Indian Social System

3.1 Traditional Indian Social System – Varna, Ashram, Purushartha, Karma, Rina & Rebirth

1. Purushartha (4 Aims of Life)
2. Interface between Purushartha and Ashrama. (2023)
3. Write short notes on Purushartha and righteous living today in about 150 words. (2021)

1. Write a note in 150 words on Philosophy behind Purusharthas. (2018)
2. Write a note in 150 words on Philosophy behind Purushartha. (2011)
3. Write a note on Purushartha. (2007)
4. Write a note on Significance of Purushartha. (2003)
5. Describe the major purusharthas according to Hindu scriptures and discuss the social significance of harmonious management of Trivarga. (1994)
6. Write a note on Purushartha Chatushtam. (1987)

Varna & Ashram System

1. Karma and Rebirth. (2023)
2. Write a note in 150 words on Use of doctrine of Karma and rebirth in justifying the Varna system. (2019)
3. Write a note in 150 words on Varnashram and the concept of Rina. (1984)
4. Write a note on Varnashram. (2005)
5. Trace the broad unifying features of the traditional Hindu society in the anthropological perspective. (2004)
6. Discuss the basis of Indian Social System. Do you find any change today? (1998)
7. Write a note on Significance of Varna and Caste. (1997)
8. Write a note in 200 words on Significance of Varna and Ashram as regulators of social life. (1984)
9. Write a note on Varnashram Dharma. (1982)

Karma

1. Write a note on Concept of Karma in relation to caste. (2000)
2. Write a note on Karma. (2006)
3. Write a note on Importance of Karma in Hindu Social System. (1996)

Rina (Debt/Duties in Hindu Thought)

1. Write a note in 150 words on Varnashram and the concept of Rina. (1984)
2. Write a note on Concept of Rina & Rebirth. (2002)
3. Explain the concept of Rina according to the Hindu scriptures. What were the mechanisms suggested by scholars to repay the Rinas? (1995)

Rebirth

1. Write a note in 150 words on Use of doctrine of Karma and rebirth in justifying the Varna system. (2019)
2. Write a note on Concept of Rina & Rebirth. (2002)
3. Write a note on Concept of Rebirth in Hindu Social System. (1997)

Ashrama (Stages of Life)

1. Write a note on Social Significance of Grihastha-Ashram. (1994)

3.2 Caste System in India:

(Structure and characteristics Varna and caste, Theories of origin of caste system, Dominant caste, Caste mobility, Future of caste system, Jajmani system. Tribe-case continuum)

General Structure & Characteristics

Discuss the theories on the origin of caste system and its criticism in India. Differentiate between caste, class and race. (2024)

1. Ambedkar’s arguments on the origin of the Indian caste system – critical account. (2022)
2. Discuss the characteristics of caste system in India. (2020)
3. Discuss the view that caste is not social stratification, but a system of hierarchy. (2018)
4. Discuss the essential features of the caste system in India. Critically examine its role in the changing social context in contemporary times. (1990)
5. Discuss the concept of social signification and comment on caste as a stratified system of interaction. (1989)
6. Write a note on Concept of caste as a hierarchical system based on the opposition between ‘pure’ and ‘impure’. (1991)

Theories of Origin of Caste

1. Examine the structural and cultural theories of caste system in India. (2016)
2. Critically examine the theories of Origin of Castes. (2011)

Varna–Jati Relationship

1. Varnashrama and its contemporary relevance. (2025)
2. Write a note in 200 words on Distinguish between varna and caste. (1995)
3. Write a note on Varna model of caste. (1986)
4. Discuss the inter-related concepts of Varna and Jati. Do you agree with the view that in village India caste is more important than Varna? (1981)

Dominant Caste

1. Write short note on the Concept of ‘Dominant caste’ in about 150 words. (2020)
2. Discuss the relevance of the concept Dominant Caste in the context of Contemporary Indian Society. (2011)
3. Bring out the various features and the importance of the ‘dominant caste’. (2009)
4. Dominant Caste. (1999)
5. Explain criteria for dominant caste. How far is this concept still crucial to our understanding of India’s villages after implementation of reservations in democratic institutions? (2000)
6. Role of Dominant caste in the political institutions of a peasant village. (1990)
7. Discuss relationship between “dominant caste” and economic development in rural India. (1988)
8. Concept of dominant caste and its relevance in study of political processes. (1982

Tribe–Caste Continuum

1. Write short notes on “Relevance of tribe–caste continuum” in about 150 words. (2021)
2. Explain the significance of tribe-caste continuum in the present context. (2018)
3. Critically examine the concept of tribe–caste continuum and its relevance in contemporary India. (2015)
4. Write a note in 150 words on Tribe–Caste continuum. (2014)
5. Is Tribe–Caste Continuum a reality or myth? Discuss. (2008)
6. Write a note on Tribe–Caste Continuum. (2004)
7. Tribe–Caste continuum. (2000)
8. Describe the tribe–caste continuum in India. Is this continuum relevant in Modern Indian society? (1994)
9. Tribe–Caste Continuum. (1992)
10. Write a note on Tribe–caste continuum. (1987)

Jajmani System

1. Write a note in 150 words on The Jajmani system and contemporary market economy. (2019)
2. Discuss the impact of market economy on the Jajmani system. (2017)
3. What is Jajmani system? Examine the views on Jajmani system as an egalitarian as well as exploitative system. Give reasons for its decline. (2013)
4. Jajmani System. (2007)
5. Define the Jajmani system. Analyse the changes in the relationship between caste and occupation in contemporary rural society. (2000)
6. Write a note on Jajmani System. (1998)

Caste and Politics / Social Change

 

1. Caste domination, factionalism and political power. (2025)
2. Is annihilation of caste possible? Discuss the future of caste system in the light of various pro-active measures taken by the Indian State. (2023)

3. Write short notes on “Caste and social capital” in about 150 words. (2021)
4. Write short notes on “Factionalism and politics in rural India” in about 150 words. (2021)
5. Write a note in 150 words on Relevance of caste in contemporary Indian politics. (2016)
6. Examine the role of the caste system in the present political context. (2010)
7. Is the present political system strengthening the caste system? Discuss. (2010)
8. Do you think caste persists in contemporary India? Critically discuss. (2014)
9. Examine the changes that have come about in caste system and joint family in modern India. (1984)

Caste Mobility

1. What are the different types of caste mobility in India? Highlight the various factors responsible for it. (2025)
2. Is caste mobility a recent phenomenon? Discuss in the light of Indological and empirical context. (2023)
3. What do you understand by dynamics of caste mobility? How did the concept of Sanskritization contribute to its functionality? (2015)
4. How is process of tribe–caste continuum different from Sanskritisation? Comment. (2016)

Future of Caste

1. Based on historical and contemporary evidences, discuss the future of caste system in India. (2018)
2. Discuss the salient features of the prevalent hypotheses on the future of the caste system in India. (2009)

Related Concepts (Continuum Models)

1. Write a note on Folk-Urban Continuum. (1998)
2. What is the notion of ‘folk–urban continuum’ in the study of peasant society? Is it applicable to Indian conditions? (1991)

3.3 Sacred Complex and Nature–Man–Spirit Complex

Nature–Man–Spirit Complex

1. Explain the impact of the concept of nature–man–spirit complex on sustainable use of natural resources with suitable examples. (2021)
2. Write a note in 150 words on Nature. (2017)
3. Examine Nature–man–spirit complex as an ecological concept. (2013)
4. Write a note on Nature–Man–Spirit complex. (2009)
5. Write a note on Nature–Man–Spirit complex. (2001)
6. Write a note on Basic principles concerned with nature–man–spirit complex. (1993)
7. Write a note in 200 words on Nature–man–spirit complex. (1983)

Sacred Complex

1. Critically examine the contributions of Makhan Jha and B.N. Saraswati to the study of sacred complexes in India. (2018)
2. Write a note in 150 words on Sacred complex as a dimension of Indian civilization. (2015)
3. Describe the concept of ‘Sacred Complex’ with an ethnographic example. (2014)
4. Write a note in 150 words on Sacred Geography. (2012)
5. Write a note on Sacred Complex. (2005)
6. Write a note on Sacred Complex. (1999)
7. Write a note on Concept of Sacred Complex in Indian Society. (1990)

3.4 Impact of Buddhism, Jainism, Islam & Christianity on Indian Society

General / Comparative Impact

1. Syro-Malabar Christians(2024)
2. Dharma versus Religion. (2022)
3. Indigenisation of Christianity in India – critical examination. (2022)
4. Discuss the impact of Islam on Indian Society. (2020)
5. What has been the impact of non-Hindu religions on the emancipation of Scheduled Castes in India? (2019)
6. Explain the impact of Buddhism and Jainism on Indian society. (2018)
7. Explain how Buddhism influenced the economic and cultural transformations of Indian society. (2017)
8. Write a note in 150 words on Impact of Jainism on Indian society. (2016)
9. Evaluate the impact of Buddhism, Jainism, Islam and Christianity on Indian society and culture in anthropological terms. (2003)

Buddhism

1. Varna and Buddhism. (2022)
2. Explain how Buddhism influenced the economic and cultural transformations of Indian society. (2017)
3. Explain the impact of Buddhism and Jainism on Indian society. (2018)
4. Account for the emergence of new religions in India in the 6th century B.C. (1998)

Jainism

1. Discuss the basic tenets of Jainism and its impact on Indian society. (2023)
2. Write a note in 150 words on Impact of Jainism on Indian society. (2016)
3. Explain the impact of Buddhism and Jainism on Indian society. (2018)
4. Account for the emergence of new religions in India in the 6th century B.C. (1998)

Islam

1. Discuss the impact of Islam on Indian Society. (2020)
2. Discuss the contribution of Islam to the composite culture of India. (2014)
3. Write a note in 150 words on Islam and Matriliny. (2015)
4. Write a note in 150 words on Sufi tradition of Islam. (2013)
5. Write a note on Impact of Islam on Indian society. (2005)

Christianity

1. Write a note on Buddhism, Christianity and Scheduled Castes. (2004)
2. Evaluate the impact of Buddhism, Jainism, Islam and Christianity on Indian society and culture in anthropological terms. (2003)