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Part-I Indian Society
Class 12 Sociology Chapter 3 Social Institutions: Continuity and Change
Textual Questions & Answers
1. What is the role of the concepts of segregation and hierarchy in the caste system?
Ans: In the caste system, ‘Segregation’ and ‘Hierarchy’ are two main characteristics. Segregation means maintaining social distance among people of different castes, such as separate residences, and rules regarding marriage and food sharing. Hierarchy means the stratification of castes according to higher and lower status. These two concepts maintain social discrimination and inequality in society and help to keep the caste system stable.
2. What are some of the rules imposed by the caste system?
Ans: The caste system imposes several strict rules, such as:
a) Endogamy – marriage within one’s own caste.
b) Hereditary occupation – the profession of the father is followed by the children.
c) Restrictions on food and social interaction.
d) Rules regarding higher and lower touch (purity and pollution).
e) Inequality in social and religious rights.
3. What changes did colonialism bring to the caste system?
Ans: During British rule, the census and legal system recorded castes in a fixed manner. Modern education, railways, and urbanization increased social
interaction. Participation of people from all castes in new jobs and industries partially broke the old occupational barriers. In this way, colonialism initiated changes in the caste system.
4. What is meant by the statement that caste has become relatively less rigid among the urban upper castes?
Ans: This means that among the urban, highly educated, and economically independent upper castes, caste barriers have decreased to some extent. Employment, education, and modern lifestyles have reduced caste discrimination. However, the influence of caste has not completely disappeared in matters of marriage and social identity.
5. How are tribes classified in India?
Ans: In India, tribes are classified on the basis of geographical location, livelihood, culture, and social organization. For example, tribes of the Northeast, Central India, and South India. The government provides special benefits to groups recognized as “Scheduled Tribes”.
6. What evidence exists against the view that “tribes are primitive communities living isolated lives untouched by civilization”?
Ans: This view is not completely correct. Many tribes are involved in trade, agriculture, and modern education. They also participate in politics and administration. Modern communication systems have connected them with the mainstream society. Therefore, tribes are not completely isolated or detached from civilization.
7. What are the factors behind the present demands for tribal identity?
Ans: The factors behind the present demands for tribal identity are:
a) The need to protect land and natural resources.
b) Preservation of cultural identity.
c) Demand for socio-economic rights.
d) Aspiration for political autonomy.
e) Reservation benefits in education and employment.
8. What are the different forms of family?
Ans: The different forms of family are:
a) Joint family
b) Nuclear family
c) Matrilineal family
d) Patrilineal family
e) Monogamous and polygamous families.
9. How do changes in social structure lead to changes in family structure?
Ans: Urbanization, education, women’s employment, and industrialization have brought a shift from joint families to nuclear families. Economic independence and modern values have changed the role and size of the family. Thus, social change leads to changes in the structure and functioning of the family.
10. Explain the difference between matrilineal and matriarchal.
Ans: In a Matrilineal system, lineage and property are traced through the mother’s line. For example, in some tribes, the identity of children is derived from the mother’s family. In a Matriarchal system, the authority and decision-making power of the family lie in the hands of the mother or women. In other words, in a matrilineal system, inheritance follows the mother’s line, but in an amatriarchal system, governing power lies with women. These two concepts are not the same.
Additional Questions and Answers
Multiple Choice Questions
1. What is the main basis of the caste system?
(a) Individual merit
(b) Birth
(c) Education
(d) Property
Ans: (b)
2. What is meant by ‘Endogamy’?
(a) Marriage within one’s own caste
(b) Marriage outside the caste
(c) Love marriage
(d) Multiple marriages
Ans: (a)
3. Untouchability is associated with which system?
(a) Class system
(b) Caste system
(c) Democracy
(d) Secularism
Ans: (b)
4. What effect did colonial rule have on the caste system?
(a) It was completely abolished
(b) It became more organized
(c) No change occurred
(d) It remained limited only to rural areas
Ans: (b)
5. The term ‘tribe’ is generally used to refer to whom?
(a) Urban people
(b) Industrialists
(c) A community having its own culture
(d) Foreign citizens
Ans: (c)
6. On what basis are tribes generally classified?
(a) Language and geographical location
(b) Income
(c) Political party
(d) Education
Ans: (a)
7. In a matrilineal system, lineage is traced from which side?
(a) Father’s side
(b) Mother’s side
(c) Both sides
(d) From neither side
Ans: (b)
8. In a joint family, how many generations usually live together?
(a) One
(b) Two
(c) Several
(d) None
Ans: (c)
9. What is meant by a nuclear family?
(a) Only husband, wife, and children
(b) All relatives
(c) Villagers
(d) Friends
Ans: (a)
10. What effect does urbanization have on family structure?
(a) Joint families increase
(b) Nuclear families increase
(c) No effect
(d) Tribes disappear
Ans: (b)
11. When did the Constitution abolish untouchability?
(a) 1947
(b) 1950
(c) 1962
(d) 1975
Ans: (b)
12. What is meant by a social institution?
(a) Individual behavior
(b) Organized social rules and systems
(c) Only politics
(d) Personal opinion
Ans: (b)
13. What has the spread of modern education brought to the caste system?
(a) Greater rigidity
(b) Change and flexibility
(c) Complete disappearance
(d) No effect
Ans: (b)
14. In a patriarchal family, who usually holds authority?
(a) Mother
(b) Daughter
(c) Father
(d) Son
Ans: (c)
15. Changes in social structure are generally associated with what?
(a) Social and economic changes
(b) Only religion
(c) Only language
(d) Only culture
Ans: (a)
Short Questions and Answers
1. What is the caste system?
Ans: A system of social stratification based on birth.
2. What does endogamy mean?
Ans: The rule of marrying within one’s own caste.
3. Why is tribal identity important?
Ans: For the preservation of their culture and rights.
4. What is untouchability?
Ans: The practice of considering certain castes as socially impure.
5. What is meant by tribe?
Ans: A community having its own language, culture, and traditions.
6. What is a joint family?
Ans: A family in which several generations live together.
7. What is a nuclear family?
Ans: A small family consisting of husband, wife, and children.
8. What is a matrilineal system?
Ans: A system in which lineage is traced through the mother’s side.
9. What is a patriarchal system?
Ans: A system in which the father takes the main decisions.
10. What is colonialism?
Ans: The rule of a country by a foreign power.
11. What is a social institution?
Ans: The organized rules and systems of society.
12. What is urbanization?
Ans: The migration of population from villages to cities and the expansion of urban life.
13. What does Article 17 of the Constitution state?
Ans: It abolishes untouchability.
14. What is meant by social change?
Ans: Changes in the structure and rules of society
