AIR 99 · CSE 2025 · Sociology II · 20 pages

Devyanshi Verma: Sociology II answer copy

10 answers by Devyanshi Verma, as written in the test. Each question opens a page with how other toppers answered it.

The questions

  1. Q1While Indology is a book view of the Indian society, structure functionalist approach of MN Srinivas is its field view. Elaborate.10 marks
  2. Q2The Colonial rule caused both cultural and structural changes in India. Discuss.10 marks
  3. Q3Give an account of Ranajit Guha's approach in studying 'subaltern class'.10 marks
  4. Q4The twin shackles that once decided matters for India's villagers, caste and agriculture, no longer exercise their rigorous hold"- Dipankar Gupta. Examine the statement in the light of changing structure of Indian villages.10 marks
  5. Q5How has B.R. Ambedkar identified the features of the caste system? How is it different from the mainstream treatment of caste features?10 marks
  6. Q6Examine the distinct challenges encountered by tribal communities in India. Evaluate the efficacy of current tribal development policies in mitigating these challenges.10 marks
  7. Q7Indian Middle Class is actually a Privileged Class', Discuss the statement within the evolving landscape of social relations in contemporary India.10 marks
  8. Q8The culture of society and its religious beliefs often coexists, however, sometimes they stand against each other.10 marks
  9. Q9Discuss the societal implication of the service sector revolution on the gender-based division of labour.10 marks
  10. Q10Identify and analyze the primary challenges hindering in enacting a uniform Civil Code in India.10 marks

The answers

Question 1 · 10 marks · 215 words written

While Indology is a book view of the Indian society, structure functionalist approach of MN Srinivas is its field view. Elaborate.

Opening

Both Indology and structural functionalism (SF) are important approaches to study Indian society, where one provides the "text", while other provides the "context" of contemporary realities.

Body · points

Book view

• Indology - It refers to studying history, culture, language and literature and believes in continuity of Indian society that is best understood by 'textual analysis' of vedas, shastras, epics and even vernacular literature.

Prominent sociologists and their approaches :-

• GS Ghurye - "caste and Race in India" through study of Brahmanical texts.

• Irawati Karve - Kinship patterns in different regions and marriage rules in North and South India.

• Louis Dumont - Ideological analysis of caste system based upon "purity and pollution" dichotomy.

Field view

• SF view - pioneered by MN srinivas and focuses upon studying dynamism and change in Indian society through field work and village studies.

Ex - MN srinivas' "dominant caste" in Rampura, highlighting change from ancient understanding of caste.

Andre Beitelle's study of Sripuram highlighting shift from cumulative to dispersed hierarchies.

However, both views have their limitations as:-

• Book view - status-quoist, Brahmanical point of view, lack of empirical evidence.

• Field view - constraints of participant observation, time and resource intensive.

Close · a summary

Hence, a synthesis of both views helps in comprehensive understanding of ground realities of Indian society.