First, what is Sanskritisation? Sanskritisation is an ancient old process in which the lower varna or lower caste imitates the lifestyle of the higher varna or higher caste. For example, it is observed that women belonging to the higher varna or higher caste, particularly in rural areas, do not work in the agricultural field or farm. On the other hand, it is observed that the women belonging to the lower varna or lower caste engage in agricultural work or farm activities in rural areas.
Thus it is observed that the way of life of higher caste people is different from that of lower caste people. This difference is observed in dressing patterns, food habits, rituals, way of work and so on. So, the higher castes’ way of life is assumed to be superior to the lower caste. So, there is a tendency among lower varna or lower caste to imitate the higher varna or higher caste way of life.
Now we try to explain the relationship between Sanskritisation and the agricultural boom. There was a global agriculture boom during 2010-12. This global agricultural boom benefitted Indian agriculture also. This helped to increase the agricultural income of farmers in rural areas. As the farm income increases in rural areas, the women of lower caste have withdrawn from agriculture activities. The increase in income prevented the need to go to the farm.
This happened because the lower caste people wanted the way of life of the higher caste to be imitated. As a large number of women withdrew from agriculture activities at the national level, there was a shortage of labour in the agricultural field. This helped to increase the wages of the rural population. Thus, the economic activity i.e. the agriculture boom has strengthened the process of Sanskritisation.
To conclude, Sanskritisation allows the positional change in the caste system without any structural change.
