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Punjab State Board PSEB 12th Class Sociology Important Questions Chapter 11 Female Foeticide and Domestic Violence Important Questions and Answers.

PSEB 12th Class Sociology Important Questions Chapter 11 Female Foeticide and Domestic Violence

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. Why is female foeticide takes place?
(a) Wish to have a son
(b) To save dowry
(c) For the continuation of family
(d) All of these
Answer:
(d) All of these

2. After how many weeks of pregnancy, sex determination test is conducted?
(a) 10 weeks
(b) 14 weeks
(c) 18 weeks
(d) 22 weeks
Answer:
(c) 18 weeks

3. What is sex ratio in India?
(a) 1000: 943
(b) 1000: 956
(c) 1000: 896
(d) 1000: 953
Answer:
(a) 1000: 943

4. In 2011, what was sex ratio in Punjab?
(a) 1000: 846
(b) 1000: 895
(c) 1000: 876
(d) 1000: 882
Answer:
(b) 1000: 895

5. ……………….. district of Punjab has the highest sex ratio.
(a) Ludhiana
(b) Patiala
(c) Amritsar
(d) Hoshiarpur
Answer:
(d) Hoshiarpur

6. Which district of Punjab has the lowest sex ratio?
(a) Patiala
(b) Bathinda
(c) Amritsar
(d) Ludhiana
Answer:
(b) Bathinda

7. When was the Pre-Natal Diagnostic Technique (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act passed?
(a) 1994
(b) 1995
(c) 1996
(d) 1997
Answer:
(a) 1994

Fill in the Blanks:

1. In female foeticide, female foetus is terminated in the ……………… of mother.
Answer:
womb

2. Wish to have a ………………… is the major reason of female foeticide.
Answer:
boy

3. Female foeticide disturbs ………………..
Answer:
sex-ratio

4. Abortion is not allowed under the section ………………… to ………………… of Indian Penal Code.
Answer:
316, 320

5. In ………………., members of family are beaten.
Answer:
domestic violence

True/False:

1. Punjab in India, has the highest sex ratio.
Answer:
False

2. Bhatinda in Punjab has the lowest sex ratio.
Answer:
True

3. It is illegal to know the sex of foetus.
Answer:
True

4. Domestic violence is done against women.
Answer:
True

5. There is no mental violence against women.
Answer:
False

One Word/One Line Questions Answers:

Question 1.
What is meant by crime against women?
Answer:
It means physical or psychological atrocities against women.

Question 2.
Give few examples of crimes against women.
Answer:
Rape, sexual violence, abduction, beating, orostitution etc.

Question 3.
What is meant by female foeticide?
Answer:
After knowing the sex of foetus, terminating of female foetus is called female foeticide.

Question 4.
After how much time of pregnancy, test is conducted?
Answer:
After 18 weeks of pregnancy.

Question 5.
What is meant by sex ratio?
Answer:
Number of females behind 1000 males in a given area.

Question 6.
What was sex ratio in India in 2011 A.D?
Answer:
Sex ratio in India in 2011 was 1000: 943.

Question 7.
What sex ratio in Punjab in 2011 A.D?
Answer:
It was 1000: 895 in 2011 A.D.

Question 8.
Which districts of Punjab have highest and least sex ratio?
Answer:
Hoshiarpur (961) and Bhatinda (869) respectively.

Question 9.
Give one reason of female foeticide.
Answer:
Wish to have a male child and to arrange dowry.

Question 10.
Give one result of female foeticide.
Answer:
Bad impact on female’s health and disturbance in sex ratio.

Question 11.
What is meant by domestic violence?
Answer:
Beating up of wife and children is known as domestic violence.

Question 12.
Give types of domestic violence.
Answer:
Physical violence, sexual abuse, emotional violence, verbal abuse etc.

Question 13.
What is the normal reason of wife battering?
Answer:
Dissatisfaction from dowry and problem with wife.

Question 14.
What is the most common form of domestic violence?
Answer:
Wife battering and violence against women.

Very Short Answer Type Questions:

Question 1.
Female Foeticide.
Answer:
People wish to have a boy and that’s why when their wives get pregnant, they conduct a sex determination test. In case of female foetus, abortion takes, place and female foetus is killed in the womb of mother. It is known as female foeticide.

Question 2.
Sex Ratio.
Answer:
Number of females behind 1000 males at a particular given time in a particular area is known as sex ratio. Just by looking at sex ratio, we can come to know about the status of women at that place. It was 1000: 943 in India in 2011 A.D.

Question 3.
Reasons of Female Foeticide.
Answer:

• People wish to have a boy and that’s why they opt for female foeticide.
• Dowry is given at the time of girl’s marriage. To save dowry, people opt for this work.
• Boy is headed for the continuation of family. That’s why people opt. for female foeticide.

Question 4.
Consequences of Female Foeticide.
Answer:

• Sex ratio of society gets disturbed and number of females declines.
• Violence against women increases such as rape, prostitution, beating, abduction, etc.
• It leads to lower status of women in India.

Question 5.
Domestic Violence.
Answer:
Domestic violence is a type of socially unaccepted behaviour which one member of family does against the other members such as beating giving threat, showing fear etc. It mainly happens with females and children.

Short Answer Type Questions:

Question 1.
Gender.
Answer:
Generally the word Gender is used to express the physical and social differences between a male and a female. It means that which are physical differences between a male and a female which are given by nature and which are social differences between them which they get only while living in society. So the word Gender is used to express these differences.

Question 2.
Gender Discrimination.
Answer:
In simple wqrds the differences exist between male and female are given the name of Gender Discrimination. Two types of Humans Male and Female, live over in this world. Any one can be differentiated only by looking at its physical features that whether its male or female. Nature has also kept few differences among them. Male and female both have their different physical features. On the basis of these features, we can differentiate between them. So whatever difference exists between them, is given the name of gender discrimination.

Question 3.
Sex Ratio.
Answer:
In simple words, the number of females for every 1000 males is given the name of sex ratio. It means that, in any particular area, how many females are there behind every 1000 males. It is known as Sex Ratio. Sex ratio is related with demo-graphic traits of any country’s population and the knowledge of sex ratio is necessary to get knowledge about population. In 2001, Sex ratio in India was 1000: 933.

Question 4.
Cause of Declining Sex Ratio
Answer:

• People want to have a boy child and they never hesitate to abort the female foetus. It leads to a decline in sex ratio.
• Sex ratio declines with increase in female foeticide.
• Sex ratio declines with the custom of killing new born girls i.e. female infanticide.
• Emigration of males from one place to another also leads to decline in sex ratio.
• In traditional societies birth of girl is considered as a curse because of which boys are preferred over girls. It also leads to decline in sex ratio:

Question 5.
Consequences of Declining Sex Ratio.
Answer:

• Declining Sex ratio leads to increase in violence against women.
• The custom of polyandry encouragement with declining sex ratio.
• Declining sex ratio leads to lower social status of women.
• Health of women deteriorates with it.
• Trade of women also takes place with declining sex ratio.

Question 6.
Sex Ratio in India.
Answer:
The condition of sex ratio in our country is quite worried. According to census survey of 2001, there were only 933 females behind every 1000 males. In our country, only Kerala is a state and Puduchery is a union territory where females are more as compared to males. In rest of the states and union territories, females are less as compared to male. This situation is quite worried in Punjab, Haryana, Mizoram, Chandigarh etc. Sex ratio is continuely declining in our country.

Question 7.
Sex determination test.
Answer:
In our society, this problem is going on from least few decades. When a lady becomes pregnent, then her in laws family expects that the new born baby should be a baby boy. That’s why after sometime of her pregnency, they opt. for an ultrasound test so that the sex of child could be determined in the womb of the mother. This is known as sex determination test. If the child in the womb is boy then its fine but if the child is a girl then lady is forced to abort the child. This is the reason that sex ratio in our country is going down. Presently this is 1000: 940.

Question 8.
Domestic Violence.
Answer:
The concept of Domestic violence is a complex concept. It is very difficult to define it. When any dispute occurs in the two members of the family and one member is physically and mentally tortured by other member then it is known as Domestic violence. In this pushing, slapping, punching, knifing, shooting, throwing things etc. are included. It not only physically hurts the members but it tortures the person mentally as well.

Question 9.
Definition of Domestic Violence.
Answer:
According to Pagelow, “Domestic violence is an act of commission or omission by family members and any condition resulting from such acts which deprives other family members of equal rights and freedom and interferes with their proper development and choice of freedom.”

Question 10.
Cause of Domestic Violence.
Answer:

• People use alcohol to get relief from the tension. When wife and children ask them not to do so then they start to beat them and increases domestic violence.
• Many people are angry by nature and become angry even on small-small things and beat their children.
• Many persons are drug addict. If they are unable to get money to buy drugs then they beat their family members to get money.
• Many persons always remains in tension due to poverty and many times they beat up their wives and children due to this.

Question 11.
Wife Battering.
Answer:
This is one of the major disadvantage of male dominated society that wives are physically assaulted by their husbands. Meaning of wife battering is use of violence by husband for his wife. Actually husbands feel that wives are their slaves and whatever they will say, wives need to accept that. But actually, these days, women are getting education with which they come to know about their rights. Now they strongly oppose the wrong doing of their husbands and that’s why they are physically assaulted.

Long Answer Type Questions:

Question 1.
Explain the causes of declining sex ratio in India.
Answer:
There are number of factors which affect sex ratio in any society and these are given below:

1. Biological cause. If sex ratio in any country decreases then its first reason is always biological. It is quite possible that more numbers of males are born in any particular society which leads to decline in sex ratio. From few researches it has been seen that, in our country, the rate of death of girl child, up to the age of one month, is more as compared to male child. As a result, sex ratio has been declined in our country. During the decade of 1981-1990, only 100 girls were there for every 109.5 boys in our country. In this way biological factor could be considered as a cause of declining sex ratio.

2. Migration: Emmigration or migration could also be considered as a cause of declining or increasing sex ratio. It is quite possible that few male members of a state might went over-to other state in search of job. It can increase or decrease sex ratio of both the ’states. Generally it has been seen that when any one migrates from one place to another in search of employment then he never takes his wife and children with him. He stays there for many years to earn money and occasionally he visit his native state. This visit is generally for a short duration because longer duration can lead to loss of money or even employment. We can take example of Punjabi youths who went over to foreign countries or natives of U.P. Bihar, who generally come to Punjab to earn money. This leads to change in sex ratio in the state like Punjab.

3. Female Foeticide: In last few decades, the major cause of declining sex ratio has been the female foeticide. Meaning of female foeticide is killing of unbprn girls in the tomb of her mother. People generally like to have a male child because of which they conduct a sex determination test on the pregnant lady. If it is boy then it’s fine but if it a girl then they opt for abortion. In this way they kill the girl child even before her birth. Female foeticide leads to decrease in number of girls as compared to boys and sex ratio shows positive trend toward boys. Yet, these days, sex determination is legally banned and even abortion is also legally banned and strict punishment is there for both of these but still this test and abortions are going on.

4. Female Infanticide: In many groups of our country, it is a tradition to kill the girl child right after the birth. This custom was quite popular in many tribes of our country. According to this custom, people used to kill their girl child exactly after the birth. They are helped by the mid wives to do this work. The main reason of this is the belief that they need to upbring the girl, then they will have to give dowry at the time of marriage. So to save their money, they prefer to kill the newly born girl child. British government and even Indian Government tried to eliminate this custom, but still it is going on. As a result, sex ratio declines.

5. Traditional Society: Sex ratio declines more in traditional societies as compared to developed societies. If we compare developed countries like America, Japan, Germany etc. with traditional societies like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh etc. then we will find that sex ratio is less in traditional societies. It is so because people have a tendency in traditional society that they want to have a boy as compared to girl for the continuation of family and they could perform rituals after death. Due to different tendencies of traditional societies, sex ratio declines over there. In this way sex ratio declines in traditional societies.

6. Wish to have a male child: People generally want that they must have a boy so that he can help in continuation of family and he could perform rituals after their death. Except this, people want to have a boy because they know about the fact that they will have to shell out a lot of money at the time of her marriage. Even after marriage they are required to give a lot for rest of her life. That’s why they prefer to have a boy and they does lot of efforts to take a boy. They never hesitate to opt for abortion. In this way wish to have a boy leads to decline in sex ratio.

7. Leaving girl child after her birth: From last few years, a common tendency is developing among people that if the girl child is born then they leave their newly born girl child at railway station or bus stand. It is so because they think that they already have one girl at home and they don’t want another girl child. Instead they want to have a male child. When the girl child takes birth then they leave her to die. She dies in the absence of proper care which leads to decline in sex ratio.

8. Sons are considered pivotal for family welfare. There is a general tendency among people that sons are considered pivotal for family welfare as they not only take care of them in their old age but they will take cpre of the family as well. That’s why they do everything to have male child and they never hesitate to abort the girl child. It also leads to decline is sex ratio.

9. Dowry System: Dowry system is also one Sf the cause of decline in sex ratio. People know about the fact that at the time of marriage of their girls, they will have to shell out a lot of money to give dowry. Even they will have to take the loan to meet the demands of parents of bridegroom. But if they will have a boy then dowry will come to their house. That’s why they prefer to have a boy child instead of girl child which leads to decline in sex ratio.

10. Daughter means Double Loss: A number of people feel that daughter means a double loss to them. Double means when she will marry then she will not only leaves her family but she will be a source of marriage expense. People will have to spent a lot of money on daughter even before her marriage and after marriage she will go to another family which means a double loss for them.

Question 2.
What are the consequences of the declining sex ratio in India?
Answer:
Following are the consequences of declining sex ratio:
1. Violence with women. First consequence of declining sex ratio is that it lead to increase in violence with women. Girls are being killed before birth, new born girls are being either killed or they are left out to die. Women have to face violence because they have given birth to girls not to boys. Sexual violence can also increase like rape, abductions prostitution etc.

2. Polyandry. One of the wrong consequences of declining sex ratio is that it gives encouragement to polyandry. When sex ratio declines then number of females remains less then number of males in society and as a result, one female will have to marry with two or more then two males. That’s why polyandry or fraternal polyandry gets encouragement. All the brothers become husbands of that female. It will have wrong impact on her health. Morality comes down in society and status of females also comes down in society.

3. lower social status of women. A declining sex ratio leads to lower status of women as well. If any female is unable to give birth to a male child then she is forced to go for abortion. After this she is always taunted to unable to give birth to a male child. Social evils and social institutions are also responsible for this and they are also responsible for lower status of women,

4. Bad effect on Health. It any females is unable to give birth to a male child then she is being taunted and even is tortured. She is forced to conduct sex determination test and if the sex of foetus is female then she is forced to opt for abortion. It exerts a bad impact on her wealth and even on her mental health as well.

5. Purchasing of women. The declining sex ratio also leads to the purchase of women. If any one is unable to get married then he tries to purchase women to fulfil his sexual desires. In
ancient times, a custom of bride price was also there.

6. Shortage of females. The declining sex ratio also leads to shortage of females in society. In India sex ratio is 1000: 933. It means that only 933 females are there behind every 1000 males. In this way declining sex ratio leads to a shortage of females in society.

7. Increasing imbalance in society. The declining Sex ratio leads to imbalance in society. More number of males as compared to less number of females creates a lot of problems in society. It can even lead to quarrels Jor women in society. In this way, we can say that declining sex ratio leads to drastic consequences on society.

Punjab State Board PSEB 12th Class Sociology Book Solutions Chapter 11 Female Foeticide and Domestic Violence Textbook Exercise Questions and Answers.

PSEB Solutions for Class 12 Sociology Chapter 11 Female Foeticide and Domestic Violence

Sociology Guide for Class 12 PSEB Female Foeticide and Domestic Violence Textbook Questions and Answers

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. According to 2011 census, the sex ratio in India is:
(a) 939
(b) 940
(c) 943
(d) 942
Answer:
(c) 943

2. Sex ratio can be defined as:
(а) Number of females per 100 males
(b) Number of males per 100 females
(c) Number of females per 1000 males
(d) None of the above
Answer:
(c) Number of females per 1000 males

3. In the state of Punjab, district with highest sex ratio is:
(a) Hoshiarpur
(b) Bathiitda
(c) Ludhiana
(d) Amritsar
Answer:
(a) Hoshiarpur

4. Female foeticide test includes:
(a) Ultra sound
(b) MRI.
(c) X-rays
(d) Weighing Machines
Answer:
(a) Ultra sound

5. The main cause of female foeticide is:
(a) Increased sex ratio
(b) Patriarchal mindset
(c) Preference for girls
(d) None
Answer:
(b) Patriarchal mindset

6. Which is a form of Domestic Violence?
(a) Legal
(b) Physical Abuse
(c) Society
(d) Economic
Answer:
(b) Physical Abuse

7. Which factor does not perpetuate Domestic Violence?
(a) Cultural
(b) Economic
(c) Social
(d) Pedagogy
Answer:
(ci) Pedagogy

8. The Act, according to which a daughter has an equal share in the property of her parents is
(a) Legal property Act
(b) Hindu Property Act
(c) Civil Act
(d) Divine Act
Answer:
(b) Hindu Property Act

Fill in the Blanks:

1. Sex determination test includes ……………
Answer:
ultrasound

2. ……………….. is one of the main reasons for female foeticide.
Answer:
Patriarchal system

3. The evil practice of ……………….. is responsible for female foeticide in Indian society.
Answer:
Dowry

4. ……………….. keeps declining in India while a bit is improved in ……………… state.
Answer:
Sex ratio, Punjab

5. …………………. should be implemented properly in order to combat female foeticide.
Answer:
Laws

6. ……………… abuse may be inflicted in many ways such as hitting, slapping, punching, pushing and other form of physical contact resulting in bodily sufferings to the victim,
Answer:
Physical

7. The couples living alone or with children, or an individual parent with children are called ………………. households.
Answer:
Nuclear

8. ………………. studies must be made compulsory as part of school, college and university syllabus.
Answer:
Gender and Human Rights

9. ……………… is defined as socially unacceptable and abusive behaviour by one or other or both the members in a close and intimate relationship like marriage or a family.
Answer:
Domestic Violence

True/False:

1. Ultrasound is the pre diagnostic test for determination of sex.
Answer:
True

2. Law does not help to generate awareness about female foeticide.
Answer:
False

3. Sex ratio has improved in Punjab according to qensus 2011.
Answer:
True

4. Awareness programmes can sensitise about the ill effects of female foeticide.
Answer:
True

5. Cultural and ritual norms have no effect on female foeticide.
Answer:
False

6. Newly married couple must be made aware that a small family need not only include male children.
Answer:
True

7. The greed for dowry, desire for a male child and alcoholism of the spouse are major factors of domestic violence against women in rural areas.
Answer:
True

8. Wife beating does not reflects domestic violence.
Answer:
False

9. History of domestic violence dates back to the pre-historic period.
Answer:
True

10. spousal domestic violence also affects the children of the family.
Answer:
True

Match The Columns:

Column A	Column B
Female Foeticide	The killing of the girl child
Sex Ratio	Marital Rape
Patriarchy	The killing of the female foetus in the womb
Female Infanticide	Females per 1000 males
Form of Domestic Violence	Male dominance

Answer:

Column A	Column B
Female Foeticide	The killing of the female foetus in the womb
Sex Ratio	Females per 1000 males
Patriarchy	Male dominance
Female Infanticide	The killing of the girl child
Form of Domestic Violence	Marital Rape

Very Short Answer Type Questions:

Question 1.
What is the sex ratio of India as per the census 2011?
Answer:
According to census survey 2011, the sex ratio in India is 1000: 943.

Question 2.
What is the sex ratio of Punjab as per the census 2011?
Answer:
According to census survey 2011, the sex ratio in Punjab is 1000: 895.

Question 3.
Which districts in Punjab have the highest and lowest sex ratio?
Answer:
Hoshiarpur (961) and Bathinda (869) respectively.

Question 4.
Describe full form of PNDT.
Answer:
Pre Natal Diagnostic Techniques.

Question 5.
What is meant by domestic violence?
Answer:
Domestic violence is that socially unacceptable and wrong behaviour which an individual does with his closest relatives such as wife or family.

Question 6.
List any two factors of domestic violence.
Answer:
Economic dependence of women over men and lower economic status of women are the two factors of domestic violence.

Question 7.
What do you mean by female foeticide?
Answer:
After sex determination test, killing of female foetus in mother’s womb is known as female foeticide.

Question 8.
List the causes of wife battering.
Answer:
Male dominated society, males are powerful than females, economic dependence of women over men, consuming drugs, illiteracy of women etc.

Short Answer Type Questions:

Question 1.
Define female foeticide.
Answer:
When a woman gets pregnant, the sex determination of foetus is conducted. In case of female foetus, an abortion is done. It is known as female foeticide. Sex determination test is conducted after 18 weeks of pregnancy.

Question 2.
Define sex ratio.
Answer:
To know about the equality between men and women, it is must to look for the sex ratio. The number of females behind every 1000 males at a particular time and in a particular area is known as sex ratio. In 2011, it was 1000: 943 in India.

Question 3.
What are the two causes of female foeticide?
Answer:

• Dowry: At the time of girl’s marriage, dowry is given to her in-laws. People do female foeticide so that dowry should not be given.
• Wish of boy: People like to have a boy as they think that boy will take care of them in old age and will give fire at the time of funeral.

Question 4.
What is the status of female in India?
Answer:
The status of female in India is not good. Only 65% of females are educated. Most of the social evils are attached with females such as rape, abduction, dowry system, female foeticide etc. Just because of these evils, status of females is still low in the present modern age.

Question 5.
Why is male child preferred in India?
Answer:
People want to have a male child because they think that their son will take care of them in their old age. Along with this, he will give fire to their funeral pyre. Moreover he will continue the family.

Question 6.
Write down three causes of domestic violence.
Answer:

• Males are physically stronger than females.
• Females economically depend upon males.
• The social status of females and children is not good.

Question 7.
What is the difference between domestic violence and violence?
Answer:
In domestic violence, we can include violence committed with wife, children, brothers etc. and such behaviour is not acceptable in society. Violence is done between two individuals or groups and most of the times, they are strange. Communal violence is its best example.

Question 8.
What is wife battering?
Answer:
The meaning of wife battering is doing violence with wife by husband. Generally husband considers that wife is under him and thinks that whatever he will say, she will have to accept it. If she refuses it, she is beaten up and this is known as wife battering.

Question 9.
What are the consequences of female foeticide?
Answer:

• Female foeticide leads to decline in sex ratio.
• Whole balance of society disturbs as it is considered that both male and.female are not equal in number.
• It leads to lower social status of women.

Question 10.
List cultural factors of domestic violence.
Answer:
There can be many cultural factors of domestic violence such as gender based socialisation, division of gender based roles, right of son over property, giving importance to males in family, marriage and dowry system, use of violence to end conflict etc.

Long Answer Type Questions:

Question 1.
Write a short note on female foeticide.
Answer:
Since last few decades, the major cause of declining sex ratio is female foeticide. It means the killing of unborn girl in the womb of her mother. People wish to have a boy and that’s why after sometime of pregnancy, a sex determination test is conducted on the mother. If the foetus is boy, it’s fine but if it’s girl, abortion is conducted. In this way, girl is killed before her birth. This is known as female foeticide. It leads to reduction in number of girls and disturbance in sex ratio.

Question 2.
Discuss any two measures to combat female foeticide.
Or
Write down any two measures to combat female foeticide.
Or
Explain the contribution of government in combating the problem of female foeticide.
Answer:

• The Indian government has passed many laws and in the section 312-316 of Indian Penal Code, forcing any female to abort her child is illegal.
• To stop the increasing number of female foeticide, government passed an Act i.e. Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Regulation and Prevention of Misuse) Act, 1994 in which conducting sex determination test was declared illegal. If any one will conduct this test, provisions of punishment were kept in the Act.

Question 3.
Discuss any two consequences of female foeticide.
Or
Discuss effects of female foeticide.
Answer:

• Impact on female’s health. People prefer to abort the foetus until a male foetus comes. It’has a very bad impact on the health of mother and her new born baby.
• Impact on Sex ratio. Female foeticide can have adverse impact on sex ratio. It leads to decline in number of girls which further creates many problems such as rape, dowry deaths, polygamy, prostitution etc.

Question 4.
Why is sex ratio declining in India? Explain.
Answer:

• People wish to have a boy and that’s why they try to have a male child.
• Due to female foeticide, sex ratio is declining.
• Female infanticide is also responsible for decline in sex ratio.
• Dowry is given at the time of girl’s marriage and that’s why people prefer to have a male child.
• People think that with male child, family will continue and that’s why they prefer to kill their daughters even before their birth.

Question 5.
Name two social problems that give rise to female foeticide.
Answer:

• Dowry: Dowry is given at the time of daughter’s marriage which is one of the important problems of our society. People prefer to opt for female foeticide not to give dowry. If there will be a male child, dowry will come to their home.
• Violence against women: Almost in all the societies of the world, females face many types of violence such as rape, abduction, dowry deaths, prostitution, wife battering etc. These are the reasons that people prefer to have a male child.

Question 6.
Write causes of domestic violence.
Or
Two reasons for Domestic Violence.
Answer:

• People consume alcohol to stay away from tension. When wives and children ask them not to use it, they beat them up and increase domestic violence.
• There are many people who are angry by nature and they even beat up their children on petty things.
• Few individuals are drug addicts. If they don’t have money to buy drugs, they beat up their family members to get money.
• Few people always remain in sorrow due to their poverty and occasionally they beat up their family members to take out their frustration.

Question 7.
Write remedies for wife battering.
Answer:

• The Indian government has made many laws but they are not implemented properly. They should be properly implemented to save wives from their husbands.
• Police must solve such cases with great care. Policemen must be given special training to solve the cases of domestic violence.
• Children and young people must be educated against domestic violence to prepare them for future times.

Question 8.
List the legal reforms to curb female foeticide.
Answer:

• According to section 312-316 of the Indian Penal Code, doing abortion is illegal.
• According to The Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971, law was little bit relaxed and on medical, humanitarian or on any other ground, abortion was permitted.
• The major base of female foeticide is sex determination of child. That’s why ‘Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Regulation and Prevention of Misuse) Act, 1994 was passed and sex determination test was declared illegal. If any ultrasound centre will conduct this test, provisions were kept to close down this centre.

Question 9.
What are the effects of domestic violence?
Answer:

• It can have bad impact on female’s health. She has to face all this physically and psychologically. It can have wrong impact on family atmosphere.
• Wife battering can have wrong impact on children. Their daily work gets affected and can have wrong impact on their education. Children start to hate their father when they observe their mother is beaten by father.
• That female always remains in mental tension who faces domestic, violence and is greatly affected from all aspects. This psychological tension affects other aspects of their life as well.

Question 10.
What is scenario of domestic violence agaisnt women in India?
Answer:
Domestic violence against women in India is quite common among all the other domestic violences. The common reason of this is the set ideology of people that females are physically and mentally weaker than males. Yet females are proving that they are no inferior than males in all the sectors but even then number of cases of domestic violence are much more against them. Its reasons are different in different countries. According to the Population Fund Report of United Nations, around two third of the Indian females are the victims of domestic violence. Around 70% married females are the victims of beating, rape or forced sex. Out of these, around 55% of the cases come from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and other north Indian states.

Very Long Answer Type Questions:

Question 1.
Write a detailed note on sex ratio.
Answer:
In simple words the number of females behind 1000 males in one square kilometer is known as the sex ratio. It means chat how many females are there for every 1000 males in a particular area. This process is given the name of sex ratio. Relation of the word sex ratio is related with demographic features of population of any country. If we want to know anything about any country’s population then we must know about sex ratio. In 2011 India’s Sex ratio was 1000: 943. It means there were 943 females behind every 1000 males in any particular area.

If we want to know about the status of women in any society then we can come to know about it only by looking at the sex ratio of that society. From this, we can come to know that what type of status has been given to females by that society. If sex ratio is low then status of women is low but if sex ratio is high then the status of women is definitely high. In this way the meaning of sex ratio is number of females in any particular area as compared to males. If we will have information about number of males and females of any country then we can easily come to know about sex ratio of that country. Here child sex ratio is also quite important with sex ratio. Meaning of child sex ratio is that how many girls, with age group of 0-6 years, are there for 1000 boys in population of the country.

If we look at the sex ratio in whole world especially of few major countries then in the year of 2000 there “were 986 females behind 1000 males. This sex ratio is 1000: 1029 in U.S.A. 1000 ; 944 in China, 1000: 1025 in Brazil, 1000: 1041 in Japan, 1000: 933 in India, 1000: 938 in Pakistan, 1000: 953 in Bangladesh and 1000: 1004 in Indonesia. From this data, it is clear that number of females are more as compared to males in developed countries but this number is quite less in developing countries. It is so because gender discrimination is more in backward countries but it is almost negligible in the developed countries.

Condition Of Sex Ratio In India:

The condition of sex ratio in India is not good. According to Census Survey of 2011, there were only 940 females in India as compared to 1000 males. This worrying condition could be understood only by looking at the given .table:

Year	Males	Females
1901	1000	972
1911	1000	964
1921	1000	959
1931	1000	950
1941	1000	945
1951	1000	946
1961	1000	941
1971	1000	930
1981	1000	934
1991	1000	927
2001	1000	933
2011	1000	943

Here we can see another table related with sex ratio which is state-wise data of sex ratio in India.

Year	State/U.T.	Males	Females
2011	UttarPradeah	1000	908
2011	Maharathtra	1000	925
2011	Bthar	1000	916
2011	West Bengal	1000	947
2011	Andra Pradesh	1000	992
2011	Tamil Nadu	1000	995
2011	Madhya Pradesh	1000	930
2011	Raashtan	1000	926
2011	Karnataka	1000	968
2011	Gujarat	1000	918
2011	Oriasa	1000	978
2011	Kerala	1000	1084
2011	Jharkhand	1000	947
2011	Assam	1000	954
2011	Pnjab	1000	893
2011	Haryana	1000	877
2011	Chhatisgarh	1000	991
2011	Delhi	1000	866
2011	Jainmu and Kashmir	1000	883
2011	Uttrakhand	1000	963
2011	Himachal Pradesh	1000	974
2011	Thpura	1000	961
2011	Meghalaya	1000	986
2011	Mampur	1000	987
2011	Nagaland	1000	931
2011	Gos	1000	968
2011	Arunachal Pradesh	1000	920
2011	Puducherry	1000	1038
2011	Chandigarh	1000	18
2011	Mizoram	1000	975
2011	Sikkim	1000	889
2011	Andaman and Nicobar Islands	1000	878
2011	Dadra and Nagar Haveli	1000	775
2011	Daman and Diu	1000	618
2011	Lakahadweep	1000	946

From these two tables, it is clear that during 1901-2001, sex ratio in India has declined to a great extent. During 1941-1951, 1981-1991 and 1991-2011, the number of females were increased but during rest of the decades, the number of females were decreased. If we compare the decades of 1901 and 2001 than number of females or sex ratio has been decreased upto 40 females per 1000 males. Only Kerala is a state and Puduchery is the alone union territory where this ratio is favourable for females. In Kerala 1084 females are there for 1000 males and in Puduchery this ratio is 1000:1038. But this is 877 in Haryana, 893 in Punjab and 818 in Chandigarh. So from this it is clear that this declining sex ratio is really a cause of worry for us.

Question 2.
What do your understand by females foeticide? Describe its causes and consequences.
Or
What do you mean by female foeticide? Explain its causes.
Or
What is female foeticide? Explain its impacts.
Answer:
The word female foeticide is made up of two words female and foeticide. The meaning of female is girl and foeticide is killing foetus. So, if we look at the literal meaning of female foeticide it is killing of females foetus in mother’s womb. Actually this concept of female foeticide came forward in last few decades when sex ratio of our country started declining.

Meaning of Female Foeticide. Due to many reasons, people wish to have a boy. They use many methods to get .a boy in place of a girl. When a female gets pregnant, during first three months, foetus is not yet fully developed. It is still known as foetus. These days, many new modern techniques have come forward which tell us that the foetus is of boy or girl. Such test is known as sex determination test. If the foetus is of boy, it’s fine but if it is of girl, it is aborted or terminated. It is known as female foeticide. Just because of female foeticide, the sex ratio in India started declining. In 2011, it was 943 girls behind 1000 boys.

Causes of Female Foeticide. When the foetus of a girl is terminated in the mother’s womb, it is called female foeticide. This is one of the social problems which came forward in last few decades. It can have many reasons which are given-below:

1. Traditional Society. The problem of female foeticide prevails more in traditional society. If we compare developed societies such as U.S.A., U.K. etc. with the traditional societies such as India, China, Pakistan etc., we observe that sex ratio is quite less in traditional societies. It is so because people have a tendency in such societies that they need a boy for the continuation of family and to give fire to their funeral pyre. Due to such tendencies, number of boys increase in traditional societies as people prefer to have a boy.

2. Wish to have a male child. Generally people wish to have a boy for the continuation of family and to give fire to their funeral pyre after death. Moreover people know if there will be a girl, they will have to give lot of dowry at the time of her marriage. Along with this, they’ll have to give a lot even after girl’s marriage. That’s why people don’t want girl and they even try for this. They do not hesitate from killing female foetus. In this way wish to have a boy also increases female foeticide.

3. Technological Advances. During ancient times, people did’t have access to technological advances as they were not available. So, it was not possible to conduct sex determination test. They had to wait till child’ birth. If it was girl, she was killed at the time of her birth. But with time, many techniques came forward which made it possible to know about the sex of child. Just after 18 weeks of pregnancy, ultrasound machines tell us that the foetus is boy or girl. Thousands of clinics and nursing homes came forward which terminate female foetus. They even kill unborn girl in the womb of mother. New tools have made this work quite easy. In this way technological advancements are responsible for female foeticide.

4. Patriarchal Society. Our society is basically a patriarchal society and males dominate our houses. They take care of the house and take all the important decisions. In such societies, the status of females is quite low and everything is done according to the wish of males. Females cannot do anything with their wish. Males in such society wish to have boys at home and they do not hestitate from committing female foeticide. Females have to accept this as it is the decision of males. In this way, they are forced to accept this wrong act.

Consequences of Females Foeticide: The problem of female foeticide can have some dangerous consequences on society which are given below:

1. Declining Sex Ratio. If we look at the record of the past 100 years we can see that during last 100 years of 1901-2001, the sex ratio has declined quite considerably. Yet, the number of females increased during the decades of 1971-1981 and 1991-2001 but in rest of the decades, it decreased quite considerbely. In India, only Kerala is the state with positive sex ratio. This no. is 1000: 1084 in Kerala. It is 1000: 1038 in Puduchery. But in Haryana it is 1000: 877, in Chandigarh 1000: 818 and in Punjab it is 1000: 893. In this way we can say that the declining sex ratio is a major cause of concern in society.

2. Violence Against Women. Female foeticide leads to decline in sex ratio which
further leads to increase in violence against women. Girls are killed either before birth or new born girls are killed. Even people abandon their daughters in trains. Females have to face violence as they have given birth to girl, not boy. Many have to face sex based violence such as rape, abduction, prostitution etc. ‘

3. Low Status of Women. Declining sex ratio leads to decline in social status of women. If any female is unable to give birth to boy and is bearing only female child, she is forced to opt for abortion. Social evils and social institutions are also responsible for this and it can have an adverse impact on social status of females.

Question 3.
Explain the role of government in combating the problem of female foeticide.
Answer:
See Question No. 8 of Long answer type questions (IV).

Question 4.
Write a detail note on female foeticide.
Answer:
The word female foeticide is made up of two words female and foeticide. The meaning of female is girl and foeticide is killing foetus. So, if we look at the literal meaning of female foeticide it is killing of females foetus in mother’s womb. Actually this concept of female foeticide came forward in last few decades when sex ratio of our country started declining.

Meaning of Female Foeticide. Due to many reasons, people wish to have a boy. They use many methods to get .a boy in place of a girl. When a female gets pregnant, during first three months, foetus is not yet fully developed. It is still known as foetus. These days, many new modern techniques have come forward which tell us that the foetus is of boy or girl. Such test is known as sex determination test. If the foetus is of boy, it’s fine but if it is of girl, it is aborted or terminated. It is known as female foeticide. Just because of female foeticide, the sex ratio in India started declining. In 2011, it was 943 girls behind 1000 boys.

Causes of Female Foeticide. When the foetus of a girl is terminated in the mother’s womb, it is called female foeticide. This is one of the social problems which came forward in last few decades. It can have many reasons which are given-below:

1. Traditional Society. The problem of female foeticide prevails more in traditional society. If we compare developed societies such as U.S.A., U.K. etc. with the traditional societies such as India, China, Pakistan etc., we observe that sex ratio is quite less in traditional societies. It is so because people have a tendency in such societies that they need a boy for the continuation of family and to give fire to their funeral pyre. Due to such tendencies, number of boys increase in traditional societies as people prefer to have a boy.

2. Wish to have a male child. Generally people wish to have a boy for the continuation of family and to give fire to their funeral pyre after death. Moreover people know if there will be a girl, they will have to give lot of dowry at the time of her marriage. Along with this, they’ll have to give a lot even after girl’s marriage. That’s why people don’t want girl and they even try for this. They do not hesitate from killing female foetus. In this way wish to have a boy also increases female foeticide.

3. Technological Advances. During ancient times, people did’t have access to technological advances as they were not available. So, it was not possible to conduct sex determination test. They had to wait till child’ birth. If it was girl, she was killed at the time of her birth. But with time, many techniques came forward which made it possible to know about the sex of child. Just after 18 weeks of pregnancy, ultrasound machines tell us that the foetus is boy or girl. Thousands of clinics and nursing homes came forward which terminate female foetus. They even kill unborn girl in the womb of mother. New tools have made this work quite easy. In this way technological advancements are responsible for female foeticide.

4. Patriarchal Society. Our society is basically a patriarchal society and males dominate our houses. They take care of the house and take all the important decisions. In such societies, the status of females is quite low and everything is done according to the wish of males. Females cannot do anything with their wish. Males in such society wish to have boys at home and they do not hestitate from committing female foeticide. Females have to accept this as it is the decision of males. In this way, they are forced to accept this wrong act.

Consequences of Females Foeticide: The problem of female foeticide can have some dangerous consequences on society which are given below:

1. Declining Sex Ratio. If we look at the record of the past 100 years we can see that during last 100 years of 1901-2001, the sex ratio has declined quite considerably. Yet, the number of females increased during the decades of 1971-1981 and 1991-2001 but in rest of the decades, it decreased quite considerbely. In India, only Kerala is the state with positive sex ratio. This no. is 1000: 1084 in Kerala. It is 1000: 1038 in Puduchery. But in Haryana it is 1000: 877, in Chandigarh 1000: 818 and in Punjab it is 1000: 893. In this way we can say that the declining sex ratio is a major cause of concern in society.

2. Violence Against Women. Female foeticide leads to decline in sex ratio which
further leads to increase in violence against women. Girls are killed either before birth or new born girls are killed. Even people abandon their daughters in trains. Females have to face violence as they have given birth to girl, not boy. Many have to face sex based violence such as rape, abduction, prostitution etc. ‘

3. Low Status of Women. Declining sex ratio leads to decline in social status of women. If any female is unable to give birth to boy and is bearing only female child, she is forced to opt for abortion. Social evils and social institutions are also responsible for this and it can have an adverse impact on social status of females.

Question 5.
What do you understand by female foeticide? Explain various measures to combat this problem.
Answer:
The word female foeticide is made up of two words female and foeticide. The meaning of female is girl and foeticide is killing foetus. So, if we look at the literal meaning of female foeticide it is killing of females foetus in mother’s womb. Actually this concept of female foeticide came forward in last few decades when sex ratio of our country started declining.

Meaning of Female Foeticide. Due to many reasons, people wish to have a boy. They use many methods to get .a boy in place of a girl. When a female gets pregnant, during first three months, foetus is not yet fully developed. It is still known as foetus. These days, many new modern techniques have come forward which tell us that the foetus is of boy or girl. Such test is known as sex determination test. If the foetus is of boy, it’s fine but if it is of girl, it is aborted or terminated. It is known as female foeticide. Just because of female foeticide, the sex ratio in India started declining. In 2011, it was 943 girls behind 1000 boys.

Causes of Female Foeticide. When the foetus of a girl is terminated in the mother’s womb, it is called female foeticide. This is one of the social problems which came forward in last few decades. It can have many reasons which are given-below:

1. Traditional Society. The problem of female foeticide prevails more in traditional society. If we compare developed societies such as U.S.A., U.K. etc. with the traditional societies such as India, China, Pakistan etc., we observe that sex ratio is quite less in traditional societies. It is so because people have a tendency in such societies that they need a boy for the continuation of family and to give fire to their funeral pyre. Due to such tendencies, number of boys increase in traditional societies as people prefer to have a boy.

2. Wish to have a male child. Generally people wish to have a boy for the continuation of family and to give fire to their funeral pyre after death. Moreover people know if there will be a girl, they will have to give lot of dowry at the time of her marriage. Along with this, they’ll have to give a lot even after girl’s marriage. That’s why people don’t want girl and they even try for this. They do not hesitate from killing female foetus. In this way wish to have a boy also increases female foeticide.

3. Technological Advances. During ancient times, people did’t have access to technological advances as they were not available. So, it was not possible to conduct sex determination test. They had to wait till child’ birth. If it was girl, she was killed at the time of her birth. But with time, many techniques came forward which made it possible to know about the sex of child. Just after 18 weeks of pregnancy, ultrasound machines tell us that the foetus is boy or girl. Thousands of clinics and nursing homes came forward which terminate female foetus. They even kill unborn girl in the womb of mother. New tools have made this work quite easy. In this way technological advancements are responsible for female foeticide.

4. Patriarchal Society. Our society is basically a patriarchal society and males dominate our houses. They take care of the house and take all the important decisions. In such societies, the status of females is quite low and everything is done according to the wish of males. Females cannot do anything with their wish. Males in such society wish to have boys at home and they do not hestitate from committing female foeticide. Females have to accept this as it is the decision of males. In this way, they are forced to accept this wrong act.

Consequences of Females Foeticide: The problem of female foeticide can have some dangerous consequences on society which are given below:

1. Declining Sex Ratio. If we look at the record of the past 100 years we can see that during last 100 years of 1901-2001, the sex ratio has declined quite considerably. Yet, the number of females increased during the decades of 1971-1981 and 1991-2001 but in rest of the decades, it decreased quite considerbely. In India, only Kerala is the state with positive sex ratio. This no. is 1000: 1084 in Kerala. It is 1000: 1038 in Puduchery. But in Haryana it is 1000: 877, in Chandigarh 1000: 818 and in Punjab it is 1000: 893. In this way we can say that the declining sex ratio is a major cause of concern in society.

2. Violence Against Women. Female foeticide leads to decline in sex ratio which
further leads to increase in violence against women. Girls are killed either before birth or new born girls are killed. Even people abandon their daughters in trains. Females have to face violence as they have given birth to girl, not boy. Many have to face sex based violence such as rape, abduction, prostitution etc.

3. Low Status of Women. Declining sex ratio leads to decline in social status of women. If any female is unable to give birth to boy and is bearing only female child, she is forced to opt for abortion. Social evils and social institutions are also responsible for this and it can have an adverse impact on social status of females.

Measures to combat problem: See Question No. 8 of long answer type questions (IV).

Question 6.
Write a detailed note on domestic violence.
Or
What is domestic violence?
Answer:
Sociologists were attracted towards the problem of family violence during last few decades of 20th century. The concept of family violence is not new in Indian society. It is a centuries old concept and sociologists have given their attention towards it in recent times. It is not correct that the family violence was not there in ancient societies. Family violence is a universal thing and has remained in almost all the societies. Violence and even deaths are also related with this. But we have very less knowledge about this concept because very less statistics are available with us about family violence and very few researches have been done till date regarding this.

It is very difficult to bring conclusions in these types of researches because generally people never like to talk about family violence. In this way very less data of family violence is available with us. Another reason of less availability of data of this concept is that many research works have been done related to family in India, but all of these were related with either structure and functions of joint family or structure and function of nuclear family. No one has paid its attention towards the concept of family violence.

One another reason is that people think that if they will talk with any stranger regarding this then his or her family will break up or conflict in the family will increase. That’s why people never like to share their experience of family violence > with any one. Another reason of less number of researches being done on family violence is that there is very less importance of that part of family on which violence is being committed and that part of family is females and children. It is true that our urban society is progressing very quickly but rural society is standing there where it was 50 years back. Females and children are given very less importance in our society. Even society hardly accepts it as a problem. Society declines to accept it a problem and says, that it is not a problem. Domestic violence is accepted as a feature of personal mental illness.

Even many historians hardly accept it as a social problem and say that the family violence is a personal matter of the family. That’s why it should be kept only for the family or for the home. It is true that government has made many laws after independence to stop domestic violence so that the mutual understanding, love, cooperation, sympathy etc. could be increased in the society. Even there is provision of strict punishment in different laws who commit violence against females and children. But this topic is very important for sociology because till date sociology has studied only family or good and positive aspect of family life but it has never studied the negative aspect of family violence.

If any social system is formed then it is the result of integrative and disintegrative processes. In this way family life is also a mixture of negative and positive aspects. Experience of family life of ttvo persons could also be different and they are generally different. If any person has no problem in family life then his family life is full of happiness. But if any person has many problems in family life then his family life will be full of sorrows. Members of family in family life are very much close to each other and this closeness is due to mutual dependence. Opposition and differences also occur in the views of members due to this dependence.

These differences create mutual conflict also. One writer was of the view that the families where there is a lot of conflict in the family, they use more reasons to remove that conflict and more violence is there in those families. We cannot find same type of situation in the family. Family life is always full of happiness and sorrowness. General consensus and conflict always occur in the family. Many a time violence occurs due to this conflict and many a time this violence results in the form of death. Very less data is available in our country related to domestic violence. Generally researchers pay attention towards the physical violence which is committed in the family. They hardly care about the psychological violence. Psychological violence is very dangerous because its effect lasts for the whole life. But even then the family life has not been explained in a proper way. That’s why our knowledge related to this is very limited.

Definition of Domestic Violence:

Domestic violence is a complex concept. It is very difficult to define it because violence is a very wide concept in which abusing, slapping and the concept of murder are included. Except this the meaning of force and violence are generally taken in the same sense. Violence is generally a physical activity but force is the activity full of hatred in which we hurt other person. This hurt could be physical and psychological as well. From the researches being done on family violence we come to know that we cannot differentiate the legal and illegal activity because the victims of violence make the act of violence legal by accepting those violent acts.

According to Gelles, “Day to day patterned and recurrent use of physical violence like pushing, slapping, punching, knifing, shooting and throwing objects by one member of the family at another.” According to Pagelow, “An act of omission or commission by family members and any condition comes out of such activity which deprives other members of family of equal rights and liberties and interferes with their’optimal development and freedom of choice.”

In this way family violence is not limited only to physical violence but is extended from psychological violence and up to snatching freedom of-members of family. It happens again and again in family relation. The area of family violence starts abusing and goes up to the use of force. Conflict of husband-wife, brother-sister, uncles, grandfather, grandson is included in this. In this way family violence is that act which is being committed by one member of the family towards other member of the family with an idea to strike other one. Yet the violence is very common in our society and violence is not a particular thing itself but when the violence is being used against the members of the family then its study and explanation become necessary.

There can be many types of family violence like misbehave of husband and wife towards each other, marital rape, rape of sister by brother or of daughter by father, violence between brother and sister, violence in father and the son, violence in mother-in-law and daughter-in-law etc. Generally it has been believed that the violence in any other condition is known as very serious but if this violence will be on the base of family then it is accepted as the family problem or just a small crime.

Question 7.
What are the causes of domestic violence?
Or
What are the causes of domestic violence? Discuss.
Answer:
There is not just one or two causes of domestic violence but it has many reasons whose description is given ahead:

1. Social change: Change is law of nature and family and society are also affected by this. Changes are often coming in family, house and society due to geographical and cultural effects. A new change has come in the old relations due to many factors like urbanization, industrialization, new and formal educational system, means of transport and communication etc. People get many chances to get work because of which members of the family were forced to leave the ancient web of relationships. New generation gave importance to nuclear families instead of joint families so that they could move from one place to another. Due to living alone they went out of control of any elder. Problems of office, problems of running the house when become intolerable for the person then he takes out his anger on wife and children in the family because of which domestic violence increases.

2. Alcoholism: Generally it has been seen that humans are using alcohol to get relief from the tensions or for the sake of fun. When a person reaches the home after consuming alcohol then his wife, children, parents etc. advise him not to use alcohol and even tell him about the consequences of using alcohol. Many a time person listens to it and then he comes in anger and starts to beat up his family members. He abuses them and severely beats them up. He thinks that his family members are increasing his problems. In this way he is hardly aware of the fact what he is doing under the influence of liquor. His body remains under the influence of liquor and he hardly cares that wh#t is he doing. In this way alcoholism also increases domestic violence.

3. Misbehaviour of childhood: Many scholars say that many people are very much misbehaved in their childhood by their parents. Their childhood has been spent with full of misbehaviour, violence of parents and without love. Behaviour of many persons becomes rude because of this and when they become adult they misbehave with their parents, wife, and children. Many persons keep these things in their mind and when they become young they also misbehave (physical and psychological) with their parents and children. In this way the childhood of the person is some times responsible for domestic violence.

4. Drug abuse: These days many medicines are available in the market with which person can come in the influence of drug like capsules, injections etc. Yet doctor gives the person to cure its problems but many a time humans start to use them as a drug. When the person consumes them then he hardly cares about the fact that what he is doing. He misbehaves with the members of the family and even he beats them up. He abuses them, beats them up so that he is able to get money from them. In this way domestic violence increases due to drug abuse.

5. Problem of personality: Many a time personality problems can also become a reason of family violence. Some persons are angry by nature and come in anger with small, small things. For example in many families uncles beat up their nephew even due to small things. Some people are very possessive by nature. They beat their wife, children, sister even after little bit of doubt on their behaviour and character. For example if their son, daughter, child is talking on phone then they ask them with whom and why are you talking? If they are unable to get satisfactory answer then they beat them up. In this way problem of personality also becomes a cause of family violence.

6. Less income: Today is the age of inflation but the income of every person is | very much limited. Income of the family is generally less but expenditure is more. That’s why they are unable to run their family in a proper way and they always remain in the economic problems. Person always remains in the tension. Family 1 members demand many things from him but he is unable to fulfil those demands and that’s why he beats them up in tension and anger and violence happens automatically. In this way less income can also become the cause of domestic violence.

7. Unemployment: Many a time unemployment can also become a reason of family violence. Many a time business of any person remains no more, he looses his job etc. In this condition he becomes either unemployed or half employed. He becomes annoyed with this and remains in tension. He brings out his anger on the family members because of which domestic violence increases.

8. Capacity to commit violence: Many a time family members commit violence at that time when the value of being violent is less than that of its result. In other words people beat other members of their family because they can do so. Males are generally powerful than females and children. That’s why they use violent methods against them. Inequality in family and society exists due to sex and age. That’s why the strong person and aged person uses violence and domestic violence increases with this.

9. Clash of interests: God has made every person of a different nature and the interests of every perspn are also different according to that. Any one wants to get more education and any one wants to earn more money. In this way interests of every member of family are also different. Interests of father, son, nephew, uncle, brother, sister, grandfather, grandson etc. are also different. That’s why there is a clash of interests. Every member of the family wants that he should get more and more family’s property. That’s why conflict starts in members of the family. Even brothers hardly talk with each other while living in the family, conflict occurs in father and son. Even they try to kill each other because of property. We can read this type of news in daily newspaper like son killed his father, brother killed his brother, nephew killed his uncle. In this way clash of interests also becomes a reason of domestic violence.

10. Male dominated society: Our society is male dominated society because of which females are given very low status in family and society. In this way the cause of violence against women comes out due to the lower status of women as compared to males. All the powers in male dominated society are in the hands of males. The process of socialization also keeps females under the authority of males. This inequality in both the sexes is going on from the ages. More inequality will lead to the violence against lower class. Except this if lower class (females) will try to oppose it then its answer will also be given in the form of violence.

11. Dependency: Generally males earn money in the family and all the other members depend upon them to live. That’s why males feel that the life of other members of the family is in their command. That’s why they can change their lives. If members of the family spend their lives according to his views then it’s fine otherwise they can be forced to live in his way with the help of violence. In this way dependency also increases domestic violence.

Question 8.
Write a note about control of domestic vialence.
Or
Explain various measures to combat domestic violence.
Answer:
Domestic violence is not a new concept. It was also there in ancient societies. At that time family was giving psychological, physical and social security to its members. But many new changes are coming in joint family. This change has come in the roles of elders of the family. Tension is coming in the relations of husband and wife. Elders are disrespected and many cases of misbehaviour with them can be read in newspapers. Younger members are getting more rights. Elders are not considered as useful but are considered as useless and that’s why the cases of misbehaviour are increasing with them. Relations of parents and children are weakening. Relations of husband and wife are weakening and this we can come to knew from the increasing number of divorces. Ancient family structure remains no more. In future the concept of joint family will also come to an end.

In this way to reduce family violence and to save the lives of victims of violence it is necessary that it should be stopped and it should be cured but we can not change our culture while curing it. Its cure is to stop it. The main aim of stopping methods is to stop family violence. First of all, we have to change our values, behaviour, nature etc. with which our way of looking the females will also be changed.

Sexual inequality,’ economic inequality, and dependency also increase family violence. If the difference between job-oriented females and males will come to an end then family violence will also come to an end. Except this, we should not beat our children but make them understand with love. Violence will give birth to counter-violence. Whichever system will be established with violence it will also come to an end with violence. If we will beat our children to make them understand then it will not affect their bodies but will affect their minds as well. He will never forget this beating for his whole life and will show the same face to his parents which was shown to him by his parents. If we will educate them with love then it would be a very important step to reduce domestic violence because love gives birth to love.

Punjab State Board PSEB 12th Class Sociology Important Questions Chapter 4 Caste Inequalities Important Questions and Answers.

PSEB 12th Class Sociology Important Questions Chapter 4 Caste Inequalities

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. When was Untouchability Offence Act passed?
(a) 1956
(b) 1954
(c) 1955
(d) 1957
Answer:
(c) 1955

2. Which institution completely disintegrated the Indian society?
(a) Caste system
(b) Class system
(c) Joint family
(d) Dowry system
Answer:
(a) Caste system

3. Which of these is the base of caste?
(a) Money
(b) Birth
(c) Property
(d) Religion
Answer:
(6b) Birth

4. Who was the first one to use the word ‘Harijan’?
(a) Dr. Ambedkar
(b) Mahatma Gandhi
(c) The Indian Constitution
(d) G.S.Ghurye
Answer:
(b) Mahatma Gandhi

5. Who gave the six features of caste system?
(a) Ghurye
(b) Srinivas
(c) Dubey
(d) Karve
Answer:
(a) Ghurye

6. Who gave the traditional theory of caste origin?
(a) Majumdar
(b) Karve
(c) Srinivas
(d) Dubey
Answer:
(a) Majumdar

7. The mate selection within the group is called …………….
(a) Exogamy
(b) Endogamy
(c) Group Marriage
(d) Monogamy
Answer:
(b) Endogamy

Fill in the Blanks:

1. Ghurye gave ………………. features of caste system.
Answer:
six

2. ……………… system took the form of caste system.
Answer:
varna

3. Traditional theory is given in ……………….
Answer:
Rigveda

4. In the process of ………………… lower caste people adopt the ideas, habits, ways of living etc. of upper caste people.
Answer:
Sanskritization

5. With the process of …………………. untouchability has almsot eliminated from society.
Answer:
Secularization

6. The problem of untouchability is due to ……………….. system.
Answer:
caste

True/False:

1. Caste system is based on wealth.
Answer:
False

2. Untouchability Offence Act was passed in 1960.
Answer:
False

3. Traditional theory of caste origin is given in Rigveda.
Answer:
True

4. Caste system originated from the varna system.
Answer:
True

5. First three castes were known as ‘dwija’.
Answer:
True

One Word/One Line Questions Answers:

Question 1.
Which system has divided our society 7
Answer:
Caste system has divided our society.

Question 2.
From which language’s word, the word caste came?
Answer:
Word ‘caste’ was originated from a Portuguese word ‘CASTA’.

Question 3.
Which type of class is caste?
Answer:
Caste is a closed class.

Question 4.
Who were given the highest place in Caste system?
Answer:
Brahmins were given the highest place in caste system.

Question 5.
Which caste was greatly exploited in Caste system?
Answer:
Fourth caste was greatly exploited in caste system.

Question 6.
What is meant by Endogamy?
Answer:
When marriage is done within one’s own caste then it is known as endogamy. Question 7. Which type of occupation of an individual is there in caste system? An. In caste system, occupation of an individual is based on birth. It means one is required to adopt the occupation of his family.

Question 8.
On what, mutual relations in caste system are based?
Answer:
In caste system, mutual relations are based on superiority and inferiority.

Question 9.
What is meant by closed caste system?
Answer:
The class which cannot be changed is known as closed caste system.

Question 10.
What is used to make Kachcha food and Pakka food?
Answer:
Water is used to make Kachcha food and oil is used to make Pakka food.

Question 11.
On what division of labour in Indian society was based?
Answer:
Division of labour in Indian society was based on caste system.

Question 12.
Who gave the Racial theory of origin of caste system?
Answer:
G.S. Ghurye gave the racial theory of caste system.

Question 13.
Which theory was given by Ghurye about origin of caste system?
Answer:
Racial theory was given by Ghurye.

Question 14.
Who gave the Religious theory of origin of Caste system?
Answer:
Hockart and Senart gave the religious theory of origin of caste system.

Question 15.
Who gave the occupational theory about origin of Caste system?
Answer:
Nesfield gave this theory.

Question 16.
Who wrote the book ‘Caste in India’?
Answer:
The book ‘Caste in India’ was written by J.H. Hutton.

Question 17.
Who wrote the book Races and Culture?
Answer:
The book Races and Culture was written by Majumdar.

Question 18.
How many features of caste system are given by G.S. Ghurye?
Answer:
G.S. Ghurye has given six features of Caste system.

Question 19.
When was Untouchability Offence Act passed?
Answer:
Untouchability Offence Act was passed in 1955.

Question 20.
When was Civil Rights Protection Act passed?
Answer:
Civil Rights Protection Act was passed in 1976.

Question 21.
When was Hindu Marriage Act passed?
Answer:
Hindu Marriage Act was passed in 1955.

Question 22.
Which thing was restricted in Untouchability Offence Act?
Answer:
It was restricted that no one will be called as untouchable.

Question 23.
How many castes approximately are available in India?
Answer:
Approximately 3,000 castes are available in India.

Question 24.
Which type of marriage is allowed in Caste system?
Answer:
Endogamy is allowed in caste system.

Question 25.
In how many parts, ancient Indian society was divided?
Answer:
Ancient Indian society was divided into four parts.

Question 26.
What was the merit of caste system?
Or
Write about one positive function of caste system.
Answer:
It has protected Hindu society, has given stability to society and has given definite occupation to the people.

Question 27.
Which type of change is coming in caste-system?
Or
Mention one change in caste system.
Answer:
Prestige of Brahmins is declining, untouchability remains no more and traditional occupations are coming to an end.

Question 28.
Give main features of caste system.
Or
Mention any two features of caste.
Answer:
Membership of caste remains for life, segmental division of society is there and one has to adopt his traditional occupation.

Question 29.
What is the demerit of caste system?
Answer:
Lower castes are exploited, untouchability increased and personality of an individual is unable to develop.

Question 30.
Who gave the Multifactor theory of origin of caste system?
Answer:
It was given by Hutton.

Question 31.
Who has accepted caste as a political unit?
Answer:
Saxena has accepted caste as a political unit.

Question 32.
What is the base of membership of caste?
Answer:
Base of membership of caste is birth.

Question 33.
What is the permanent form of stratification?
Answer:
Caste is the permanent form of stratification.

Question 34.
Which institution has greatly disintegrated the Indian society?
Answer:
Caste system has greatly disintegrated the Indian society.

Question 35.
Which scholar has divided functions of caste system into three parts?
Answer:
J.H. Hutton has divided functions of caste system into three parts.

Question 36.
In which Veda’s purushsukta, the description of origin of caste system is given?
Answer:
In Rigveda’s purushsukta, the description of origin of caste system is given.

Question 37.
From which word, the word caste is originated?
Answer:
The word caste is originated from the Portuguese word ‘CASTA’.

Question 38.
Which are the main bases of caste?
Answer:
Caste is a very large group whose bases are caste based differences and birth based differences.

Question 39.
Why are restrictions kept in caste system?
Answer:
So that the different castes could not come in each other’s contact and caste superiority and inferiority could remain as it is.

Question 40.
How is caste a closed group?
Or
Is caste a closed group?
Answer:
Caste is a closed group because one cannot change it even if one has the ability to do so.

Question 41.
How is occupation fixed in Caste System?
Or
Definite occupation in caste.
Or
Hereditary occupations.
Or
Traditional occupation.
Answer:
Occupation in caste is traditional. It means one has to adopt the occupation of his family.

Question 42.
Which two laws have helped in the weakening of caste system?
Answer:

• Hindu Marriage Act, 1955.
• Untouchability Offence Act, 1955.

Question 43.
What is social disability of lower castes?
Answer:
Social disability of lower castes is that they cannot keep relations with upper castes and cannot take water from their wells.

Question 44.
What is religious disability of lower castes?
Answer:
Lower castes cannot take religious education, cannot read religious books and cannot go into temples.

Question 45.
How has industrialization affected the Caste system?
Or
Effect of industrialisation on Caste System.
Answer:
In industries, people of different castes started to work together with which caste based restrictions came to an end.

Question 46.
Caste develops the feeling of Co-operation.
Answer:
It is right because members of one caste work with each other due to same occupation co-operate with each other.

Question 47.
Untouchability.
Or
What is Untouchability?
Answer:
The process in which people of few castes were not allowed to touch the upper caste people was known as untouchability.

Question 48.
Inter-caste Marriage.
Answer:
When people of two different castes marry with each other then it is known as inter-caste marriage.

Question 49.
Is Caste system changing?
Answer:
Yes, caste system is changing due to a number of factors like education, industrialisation, urbanisation, laws etc.

Question 50.
Maintenace of Purity of Blood.
Answer:
When one marries within his own caste then it maintains the purity of blood. Blood of other castes never mixes with one’s caste.

Question 51.
Endogamy.
Answer:
When an individual does marriage within his own caste or group then it is known as Endogamy.

Question 52.
Is class intermarriageable?
Answer:
Yes, class is intermarriagable. It means endogamous as well as exogamous.

Question 53.
Hierarchy in Caste.
Answer:
There were four castes—Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Lower castes. This was the hierarchy in caste.

Question 54.
What are the bases of class?
Answer:
Money, wealth, prestige, education, occupation etc. are the bases of class.

Question 55.
What is the fundamental basis of caste system?
Answer:
Fundamental basis of caste system was the superiority of few castes and inferiority of few castes.

Question 56.
Restrictions on feeding and social relations in Caste.
Answer:
Different castes in Caste system were not allowed to keep feeding and social relations with each other.

Question 57.
Restrictions regarding marriage in a caste.
Answer:
There was restriction regarding marriage in a caste. It means members of different castes were not allowed to marry with each other.

Question 58.
Maintenance of Purity of Blood.
Answer: Members of different castes cannot marry with each other. So their blood never mixes with other caste and it maintains purity of blood.

Question 59.
Caste membership based on birth. .
Answer: A person remains member of that caste in which he is born and he cannot change his caste even if he has the ability to do so.

Question 60.
Caste provides social security.
Answer:
If any problem comes to an individual, then members of his caste always help him. In this way, caste provides social security.

 

Question 61.
State any two abuses of caste system.
Answer:

• In caste system, one particular caste was exploited.
• In caste system, hatredness prevailed among different castes.

Question 62.
What is the basis of class?
Answer:
In modern times, wealth occupation, business etc. are the bases of class.

Very Short Answer Type Questions:

Question 1.
Hierarchy of Castes.
Answer:
Society was divided into four castes and due to this division, there was a definite system of high or low social status in society. This system of division of society into four castes is known as hierarchy of castes.

Question 2.
How is the social status of an individual determined?
Answer:
In caste system, the social status of an individual was determined by the caste in which he was born. But in class system, the social status of an individual is based on his individual ability.

Question 3.
Caste develops the sense of Co-operation.
Answer:
It is a fact that caste develops the sense of co-operation among its members. As members of one particular caste have same occupation, that’s why they work in co-operation with each other.

Question 4.
What is Kachcha food?
Answer:
Kaccha food is that food in whose making, oil or ghee is not used, only water is used. In caste system, it is fixed that from which caste one can take kaccha food and from which caste one can take pakka food.

Question 5.
What is Pakka food?
Answer:
Pakka food is exactly opposite to Kachcha food. Pakka food is that’food in whose making ghee or oil is used. It is fixed that from which caste one can take Pakka food. ‘

Question 6.
Modern Education and Caste.
Answer:
Now people are taking modern education which is based on Science and reason. That’s why gradually people come to know about demerits of caste and it leads to removal of caste restrictions from the society.

Question 7.
Social Security in Caste.
Answer:
If any problem comes to an individual then all the members of one caste collectively solve that problem. In this members of each caste get social security from their respective castes.

Question 8.
Membership of caste based on birth.
Answer:
It is a fact that membership of caste is based on birth. One cannot leave the caste in which he is born. At any cost he cannot leave his caste even if he is having the ability to do so.

Question 9.
To maintain purity of blood.
Answer:
Caste is an endogamous group in which one needs to marry in his own caste. It helps in maintaining purity of blood as blood from all the castes never mixes with each other.

Question 10.
Give one definition of caste.
Answer:
According to Martindale and Mona Chesi, “A caste is aggregate of persons whose share of obligations and privileges is fixed by birth, sanctioned and supported by magic and religion.”

Question 11.
Exploitation of lower castes.
Answer:
In caste system, lower castes were exploited by the upper castes. They were misbehaved and were not given any rights. They lived their fives in hell-like conditions.

Question 12.
Discuss two changes in the Caste System.
Answer:

• Due to the passing of many Legislations, the discrimination of untouchabifity is coming to an end.
• Due to the advent of many new occupations, the hierarchical order of the caste system and the superiority of many castes is changing.

Question 13.
Caste as Segmental division of society.
Or
Give the number and name of castes.
Answer:
In caste system, whole of the society was divided into different parts. First part comprised the Brahmins, second part comprised the Kshatriyas, third part was Vaishyas and the fourth part comprised the people of lower castes.

Question 14.
Change in the caste regarding marriage.
Answer:
Now people work with each other and come closer to each other. It led to increase in inter-cas’te marriages. People started to marry according to their own wish. Child marriage no more prevails, widow marriage is increasing day by day.

Short Answer Type Questions:

Question 1.
Meaning of Caste.
Or
Caste.
Answer:
Hindu social system has one of the important complex and interesting institutions which is known as caste system. Word Caste has been taken from Portuguese word ‘Casta’ whose meaning is birth. Caste is an endogamous group whose membership is based on birth, occupation is hereditary and traditional. Many types of restrictions are there regarding ways of living, eating, relations and marriage.

According to Risley, “Caste is a collection of families or group of families bearing a common name, claiming a common descent from mythical ancestor, human or divine. Professing to follow the name hereditary calling and regarded by those who are competent to give an opinion as forming a single homogeneous community.”

Question 2.
Give any four characteritics of Caste.
Answer:

• Membership of caste is based upon birth.
• Caste is an endogamous group.
• Restrictions on social relations are there in caste.
• Restrictions are there in caste regarding feeding.
• Occupation of a person is hereditary in caste. It means that no one can adopt any occupation of his choice.
• Society is divided in different segments.
• There is a definite hierarchy in caste system.

Question 10.
Give one definition of caste.
Answer:
According to Martindale and Mona Chesi, “A caste is aggregate of persons whose share of obligations and privileges is fixed by birth, sanctioned and supported by magic and religion.”

Question 11.
Exploitation of lower castes.
Answer:
In caste system, lower castes were exploited by the upper castes. They were misbehaved and were not given any rights. They lived their lives in hell-like conditions.

Question 12.
Discuss two changes in the Caste System.
Answer:

• Due to the passing of many Legislations, the discrimination of untouchability is coming to an end.
• Due to the advent of many new occupations, the hierarchical order of the caste system and the superiority of many castes is changing.

Question 13.
Caste as Segmental division of society.
Or
Give the number and name of castes.
Answer:
In caste system, whole of the society was divided into different parts. First part comprised the Brahmins, second part comprised the Kshatriyas, third part was Vaishyas and the fourth part comprised the people of lower castes.

Question 14.
Change in the caste regarding marriage.
Answer:
Now people work with each other and come closer to each other. It led to increase in inter-caste marriages. People started to marry according to their own wish. Child marriage no more prevails, widow marriage is increasing day by day.

Short Answer Type Questions:

Question 1.
Meaning of Caste.
Or
Caste.
Answer:
Hindu social system has one of the important complex and interesting institutions which is known as caste system. Word Caste has been taken from Portuguese word ‘Casta’ whose meaning is birth. Caste is an endogamous group whose membership is based on birth, occupation is hereditary and traditional. Many types of restrictions are there regarding ways of living, eating, relations and marriage.

According to Risley, “Caste is a collection of families or group of families bearing a common name, claiming a common descent from mythical ancestor, human or divine. Professing to follow the name hereditary calling and regarded by those who are competent to give an opinion as forming a single homogeneous community.”

Question 2.
Give any four characteritics of Caste.
Answer:

• Membership of caste is based upon birth.
• Caste is an endogamous group.
• Restrictions on social relations are there in caste.
• Restrictions are there in caste regarding feeding.
• Occupation of a person is hereditary in caste. It means that no one can adopt any occupation of his choice.
• Society is divided in different segments.
• There is a definite hierarchy in caste system.

Question 3.
What is Hierarchy?
Answer:
There was a definite hierarchy in caste system. Society was divided in different segments on the basis of their higher or lower status. Brahmins got the higher status in all parts of India. Kshatriyas were coming at second place and third place was of Vaishyas. Fourth and the last place was given to lower castes. Social status of any person in society was determined on the basis of this hierarchy.

Question 4.
Caste as Segmental division of Society.
Or
Segment division of Society.
Answer:
The Indian society was divided in many segments in caste system and generally it was divided in four segments. Status, place and functions of member of every segment were pre-determined. Every caste had its own rituals, customs, traditions, values etc. That is why the scope of relations of members of every caste was generally limited to its own caste. Every caste was a social unit in itself where a person can spend his whole life.

Question 5.
Membership based on birth.
Or
How is membership of caste fixed or determined?
Answer:
Membership of any caste is based upon birth. No one can detrmine his caste according to his wish. Social status of a person was determined by that caste in which caste that person was born. No one can change his caste even if he has the ability to do so. In this way the person used to get social status according to the caste in which he was born, not on the basis of individual ability.

Question 6.
Which type of restrictions are there in caste regarding food?
Answer:
Some clear rules are there in caste system which tell us that with which caste we can establish relations regarding food or feeding. Whole food has been divided into two parts-Kachcha food and Pakka food. Kachcha food is that food which can be made with the help of water and Pakka food is that food which can be made with the help of oil or ghee. A general rule is that any person never takes kachcha food till that time until it has not been made by the person of his own caste. Brahmins accept Pakka food from any specific caste.

Question 7.
How is occupation fixed in caste?
Answer:
According to the rules of caste system, all the castes have their traditional, specific and hereditary occupations. Every person has to adopt the occupation of that caste in which he is born even if the other occupations are more profitable. Person had no choice instead of adopting his traditional and hereditary occupations. Main function of the brahmins was to perform religious function and to give education to people. Function of Kshatriyas was to protect the country and rule over the country. Vaishyas were doing agriculture and business and the function of lower castes was to serve the people of higher three castes. All of them had to adopt traditional occupations.

Question 8.
What are the rules regarding marriage in caste?
Answer:
Most of the castes have been divided in sub-castes in caste system and all of these sub-castes are not allowed to marry with the people of other caste or sub-caste. Person has to marry in his own caste. Yet in some conditions person was free to marry with the girl of lower caste but the general rule was that person has to marry in his own caste. If any one was trying to break this rule he was generally thrown out of his caste and he was not allowed to enter in any other caste or sub-caste. In this way all of them were allowed to marry within their own castes.

Question 9.
Restrictions regarding castes.
Or
Which restrictions were related with caste?
Answer:
Some rules are there in every caste regarding restrictions on some points like:

• Every person had to adopt the occupation of his own caste.
• He has to obey the restrictions regarding rules of feeding.
• He has to marry in his own caste.
• Lowfer were not allowed to get education and to enter into the temples.
• Lower people were not allowed to touch the people of higher castes and to take water from wells of people of higher castes.

Question 10.
Restrictions on Social relations.
Or
Which type of restrictions were there in caste system regarding Social relations?
Answer:
Society was divided in different castes in earlier times and the sense of high and low was there in these castes. People of higher castes lived inside the village and people of lower castes lived outside of the village. They kept themselves away from each other.Lower castes were also not allowed to perform Upanayana Samskara. In this way restrictions were there on people to establish relations with people of other castes.

Question 11.
How caste provides social security?
Answer:
Caste provides social security to its members. Members of every caste are always ready to help the members of their castes. There was ho need for a person to be worried from any point of view because he was aware of the fact that caste will definitely help him if any need arises. Caste gives social security in two ways. Firstly it determines the social status of a person and secondly it protects the person from every type of problem.

Question 12.
Describe the functions of caste.
Answer:

• Caste determines the occupation of a person.
• Caste provides social security to a person.
• Caste gives mental security to a person.
• Caste maintains purity of the blood.
• Caste provides political stability to the country.
• Caste saves the technical knowledge.
• Caste determines the rules related to education.

Question 13.
Purity of blood.
Or
How caste maintains purity of blood?
Answer:
Caste is an endogamous group with which the purity of the blood can be maintained. There were very strict restrictions regarding marriage. No one was allowed to marry out of his own caste. That is why the marriages were performed only within the caste. If any one was trying to break this rule then he was generally thrown out of the caste. With this the purity of blood was maintained. No one was trying to marry out of his caste which helps in the maintenance of purity of blood.

Question 14.
Caste and Occupation efficiency.
Or
How caste brings efficiency in occupation?
Answer:
Occupation of every caste was fixed in caste system. These occupations were according to the family and lineage and were transmitted from generation to generation. Efficiency of occupation comes in every child due to his ancestral traits because he gets atmosphere of that occupation in the family in which he is born. In this way efficiency of occupation and specialization comes in a person automatically without getting education.

Question 15.
Untouchability.
Or
Caste gives rise to untouchability.
Or
Contribution of Caste in increasing untouchability.
Answer:
The reason of increasing untouchablity was the division of the caste system. A large portion of total population were considered as impure because the occupation adopted by them was known as impure. They were kept away from the society. They were not allowed to touch anyone. This restriction was known as untouchability. People of lower castes lived out of the village or the city. That is why many problems like poverty, illiteracy etc. came in our society. Even restrictions regarding relations and feeding were there with them.

Question 16.
Caste is a closed group.
Or
Is Caste a closed group?
Answer:
Yes, caste is a closed group. Meaning of closed group is that the membership is based on birth. Social status of a person was determined by that caste in which he was bom. Person can neither leave his caste nor can change his caste. Anyone cannot change his caste even if he has enough ability. Membership of caste was not based upon the ability and wish of the person but was based upon birth. In this way it is a closed group.

Question 17.
Give merits of Caste.
Or
Two merits of Caste.
Answer:

• Caste does division of labour.
• Caste maintains the social unity.
• Caste maintains the purity of blood.
• Caste makes the rules of education.
• Caste produces cooperation in society.
• Caste provides mental and social security to the person.

Question 18.
Caste hindrance in Social Unity.
Or
Caste hinders Social Mobility.
Answer:
It is right that the caste is a hindrance in social unity and social mobility. It is so because society has been divided in many segments. There are many restrictions in keeping mutual relations in different castes. That is why there was no feeling of love and sympathy in people of different castes. Every caste thinks only about its members. People of lower castes were exploited by the people of higher castes because of which hatredness comes in castes and the sense of casteism comes in front of us. In this way caste is a hindrance in social unity. No one can change his caste because of which it lacks social mobility.

Question 19.
Causes of change in Caste.
Or
Why is Caste changing?
Answer:

• Socio-religious movements.
• Efforts of Indian government and making of legislations.
• Contribution of Britishers towards change.
• Change in caste due to industrialization.
• Because of the spread of education.
• Because of development in the means of transport and communication.

Question 20.
Is Caste changing?
Or
Future of Caste.
Answer:
Yes, caste is changing. Now importance is laid on money instead of caste. The policy of reservation is being adopted in jobs for scheduled castes. Now person can adopt any occupation. Inter-caste marriages have been started. Many changes have taken place in the rules of feeding. Now elections are fought on the name of caste. In this way after looking at this we can say that the caste is changing.

Question 21.
Demerits of Caste.
Answer:

• Position of women is lower in caste system.
• Caste system increases untouchability.
• Caste system increases casteism.
• Caste system increases cultural conflict.
• Caste system is a hindrance in social unity and social mobility.
• Caste system produces hindrance in efficiency of the person.
• It is against the democratic values of the country.

Question 22.
Difference in caste and class.
Answer:

• Caste is based upon birth but class is based upon wealth and money.
• Caste cannot be changed but class can be changed.
• Caste is a closed system but class is an open system.
• Caste is against democratic system but class is according to the rules of democratic system.
• Caste is putting many restrictions on its members but there is no restriction in class system.
• There is no consciousness in caste but there is consciousness in differnt classes.

Question 23.
What do you mean by Inter-caste marriage?
Answer:
In ancient times, marriage out of the caste was not allowed. But there is no such restriction in modern times. When any person marries with the girl of other caste instead of his own caste then it is known as Inter-caste marriage.

Question 24.
Caste is Intra-marriage.
Or
Endogamy.
Or
Caste Endogamy.
Answer:
It is right that caste is Intra-marriage. It means that the person has to marry in his own caste. He is not allowed to marry out of his caste. If he marries out of his caste then he can be thrown out of his caste. It can help in maintaining purity of blood.

Question 25.
The Caste gives Social Structure.
Answer:
The whole society was divided in four segments in caste system. Every segment had its own social status and every segment had its predetermined traditional and hereditary occupations. No one was allowed to change his caste. Castes were restricted to make relation with other castes regarding marriage, feeding and keeping relations. In this way the whole society runs like an organisation or structure in caste system in which #11 the segments worked in their own way. In this way caste system gives social structure.

Question 26.
Give differences between caste and class.
Answer:

Class	Caste
1. Social status of a person is made with the individual ability of its members.	1. There is no place of individual ability in caste. Social status Is based upon birth.
2. Membership of class is based upon money, status etc.	2. Membership of caste is based upon birth.
3. Person in class has more freedom of doing anything.	3. There are many types of restrictions on the person regarding feeding, relations, marriage etc.
4. Very less mutual distance is there in class.	4. Different castes are very much far away from each other.
5. Class system is based upon the theory of Democracy.	5. Caste system is completely against the system of Democracy.
6. Any person can change his class with his individua ability.	6. Person cannot change his caste even if he has the ablity to do so.
7. Different persons are very much conscious about their class in class system.	7. There is no consciousness in caste system because no one can change his caste.

Question 27.
Power.
Answer:
Society is generally divided into classes and humans are given status and roles according to these classes. Each person has different status and role. This division of society into different classes is known as stratification. When a person gets any position in society while obeying his role and status then we can say that he has achieved the power. In- this way power is a proces of contract in which decisions are taken in relation to preferences.

Question 28.
Caste Panchayat.
Answer:
During ancient times, there were caste Panchayats in villages which used to decide on the matters of different castes. Generally elders of upper castes were their members. It was believed that these caste panchayats decided impartially but actually decisions were given after looking at the caste of an individual. If the crime was committed by the person of upper caste then he was given less punishment but if even small type of crime was committed accidently by a lower caste person then he was given quite a heavy punishment. These caste panchayats have been abolished by the Indian Constitution.

Long- Answer Type Questions:

Question 1.
What is Varna System? Explain its meaning.
Answer:
The mixture of materialism and spiritualism is the main feature of the Indian Hindu Culture. According to this, meeting with God is the biggest pleasure but the pleasures of the world cannot be ignored. So the Hindu Culture has generated a system to get the pleasures of the mixture of both. This is known as Varna system. The Varna system was an unseparated part of Hindu culture inspite of basic base of Hindu Social system. Therefore, the duties related to Varna were called Varna Dharma. The relations between person and society were described systematically. With this help a person gives his help to run a social organisation. The Varna system had divided Indian society into four different parts so that the social functions could function systematically.

Literal meaning of Varna is colour. During Vedic period the Indian society was divided into four groups or Varna. The work of Brahmins was to give education and perform religious activities, Kshatriya’s work was to protect society and to defend country, the work of Vaishya was trade and agriculture. The work of fourth Varna was to serve all the three classes. Similarly the colour was given to these groups as per their work. For example, white colour to Brahmin, red colour to Kshatriya, yellow colour to Vaishya and black colour to fourth Varna were given. The white colour was the symbol of purity, the red colour was the symbol of anger and bravery, the yellow colour was the symbol of life’s physical commodities like food, clothes etc. Such division was done to fulfil the desires of human beings. Inspite of Indian society, we can find such division of work also in other societies of the world.

Meaning of the Varna. According to literature the word Varna is taken from word Vari’ which means to ‘choose’. Varna relates to the selection of work. In the same way the people of same Varna have same profession. Varna also means colour which was given to different classes. The same colour indicates the function of that
Varna. According to Dr. Sharma, it was not possible for the people of the Vedic period that they could evaluate their physical features. So, the meaning of Varna cannot be the colour. Therefore, word Varna mainly was related to qualities and Karma. Similarly, the Varna system was a system which divided different persons as per their qualities and profession in different classes.

In Varna system, the aim of these four divisions of whole society was to attain salvation as per their fate Karma-Dharma and religion which is the main aim of every Hindu life. In Varna system the responsibilities were organised in a way that every person could attain salvation by doing these functions.

Another thought about Varna system comes in mind that we should make one system to make / keep social system stable and that is Varna system, so that people cannot interfere in each other’s functions. The Varna system defines the area of work of each Varna. When this work is done then the desire of social and personal development arises. On one side the Varna system inspires a person to perform his hereditary profession and reduces physical desires and on other side it inspires a person to get knowledge, power and enjoy his life.

In this way, Varna system was a system in which the functions of a person are divided according to his birth. It is hoped from a person that he will do this work for the whole life, so that the whole system that is social system can remain stable or it can work systematically.

Question 2.
Explain in detail about Varna System.
Or
Explain Varna System as the traditional basis of Indian society.
Or
Explain functions of all ‘Varnas’ in system of Varna. (Varna system)
Answer:
Varna System was the base of traditional Hindu society and social organisation. There were many theories for Varna system to come in existence such as fate, birth, colour and man. These theories show similarity in the functions of Varna’s. In the form of tradition, Indian society was divided in four divisions on the basis of work. Varnas are formed to organise the society. The functions of Varna were determined so that no conflict may occur. Some rules were formed to fulfil the functions. To obey these rules was compulsory for all. The functions of four Varnas are given below:

1. Functions of Brahmins. The Brahmins were considered the highest of all the Varnas. The main function of Brahmin Varna was to give education and knowledge. In Vedas, Brahmin was accepted as supreme member of the society. According to Bhagwat Geeta, the qualities of a Brahmin were purity, to tolerate pain for religion, to excuse and, purity of body. So he was given supreme functions. The main function of Brahmin was to perform “Yagya”, study of Vedas, education and to perform religious functions. All functions were considered incomplete without the presence of Brahmin. People used to give them charity. If they could not feed themselves on their profession, then they could adopt the profession of Kshatriya and Vaishya. The responsibilities of Brahmins were to educate society and perform all religious functions from birth to death.

2. Kshatriya’s Functions. In the Varna system the work of Kshatriya was to protect people and to defend the country. Word “Rajad” was used for the people of Kshatriya Varna in Rigveda which means ‘King’ or ‘Great’. Therefore this word was always used for ruling class of the state. It was considered that if a country is insecure then it cannot do progress. So, the main function of Kshatriya was to protect the society and to defend the country. According to Bhagwat Gita, the real duty of the Kshatriyas was to rule with bravery, zeal and patience. In society the Kshatriyas had second position. So, the work of Kshatriyas was to protect the society internally and defend the country externally.

3. Functions of Vaishya. The group of persons which was related to economic activities of the society was called Vaishya. First of all the word Vaishya is used in Rigveda. According to Manu Samriti, the functions of Vaishya were to protect the animals, give charity, perform yagya, study, trade, take interest by lending money, do agriculture, rear animals and do sale and purchase business. They could perform the works of others also as per needs.

4. Functions of Fourth Varna. A group was established for the service of all three Varnas which is fourth Varna. According to religious books the main duty of this Varna was to serve the other three Varnas-Brahmin, Kshatriya and Vaishyas. This Varna was considered the lowest of all Varnas in the society. So, they were not given any economic, religious and social rights. They were not allowed to read and listen to Vedas’. Later on they were allowed to do the functions like art, agriculture and carpentery. This system had an important place in Hindu Social organisation. Traditionally this system was the base of Indian Society. There’is no evidence in the History that the Varnas were based on birth and fate. According to all religious scriptures, the Varna system was based on the traits and professions of a person, not on birth.

Question 3.
Explain the main features of Varna System.
Or
Explain the importance of Varna System.
Or
Explain the significance of Varna System in Indian Society.
Answer:
Varna system was established in Indian social system so that the Indian society could be administered smoothly. To run this society efficiently, the society was divided in four different parts. Function of every part was kept different so that no tension would come in the distribution of occupations. Main features and importance of Varna system is given below:

1. Division of Labour. The function of every Varna was determined in Varna system so that all of the social needs of humans could be fulfilled. That’s why function of every Varna was determined. In this every person does his determined work and contributes towards the progress of society. Brahmins were given the function of education, Kshatriyas were given the function of security, Vaishya’s function was of business and fourth Varna was given the function to give service to higher three Varnas. In this way division of labour occurs in Varna System.

2. It is based upon Traits and Nature. Some persons are of the view that the Varna System is based upon birth and person had to adopt the occupation of that Varna in which he was born. But if we look at the ancient scriptures then we come to know that it was not based upon birth. In earlier times it was based upon personal traits and nature of the person. But with the passage of time it became rigid and instead of based upon traits it became based upon birth.

3. Stress on Theory of Karma. This system gives stress on the theory of Karma that person will adopt the traditional occupation of that Varna in which he was born and will live his whole life while doing that work. With this the person was also told about the concept of recarnation or rebirth that if he will perform his duties in a proper way then he will get the next birth in the high Varna. With this the people started to perform their duties in an efficient manner and became satisfied with their respective positions.

4. Division of Rights and Duties. Every Varna in Varna system has been given some duties and rights. In this, the status of Brahmins is highest and that’s why their rights are also more than others. Duties of every one are determined in it and the duties of all are useful for the society. This system will shatter in the absence of one. Rights are also determined in it. That’s why definite levels were fixed in all Varnas and their higher or lower status was determined in society.

5. Determination of Occupation. Occupations of every Varna in Varna system are pre-determined and traditional and every person has to adopt the occupation of his Varna. Advantage of this system is that there is no need for person to move here and there to earn money because his occupation is already determined by birth.
In this way we can say that Varna system was of great importance in society and Karma System also came into being due to this.

Question 4.
Give features of caste system as given by G.S. Ghurye.
Answer:
Ghurye has given features of caste sytem which are more acceptable:

• Segmental division of society
• Hierarchy
• Restrictions on feeding and social intercourse .
• Civil and religious disabilities and privileges of various castes.
• Lack of unrestricted choice of occupation
• Restriction on marriage.

Now we will see these features in detail:

1. Segmental division of society. Caste system divides the Hindu society in many parts in which it determines or fixes the status, position and functions of the members of every part. That is why members of any specific group are conscious about their position and because of which they think themselves as unbreakable part of that group. The area of interaction of members of one caste is limited to its own caste because of this division of society in parts. Every caste has its own ways of living, traditions, values etc. Generally members of one caste interact with the members of its own caste. In this way according to Ghuriye one caste is a social unit in which person lives his whole life.

2. Hierarchy. In most parts of India, Brahmin varna has got the highest status. We can see a definite hierarchy in caste system in which all castes are kept in a definite hierarchy. In this system the status of highest and lowest caste is definitely determined but there is some unclarity between the middle caste.

3. Restrictions on feeding and social intercourse. There are some definite and detailed rules in caste system which tell us that with which caste a person can keep social relations and with which caste he can keep relations of feeding. Whole food has been divided in two categories of ‘Kacha Food’ and ‘Pakka Food’. We need water to cook ‘Kacha Food’ and we need oil to cook Pakka Food. There are a number of restrictions in giving and taking food of different castes.

4. Civil and religious disabilities and privileges of various castes. Different castes have special civil and religious disabilities. In ancient times impure castes were kept out of the limit of the village. There were restrictions on social intercourse with impure castes. They were restricted to go to the temples of higher castes, they were restricted to take water from the wells. They were restricted to read religious books. Children of lower castes were restricted to get education. Higher castes had special privileges over lower castes.

5. Lack of unrestricted choice of occupation. According to the rules of caste system, some castes had traditional occupations. Members of the caste had to adopt the traditional occupation. But some occupations like trade, agriculture, job etc. were free to be done by anyone. But still with that a number of castes had definite occupations like carpenter, blacksmith, potter etc.

6. Restrictions on marriage. Castes were again divided into sub-castes. These sub-castes were restricting its members to marry out of their group. The characteristic of caste is that it is an endogamous group. Person has to marry in his own sub-caste. If any one was breaking this rule then he was generally thrown out of his caste.

Question 5.
Give features of Caste System.
Or
Write a detailed note on the main characteristics of caste system.
Or
Explain the characteristics of caste.
Answer:
Caste is a group whose membership is based on birth. Person cannot leave his caste until he is not thrown out of his caste. Caste is a closed group. It means no one can marry out of his caste and there are restrictions on living in it. Caste system has certain characteristics which are given below:

1. Membership is based on birth. Membership of caste is based upon birth and no one can fix his caste with his own wish. One cannot change his caste even if he has the ability to do so. Is this way membership of caste is based upon birth, not on the ability of an individual.

2. Restrictions on social relations. In earlier times, whole of the society was divided into different castes and their status was pre-determined. There were a number of restrictions regarding keeping relations with other castes. People of upper castes were keeping relations only with upper castes. They were not allowed to keep relations with lower castes.

3. Restrictions on Eatables. Few clear rules are there in the caste system which tells that with which caste one has to keep feeding relations or not. Whole of the food was divided into two categories and these were Kachha food and Pakka food. Water was used to make Kachha Food and oil was used to cook Pakka food. There was a general rule that one never eats the Kachha food unless it is made by the member of his own caste or the food must be made by the Brahmin or his Guru. That’s why most of the castes accepted the food given by Brahmins. But Brahmins never accepted Kachha food made by any one of the other caste. Pakka food was accepted only by a specific caste. In this way restriction on feeding was one of the major features of caste system.

4. Restriction on occupation. According to the rules of caste system, castes had their specific traditional occupations. Person had to adopt the occupation of his own caste even if the other occupations were more profitable. Man had no choice except adopting his caste’s occupation. But some occupations were free to be adopted by any one like trade, agriculture, job in military etc. Even many castes were free to adopt any occupation but many castes used to do their traditional functions like carpenter, blacksmith, barber, potter etc. Main function of Brahmins was to give education and to perform religious rites, function of Kshatriya was to protect the country, function of Vaishyas was to do agriculture and trade and lower castes used to serve the higher castes. They had to perform their traditional functions.

5. Restrictions on marriage. Caste system was again divided and different
castes were divided into sub castes. These sub castes used to restrict their members to marry out of their group. Endogamy is the important feature of caste system. It means to marry in the group. Yet in some specific .conditions, there were some relaxations. But generally they had to marry in their own caste. If anyone was breaking this rule then he was generally thrown out of his caste and was restricted to enter any other caste. In this way everyone used to marry in his own caste or sub-caste. ”

6. Segmental division of society. Hindu society was divided into many parts by caste system and the status, place and function of every part were determined by it. That is why members had some consciousness of being members of a group and used to think themselves as the unavoidable and unbreakable part of the group. Because of this segmental division of society the area of interaction for a person was generally restricted to his own caste. Panchayat was free to give punishment to the person who will break the rules of caste. Different castes had different traditions and ways of living. People of one caste were generally interacting with the persons of their own caste.

7. Restrictions related with caste. Restrictions related with caste are given below:

• Person had to adopt the occupation of his own caste.
• He had to obey the restrictions related to feeding.
• He had to marry in his own caste.
• Lower castes were forbidden to get education and to enter the temple.
• Lower castes were also restricted to touch anyone and to take water from the wells.

9. Each caste consists of many sub-castes. In India, there are about 3000 castes. Again every caste is divided further into many sub-castes. Persons have to work according to these sub-castes. Every person has to marry in his own sub-caste.

10. Endogamy. There were strict restrictions related to marriage. A person was not allowed to marry out of his caste but he had to marry in his own sub-caste. If anyone was breaking this rule then he was generally thrown out of his caste. Anulom marriage was also allowed to a certain extent. That is why boy of higher caste used to marry girl of lower caste. So endogamy was the main base of caste system. Even after doing different functions different castes were dependent upon each other because the occupation of every caste was definite. Members of every caste were dependent upon the members of other castes to fulfil their needs. From economic point of view, position of higher castes was better and lower castes were very much suppressed by high castes. That is why their economic condition was not good.

Question 6.
What are the merits and demerits of caste system?
Or
Write a note on advantages and disadvantages of caste system.
Or
Discuss merits and demerits of caste system.
Answer:
Caste is that’group in itself which has played an important role in the Hindu society and in India. The functions which caste system has done for Indian society, all the other social organizations are jointly unable to do that much work for Indian Society. In this way we can see that caste system has many merits and advantages. But with these advantages there are certain disadvantages also of caste system. All these advantages and disadvantages are’ given below

Merits or Advantages of Caste System:

1. It gives Social Security. The biggest advantage of caste is that it provides social security to its members. Members of one caste are always ready to give help to other members of the caste. That is why there is no need to worry to’ anyone because he knows that if any problem comes on him then his caste will definitely give him help. Caste system determines social status of man and reduces the possibility of competition.

2. Fixation of Occupation. Another characteristic of caste system is that it determines the occupation or function for the person. This occupation is according to his family and is transmitted from one generation to another generation. Occupational qualities come automatically in the child of the family. In this way specialization comes in the person without any formal education. Except this it also reduces the competition of occupation in society and provides economic security. In this way it is an important advantage of caste system,

3. Purity of Blood. Caste System is an endogamous group. The meaning of endogamy is that man has to marry in his own caste and if any one was trying to break this rule then he was forced to leave the caste. Advantage of this thing is that it stops the blood of other castes to come in their caste and it maintains the purity of blood. In this way its advantage is that it helps in maintaining purity of blood.

4. Division of Labour. Another important advantage of caste system is that it produces feeling of love and dedication among humans towards their duties. Humans with lower duties were doing their functions properly. Caste system fills one feeling within its members that every person has got his function according to the deeds of his previous birth and if he does good deeds in this birth then he will get next birth in higher caste. It reduced the sense of hatred towards their functions and toward others. With this people did their functions properly. Caste system has divided the society in four varnas. Everyone knows about its functions properly. All of them do their functions properly and transmit their trade secrets to their next generations. In this stability is maintained in the society towards their functions and it helps in increasing division of labour and specialisation.

5. To make Rules of Education. Another important merit of caste system is that it has made definite rules regarding getting education and has made religion as the base of education. Education helps the person in learning self control, knowledge about occupation and to live in discipline. Education also gives knowledge about daily routine and occupation. Caste system determines that who will get education and which rule he has to obey. In this way caste system arranges the education for person according to the social status of his caste.

6. It maintains Social Unity. Another merit of caste system was that it kept the Indian society in unity. Caste system has divided the whole society in four parts and has given different functions to different parts. The way in which everyone has different functions in division of labour, in that same way caste system has produced division of labour in society. These different parts do different functions but help each other and fulfill each other’s needs. In this way .even after this division, they are tied in the thread of unity.

7. It gives Mental Security. The caste gives mental security to its members.
From the rules of caste, every person comes to know that which occupation he has to adopt, in which group he has to marry and perform religious customs and with which groups he has to establish social relations. In this way when a person is free from these burdens then he feels secured himself mentally.

8. Carrier of Culture. Caste system is the carrier of culture. Caste system helps in transmitting culture of one caste from one generation to another generation. Every caste has some rules related to eating, money, wearing, relations etc. and these rules are transmitted to another generation by caste system so that it can be preserved. In this way caste system regulates the social behaviour according to cultural rules.

9. Co-operation in Society. Caste system has established such a system in a society that people from different background are working with each other for the welfare of the society. With the help of caste system even foreigners were mixed in Hindu Society. So it increases co-operation in society.

10. Security of Hindu Society. Many foreign invaders had invaded India. First of all tribes of Central Asia, then Muslims, Mughals, Britishers came to India and ruled over it. If caste system would not have been there then Hindu society might have mixed in any one of these societies. But caste system has prevented this. Caste system is an endogamous system in which marriage out of its caste is restricted and a number of restrictions were there regarding feeding and social intercourse. That is why there were very less relations of Hindu society with foreigners and they were saved from mixing in them. In this way caste system has saved the Hindu society.

Demerits or Disadvantages of Caste System:

Yet a number of merits exist of the caste system and it has played an important role in keeping social unity but still it has produced a number of problems and evils in society which are given below:
1. Low Status of Women. The main reason of low status of women is caste
system. Because of controls of caste system, the position of Hindu women was not more than a maid in the family. Because caste is an endogamous group, that is why to find a match for their children in their own caste, they advocated the child marriage. It has resulted in polygamy. Kuleen Vivaha has also produced many evils, in society like polygamy, dowry system. Females used to work only in the house. The^ had no rights. In this way the main reason behind all the problems of women? vias caste system. Even it has not given the permission of widow remarriage ancFfemale was a server for the family only. .

2. Untouchability. Problem of untouchability came into being because 6f division of society by caste system. A big portion of total population was made untouchable and they were generally disgraced by the higher castes because their function was known as non-sacred. Their position was even less than servants. They were restricted in many ways. They were not allowed to take part in economic sector. In this way a large portion of population was just like a burden on society. That is why poverty came in society. It produced the sense of hatred in society and the problem of casteism came into being.

3. Casteism. With caste system, our thinking has been shrinked. Too much dependence upon caste related to marriage, occupation, social relations etc. increased the sense of casteism among people. It has increased th’e sense of prestige and hatred among people. It has increased the social and physical farness among the people. Because of this we have to face the problem of casteism. People only think about their caste.

4. Cultural Conflict. There are many restrictions in the relations of different castes and because of this every caste is a closed group which has ita own ways of living. This differentiation has given birth to cultural conflict. Different pastes have been divided in different cultural groups. We can see a number of conflicts in these groups. Higher castes think that their culture is superior and that is why they keep themselves away from other castes.

5. It Stops Social Mobility. Distribution of status in caste system depends upon birth. No one can change this with his ability. Every member knows that he cannot change or improve his position. This system never motivates to do hard work because person knows that he cannot change his position even with hard work. It is an obstacle in economic progress. People cannot invent anything even if they have ability to do so because people have to adopt their traditional occupation. Many occupations are running at very less pace because of caste system.

6. It Stops Efficiency Among Persons. The main reason of people lacking in efficiency is that they are under the control of caste and caste system. All the members of all the castes are not working by coordinating with each other instead they try to create obstacles in the way of other caste. Their occupation is hereditary and even if they don’t have any ability to do that work, they have to adopt their ancestral occupation. It reduces efficiency in persons.

7. Caste System and Democracy. Caste system is against the modern democratic system. Equality, freedom and social consciousness are the three bases of democracy but caste system is against these three bases. It is based upon inequality. Caste orders the person to live according to the life of caste which is totally against the democratic rules. Lower castes were restricted in many ways and they were unable to use their ability.

8. Hindrance to Social Unity. Caste system has divided our society in different segments and a system of hierarchy exists in these segments. There was strict restriction in establishing social contacts with other castes. Concept of sacred and non-sacredness exist in it. Person from higher caste was restricted to keep contacts with the persons of lower castes. In this way person has to keep contacts with the members of his own caste. Members of one caste were helping each other. In this way their mutual relations were of hatred. Caste system has divided the whole Indian society. It has increased dangers to national security. In this way the relations among people were of hatred and conflict. So caste system is not in favour of national unity. This is the main disadvantage of caste system.

9. Hindrance to Individual Personality. Caste system has produced obstacles in the development of individual. Sometimes people were not interested in their traditional occupation but they were forced to do so. This situation increases the mental tension. Individual have many traits but he cannot show his traits and caste becomes an obstacle in this. Children of one parents don’t have same capabilities but still they have to adopt their traditional occupation. In this way it hinders the individual personality. ”
In short we can say that caste system has produced relations of hatred among members of different castes. So it is necessary to remove these problems so that our country should be able to develop like Western Countries.

Question 7.
Why are changes coming in Caste System?
Or
Is Caste System changing into Class System? What are the factors responsible for the change?
Answer:
Yes, Caste system changes into Class system. Like all other institutions, a number of changes are coming in caste system. Actually caste system was not there in Vedic age but caste system came into being because of division of labour. Slowly and slowly it was extended in such a way that different castes were gone far away from each other. Many invaders invaded India and caste system put restrictions on its members on social intercourse with foreigners with which caste system became more strict. With this caste became a closed group. After 19th century a number of changes came in Indian society and these changes have affected a lot the caste system and with which its effect has been reduced. These changes did not come at once. Many reasons have contributed towards changes which are given below:

1. Socio-Religious Reforms Movements. Even before the advent of British empire many religious movements had criticised the caste system. Buddhism, Jainism, Islam and Sikhism had criticised caste system. Gautam Buddha had criticised caste system 2500 years back. Except this Islam and later on Sikhism also criticised caste system. In 19th century many social reformers had started movements against this. Some of these movements were Brahmo Samaj by Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Arya Samaj by Dayanand Saraswati, Rama Krishna Mission etc. were important. Except these Jyoti Ba Phule established Satya Shodhan Samaj in 1873 whose main aim was to provide equality to every person. Mahatma Gandhi and B.R. Ambedkar also criticised the caste system.

2. Efforts of Indian Government. Under the British empire and after independence many important laws were passed by government which contributed towards weakening of caste system. Caste and rural panchayats were very powerful before British rule. These panchayats had the rights to give punishment to criminals. During British empire One Law i.e. ‘Caste Disabilities Removal Act, 1850’ was passed which has weakened the Caste Panchayats. In this way ‘Special Marriage Act, 1872’ gave approval to the marriage of different castes. After independence a number of laws like Untouchability Offences Act, 1955 and Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 also weakened the caste system. In 1949 Hindu Marriage Validation Act was passed in which legal sanction was given to inter-caste marriage.

3. Contribution of the Britishers. A comprehensive opposition against caste system was started during the British reign. The British had applied the rule of equality in front of_ law. Rights from caste based Panchayats were taken back. Educational system of the British was secular. Government jobs were open to everyone. The British started modern industries, rails, buses etc. which was a strong slap on the face of caste system. All the people jointly worked in the industries and travelled in rails and buses with each other which resulted in the establishment of contacts between different castes.

4. Industrialization. Industrialization played an important role in bringing change in caste system. It increased the importance of ability of the person. Importance of materialism has also been increased. People came out of their houses to go to job. Everyone started to work in industries. In industries no one asks for anyone’s caste but they look to each other’s abilities. Lower castes have also got higher status with their hard work.

5. Modern Education. Modern education has also put a great effect on caste system. In ancient Hindu Society, education was confined only for higher castes and education was also based upon religion. But with the advent of Britishers, a rule of equality was started by Britishers. Then educational institutions were opened for everyone. Western Education was started instead of religious education. Boys and girls both started to get education. In this way modern educational system started to give importance to individual’s abilities instead of any one’s caste. With this inter-caste relations started to establish. After independence Indian Constitution also started to apply democratic values which was a great setback to caste system.

6. Urbanization. Urbanization was also developed with industrialization because people came out of their house for work. Urban features like more density of population, individual’s feelings, social mobility, more occupations etc. have weakened the caste system. People live with each other in big cities. Feeling of assimilation of higher and lower caste was increased. The individual abilities started to control the society. Man has to achieve status in society. Difference on the basis of gender in cities was decreased. Males and females started to work together. In this way females came out of the four walls of houses and started to work in offices. They became economically independent. Urbanization has increased the mutual contacts between different castes which resulted in exogamy instead of endogamy.

7. Importance of Money. Caste System started to weaken due to an increase in materialistic approach of the people. People get status due to money in society. Every one gives respect to rich persons irrespective of his caste. In Modem Society person works only for the sake of his profit. Every one tries to earn more and more money. It increases the importance of individuals’ abilities. In this way the importance of money has been increased and the importance of caste system has been reduced.

8. Formation of New Social Groups. People doing different jobs have made their new groups like Trade Unions. People from different castes and groups are included in these groups and their aim is to protect their interests. With this people of different castes come-closer to each other and start to co-operate with others. With this class consciousness comes into being instead of caste consciousness.