Development of Sociology in India: The development of sociology in our country (i.e. India) can be divided into following three phases:

(i) Firstly, from 1789 to 1900, the foundation of sociology was laid down in India.

(ii) Secondly, sociology became a profession, a university subject during this phase from 1901 to 1950. 

(iii) Thirdly, the third phase of development of sociology in India, began after her independence. This phase was marked by programmes of planned development, increased interaction of Indian Sociologists with their counterparts, availability of money for research and intensification of research and publication.

A brief description of above referred three stages is given below:

1. Foundation of Sociology in India: During the course of exercising their rule in India, the British officials realized that for smooth administration, it was important that they acquired knowledge of Indian society and culture. Information was also required about affluent families and their customs, which could be used for revenue collection. If local societies were administered according to their laws and customs, it was thought, there would be peace and harmony. Hence, their laws and customs needed to be recorded meticulously in detail. This prompted the origin of sociology in India.

2. Professionalization of Sociology in India: During the initial years of this phase, the British officials continued with the bulk of their investigations into the lifestyles, customs and laws of people. A number of volumes on castes and tribes were prepared under the supervision of these scholars, such as Crooke, Sherring, Thurston, Russell, Hiralal, Ibbetson and others. Each volume consisted of a short description of each of these societies, its population and spread. The possibility of tribes transforming into castes was also pointed out in some of these volumes. In his People of India (1916), Sir Herbert Risley was one of the first ones to take note of the tribe-caste continuum.

3. Development of Sociology since India's Independence: After India's independence, Indian sociologists and anthropologists came in contact with their counterparts in the United States of America. Earlier, their academic contact was mainly with the scholars of the United Kingdom. Several collaborative projects of Indian and American sociologists began. Publications and research increased. More teaching and research positions were created, as sociology and social anthropology became university subjects and more and more of their departments were opened up. In other words, there was a sharp increase in the popularity of sociology and social anthropology.