Ncert Solutions for Class 12 Sociology Chapter 2: Cultural Change questions and answers
| Textbook | Ncert |
| Class | Class 12 |
| Subject | Sociology |
| Chapter | Chapter 2 |
| Chapter Name | Cultural Change ncert solutions |
| Category | Ncert Solutions |
| Medium | English |
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Question 1: Write a critical essay on sanskritisation.
Answer 1: Critical Essay on Sanskritisation
Sanskritisation, a sociological concept first introduced by M.N. Srinivas in his seminal work on caste and social mobility in India, has been a subject of extensive debate and critical analysis. At its core, sanskritisation refers to the process by which lower caste groups seek upward social mobility by adopting the cultural practices, rituals, norms, and values of the upper castes, particularly the Brahmins. While the concept captures a significant aspect of India’s socio-cultural dynamics, it is not without limitations and criticisms.
Understanding Sanskritisation
The term was coined in the 1950s by Srinivas to describe a phenomenon he observed in the Coorg region of Karnataka. He noted that lower castes, in their aspiration to improve their social status, emulated the practices of higher castes. This imitation involved changes in dietary habits, clothing, rituals, and the adoption of upper-caste deities, often coupled with a claim to a higher varna status. The process of sanskritisation was seen as a non-violent, gradual mechanism of social mobility within the rigid caste hierarchy of traditional India.
Sanskritisation offered an alternative to the often rigid and oppressive caste system, enabling some degree of flexibility. It highlighted the dynamic nature of caste, countering earlier colonial and orientalist views that portrayed it as a static and unchanging institution. Moreover, it emphasized the agency of marginalized groups in negotiating their social realities.
Strengths of the Concept
One of the main strengths of sanskritisation is its empirical grounding. Srinivas developed the concept based on detailed ethnographic studies, which gave it a solid foundation in real-life observations. It sheds light on the ways marginalized groups navigate their socio-economic conditions and strive for better opportunities. Furthermore, the concept also underscores the interplay between caste, culture, and power in Indian society, offering a nuanced understanding of how social hierarchies operate.
Criticisms of Sanskritisation
Despite its insights, the concept of sanskritisation has been critiqued on several grounds. One significant criticism is its implicit endorsement of Brahminical values as a benchmark for upward mobility. This raises ethical and normative questions about the perpetuation of hierarchical and exclusionary structures.
Additionally, sanskritisation overlooks the structural inequalities and systemic barriers that limit the effectiveness of such strategies for social mobility. While cultural emulation might provide symbolic capital, it often fails to translate into substantial socio-economic gains or dismantle caste-based discrimination.
The concept has also been criticized for its gender insensitivity. Sanskritisation often involves adopting patriarchal practices associated with upper-caste norms, thereby reinforcing gender inequalities. For instance, the emphasis on purity, chastity, and other such values often comes at the expense of women’s autonomy and agency.
Moreover, in contemporary India, the relevance of sanskritisation is being questioned. The rise of Dalit and other marginalized movements, which reject Brahminical hegemony and instead emphasize the assertion of their own cultural identity, challenges the assumptions underlying sanskritisation. These movements argue for dignity and equality rather than seeking validation through emulation of upper-caste practices.
Sanskritisation in the Modern Context
In today’s globalized and rapidly modernizing India, the traditional markers of caste identity are undergoing transformation. Urbanization, economic liberalization, and the spread of education and media have diversified the avenues for social mobility, reducing the relevance of sanskritisation. Political assertion through caste-based parties and movements has also emerged as a powerful tool for marginalized groups to challenge social hierarchies directly.
However, the persistence of caste-based discrimination and the enduring appeal of caste identity in electoral politics suggest that sanskritisation, while diminished, has not become entirely obsolete. Its relevance needs to be understood in conjunction with other processes of social change and identity formation in India.
Question 2: Westernisation is often just about adoption of western attire and lifestyle. Are there other aspects to being westernised? Or is that about modernisation? Discuss.
Answer 2: Thе concеpt of Wеstеrnisation is oftеn misconstruеd as mеrеly adopting Wеstеrn attirе and lifеstylе. Howеvеr, it еncompassеs a broadеr spеctrum of cultural, social, and idеological changеs. Lеt’s dеlvе into thе various aspеcts of bеing wеstеrnisеd and distinguish it from modеrnisation:
Wеstеrnisation indееd involvеs thе adoption of Wеstеrn clothing, consumеr goods, and lifеstylе choicеs. This includеs wеaring Wеstеrn-stylе clothing, using Wеstеrn products, and еmbracing aspеcts of Wеstеrn pop culturе likе music and moviеs. Howеvеr, thеsе еxtеrnal manifеstations arе just thе tip of thе icеbеrg.
Wеstеrnisation also еncompassеs thе adoption of Wеstеrn valuеs, idеologiеs, and worldviеws. This includеs еmbracing concеpts such as individualism, sеcularism, gеndеr еquality, and dеmocratic govеrnancе. Wеstеrnisation oftеn impliеs a shift towards a morе rational and sciеntific outlook on lifе, еmphasizing critical thinking and skеpticism.
Furthеrmorе, Wеstеrnisation is closеly associatеd with еconomic dеvеlopmеnt and industrialisation. Thе adoption of Wеstеrn tеchnology, businеss practicеs, and еconomic systеms is a kеy componеnt. It involvеs thе transition from agrarian еconomiеs to industrial and sеrvicе-basеd еconomiеs, lеading to changеs in еmploymеnt pattеrns and thе organization of work.
Howеvеr, it’s important to distinguish Wеstеrnisation from modеrnisation. Whilе Wеstеrnisation is a subsеt of modеrnisation, modеrnisation is a broadеr procеss of social, еconomic, and political transformation that can occur indеpеndеntly of Wеstеrn influеncе. Modеrnisation can takе various forms, and not all modеrn sociеtiеs arе Wеstеrnisеd. For еxamplе, countriеs in Asia havе undеrgonе modеrnisation without fully еmbracing Wеstеrn cultural norms.
In summary, Wеstеrnisation is morе than just adopting Wеstеrn attirе and lifеstylе; it еncompassеs a rangе of cultural, idеological, еconomic, and social changеs. Whilе Wеstеrnisation is a componеnt of modеrnisation, it’s еssеntial to rеcognizе that modеrnisation can occur without Wеstеrnisation, and sociеtiеs can modеrnisе whilе prеsеrving thеir uniquе cultural idеntitiеs.
Question 3: Write short notes on:
Rites and secularisation
Caste and secularisation
Gender and sanskritisation
Answer 3: Rites and Secularisation
Rites are traditional ceremonies or rituals, often associated with religion or culture, marking significant life events such as births, marriages, and deaths. Secularisation refers to the process by which religion loses its influence over societal norms, values, and institutions. In the context of secularisation, rites are increasingly seen as cultural or social traditions rather than religious obligations. For example, wedding ceremonies may incorporate non-religious elements, reflecting personal preferences and modern values. This shift highlights the evolving role of rites in a more secular and pluralistic society.
Caste and Secularisation
Caste is a hierarchical social structure traditionally associated with Hinduism, dictating social roles and relationships. Secularisation has led to the diminishing role of caste in public life and institutions. With the rise of modern education, democratic governance, and urbanisation, caste-based practices are being questioned and replaced by merit-based systems. However, caste still influences social interactions and politics in subtle ways. Secularisation has encouraged legal and social measures, such as reservations and anti-discrimination laws, to reduce caste-based inequalities.
Gender and Sanskritisation
Sanskritisation is the process by which lower castes adopt the practices, rituals, and lifestyles of higher castes to gain social mobility. This phenomenon often perpetuates traditional gender roles, as women are expected to conform to patriarchal norms associated with higher castes, such as increased modesty, restricted mobility, and adherence to “purity” standards. While sanskritisation may improve a group’s social status, it often reinforces gender inequalities, limiting opportunities for women and maintaining conservative gender norms within society.