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Processes of Social Change in India: NBSE Class 12 Sociology
Get summary, textual answers, solutions, notes, extras, PDF to NBSE Class 12 (Arts) Sociology Chapter/unit 6 Processes of Social Change in India. However, the educational materials should only be used for reference and students are encouraged to make necessary changes.
If you notice any errors in the notes, please mention them in the comments
Introduction
The chapter discusses various sociocultural processes in India, including urbanisation, modernisation, sanskritisation, westernisation, and secularisation. Urbanisation, the process of people moving to towns and cities, is a result of industrialisation and the development of services. In Nagaland, most towns do not have industries but offer services like administration and education. Urbanisation has led to changes in family structure, caste system, and increased spatial mobility. However, it has also resulted in problems like overcrowding, slums, and environmental pollution. Modernisation, a process of social change, depends on the introduction of technology and the knowledge required to use it, along with prerequisites like increased levels of education, development of mass media, transport and communication, democratic political institutions, declining public influence of religion, and complex division of labour.
Sanskritisation is a process by which a low Hindu caste or tribal group changes its customs, rituals, ideology, and way of life in the direction of a high, frequently twice-born caste. Westernisation refers to the changes brought about in Indian society and culture as a result of over 150 years of British rule, encompassing changes in technology, institutions, ideology, and values. Secularisation is the process through which the influence and importance of religion declines in public affairs. The impact of secularisation can be seen in every aspect of personal and social life, affecting the caste system, family, and village community.
Textual questions and answers
Very short answer questions
1. What is social change?
Answer: Social change means any difference in society observed over a period of time. Social change is a process because it involves a series of events over a period of time. It implies both continuity and difference.
2. What are the two major dimensions of social change?
Answer: As a process, social change has two major dimensions, namely, i) nature or content of change and ii) direction or the line in which it is moving.
3. What is meant by structural change?
Answer: Structural processes of social change are changes in structural realities. A structural reality or social structure is the network of social relationships. For example, a change from joint family to a nuclear family is a structural change because it is a change in the structure of the family.
4. What are cultural processes of change?
Answer: Cultural processes of social change are changes in the culture of society. Culture is a complex reality and includes ideas, values, beliefs, customs and traditions. Change in any of the elements of culture is a cultural change. For example, change in social customs and practices, such as language, religious practices, are cultural changes.
5. What is meant by social mobility?
Answer: Social mobility refers to the transition of individuals or groups between different social ranks or positions.
6. What is industrialisation?
Answer: Industrialisation is the process of advancement from domestic production using simple tools to factory production using technology. Industrialisation is thus a change in the industrial structure. Sociologically, the process of industrialisation implies a process of economic and social changes.
7. What is urbanisation?
Answer: Urbanisation is the process by which people start living in towns and cities instead of living in villages. Towns and cities are also known as urban centres. Urbanisation is the result of industrialisation and the development of services.
8. What is urbanism?
Answer: According to Louis Wirth, urbanism is the special way of life or social life found in an urban centre. It is characterised by formal and impersonal social relationships, complex division of labour which is contractual in nature.
9. Name two problems of urbanisation.
Answer: The following are two of the problems found in urban centres in India:
Overcrowding and High Population Density: In 1991, the density of population in urban centres was around 3,500 persons per square kilometer. This has resulted in poor housing, high rents, insufficient water supply, poor power supply, and poor transport and other services.
Slums: Slums are a major problem. A slum is an area of over-aged, neglected houses where people live in poverty without minimum civic facilities like water and power supply. The larger cities have bigger slums. It is estimated that more than 45 million people live in slums in India.
10. What does CNG stands for?
Answer: Compressed Natural Gas.
11. Who is the author of “Modernisation of Indian Tradition”?
Answer: Yogendra Singh.
12. What do you understand by cultural process of change?
Answer: Cultural processes of social change are changes in the culture of society. Culture is a complex reality and includes ideas, values, beliefs, customs and traditions. Change in any of the elements of culture is a cultural change. For example, change in social customs and practices, such as language, religious practices, are cultural changes.
13. What is meant by sanskritisation?
Answer: Sanskritisation is a process by which a low Hindu caste or tribal or other group changes its customs, rituals, ideology and way of life in the direction of a high, frequently twice born caste’. In the process of Sanskritisation, a low caste adopts some practices of an upper caste. At the same time the lower caste gives up some of its traditional practices which are considered impure such as eating meat and consumption of alcohol.
14. Who coined the term ‘Sanskritisation”?
Answer: M.N. Srinivas.
15. What is ‘Brahmanisation’?
Answer: The process of Sanskritisation, initially, Srinivas called ‘Brahmanisation’ because he found that the low caste was adopting the practices of Brahmin caste. Such practices were vegetarianism, teetotalism, and prohibition of animal sacrifices.
16. Who popularized the word westernisation in Indian sociology?
Answer: The term ‘Westernisation’ was popularised by M.N. Srinivas to describe the Western impact on Indian culture.
17. Who wrote the book “Social Change in Modern India”?
Answer: M.N. Srinivas wrote the book “Social Change in Modern India”.
18. What is meant by westernization?
Answer: Westernisation refers to the changes brought about in Indian society and culture as a result of over 150 years of British rule, and the term subsumes changes occurring in technology, institutions, ideology and values.
19. What is humanitarianism?’
Answer: Humanitarianism means the concern for the welfare of all human beings, irrespective of caste, economic position, religion and gender. It implies the notions of equality, freedom and secularism.
20. What is meant by secularisation?
Answer: Secularisation is the process through which the influence and importance of religion declines in public affairs. Religion is replaced by rational and scientific explanations of facts and events. Importance of religion in social life also decreases.
Short answer questions
1. Differentiate between industrialisation and urbanisation.
Answer: Industrialisation and urbanisation are interconnected processes, but they are not the same. Industrialisation refers to the process by which industries are formed and expanded in a country or a region. It often leads to the development of new occupations that are not caste-based and the rise of new classes like industrial workers and professional classes.
On the other hand, urbanisation is the process by which people start living in towns and cities instead of living in villages. It is the result of industrialisation and the development of services. An important feature of urban centres is the dominance of non-agricultural occupations. These occupations may be in the manufacturing sector (industry) or the service sector (administration, education, and other services)
2. Distinguish between urbanisation and urbanism.
Answer: Urbanisation and urbanism are related but distinct concepts. Urbanisation refers to the process by which people start living in towns and cities instead of villages. It is often the result of industrialisation and the development of services.
Urbanism, according to Louis Wirth, is the special way of life or social life found in an urban centre. It is characterised by formal and impersonal social relationships, complex division of labour which is contractual in nature
3. What are the problems of urbanization?
Answer: Urbanisation in India has led to several problems. These include:
Overcrowding and High Population Density: In 1991, the density of population in urban centres was around 3,500 persons per square kilometer. This has resulted in poor housing, high rents, insufficient water supply, poor power supply, and poor transport and other services.
Slums: Slums are a major problem. A slum is an area of over-aged, neglected houses where people live in poverty without minimum civic facilities like water and power supply. The larger cities have bigger slums. It is estimated that more than 45 million people live in slums in India.
Environmental Pollution: Environmental pollution is a serious problem in Indian cities. Water pollution is caused by industrial effluents, sewage, and garbage discharging into nearby rivers. Atmospheric pollution is caused by smoke and gases from factories and emissions from vehicles. Environmental pollution causes various diseases and disorders.
4. Give the meaning of modernisation as a process of structural change.
Answer: As a process of structural change, modernisation is the structural transformation of a society in economy, polity, and social institutions. It involves a change in values and attitudes, encompassing values and norms that are universal in nature. According to Yogendra Singh, modernisation implies a rational attitude towards issues and their evaluation from a universal point of view. It also involves a commitment to a scientific world view and humanistic ideas.
5. What is modernisation?
Answer: Modernisation is understood as a change from tradition to modernity. There are two views about this change. According to one view, every society follows the same path in the process of change from tradition to modernity. Therefore, the developing countries will go through the same process as the present developed countries. Others hold the view that different societies follow different paths in their change from tradition to modernity.
6. Distinguish between ‘westernisation’ and ‘modernisation’.
Answer: Westernisation refers to the changes brought about in Indian society and culture as a result of over 150 years of British rule, and the term subsumes changes occurring in technology, institutions, ideology and values.
On the other hand modernization is the process of change which takes a country from underdevelopment to development.
7. What are some of the social and political prerequisites of modernisation?
Answer: The social and political prerequisites of modernisation include the adoption of democracy based on universal adult franchise, legislation on the family and caste, and economic planning for development.
8. Who is a dominant caste in Indian society?
Answer: A dominant caste in Indian society is one that owns a sizeable amount of land, has large numbers in the region, and has a relatively high ritual status in the caste hierarchy. A dominant caste serves as a model for Sanskritisation in its region.
9. Give some reasons why Srinivas prefers the term ‘Sanskritisation’ to ‘Brahmanisation’.
Answer: Srinivas preferred the term ‘Sanskritisation’ to ‘Brahmanisation’ because he found that some low castes adopted the practices of other twice born castes like the Kshatriyas, not just the practices of the Brahmin caste. Therefore, he felt that ‘Sanskritisation’, which refers to the adoption of practices of a high, frequently twice born caste, was a more accurate term.
10. What are the factors responsible for the process of westernization?
Answer: Several factors led to the process of westernisation. These include:
- Industrialisation and the development of the modern means of transport and communication like railway, post and telegraph.
- Urbanisation or the growth of towns and cities.
- New systems of land settlement and revenue like the Zamindari, Ryotwari and Mahalwari systems, the introduction of land surveys and land records.
- The establishment of modern army and police force and the judicial system.
- The introduction of English education was an important factor because it brought Western ideas and made education open to all who could afford it.
- The introduction of the printing press facilitated the publication of books and magazines which led to spread of Western ideas.
11. Mention some of the factors that promoted secularization in India.
Answer: Factors that promoted secularization in India include:
- Industrialisation, development of transport and communication and urbanisation that led to spatial mobility and migration from villages.
- Modern education, especially science education leading to new ideas and values.
- The freedom movements and movement against untouchability and other social evils.
- After Independence the establishment of the secular state with democracy, freedom of religion and equality.
12. Mention three aspects of life affected by secularization.
Answer: Three aspects of life affected by secularization are:
- In the caste system, ideas of purity and pollution have changed.
- In the family, the importance of religion has decreased.
- In the village community, among the weaker sections, the traditional practice of surrender before fate has been replaced by an attitude of defiance.
13.Distinguish between structural process and cultural process of social change with examples.
Answer: Structural processes of social change are changes in structural realities, such as a change from joint family to a nuclear family, which is a structural change because it is a change in the structure of the family. On the other hand, cultural processes of social change are changes in the culture of society. For example, change in social customs and practices, such as language, religious practices, are cultural changes.
14. Differentiate between industrialization and urbanization.
Answer: Industrialisation is the process of advancement from domestic production using simple tools to factory production using technology. It implies a process of economic and social changes. On the other hand, urbanisation is the process by which people start living in towns and cities instead of living in villages. It is the result of industrialisation and the development of services. An important feature of urban centres is the dominance of non-agricultural occupations.
Essay type questions
1. Explain the social and the economic consequences of industrialisation in India.
Answer: Industrialisation has brought about extensive change in Indian society. Some of the social consequences of industrialisation in India include:
Changes in Economy: Production of economic goods has been brought substantially to the factory. This has led to an elaborate division of labour, specialisation of tasks and the growth of the class of industrial workers. Industrialisation has also affected agricultural practices and land relations.
Changes in the Family Structure: The family is no more the unit of production. Women are increasingly employed in firms (offices) and factories. Because of their employment outside the family, the status of women has changed. Industrialisation has led to the dispersal of the members of the joint family employed in different places away from the village. This has led to the emergence of the nuclear family. The functions of the family have changed.
Changes in Spatial Mobility: The development of transport and communication has greatly increased the movement of the people or spatial mobility. This has led to rural-urban migration and the migration of skilled labour.
Changes in Social Stratification: Changes have taken place in the caste system. Because of new occupations, a separation of occupations from caste has taken place. The new occupations are not caste based. Many occupations have become ‘caste free’. These changes are seen in the present inter-caste power structure. There has also been the rise of new classes like the industrial workers and the professional classes.
The economic consequences of industrialisation in India are primarily seen in the changes in the economy. Production of economic goods has been brought substantially to the factory. This has led to an elaborate division of labour, specialisation of tasks and the growth of the class of industrial workers. Industrialisation has also affected agricultural practices and land relations.
2. Discuss briefly the problems found in urban areas.
Answer: Some of the problems found in urban centres in India include:
Overcrowding and High Population Density: In 1991, the density of population in urban centres was around 3,500 persons per square kilometer. This has resulted in poor housing, high rents, insufficient water supply, poor power supply, and poor transport and other services.
Slums: Slums are a major problem. A slum is an area of over-aged, neglected houses where people live in poverty without minimum civic facilities like water and power supply. The larger cities have bigger slums. It is estimated that more than 45 million people live in slums in India.
Environmental Pollution: Environmental pollution is a serious problem in Indian cities. Water pollution is caused by industrial effluents, sewage and garbage discharging into nearby rivers. Atmospheric pollution is caused by smoke and gases from factories and emissions from vehicles. Environmental pollution causes various diseases and disorders. Some of the measures adopted are the Supreme Court Order for the closure of polluting industries in Delhi and the use of non-polluting Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) in vehicles (rickshaws and buses).
3. Discuss the impact of urbanisation on Indian society.
Answer: Urbanisation has had several impacts on Indian society:
Changes in the Family: Urbanisation has altered the structure of the joint family and the nuclear family has become more common. The division of domestic duties between the husband and wife has changed and their relationships are more egalitarian. Functions of the family have changed. The nature of love and affection in interpersonal relationships has changed. Traditional family norms are relaxed and members have greater freedom. Kinship has become weak and an urban child has no kinsmen or women to take care of him. Sentiments towards kinsmen and other relatives have changed. Kinship obligations have decreased. Thus, the urban family differs very much from the rural family.
Changes in the Caste System: Caste identity of a person has become weak because people of different castes interact among themselves. Caste norms are not observed in commensal relations. Inter-caste marriages are accepted, but they are not common. Caste as the basis of ascribed status has changed. In its place, occupation, wealth and education are becoming the basis of social status. Thus, achieved status is becoming important. Thus, the urban way of life has made people think more as individuals than as members of a particular caste.
4. What is modernisation? Explain the process of modernisation in the colonial period.
Answer: Modernisation is a concept that was first used as an explanation of the changes that took place in Britain and United States because of economic development through capitalism.
Modernisation depends primarily on the introduction of technology and the knowledge required to use it. But this is possible only when some social and political prerequisites are present. Some of these prerequisites are:
- Increased levels of education
- Development of mass media
- Development of transport and communication
- Democratic political institutions
- Declining public influence of religion
- Complex division of labour, and so on.
The process of modernisation in the colonial period in India began after the establishment of the British rule. The British introduced new arrangements in administrative, legal, educational and agrarian domains. Most of these led to structural modernisation. These created a network of structures and culture that had an all-India appeal. But the local regional structures of family, caste and village community remained unaffected.
5. Explain the process/phases of modernization in India.
Answer: modernisation in India has two phases:
Colonial Phase or Period of Modernisation: The British introduced new arrangements in administrative, legal, educational and agrarian domains. Most of these led to structural modernisation. These created a network of structures and culture that had an all-India appeal. But the local regional structures of family, caste and village community remained unaffected.
Post-Colonial Phase or the Period after Independence: Modernisation underwent fundamental changes after Independence. Every domain of social system is under the active influence of modernisation. The adoption of democracy based on universal adult franchise, legislation on the family and caste, and economic planning for development are some of the factors of modernisation.
6. Explain the process of sanskritisation.
Answer: Sanskritisation is a process by which a low Hindu caste or tribal or other group changes its customs, rituals, ideology and way of life in the direction of a high, frequently twice born caste. In the process of Sanskritisation, a low caste adopts some practices of an upper caste. At the same time the lower caste gives up some of its traditional practices which are considered impure such as eating meat and consumption of alcohol. The reason for doing this is social mobility within the caste system or to raise its position or status in the caste hierarchy. The process of Sanskritisation is a process of acculturation and is a channel for vertical social mobility within the caste system.
Initially, Srinivas called this process ‘Brahmanisation’ because he found that the low caste was adopting the practices of Brahmin caste. But Srinivas found that some low castes adopted the practices of other twice born castes like the Kshatriyas. Therefore, he preferred to use the term ‘Sanskritisation’. Such a twice born caste was usually the dominant caste in the region.
7. Discuss the impact of westernisation in India.
Answer: Westernisation brought new ideas and values and ideologies. According to Srinivas, the most important of them was humanitarianism. Humanitarianism means the concern for the welfare of all human beings, irrespective of caste, economic position, religion and gender. It implies the notions of equality, freedom and secularism. Westernisation has had considerable impact on India. Westernisation has had many consequences. Two of them are very important. They are:
- The emergence of a middle class, which was initially made up of traders but later included professionals and educated persons.
- The emergence of the nationalism and democracy. This began a desire for reform. Later it became the nationalist movement.
The emergence of nationalism, democratic polity and secularism are the result of Westernisation. They have been the harbingers of cultural modernisation in India.
8. What is secularization? Discuss the impact of secularisation.
Answer: Secularisation is the process through which the influence and importance of religion declines in public affairs. Religion is replaced by rational and scientific explanations of facts and events. Importance of religion in social life also decreases. The process of secularisation in India began after the establishment of British rule and became more intense after Independence.
The impact or consequences of secularisation can be seen in every aspect of personal and social life. However, the impact is not uniform. Thus, urban dwellers are more affected than the rural people. Educated people are more affected than others. Some aspects of life affected by secularisation are the following:
In the caste system, ideas of purity and pollution have changed. According to traditional ideas some kinds of food (meat, alcohol) were polluting, and some occupations were impure. These ideas were formerly supported by religious beliefs. But now they have changed.
In the family, the importance of religion has decreased. Ceremonies and rituals performed in the family (marriage ceremonies, funeral rites, and family rituals) are either shortened or assumed new meanings. For example, wedding receptions are seen as social functions and occasions for ostentation (showing off) and conspicuous consumption. Similar community festivals are now seen as social functions or events.
In the village community, among the weaker sections, the traditional practice of surrender before fate has been replaced by an attitude of defiance.
Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) and Problem Solving Assessment (PSA)
1. Industries in Nagaland are invisible? Discuss the problems and share constructive suggestions for progressive economic growth within and beyond.
Answer: The industrial sector in Nagaland is considered relatively “invisible” due to several challenges and limitations. These issues generally relate to geographical, economic, and infrastructure factors:
Geographical constraints: Nagaland is a hilly state with challenging terrain, making transportation of goods costly and difficult. This deters many industries from setting up bases in the region.
Infrastructure: Poor infrastructure is a significant bottleneck for industrial development. Issues range from inadequate transport and logistics infrastructure to unreliable power supply, all of which impede industrial growth.
Skill Development: There is a lack of significant skill development programs to prepare the local population for industrial jobs. This leads to a skills gap that affects the ability of industries to function effectively.
Economic Factors: Nagaland has traditionally been an agrarian economy with a focus on subsistence farming. This poses a barrier to industrialization, as the transition to a more diversified, industrial-based economy requires significant changes in the economic structure.
Constructive suggestions for progressive economic growth might include:
Improving Infrastructure: Enhancing transportation and logistics infrastructure could greatly reduce the cost and difficulty of transporting goods. Reliable power supply is also necessary for industrial operations.
Skill Development: Initiating skill development programs could help prepare the local population for industrial jobs. This would also reduce the reliance on outside labor.
Incentives for Industries: The government could offer tax breaks and other incentives to industries willing to set up operations in Nagaland. This could attract investment and spur industrial growth.
Promoting local industries: Nagaland is known for its rich culture and biodiversity. The government could promote industries such as handlooms, handicrafts, tourism, and organic farming, which could benefit from these local resources.
2. Nagas are highly westernised. Discuss.
Answer: It’s true that Nagaland and its people, the Nagas, have been influenced significantly by Western culture. This is evident in various aspects such as education, language, attire, music, and lifestyle. English is the official language of the state, and Western-style education is prevalent. The popularity of Western music, particularly rock and pop genres, is high among the Nagas. Moreover, in urban areas, western-style clothing is commonly worn.
However, it’s important to remember that “westernization” does not necessarily mean a complete erosion of traditional values or cultural identity. The Nagas have a rich and diverse cultural heritage, characterized by distinct tribal customs, languages, and traditional art forms, which they continue to cherish and preserve. Western influence and traditional Naga culture coexist, creating a unique socio-cultural milieu.
A critical discussion should also consider the possible benefits of such “westernization”, such as enhanced access to global knowledge, improved education, and increased exposure to a variety of cultural influences. On the other hand, the potential negative implications, like the loss of certain traditional practices or languages, should also be acknowledged. This complex interplay between global influences and local traditions forms an integral part of the socio-cultural dynamics in Nagaland.
Extra/additional questions and answers
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Extra/additional MCQs
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Industries in nagaland are invisible? Discuss the problem and share constrictive suggestions for progressive economic growth within and beyond