Emergence of Sociology

Explore UPSC 2024 details here
The French revolution and the industrial revolution started at the end of the 18th century. In this article, you will learn about the emergence of sociology in general and its influence over India during that period. You will learn about the contribution of social forces concerning the emergence of sociology. The emergence of sociology was influenced by the three major revolutions, as mentioned above. To understand the social actions such as the natural environment, heredity, factors of culture, and group. The Austro-Hungarian philosopher Karl Polanyi wrote ‘The Great Transformation’. He discussed the book’s title, ‘The Great Transformation’, influenced by the same three factors. According to the book, ‘great transformation’ had several results, among which one of the results began the emergence of the science of sociology. When the French Revolution broke out around 1789, history started to change. The Enlightenment began after the French Revolution, building a new framework of ideas about nature, society, and humanity. Social and economic changes were initiated and brought forward, followed by the industrial revolution.  

Check here: UPSC CSE 2023 Final Result

Discover Unacademy UPSC Coaching Centres in the following locations 

• IAS Coaching in Mukherjee Nagar Delhi
• IAS Coaching in Karol Bagh
• UPSC Coaching in Prayagraj

Changes occurred during the French revolution

The French revolution was the first ideological and modern revolution, among all the revolutions like the French revolution, which lasted for ten years. Society was significantly impacted because of the changes in the French Revolution. This revolution eliminated the social distinctions between the feudal society and the people. The church’s power was taken away and passed on to the hands of the people. For the first time, people felt like citizens.

Additionally, the clerical hierarchy existed until the clerical hierarchy did not give up their property and rights. In Europe and France, these changes significantly impacted historical, political, and social conditions. In the historical and social world, Aristotle and Plato become manifest due to the revolution that happened in France. 

Also see: UPSC Notes

Changes brought by the French Revolution were 

• Declaration of Human Rights 
• significant changes to the families 
• The church lost its power and tremendous influence 
• The clerical hierarchy gave up on its property and rights
• Establishment of ‘Civil marriage’ and ‘divorce’
• Changes in education and religion

Visit to know more about UPSC Exam Pattern

Beginning of the Industrial Revolution 

The beginning of the Industrial Revolution was the second major factor responsible for the emergence of sociology. The Industrial Revolution started in England in the 18th century (1870). This revolution brought several changes in societies; rapid population growth was experienced after this revolution which led to the reverberation of the economy. Due to the rapid population growth, there was more demand for goods, and hence more numbers of workers were needed as the production of goods was maximised. Before Industrialisation, this type of work was done in a traditional form, like using human resources or primitive tools. 

Also read about Tips for UPSC Preparation

The Enlightenment period

The Enlightenment was an interesting period as it consisted of many philosophers. The famous figures of this framework were Jacques Tugot (1729-1781), Jean Condorcet (1743-1794) and Charles Montesquieu (1689-1755). These three people challenged the conceptions of the world and existing tradition. The Enlightenment period was one of the major factors contributing to the emergence of sociology in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. In simple words, the meaning of Enlightenment is having critical ideas and knowing the reasons behind the primary values of society. Enlightenment means the construction of a new framework of the diversity of ideas about man, society, and nature. The conceptions that existed before are deeply rooted in a traditional view. This phenomenon is dominated by Christianity” (Hamilton,23). 

Emergence Of Sociology in India

Earlier, India was studied under anthropology in the west. When the emergence of sociology occurred in India, India was studied under a mix of anthropology and sociology, or social anthropology. The emergence of sociology In India brought several changes, such as changes in the educated segments of the middle class. The origin of the emergence of sociology in India started around the 1920s. Although Sociology was taught at Bombay University as early as 1914, the true emergence of sociology In India started with the establishment of sociology departments in Lucknow and Mumbai. In the Indian subcontinent, the arrival of Sociology research and its study was the nationalist spirit. 

Conclusion 

The Industrial Revolution, the French Revolution, and the Enlightenment were the main three reasons that influenced or contributed to the emergence of sociology. The emergence of sociology began in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The lives of common people were much better and easier during this historical period. Due to all the changes that occurred during this period, people became more open-minded and started to live a good life with several options. All these changes were an important turning point for that period, leading to an economic and technological boom and helping people to learn to live in societies.