Independence movement and the aim of casteless society

Independence movement and the aim of casteless society | Sociology Optional Coaching | Vikash Ranjan Classes | Triumph IAS | UPSC Sociology Optional

When considering the array of 51 optional subjects for the UPSC Mains Examination, Sociology consistently stands out as a top choice. Its inherent appeal lies in its accessibility and intriguing exploration of humanity and society, catering even to students from  Science and Commerce backgrounds. With a well-defined UPSC sociology syllabus comprising only 13 units, Sociology can be comprehensively covered within 5 to 6 Month Comprehensive “Foundation to Finale” Classroom Programme, Many of Our Sociology Foundation Course Students have Cleared CSE 2023- Kajal Singh, First Attempt (Age 22) Mahi Sharma, First Mains (Age 23), Anand Sharma First Mains and Many Others. Previously also Many students like IAS Pradeep Singh, IAS Ashish, IPS Bindu Madhav, IPS Aparna Gautam, IPS Shahnaz Illyas got Success in CSE in First Attempt with Sociology Optional.

IAS Medha Anand, has get 310 marks in her optional subject sociology, 156 in paper – 1 &  154 marks in Paper -2 in CSE 2023. Notably, Sociology for UPSC has garnered a reputation as one of the Highest scoring optional subjects in the UPSC Main Examination, with numerous candidates consistently achieving 300+. Its popularity is evident in the fact that a significant proportion of top 100 rankers opt for Sociology as their optional subject, showcasing its high scoring potential, particularly for those not from sociology backgrounds. Moreover, relevance of Sociology Optional Syllabus for UPSC extends beyond the examination hall, enriching understanding across various aspects of life, from social and economic to political and cultural domains. In recent times, Sociology Optional has gained traction, aligning with the evolving trend of the UPSC Mains towards conceptual analysis. Unlike other optional subjects with unpredictable question patterns, Sociology offers stability and predictability, making it an attractive choice. This adaptability, coupled with its concise syllabus and relevance to both academic and social spheres, positions Sociology as the ideal optional subject for engineers as well as optional subject for commerce graduates and optional subject for  science graduates seeking success in the Civil Services Examination. For those pursuing Sociology as an optional subject, accessing comprehensive Sociology optional notes and few good Sociology optional books, and previous years’ UPSC sociology optional question papers is pivotal for thorough preparation. Additionally, for aspirants seeking guidance, renowned  educator Vikash Ranjan Sir at TRIUMPH IAS coaching institutes in Delhi, offer valuable support and resources. Vikash Ranjan Sir is the Best Sociology Teacher and Triumph IAS is the
best sociology coaching in Delhi. If you are away from Old Rajendra Nagar, Delhi, you can still complete Journey of UPSC civil service preparation through online Sociology class The  scientific nature of Sociology, coupled with its direct applicability to daily social interactions, renders it a subject that can be comprehended without extensive reference materials, distinguishing it from other optional subjects requiring extensive reading and research.

Independence movement and the aim of casteless society

Relevant for Civil Services Examination

GS Paper-1,

Modern Indian History from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues.

Sociology paper- 2   
Perspectives on the study of caste systems: G. S. Ghurye, M. N. Srinivas, Louis Dumont, Andre Beteille. Features of caste system.  

Untouchability-forms and perspectives

Independence movement and the aim of casteless society

Caste as a central issue

  • By the late nineteenth century, caste had become deeply ingrained in the daily lives of Indians. Definitions of caste frequently centered on Brahminical concepts of purity and pollution, with strong opposition to these ideas also emerging.
  • Defination of caste shaped by bhramanical notion of purity and  pollution, created rigid social boundries.
  • Colonial Government further enterenched these boundaries by various legislations
  • In the 1870s, the colonial administration introduced legislation that culminated in the Criminal Tribes Act of 1871 in North India, later extending to the Bengal Presidency in 1876 and the Madras Presidency in 1911. This law empowered the colonial government to label entire communities as criminals, a designation that persisted until 1949 when it was replaced by the Habitual Offenders Act of 1952.

Emergence of Anti-caste leaders

  • By the onset of the First World War, India had a larger number of English-educated elites than any other European colony. Despite their efforts to articulate the principles of universal human rights, citizenship, and constitutional governance, caste continued to be a significant underlying factor in the national discourse about India’s future.
  • As the shadow of colonialism grow,various leaders grew to challange the caste system
  • One such leader was Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, a 19th-century Marathi activist and founder of the Satyashodhak Samaj, who became one of modern India’s first anti-caste ideologues. Phule authored Gulamgiri (1873), which detailed the plight of “untouchables” in India and praised Muslim rulers, Christian missionaries, and the British administration for fostering an egalitarian consciousness in Indian society. He also introduced the term “Dalit” (meaning “untouchables” or “broken people”) into the lexicon of anti-caste movements and promoted his version of the Aryan invasion theory, portraying the Vedic and Puranic pantheon of Hindu icons as exploitative and oppressive toward the nation’s indigenous peoples and tribes.
  • The first significant 20th-century event in pan-Indian Dalit movements was the All India Depressed Classes Leaders’ Conference in Nagpur in 1926. This conference led to the formation of the All India Depressed Classes Association, with Rao Bahadur M.C. Rajah as president and B.R. Ambedkar as one of its vice presidents. In the Madras Presidency, Erode Venkatappa Ramasamy (Periyar) founded the anti-Brahminical Self-Respect Movement, which later laid the foundation for his leadership of the Justice Party in 1939.
  • In 1927, Ambedkar led the Mahad Satyagraha, advocating for the rights of “untouchables” to access water from a public tank in Mahad, Maharashtra, previously restricted by leaders of privileged castes. Later that year, Ambedkar organized a public procession to burn the Manusmriti—an ancient Indian text viewed by both Phule and Ambedkar as a significant source of the caste system and the practice of untouchability.
  • In 1930, the year of the First Round Table Conference, Ambedkar founded the All India Depressed Classes Congress. On the streets, Dalit mobilizations called for land reforms, the eradication of caste-based employment, the consolidation of workers’ unions in mills and factories, internal social reforms among depressed classes (such as intermarriage between subcastes), and the elimination of devadasi-type prostitution.
  • Meanwhile, a caste uplift movement initiated by Vinayak Damodar Savarkar and factions of the emerging Hindutva movement also sought to eradicate untouchability and caste divisions by attempting to homogenize ritualistic and symbolic hierarchies among various castes in Maharashtra.

Independence and the partition of caste politics

  • As India inched closer to independence,the dream of casteless society clashed with the realities of nation building
  • The need to draft a constitution and manage the pressure of partition forced a compromise, fragmenting the once united dalit movements.
  • In the following years, Gandhi’s approach to eradicating untouchability and uplifting castes continued under the banner of his organization, the Harijan Sevak Sangh. Initially, this seemed to align him with Ambedkar, particularly with the Poona Pact’s provisions and the tenets of the new Government of India Act of 1935.
  • However, this collaboration was short-lived. The Congress party soon formed the All India Depressed Classes League, appointing Dalit leaders Babu Jagjivan Ram as its president and Prithvi Singh Azad as the general secretary. In response, Ambedkar founded the Independent Labour Party in 1936, further emphasizing his divergence from Gandhian and Congress ideologies.

Lingering legacy of caste in modern times

  • The period between 1917 and 1950 witnessed the rise of a new rhetoric, presenting a supposedly modernized version of Hinduism, heavily influenced by Gandhi’s vision of Ram Rajya as an ideal welfare state. With Congress gaining electoral dominance over Ambedkarite and Periyarite movements, Dalit politics had to contend with accusations of allowing cultural and colonial influences to encroach upon traditional ‘Hindu’ ways of life.

The annihilation of caste was perceived as a ‘breach of peace

  • In the context of 21st-century caste movements in India and the recent Supreme Court judgment, the relevance of the caste issue today seems to echo back to the era of the Independence movement and its aftermath.
  • During the 1950s, as new constitutional protections for reserved sections of Indian society were perceived as advantages for caste identity and politics, a frustrated political leader argued in 1955 that “the politician who desires the disappearance of caste and communal distinctions is simultaneously aware of its vote-catching power, creating a genuine dilemma.”
  • As India continue to grapple with caste, the legacy of those early struggles remains ever relevant.

The End of the Blog : Independence movement and the aim of casteless society

After Class Doubts Session of Students
with Vikash Ranjan Sir


Frequently Asked Questions by
UPSC Sociology Optional Students

  1. How to prepare for the Sociology Optional without coaching?
  • Understand the syllabus thoroughly: Familiarize yourself with the entire syllabus for both Paper I and Paper II. Download the official UPSC syllabus and use it as your roadmap. You can attend Sociology Orientation Lectures by Vikash Ranjan sir  on YouTube
  • Build a strong foundation: Start with introductory textbooks and NCERT books to grasp core sociological concepts. You can start with Introduction to Sociology books
  • Choose reliable study materials: Select high-quality textbooks, reference books, and online resources recommended by experts. You can opt for Vikash Ranjan Sir Notes too.
  • Develop a study schedule: Create a realistic and consistent study schedule that allocates dedicated time for each topic. Stick to it and track your progress.
  • Take notes effectively: Don’t just passively read. Summarize key points, create mind maps, or use other note-taking techniques to aid understanding and revision.
  • Practice answer writing: Regularly write answers to past year question papers and model questions. Focus on clarity, structure, and critical thinking. Evaluate your answers for improvement.
  • Seek guidance: You can take free Mentorship on Sociology Optional preparation by Vikash Ranjan sir. Connect with Vikash Ranjan sir (7303615329) to share strategies, ask questions, and stay motivated.  
  1. Can I prepare for Sociology Optional without coaching?

Absolutely! Many aspirants successfully clear the exam through self-study. However coaching can provide structure and guidance, for time bound preparation.

  1. What are the benefits of preparing without coaching?
  • Cost-effective: Coaching can be expensive, and self-study allows you to manage your resources efficiently.
  • Flexibility: You can tailor your study plan to your individual needs and pace.
  • Independence: You develop critical thinking and research skills, valuable assets for your career.
  1. What are the challenges of preparing without coaching?
  • Discipline and motivation: You need self-discipline to stay on track and motivated without external guidance. Coaching and Teacher keeps you motivated.
  • Access to resources: You may need to do extra research to find quality study materials and answer-writing practice opportunities. Teacher help you on this respect.
  • Doubt clearing: You might lack immediate access to someone to address your doubts and questions. Teacher like Vikash Ranjan sir is accessible to his students 24×7   Mo- 7303615329
  1. What additional resources can help me?
  • Vikash Ranjan Sir’s YouTube channel and website: Offers free Sociology lectures, study materials, and guidance.
  • Triumph IAS website: Provides past year question papers, model answers, and other helpful resources.
  • Public libraries and online databases: Utilize these resources for access to relevant books, journals, and academic articles. 

Sociology Optional Program for
UPSC CSE  2025 & 2026


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