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Home/Anthropology/Mains PYQ/2017/Paper II/Indian Society, Caste & Civilization
UPSC MainsAnthropology Optional Paper II 2017 10 Marks Model Answer Available

Austro-Asiatic Linguistic Groups in India — 2017 Paper II

Question · 2017 · Paper II · 10 Marks

Austro-asiatic linguistic groups in India.

Model Answer

VAID ICS

Approach

  • Demand of Question:Classify the Austro-Asiatic languages spoken in India, show their geographical distribution and give representative communities/languages without confusing language with biological race.
  • Structuring the Response:Introduce Austro-Asiatic as a language family; divide Indian representatives into Munda and Mon-Khmer branches; map major languages and conclude with anthropological significance.
  • Key Dimensions to Cover:Santali, Mundari, Ho, Bhumij, Kharia, Korku; Khasi-Pnar and Nicobarese; eastern-central India, Meghalaya and Nicobar Islands; Grierson; contemporary linguistic-genetic caution.

Model Answer

Introduction The Austro-Asiatic language family represents one of the oldest indigenous linguistic strata in India, linking Indian populations to Southeast Asia. Linguistically, its distribution in India is discontinuous and is broadly classified into two sub-families.

Body

  1. Munda Branch
  • Geographical Distribution: Concentrated in the Chota Nagpur plateau, Central India, and parts of Eastern India (Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal).
  • Representative Languages & Tribes: Santali (the largest, included in the 8th Schedule), Mundari (Munda tribe), Ho, Kharia, Savara/Sora, and Korku (spoken in MP/Maharashtra).
  1. Mon-Khmer Branch
  • Geographical Distribution: Confined to the Northeastern hills and the Andaman & Nicobar archipelago.
  • Representative Languages & Tribes: Khasi and Pnar/Jaintia (Meghalaya), and Nicobarese (Nicobar Islands).

Anthropological & Genetic Linkages:

  • Scholars like George van Driem suggest an indigenous origin, while others propose a Southeast Asian origin.
  • Recent genetic studies (e.g., Kumarasamy Thangaraj) show a high frequency of the Y-chromosome haplogroup O2a among Austro-Asiatic speakers, confirming deep prehistoric migrations.

Conclusion

As noted by G.A. Grierson, language must not be equated with a discrete biological race. Today, many Austro-Asiatic speaking tribes show significant genetic admixture with Dravidian and Indo-Aryan populations due to historical contact, assimilation, and language shifts, making them genetically heterogeneous despite shared linguistic roots.

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UPSC Anthropology Optional 2017 — Paper II

28 questions

5(b) Ethnicity and regionalism.

10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 7.3 The concept of ethnicity > Regionalism and demand for autonomy
2017Paper IIEthnicity, Tribal Movements & Social ChangeModel answer available

1(d) Ethno-archaeology.

10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 1.3 Ethno-archaeology in India > The concept of ethno-archaeology
2017Paper IIPrehistoric ArchaeologyModel answer available

5(e) Impact of Christianity on Indian tribes.

10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 8.1 Impact of Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam and other religions on tribal societies > Christianity
2017Paper IIEthnicity, Tribal Movements & Social ChangeModel answer available

1(e) Nature-man-spirit complex.

10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 3.3 Sacred Complex and Nature-Man-Spirit Complex
2017Paper IIIndian Society, Caste & CivilizationModel answer available

1(a) Neolithic cultures of South India.

10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 1.1 Evolution of Indian Culture and Civilization > Neolithic > South India
2017Paper IIPrehistoric ArchaeologyModel answer available

5(c) Other Backward Class.

10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 7.1 Problems of exploitation and deprivation of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes
2017Paper IIIndian Society, Caste & CivilizationModel answer available

1(c) Varnashram and the concept of Rina.

10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 3.1 Structure and nature of traditional Indian social system > Varnashram, Purushartha, Karma, Rina and Rebirth
2017Paper IIIndian Society, Caste & CivilizationModel answer available