AIR 229 · CSE 2024 · Sociology II · 29 pages

Mukul Khandelwal: Sociology II answer copy

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

The questions

  1. Q1Explain the dynamics of religious change within tribal societies. Support your argument with examples from both colonial period and the post-independence era.20 marks
  2. Q2Assess Andre Beteille's study of Tanjore village regarding its reflection of fundamental Indian societal values beyond being merely a residential space.20 marks
  3. Q3Explain Yogendra Singh's model of social change in modern India, using appropriate diagrams.20 marks
  4. Q4What are the challenges of integrating tribal communities into mainstream society while preserving their ethnic identities and cultural heritage?20 marks
  5. Q5Religious minorities are one of the most socio-economically backward sections in India. Identify the sociological reasons.20 marks
  6. Q6Examine M.N. Srinivas's critique of Indology as a theoretical construct of Indian Society and elaborate his views on field studies.10 marks
  7. Q7Though Indology seems to be a method of the past for the study of Indian sociology, but it is and will be relevant for the times to come. Critically analyze.10 marks
  8. Q8Examine the sociological perspective of A. R. Desai's characterisation of leadership of Indian freedom movement.10 marks
  9. Q9Identify the characteristics of the Industrial class in post-Independence Indian Society10 marks
  10. Q10Discuss the significance of lineage and descent in kinship and family structures.10 marks

The answers

Question 1 · 20 marks · 278 words written

Explain the dynamics of religious change within tribal societies. Support your argument with examples from both colonial period and the post-independence era.

Opening

Tribal Societies enjoyed their primitive type of religion (Animism or Totemism) but with the passage of time, encroachment by outsiders, their religious beliefs have altered.

Body · points

Dynamics of religious change within tribal societies

1) Colonial period

  • Colonial people treated tribal people as backward, who are afraid to modernize, high diseases, lack of education that's why it was Whiteman's burden to empower them.
  • Christian Missionaries was allowed in tribal areas which impacted in religious conversion.
  • Eg. Many of North East tribes follows Christian religion
  • Munda Rebellion, Santhal rebellion against christian Missionaries
  • In global studies by Malinowski (Trobriand Island) & Durkheim's (Australian aboriginals) - it is found out the primitive religious across tribes (simpler).
  • In India, various studies finds out how tribal societies have impacted during Colonial rule.
  • Henry Maine's, Metcalfe & Munro's belief giving tribal autonomy.

Post Independence Era

  • GS Ghurye's approach of Assimilationist provided that tribals are 'backward hindus', they have religious practices which can be assimilated with hindu religion.

  • Verrier Elwin talks about autonomy of tribal people due to their unique & distinctive cultural identities. Their religious practices are unique & different.

  • Nehru's Tribal Panchsheel policy

    • Respecting tribal culture
    • Respect their land rights of ownership
    • Team generation from their own people (tribe)
    • Low outside interference
    • Result to be judged by human capability development rather than capital investments

  • Industrialization

    • In Niyamgiri, tribe treated forest as their gods, therefore protested against Corporates.

  • Globalization has helped in integrating tribal culture & make it more homogenized.

Close · a summary

Hence, religious change in tribal societies has evolved through their involvement & communication links with mainstream society.