Indian Thinkers MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for Indian Thinkers - Download Free PDF

The correct answer is - Irawati Karve

Key Points

• Irawati Karve
  • Irawati Karve was a pioneering Indian anthropologist, sociologist, and writer known for her significant contributions to understanding Indian culture and society.
  • Her book "Maharashtra Sanskruti" focuses on the culture, traditions, and social practices of Maharashtra, making her a key figure in regional anthropology.
  • The work provides insights into Maharashtrian customs, family structures, festivals, and other social aspects, helping preserve and document the region's heritage.
  • This book is widely regarded as a significant reference for understanding the intricate cultural fabric of Maharashtra.

Additional Information

• About Irawati Karve
  • She was born in 1905 in Maharashtra and was one of the first women to obtain a doctorate in anthropology from a foreign university.
  • Her research interests included kinship, caste, and regional cultures, making her a prominent figure in Indian anthropology and sociology.
  • She wrote several influential works in both English and Marathi, including "Yuganta", which examines characters from the Mahabharata from a sociological perspective.
• Other Anthropologists Mentioned
  • Durga Bhagwat: A noted writer and scholar, but her work primarily focuses on literature and philosophy, not anthropology.
  • G.S. Ghurye: A renowned Indian sociologist known for his contributions to the study of caste and Indian society, but not the specific author of "Maharashtra Sanskruti."
  • Gunther Sontheimer: A German Indologist who studied Indian folklore and religion but was not associated with writing on Maharashtra's culture in the same manner as Irawati Karve.

The correct answer is - Religion and Society among the Coorgs of South India

Key Points

• Religion and Society among the Coorgs of South India
  • In this book, M.N. Srinivas first introduced his concept of "Sanskritisation".
  • Sanskritisation refers to a process by which a low caste or tribal or other group changes its customs, rituals, ideology, and way of life in the direction of a high, and frequently, "twice-born" caste.
  • The concept was based on Srinivas's fieldwork and observations of social dynamics among the Coorgs of South India.
  • This book remains a foundational text in the study of Indian society and culture.

Additional Information

• Social Change in Modern India
  • This book by M.N. Srinivas deals with various aspects of social change in contemporary India, including westernization, secularization, and modernization.
• The Remembered Village
  • In "The Remembered Village", M.N. Srinivas provides a detailed account of village life based on his fieldwork in the village of Rampura in Karnataka.
  • It is a significant work in the field of ethnography and sociology.
• Caste in Modern India and other Essays
  • This collection of essays by M.N. Srinivas addresses various issues related to caste and its dynamics in modern India.
  • The essays cover topics such as caste mobility, the role of caste in politics, and the impact of modernization on caste.

The correct answer is - Caste and Race in India

Key Points

• Caste and Race in India
  • This book was written by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, a prominent Indian jurist, economist, politician, and social reformer.
  • Dr. Ambedkar's work focuses on the social stratification and inequalities present in Indian society, particularly the caste system.
  • The book is a detailed analysis of the origins and functioning of the caste system in India.

Additional Information

• Marxism & Class Analysis
  • This book is written by Andre Beteille, a renowned Indian sociologist.
  • It discusses the relevance of Marxist theory in understanding class structures and social stratification.
  • The work critically examines how Marxist concepts apply to the Indian context.
• Caste, Class and Power
  • This is another influential work by Andre Beteille.
  • It provides an in-depth analysis of the intersection of caste, class, and power dynamics in Indian society.
  • The book is based on extensive fieldwork and offers a comparative perspective on social inequalities.
• Studies in Agrarian Social Structure
  • This work by Andre Beteille examines the agrarian social structure in India.
  • It focuses on the relationship between land ownership, caste, and social hierarchy in rural areas.
  • The book contributes to the understanding of rural sociology and agrarian relations in India.

The correct answer is - Option 2

Key Points

• Disability studies - Anita Ghai
  • Anita Ghai is a prominent figure in the field of Disability studies in India.
  • She has extensively worked on the social and cultural aspects of disability.
• Subaltern studies - Partha Chatterjee
  • Partha Chatterjee is a key scholar in the Subaltern Studies group.
  • He has contributed significantly to understanding the history and politics of marginalized communities in India.
• Kinship studies - A. C. Mayer
  • A. C. Mayer is known for his work in Kinship studies.
  • His research focuses on the social structures and relationships within kinship systems.
• Caste studies - G. S. Ghurye
  • G. S. Ghurye is a pioneering sociologist in the field of Caste studies in India.
  • He has provided in-depth analysis of the caste system and its implications on Indian society.

Additional Information

• Disability studies
  • Focuses on the social model of disability, which contrasts with the medical model by emphasizing the societal barriers faced by disabled individuals.
  • Key themes include accessibility, inclusion, and rights.
• Subaltern studies
  • Originated in the 1980s as a critical response to colonial historiography.
  • Seeks to recover the voices of the marginalized and challenge dominant power structures.
• Kinship studies
  • Examines the relationships and roles within family structures.
  • Studies the cultural and social significance of kinship systems in different societies.
• Caste studies
  • Explores the hierarchical structure and social implications of the caste system in India.
  • Analyzes how caste influences social identity and mobility.

The correct answer is - B, C, A only

Key Points

• Annihilation of Caste
  • Ambedkar strongly advocated for the eradication of caste in Indian society.
  • He believed that caste system was a major hindrance to social equality and justice.
• Encouraging Inter Caste Marriages
  • Ambedkar promoted inter caste marriages as a means to break down caste barriers.
  • He saw it as a crucial step towards social integration and harmony.
• Hindu Social Order with the Place of Individual
  • Ambedkar analyzed the Hindu social order and its implications on the individual's position in society.
  • He critiqued the inequities and discrimination ingrained within the social hierarchy.

Additional Information

• Priesthood by a Single Caste
  • Ambedkar opposed the monopoly of priesthood by a single caste.
  • He advocated for equal religious rights and opportunities for all castes.
• Legitimacy of Sacred Texts
  • Ambedkar was critical of the Hindu sacred texts that justified the caste system.
  • He argued for a reinterpretation or rejection of those texts that perpetuated social injustice.

The correct answer is - Irawati Karve

Key Points

• Irawati Karve
  • Irawati Karve was a pioneering Indian anthropologist, sociologist, and writer known for her significant contributions to understanding Indian culture and society.
  • Her book "Maharashtra Sanskruti" focuses on the culture, traditions, and social practices of Maharashtra, making her a key figure in regional anthropology.
  • The work provides insights into Maharashtrian customs, family structures, festivals, and other social aspects, helping preserve and document the region's heritage.
  • This book is widely regarded as a significant reference for understanding the intricate cultural fabric of Maharashtra.

Additional Information

• About Irawati Karve
  • She was born in 1905 in Maharashtra and was one of the first women to obtain a doctorate in anthropology from a foreign university.
  • Her research interests included kinship, caste, and regional cultures, making her a prominent figure in Indian anthropology and sociology.
  • She wrote several influential works in both English and Marathi, including "Yuganta", which examines characters from the Mahabharata from a sociological perspective.
• Other Anthropologists Mentioned
  • Durga Bhagwat: A noted writer and scholar, but her work primarily focuses on literature and philosophy, not anthropology.
  • G.S. Ghurye: A renowned Indian sociologist known for his contributions to the study of caste and Indian society, but not the specific author of "Maharashtra Sanskruti."
  • Gunther Sontheimer: A German Indologist who studied Indian folklore and religion but was not associated with writing on Maharashtra's culture in the same manner as Irawati Karve.

The correct answer is - A - 2,, B - 4, C - 1, D - 3

 Important Points

• G.S. Ghurye (1893-1987) was an Indian sociologist and anthropologist who is known for his work on caste in India.
• Ghurye was a strong advocate of the Indological perspective in sociology.
• The Indological perspective is a school of thought in sociology that emphasizes the importance of studying Indian society and culture from an Indian perspective.
• Ghurye argued that Indian society is unique and that it cannot be understood using Western sociological theories.
• M.N. Srinivas (1916-1999) was an Indian sociologist who is known for his work on caste and social change in India. Srinivas developed the concept of the "dominant caste" to describe the caste group that is most powerful in a particular region.
• Srinivas argued that the dominant caste is not necessarily the highest caste group in a region. Rather, it is the caste group that has the most economic, political, and social power.
• The dominant caste often controls the land, the local government, and the temples.
• Karve's work on kinship and marriage in India paid particular attention to the kinship terminologies of different caste groups. She argued that kinship terminology can provide insights into the social organization and values of a society.
• Gandhi used the term "Harijan" to refer to members of the lowest caste groups in India. He believed that the term "Harijan" was more respectful than the term "untouchable", which was commonly used at the time.

Therefore, the correct matches would be:

The correct answer is - M.N. Srinivas

Key Points

• M.N. Srinivas
  • M.N. Srinivas was a renowned Indian sociologist and anthropologist who introduced the concepts of 'Vertical' and 'Horizontal' solidarity within the Indian caste system.
  • 'Vertical solidarity' refers to the unity and interdependence within a caste group across different hierarchical levels.
  • 'Horizontal solidarity' involves the unity among different caste groups at the same hierarchical level.
  • His work significantly contributed to the understanding of the dynamics of the caste system in India.

Additional Information

• L. Dumont
  • Louis Dumont was a French sociologist known for his work on the Indian caste system, particularly through his book 'Homo Hierarchicus'.
  • He emphasized the ideological and ritual aspects of caste rather than social and economic interactions.
• S.C. Dube
  • S.C. Dube was an Indian sociologist who contributed to the understanding of rural India and village life.
  • His work focused more on social structures and community studies rather than specific caste dynamics.
• G. S. Ghurye
  • G.S. Ghurye was one of India’s first sociologists and a pioneer in the study of Indian social institutions.
  • He explored various aspects of the caste system but did not specifically advocate the concepts of 'Vertical' and 'Horizontal' solidarity.

The correct chronology is- D,B,C,A. 

Important Points

• The Rise and Fall of the East India Company (1958): This book is a historical study of the East India Company, from its beginnings as a trading company to its eventual decline and fall.
• Mukherjee examines the Company's impact on Indian society and economy, and argues that its policies led to the impoverishment of India and the rise of British colonialism.
• The Dynamics of a Rural Society (1961): This book is a study of social change in a rural village in West Bengal.
• Mukherjee examines the impact of modernization and development on the village's social structure, economy, and culture.
• He argues that modernization has led to both positive and negative changes in the village, and that it is important to find a balance between tradition and modernity.
• Six Villages of Bengal (1971): This book is a comparative study of six villages in West Bengal, representing different stages of economic development.
• Mukherjee examines the relationship between economic development and social change in these villages. He finds that economic development has led to some positive changes, such as improved living standards and access to education and healthcare.
• However, he also finds that it has led to some negative changes, such as increased inequality and environmental degradation
• The Sociologist and Social Reconstruction (1980): This book is a collection of essays on various topics in sociology, including social change, social stratification, and social development.
• Mukherjee argues that sociologists have a responsibility to use their knowledge to help solve social problems and promote social justice.
• He calls for a "sociology of commitment" that is engaged with the real world and seeks to make a positive difference in society.

Additional Information

• R.K. Mukherjee was a pioneering Indian sociologist who made significant contributions to the study of Indian society.
• He was one of the first Indian sociologists to use empirical research methods to study social problems, and he was also a strong advocate for the use of sociology to promote social change and social justice.
• Mukherjee's work covered a wide range of topics, including caste, class, social stratification, social change, and social development.
• He was particularly interested in the study of rural society, and he conducted extensive research on the impact of modernization and development on rural communities.

Mukherjee's concept of social ecology is based on the idea that society and the environment are interconnected. He argued that the social and economic problems of rural India are caused by a number of factors, including environmental factors.

Important Points

• R.K. Mukherjee was an Indian sociologist who is known for his work on rural sociology.
• Mukherjee conducted extensive research on the social and economic conditions of rural India. He was particularly interested in the problems of poverty, illiteracy, and disease in rural India.
• Mukherjee's work on social ecology has been influential in the field of rural development in India.

Additional InformationOther important works of R.K. Mukherjee:

• The Social Structure of North Indian Villages (1955)
• The Economic Structure of North Indian Villages (1956)
• Six Villages of Bengal (1961)
• Sociology of Rural Communities (1961)
• The Indian Village (1967)

These works cover a wide range of topics, including rural sociology, social change, economic development, and Indian history and culture. Mukherjee's work is characterized by its careful empirical research and its insights into the social and economic problems of India.

The correct answer is - Dipankar Gupta 

Key Points

• Dipankar Gupta is a prominent subaltern sociologist in India.
• He is known for his work on caste, class, and social movements.
• His book "Caste, Class and Domination in India" is considered a classic work in Indian sociology.
• Gupta's work is focused on the experiences and perspectives of marginalized and oppressed groups, and he has been a vocal critic of the caste system and other forms of social inequality.
• Gupta has also written extensively about the role of social movements in challenging social injustice.

Additional Information

• M.N. Srinivas was a prominent Indian sociologist who is known for his work on caste, social stratification, and village studies.
• He is considered to be one of the founders of Indian sociology.
• Srinivas's work is often seen as being in contrast to the subaltern perspective, as he focused on the role of social institutions and cultural values in maintaining social order and stability. 
• Amartya Sen is a Nobel Prize-winning economist and philosopher who has made significant contributions to the fields of welfare economics, social choice theory, and development economics.
• Sen's work is often associated with the capability approach, which focuses on the importance of individual freedom and agency in achieving well-being. Sen has also written extensively about poverty, inequality, and social justice. 
• Ramchandra Guha is a historian and environmental activist. He is known for his work on Indian environmental history, social movements, and biography.
• Guha has written extensively about the history of peasant movements, tribal struggles, and environmental activism in India.

The correct answer is - Irawati Karve

Key Points

• Irawati Karve
  • Irawati Karve was an Indian anthropologist and sociologist known for her work on Indian kinship and social structure.
  • She articulated the "four clan rule" in the context of North Indian kinship practices.
  • The rule states that a man must not marry a woman from his father's gotra, his mother's gotra, his father's mother's gotra, and his mother's mother's gotra.
  • This practice aims to prevent inbreeding and maintain genetic diversity within communities.

Additional Information

• Oscar Lewis
  • Oscar Lewis was an American anthropologist known for his work on the culture of poverty.
  • He studied urban poverty and family structures in Mexico, Puerto Rico, and India, but did not focus on Indian kinship systems like the four clan rule.
• G. S. Ghurye
  • Govind Sadashiv Ghurye was an Indian sociologist known for his work on caste and race in India.
  • While he made significant contributions to the study of Indian social structures, he did not specifically articulate the four clan rule.
• Dumont
  • Louis Dumont was a French anthropologist known for his studies on Indian society, particularly caste.
  • He focused on the hierarchical nature of Indian society but did not address the four clan rule in his works.

Karve's work on kinship and marriage in India paid particular attention to the kinship terminologies of different caste groups.

Key Points

• Irawati Karve (1905-1970) was an Indian sociologist and anthropologist who is known for her work on kinship and marriage in India. She was the first Indian woman to receive a doctorate in sociology.
• Karve's work has been influential in the field of Indian sociology, and she is considered to be one of the pioneers of the discipline in India.
• Kinship terminology refers to the system of words that a society uses to classify relatives. Irawati Karve argued that kinship terminology can provide insights into the social organization and values of a society.
• For example, Karve found that the kinship terminology of the Brahmin caste group in Maharashtra was more elaborate and differentiated than the kinship terminology of the lower caste groups.
• This suggested that the Brahmin caste group had a more complex and hierarchical social organization.

Additional Information

• M.N. Srinivas introduced the concept of "Sanskritization" to describe a process observed in Indian society where lower castes emulate the customs, rituals, and practices of higher castes in an attempt to improve their social status. 

The correct answer is - C, A, B, D

Key Points

Chronological Order of B.R. Ambedkar's Writings:

• Caste in India: Their Mechanism, Genesis and Development (C):
  • Published in 1916, this was Ambedkar's earliest significant work on the subject of caste.
  • It was originally a paper presented at an anthropology seminar at Columbia University.
  • The work discusses the origins and structure of the caste system in India, examining its social mechanisms and implications.
• Annihilation of Caste (A):
  • Published in 1936, this is one of Ambedkar's most famous and impactful works.
  • It was originally written as a speech for the Jat-Pat Todak Mandal conference, which was eventually canceled.
  • The text critiques the caste system and calls for its complete eradication, arguing that social and religious reforms are necessary for true equality.
• Who Were the Shudras? (B):
  • Published in 1946, this work explores the historical origins of the Shudra caste.
  • Ambedkar examines ancient texts and historical records to argue that the Shudras were originally a warrior class who were later degraded in the social hierarchy.
  • The book challenges traditional interpretations and provides a new perspective on the history of caste in India.
• The Untouchables: Who Were They and Why They Became Untouchables? (D):
  • Published in 1948, this work delves into the origins of the 'untouchables' or Dalits in Indian society.
  • Ambedkar argues that the untouchables were originally Buddhists who faced severe persecution and social ostracism following the decline of Buddhism in India.
  • The book seeks to uncover the historical and social reasons behind the marginalization of this group.

Additional Information

• B.R. Ambedkar, a prominent Indian social reformer, lawyer, and the principal architect of the Indian Constitution, made significant contributions to the discourse on caste and social justice in India.
• His writings have been influential in shaping modern Indian thought and policy regarding caste discrimination and social equality.
• Understanding the chronological order of his major works can provide insights into the evolution of his thoughts and ideas over time.

M.N. Srinivas introduced the concept of "Sanskritization" to describe a process observed in Indian society where lower castes emulate the customs, rituals, and practices of higher castes in an attempt to improve their social status.

Key Points

• Sanskritization: Srinivas introduced the concept of Sanskritization to elucidate the process of social mobility and cultural change within Indian society.
• He observed that lower castes, aspiring for higher social status, emulate the customs, rituals, and practices of higher castes.
• This emulation is not merely superficial but involves a transformation of lifestyle, language, and religious practices.
• Sanskritization underscores the agency of lower castes in negotiating their social position and challenges the rigid boundaries of the caste system

Additional Information

• Mysore Narasimhachar Srinivas, commonly known as M.N. Srinivas, was one of the most influential sociologists of India, renowned for his insightful analysis of Indian society and culture. He made significant contributions to the study of social stratification, social change, and cultural dynamics.
• His other important concepts are :
• Dominant Caste: Another important concept introduced by Srinivas is that of the "dominant caste."
  • He argued that in many Indian villages, a particular caste emerges as dominant, wielding significant social, economic, and political power.
  • The dominant caste often controls resources, access to land, and decision-making processes within the village community. 
• Westernization:Srinivas examined the impact of Western influence on Indian society through the concept of Westernization.
  • He observed that with increasing contact with the West, particularly through colonialism and globalization, Indian society was undergoing significant changes.
  • Westernization manifested in the adoption of Western education, values, institutions, and lifestyles, especially among the urban elite. 
• Modernization:While not as central to his work as the other concepts, Srinivas also engaged with the idea of modernization.
  • He explored how processes of industrialization, urbanization, and technological advancement were transforming Indian society.
  • Srinivas examined the tensions between traditional norms and modern institutions, as well as the uneven effects of modernization across different regions and social groups in India.