Students can access the CBSE Sample Papers for Class 12 Sociology with Solutions and marking scheme Set 6 will help students in understanding the difficulty level of the exam.
CBSE Sample Papers for Class 12 Sociology Set 6 with Solutions
Time Allowed:- 3 hours
Maximum Marks:- 80
General Instructions:
- The question paper is divided into four sections.
- There are 35 questions in all. All questions are compulsory.
- Section A includes question no. 1-16. These are MCQ-type questions. As per the question, there can be one answer.
- Section B includes question no. 17-25. These are Very Short Answer-type questions carrying 2 marks each. Answer to each question should not exceed 30 words.
- Section C includes question no. 26-32. They are Short Answer type questions carrying 4 marks each. Answer to each question should not exceed 80 words.
- Section D includes question no. 33-35. They are Long Answer type questions carrying 6 marks each. Answer to each question should not exceed 200 words each.
- Question no. 33 is to be answered with the help of the given graphics. Question no. 34 is to be answered with the help of the given passage.
Section-A (16×1=16 Marks)
Multiple Choice Questions
Question 1.
Assertion (A): There is a correlation between disability and poverty. [1]
Reason (R): Public perception of disability is based on cultural conception.
(A) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
(B) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(C) A is true but R is false.
(D) A is false and R is true.
Answer:
(A) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
Explanation: People perceive disability as the result of cultural conception but in reality, there are different causes for this. There has been a wide range struggle in addressing the issues of disables and providing them with maximum facilities. This is because it has been considered as one of the reasons of poverty in the country.
Question 2.
‘Stand Up India Scheme ‘and ‘Make in India ‘are programmes that will help realise the _________. [1]
(A) Benefits of high dependency ratio
(B) Demographic dividend
(C) Benefit of high death rate
(D) Benefit of high fertility rate
Answer:
(B) Demographic dividend
Explanation: Different programmes have been launched in India to realise the demographic dividend, such as Stand Up India Scheme and Make in India.
Question 3.
Assertion(A): In Modern Foods, 60% of the workers were forced to retire in the first five years. [1]
Reason(R): This was due to complacency in work.
(A) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
(B) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(C) A is true but R is false.
(D) A is false and R is true.
Answer:
(C) A is true but R is false.
Explanation: Let’s examine each statement:
Assertion (A): In Modern Foods, 60% of the workers were forced to retire in the first five years. This statement claims that a significant percentage of workers in Modern Foods were compelled to retire within the initial five years. We can assume this assertion to be true based on the information provided.
Reason (R): This was due to complacency in work. The reason given attributes the forced retirements to complacency in work. However, there is no direct correlation or evidence provided to support this claim. The reason seems to be speculative or unsupported by the given information.
Since the assertion is true, but the reason is false, it means that while the statement (A) is accurate, the given reason (R) does not provide a valid explanation for the assertion.
Question 4.
Who wrote about Navya-Nyaya Logic, “The Sources of Knowledge”? [1]
(A) Raja Ram Mohan Roy
(B) Kandukuri Veeresalingam
(C) Sir Sayed Ahmed Khan
(D) Pandita Ramabai
Answer:
(B) Kandukuri Veeresalingam
Explanation: Kandukuri Veeresalingam was the one who wrote about Navya-Nyaya Logic, “The Sources of Knowledge”.
Question 5.
Assertion (A): Castes are supposed to be complementary and competing groups. [1]
Reason (R): Each caste has its own place in the system which cannot be taken by any other caste.
(A) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
(B) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(C) A is true but R is false.
(D) A is false and R is true
Answer:
(B) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
Explanation: While it is true that each caste has its own place, this alone does not necessarily imply that castes are complementary and competing groups. The complementary and competing nature of castes arises from various factors such as occupational specialization, social roles, and intercaste relationships.
Therefore, the correct option is:
(B) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
Question 6.
What were the key challenges faced by the Indian Nationalist movement in its pursuit of a democratic vision? [1]
(A) Religious and communal tensions hindered the unity and inclusivity of the movement.
(B) The dominance of traditional social hierarchies posed obstacles to achieving social equality.
(C) The presence of regional and linguistic diversities complicated the process of building a unified nation.
(D) None of the above
Answer:
(D) None of the above
Explanation: The Indian Nationalist movement faced several significant challenges in its endeavor to realize a democratic vision for the country. Religious and communal tensions often threatened to divide the movement and hinder its goal of fostering unity among diverse communities. India’s traditional social hierarchies, including the caste system, created barriers to achieving social equality and posed challenges to the establishment of a truly democratic society.
Question 7.
What is BIRA? [1]
(A) Bombay Industrial Relations Act
(B) Bombay International Relations Act
(C) Bombay Industrial Reservation Act
(D) Bhiwadi Industrial Relations Act
Answer:
(C) Bombay Industrial Reservation Act
Explanation: BIRA stands for Bombay Industrial Reservation Act.
Question 8.
Considering from an urban point of view, the rapid growth in urbanisation shows that the town or city has been acting as a magnet for the rural population. [1]
Choose the incorrect statement about urbanisation in India.
(A) Rural-to-urban migration has increased due to decline in common property resources.
(B) Cities offer anonymity to the poor and the oppressed castes.
(C) People go to cities in search of work.
(D) Urban areas are a decisive force in terms of political power dynamics.
Answer:
(D) Urban areas are a decisive force in terms of political power dynamics.
Explanation: The rural areas remain a decisive force in terms of political power dynamics, even when the public face of India is increasingly becoming urban. This is due to the fact that India’s majority population continues to live in rural areas.
Question 9.
Adivasis and their struggles are different from the Dalit struggle because: [1]
(A) Adivasis were concentrated in contiguous areas and could demand statehood.
(B) They were not discriminated against like the Dalits.
(C) They did not face social exclusion like the Dalits.
(D) Their social and economic conditions were better than the Dalits.
Answer:
(A) Adivasis were concentrated in contiguous areas and could demand statehood.
Explanation: Dalits unlike Adivasis are not concentrated in particular regions across India.
Question 10.
Sociologist Srinivas is best known for his study of: [1]
(A) The Golden Bough
(B) The Remembered Village
(C) The People of India
(D) The Belly of the river
Answer:
(B) The Remembered Village
Explanation: Socialist Srinivas was known to be the world-renowned Indian sociologist. His work was aligned towards the caste and caste system. He became popular and the topic of discussion among the masses when he studies the Remembered Village. He has also written numerous books, featuring different issues of the society.
Question 11.
Assertion (A): Matriarchy, unlike patriarchy, has been a theoretical rather than an empirical concept. [1]
Reason (R): There is no historical or anthropological evidence of matriarchy- i.e., societies where women exercise dominance.
(A) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
(B) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(C) A is true but R is false.
(D) A is false and R is true.
Answer:
(A) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
Explanation: There do exist matrilineal societies, i.e., societies where women inherit property from their mothers but do not exercise control over it, nor are they the decision-makers in public affairs. But matriarchy only exists as conceptual opposition to patriarchy.
Question 12.
Right to Information campaign is an example of: [1]
(A) Reformist Movement
(B) Redemptive Movement
(C) Revolutionary Movement
(D) Counter Movement
Answer:
(A) Reformist Movement
Explanation: A Reformist movement is a type of social movement that aims to bring a social or a political system closer to a community. It aims for a change that will preserve the existing values but will provide an improved means of implementing them. Examples include the Young Bengal Movement, the Women’s Rights Movement, the right to information campaign, etc.
Question 13.
__________ is famous for cotton production. [1]
(A) Maharashtra
(B) Punjab
(C) Haryana
(D) Bengal
Answer:
(A) Maharashtra
Explanation: Cotton is defined as one of the most important non-food crops. Three most-important non-food crops are rubber, jute and cotton. Since factors like water and climate affect the growth of cotton plant, Maharashtra has been considered as famous for cotton production.
Question 14.
Which of the following is not a key factor contributing to cultural diversity? [1]
(A) Language
(B) Religion
(C) Economic status
(D) Political ideology
Answer:
(D) Political ideology
Explanation: Cultural diversity is influenced by various factors, including language, religion, and economic status. These factors shape the beliefs, values, and practices of different cultural groups. However, political ideology is not inherently linked to cultural diversity. While political ideologies may impact social dynamics and policies, they do not directly determine cultural diversity within a society.
Question 15.
In outsourcing, work is allocated by ____________ countries to ________ countries. [1]
(A) Developed, developing
(B) Underdeveloped, developed
(C) Developing, underdeveloped
(D) Developing, developed
Answer:
(A) Developed, developing
Explanation: Developed countries are responsible for allocating work to developing countries because they are more economically and socially stable.
Question 16.
__________ can be divided into three forms of capital- economic capital in the form of material assets and income; cultural capital such as educational qualifications and status; and social capital iri the form of networks of contacts and social associations (Bourdieu 1986). [1]
(A) economic resources
(B) social resources
(C) material wealth
(D) political resources
Answer:
(B) social resources
Explanation: Social resources refer to the valued resources–money, property, education, health, and power – that people in a society have. Some people have more social resources than others in the society.
Section – B (9×2=18 Marks)
Very Short Answer Questions
Question 17.
Urban luxury manufacturers like the high-quality silks and cottons of Dacca or Murshidabad must have been hit first by the almost simultaneous collapse of indigenous court gentry demand and the external market on which these had largely depended. Village crafts in the interior and particularly, in regions other than eastern India where British penetration was earliest and deepest, probably survived much longer, coming to be seriously affected only with the spread of railways.
Based on the given passage, answer the following question.
When the British took over states and towns of India, some of them lost their courts, artisans and court gentry. Give one reason.
What was one reason for the loss of courts, artisans, and court gentry in some states and towns of India when the British took over? [2]
OR
Many of our cultural practices and patterns can be traced to our agrarian backgrounds. Structural and cultural changes are closely interrelated. Most of the new year festivals in different regions of India celebrate the main harvest season.
Based on the given passage, answer the following question.
“There is a close relationship between agriculture and culture.” Give one reason to support this statement.
Answer:
The impact of British industrialisation led to deindustrialisation in many old sectors of India. As the process of manufacturing boomed in Britain, the traditional export of silk and cotton declined, in competition with British. People from the agricultural sectors were moving towards better job opportunities offered by industries, which led to the losing of artisans and court gentry.
OR
Nature the practice of agriculture varies greatly across the different regions of a country. These variations are reflected in different regional cultures. Many of our cultural practices and patterns can be traced to our agrarian backgrounds and the practice of agriculture vary differently across different regions of a country. Therefore, it is reflected in their cultures. Cultivation was the way of life of the preindustrial people which has influenced the tradition and the culture that people followed.
Question 18.
Write any two features of social movements. [2]
Answer:
- Social movements undoubtedly involve collective action. However, this collective action takes the form of a movement only when it is sustained for a long time. This collective action need not be formally organised.
- An important component of social movement that distinguishes it from the general category of collective mobilisation is the presence of an ideology.
Question 19.
What do you understand by ascriptive identities? [2]
Answer:
Ascriptive identities are identities based on birth and ‘belonging’.
- The identities stand for who the one is.
- We don’t have to do anything to be born into a community.
- No one has any choice about which family or community or country they are born into.
- Membership is entirely accidental.
- Our community provides us the language (our mother tongue) and the cultural values, and anchors our self-identity.
Question 20.
What is the distinguishing factor between empire building during pre-capitalist times and empire building during capitalist times? [2]
Answer:
In pre-capitalist times, conquerors were interested in the constant flow of tribute. They didn’t interfere in the economic sector. They only took the tribute from the surplus that was generated traditionally in the conquered areas.
Capitalist conquerors changed the laws of the land they conquered. In other words, they not only decided to change the land ownership but also decided what crops should be grown and what should not be grown.
Question 21.
“Sanskritization seems to justify a model that rest on inequality and exclusion.” Give one reason to support the statement. [2]
Answer:
Sanskritisation has been criticised for promoting social mobility or the scope of the ‘lower castes’ to move up the social hierarchy, for it leads to no structural change but only helps in the positional change of some individuals.
It has been pointed out that the ideology of Sanskritisation accepts the ways of the upper caste as superior and that of the lower caste as inferior.
Sanskritisation seems to justify a model of inequality and exclusion. It promotes the belief in pollution and the purity of certain groups.
Question 22.
Give an example of a Dalit Movement. [2]
Answer:
One example of a Dalit movement is the Dalit Panther movement. The Dalit Panther movement emerged in Maharashtra, India, in the 1970s. It was a social and political movement that aimed to fight against caste discrimination and oppression faced by Dalits (formerly known as untouchables). The movement sought to challenge the social, economic, and political inequalities experienced by Dalits and advocated for their rights and dignity.
Question 23.
What are two notable distinctions between the varied social reform movements, despite their shared common themes? [2]
Answer:
Although all the social reforms were targeting the progression of the society, they were different because they targeted numerous social evils such as cast exploitation, widow remarriage, sati, polygamy, and women’s issues. A reform movement is distinguished from more radical social movements such as revolutionary movements. They individually target different social evils.
Question 24.
“For Indian nationalists, the issue of economic exploitation under colonial rule was a central issue.” How did Indian nationalists promote industrialization in the early years of independence? [2]
Answer:
Cottage industries that were set up by the government took the economy to greater heights. A modern and prosperous India could be made only by building steel plants, dams and power stations, according to Jawaharlal Nehru. The development of heavy machine making industries, expansion of public sector unit and the holding of large cooperative sectors was very necessary.
Question 25.
During the latter half of the eighteenth century in Europe, the emergence of demography can be attributed to two distinct processes that occurred simultaneously in two different locations. What are these two processes? [2]
OR
Explain the correlation between agriculture productivity and agrarian structure.
Answer:
Two processes that contributed to the emergence of demography during the latter half of the eighteenth century in Europe were the establishment of nationstates as the primary form of political organisation and the development of the modern science of statistics.
OR
- Agrarian structure refers to the sustaining divide between landowners and peasants.
- If there is an unequal distribution of lands among people, only a few will get profit from the cultivation.
- Peasants will get wages, while land owners will get profit.
- It increases class inequality.
- The rich become richer and the poor become poorer.
Section – C (7×4=28 Marks)
Short Answer Type Questions
Question 26.
Elaborate on the distinct pattern observed in job recruitment for factory workers. [4]
Answer:
- Jobs through contractor system:
→ Visible in hiring casual labor for construction sites and brickyards.
→ Contractors approach villages to offer employment opportunities. - Jobs through personal contacts:
→ Self-employed individuals such as plumbers, electricians, carpenters, architects, freelance photographers, and private tutors.
→ Relies on personal connections and referrals for job opportunities. - Jobs through advertisements:
→ Popular means of job search.
→ A small percentage of people secure jobs through advertisements or employment exchanges. - Job recruitment as a factory worker:
→ Previous patterns involved hiring through contractors or jobbers.
→ Jobbers known as mistris in Kanpur textile mills.
→ Mistris had the owner’s backing and exerted authority over workers. - Changing dynamics:
→ Decreased importance of jobbers in recent times.
→ Recruitment involves both management and union involvement.
Question 27.
“There are wide regional variations in the age structure in India.” Elaborate on the reasons for the said phenomena. [4]
OR
Mention the positive and the negative aspects of the ‘contract farming’ system.
Answer:
- The age structure in India varies significantly across different regions due to several factors.
- Disparities in literacy levels among states contribute to variations in age structure. States with higher levels of education and awareness tend to have lower fertility rates, resulting in a more favorable age structure.
- Social preferences for male children in certain states lead to higher fertility rates, influencing the age structure by increasing the proportion of younger age groups.
- Unequal development levels among states can affect the age structure. States with inadequate infrastructure and higher death rates may experience higher birth rates as a compensatory mechanism, leading to an unfavorable age structure.
- As a result of these regional variations, states like Kerala exhibit an age structure similar to that of developed nations, while states like Uttar Pradesh have a larger proportion of younger age groups.
OR
Positive aspects of the contract farming system:
- Inputs and production services are often supplied by the sponsor.
- Credit and advances from the sponsor help farmers access necessary resources.
- Introduction of new technology and acquisition of new skills by farmers.
Negative aspects of the contract farming system:
- Corruption within sponsoring organizations, particularly in the allocation of quotas.
- Farmers may become indebted due to production problems and excessive advances.
- Lack of price transparency.
- Limited market access for farmers.
- Dependency on sponsors for inputs, credit, and market access.
- Weak contract enforcement mechanisms.
- Inclusion of unfavorable terms and conditions in contracts.
- Limited scope for crop diversification.
- Reinforcement of social and economic inequalities.
- Potential environmental concerns associated with certain farming practices.
Question 28.
What is the relationship between modernisation and secularisation? [4]
Answer:
Modernisation and secularisation are interconnected processes that often occur simultaneously in societies undergoing significant changes.
- Modernisation refers to the adoption of modern practices, technologies, and social structures, often associated with industrialization and urbanisation.
- Secularisation refers to the diminishing influence of religion in various aspects of society, including politics, education, and social norms.
- Modernisation can lead to increased secularization as societies become more focused on rationality, scientific knowledge, and individual autonomy.
- Modernisation often brings about societal transformations that challenge traditional religious beliefs and practices.
- Industrialisation and urbanisation, common aspects of modernisation, can contribute to the decline in religious influence by introducing alternative sources of authority and creating new social dynamics.
- The growth of education, access to information, and exposure to diverse cultures through modernisation can also contribute to a more secular outlook.
However, it is important to note that the relationship between modernisation and secularisation is not deterministic and can vary across different societies and contexts.
Some societies may experience a resurgence of religious identity and influence alongside modernisation, indicating that secularisation is not a universal outcome.
Question 29.
How did the commercialisation of agriculture lead to circulation of labour? [4]
Answer:
- The commercialisation of agriculture has led to the growth of migrant labor.
- Increasing inequalities in rural areas contribute to the decision of laborers to migrate.
- Men migrate in search of job opportunities and higher wages.
- Women and children are often left behind in their villages to take care of the lands.
- Migrant workers primarily come from droughtprone and less productive regions.
- They seek employment in farms in states like Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and in construction sites in cities such as New Delhi, Bangalore, and Mumbai.
- Landless workers in the receiving regions often face exploitation and are denied even minimum wages.
- Migrant laborers are typically unsuited or semiskilled.
- The large-scale circulation of labor has significant effects on both the supplying and receiving regions of rural society.
- As a result of migration, women have taken up work in agricultural fields.
Question 30.
Differentiate between Redemptive or Transformatory social movements and Reformist social movements and provide one example of each. [4]
Answer:
- Redemptive social movements seek to bring about a complete transformation in specific individuals by altering their outlook on life.
- The women’s suffrage movement is an example of a redemptive social movement, as women fought for equal rights and aimed to change societal perspectives.
- Reformist movements aim to bridge the gap between a social or political system and a community, striving for changes that uphold existing values while improving implementation methods.
- Examples of reformist movements include the Young Bengal Movement and the Women’s Rights Movement, which sought to reform social and political systems while preserving fundamental values.
- The Young Bengal Movement aimed to bring about social and intellectual reforms within Indian society during the 19th century.
- The Women’s Rights Movement focused on advocating for women’s equality and improving their social, political, and economic status.
Question 31.
Regarding the isolation-integration debate, there is a discussion on whether tribes should be perceived as fundamentally distinct from the caste peasant society or as an integral part of it. What is your perspective on this matter? [4]
Answer:
- Isolation:
→ Advocates for isolation argue that tribals require protection from traders, moneylenders, Hindu and Christian missionaries who aim to assimilate them into detribalized landless labor. - Integration:
→ Integrationists believe that tribes are essentially backward Hindus and should be addressed within the same framework as other backward classes.
→ They argue for various welfare schemes for tribes such as tribal welfare blocks, fiveyear plans, tribal sub-plans, and special multipurpose area schemes. - Historical examples:
→ Gond kingdoms in central India, like Garha Mandia or Chanda, demonstrate instances of tribes being in contact with the mainstream.
→ Rajput kingdoms in central and western India emerged through stratification among adivasi communities themselves.
→ Adivasis historically exercised dominance over the plains people through raiding and by serving as local militias.
→ They also played a significant role in trade, exchanging forest produce, salts, and elephants. - Contact with mainstream society:
→ The capitalist economy’s exploitation of forest resources and minerals and the recruitment of cheap labor have long brought tribal societies into contact with mainstream society. - Critique of integration:
→ This form of integration neglects the desires and wishes of the tribes, prioritizing development agendas over their needs.
→ It often disregards the interests of the tribes in favor of economic development.
Question 32.
Describe the concept of the ‘scientific management’ system and explain the shift that occurred from scientific management in 1980. [4]
Answer:
- Scientific management, also known as Taylorism, is a management theory first advocated by Frederick W. Taylor. It uses scientific methods to find
the most efficient production process in order to increase productivity. - In the 1980s, total quality management became widely popular, and in the 1990s, “reengineering” became increasingly popular.
- Scientific Management evolved into operation management, operations research and management cybernetics.
- Scientific management as a distinct theory or school of thought was obsolete by the 1930s, most of its themes are still important parts of industrial engineering and management even today.
Section – D (3 ×6=18 Marks)
Long Answer Type Questions
Question 33.
Table 2: Age Composition of the Population of India, l%1-2026 | ||||
Year | Age Groups | Total | ||
0-14 Years | 15-59 Years | 60+ Years | ||
1961 | 41 | 53 | 6 | 100 |
1971 | 42 | 53 | 5 | 100 |
1981 | 40 | 54 | 6 | 100 |
1991 | 38 | 56 | 7 | 100 |
2001 | 34 | 59 | 7 | 100 |
2011 | 29 | 63 | 8 | 100 |
2026 | 23 | 64 | 12 | 100 |
Age Group columns show percentage shares; rows may not add up to 100 because of rounding. Source: Based on data from the Technical Group on Population Projections (1996 and 2006) of the National Commission on Population. |
(A) Describe the conclusion drawn from the above-mentioned table about ‘Age composition of the Population of India, 1961-2026.
(B) What does the age structure of population refer to and how different factors affect this structure? [6]
Answer:
(i) Analysis of Age Composition:
- The majority of the population in India consists of younger individuals, and the percentage of people in the average age range is comparatively low.
- From 1971 to 2001, the percentage of Indians under the age of 15 in the total population decreased from 42% to 35%.
- The percentage of Indians in the 15-60 age group has slightly increased from 53% to 59%.
- The percentage of Indians in the 60+ age group is currently low but has shown a steady increase over the same time period.
- Projections suggest significant changes in the age composition of the Indian population over the next 20 years, particularly at the two ends of the age spectrum.
- It is expected that the percentage of Indians under the age group of 0-14 years will decrease by approximately 11% by the year 2026, while the percentage of Indians in the 60+ age group is predicted to increase by about 5%.
(ii) Factors Influencing Age Structure:
- The age structure of the population refers to the distribution of individuals across different age groups in relation to the total population.
- Changes in the age structure are influenced by levels of development and average life expectancy.
- Previously, poor medical facilities, prevalent diseases, and other factors contributed to shorter life spans and affected the age structure.
- Improvements in developmental measures, including healthcare and living conditions, have contributed to an increase in life expectancy and quality of life.
- The changes in the age structure primarily occur in the younger age groups, while more significant changes are observed in the older age groups.
- Factors such as high infant and maternal mortality rates have also influenced the age structure of the population.
Question 34.
“The Indian nation-state is socially and culturally one of the most diverse countries of the world. It has a population of about 1.21 billion people, according to Census of India 2011, currently the second largest – and soon to become the largest national population in the world. These billion-plus people speak about 1,632 different languages and dialects. As many as twenty-two of these languages have been officially recognised and placed under the 8th Schedule of the Constitution, thus guaranteeing their legal status. In terms of religion, about 80% of the population are Hindus, who in turn are regionally specific, plural in beliefs and practices, and divided by castes and languages. About 14.2% of the population are Muslims, which makes India the world’s second largest Muslim country after Indonesia and Pakistan. The other major religious communities are Christians (2.3%), Sikhs (1.7%), Buddhists (0.7%) and Jains (0.4%). Because of India’s huge population, these small percentages can also add up to large absolute numbers.” [6]
Based on the given passage, answer the following questions.
(A) What is the meaning of diversity?
(B) What is the meaning of minority?
(C) How regional diversity saves the ancient culture?
Answer:
- Diversity refers to the presence within the larger national, regional or other context of many different kinds of cultural communities such as those defined by language, religion, region, ethnicity and so on.
- Minority groups are groups of people in a minority in a given society, who because of their distinct physical and cultural characteristics, find themselves in situations of inequality within the society.
- It is right that regional diversity saves the ancient culture. If the culture of the whole country becomes the same then the importance of different cultures will remain no more. Different regions have different ways of living, wearing and eating habits and just by looking at this, we can say that a person lives in that particular area. In this way, culture remains protected through regional diversity.
Question 35.
How can the classification of ecological movements as either new or old social movements be understood by analysing the Chipko Movement as an example? [6]
Answer:
Ecological movements, which are considered old social movements, have the objective of safeguarding the environment, particularly trees, which hold significant importance for forest dwellers as a means of sustenance.
- Traditional cultural practices, such as totemism observed by tribal communities, have long existed as cultural boundaries to preserve and protect the natural flora and fauna.
- The Chipko Movement, an exemplar of a traditional forest conservation movement, emerged in the 1970s as a non-violent effort to defend trees and forests from destruction.
- The movement derived its name from the term “embrace,” symbolizing the villagers’ practice of hugging trees to shield them from woodcutters.
- Initially recognized as a women’s movement, the Chipko Movement traces its roots back to the year 1730 AD, when the village of Khejarli in Rajasthan made numerous sacrifices to preserve nature’s integrity.