Westernization- Meaning, Definition, Characteristics and Impacts of westernization on Indian society

 

# Meaning of Westernization

The term ‘westernization’ was coined by M.N. Srinivas to signify the changes in the Indian society during the British rule. By promoting education, egalitarianism, rationalism, humanism and above all a critical outlook towards various social issues and problems, westernization has gone long way in undermining the influence of the caste system.

Westernization is a process whereby societies come under or adopt Western culture in areas such as industry, technology, law, politics, economics, lifestyle, diet, languages, alphabet, religion, philosophy and values. 

Westernization means incorporation of the norms, values and cultures of the West in one’s own culture. India came under the influence of Westernization during the British rule.

# Definition of Westernization

According to M.N. Srinivas:- “Westernization refers to the changes brought about in the Indian society and culture as a result of over 150 years of British rule and the term subsumes changes occurring at different levels- technology, institution, ideology and values.”

# Characteristics of Westernization

1. Morally neutral:- Modernization is generally considered to be good, but this is not always so with Westernization. Westernization has been for good as well as evil. In fact westernization is morally neutral.

2. Wide, complex and multi-level concept:- The concept of westernization is quite wide. It subsumes all changes which are consequent upon western technology and modern science. Secondly, it has had varying impact upon the different aspects of the culture hence it is a complex concept. Thirdly, westernization has affected society on different levels. For example, in older days people used to eat in thalis or bananas leaves in squatting position but now they use dining table with all its accessories.

3. Conscious- unconscious process:- Westernization has not been incorporated willingly everywhere in India. At placing the copying of British manners and customs were deliberate, at other places it was a subconscious process.

4. Changes in old institution:- Westernization not only includes the introduction of new institution for example newspapers, elections, Christian missionaries, etc. but also fundamental changes in old institutions.

5. Universal process:- Westernization is universal process because it presents all the countries of the world. Due to the rapid development of science and technology all non-western countries are more or less follow over the culture of Western countries.

6. Dynamic process:- Westernization is not static process. It is purely a dynamic process. Movement from one country to another is the silent feature of westernization. For example, nowadays the scientific and technological inventions and discoveries of Western countries are rapidly moving towards non-western countries.

7. Combination of several ideology:- Westernization is the combination of several ideologies and values. These ideologies are liberalism, equalism, nationalism, socialism and so on. These are moving from western society to non-western society by westernization process.

# Impact of Westernization on Indian society

1. Impact on institutions:- Westernization has influenced caste system, joint family system, etc. It gave birth to new institutions like press, electoral system, Christian missionaries, etc.

2. Impact of western education:- The most significant impact of westernization is to be seen in the form of modern education taking root. During the British period, British government in India opened the doors of education to all the sections of Indian society, irrespective of caste or creed.

3. Highlighted evils practices:- Modern education had highlighted the evils practices and weaknesses developed into the system like rigidity and harness of many social customs and practices prevalent at that time for the weaker sections of society i.e., untouchability and inhuman treatment to women, sati, polygamy, child marriage, etc. prevalent at that time.

4. Trans valuation:- Westernization has encouraged modern values like humanism, egalitarianism and secularism. British civil and criminal law affected Hindu and Muslim laws. The system of slavery was ended and members of all caste were free to get education. Many discriminative religious practices were ended. Among such practices, the practice of untouchability is foremost.

5. Re definition of Hinduism:- Under the impact of westernization, many religious reform movements came into existence and they attempted to re-define the various aspects of Hinduism in the light of modern science and knowledge. In re-defining Hinduism Maharishi Dayananad, Ramkrishna Paramhansa, Vivekanand, Ravindra Nath Tagore, Sri Aurobindo, Raja Ram Mohan Roy did commendable job. They indicated to various aspects of Hindus which require urgent reforms. By their laudable efforts Sati system was ended, the curse of child marriage was put to an end and widow remarriage for sanctioned.

6. Many political and cultural movements:- Besides the religious reform movements which came into existence under the impact of westernization many political and cultural movements were also started. Besides nationalist movement many parochial movements based upon caste, creed, language and religion came into existence.

7. Growth of nationalism:- Both nationalism and democracy are causes of westernization implies consciousness of one’s nationhood. Democracy is a special or political organization and system of values in which nation states can be founded. The feeling of nationality and respect for Democratic norms is a consequence of westernization.

8. Impacts of food habits and mode of living:- Westernization has reached the level of food habits and way of habits. Traditionally, Indians ate their meals sitting on the floor. Food was served either on the leaves of the banana or brash brunch or silver plates. Food was served from children to elders in order of seniority. But now the westernized groups prefer to eat at tables with stainless steel utensils and spoon etc.

9. Impact on the dress patterns:- Under the influence of the westernization every people in the villages now choose for factory made clothes like nylon, teriline, tericot, etc. in place of wools, readymade garments have become popular. The mode of dress has also undergone a drastic change.

10. Change in language:- Many terms from the English language have entered into the dialogue of the rural people. Due to the impact of westernization people always try to speak the English word.

11. Weakening of traditional culture:- The westernization process weaken the traditional culture of Indian society. As a result, Indians today as more individualistic free thinking and lead a free life.

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