Introduction to Indian Society
Short Questions
1. What is the primary focus of Sociology as mentioned in the document?
Answer: Sociology focuses on understanding the ‘what’, ‘how’, and ‘why’ of human social behavior.
2. What are the main sources of information about ancient Indian social life?
Answer: Artifacts, travelogues, memoirs, biographies, literature, edicts, and inscriptions.
3. Name the three sub-units into which the study of Indian society is divided.
Answer: Ancient and Medieval India, Colonial Period, and Post-Independent India.
4. What was the Harappan civilization’s approach to religious practices?
Answer: They venerated natural elements and had figurines of deities but no temples or idol worship.
5. How did the Early Vedic period differ from the Later Vedic period regarding women’s status?
Answer: Women had more access to education and social assemblies in the Early Vedic period.
6. What are the four aims of Hindu life (Purusharthas)?
Answer: Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha.
7. What is the significance of the Eight-Fold Path in Buddhism?
Answer: It is a guide to ethical and mental development leading to enlightenment.
8. Which religion introduced the concept of Langar in India?
Answer: Sikhism introduced Langar, a community kitchen symbolizing equality and charity.
9. What was the Bhakti movement’s stance on the caste system?
Answer: It rejected the caste system and advocated equality in worship.
10. How did the status of women change in the Later Vedic period?
Answer: Women were restricted to household duties and denied education and social participation.
11. What was the medium of instruction in British-established schools during the Colonial period?
Answer: English was the medium of instruction.
12. What is meant by ‘Westernization’ as described by M.N. Srinivas?
Answer: It refers to the imitation of British lifestyle by the Indian elite.
13. Name one social legislation passed during the Colonial period.
Answer: The Abolition of Sati Act, 1829.
14. Who was the head of the Drafting Committee of the Indian Constitution?
Answer: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
15. What significant economic change occurred in India in 1991?
Answer: The onset of globalization through economic liberalization.
Long Questions
1. How did religious beliefs and practices evolve during the Harappan and Vedic periods?
Answer: During the Harappan civilization, religious practices involved venerating natural elements and figurines of deities without temples or idol worship, indicating a simpler spiritual system. In the Vedic period, religious practices became more structured with the emergence of Vedic texts, rituals, and deities like Indra and Agni, alongside the development of concepts like Karma and Moksha. This evolution reflects a shift from animistic worship to a more formalized, text-based religious framework.
2. What role did Jainism and Buddhism play in challenging the social hierarchies of ancient India?
Answer: Jainism and Buddhism emerged as protest religions against Brahminical hierarchies, rejecting caste-based divisions and excessive ritualism. Both advocated equality, with Jainism emphasizing ahimsa and penance, and Buddhism promoting the Eight-Fold Path for all, regardless of social status. Their inclusive teachings opened salvation to all, significantly challenging the rigid varna and jati systems.
3. How did the status of women deteriorate from the Early Vedic to the Medieval period?
Answer: In the Early Vedic period, women had access to education and social assemblies, but this declined in the Later Vedic period with the cessation of upanayana and restriction to household roles. By the Medieval period, practices like child marriage, sati, and purdah further curtailed women’s freedom, reducing them to dependent status. This deterioration was driven by rigid caste systems and patriarchal norms reinforced by invasions and Brahmanical laws.
4. What were the key features of education during the Early Vedic period?
Answer: Education in the Early Vedic period was based on sacred Sanskrit texts, accessible to all varnas, including women, through the upanayana ceremony. It emphasized oral learning, rote memorization, and character formation, with a focus on duties, truthfulness, and devotion to gurus. Centers of learning were led by rishis, preserving and transmitting knowledge without a written tradition.
5. How did the British colonial rule impact the Indian education system?
Answer: British rule introduced a secular education system with English as the medium, opening schools and colleges to all castes and genders. This led to the rise of a Western-educated Indian intelligentsia, promoting rationality, equality, and social justice. The establishment of universities in 1857 further modernized education, shifting focus from religious to scientific and philosophical subjects.
6. What were the social reform movements during the Colonial period, and what was their impact?
Answer: Social reform movements like the Brahmo Samaj and Arya Samaj aimed to eradicate obsolete practices such as sati and promote education for women and lower castes. These movements, led by educated elites, pressured the British to pass social legislations, fostering hope for the oppressed. They laid the groundwork for social justice and equality, influencing modern Indian society.
7. How did the Indian Constitution shape post-independent India?
Answer: The Indian Constitution, framed by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, established India as a secular, democratic nation promoting liberty, equality, and fraternity. It recognized India’s diversity, ensuring equal rights for all citizens and abolishing titles like Raja or Nawab. Amendments, such as the abrogation of Article 370, reflect its adaptability to contemporary needs.
8. What economic changes have occurred in India since independence, particularly after 1991?
Answer: Post-independence, India followed socialist principles through Five-Year Plans until 1991, when globalization introduced liberal economic policies. Changes like demonetisation, GST, and welfare schemes since 2014 have aimed at economic integration and entrepreneurship. These shifts have boosted economic growth but also faced criticism for their social impacts.
9. How has the political system in post-independent India embraced democratic principles?
Answer: India adopted a democratic system with universal adult suffrage, ensuring equal voting rights for all citizens above 18. The federal structure, multi-party system, and free elections promote decentralized governance and diverse ideologies. The opposition’s role in maintaining checks and balances underscores the strength of Indian democracy.
10. What challenges and opportunities does the expansion of education in post-independent India present?
Answer: Post-independent India has seen a significant increase in educational institutions, including IITs, IIMs, and online learning, boosting enrollment. However, challenges like overcrowding, quality disparities, and access inequities persist. The National Education Policy 2020 aims to address these by transforming education to meet modern needs, offering opportunities for holistic development.
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