian Society
• Rural-Urban Contrast & Rural-Urban Continuum & Rural-Urban Interactions

Reading list:
1. Beteille, Andre, (1974), ‘Six Essays in Comparative Sociology’, Oxford University
Press, New Delhi.
2. Chauhan, B.R. (1990), ‘Rural-Urban Articulations’, A.C. Brothers, Etawah.
3. Das, Veena, (2008), ‘Handbook of Indian Society’, Oxford University Press, New Delhi
110001.
4. Desai, A.R. (1979), ‘Rural India in Transition’. Bombay: Popular Prakashan.
5. Desai, A.R. 1959. ‘Rural Sociology in India’. Popular Prakashan, Bombay.
6. Doshi, S.L. & Doshi, P.C. Jain. (1999), ‘Rural Sociology’ Rawat Publications, Jaipur.
7. Gupta, Dipankar (ed), (2011), ‘Social Stratification’, Oxford University Press, New
Delhi, India.
8. Oomen T.K. & Venugopal C.N. (2023), Sociology for Law Students, Eastern Book
Company, New Delhi.
9. Paul, Sujit Kumar (2015),’ Rural Development: Concept and Recent Approaches’,
Concept Publication, New Delhi.
10. Patel Sujata, & Kushal Deb, 2006. Urban Studies: (Oxford in India readings in Social
and cultural anthropology), Oxford University Press, New Delhi.
11. Ramachandran R, (1994), ‘Urbanization & Urban Systems in India’, Oxford University
Press, New Delhi.
12. Rao, M.S.A. (1974), ‘Urban Sociology in India’. Orient Longman, New Delhi.
13. Rao, M.S.A. (1981). “Some aspects of the Sociology of Migration”, Sociological
Bulletin, Vol. 30,1.
14. Redfield, R. (1956), ‘The Little Community’. Chicago University Press, Chicago.
15. Sandhu, Ranvinder Singh (Ed) (2003), ‘Urbanization in India: Sociological
contributions. Sage Publication, New Delhi.
Course designed by @ Dr. Barnali Das
 16. Shankar Rao C.N., (2004), ‘Sociology of Indian Society’ S. Chand & Co. Ltd., New
Delhi.
17. Shankar Rao C.N., (2006), Sociology, Principles of Sociology with an Introduction to
Social Thought, S. Chand & Co. Ltd., New Delhi.
18. Srinivas, M.N. (Ed.). (1955). India’s Villages’. Government of West Bengal Press,
Calcutta.

MODULE V: LAW AND SOCIAL ISSUES

This module aimed at building a comprehensive understanding of how law interacts with key
social challenges in contemporary India. Law does not operate in isolation—it is both a product
of society and a tool for shaping it. This module equips students with the analytical tools to
critically examine the socio-legal dimensions of pressing issues, enabling them to engage with
the legal system as agents of social awareness and reform. The module will cover following
topics:
• Relation between law and society.
• Socio-legal function of law: law as social control, as process for socialisation, role of
law in social change
• Drug Abuse and Alcoholism: causes, consequences and Prevention, socio-legal
implication
• Casteism: Meaning, causes, consequences. Legal implication
• Status and Problems of India’s Women - The Changes in the Status of Women in India.
Violence Against Women
• Concept of gender. Homosexuality, socio-legal issues related with homosexuality
Reading list:

1. Ambedkar, B.R. 1945. Annihilation of caste (3rd edition). Delhi: Gautam Book Centre.
2. Ahuja, Ram (2000), ‘Social Problems in India’, Rawat Publications, New Delhi.
3. Berreman, G.D. 1979, Caste and other inequalities; Essays on Inequality, Folklore
Institute, Merrut.
4. Burra, Neera. (2010) ‘Born to work’, Oxford University Press, New Delhi.
5. Desai, Neera & Usha Thakkar, (2001), ‘Women in Indian Society’, National Book
Trust, India.
6. Nagla, Bhupendra Kumar (2008), ‘Indian Sociological Thought’; Jaipur, Rawat
Publication.
7. Oomen T.K. & Venugopal C.N. (2023), Sociology for Law Students, Eastern Book
Company, New Delhi.
8. Shankar Rao C.N., (2006), ‘Sociology, Principles of Sociology with an Introduction to
Social Thought’, S. Chand & Co. Ltd., New Delhi.
9. Shankar Rao C.N., (2004), ‘Sociology of Indian Society’ S. Chand & Co. Ltd., New
Delhi.

Tentative list of film for screening.

Course designed by @ Dr. Barnali Das
1. Aakrosh. (1980). Directed by Govind Nihlani.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qe0iRHo8eMM&t=7423s
2. Arohan. (1982). Directed by Shyam Benegal.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_dP34fsx4U&t=3s
3. Pink. (2016). Directed by Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNe7gaUXi1k
4. Article 15. (2019). Directed by Anubhav Sinha. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLX5IIOBsm4

Course designed by @ Dr. Barnali Das