AIR 67 · CSE 2021 · Sociology II · 52 pages

Anand Malhotra: Sociology II answer copy

20 answers by Anand Malhotra, as written in the test. Each question opens a page with how other toppers answered it.

The questions

  1. Q1(a)Write a short note on each of the following in not more than 150 words. (a) "The Varna scheme has 'distorted' the picture of caste". Comment.10 marks
  2. Q1(b)Ghurye's analysis of tribes was based on tribe caste continuum. Discuss.10 marks
  3. Q1(c)The concept of dominant caste is of crucial importance in understanding social and political life in rural India. Analyze.10 marks
  4. Q1(d)"The Soil grows caste, the machine makes class." In the context of this statement discuss the relationship between caste and class.10 marks
  5. Q1(e)Discuss the significance of Arya Samaj and Ramakrishna mission as reform movements in India.10 marks
  6. Q2With reference to the components of Sanskriti exclusivity and the idea of the past.
  7. Q2(a)The hallmark of Srinivas perspective on Indian society was to break out from confines of textual authority. In this context critically analyse the structural-functionalist perspective in the analysis of Indian Society.20 marks
  8. Q2(b)Louis Dumont treats caste as having brahminic superiority and sanskritic exclusivity in contrast to Andre Beteille who considers it as an objective reality. Discuss.20 marks
  9. Q2(c)Village occupies an important place in the social and cultural landscape of contemporary India. In context discuss the importance of village studies.10 marks
  10. Q3(a)Indian society, through its long historical process of growth, presents a picture of a vast mosaic of culture held together by religion, values and norms of Hinduism. Discuss this statement in the context of Indological perspective of Govind Sadashiv Ghurye.20 marks
  11. Q3(b)Caste politics in the sense of identity and vote politics constricts democracy, communal politics endangers it. Critically examine.20 marks
  12. Q3(c)Discuss the role of social reform movements in preparing the background of Indian nationalism.10 marks
  13. Q5(a)Write a short note on each of the following in not more than 150 words. (a) To what extent rise of communalism in India can be traced to colonial presence in India? 10 x 5 =10 marks
  14. Q5(b)'Secularism' has remained weak ideology in India. Critically examine.10 marks
  15. Q5(c)Wages for housework is an idea whose time has come. Evaluate in context of sexual division of labour in Indian society.10 marks
  16. Q5(d)"Family is an imagination while household is a reality". Discuss.10 marks
  17. Q5(e)Muslims as a social-religious group have gradually been pushed to the periphery of development. Discuss the reasons responsible for backwardness of Muslims in India.10 marks
  18. Q6(a)Idea of middle class is often highly romanticised as an outcome of liberal democracy, a vibrant capitalist economy and individual freedom. Critically examine.20 marks
  19. Q6(b)Land reforms are not only necessary to boost agricultural production but also to reduce far-entrenched poverty from deeper pockets of India. Discuss.20 marks
  20. Q6(c)"Untouchability has often been termed as the inhuman institution of Indian Society". In this context, discuss the social problems of untouchability from different perspectives.10 marks

The answers

Question 1(a) · 10 marks · 169 words written

Write a short note on each of the following in not more than 150 words. (a) "The Varna scheme has 'distorted' the picture of caste". Comment.

Opening · a definition

The varna scheme refers to the division of Hindu society into 4 sections called varnas based on vedic texts (Purushukta).

At the early sociologists like G.S Ghurye used the varna scheme to explain the Indian society. However, sociologists like MN Srinivas have argued that varna scheme gives a distorted picture of caste.

Body · points

  • Varna is the textual view while jati/caste is the contextual reality.

  • Varna assumes society to be hierarchical and stationary while caste is stratificational and dynamic.

  • MN Srinivas has shown that at the

existential levels, there is localised hierarchy in the village.

  • There are dominant castes like Patidans in Gujarat and Jats in Haryana who rank higher in secular hierarchy.

  • There are aristocratic tribes like Gonds and even within Gonds there are land owning peasantry like Raj Gonds.

  • There are Rarhi Brahmins in WB who are agriculturalists and Teshija Brahmins who perform death rituals in Orissa.

Close · a summary

Therefore, varna scheme is only a Brahmanical representation and distorts picture of caste in the field.