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Class 12 Sociology Chapter 9 Change and Development in Rural Society
Part-II Social Change and Development in India
Textual Questions & Answers
1. Students, read the passage given below and then answer the two questions mentioned below.
“In a place called Aghanbigha, an adverse or undesirable situation had developed in the working conditions of the labourers. The root cause of this undesirable situation was the economic power possessed by the owner class and the additional authority they enjoyed as members of a dominant caste. The use of such power by this dominant caste owner class in an undesirable way over various aspects of the lives of the labourers created a difficult situation for them. One notable aspect of the social power of this owner class was that they could even use the armed forces of the state for their own interests. As a result of such factors, the gap between the labourers and the dominant class gradually increased.”
(a) Why do you think the owners were able to use the armed forces of the state for their own interests?
Ans: In the Aghanbigha region, the owner class occupied a powerful position through economic power and caste dominance. They were landowners and had influence over local society and administration. The owners could use the armed forces of the state for their own interests because—
Firstly, they were a dominant class with close connections to local politics and administration.
Secondly, due to their economic power, their voice received greater importance in the administrative system.
Thirdly, caste dominance provided them with social recognition and legitimacy.
As a result, it became possible to use the police or armed forces to suppress the demands of the labourers. This incident shows that state power often supports the interests of the powerful class.
(b) Why did an adverse or undesirable situation arise in the working conditions of the labourers?
Ans: The labourers were landless and economically weak. Their livelihood was completely dependent on the owners.
Reasons for the creation of the adverse situation—
Low wages and unsafe working conditions.
Social and caste-based discrimination.
Lack of state protection.
Economic and political dominance of the owner class.
Because of all these factors, inequality of power between labourers and owners increased and an exploitative situation developed in the workplace.
2. What measures do you think the Government of India has taken to protect the rights of landless agricultural labourers and migrant workers?
Ans: The Government of India has adopted various laws and welfare schemes.
The Minimum Wages Act ensures a fixed minimum wage for workers. Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) guarantees 100 days of employment in rural areas each year. Inter-State Migrant Workmen Act provides protection to migrant workers. Social security schemes such as life insurance, pension, and health insurance.
Land reform policies that attempt to provide land to the landless. Although these measures aim to protect workers’ rights, there are often problems in their implementation.
3. There is a direct relationship between the condition of agricultural labourers and the lack of upward socio-economic mobility among them.
Write about this.
Ans: Agricultural labourers are generally landless, low-wage earners, and socially disadvantaged. Due to lack of education, resources, and skills, they cannot obtain alternative employment. Upward mobility means moving to a higher socio-economic level. However—
They do not own land.
They lack education.
They are often indebted.
They face caste-based discrimination.
These factors keep them confined to a lower level. Therefore, there is a clear relationship between their poor condition and the lack of social mobility.
4. What major factors help some people to become a new, wealthy, entrepreneurial, or dominant class? Give examples.
Ans: Factors behind the rise of a new wealthy class include—
The Green Revolution with improved seeds, fertilizers, and irrigation systems.
Market economy and commercial agriculture.
Education and technology.
Political participation.
For example, in the states of Punjab and Haryana, a prosperous class of farmers has emerged. Some people from backward castes have also risen to influential positions through education and political organization.
5. Most Hindi and regional language films are based on rural life. Think of such a film that depicts rural life or rural society in India, and evaluate how the reality of that society is shown in it. Have you watched any recently released film based on rural society? If not, explain why you could not watch it.
Ans: Many films in India have been made based on rural life. For example, the film Lagaan portrays the picture of rural life during the colonial period in India. It depicts the poverty of farmers, land tax, and colonial exploitation. The film realistically presents social unity, an agriculture-based economy, and colonial oppression, although some exaggeration exists because of dramatic elements. In this way, films bring the problems and exploitation of rural society before the public.
Recently, I have not been able to watch any newly released film based on rural society because the examination period is going on and there is increased pressure to study textbooks.
6. Have you seen any brick kiln or similar workplace near your place where migrant labourers work? Find out where these workers come from and how they were brought and employed in these jobs. Also, try to know what their lifestyle was like in their own villages and why they had to migrate to this workplace.
Ans: Migrant labourers often work in brick kilns and construction sites. They usually come from rural areas of states such as Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Uttar Pradesh. Due to lack of employment opportunities, poverty, and debt in their villages, they migrate for work. They are usually recruited through agents or contractors. In the new place they live with low wages and insecure living conditions.
7. Meet a local fruit seller and ask what fruits they sell, where these fruits are brought, and what their prices are. Then try to find out whether the import of fruits from outside India, such as apples from Australia, has caused any change in the selling price of locally produced fruits. Also try to know whether there are any imported fruits that are cheaper than fruits produced in India.
Ans: Imported fruits such as apples from Australia and other countries have had an impact on local producers. If imported fruits are cheaper, the price of local fruits decreases. On the other hand, high-quality fruits may be sold at higher prices. The influence of globalization can be clearly observed in this situation.
8. Collect information about the environment of rural areas in India and prepare a report. While preparing the report, include the following aspects.
(a) Use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers in agricultural fields.
(b) Decline of groundwater level.
(c) Environmental impact of commercial fish farming in coastal areas.
(d) Accumulation of large quantities of water in artificially irrigated areas and the resulting salinity of soil.
(e) Loss of biodiversity.
Ans: Report on the Environment of Rural Areas in India. India is primarily an agriculture-based country, and a large part of its population lives in rural areas. The rural environment plays an important role in the country’s food security, livelihood, and overall socio-economic development. However, modern agricultural methods, careless use of resources, and commercial
activities have damaged the rural environment in many ways. The condition of the rural environment is discussed below on the basis of the mentioned aspects.
(a) Use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers in agricultural fields: Farmers in rural areas often use large quantities of pesticides and chemical fertilizers in the hope of higher production. Although these substances increase crop production in the short term, they destroy the natural fertility of the soil. The organic content of the soil decreases and beneficial microorganisms are destroyed. Moreover, these chemicals enter rivers, ponds, and other water bodies with rainwater and pollute them. As a result, fish, frogs, and other aquatic organisms are negatively affected. Through the polluted food chain, human health is also harmed.
(b) Decline of groundwater level: Excessive use of tube wells and deep-bore wells has increased the extraction of groundwater. The high demand for water for agriculture, household needs, and small industries has gradually lowered the groundwater level. In many places where water was earlier found at a depth of 20–30 feet, now it must be searched at 100 feet or even deeper. This creates a crisis for the future security of water resources.
(c) Commercial fish farming in coastal areas: In coastal regions, large areas are converted into artificial ponds for commercial shrimp and fish farming. Saline water is often used in this system, which makes nearby agricultural land and water sources saline. The soil loses its agricultural productivity and the life cycle of local plants and animals is disturbed. The destruction of mangrove forests also increases the risk of natural disasters incoastal areas.
(d) Artificial irrigation and soil salinity: In some regions, artificial irrigation systems store large quantities of water. Although part of the water evaporates due to sunlight, salts and minerals remain in the soil. Gradually, the soil becomes saline and unsuitable for agriculture. As a result, crop production decreases and farmers suffer financial losses.
(e) Loss of biodiversity: All the above factors have caused a decline in biodiversity in rural areas. Many local plant and animal species are facing extinction. The practice of monocropping also disturbs the natural ecological balance. As biodiversity decreases, the natural resilience of the environment is weakened.
Additional Questions and Answers
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Who are called landless agricultural labourers?
(a) A person who owns a large amount of land
(b) A person who only does business
(c) A person who has no cultivable land of his own and works on others’land
(d) A government employee
Ans: (c)
2. Migrant workers usually move for what reason?
(a) Tourism
(b) Education
(c) In search of employment
(d) Entertainment
Ans: (c)
3. What was the main objective of the Green Revolution?
(a) Increase in industries
(b) Increase in food grain production
(c) Forest conservation
(d) Population control
Ans: (b)
4. The Minimum Wages Act is related to what?
(a) Land reform
(b) Minimum wages of workers
(c) Education
(d) Health
Ans: (b)
5. What is one reason for the poor condition of agricultural labourers?
(a) Higher education
(b) Ownership of land
(c) Debt and poverty
(d) Political power
Ans: (c)
6. The Inter-State Migrant Workmen Act was introduced for what purpose?
(a) Agricultural development
(b) Protection of workers
(c) Forest conservation
(d) Establishment of industries
Ans: (b)
7. What happens as a result of excessive use of pesticides?
(a) Increase in soil fertility
(b) Environmental pollution
(c) Purification of climate
(d) Increase in forests
Ans: (b)
8. What is one reason for the decline in the level of groundwater?
(a) Increase in rainfall
(b) Excessive irrigation
(c) Forest conservation
(d) Increase in rivers
Ans: (b)
9. Workers in brick kilns are generally what type of workers?
(a) Permanent government employees
(b) Migrant workers
(c) Entrepreneurs
(d) Trainees
Ans: (b)
10. What is one effect of globalization?
(a) Closure of domestic markets
(b) Increase in the import of foreign goods
(c) Decline of agriculture
(d) End of communication
Ans: (b)
11. What does upward social mobility mean?
(a) Moving to a lower level
(b) Advancement to a higher socio-economic level
(c) Migration
(d) Leaving the village
Ans: (b)
12. What is created by commercial fish farming in coastal areas?
(a) Increase in soil fertility
(b) Increase in salinity
(c) Increase in forests
(d) Increase in rainfall
Ans: (b)
13. What is the main objective of land reform?
(a) Providing land to the landless
(b) Increasing industries
(c) Urban development
(d) Forest conservation
Ans: (a)
14. What is a major problem of agricultural labourers?
(a) High wages
(b) Uncertainty of employment
(c) Excess resources
(d) Political dominance
Ans: (b)
15. What effect does excessive use of chemical fertilizers have?
(a) Improves soil quality
(b) Destroys the natural structure of the soil
(c) Increases the water level
(d) Conserves forests
Ans: (b)
Short Answer Type Questions:
1. Who is called a landless agricultural labourer?
Ans: A person who has no cultivable land of his own and works on the agricultural fields of others is called a landless agricultural labourer.
2. What is migration?
Ans: Migration refers to moving from one place to another for livelihood or other reasons.
3. What is minimum wage?
Ans: The lowest wage determined by the government to be paid to workers.
4. What is the Green Revolution?
Ans: A movement to increase food grain production through improved seeds and irrigation systems.
5. Why do agricultural labourers remain poor?
Ans: Due to lack of land and low wages.
6. Where are migrant workers commonly found?
Ans: In construction sites, brick kilns, and factories.
7. Write one reason for the decline of groundwater.
Ans: Excessive irrigation.
8. What is salinity?
Ans: A condition where the amount of salt in the soil increases.
9. What is globalization?
Ans: The process of expanding worldwide trade and connections.
10. What is upward mobility?
Ans: Advancement to a higher social or economic level.
11. Write one social problem of agricultural labourers.
Ans: Caste-based discrimination.
12. What is the objective of land reform?
Ans: To ensure equitable distribution of land.
13. Why are migrant workers insecure?
Ans: Due to lack of permanent residence and legal protection.
14. Write one disadvantage of chemical fertilizers.
Ans: They reduce the natural fertility of the soil.
15. Write one problem of the rural environment.
Ans: Loss of biodiversity.
