Segments of Indian Society
Q.1 (A) Complete the following statements by choosing the correct alternative given in the bracket and rewrite it.
(1) Secondary type relations are significant in ___ society. (rural, tribal, urban)
Answer: urban
(2) Over 55% of the tribal population in India is found in the ___ region of the country. (Western, Central, Southern)
Answer: Central
(B) Correct the incorrect pair and rewrite it.
(1) (i) Landlord – Zamindar
(ii) Initiative for rural development
programme – Community
Development Programme
(iii) Three-tier system of governance – Integrated Rural Development Programme.
(iv) Primary occupations – traditional societies
Answer:
Incorrect pair: (iii) Three-tier system of governance – Integrated Rural Development Programme.
Corrected pair:
(i) Landlord – Zamindar
(ii) Initiative for rural development programme – Community Development Programme
(iii) Three-tier system of governance – Panchayati Raj System
(iv) Primary occupations – traditional societies
(C) Identify the appropriate term from the given option in the box and rewrite it against the given statement.
(1) Sacred groves in the tribal community.
Answer: Devrai
(2) Instances of white collar crime
Answer: Urban society
(D) Correct the underlined words and complete the statement.
(1) Individual status in urban society is mostly ascribed.
Answer: achieved.
(2) The custom of worshipping non-living bodies is called animism.
Answer: animatism
Q.2 Write short notes.
(1) Problems of tribal society.
Answer: Tribal societies face economic marginalization due to reliance on subsistence agriculture and limited access to markets. They lack infrastructure like healthcare, education, and clean water, resulting in poor living conditions. Land alienation from industrialization and deforestation threatens their livelihoods and cultural identity. Social discrimination and exploitation by non-tribals exacerbate their marginalization. Limited integration with mainstream society restricts opportunities, perpetuating poverty.
(2) Characteristics of urban society.
Answer: Urban society features high population density, diverse occupations, and complex social structures. Relationships are secondary, often formal and impersonal. Social mobility is high, with status achieved through education and skills. Advanced infrastructure, technology, and services define urban areas. Cultural diversity and individualism dominate, but challenges like crime, pollution, and social isolation persist due to fast-paced lifestyles.
Q.3 Write differences.
(1) Rural economy and Urban economy.
Answer:
| Rural economy | Urban economy |
| (i) Occupation: The main occupation of the rural community is agriculture which is in a state of backwardness. | (i) Occupation: The occupation in urban areas is mainly non-agricultural, i.e. based on manufacturing, trade and commerce, professional and governance, services, etc. |
| (ii) Technology: Rural economy is dependent on the use of plough, animal power, seeds, fertilizers for agricultural activities. | (ii) Technology: The urban economy is dependent on advanced technology and up-to-date machinery for economic activities. |
| (iii) Division of Labour: There is less scope for division of labour and specializations in rural communities. | (iii) Division of Labour: Occupations are more specialized and based on the division of labour. |
| (iv) Markets: Rural weekly market is the main economic institution as rural economy is associated with various crafts like pottery, carpentry, etc. | (iv) Markets: Marketisation is an essential feature of urban centers today – E-marketing, E-biz, etc. |
| (v) Nature of Employment: Unemployment such as educated, total unemployment seasonal unemployment, underemployment are found in the rural community. | (v) Nature of Employment: All types of unemployment like literate, illiterate, skilled unemployment, unskilled unemployment are found in cities. |
| (vi) Dependence on Nature: Rural economy depends upon natural factors like a monsoon for agriculture. | (vi) Dependence on Nature: The problem of unemployment has intensified other problems like poverty, malnutrition, beggary, prostitution, etc. |
(2) Tribal community and Urban community.
Answer:
| Tribal Community | Urban Community |
| (i) Size: According to in 2011 census, the tribal population constitutes about 8.6 percent of the total population. | (i) Size: According to the 2011 Census, 31% of the population lives in urban agglomerations/towns. |
| (ii) Density of Population: They are located in remote forests and hilly areas and the density of population is low. | (ii) Density of Population: An urban area is a human settlement with a high population density. |
| (iii) Occupation: They are engaged in varied occupations such as hunting, fishing, and food gathering of forest produce, basket making, weaving, iron-smith, etc. | (iii) Occupation: The occupation in urban areas is mainly non-agricultural, i.e. based on manufacturing, trade and commerce, professional and governance, services, etc. |
| (iv) Nature of Social Control: In tribal communities informal means of social control like Customs, traditions, religion, magic are effective social control mechanisms. | (iv) Nature of Social Control: In urban community formal means of social control like laws, police, court, maintain law and order. |
| (v) Way of Life: Tribal community has its own culture i.e common way of life, they share common behavior patterns dialect traditions, norms, and values. | (v) Way of Life: Urban community consists of people coming from different socio-cultural backgrounds belonging to different religions, caste, languages, etc, hence wide difference is found in the ways of living of urban people. |
Q.4 Explain the following concepts with examples.
(1) Urban crime
Answer: Urban crime encompasses illegal activities in cities, driven by population density, anonymity, and socio-economic disparities. Examples include white-collar crimes like fraud (e.g., corporate embezzlement) and street crimes like theft (e.g., pickpocketing in crowded markets). Cybercrime, such as online scams, is also prevalent due to widespread internet use in urban areas.
(2) Sacred groves
Answer: Sacred groves, or Devrai, are forest patches protected by tribal communities for religious reasons. Dedicated to deities or spirits, they are conserved through customs prohibiting destruction. For example, the Warli tribe in Maharashtra preserves Devrai for worship, maintaining biodiversity and reflecting their belief in nature’s spiritual significance.
Q.5 (A) Complete the concept map.
Answer:
Q.5 (B) State whether the following statements are True or False with reasons.
(1) Division of labour is complex in urban community.
Answer: True
- Reasons: Urban economies support diverse, specialized roles (e.g., engineers, teachers) due to industrialization and service sectors. This complexity contrasts with rural areas, where labour is primarily agricultural and less specialized.
(2) The traditional influence of caste has changed today.
Answer: True.
- Reasons: Urbanization, education, and legal reforms have diminished caste-based roles. Merit-based opportunities and inter-caste interactions are more common, though some rural areas retain traditional caste influences.
Q.6 Give your personal response.
(1) Why is there lack of community feeling in cities?
Answer: Cities lack community feeling due to secondary, impersonal relationships and high population diversity. Individualistic pursuits, long work hours, and reliance on technology reduce meaningful interactions. Unlike rural areas with strong kinship ties, urban anonymity and cultural differences weaken collective bonds.
(2) Explain the need for rural development
Answer: Rural development is essential to bridge urban-rural disparities. It enhances access to healthcare, education, and infrastructure, improving living standards. Modernizing agriculture and creating local industries reduce poverty and urban migration. Empowering rural communities preserves cultural heritage and promotes balanced national growth.
Q.7 Answer the following question in detail. (About 150-200 words)
‘Traditional societies tend to hold on to their customs, traditions and beliefs. Using examples of your own, explain the statement with special reference to either family or religion. Also, discuss any three ways by which change is introduced into traditional societies.
Answer: Traditional societies are deeply rooted in customs, traditions, and beliefs, which provide stability and identity. With reference to family, these societies emphasize extended family structures, where multiple generations live together, sharing responsibilities and upholding values like respect for elders. For example, in rural Indian families, practices such as joint family living and arranged marriages are prevalent, reflecting adherence to traditional norms that prioritize collective well-being over individual choice. These customs reinforce familial bonds and cultural continuity.
However, change is introduced into traditional societies through various means. Education plays a significant role by exposing individuals to new ideas, encouraging critical thinking, and promoting gender equality, which may challenge traditional practices like early marriages. Urbanization introduces modern lifestyles, as migration to cities for work weakens traditional family structures, leading to nuclear families and individualistic values. Technology, particularly access to the internet and media, spreads global perspectives, influencing younger generations to adopt contemporary practices, such as love marriages or questioning rigid customs.
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Page No. 28
1. Name one tribe in South India, Western India and North-East region.
Answer:
- South India: Kota
- Western India: Warli
- North-East region: Bodo
2. Identify any three tribal occupations.
Answer:
- Hunting and fishing.
- Simple agriculture and shifting cultivation.
- Food gathering of forest products.
3. Give examples of tribal belief systems.
Answer: Animism, Animatism, Totemism, Manaism and Naturism.
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Page No. 30
1. Why are tribal people slow to change? Give two reasons.
Answer:
- Strong adherence to traditions: Tribal communities deeply value their customs, beliefs, and practices, which are passed down through generations. This cultural attachment, such as maintaining sacred groves or traditional family structures, resists external influences and fosters continuity over change.
- Geographical and social isolation: Many tribal groups live in remote areas with limited access to modern education, technology, or urban influences, which slows their exposure to new ideas and lifestyles, keeping them rooted in traditional ways.
2. Identify three forms of tribal religion.
Answer:
- Animism: A belief system where tribes, like the Santhal, worship spirits residing in natural elements such as trees, rivers, and hills, considering them sacred.
- Donyi-Poloism: Practiced by tribes like the Adi in Arunachal Pradesh, this involves worshipping celestial bodies, such as the sun (Donyi) and moon (Polo), as divine entities.
- Sarnaism: Followed by tribes like the Munda in Jharkhand, it centers on worshipping village deities at a designated sacred place called Sarna.
3. State two problems caused by cultural contact with non-tribal people.
Answer:
- Land alienation: Contact with non-tribal people often leads to tribal lands being taken for industrial or developmental projects, displacing tribes and threatening their livelihoods, as seen with mining projects in Central India.
- Cultural erosion: Exposure to non-tribal cultures can dilute tribal traditions, languages, and practices, as younger generations adopt mainstream lifestyles, leading to the loss of cultural identity.
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Page No. 35
1. State three characteristics of rural community.
Answer:
- Primary relationships: Rural communities are characterized by close-knit, personal relationships based on kinship and long-term interactions, fostering a strong sense of community.
- Agriculture-based economy: The economy primarily relies on agriculture and allied activities, such as farming, animal husbandry, and fishing, with limited diversification.
- Traditional social structure: Rural societies adhere to traditional norms, customs, and practices, with social roles often influenced by caste, family, and community traditions.
2. Enumerate three changes in rural community.
Answer:
- Improved infrastructure: Access to better roads, electricity, and communication networks has connected rural areas to urban centers, enhancing economic opportunities.
- Shift in occupations: While agriculture remains dominant, rural communities are diversifying into non-agricultural activities like small-scale industries, retail, and services due to education and market access.
- Changing social norms: Traditional practices, such as caste-based roles and early marriages, are weakening due to education, awareness, and exposure to modern values, promoting gender equality and social mobility.
3. Identify any three programmes started by the Government for rural development.
Answer:
- Community Development Programme (CDP): Launched to promote holistic rural development through improvements in agriculture, education, and infrastructure.
- Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA): Provides guaranteed wage employment to rural households, ensuring economic security and infrastructure development.
- Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY): Aims to provide all-weather road connectivity to rural areas, enhancing access to markets and services.
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Page No. 37
1. State three characteristics of urban life.
Answer:
- High population density: Urban areas are characterized by large, concentrated populations, leading to diverse social interactions and complex infrastructure.
- Diverse occupations: Urban life features a variety of professions in industries, services, and technology, with a complex division of labour driven by specialization.
- Cultural diversity: Urban societies are melting pots of different cultures, religions, and lifestyles, fostering individualism and exposure to global influences.
2. Why are nuclear families more common in urban than rural societies?
Answer: Nuclear families are more common in urban societies due to the demands of urban life. The fast-paced lifestyle and economic pressures require mobility and flexibility, which are easier for smaller family units to manage. Limited living space in cities, with high housing costs, discourages large, extended families common in rural areas. Additionally, urban emphasis on individualism and career-oriented goals leads to smaller households, as younger generations prioritize personal aspirations over traditional joint family structures.
3. Why are secondary relationships a significant characteristic of urban areas?
Answer: Secondary relationships are significant in urban areas due to the large, diverse population and impersonal nature of interactions. Unlike rural communities with close-knit, primary relationships based on kinship, urban life involves formal, role-based contacts, such as those with colleagues, service providers, or acquaintances. The high population density and transient nature of urban living limit deep personal bonds, making interactions brief and functional. This characteristic reflects the fast-paced, individualistic urban environment where anonymity and professional relationships dominate.
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