Caste Occupation and Social Transformation : a Study of Artisans of Punjab

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. Socio-economic Profile of Thathiars 63 Age Marital Status Religion Caste Education Occupation Household Information Family Type Place of Residence Place of Work Migration Commuters