AIR 530 · CSE 2025 · Sociology II · 46 pages

Vishali P: Sociology II answer copy

9 answers by Vishali P, as written in the test. Each question opens a page with how other toppers answered it.

The questions

  1. Q1(a)Marxist village studies opened up a new dimension in viewing India differing starkly from Indological view which was dominantly used. b) The emergence of peasant consciousness during British colonialism can be attributed to several factors. Discuss.
  2. Q1(c)c)
  3. Q1(d)Discuss the Gandhian vision of independent India. e) Explain the role of dominant castes in agrarian social structure and transformation in India.
  4. Q2(a)The transformation of Indian economic structure was affected by British rule, which further lead India's economic structure based on mixed approach post independence.
  5. Q2(c)Migration of people from one region to another like rural to rural, urban to rural, rural to urban, urban to urban can be due to many factors like education, employment have significant impact on kinship systems in India.
  6. Q3(a)caste studies conducted across India revealed various myths and realities of the social structure. Andre Beteille's approach of 'caste, class and power' and Louis Dumont's 'Homo Hierarchicus' shows variations in perception of caste. Discuss.
  7. Q3(c)Indological and structuralist perspectives on caste in India. 5. (a) Social legislation as a tool for creating social change in India. (b) Anti-caste movements in colonial India. (c) Internal displacement and its impact on tribal communities. (d) Power elites in contemporary India. (e) 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' scheme and its role in women's development.
  8. Q7(a)Discuss the nature and trends of urbanisation in India and its impact on the safety of different vulnerable sections. Also, examine the socio-cultural consequences of the ageing population in India and the preparedness of the state to handle it.
  9. Q7(c)With over 80% of labour in informal sector of India, along with significant rural labour, the problems faced by them contribute to societal disparities.

The answers

Question 1(a) · 418 words written

Marxist village studies opened up a new dimension in viewing India differing starkly from Indological view which was dominantly used. b) The emergence of peasant consciousness during British colonialism can be attributed to several factors. Discuss.

Opening · a restatement

None written.

Body · points

SECTION A

a)

Marxist village studies opened up a new dimension in viewing India differing starkly from Indological view which was dominantly used.

Elements of Marxist village studies

(1) Mode of production

Captured changes from pre-colonial to post independence evolution. Indian villages moving towards capitalism.

(2) class structure

Presence of class in villages instead of homogeneous group with common interest. Daniel Thorner clasified as malik, kisan, mazdoor based on relation with land.

(3) opposed colonial construct

Charles Metcalfe's India as 'little republics' was negated. Villages had internal and external linkages economically, culturally, socially.

(4) conflict of interest

Found reasons why conflict of interest did not

lead to revolution despite 'class' like structure.

Absence of class for itself due to various internal segmentation like kinship, caste, ethnicity etc.

(5) Economic angle to untouchability

Untouchables are forced for dead end jobs - cheaper easier labour which is available by means of caste ideology.

(6) Gender studies

Marxist feminists argue that village reinforce patriarchy by ideology and further exploits them.

When village studies by pioneers like MN Srinivas gave concepts like sanskritisation, Marxists study by people like AR Desai gave new economic dimension to village sociology.

b)

Peasants are generally small and marginal landowners, agricultural labourers, share croppers, tenants which included variety of social groups.

The emergence of peasant consciousness during British colonialism can be attributed to following factors

  1. Revamp of social structures by land revenue policies: i. Land brought to market - could be sold ii. Zamindari system reduced cultivators to mere tenants and brought 'intermediary' to collect taxes who became owners - changing relation of production iii. Eviction of peasants - broke emotional connect of peasants to land - social exclusion iv. Ryotwari areas saw moneylenders taking over land if debt was unpaid

  2. Effect on vulnerable people i. Heavy taxation even in times of drought ii. European landlords and commercial cultivation of crops like indigo, opium on marginal profits distressed peasants iii. Tribal villages faced restriction such as reserved forests classification that deprived them of traditional lands

(3) Middle class as voice of peasants

i. Nationalist leaders formed Kisan Sabhas

ii. Legal constitutional fights for rights of tenants

Eg: Protection of tenants Act passed by British

(4) Peasant mobilisation

i. Integrated into freedom movement as they were promised land for all, security of tenancy, fair share of produce etc by nationalists after independence - ideology of nation created.

Close · a summary

The 'peasant consciousness' was built by the exploitative practices of British rule that made peasants - a separate class.