Bridging Tradition and Modernity: Theoretical and Existential Contributions of Indian Sociologists in the Lucknow School of Thought
Keywords:
Radhakamal Mukerjee, D.P.Mukerji, tradition and modernity, value-centric sociology, indigenous epistemology, sociological theoryAbstract
The study discusses the conceptual, theoretical and enduring contributions of the Lucknow School of thought to the Indian sociology, with reference to the ground breaking research of Radhakamal and D.P. Mukerji. The Lucknow School was a leading local sociology school in India that combined local philosophy with empirical social science which made it develop a distinct Indian school of thought in sociology. Qualitative and historical-analytical techniques are employed in the research to analyze how the founders are devoted to value-oriented, culturally assimilated, and ethical sociology.
It focused on the civilisationalism and humanism by highlighting social ecology, interplay of tradition and modernity, collective awareness and cultural ethos in sociological studies the Lucknow School. The significance of them is amplified by the popular intellectualism, the ideology of nationalism, and educational and planning programs. The Lucknow School focused on a sophisticated and reflective approach with basis on Indian experiential reality, unlike the Western positivism.
This study advances the revival and re-focality of indigenous sociological approaches in suing the Lucknow School in relation to other regional schools, and determining its applicability in the contemporary sociological discourse. This conclusion encourages the re-adaptation of this legacy, in both the academic curriculum and practices, and the reinvention of Indian sociology as both globally oriented and rooted in the locale.
Downloads
References
Connell, R. (2007). Southern Theory: The Global Dynamics of Knowledge in Social Science. Cambridge: Polity Press.
Dasgupta, J. (1968). Radhakamal Mukerjee: A Biographical Sketch. Indian Journal of Social Work, 29(3), 229–240.
Desai, A. R. (2005). Social Background of Indian Nationalism (6th ed.). Mumbai: Popular Prakashan.
Deshpande, S. (2004). Contemporary India: A Sociological View. New Delhi: Penguin.
Ghurye, G. S. (1950). Caste and Race in India (2nd ed.). Bombay: Popular Book Depot.
Guha, R. (1999). Environmentalism: A Global History. New Delhi: Oxford University Press.
Guha, R. (1999). Environmentalism: A Global History. New Delhi: Oxford University Press.
Heehs, P. (2008). The Lives of Sri Aurobindo. New York: Columbia University Press.
Karve, I. (1961). Hindu Society—An Interpretation. Poona: Deccan College.
Madan, T. N. (2002). Pathways: Approaches to the Study of Society in India. New Delhi: Oxford University Press.
Mukerjee, R. (1946). Regional Sociology and Social Ecology. Social Forces, 25(2), 147–153.
Mukerjee, R. (1949). The Social Structure of Values. London: Macmillan.
Mukerjee, R. (1951). The Philosophy of Social Science. Allahabad: Kitab Mahal.
Mukerjee, R. (1955). The Dynamics of Morals. Bombay: Hind Kitabs.
Mukerji, D. P. (1951). Modern Indian Culture. Bombay: Popular Book Depot.
Mukerji, D. P. (1958). Diversities: Essays in Economics, Sociology and Other Social Problems. People’s Publishing House.
Nagla, B. K. (2010). Indian Sociological Thought. Jaipur: Rawat Publications.
Nandy, A. (2004). Bonfire of Creeds: The Essential Ashis Nandy. New Delhi: Oxford University Press.
Omvedt, G. (2006). Dalit Visions: The Anti-Caste Movement and the Construction of an Indian Identity. Hyderabad: Orient BlackSwan.
Parekh, B. (1997). Gandhi: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Patel, S. (2011). Doing Sociology in India: Genealogies, Locations, and Practices. Oxford University Press.
Rao, M. S. A. (1979). Social Movements in India. Manohar.
Santos, B. d. S. (2007). Cognitive Justice in a Global World: Prudent Knowledges for a Decent Life. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield.
Singh, Y. (1986). Indian Sociology: Social Conditioning and Emerging Concerns. Vistaar Publications.
Srinivas, M. N. (1952). Religion and Society among the Coorgs of South India. Oxford University Press.
Srinivas, M. N. (1966). Social Change in Modern India. Berkeley: University of California Press.
Tagore, R. (1917). Nationalism. London: Macmillan.
Uberoi, J. P. S. (2002). The European Modernity: Science, Truth and Method. New Delhi: Oxford University Press.
Uberoi, P. (2002). The European modernity debate and the 'Indian tradition'. Economic and Political Weekly, 37(15), 1435–1441.
Uberoi, P. (2002). The Family in India: Beyond the Nuclear Versus Joint Debate. In P. Uberoi (Ed.), Family, Kinship and Marriage in India (pp. 54–81). New Delhi: Oxford University Press.
Published on: 22-03-2026
Also Available On
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Dr. Bhupendra Sachan
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors contributing to this journal retain the copyright of their articles but agree to publish their articles under the terms of the Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) allowing third parties to copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format, and to remix, transform, and build upon the material, for any purpose, even commercially, under the condition that appropriate credit is given, that a link to the license is provided, and that they indicate if changes were made. They may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses them or their use.
