What traumatic event does Zitkala-Sa describe at the school?

The forcible cutting of her long hair

Why was the cutting of her hair so humiliating to Zitkala-Sa?

Among her people, shingled hair was worn by cowards and mourners

Which social evils did the 19th-century reform movements target?

Practices such as sati, child marriage, the ban on widow remarriage, purdah, polygamy and caste discrimination.

What made the 19th-century reform movements distinctively modern?

They creatively combined modern western liberal ideas with a fresh reinterpretation of traditional Indian texts, using new media, organisations and ideas.

According to Satish Saberwal, what three aspects formed the modern framework of change?

New modes of communication, new forms of organisation, and the new nature of ideas.

Define sanskritisation.

A process by which a lower caste, tribe or group adopts the customs, rituals, beliefs and lifestyle of a higher, twice-born caste in order to raise its social status.

Give two criticisms of the concept of sanskritisation.

It exaggerates social mobility (only positional, not structural, change), accepts upper-caste ways as superior, justifies hierarchy, and erodes the worth of Dalit labour and culture.

How did M.N. Srinivas define westernisation?

As the changes brought about in Indian society and culture by over 150 years of British rule, including changes in technology, institutions, ideology and values.

What characteristics define modernisation?

A shift from local to universal ties, from emotion and the sacred to reason and science, from group to individual, from birth-based to choice-based roles, and from fatalism to mastery.

What is meant by the secularisation of caste?

The transformation of caste from a religious institution based on purity and pollution into political pressure groups and caste-based parties pursuing secular demands.

Why does westernisation not necessarily mean adopting modern values?

Because people may adopt western dress, goods or styles while still holding conservative, undemocratic or prejudiced attitudes, for example towards women or other communities.

Why are sanskritisation, westernisation, modernisation and secularisation said to overlap?

Because they often coexist and operate together, so the same person or group can be modern in some respects and traditional in others.

CBSE · Senior secondary

CBSE Class 12 — Notes, Chapters & Practice Quizzes

Master every Class 12 chapter — the base your board marks and your NEET / JEE / CUET prep both stand on.

13 subjects 166 chapters 171 practice quizzes NCERT syllabus

56 quiz attempts so far Dual AI-verified questions 10 quizzes free, then 10 credits

Notice Board

Students preparing for CBSE Class 12 Board Examination

View all

Formula of the day

Physics · EM Induction · 13 formulae in the cheatsheet

Trap of the day

Lens/mirror sign convention: distances against the incident light are negative. Drop a sign and real becomes virtual.

Chapter 2: Cultural Change — Class 12 Sociology

Sociology · 14 chapters

Summary, key terms, important questions and a practice quiz with AI diagnosis for each.

Chapter 2: Cultural Change

Try one from this chapter

Which was a social evil targeted by 19th-century reform movements?

Summary

Alongside the structural changes of colonialism came cultural change — in ways of life, norms, values and even body language. The chapter looks at two developments. First, the deliberate social reform movements of the 19th and early 20th centuries, which fought social evils such as sati, child marriage, the ban on widow remarriage and caste discrimination. These reformers — among them Raja Ram Mohun Roy, Vidyasagar, Jotiba Phule, Pandita Ramabai, Sir Syed Ahmed Khan and Viresalingam — combined modern western liberal ideas with a fresh reading of traditional texts, aided by new modes of communication (the printing press, railways), new organisations (Brahmo Samaj, Arya Samaj) and new ideas. Female education was intensely debated. Second, the chapter explains four less deliberate processes of cultural change. Sanskritisation (M.N. Srinivas' term) is the adoption of upper-caste customs by lower castes to raise status, criticised for accepting hierarchy and eroding Dalit culture. Westernisation is change resulting from over 150 years of British rule, affecting technology, institutions, dress and thought. Modernisation is the shift towards universal, rational, individual and choice-based ways of life, while secularisation is the declining influence of religion — though in India ritual often has secular dimensions and caste has itself become 'secularised' into political pressure groups. These processes overlap and coexist, often within the same person.

Key terms

Social reform movements

19th and early 20th-century movements against evils like sati, child marriage and caste discrimination.

Sanskritisation

The adoption of upper-caste customs and rituals by lower castes to raise their status.

Westernisation

Changes in Indian society and culture resulting from over 150 years of British rule.

Modernisation

The shift towards universal, rational, individual and achievement-based ways of life.

Secularisation

The declining influence of religion in social life and the secular use of ritual.

De-sanskritisation

Where non-Sanskritic dominant castes set the cultural tone of a region.

Important questions

Explore interactively

Key-term flashcards

Flip cards · mark known · keyboard ← → and Space

6 cards

Term1 / 6

Social reform movements

Tap to reveal

Meaning1 / 6

19th and early 20th-century movements against evils like sati, child marriage and caste discrimination.

Tap to flip back

Tap card to flip

Keyboard: ← → to move · Space to flip

Practice quiz · Cultural Change

Score on this chapter, climb the leaderboard, and get an AI diagnosis of your mistakes.

Dual AI-verified questions Real exam pattern 2 quizzes free, then 10 credits per quiz

Cultural Change

Sociology 10 Qs · ~10 min