B.A. Social Notes

      The Saka Rule and Indian Culture The Sakas ruled over this country for a period of about five hundred years. They adopted Indian way of life and customs. They learnt much from Indian culture and contributed likewise to the life and culture of this country.The Indian culture was sufficiently influenced by the culture and traditions of the Sakas in different aspects. Administration The administrative machinery of the Saka rulers was of a very high standard. It was an admixture of Indo-Greek systems of administration.The king was head of the administration.Many titles,such as, 'Adhiraja', 'Rajadhiraja', 'Devaputra', 'Chakravarti' and others were adopted by the Saka rulers. The prime minister was the head of this council. In addition,many other officials,such as, Mahamatra, Rajuka, Mahesenapati, Dandanayaka, Mahadandanayaka, Senagopa, Koshadhyaksha, Bhandarika, Rajalipikar etc. ,were also appointed in order to assist the king in the administrat

       Greek Influence on Indian Culture The Greek invasion touched only the upper surface of Indian life and culture. Alexander was the first Greek who invaded India,but his invasion had no permanent effect upon Indian culture.As a consequence of Alexander's invasion,the coinage system underwent minute changes. The Gandhara art had its birth and some new avenues were opened for trade and commerce.This was the only effect of the invasion of Alexander on Indian culture. In fact,Alexander appeared like a conqueror and not as a propagator of culture and civilization.The second Greek invader was Seleucus ,who attacked India in about 306 B.C .This invasion,too,did not make any impact on Indian culture. In the middle of the third century B.C. two Greek dynasties-the Bactrian and the Parthian -were established in Greece.The rulers of these dynasties invaded India between 205 B.C . Demetrius,Menander and Eukratides were the main invaders who laid the foundation of Indo-Greek king

            The Bactrian Greek Rulers The territory situated across the Hindukush mountain was called Bactria , Balkh was the capital of the State of Bactria. Bactria was a prosperous state, and also known as an important centre of Greek civilisation. Balkh was the main centre of trade and commerce of middle Asia. In about 250 B.C. Diodotus, governor of Bactria, revolted against the rule of Antiochus I,grandson of Seleukus,and declared himself as an independent ruler of Bactria. But his military rule could not last long. The political discontent remained as before till 230 B.C. At last, Euthydemus,the inhabitants of Mongolia, ruined the dynasty which was Established by Diodotus. Euthydemus ascended the throne of Bactria. When he died in about 190B.C. He was succeeded by his able son Demetrius . He was great warrior and he adopted the policy of imperialism. The Invasion of Demetrius Demetrius was undoubtedly a powerful ruler of Bactria. He invaded India in about 184 B.C. The

                                Rights Meaning of Rights- State is known by the rights that it maintains ,says professor Laski. The State ought to guarantee to individual the enjoyment of a certain number of basic human rights which are essential for good life. Thus, the rights anyone may claim are partly those which are essential to every man in order to be a national human person, and partly those which are necessary for the fulfilment of the functions that society expects from him. They are conditioned by and correlative to his social responsibility ". Some important definitions are given below- 1-"Rights are those conditions of social life without which no man can seek to be himself at his best" .-Laski 2-According to Sri Niwas Shastri, "In its essence a right is an arrangement,rules, or practice sanctioned by the law of the community and conducive to the highest moral good of the citizens". 3-"Rights are one man's capacity of influen

                         Social Control The system or the organisation by which the social relations or behaviour is controlled is called social controls. Social control refers to the processes by which the behaviour of individuals or group is regulated. According to Fisher, "Social Control is an extension of the socialisation Process ". Horton and Hunt says that,"Sociologist use the term social control to describe all the means and processes whereby a group or a society secures its members conformity to its expectations ". Objectives of Social Control The social Control aims to bring about conformity,solidarity and continuity of a particular group or society.- Kimball Young To regulate the individual behaviour. To maintain and re-established the social order. To established unity and solidarity among the members. To ensure the continuity of the group or society. To check crime and other antisocial activities. To maintain the culture,social no

Similarities between Buddhism and Jainism Dr. N.N. Ghosh has written," The points in which Buddhism and Jainism differ from Brahmanism or orthodox Hinduism are the points of resemblance between the former two ". Monier Williams has observed," Buddhism and Jainism were not related to each other as parents or child but rather children of common parents,born at different intervals,though at about the same period of time and marked by distinct characteristics,though possessed of a strong family of resemblance " . Common Rise- As Hinduism was becoming rigid day by day,people began to hate the bloody Yajnas and religions raised a voice against the shortcomings of Hinduism and gained ground. Thus,both  Jainism and  Bud dhism were Protestant religious movements. Principal of Ahimsa- Both religion had faith in the equality of all living beings. Hence they taught their followers not to kill anybody. Thus,the principle of ahimsa was followed by both the religion

Distinction between Hinyanism & Mahayanism                During the reign of Kanishka when the fourth Buddhist council was held,and it divided into two sects Hinayana and Mahayana. Kanishka was the powerful Kushan ruler and a staunch devotee of Buddhism. The followers of the Hinayana and Mahayana, school of Buddhism believed in the old religion propounded by Lord Buddha and the devotees of the Mahayana school made certain changes of their own choice. This event is called the transformation of Buddhism. Their differences are following- 1-Idol Worship- The followers of the Hinayana used to regard the Buddha as a great man. They never worshipped him as a god. But the followers of the Mahayana used to worship Lord Buddha as a god. They constructed of Lord Buddha and started worshipping him as the Hindus worshiped their gods. 2-Faith in Place of Reason- Lord Buddha had preached his followers not to accept anything blindly.It is the self efforts of a man which bring the frui