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Home/Anthropology/Mains PYQ/2019/Paper II/Ethnicity, Tribal Movements & Social Change
UPSC MainsAnthropology Optional Paper II 2019 10 Marks Model Answer Available

Ethnicity and Regionalism — 2019 Paper II

Question · 2019 · Paper II · 10 Marks

Ethnicity and regionalism.

Model Answer

VAID ICS

Approach

  • Demand of Question: Explain ethnicity and regionalism and show how ethnic identity can acquire a territorial and political expression.
  • Structuring the Response: Define both concepts, establish their relationship, and illustrate with Indian examples while noting their integrative and conflictual dimensions.
  • Key Dimensions to Cover: Fredrik Barth, ethnic boundaries, territory, language, identity, autonomy movements, Northeast India and sub-nationalism.

Model Answer

Introduction: Ethnicity refers to collective identity based on perceived common ancestry, language, culture, history or religion, whereas regionalism denotes attachment to a particular territorial region and assertion of its distinctive interests.

Ethnicity: Fredrik Barth emphasized that ethnic groups persist through the maintenance of social boundaries, rather than merely through possession of fixed cultural traits.

Ethnic identity may be strengthened by:

  • common language;
  • historical memory;
  • shared symbols;
  • perceived political or economic marginalization.

Regionalism emerges when such identity becomes territorially organized and demands:

  • recognition;
  • autonomy;
  • separate administrative units;
  • control over resources.

Thus:

Ethnic identity + Territorial attachment + Political mobilization → Regionalism

In India, linguistic reorganization of states accommodated several regional identities constitutionally. Movements in Nagaland, Mizoram and the Gorkhaland region illustrate different relationships between ethnicity and territory.

Regionalism is not necessarily anti-national; it may represent sub-national identity within federalism. However, exclusionary ethnicity can generate inter-group conflict.

Conclusion: Ethnicity provides a cultural basis of belonging, while regionalism gives such identity a territorial-political expression. Federal accommodation and equitable development can convert regional assertion from conflict into democratic participation.

 

2026 Tana Bhagat movement. 2026 Kumar Suresh Singh's contribution in studying tribal movements. 2026 Discuss the impact of Christianity on the tribal population of Jharkhand. 2025 Regionalism and Autonomy

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UPSC Anthropology Optional 2019 — Paper II

28 questions

5(c) Anthropological understanding of communalism.

10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 9.3 Contributions of anthropology to the understanding of regionalism, communalism and ethnic and political movements
2019Paper IIEthnicity, Tribal Movements & Social ChangeModel answer available

5(a) Ethnicity and regionalism.

10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 7.3 The concept of ethnicity > Regionalism and demand for autonomy
2019Paper IIEthnicity, Tribal Movements & Social ChangeModel answer available

5(d) Issues relating to tribal education.

10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 6.2 Problems of the tribal communities > Low literacy and poor educational facilities
2019Paper IITribal Problems & DisplacementModel answer available