Westernization is a major cultural process of change. The term Westernization is introduced in Indian Sociology by M. N. Srinivas. It has been used to analyze the exogenous source of social changes in contemporary India. M. N. Srinivas, in his book ‘Social Change in Modem India’, explains Westernization in the following words.

“The changes brought about in Indian society and culture as a result of over 150 years of British rule, and the term subsumes changes occurring at different U levels; technology, institutions, ideology, values”. Westernization virtually indicates the process of imitation of western lifestyles by the Indian.

The process of westernization brought about a number of socio cultural changes in the Indian Society, among which the following may be noted in three main areas: 

Technology, Institutions, Ideology, and values.

1. Technology: The new and large scale industries introduced by the British exposed the average Indian to the influence of Western Technology. The widespread use of the western technology led to the process of industrialization. The process of industrialization is normally associated with the growth of towns and cities which started attracting people from the rural areas.

Cities provided a favourable atmosphere for the spread of western influence. Technology led to the development in the fields of Communication, Post and Telegraph, Telephone and Radio, Railways, Roadways, etc.,

2. New Institutions: Westernization brought about changes in institutional systems also. 

For example

a. In the place of Traditional Educational Institutions, the western type of formal educational Institutions such as Schools, Colleges, Technical Institutes, Research Centres, Universities, etc., got established. English became the medium of instruction in these Institutions and gained prominence. It also served to spread the English culture,

b. In the place of Traditional caste panchayats, the modem law, legislation, court, police, and other legal systems came to stay.

c. The modem capitalist mode of Economy gave a fatal blow to the erstwhile Jajmani System. New Commercial Establishments, banks, and new accounting system came into practice.

d. New institutional arrangements such as Social Welfare Schemes, Life insurance schemes, Social security schemes, etc., were introduced in order to provide protection and security to people where ever required.

3. Ideology and Values: Westernization implies certain value preferences also. Humanitarianism, Rationalism, Egalitarianism, and Secularism are associated with westernization. These ideologies and values had a great impact on Indians. They changed the traditional attitudes and outlook of the people. Western ideologies and values provided inspiration for social reform movements, such as Brahma Samaja, Arya Samaja, Ramakrishna Mission, etc.,