Caste System

1. 1.In the context of the changing Indian society, how do you view Andre Beteille's conceptions of
harmonic and disharmonic social structures? (2022)
2. Explain different forms of untouchability in India. (2022)
3. Caste System studies in India have been dominated by the “book -view” initially. How did the entry
of “field- view” bring about a balance in the study of Indian caste system? Discuss. (2021)
4. What does Dr. B.R Ambedkar mean by the concept of “Annihilation of Caste”? (2021)
5. Caste-like formations are present in Non-Hindu religious communities as well. Discuss with
examples. (2021)
6. Is Indian society moving from “hierarchy” towards “differentiation”? Illustrate your answer with
suitable examples. (2021)
7. What are the various forms of untouchability in India? Critically examine. (2021)
8. How do you justify Dumont's deliberate stress on ideology that produced intellectualized account of
Indian society? (2020)
9. How do you justify Dumont's deliberate stress on ideology that produced intellectualized account of
Indian society? (2020)
10. Discuss Whitehead's contention that caste has potential to displace clash and colonial
contradiction. (2020)
11. Write a note on Ghurye's conception of caste in India. (2019)
12. Write a note on Ghurye's conception of caste in India. (2019)
13. What do you understand by discrete castes and muddled hierarchies? (2018)
14. Has caste system hindered democracy and adult franchise in India? Discuss. (2018)
15. Which is more significant, the principle of 'hierarchy' or the principle of 'difference', in intercaste
relations in the present day? (2017)
16. How have the struggles against untouchability changed their forms and perspectives from
Gandhian to Ambedkarite positions? (2017)
17. What are the changes in the cultural and structural aspects of the caste system since
independence? (2017)
18. How has B.R. Ambedkar identified the features of caste system? How is it different from the
mainstream treatment of caste features? (2016)
19. Discuss Andre Beteille's account of the relationship between caste, class and power as a change
from symmetrical to asymmetrical One. (2016)
20. Write short note with a sociological perspective: Louis Dumont’s perspective on Indian caste
system. (2015)
21. Write short note with a sociological perspective: How far Gandhi was trusted by the untouchables.
(2015)
22. Is caste system changing, weakening or disintegrating in India? (2015)
23. Write short note with a sociological Perspective: How far Srinivas’s Sanskritization is modernizing
force or traditionalizing force in understanding the changes in caste system? (2015)
24. Discuss B.R. Ambedkar as a wise democrat. (2015)
25. Write short notes with a sociological perspective on the following in about 150 words : Features of
caste system. (2014)
26. Write some of the important social reforms in India for the removal of untouchability. (2014)

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27. How do caste and class come together in creating the category of extreme poor? (2014)
28. What are the main features of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s views on annihilation of caste? (2013)
29. Critically evaluate Louis Dumont’s Homo Hierarchicus. (2013)
30. What are the features of M.N. Srinivas’ concept of dominant caste ? How effective is it in
understanding today’s reality? (2013)
31. Write short note with a sociological perspective on the following in not more than 150 words :
Perspectives on the study of caste by M.N. Srinivas and Andre Beteille. (2011)
32. Analyze the term ‘dalit’ and the evolution of the related concept as a reflection of the changing
consciousness and self - assertion of the dalit community. (2011)
33. ‘Casteism is the modern edition of the caste system.’ Do you agree with this statement ? Discuss
with arguments. (2011)
34. Analyze the changing nexus between caste and tribe. (2011)
35. Comment critically on Dumont’s concept of Homohierarchicus. (2010)
36. Critically assess the forms in which untouchability continues to be practised. (2010)
37. Discuss the inter - relationships between caste, class and power. (2010)
38. In the context of the caste system, critically examine Louis Dumont’s concept of purity and
pollution. (2009)
39. Write short note : Concept of Hierarchy in Louis Dumont’s writings (2008)
40. Discuss the social factors responsible for the emergence of Dalit consciousness in India. What
have been the social consequences of this phenomenon? (2006)
41. Write short note : Racial Theories of origin of caste. (2005)
42. Write short note : Caste mobilisation in North india. (2004)
43. Write short note : Impact of Muslims on Indian Society. (2004)
44. Write short note : Caste among Muslims. (2003)
45. Describe the characteristics of dominant caste. Discuss its role in village politics in India. (2003)
46. Discuss the Louis Dumont’s concept of purity and pollution. How far these concepts are relevant in
explaining the Hindu Caste system. (2002)
47. Write short note : Emergence of Dalit Consciousness. (2002)
48. Write short note : Caste and Indian Polity. (2001)
49. Which means of social mobility were available in the traditional caste system ? Describe the form
of social mobility in contemporary Indian society. (2000)
50. Write short note : Caste among Indian Christians. (2000)
51. Write short note : Social Justice. (1999)
52. Write short note : Modes of contents of expression of Dalit consciousness. (1998)
53. Write short note : Role of caste associations. (1998)
54. ‘Caste is becoming weaker and stronger at the same time in present day India.’ Discuss the factors
responsible for continuity and change. (1997)
55. Do you think that caste and democracy are compatible with each other? Discuss with reference to
some studies conducted on this issue in India. (1996)
56. Write short note : Varna-asrama dharma. (1996)
57. Write short note : Avenues of caste mobility in traditional Indian society. (1996)
58. Write short note : Equality and social justice. (1995)
59. Write short note : Cultural and structural aspect of caste. (1995)
60. Write short note : Caste among Muslims in India. (1994)

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61. Write short note : Caste and occupational mobility. (1994)
62. Write short note : Ritual purity and pollution in Hindu Society. (1991)
63. Discuss the changes in the structure of power relationships of various castes at the regional levels.
(1991 )
64. ‘Institutionalized inequality in India has its cultural and economic coordinates’. Discuss. (1991)
65. Discuss the process of mobility that has taken place in the caste structure in India. In this context,
explain the convergence of caste and class. (1990)
66. Write short note : Sociological perspectives of “Right to work” in India. (1990)
67. Write short note : Purushartha. (1989)
68. “The soil grows castes: the machines make classes’. Comment. (1989)
69. The organic solidarity of caste has given way to competitive solidarity. Discuss this statement in
the context of the processes of fission and fusion in the Caste System. (1988)
70. Write short note : Industrialisation and Caste. (1988)
71. Is the caste system immobile ? Bring out the factors promoting intra-caste and intercaste mobility.
(1987)
72. Write short note : Convergence of class and caste. (1987)
73. Write short note : The case for a uniform civil code. (1986)
74. ‘Despite all the fusion and fission that the caste system has undergone through the ages, it has
binded to maintain the permanency of it form’. Comment. (1986)
75. Write short note : Kula, Vansa and Gotra. (1985)
76. Comment on the distinction between ‘hierarchy’ and ‘social stratification.’ Which of the two will be a
more appropriate term to describe the caste system and why? (1985)
77. Discuss the process of social mobility in the caste system commonly describe as sanskritisation
and westernisation. Have they effected any structural change in the system? (1985)
78. Write short note: Caste among the non-Hindu. (1984)
79. Write short note: Scheduled caste elites. (1984)
80. What is the structural perspective on the caste system? Is it not an oversimplification to describe
the system as a hierarchy of statuses based on the opposition of the pure and impure? (1984)
81. Describe the main characteristics of the Jajmani system. Do you agree with the view that it is
basically an institution of politicoeconomic dominance and dependence? (1984)
82. Discuss the social consequences of economic development in India. Do you share the view that it
has increased economic inequality and failed to promote social justice? (1984)
83. Examine the role of caste as a pressure-group in contemporary Indian politics. (1984)

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