Caste Occupation and Social Transformation : a Study of Artisans of Punjab [Hardcover]

Language: English. ABOUT THE BOOK: This book is about artisan caste, i.e., Thathiar. They are traditionally associated with utensil making. In the wake of industrialization and with the process of modernization many new forces have been unleashed into this traditional hereditary occupation of the Thathiars.The mechanisation of the work processes and intergenerational mobility point towards the diversifications as well as the decay of this occupation in Punjab. The findings on the process of Sanskritisation are illuminating. The study makes an invaluable addition to the body of knowledge needed for the study of social change in changing society. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Manjot Kaur has a PhD in Sociology and is currently Assistant Professor in School of Social Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar. CONTENTS: ?List of Tables 7 List of Figures 9 Acknowledgement 11 1. Introduction 13 Effects of Industrialisation on Handicrafts The Role of Artisans The Artisans of Europe The Artisans of India Transformation in Thathiars Methods of the Study Objectives of the Study Selection of the Respondents Data Collection Analysis of Data 2. The Thathiars 39 The Artisan Castes The Origin of the Term Thathiar Myths on the Origin of the Term Thathiars of Different Regions The National Scenario Social Practices Religious Practices Nature of the Work Thathiars of Jandiala Guru 3. Socioeconomic Profile of Thathiars 63 Age Marital Status Religion Caste Education Occupation Household Information Family Type Place of Residence Place of Work Migration Commuters 4. Changes in the Caste System 77 Changes in the Caste System Emergence of Economic Inequalities within the Caste ? Representation in Social and Political Sphere Caste Association Representation in Religious Spheres Interpersonal and Intercaste Relations Reaction of Other Caste Group 5. Work Processes 99 Skill Formation Motivating Factors to take up the Occupation Nature of Work Activities Performed in the Production Process Difficulties in the Setting up of Work Role of Hereditary Skills in Establishing Enterprises Techniques of Work and Work Organization Cold Work Hot Work Hammering Hollowing and Sinking Main Products Rituals at Work Working Hours Holidays Investment Activities Performed by the Family Members Participation of Women and Children Workers Employed Wages Procurement of Raw Material Sale of the Products Transformation in Production Process Changes Introduced in the Work Reasons Responsible to Introduce Change in Work Changes in Techniques Tools vs. Machine Political Organisation 6. Occupational Mobility 149 Intergenerational Occupational Mobility Place of Carrying Work Activities Reasons for Change in the Work of the Respondents Interest of Children in this Work Change in Traditional Occupation 7 Conclusions 169 References 185 Interview Schedule 195 Index 211 ?List of Tables 2.1 Total Population of Thathiars of Punjab 1921 49 2.2 Divisionswise Population Distribution of The Thathiars of British Territories of Punjab in 1921 50 2.3 Religionwise Distribution of Thathiars of Punjab 1921 50 3.1 Age Distribution of the Respondents 64 3.2 Marital Status of the Respondents 66 3.3 Religion of the Respondents 66 3.4 Educational Level of Respondents 68 3.5 Occupation of the Respondents 69 4.1 Reasons for Dominance of Caste 86 4.2 Reasons for believing in Status of Caste 87 4.3 Reasons for not believing in Caste Status 87 5.1 Motivating Factors to Learn the Skills 102 5.2 Sources and Age at Learning the Skill 104 5.3 Work Activities in the Production Process 110 5.4 Dif culties Faced in setting up the Enterprises 112 ?5.5 Hereditary Skills Helped in Establishing Enterprises 113 5.6 Initial and Present Investment of Thathiars 129 5.7 Number of Family Membersh Engaged 132 5.8 Workers Employed 134 5.9 Changes Made in the Work 143 5.10 Reasons Responsible to Introduce Change 1.…