Sociology Notes

G.S. Ghurye: A Detailed Biography

This article provides a detailed biography of G.S. Ghurye, based on his own book “I and Other Explorations” from 1973. Ghurye was born on December 12, 1893, in the small town of Malvan on the west coast of India. He came from a prosperous Brahmin family known for their religious piety. Due to business losses and the death of his grandfather, Ghurye’s father had to take up a job to support the family. Ghurye had three siblings, including an elder brother whom he admired.

Ghurye began his education in Malvan and later joined an English school after completing his fifth standard examination. While his mother tongue was Marathi, he also learned Sanskrit as it was prevalent in his family. Ghurye’s upbringing in a religious and learned family deeply influenced his values and beliefs. He excelled academically and completed his matriculation from Junagad in Gujarat, where his eldest brother was already studying.

In 1912, Ghurye became a student at Bahauddin College and developed a strong proficiency in Sanskrit. He later joined Bombay University, where he secured fourth position in the entrance exam. Despite bouts of illness, Ghurye maintained his dedication to his studies and performed well. In 1916, after completing his B.A. examination and standing first in his class, he married a girl from a wealthy family in Vengurla, Maharashtra. Although her name was changed after marriage, Ghurye preferred to call her by her original name, Sajubai.

Ghurye continued his studies and completed his M.A. degree, specializing in English, Sanskrit, and later Pali. He also took a course on comparative philology, achieving first class in his M.A. Alongside his academic achievements, Ghurye won the Chancellor’s Gold Medal, the highest honor in the university. He then applied for a scholarship to study sociology abroad and impressed Professor Patrick Geddes with an essay on “Bombay as an Urban Centre,” which led to him receiving the scholarship.

Ghurye traveled to England and studied under L.T. Hobhouse. He also met renowned ethnologist Dr. A.C. Haddon and Dr. W.H.R. Rivers, whose influence on Ghurye was significant. Ghurye published several articles in sociology during this time and wrote his most important work, “Caste and Race in India,” in the 1930s. He obtained his Ph.D. from Cambridge University and returned to India after Rivers’ death.

In 1924, Ghurye and K.P. Chattopadhya were appointed as Readers in Sociology at Bombay University. Ghurye’s reputation and recognition from W.H.R. Rivers played a role in his appointment. He became a Professor of Sociology in 1934 and served as the Head of the Department of Sociology at Bombay University. Ghurye made significant contributions to the growth of sociology and social anthropology in India, guiding and inspiring numerous students who went on to become famous sociologists.

Throughout his career, Ghurye received numerous honors and accolades, including being elected President of the anthropological section of the Indian Science Congress in 1934 and President of the Bombay Anthropological Society from 1942 to 1948. He extensively studied various aspects of Indian society, including castes, tribes, rural-urbanization, Indian Sadhus, and Indian costumes. Ghurye’s knowledge of Sanskrit allowed him to analyze religious scriptures in the context of Indian society.

G.S. Ghurye became a renowned sociologist in India and internationally. He wrote several books and articles, and his expertise and contributions were widely recognized. He passed away in 1984, leaving a significant legacy in the field of sociology.