Social Science · History

Indian Social Structure

1,894 Questions

Prepare for competitive exams by answering questions on the diverse Indian social structure. Topics include the historical caste system, Vedic political units, and various social reform movements. This hub offers valuable insights into the sociological framework of India.

Caste system dynamicsVedic societySocial reform movementsIndian family structure

Indian Social Structure Questions

Multiple choice history the flowering of regional culture development of regional cultures regional cultures the making of regional cultures

Who were Kathaks?

  1. A caste of story-tellers

  2. A caste of tribes

  3. A caste of craftsmen

  4. A caste of labourers
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The term Kathak is derived from Katha, a word used in Sanskrit and other languages for story. The Kathaks were originally a caste of story-tellers in temples of north India, who embellished their performances with gestures and songs.

Multiple choice geography position of rajasthan in indian economy physical features of rajasthan rajasthan - a general introduction physical features of india and rajasthan

The group of Raikas that herded camels is known as the ________.

  1. Chalkia Raikas

  2. Godwar Raikas

  3. Maru Raikas

  4. Pitalia Raikas.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation
  •   Raikas were found in the deserts of Rajasthan. 
  • One group of Raikas, known as the Maru (desert) Raikas-hearded camels and another group reared sheep and goat.
  •  The Raikas is south Rajasthan have been known as camel experts for centuries.
Multiple choice geography position of rajasthan in indian economy physical features of rajasthan rajasthan - a general introduction physical features of india and rajasthan

The oldest inhabitants of India are considered to be:

  1. Mongoloids

  2. Negritoes

  3. Indo-Aryans

  4. Mediterraneans
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Negritoes,

The oldest inhabitants of India are considered to be Negritoes. Perhaps they were the first of the racial groups that came to India. They got settled in the hilly areas of Kerala and the Andaman Islands. Kadar, Irula and Puliyan tribes of Kerala resemble to a great extent with the Negritos. They are related to Africa, Australia and their neighbouring islands. The Negritos have black (dark) skin, woolly hair, broad and flat nose and slightly protruded jaws.

Multiple choice geography position of rajasthan in indian economy physical features of rajasthan rajasthan - a general introduction physical features of india and rajasthan

Which of the following represents a tribe of Rajasthan ?

  1. Asur

  2. Garasia

  3. Munda

  4. Santhal
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Garasia is a tribe inhabiting the Indian states of Rajasthan and Gujarat. Garasiya settlements are found in the Rajasthan districts of Pali, Sirohi, Udaipur and Dungarpur, and the Gujarat districts of Sabarkantha and Banaskantha.

Present-day Garasias are characterised by several social divisions with well-defined relationships. These divisions have appeared out of situations of culture contact and acculturation. Further, group heterogeneity also supports a stratified order. Constant contact with others like Bhils and Hindus has led to several changes in the social order of this tribe. Today Garasias are divided into Rajput Garasia,Dungri Garasia and Bhil Garasia.

Multiple choice economics poverty as a challenge programmes for poverty eradication poverty : challenge facing india poverty: an economic challenge for india constraints in economic development of rajasthan

Political power is concentrated in the hands of the lower strata of the society in India.

  1. True

  2. False
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

In India, political power is historically and currently concentrated in the hands of the elite or upper strata of society, rather than the lower strata. Therefore, the statement is false.

Multiple choice power sharing in democracy power sharing democracy- an evolving idea political science social science

The major social groups of Sri Lanka are ______.

  1. Sinhalese and Dutch

  2. Dutch and Sri Lankan Tamils

  3. Sinhalese and Sri Lankan Tamils

  4. French and Dutch
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The major social groups are the Sinhala-speakers (74 per cent).

Tamil natives of the country are called ‘Sri Lankan Tamils’ (13 per cent).
The rest, whose forefathers came from India as plantation workers during colonial period, are called ‘Indian Tamils’. 

Multiple choice power sharing in democracy power sharing democracy- an evolving idea political science social science

The major social groups of Sri Lanka are _________________.

  1. Sinhalse and Dutch

  2. Dutch and Sri Lankan Tamils

  3. Sinhalse and Sri Lankan Tamils

  4. French and Dutch
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The major social groups of the Sri Lanka are the "Sinhala speakers and Tamil Speakers

74% population of Sri Lanka belongs to Sinhala speakers community.
18% population of Sri Lanka belongs to Tamil Speakers community.
Tamil speakers further divided into two categories
(1) Sri Lankan Tamils : These are the Tamil natives of the Country.
(2) Indian Tamils : These are those Tamils  whose forefathers came from India as Plantation workers during colonial period.

Multiple choice history the flowering of regional culture development of regional cultures regional cultures the making of regional cultures

The term, Pirs included ____________.

  1. Saints or Sufis

  2. Daring colonisers and deified soldiers

  3. Hindu and Buddhist deities

  4. All
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The early settlers in Eastern Bengal who migrated from the more fertile Western Bengal from 16th century onwards, sought some order and assurance in the unstable conditions of the new settlements. These were provided by community leaders, who also functioned as teachers and adjudicators and were sometimes ascribed with supernatural powers. People referred to them with affection and respect as pirs. This term included saints or Sufis and other religious personalities, daring colonisers and deified soldiers, various Hindu and Buddhist deities and even animistic spirits. The cult of pirs became very popular and their shrines can be found everywhere in Bengal.

Multiple choice social studies from gathering food to growing food - the earliest people tribal societies the earliest people tribes, nomad and settled societies

In large parts of the subcontinent, the rules for the division of society were prescribed by the _______.

  1. Brahamanas

  2. Kshatriyas

  3. Shudras

  4. Vaishyas
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

During the ancient and medieval times, in large parts of the subcontinent, society was divided according to the rules of varna. These rules, as prescribed by the Brahmanas, were accepted by the rulers of large kingdoms. 

Multiple choice social studies from gathering food to growing food - the earliest people tribal societies the earliest people tribes, nomad and settled societies

The tribe of people who came to India with characteristics like dark color, height of 4 to 5 feet and curly hair were ______.

  1. Armenoid

  2. Negritos

  3. Monogoloid

  4. Australoid
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Negritos were the first of the racial groups that came to India. They got settled in the hilly areas of Kerala and the Andaman Islands.

Multiple choice social studies from gathering food to growing food - the earliest people tribal societies the earliest people tribes, nomad and settled societies

The societies which did not divide the society as per the rules prescribed by the Brahamans were called as _____________.

  1. Tribal society

  2. Agricultural society

  3. Pastoral society

  4. Industrial society
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Many societies in the subcontinent did not follow the social rules and rituals prescribed by the Brahmanas. Nor were they divided into numerous unequal classes. Such societies are often called tribes.

Multiple choice social studies from gathering food to growing food - the earliest people tribal societies the earliest people tribes, nomad and settled societies

Smiths, Carpenters and Weavers were recognized as separate ________ by the Brahmanas.

  1. Jatis

  2. Varna

  3. Both

  4. None
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

As the economy and the needs of society grew, people with new skills were required. Smaller castes, or jatis, emerged within varnas. For example, new castes appeared amongst the Brahmanas. On the other hand, many tribes and social groups were taken into caste-based society and given the status of jatis. Specialised artisans smiths, carpenters and masons were also recognised as separate jatis by the Brahmanas. Jatis, rather than varna, became the basis for organising society.

Multiple choice social studies from gathering food to growing food - the earliest people tribal societies the earliest people tribes, nomad and settled societies

_______________ were called as Jatis.

  1. Smaller Castes

  2. Smaller Classes

  3. Both

  4. None
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

As the economy and the needs of society grew, people with new skills were required. Smaller castes, or jatis, emerged within varnas. For example, new castes appeared amongst the Brahmanas.