5(c) Agrarian social structure
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 5.1 Indian Village > Agrarian relations in Indian villages
Youth Dormitory as an Institution — 2018 Paper II
Question · 2018 · Paper II · 10 Marks
Youth dormitory as an institution
Model Answer
VAID ICSApproach
- Demand of Question: Explain the youth dormitory as a socio-cultural institution in tribal societies and identify its major functions.
- Structuring the Response: Define the institution, give Indian tribal examples, and discuss socialization, education, cooperation and mate interaction.
- Key Dimensions to Cover: Ghotul, Morung, Dhumkuria, Verrier Elwin, socialization, cultural transmission, discipline, collective labour and recreation.
Model Answer
Introduction: A youth dormitory is an institutionalized residence or meeting place where unmarried boys, girls or both receive training in community life. It has been an important institution among several Indian tribal societies.
Examples include:
- Ghotul among the Muria Gond;
- Morung among many Naga groups;
- Dhumkuria among the Oraon.
Verrier Elwin’s study of the Muria Ghotul highlighted its central place in youth socialization.
Major functions:
- Education: Youth learn myths, songs, dances, customs and community history.
- Socialization: It teaches discipline, cooperation and appropriate social behaviour.
- Economic training: Members participate in collective labour and community tasks.
- Cultural transmission: Oral traditions and ritual knowledge pass between generations.
- Recreation: Music, dance and festivals strengthen group solidarity.
- Mate interaction: In some societies dormitories provide socially regulated opportunities for interaction between young men and women.
- Defence: Naga morungs historically also had military and protective functions.
Thus:
Youth dormitory → Socialization + Training + Cultural continuity
Conclusion: The youth dormitory functions as an indigenous institution of education, social integration and cultural reproduction, though modernization and formal schooling have weakened it in many regions.
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UPSC Anthropology Optional 2018 — Paper II
28 questionsSyllabus: Paper II > 3.2 Caste system in India > Structure and characteristics of caste
Syllabus: Paper II > 1.1 Evolution of Indian Culture and Civilization > Contributions of the tribal cultures
1(a) Distinctive cultural features of tribes of Andaman islands
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 6.1 Tribal situation in India > Distribution and characteristics of tribal populations
6(a) Compare and contrast the economic typology of tribes given by different anthropologists.
20 Marks
Syllabus: Paper II > 6.1 Tribal situation in India > Socio-economic characteristics and typologies
1(c) Endangered Languages
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 2. Demographic profile of India > Linguistic elements and their distribution
1(e) Ethnoarchaeology as a research strategy
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 1.3 Ethno-archaeology in India > The concept of ethno-archaeology
Syllabus: Paper II > 2. Demographic profile of India > Factors influencing structure and growth
Syllabus: Paper II > 7.3 Unrest among tribal communities > Causal factors
3(b) Based on historical and contemporary evidences discuss the future of caste system in India.
15 Marks
Syllabus: Paper II > 3.2 Caste system in India > Future of the caste system
Syllabus: Paper II > 3.4 Impact of Buddhism, Jainism, Islam and Christianity on Indian society
Syllabus: Paper II > 5.1 Indian Village > Indian village as a social system
Syllabus: Paper II > 6.3 Developmental projects, tribal displacement and rehabilitation
Syllabus: Paper II > 3.3 Sacred Complex and Nature-Man-Spirit Complex
Syllabus: Paper II > 5.1 Indian Village > Agrarian relations and impact of globalization
5(e) Modernization
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 5.3 Indigenous and exogenous processes of socio-cultural change > Modernization
1(d) OBCs among non-Hindu communities
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 7.1 Problems of exploitation and deprivation of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes
5(d) The impact of Panchayati Raj institutions in rural areas
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 5.3 Indigenous and exogenous processes of socio-cultural change > Panchayati Raj and social change
Syllabus: Paper II > 7.1 Constitutional safeguards for Scheduled Tribes > PESA and Sixth Schedule
1(b) Philosophy behind Purusharthas
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 3.1 Structure and nature of traditional Indian social system > Purushartha
8(c) Discuss the significance and implementation of 'Recognition of Forest Right's Act 2006'.
15 Marks
Syllabus: Paper II > 6.3 Development of forest policy and tribals > Forest Rights Act, 2006
Syllabus: Paper II > 1.1 Evolution of Indian Culture and Civilization > Prehistoric > Mesolithic
Syllabus: Paper II > 4. Emergence, growth and development of anthropology in India > S. C. Roy
Syllabus: Paper II > 1.2 Palaeo-anthropological evidences from India > Siwaliks > Sivapithecus
Syllabus: Paper II > 9.2 Role of anthropology in tribal and rural development
5(b) Tribe and scheduled tribe
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 6.1 Tribal situation in India > Definition and scheduling of tribes
Syllabus: Paper II > 3.2 Caste system in India > Tribe-caste continuum
5(a) Youth dormitory as an institution
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 6.1 Tribal situation in India > Social institutions of tribal societies