AIR 175 · CSE 2025 · ANT2 · 52 pages

Aryan Sirsikar: ANT2 answer copy

19 answers by Aryan Sirsikar, as written in the test.

The questions

  1. Q1(a)Comment on the following in about 150 words each: (a) Concept of tribe and Indian census10 marks
  2. Q1(b)'Pseudo-tribalism' in India and its implications.10 marks
  3. Q1(c)Tribe-Caste continuum10 marks
  4. Q1(d)Problem of 'indebtedness' among tribal communities.10 marks
  5. Q1(e)Issues of tribal agricultural labourers10 marks
  6. Q4(a)Discuss different issues faced by De-notified & Nomadic Tribes (DNTs) of India and the steps taken by the government to resolve it.20 marks
  7. Q4(b)Critically examine how displacement of tribal due to hydroelectric river dam projects has affected the women in the local context. Illustrate with suitable ethnographic examples15 marks
  8. Q4(c)"Tribal identity movements in India represent a continuum from secessionist demands to aspirations for autonomy and self-rule within the Indian Union."15 marks
  9. Q5(a)Ghurye-Elwin debate on tribe10 marks
  10. Q5(b)Bio-genetic variability among Indian tribes reflects diverse adaptive strategies. Comment10 marks
  11. Q5(c)Left Wing Extremism and Tribes of India10 marks
  12. Q5(d)5.d) Tibeto-Burman language10 marks
  13. Q5(e)Regionalism as an opportunity and a threat to national integration10 marks
  14. Q6(a)Critically analyse the Impact of Modern Democratic Institutions on Tribal areas.20 marks
  15. Q6(b)Discuss major issues of national integration with reference to north-eastern part of India.15 marks
  16. Q6(c)Displacement and involuntary rehabilitation from industrialization and urbanization projects pose severe threats to the survival and cultural integrity of tribal populations. Elucidate with suitable ethnographic examples from India.15 marks
  17. Q8(a)Critically evaluate Forest laws of Indian government post-independence. Also explain how has 'Shifting Cultivation' emerged as a significant point of contention in tribal development and forest policy?20 marks
  18. Q8(b)Anthropologists and NGOs are better equipped to play an effective role in rural and tribal development vis-à-vis Government. Discuss with examples.15 marks
  19. Q8(c)Explain the social and religious consequences of contact between tribal and non tribal populations.15 marks

The answers

Question 1(a) · 10 marks · 189 words written

Comment on the following in about 150 words each: (a) Concept of tribe and Indian census

Opening · a constitutional or legal provision

Such caste, race or group which are recognised as Scheduled tribes under Art 342 of the Constitution. The Concept of tribe closely relates to the Census practice.

Body · points

Indian Census & Tribe Concept

Colonial period

(i) The Colonial officials used the word tribe for first time in 1885 to group together diverse forest dwelling communities into single easy to administer category (ii) In 1891 Census all forest dwelling tribes were grouped under "forest & pastoral castes" based on kinship (iii) In 1901 Census 'animism' was used as a measure for classification of tribes (iii) In 1921 & 1931 census. "Isolation & primitive way of life" were criteria for tribals

Post Colonial Period

(i) After independence the govt created category of scheduled tribe (ii) Enumeration continues for policy making and delimitation & reservation

Problems

(i) No tribe in India fulfills all conditions of tribal group (ii) Artificial identities have resulted in continued discrimination & conflicts (iii) According to LP Vidyarthi the 'tribe' was a colonial concept and earlier they were known as "Janjati".

Close · a summary

Thus the term tribe was a misnomer & anthropologists prefer use of "ethnic groups"