The term 'sanskritisation' was given by M.N. Srinivas, he defined it as a process in which the customs, rituals, beliefs, ideology and life style of upper castes (especially twice-born caste) are taken over by a low caste or tribe.

Sanskritisation has multi-fold impact. It influences language, literature, music, dance, drama, life style and rituals.

According to Srinivas -

a) Sanskritisation improves the position of a group in local caste hierarchy.

b) It predicts improvement in economic or political position of the concerned group or the higher group gets conscious about its tradition.

c) However, in Indian society it’s not easy to take over the customs of higher castes by the lower castes.

d) Primarily it was visible in Hindus but it is practiced in other castes and religions also.

Sanskritisation has been criticised at different levels due to following reasons -

a) It gives a scope to lower castes to move up on the social ladder or caste hierarchy

b) It leads to positional change only not structural change

c) It gives acceptance that there exits caste hierarchy in which some castes occupy a higher position than the other.

d) It justifies a model that rests on inequality and exclusion.