Indian Society

Prelims : (10 to 12 Marks)

1.Social Exclusion:
Rights issues such as Gender,
Caste, Tribe, Disability etc. and
inclusive policies.
Total Mains(100M)
 General Essay (50M)
 Contemporary Social Issues and
Social Problems.
PAPER III(50M)Indian Society,
Structure, Issues and Social Movts

Chapter 1. Indian Society:

 Salient features,
 Unity in Diversity; Family, Marriage,
Kinship, Caste, Tribe, Religion,
Language;
 Rural – Urban continuum;
 Multi-culturalism.
2. Social Exclusion and Vulnerable
Groups
 1.Scheduled Castes
 2.Scheduled Tribes

 3.Backward Classes

 4.Minorities

 5.Women

 6.Children

 7.Aged and

 8.Disabled.
3. Social Issues:
1. Poverty
2. Unemployment,
3. Child Labour,
4. Violence against Women;
5. Regionalism;
6. Communalism and Secularism;
7. Corruption;
8. Caste Conflicts
9. Problems of Agricultural Labour;
10. Urbanization;
11. Development and Displacement;
12. Environmental Degradation;
13. Sustainable Development;
14. Population Explosion;
15. Agrarian Distress;
16. Migration.
Chapter 4.
 (a)Social Issues in Telangana:
 Vetti;
 Jogini and Devadasi System;
 Girl Child;
 Flourosis;
 Child Labour;
 Migrant Labour;
 Child Marriages.
 (b) Social Movements in
Telangana.
5. Social Policies and Programmes
in India and Telangana:
1.Policies & Welfare Schemes for
1. Women,
2. Children,
3. Aged and
4. Disabled;
5. Scheduled Castes,
6. Scheduled Tribes,
7. Backward Classes and
8. Minorities;
2.Other Policies
1. Environmental Policy;
2. Population Policy;
3. Policy on Education;
4. Policy on Health;
5. Poverty Alleviation Programmes;
 Linking All Syllabus

Strengths • Salient features of Indian Society(Ch 1)

• Social Issues(Ch 3 &Ch 4 (P1) Threats to Indian Society and

Weakness Telangana Society

• Who will bear the maximum brunt

Impact • Vulnerable Groups(Ch 2)

• What Happens in the Society?

Consequen • Social Movements
ce

• What is the Solution ?

Response • Various Policies of India and Telangana
What is Society? And Its
Characteristics ?

Population

Territorial
Base

Characteristic Mutual
Awareness
s of Society
Shared
Culture

Psyche
Unity
1.Salient features of Indian Society
1. Unity In Diversity
2. Diversity in Family
3. Diverse Marriage System
4. Variations in Kinship System
5. Multi- Caste
6. Hundreds of Tribes
7. Multi-Religious Society
8. Multi-Lingual Society
9. Patriarchal Society
10. Multi-Racial Society
11. Balance between spiritualism and materialism
12. Balance between Individualism and collectivism
13. Co-existence of traditionalism and modernity
1.1.1 Unity in Diversity
 Bonds of Unity
 Geographical unity: Himalayas in the north end and the Indian ocean
South (Himalayas to Cape Comorin ),East to West Extension( Kibithu in
ARP to Ghuar Moti,Gujarat).
 Political unity: One constitution and One parliament govern every part of
India .
 We share the same political culture marked by the norms of democracy,
secularism and socialism.
 Cultural Unity :The institution of pilgrimage From Badrinath and
Kedarnath in the north to Rameshwaram in the south, Jagannath Puri in
the east to Dwaraka in the west the religious shrines and holy rivers(Ganga,
Godavari, Krishna etc ) are spread throughout the length and breadth of
the country. pilgrimage is also an expression of love for the motherland, a
sort of mode of worship of the country.
 Tolerance and Accommodation: India is Mosaic of faiths. Hindus and
Muslims have always taken part in each other’s functions, festivities and
feasts, saints and Pirs of each other(Dewali,Muharram). And this holds as
well for the coexistence of other religious groups like Sikh, Jain, and
Christian and so on.
 Interdependence nature of Social System: Jajmani system, i.e. a system
of functional interdependence of castes. New Economic system
 Importance of Unity in Diversity
 Promotes Brotherhood: It boosts the morale of people at the
workplace, organization, and community.
 It improves healthy human relations and protects equal human
rights for all.
 It gives value to the rich heritage of the country as well as
strengthens and enriches the cultural heritage of India.
 It gives rise to the habit of national integration among people of the
country even after being diverse in various ways.
 It helps to increase coordination, relationships, teamwork among
people, thus improving performance, work quality, productivity
and lifestyle. This makes communication effective even in poor
conditions.
Challenges to Unity in Diversity
 All Social Issues in syllabus are Threats to Unity in Diversity
 1. Communalism: allegiance to one's own religion and hatred towards
other religions Eg: Bhainsa(Telangana), Godra riotes ,Sikh riotes
 2. Sectarianism: Sects of the people belonging to the same religion. For
example, there is a tussle and strife between Sunnis and Shias of Muslim
community on the one hand and Kabir-panth and Gorakhpanth or
Nirankaris and the Alkali Sikhs of the Sikh community on the other
hand.
 3. Casteism: While the high castes have not shed their sense of superiority,
the low caste especially Harijans and backward castes have become
increasingly assertive about their rights.(Eg.Dalit panther movement MH,
Mandal Commission, Rising Associations etc)
 4. Linguism:Their slogan is ‘English ever and Hindi never’ and they say
they are Indians but not Hindians. (Eg.Dravidian movement in Tamil
Nadu )
 Conti ….
 5. Regionalism: It can be defined as a feeling of attachment to a
geographically and culturally marked segment of the national
territory.(Eg.Telangana,North east etc)
 6. Economic Differences: The socio-economic reality in India exposes the
glaring contrast between the ‘rich’ and ‘poor’;
 7. Polarised politics: formed on the basis of caste, language, region and
personal charisma.
 8. Terrorism: to create a climate of extreme fear psychosis and thus, it
undermines the confidence of people in the political system and the
government.
 9. Student Unrest: dissatisfied and frustrated due to unemployment,
internal bickering, defective educational system, etc.
 10. Lack of Good and Committed Leadership : of our leaders are swayed
by petty interests, alienated from doing things for the interest of the
nation.
Measures to protect Unity in Diversity
 Respect each other's choices irrespective of their social, economic and
political background.
 Respecting difference of opinion, give them their space and time.
 Allow human interaction without questioning one's religious, social and
economic standing.
 Spread awareness about importance of unity in diversity and add the
concept in the primary level of education.
 Create tolerant behavior towards everyone, regardless of their culture,
norms and values.
 EK BHARAT SHRESHTHA BHARAT' SCHEME: structured engagement
with one another in the spheres of language, literature, cuisine,
festivals, cultural events, tourism etc. Eg. Andhra Pradesh is paired
with Punjab
 Expected Question From Unity in Diversity
 1.How bonds of unity in diversity protected since ages ?
 2.Briefly discuss challenges to Unity in Diversity .
 3.Unity and Diversity are not separate in India . Do you Agree?
 4.In a contemporary India there is an urgent need to protect unity
in Diversity . Elaborate.
 5.Highlight the measures needed to protect unity in diversity.

 Essay Topics
 Indian Society is Unique in its Own Way
 Indian Society now is at Cross Roads
 Family

1.Definition
2.Characteristics of Family
4.Types of Family
5.Functions of Family
3.Joint and Nuclear Family in India
6.Changing Nature of Family
7.Expected Questions
 Family
 Definition
 A family can be defined as a small group characterised by face to
face relations and the members, are inter-related by kinship or
marriage.
 According to G.P. Murdock family is a social group characterised
by a common residence, economic cooperation and
reproduction.
Characteristics of Family
1. Universal:
The family system is found in all societies. Family bonds and
type of family differs from one society to another. E.g.: In India,
the family bonds are very strong.
2. Identity:
It is a common practice for families to have a “nomenclature”.
Every family is identified with a particular name
3.Lowest unit of social organization:
It can be observed that family forms a lowest unit of social
organisation. Group of families together constitute a community
and two or more communities together form a society.
4.Antiquity:
It is difficult to trace the origin of family as such. But it is in
existence since time immemorial. Even the Indus Valley
Civilization, one of the oldest civilizations, speaks about family
system.
5.Primary Group:
Family is a small group characterised by face to face relations. The members of a
family closely identify themselves with the family.
 Types of Family
 Based on Residence:
 Patrilocal: where the bride resides with the groom’s family or house.
 Matrilocal: Here the groom resides with the bride’s family eg: Khasis of Meghalaya and Nair
taravad of Kerala.
 Neolocal: In this the family is individualistic that resides separately in newly constructed house.
It is commonly practiced in urban areas .
 Based on authority
 Patriarchial: Here, father has the highest status in the family. He is the head of the family
who controls the social life of the family. It is commonly practiced throughout India.
 Matriarchial:Here mother has the highest status in the family. She is the head of the family
who controls the other members of the family. This system is seen very rarely in India, the Khasi
clan of Meghalaya, the Nair clan of Kerala.
 Based on the size and Structure
 Nuclear family: It is smallest family in size which has only a husband, wife and their
children living together. The current industrial urban system has reduced the size of the family
due to economic and social reason. It is further divided into two types.
 Joint family: In a joint family more than two generations resides together who has common
ancestors following common duties and have common property. They also has common kitchen
and probably follows same traditional occupation.
 On the basis of Descent (title inheritance):
 Patrilinel: Here the new generations inherits the name or title, rights, property from their male
ancestors.
 Matrilinel: Here the new generations inherits the name or title, property and rights from their
female ancestors.Eg Khasis of Meghalaya,Nair Taravad of Kerala.
Functions of Family
 Essential Functions:
 Satisfaction of sex need: Havelock states “with failure of sexual harmony, the
marriage structure rests on shifting sand”. The family fulfils sex instinct in better
way and Legal.
 Re-Production and rearing of children:The process of reproduction is
institutionalized and Legalised in the family.
 Provision of home:The family satisfies the need for love and affection of human
being through home and eliminates emotional behaviour problem of human beings.
 Socialization:It also imparts the knowledge of social customs mores etc. to the
future generation.
 Non-essential Functions:
 Economic unit.:The movable and immovable property of family are protected and
maintained by family members.
 Religious:In the family children learn religious, virtues and practices like idol
worship, religious discourses and sermons.
 Educational: It is the first window of the child to the world outside.
 Health:The consolation and hearty care .
 Recreation: chance of merry making with siblings and relatives in the family.
 Civic:The child learns the first lessons of citizenship in the family.
 Joint Family
 Basically two types of families are found in India. Viz: Joint family and Nuclear
family.
 Joint family:Joint family is a group which consists of a couple, their children and
other relations from father’s side or mother’s side (in case of matriarchal families).
 Features and Merits of Joint Family:
 Joint property: Protection from Division of Land
 Joint Kitchen
 Division of Labour
 Social and Emotional Security(to children,old,widow,sick etc )
 Continuity of Culture
 Kinship(4 Generations-Socialisation)
 Common rituals(common god)
 Father Headed family
 Why joint family is disintegrating in India ?
 Modernisation(individuality)
 Increasing job opportunities(for both men and women)
 Spread of education among women(emancipation of women)
 Problem of accommodation(large Family size)
 Poverty
 Nuclear family
Def: Couple and their dependent children.
The demerits of joint families can be overcome in nuclear families.
1. Merits of nuclear Family
i. Better Development of Personality(free interaction)
ii. Better Condition of Women(no in-laws)
iii. Less number of children(mostly 2)
iv. Peace and Harmony(Less burden and less misunderstandings)
v. Individual Responsibilities(binding on parents)
 Demerits
i. Lack of emotional security(old,children and widow).
ii. Egoistic nature of children and problem of adjustment.
iii. Lack of social control.
iv. Lack of parental attention which may lead to social problems like
alcoholism. drug abuse, Juvenile delinquency etc.
Changing Nature of Family(Trends)
 Choice in Mate Selection: less subject to the parental control concerning whom
and when they shall marry.(Independence in mate selection)
 Equality: woman is not the devotee of man but an equal partner in life with
equal rights.(man requests wife not orders, Divorce,Sue husband for her rights )
 Laxity in sex relationships: cases of illegitimate sex relationship of the husband
and wife too can be seen in modern family.(SC 497-Adultery- Joseph Shine v.
Union of India, 2018.)
 Economic independence:
 Smaller family:Nuclear Family
 Decline of religious control: No early prayer etc,
 Separation of non-essential functions: hospital offers room for the birth of child,
in the nursing home he is brought up, in the kindergarten he is educated and in
the playground he recreates.
 Filo-centric family: children tend to dominate the scene and their wishes
determine the policy of die family.
 Live in relationship between a couple without the ceremony of marriage.
 Unwed mothers .
 Increasing LGBT marriages
Expected Questions
1.Relevance of joint family is more in contemporary
India than traditional India .Critically analyse.
2.Write characteristics of family system and highlight
changing nature family in India.
3.Contemporary Indian society is dominated by
Nuclear family.In this Context highlight merits and
demerits of nuclear family.
4. There is no single basis to define
Family.Substantiate.
5.Compare and Contrast traditional and modern
family system in India.
 What is Kinship?
 Importance of Kinship
 Evolution of Kinship
 Transmission of Kinship
 Elements of Kinship
 Types of Kinship
 Functions of Kinship
 Regional Variations in Kinship
 Definition:“The social relationships deriving from blood ties ( real and
supposed) and marriage are collectively referred to as kinship.
 Importance of Kinship?

◦ Group living is primary to social growth. The savage lived with their
group, their women and their young children. Their common adversity,
insecurity, pain and pleasure gave them the first idea of the
importance of togetherness.
 Evolution of Kinship?
◦ Marriage Family gave rise to relation called the ‘Kinship’,
It can be bond of blood, marriage etc.
Transmission of Kinship(lineage/Descent) :
1.Unilineal Kinship includes
1.Agnates(Patrilineal) -Sapindas, Sagotras
2.Cognates(Matrilineal) .
2.Bilineal– from both parents.
1. Sex : It indicates sex of blood and conjugal relations in nomenclature
like brother and sister ,husband and wife
2. Generation: Nomenclature like father and son
3. Closeness and intimacy: Eg: Husband and Wife
4. Blood Relations : Mother and Child
5. Lineage : It traces the kinship along Generations

Various Institutions Which Come under the ambit of Kinship are

1.Family
2.Marriage
3.Lineage
4.Descent
5.Gotra
6.Kula
1. Consanguineous Kinship (Bond of blood)
◦ Note : blood relationship may be established not only on
biological basis but also on the basis of social recognition.How ?
Eg: polyandry, marriage of a woman to two or more men at
the same time
2. Affinal Kinship (Bond of Marriage)
Male : person after marriage becomes a husband, brother-in-law,
son-in-law, and even uncle (mausa).
Female: wife, daughter-in-law, bhabi, chachi etc.
3. Social: Rotary service club,student groups etc.
 It set rules for governing the relationship between kin.
 It sets rules for marriage relationship between people and decides who
can/cannot marry whom.
 It establishes rights and obligations of the members in all religious
practices right from the birth to the death of person.
 It helps to maintain harmony between the relationships.
 It helps easy succession, transfer of property to descendants.
Gothul
among
Gonds
 1.Compare and Contrast Northern and Southern
Kinship System.
 2.Briefly explain the types of Kinship system
prevalent in India.
 What is Religion?
 Religions in India?
 Trends in their growth
 Challenges to multi-religious society
 Problems of religious minorities.
 What can be the Solution?
 What is Religion ?
 Human beings’ relation to that which they regard as holy, sacred,
absolute, spiritual, divine, or worthy of especial reverence.

 India is a land of multiple religions(Census-2011).

◦ Hinduism: 966.3 million Hindus, who make up 79.8% of the
population.
◦ Islam: There are 172.2 million Muslims (14.2% of the population);
◦ Christianity: India is home 27.8 million Christians (2.3%)
◦ Sikhism : 20.8 million Sikhs (1.7%).
◦ Buddhism: 8.4 million Buddhists with 0.7% share of the
population
◦ Jainism : 4.5 million Jains, making up 0.4% of the population.

 Telangana: Hindus form 85.1% of the State's

population. Muslims form 12.7% and Christians form 1.3% and
0.9% others
 1.Communalism
 2.Sectarianism
 3.Unequal opportunities
 4.Poverty and Unemployement
 5.Religious intolerance
 6.Political appeasement
 7.Relative Deprivation
 8.Religious Conversions
 Problem of Identity: differences in socio-cultural
practices, history and backgrounds
 Problem of Security: insecurity about their life,
assets and well-being
 Problem Relating to Equity:opportunities of
development
 1.Indian religious harmony is threaten by
many issues . Elaborate
 2.Identify challenges to Multi-Religious society.
 3.Problems of Religious minorities cannot be
resolved with Single perspective.Substantiate.
 The 2011 census reported 19,569 languages in India which
are spoken as mother tongue.
 However, 96.71 per cent population in the country have one
of the 22 scheduled languages as their mother tongue, the
remaining 3.29 per cent is accounted for other languages
 10,000 or more speakers of languages arrived at is 121, Only
22 languages are listed in Schedule VIII of the Indian
Constitution.
 The non-scheduled languages are 99 in 2011 against 100 in
2001. The decrease in the number is due to exclusion of Simte
and Persian, which were not returned in sufficient numbers as
2011, and inclusion of Mao, which has returned more than
10,000 speakers at the all-India level at 2011 census.
 Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri,
Konkani, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Oriya,
Punjabi, Sanskrit, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, Bodo,
Santhali, Maithili and Dogri.
 Of these languages, 14 were initially included in the
Constitution.
 Sindhi language was added in 1967.
 Thereafter three more languages viz., Konkani, Manipuri and
Nepali were included in 1992.
 Subsequently, Bodo, Dogri, Maithili and Santhali were added in
2004.
 The above constitutionally recognised languages belong to
two linguistic families:
The languages of Indo-Aryan family are spoken by 75 per cent of
India’s total population
 Dravidian: Malayalam, Kannada, Tamil and Telugu are the four major
Dravidian languages.
 languages of Dravidian family are spoken by 20 per cent.
 Along with linguistic diversity, we have always had
a sort of link language, though it has varied from
age to age. In ancient times it was Sanskrit, in
medieval age it was Arabic or Persian and in
modern times we have Hindi and English as
official languages
 Linked to Regionalism and Constitutional
Provisions
1.What is Caste ?
2.Origin of Caste,Various theories?
3.History of Caste
3.Features of Caste System
4.Functions of Caste System
5.Dysfunctions of Caste Sytem
6.Is Caste Confined to India ?Hinduism?
7.Changes in Caste System
8.Continuity
7.Expected Questions
 The caste system is one of the unique features in Indian Society.
Its root can be traced back to thousands of years.
 Origin :Portuguese employed casta in the modern sense to Indian
social groups called as ‘jati’ in India. ‘Jati’ originates from the
root word ‘Jana’ which implies taking birth. Thus, caste is
concerned with birth.
◦ Jana → Jati → Caste
 Definition: “Caste is a closed social class organization in which
the position of individuals in the status hierarchy is determined
by descent and birth.”
 1.Traditional Theory(Divine Origin)
◦ It says caste system is of divine origin and extension of the varna
system, where the 4 varnas originated from the body of Bramha.
◦ The sub-castes emerged later due to intermarriages between the 4
varnas.
◦ The proponents of this theory cite Purushasukta of Rigveda,
Manusmriti etc to support their stand.
 2.Political Theory(Brahmin Invention)
◦ It is a clever device invented by the Brahmins in order to place
themselves on the highest ladder of social hierarchy.
◦ Dr. Ghurye states, “Caste is a Brahminic child of Indo-Aryan culture
cradled in the land of the Ganges and then transferred to other
parts of India.”
◦ The Brahmins even added the concept of spiritual merit of the king,
through the priest or purohit in order to get the support of the ruler of
the land.
 The Sanskrit word for caste is varna which means colour. The
caste stratification of the Indian society had its origin in the
chaturvarna system – Brahmins, Kashtriyas, Vaishyas and
Shudras.
 It is based on division of labour and occupation. The three
classes, Brahma, Kshatra and Vis are frequently mentioned in
the Rig Veda. The name of the fourth class, the ‘Sudra’, occurs
only once in the Rig Veda. The Sudra class represented
domestic servants..
 Rig Vedic literature stresses very significantly the differences
between the Arya and non-Aryans (Dasa), not only in their
complexion but also in their speech, religious practices, and
physical features.
 Indian sociologist D.N. Majumdar supported this view .
 Caste hierarchy is according to the occupation. Those professions which
were regarded as better and respectable made the persons who
performed them superior to those who were engaged in dirty
professions.
 According to Newfield, “Function and function alone is responsible for
the origin of caste structure in India.” With functional differentiation
there came in occupational differentiation and numerous sub-castes
such as Lohar(blacksmith), Chamar(tanner), Teli(oil-pressers)Etc .
 According to this theory, the caste system did not come into existence all
of a sudden or at a particular date. It is the result of a long process of
social evolution.
 Hereditary occupations;
 The desire of the Brahmins to keep themselves pure;
 The lack of rigid unitary control of the state;
 The unwillingness of rulers to enforce a uniform standard of law and
custom
 The ‘Karma’ and ‘Dharma’ Doctrines
 Ideas of exclusive family, ancestor worship, and the sacramental meal;
 Clash of antagonistic cultures particularly of the patriarchal and the
matriarchal systems;
 Clash of races, colour prejudices and conquest;
 Deliberate economic and administrative policies followed by various
conquerors
 Geographical isolation of the Indian peninsula;
 Foreign invasions;
 Rural social structure.
 It is from the post-Vedic period, the old distinction of Arya and
Sudra appears as Dvija and Sudra,
 The first three classes are called Dvija (twice-born) because they
have to go through the initiation ceremony which is symbolic of
rebirth.
 “The Sudra was called “ekajati” (once born).
 Mouryas (Sudras )
 During Sunga period (180BC) Manusmriti mentioned that, ‘the
Sudra, who insults a twice-born man, shall have his tongue
cut out’.
 Chinese scholar Hieun Tsang, who visited India in 630 AD ,
writes that, “Brahminism dominated the country, caste ruled
the social structure and the persons following unclean
occupations like butchers, scavengers had to live outside the
city”.
 Segmental Division of Society: The society is divided into castes. Each of
these castes is a well developed social group, and the membership based
on birth.
 Hierarchy: According to Louis Dumont, castes teach us a fundamental
social principle of hierarchy. At the top of this hierarchy is the Brahmin
caste and at the bottom is the untouchable caste. In between are the
intermediate castes, the relative positions of which are not always clear.
 Endogamy: . the members of a caste or sub-caste should marry within
their own caste or sub-caste. The violation of the rule of endogamy would
mean ostracism and loss of caste.
 Hereditary status and occupation: Megasthenes, the Greek traveller to
India in 300 B. C., mentions hereditary occupation as one of the two
features of caste system, the other being endogamy.
 Restriction on Food and Drink: Many associated taboos related to food.
◦ The cooking taboo, eating taboo, commensal taboo
◦ The vessel taboo which has to do with the nature of the (whether
made of earth, copper or brass.For eg: In North India Brahmin would
accept pakka food (cooked in ghee) only from some castes lower than
his own. However, no individual would accept kachcha(cooked in
water) food prepared by an inferior caste.
 A Particular (Surname)Name: Every caste has a particular name though
which we can identify it. Sometimes, an occupation is also associated
with a particular caste.
 The Concept of Purity and Pollution: The higher castes claimed to have
ritual, spiritual and racial purity which they maintained by keeping the
lower castes away through the notion of pollution. The idea of pollution
means a touch of lower caste man would pollute a man of higher caste.
Even his shadow is considered enough to pollute a higher caste
man(Eg in Keral Ezhava caste ) .
 Jati Panchayat: These are Openly enforced through a governing body or
board called Jati Panchayat.
 It continued the traditional social organization of India.
 It has accommodated multiple communities making
Interdependent(Jajmani system).
 Provided social security and social recognition to
individuals.
 It has handed over the knowledge and skills of the hereditary
occupation of a caste from one generation to another.
 Socialization by teaching individuals the culture and
traditions, values and norms of their society.
 Caste acted as a trade union and protected its members from
the exploitation.
 Promoted political stability, as Kshatriyas were generally
protected from political competition, conflict and violence by the
caste system.
 Maintained racial purity through endogamy.
 Specialization led to quality production of goods and thus
promoted economic development. For eg: Many handicraft
items of India gained international recognition due to this.
 The caste system is a check on economic and intellectual advancement and
 Great stumbling block to social reforms because it keeps opportunities confined to
a certain section of the population only.
 It undermines the efficiency of labour and prevents perfect mobility of labour,
capital and productive effort
 It perpetuates the exploitation : of the economically weaker and socially inferior
castes, especially the untouchables.
 Enforces Patriarchy: insistence on practices like child-marriage, prohibition of
widow-remarriage, seclusion of women etc.
 Against Democracy: by giving a political monopoly to Kshatriyas in the past
and acting as a vote bank in the present political scenario. There are political
parties which solely represent a caste. eg: BSP for SC, ST and OBC.
 Threat to national Integration: Caste conflicts are widely prevalent in politics,
Increased demand for reservations in jobs and education. inter-caste
marriages etc. eg: Demand for Jat reservation, agitation by Kapus in AP.
 Gives scope for religious conversion: The lower caste people are getting
converted into Islam and Christianity due to the tyranny of the upper castes.
 Opposing change: The caste system by compelling an individual to act strictly in
accordance with caste norms.
 Answer is a Big Noooo…
 The caste system is found in other countries like Nepal, Pakistan
and Sri Lanka. Caste-like systems are also found in countries like
Indonesia, China, Korea, Yemen and certain countries in
Africa, Europe as well.
 Eg:Yemen, there exists a hereditary caste, Al-Akhdam who are
kept as perennial manual workers.
 Burakumin in Japan
 But what distinguishes Indian caste system from the rest is the
core theme of purity and pollution.
 Caste-based differences are practised in other religions like
Nepalese Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism. But
the main difference is – caste system in Hinduism is mentioned in its
scriptures while other religions adopted casteism as a part of
socialization or religious conversions.
 Eg : in Islam: Ashrafs (upper)and Ajlafs(lower) and Arzal (
(Lowest)
 In Christianity: in Goa –
 Bamonns(Brahmins)
 Chardos(Kshatriayas)
 Gauddos(Vaishyas)
 Sudirs(sudras)
 In Buddhism, Jainism,Sikhism (Zat endogamy )also we find caste .
 Changes :
◦ Structural Changes:
 Decline in the supremacy of the Brahmins
 Changes in the Caste hierarchy
◦ Functional change:
 Change in the fixation of status: Birth to wealth, ability, education, efficiency
etc.
 Change with regard to occupation
 Changes in marriage restrictions:Special Marriage Act, 1954 and the Hindu
Marriage Act, 1955 have removed endogamic restrictions and declared inter-
caste marriages as legally valid.
 Change in commensality
 Change in the concept of purity and pollution
 Change in the life style (becoming common style due Sanskritization and
Westernisation)
 Change in inter-caste relations
  Change in the power of caste Panchayats
 Restrictions on education removed
 Changes in the system of power
 Growth of caste consciousness
 Weakening of the Jajmani system
 Attitudinal changes:
 Loss of faith in the ascriptive status
 Change in the philosophical basis
 1.Critically Examine Caste System in India
 2.Origin of caste system is most debated across the
spectrum, in your view what is most acceptable
theory?
 3.Despite drastic changes, caste is still
continuing,Substantiate.
 4.Express Gandhi and Ambedkar Views on Caste ?
 5.Examine the Reasons for Continuing of caste in
India.
1.Definition
2.Hindu Marriage
3.Muslim Marriage
4.Christian Marriage
5.Objectives ,Features and legal Backing
6.Divorce
7. Triple Talaq act
8.Prohibition of Child Marriage
9.Expected Questions
 Definition: It is the legally or formally recognized union of two people as
partners in a personal relationship.
 Hindu Marriage
◦ Marriage in Hindu culture is a spiritual union between a man and a woman for
spiritual realisation.
◦ sociologists as a system of roles of a man and a woman whose union has been
given social sanction as husband and wife.
 Objectives of Hindu marriage
◦ Indologists :Hindu marriage as a sanskara, having objectives
 Dharma (fulfillment of religious duties),
 Rati (sex gratification), and
 Praja (procreation).
 Runa/Debt: everyone has to repay in his life
 1.Deva/Daiva Runa(towards God, who gave life to us),
 2.Rishi Runa(towards Guru who makes us knowledgeable ),
 3.Pitru Runa(towards Ancestors,who gave us birth and family)
 Socio-Cultural Continuity: for the Continuity of society(procreation)
 Duty of every householder to pass on the cultural traditions of his Kula to
the next generation.
 (i) Dharma was the highest aim of marriage;
 (ii) Performance of marriage ceremony included certain rites (like
havan, kanyadan, panigrahana, saptapadi, etc.) which were considered
sacred;
 (iv) Union (between man and woman) was considered indissoluble and
irrevocable;
 (v) Emphasis was on chastity of the woman and faithfulness of the
man.
 Adharmik Marriages :
◦ Ghandarva - entering into sex before getting the social sanction of
society,
◦ Asura -eloping with a woman,
◦ Rakshasa -forcibly abducting a woman from her home
◦ Paisacha -man molesting a girl when she is asleep or intoxicated or in
a state of unbalanced mind.
 The main reason for recognising the four Adharmik marriages as
marriages was to confer the respectful status to a wife/Women.
 Dharmik Marriages:
◦ Daiva -woman is married to a priest, a man of intellect and money, be-
longing to an aristocratic class),
◦ Prajapatiya -entering wedlock for biological function of sex satisfaction
and having children
◦ Arsha -woman marrying a man of intellect and character (sage) who is
reluctant to enter marriage, so that she may get intelligent progeny and
good home environment
 In Hindu society it is subsumed under the concepts of
◦ Endogamy, social rule that requires a person to select the spouse
from within the caste and sub-caste;
◦ Exogamy, exogamy forbids selection from the same gotra and
sapindas (i.e., cousins);
◦ Hypergamy is a boy from the upper caste can marry a girl from
the lower caste
◦ Hypogamy(not permitted) is the act of marrying someone of a
lower social and economic class than your own.
I. Object of marriage: from dharma to companionship
II. Process of mate selection: party, criteria, and field of selection ,earlier mates
for children were selected by parents, now children believe in joint selection by
parents and children.
III. Form of marriage: from polygyny to monogamy
IV. Age of marriage: from pre-puberty marriages to post-puberty marriages.
I. The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 1929(A.1978) age at marriage(18(g),21(b) -----
2021 proposed to 21 (g&b) (expected question).
II. Special Marriage Act, 1954 -dealing with age at marriage, freedom to children to marry
without parental consent, bigamy, and dissolving marriage,
V. Economic aspect of marriage :Dowry, Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961
VI. Stability of marriage : Divorce ,The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 (A.
1986) Gives share to wife and daughters in man’s properly equal to that of
sons and brothers. Provides for divorce by mutual consent where the
parties have been separated for a period of one year(Section 13B).
VII. Widow remarriage: Widow Remarriage Act, 1856. , but forfeits them the right
of maintenance from the property of the first husband.
 Muslim society is stratified not only among Shias and Sunnis but also
among Ashraf (Saiyed, Sheikh, Pathan, etc.), Azlab (Momins, Mansooris,
Ibrahims, etc.) and Arzal (Halalkhor, etc.). The Ashrafs are the noble-
born, the Azlabs are low-born, and the Arzals are the lowest of all.
 All these groups are endogamous and inter-marriages among them are
condemned and discouraged.
 Muslim marriage, called nikah, unlike the sacramental marriage of the
Hindus, is considered to be a civil contract(S.C. Sarkar ).
 Its important objectives are:
1. control over sex,
2. procreation of children
3. upbringing of children
4. perpetuation of family and
5. ordering of domestic life.
 But it will be wrong to say that Muslim marriage has no religious duty. It
is devotion and an act of ibaddat.
 But it is surely not a sacrament like Hindus.
 Proposal and its acceptance: The proposal is made by the bridegroom to
the bride just before the wedding ceremony in the presence of two
witnesses and a Maulvi (priest).
◦ For recognising marriage as sahi (regular), it is necessary that both the
proposal and its acceptance must be at the same meeting. Not doing so
makes marriage ‘fasid’ (irregular) but not batil (invalid). Further,
female testimony has been rejected in Muslim marriage.
 Capacity to contract marriage: refers to not recognising child
marriage or marriage of a person of an unsound mind.
 Doctrine of equality: refers to marriage with a person of low status.
Such marriages are looked down upon. Similarly, runaway marriages
(called kifa) are also not recognised.
 Preference system: refers to giving preference first to parallel (chachera
and mausera) cousin and then to cross-cousin (only mamera but not
phuphera). But these days, cousin marriages are discouraged.
 Mahar: Groom’s Obligation to pay in the form of money or possessions
to the bride at the time of Islamic marriage
 Definition : Marriage is a sacred institution and it has been blessed by
God and it is a natural thing. It is a religious sacrament in which man and
woman are bound for ill or well.
 Objectives :
◦ Sexual Satisfaction:
◦ Establishment of family
◦ Companionship(Love,Cooperation)
 Procedure of Mate selection: Christians provide ample freedom to their
boys and girls in the selection of their own life – partners
◦ Marriage have to no close blood relation like brother, sister, niece,nephew.
◦ Check Same or equal social status and they possess good health, High
importance to love in marriage , Solemnization of marriage requires a church
certificate .
 Marriage Ceremony : Parents of the bride and bride groom convey their
consent to the priest, who in his turn conveys it to the council of Bishops
for its consent. Later they will Exchange sweets, coconut, clothes, finger
rings, money etc as an expression of acceptance.
 Among Hindus
◦ Working Laws: Special Marriage Act 1954 and the Hindu Marriage Act in
1955,Which legally permitted divorce to Hindus. Hindus include Buddhists, Jains
and Sikhs etc.
◦ The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 amended in 1976 and 1981, provides for judicial
separation, divorce, nullity of marriage and annulment of marriage.

 Rising of Divorce Rate in India(Reasons)

1. Reduced social stigma attached to divorce
2. Rising material expectations
3. Contradictory roles of women as traditional wife and working
women
4. Domestic Violence
5. Impotency
However,The causes of divorce are not uniform between
various social groups.
SC rejected this form of talaq in
Shayara Bano v Union of India (2017)
 Achievements:
1. Abolishment of Triple Talaq has contributed to woman
empowerment and has given them dignity in the society.
2. The government has strengthened “self-reliance, self-respect and
self-confidence” of the Muslim women of the country and
protected their constitutional, fundamental and democratic rights
by bringing the law against the Triple Talaq.
3. Triple Talaq cases have dropped by 82% (Pib) within one year of
passing of the Act.
4. “Muslim Women Rights Day” was observed across the country on
1st August 2021 to celebrate the enactment of the law against
Triple Talaq.
 It would apply to all the religions and communities in India; it would amend
the existing personal laws and give women across all the communities
equal right to get married.
 Rationale/Advantages :
1. In 1978, the Legal age to marriage for a girl was increased to 18 and boys to
21(Since then not changed )
2. Removes stereotypes that “wives must be younger than their husbands” and the
belief that “women are more mature than men of the same age”
3. Gives females equal opportunities as males in education, jobs, and become
independent, meaning being able to uphold their rights without any constraint.
 Challenges
◦ National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), 23.3% of nearly one-fourth of women married before
age 18.
◦ Only about 6.8% females in urban areas and 8% females in rural areas aged between 15-19
were mothers or pregnant.
◦ Illegal marriages will increase
◦ Parents control and choice of women will be affected
◦ May reinforce patriarchy as dependency increases in rural areas
◦ Tribal and lower caste population will be worst effected as they lack suffcient resources .
 1.Critically Evaluate the Banning of Triple Talaq
 2.State the Reasons for Rising Divorce in India
 3.Highlight the Changing trends in marriage in
India .
 4.Critically Analyse Prohibition of Child
Marriage (Amendment) Bill, 2021.

 Prelims Questions can be Expected

1. Case and act related to triple talaq ?
2. Applicability of Hindu marriage act 1955 and Special
Marriage act 1954?
 Definition
 Rural- urban continuum, the merging of town and country,(feature of
India) or “continuity from the village to the city”.
 One end of this continuous scale is the village: the other is the city. Both
these social formations are in ceaseless interaction.
 It is to recognise the fact that there is no clear distinction/Boundary either
physical or Social i.e wholly urban/wholly rural.
 Concept :
 However two modes of living are represented by two concepts namely
‘ruralism’ and ‘urbanism.’
 Ruralism : It signifies the rural mode of living in which there is
predominance of traditions, customs, and folk culture and joint family.
 Urbanism : Signifies the urban mode of living in which there is
predominance of impersonal relations, individualism and secondary
associations.
Parameter Urban Rural
Heterogeneity High Low(High Homogeneity)
Anonymity High Nil
Division of labour High Low
Mobility Very high Low
Class difference High Low

Employment Fast Changing(no Slow(more Agr,few other)

patterns agri)
Secularism Visibility is high Practice is high
Urban & Rural Relative Absolute
Poverty
Impersonal relations High Low
Caste Difference Low High
1. Patterns of caste
2. Kinship
3. Rules of marriages
4. Observance of religious practices
5. Migrations
6. Educational institutions
7. Employment opportunities and
8. Administration
 1.Explain the Characteristics of Rural-Urban
Continuum in India.
 2.What is Rurban? To what extent it is true in
Telangana Society.
 Multiculturalism is peaceful living of different races,
nationalities, languages, religions, classes, gender,
etc.(India /Telangana)
 It’s a view that people from different cultures have equal
rights. Eg :Our Constitution provides it.
 Religions
 Languages
 Caste System
 Demographic composition: age, gender, religion, marital status,
educational qualification, income, etc
 Art and Architecture
 Classical music/dances
 Folk Art
 Cuisine
 Dressing
 1.Multiculturism in India is a Strength and
Weakness at the same time. Elaborate .
 Definition
 Characteristics of Tribes
 Problems of Tribes
 Govt steps and initiatives (will be covered in
Vulnerable Sections )
1. The tribal communities represent an important social category of
Indian social structure. The tribals are said to be the original
inhabitants of India.
2. “Tribes” in the Indian context today are normally referred to in the
language of the Constitution as “Scheduled Tribes.”
There are around 700 tribal groups in India and 75 Particularly
Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). The Gonds are the largest tribal
group in India. The largest number of tribal communities (62) are
found in Odisha. Smallest tribe are Andamanese only 19
members.
Definitional Problems :
If You ask ordinary man the word suggests simple folk living in hills
and forests;
To Little informed , it signifies a colourful people famous for their
dance and song;
To an administrator it means a group of citizens who are the special
responsibilities of the President of India and they are Scheduled
under Constitution;
 To an anthropologist it indicates a special field for study of a social
phenomenon.
 For a Sociologist
 1. D.N. Majumdar : A tribe is “ a collection of families bearing a
common name, members of which occupy the same territory, speak
the same language and observe certain taboos regarding marriage,
profession or occupation and have developed a well assessed system of
reciprocity and mutuality of obligation.”
 2. Gillin and Gillin : “ A tribe is a group of local communities, which
lives in a common area,Speaks a common dialect and follows a common
culture.”
 3. W.J.Perry : A tribe can be defined as “a group speaking a common
dialect and inhabiting a common territory.”

 Best Definition: a social group composed chiefly

of numerous families, clans, or generations having a shared
ancestry, language, Territory and isolated from mainstream society.
1. Common territory.
2. Sense of Unity and protection awareness

3. Endogamous Group

4. Common Language.

5. Common Ancestor.

6. Simple Religion.

7. Common Culture.

8. Distinct Political Organisation.

9. Primitive Economic Organisation.

10.Simplicity and Self – Sufficiency.

11.Organisation of Clans.

12.Endogamous Group.
 Loss of Control over Natural Resources
 Lack of Education:Eg: Telangana ST literacy rate is 49.51 as against
State literacy rate of 66.46(2011)
 Displacement and Rehabilitation:Steel plants, power projects and
large dams,Mining activities etc
 Problems of Health and Nutrition:disease, like malaria, cholera,
tuberculosis, diarrhoea and jaundice, problems associated with
malnutrition like iron deficiency and anaemia, high infant mortality
rates, low levels of life expectancy, etc.
 Gender Issues: Market economy, giving rise to consumerism and to
commoditisation of women
 Erosion of Identity: Eg : Tribal dialects and languages
 1.What is Tribe ? Explain changing
characteristics of Tribes in Telangana.
Strengths • Salient features of Indian Society(Ch 1)

• Social Issues(Ch 3 &Ch 4 (P1) Threats to Indian Society and

Weakness Telangana Society

• Who will bear the maximum brunt

Impact • Vulnerable Groups(Ch 2)

• What Happens in the Society?

Consequen • Social Movements
ce

• What is the Solution ?

Response • Various Policies of India and Telangana
1. Poverty
2. Unemployment,
3. Agrarian Distress
4. Sustainable Development;
5. Population Explosion
6. Problems of Agricultural Labour
7. Child Labour
8. Violence against Women;
9. Regionalism;
10. Communalism and Secularism;
11. Corruption;
12. Caste Conflicts
13. Urbanization;
14. Development and Displacement;
15. Environmental Degradation;
16. Migration.