G.S. Ghurye, often considered the father of Indian sociology, adopted an 'Indological' or 'textual' approach to understanding Indian society. This method primarily involved studying ancient Sanskrit texts, scriptures, epics, and legal treatises to reconstruct the historical evolution and characteristics of Indian social institutions, particularly caste. Ghurye believed that a deep understanding of these classical texts was essential to grasp the essence of Indian civilization and its unique social structures.

Strengths of Ghurye's approach:

1. Historical Depth: It provided a rich historical perspective, tracing the origins and development of institutions like caste over millennia.
2. Understanding of Traditional Norms: It offered insights into the normative framework and ideal-typical structures prescribed by ancient texts, which influenced social behavior.
3. Emphasis on Indigenous Categories: Ghurye used indigenous concepts and categories derived from texts, rather than imposing Western frameworks.

Critical Examination and Weaknesses:

1. Idealistic vs. Empirical Reality: The primary criticism is that Ghurye's reliance on texts often presented an idealized, prescriptive view of society rather than its empirical, lived reality. Texts often describe how society should be, not necessarily how it was or is.
2. Brahmanical Bias: The texts he studied were predominantly Brahmanical in origin, leading to an overemphasis on the perspectives and values of the upper castes, neglecting the experiences of lower castes, tribals, and women.
3. Neglect of Fieldwork: Unlike later sociologists like Srinivas, Ghurye did not conduct extensive fieldwork. This limited his ability to capture regional variations, social change, and the actual functioning of institutions in diverse local contexts.
4. Static View: His textual approach often presented a somewhat static picture of society, underplaying the dynamics of social change, conflict, and adaptation.
5. Limited Scope: It struggled to explain contemporary social issues and the impact of modernization, as texts primarily reflected pre-modern social conditions.

In conclusion, while Ghurye's Indological approach laid a crucial foundation by providing historical and textual insights into Indian society, its limitations in capturing empirical realities, diverse perspectives, and social change necessitated the development of alternative, fieldwork-based approaches in Indian sociology.