Social Science · History

Indian Social Structure

1,850 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 civics the tribes of india culture study of culture tribes in madhya pradesh

When we speak of occupational mobility, we usually refer to:

  1. The formation in which all the caste groups are placed from the 'highest' to the 'lowest' castes.

  2. Shift from one occupation to another, usually when a new generation takes up occupations other than their ancestors.

  3. Occupations of women in the society.

  4. Shift of population from rural areas to the urban areas.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Occupational mobility refers to the movement of individuals or groups between different occupations. It is most commonly observed when younger generations choose careers different from those of their parents or ancestors.

Multiple choice sociology culture study of culture the tribes of india tribes in madhya pradesh

Fairs are the most important cultural rituals of ______________ societies of India.

  1. Urban

  2. Rural

  3. Both

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

Fairs are the most important cultural rituals of rural societies of India. They are not only religious expression but also for entertainment purposes. People sell their agricultural produce and other utility products.many people from different areas gather to see programs, buy different things and interact with other people.

Multiple choice history the industrial revolution industrial revolution and its effects industries and impact india's contemporary economic condition the industrial age and change of life of people industrialization and the growth of democracy china: two different phases

Who were the 'haves' in the society?

  1. The poor

  2. The rich

  3. The middle class

  4. The aristocratic class
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Haves meant the rich people, those who had land, labour and capital. It comprised of the industrialists, capitalists, big landholders, etc. 

Multiple choice history colonisation in latin america, asia and africa imperialism and global transformation imperialism battle of plassey and battle of buxar

Which of the following statements concerning the improvement of women's status as a result of the Tanzimat reforms is most accurate?

  1. The inclusion of reforms for women was not even considered in Ottoman society during the period of the Tanzimat reforms.

  2. While not all women benefited, elite women were freed from the restrictive aspects of Muslim society during the period of the Tanzimat reforms.

  3. Muslim restrictions against the social equality of women were swept away as part of the Tanzimat reforms

  4. Despite widespread discussion of the practices of seclusion, polygamy, and veiling, few improvements in women's social status were won in the 19th century.

  5. Women in the Ottoman Empire became as free as those in western Europe and the United States.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

While the Tanzimat reforms modernized many aspects of Ottoman law and administration, they largely failed to fundamentally alter the patriarchal structure of society or grant significant social equality to women.

Multiple choice business studies ancient indian economy sangam age society and culture in ancient tamizhagam: the sangam age our golden past

The Tolkappiyam has mentioned four castes in Sangam age, namely, Brahmanas, kings, traders and ______.

  1. Nomads

  2. Shudras

  3. Farmers

  4. Craftsman
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Tolkappiyam, an early book on Tamil grammar and poetics, was believed to be written by Tolkappiyar. Tolkappiyam actually consists of three books- the Ezhuttadikaram, the Solladikarama and the Poruladikaram. The book divides the society of Sangam age into four castes as Brahmanas, kings, traders and farmers in its third book called Poruladikaram. It also divides the Tamil language into Sentamil and Koduntamil.

Multiple choice business studies ancient indian economy sangam age society and culture in ancient tamizhagam: the sangam age our golden past

What is meant by Sangam?

  1. Gathering of learned men

  2. Gathering of learned women

  3. Gathering of labours

  4. All of above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Sangam means a gathering of learned men. The literature compiled in such gatherings is known as 'Sangam Literature'. It is the most ancient literature in Tamil. A whole time period is labelled after this known as the Sangam Age.

Multiple choice business studies ancient indian economy sangam age society and culture in ancient tamizhagam: the sangam age our golden past

The stratification in Tamil Sangam society was primarily based upon the distinction between _________, differentiating the Brahmanas and their patrons from the common men.

  1. The high born and the low born

  2. The rich and the poor

  3. The strong and the week

  4. The educated and the uneducated
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Sangam social structure was based on the traditional caste system. There were farmers, shepherds, hunters, fisherman, blacksmiths, weavers, carpenters, merchants, shippers, and priests. The Brahmins were ideal priests and even the chief advisors to the kings. The interesting thing is that though the Brahmins played a crucial and constructive role, the Sangam society was not priest dominated and thus even the other castes enjoyed respect in society.

Multiple choice business studies ancient indian economy sangam age society and culture in ancient tamizhagam: the sangam age our golden past

The Sangam literature points to the existence of both the wealthy and the poor people in the society. The poor were either ________________.

  1. Farm labourers

  2. Casual labourers

  3. Wandering minstrels

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

Sangam literature depicts a society with economic disparities where the poor included farm laborers, casual workers, and wandering minstrels who relied on patronage.

Multiple choice business studies ancient indian economy sangam age society and culture in ancient tamizhagam: the sangam age our golden past

Which of the following is true regarding the position of women during Sangam age society?

  1. The status of women in Sangam society was not equal to that of men

  2. Women enjoyed freedom of movement in society

  3. There were female ascetics belonging to Buddhist or Jain tradition

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

The women like men enjoyed a certain freedom of moving around the town, playing on the seashore and riverbeds and joined temple festivals, however, the status of women was not at par with men like contemporary period. Though the women were educated and poetesses. They had no property rights. Women performed Sati. Prostitution was a recognized institution.

Multiple choice civics national awakening and establishment of political organisations in india formation of indian national congress (inc) militant nationalism radical nationalists

The 'turban' in India was not just a protection from he but also a sign of ___________.

  1. Wealth

  2. Scholarly qualities

  3. Respectability

  4. Caste superiority
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Turban is manually tied headdress worn by men. It is a symbol of honour and respect. Turban-wearing traditions can be found in the Indian Subcontinent, Afghanistan, Southeast Asia, the Arabian Peninsula, the Middle East, the Near East, Central Asia, North Africa, the Horn of Africa, the Sahel, North America, and parts of the Swahili Coast.

Multiple choice social studies from stone to metal progress in history prehistoric age indus valley civilization

Historians label Mesopotamia as a patriarchal society because ______________________.

  1. Monogamy was valued

  2. Women worked outside the home

  3. Women were almost always subject to the will of men

  4. Women were allowed to divorce in some circumstances

  5. Polygamy was practiced
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Monogamy is the act of getting married to one person at a time. According to a law in "the code of Hammurabi", a Babylonian code of law of ancient Mesopotamia, if a man's wife is caught cheating on her husband, the husband is allowed to tie her and throw her into the water.

Multiple choice social studies from stone to metal progress in history prehistoric age indus valley civilization

In early civilizations, which social class made up the vast majority of the population?

  1. Free commoners

  2. Slaves

  3. Nobility

  4. Military

  5. Artisans
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

In early agrarian civilizations, the vast majority of the population consisted of farmers and laborers who worked the land to support the urban centers and the elite classes.

Multiple choice history government, society and culture under the delhi sultanate life under delhi sultanate arab invasions and delhi sultanate royal dynasties of rajasthan and mughals

Under the Delhi Sultanate, _______ were the most powerful class in the society.

  1. The priests

  2. The aristocrats

  3. The peasants

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

Nobles (aristocrats) included Sultan and his relatives, courtiers and holders of Iqta, Hindu and Muslim chieftains, merchants, bankers etc. Almost all the wealth and power was concentrated in this group. They lived in luxury and style.

Multiple choice history government, society and culture under the delhi sultanate life under delhi sultanate arab invasions and delhi sultanate royal dynasties of rajasthan and mughals

Which of the following system became widely prevalent in society during Delhi Sultanate period?

  1. Sati

  2. Child Marriage

  3. Purdah

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

 During the Delhi Sultanate period, some of the evil social practices like Sati, Child marriage and Purdah became prevalent. In Sati, widow burns herself on her husband's pyre or takes her own life in another fashion shortly after her husband's death. No measures were taken by the Sultans for abolishing these practices, it was the Mughal emperor Akbar who came forward to stop these evil practices.