Indian Sociological Thought (3rd Edition)

DETAILS : 

• Author : B.K. Nagla
  
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Rawat Publications
  
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ 31 December 2022
  
• Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 576 pages
  
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 8131612961
  
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-8131612965
  
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 800 g

ABOUT THE BOOK

Indian Sociological Thought (3rd Edition), authored by the eminent social scientist Dr. B.K. Nagla and published by Rawat Publications, is a benchmark, comprehensive textbook. Spanning several hundred pages of rigorous theoretical mapping, this third edition serves as a definitive academic blueprint for undergraduate and postgraduate students of Sociology ($B.A.$ and $M.A.$), civil services aspirants (specifically for the UPSC sociology optional), and research scholars across South Asia.

The primary objective of this edition is to systematically trace how sociology emerged as a distinct discipline within the Indian subcontinent. It moves away from purely Western Eurocentric models to showcase how indigenous thinkers adapted sociological concepts to analyze the unique, highly complex realities of Indian social structures, caste systems, and cultural diversities. The textbook is structured into highly organized, chronological and thematic modules:

• The Pioneers of Indian Sociology: Deep-dives into the foundational works of the "Founding Fathers," including L.K. Ananthakrishna Iyer, G.S. Ghurye (and his indological approach to caste), and Radhakamal Mukerjee (with his pioneering work on the social structure of values and social ecology).
• The Dialectical and Marxist Approaches: Analyzes the materialist interpretation of Indian history and social transformation through the radical lenses of D.P. Mukerji and A.R. Desai, critically reviewing the structural changes in Indian nationalism and agrarian relations.
• Structural-Functionalism & Structuralism: Unpacks the monumental field-work methodologies of M.N. Srinivas, exploring his defining conceptual breakthroughs such as Sanskritization, Westernization, and the concept of the Dominant Caste, alongside the structuralist viewpoints of Louis Dumont.
• Subaltern and Anti-Caste Perspectives: Features critical evaluations of the Dalit and subaltern standpoints pioneered by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar (annihilation of caste) and David Hardiman, ensuring a balanced, multi-layered view of marginalized social realities.
• Modernization and Globalization Trends: Evaluates contemporary updates in the third edition regarding how post-colonial Indian society negotiates tradition, modernity, and changing family structures in a hyper-globalized world.

Richly supported by comparative conceptual matrices, chapter summaries, and pedagogical review questions, this textbook translates dense intellectual histories into highly scannable, exam-friendly instruction.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Bhupendra Kumar Nagla (better known as B.K. Nagla) is a legendary figure in Indian sociology. He is a former Professor and Head of the Department of Sociology at Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU), Rohtak, Haryana. With a teaching and research career spanning several decades, Dr. Nagla has been deeply involved with the Indian Sociological Society (ISS) and has contributed immensely to mainstreaming regional sociographies.

Dr. Nagla’s authorial style is specifically characterized by its analytical neutrality, structural clarity, and a student-centric pedagogical layout. Rather than treating individual thinkers as isolated entities, the text brilliantly weaves their ideas together to show the historical debates and ideological shifts that have shaped modern Indian public policy, legal reforms, and social activism. His other highly regarded works look into the sociology of deviance, medical sociology, and research methodologies.