History of Social Work: State Initiatives

1 History of Social Work: State Initiatives *Neena Pande, Manju Gupta Sashmita Patel Introduction History of Social Work in India is an age old phenomenon. Though Social Work as a profession was recognized and developed by western countries yet the bases on which the profession rests upon very well exist in the foundation of Indian history. The seeds of evolution of Social Work could be explored in world ideologies i.e. secular, humanism, protestantism, rationalism, welfarism, liberalism democracy and utilitarianism. The notion of welfare stemmed up in India in the roots of Dharma. The history of human sufferings and selfish desire too persisted in human society and so existed the mutual assistance to provide protections to humanity. History speaks volume of initiatives taken by kings, queens, landlords, foreign conquerors and invaders, and also under the system of diarchy and later under the constitutional reform of 1935 which ushered in a new era of popularly elected government in the provinces. Social Work emerged as a profession from the perspectives of social services, charity, reform and welfare. Social Work traveled a long way from welfare to empowerment and development and the present emphasis of the profession is protecting and *Dr. Neena Pandey, Ms. Manju Gupta, Ms. Sashmita Patel, Aditi Mahavidyalaya, Delhi University, Delhi. 2 Origin and Development of Social Work in India promoting people’s rights. In this section you will find details on the following: ● Initiatives by local rulers of Ancient and Medieval period ● State Initiatives during colonial period ● Post-independence state and central initiatives. Initiatives by Local Rulers: Kings, Queens, Landlords in Ancient India Strong ethical and spiritual values were part of Indian traditions since early Vedic period. The seeds of human development were served since the origin of Indian society. The spirit of social service manifested itself in various ways in different spheres of life, and inspired both individuals and organized group of people in society. Dimensions of welfare during ancient times evolved in diverse ways but we shall touch upon important phases only, i.e. Pre-Vedic, Vedic and the golden era of Gupta period. Pre-Vedic Period has been the age of invention like other societies of Europe and Greek and India has not been an exception to it. Human being’s relation with environment was existing since beginning and was the basis of survival. The society had a great deal of planning during this period introducing urbanization with planned structure and architecture. It is believed that institutions like law, custom, agriculture, religion existed and guided the people before Aryans migrated to India. People’s self initiated indigenous systems were very much at place before the Aryans arrived. Later the discoveries in 1922-23 A.D. inform about the technology used in Harappan and Mohinjo-daro in Sindh. The excellent and advanced town planning shows the acceptance of each class in society i.e. rich and poor. History of Social Work: State Initiatives 3 The designing of the house and the pattern were such that they show an advance architecture and administration which was need based. Welfare administration is well reflected through advanced and well planned public spaces, the drainage system. This provides the pattern of community life with set rules is an example of people’s friendly society. It is worth to mention that high level of respect and dignity were endorsed to women. The gender inequality has become a challenge today but it is proud to mention that high ideas of social work were practiced during Indus Valley Civilization. Not only human beings even the animals were respected. Lord Shiva has been depicted as ‘pashupati’ (lord of animals) in the architecture of this primitive civilization. The Vedic period provides life’s highest orders, which is found in the Aryan’s scriptures entitled ‘Veda’ i.e. Rigveda, Samveda, Yazurveda, Atharvaveda. It emphasized that the religious hymns and music, sacrifices and knowledge are the soul of human life. The learning of Veda was called Shruti, which was memorizing through listening. One of the finest skills of case work counseling is ‘Listening’ which was practiced in the ‘Pathashala’ mode of education where the ‘Guru’, the teacher used to recite and the disciples practiced the listening and oratory skills and learnt the lessons. It is during Vedic period we locate state authority in the form of family and tribe. Mazumdar informs that the family served as the foundation of the state. A number of families, bound together by real or supposed ties of kindred, formed a clan, several clans formed a district, and a number of these districts composed a tribe, which was considered to be the highest political unit. The monarchy involved many officials to ensure welfare and protection of people. There were messengers and spies to assess people’s feelings towards the state, monarchy 4 Origin and Development of Social Work in India and affairs related to society. Even today we find that assessment of needs and understanding and prioritizing these needs becomes the most important steps towards problem solving. The essential institutions invariably constitute the core of social living even today were marriage, education, religion, laws etc. which emerged during the Vedic period. The assemblies called as ‘sabhas’ and ‘samitis’ were constituted for decision making and ensured people’s participation. Charity in Vedic era was considered as morality. Helping the needy and beggar were praised as moral behaviour. One can conclude that seeds of social welfare were sworn in Indian subcontinent in its early civilizations. There are many stories in Indian literature on ‘Dana’ (charity). We have examples of ‘Karna’ a character from Mahabharata considered as ‘Danveer’ (a giver), Raja Harishschandra as ‘Satyawadi’ (truthful) and Raja Bhoj as an advocate whose justice mechanism was based on human values. The nature and the environment were considered part of religion to be respected and protected. The values, which are being looked for practice today were a part of history of Indian society. It was during the early Vedic era, women were enjoying equal positions. There is a reference of women ‘rishis’ apala, Maitreyi Ghosha. Inequality on the basis of gender was missing but in the later Vedic era with the growth of large territorial state women’s status received the inferior status. The women have accomplished high status as educators, rishis and brahamcharinis. There were forty Sanskaras associated with human life, individual’s age, growth and development. Out of eight types of marriages the Paisacha, Rakshasa and Asura marriages were considered as unlawful. We find similar contemporary challenge before social work in addressing the situations of increasing crimes against women. The ashrama system of ancient times delegated duties History of Social Work: State Initiatives 5 associated with relationships to provide discipline in human lives. The Mauryan Empire provides the information of separate Department of administration and municipal boards. Chandaashoka (Ferocious Ashoka) adopted Buddhism and devoted his life to humanistic values. The eight fold paths of Buddhism finds its relevance in social work principles. Peace, dignity and right to livelihood are living issues and frame ethical standards of a society and being practiced by the NGOs and civil society organizations in our times. The welfare initiatives by Asoka propounded the virtue of care and upliftment of his people by providing public business and facilities. Indian history hosts Charaka during the regime of Kanishka who occupies the royal and highest place of honour for owning indigenous system of medical treatment. In the ancient state there is a mention of bhaisajyagrha, a medical store in the city or town. Kautilaya mentioned about the vetenry surgeons who were the in-charge of cattle, horses and elephants. There was a provision of Samsthadyaksa (controller of establishment who looked after public health) and find Kharavelas contribution form eastern coast of Kalinga, who excelled in the arts of peace. He hosted various public gatherings and initiated number of work of public utility like irrigation, construction of buildings, gardens, canals and recreational places. The ancient books such as Manusmriti by Manu, Arthashastra by Kautilya and Mahabharata by Vedavyasa have mentioned the political institutions as example of scientific governance. The origin of state as divine origin where the king was the representative of God had a mention in Manusmriti much before we learn about the origin of state. Arthashastra and Mahabharata talked about the electoral system much earlier what Locke, 6 Origin and Development of Social Work in India Hobbes and Rousseau called it Social Contract Theory two thousand years later. The safety and security of the subjects were the role and responsibility of the king. The king was elected by people. Arthashastra by Kautilya accounted state’s role which played an effective part over a man’s social, economic, cultural, moral and even spiritual life. There was hardly any limit to the state’s sphere of activities. It includes within the functions of the state not merely the security of life and property, administration of justice and such economic control, including nationalization of trade and industry, as is now being practiced and advocated by most advanced socialistic state, but also maintenance of proper relation between members of a family, the strict observance of rules prescribed by religion or social customs and etiquettes. Kautilaya mentions various schools developed which speak of high volume on science of governance. It is very important to take note that not only governance, trade and industry, the state management system had control over various occupations and professions, i.e. physician, prostitutes, public amusements and gambling and prescribes it to be the duty of state to protect the helpless, the aged, and the orphan, and save people from social evils and natural calamities.

Load more