Question: Who among the following called village community as a little community?
- Max Mueller
- Toennies
- Henry Maine
- Robert Redfield
Answer: (4)The question pertains to the characterization of the village community as a “little community” and specifically identifies the scholar who referred to it as such. The correct answer is (d) Robert Redfield. To fully comprehend this answer and its significance, let’s delve into the concept of the “little community” and Robert Redfield’s contribution to our understanding of rural and village life. Robert Redfield was an American cultural anthropologist whose work significantly contributed to the study of rural communities and their social dynamics. He is best known for his concept of the “little community,” which he introduced in his book titled “The Little Community” published in 1955. In this book, Redfield offered a holistic perspective on rural life, emphasizing the importance of understanding the smallest unit of human society – the village or rural community. Key points to understand about the “little community” and Robert Redfield’s perspective:The Little Community: Redfield characterized the village or rural community as a “little community.” He used this term to emphasize that rural communities represent the smallest and most fundamental unit of human society. These communities are characterized by close-knit social structures, shared traditions, and collective activities. Holistic Approach: Redfield’s approach to studying rural communities was holistic. He believed that to truly understand the dynamics of these communities, it was essential to examine them as a whole, considering all aspects of communal living, including social, economic, cultural, and religious dimensions. Emphasis on Mass Participation: Redfield highlighted the concept of mass participation in communal activities within the village community. This means that members of the community actively engage in various communal activities and rituals, contributing to a strong sense of shared identity and collective life. Anthropological Fieldwork: Redfield pointed out that anthropologists have conducted much of their fieldwork in rural and village communities. This choice was not coincidental; he believed that by studying these small, close-knit communities, anthropologists could gain valuable insights into human society’s basic structures and functions. Prevalence of Little Communities: Redfield suggested that throughout the history of humankind, little communities have been the most common form of human living. He argued that these communities have played a vital role in shaping the social fabric and cultural traditions of societies worldwide. Redfield’s work and the concept of the “little community” have had a profound influence on the field of anthropology and the study of rural and village life. His approach encouraged scholars to appreciate the complexity and richness of rural communities and to consider the interconnectedness of various aspects of communal living. In the context of the options provided in the question:(a) Max Mueller: Max Mueller was a renowned philologist and scholar of Indian studies. He is best known for his contributions to the study of Sanskrit and the comparative analysis of Indo-European languages. His work focused on linguistics and ancient Indian texts, making him less relevant to the concept of the “little community” in the context of rural sociology. (b) Toennies: Ferdinand Tönnies, a German sociologist, is famous for his concepts of Gemeinschaft and Gesellschaft. Gemeinschaft refers to traditional, close-knit, and community-based societies, while Gesellschaft refers to more modern, urban, and impersonal societies. While Tönnies’ work is related to community and society, his terminology is different from Redfield’s “little community.” (c) Henry Maine: Sir Henry Maine was a British jurist and legal historian known for his work on ancient legal systems and social evolution. His contributions are primarily in the fields of law and legal anthropology, making him less directly connected to the concept of the “little community.” In conclusion, Robert Redfield referred to the village community as a “little community” to emphasize its significance as the smallest and most fundamental unit of human society. He adopted a holistic approach to studying these communities, highlighting the importance of mass participation in communal activities and the prevalence of such communities throughout human history. His work has left a lasting impact on the field of anthropology and the study of rural and village life, contributing to our understanding of the essential aspects of communal living and the intricate web of traditions and social relationships in these communities. |
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Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Question: Define the term “ethnic movement” and provide an example from India.
Answer: An ethnic movement refers to a collective effort by a group sharing common cultural, linguistic, or religious traits, seeking to assert their identity and rights; an example from India is the Khalistan Movement in Punjab.
2. Question: Identify the main objectives behind the Gorkhaland ethnic movement.
Answer: The Gorkhaland ethnic movement primarily seeks to establish a separate state for India’s Nepali-speaking population in the Darjeeling region, advocating for linguistic and cultural recognition and political autonomy.
3. Question: What was the Operation Blue Star, and which ethnic movement was it related to?
Answer: Operation Blue Star was a military action in 1984, aiming to remove Sikh militants hiding in the Golden Temple in Amritsar; it is related to the Khalistan movement, which sought a separate Sikh country.
4. Question: Mention a critical factor that triggered the emergence of ethnic movements in India, as discussed by Dipankar Gupta.
Answer: Dipankar Gupta emphasized that ethnicity is fundamentally a political process, wherein caste and religion, the key components of identity formation, are politicized by leaders for vested interests.
5. Question: What were the primary reasons for the Assam Ethnicity conflicts involving Bodo tribals and Bengali Muslim settlers?
Answer: The Assam Ethnicity conflicts primarily stemmed from issues related to immigration, land rights, and resource allocation, leading to clashes, riots, and evolving relationships among indigenous communities to address challenges.
6. Question: Briefly describe the role of the Dravidian Movement in terms of caste and societal structure.
Answer: The Dravidian Movement, led notably by E.V. Ramasamy, aimed to establish an egalitarian society, focusing on anti-Brahmanism and advocating for equal rights for backward castes, while also introducing reforms like self-respect marriages.
7. Question: Name the prominent ethnic movements in North-East India and specify one common objective.
Answer: Prominent ethnic movements in North-East India include the Nagas’ and Mizos’ struggles; a common objective was to gain autonomy and recognition for their distinct tribal identities and cultural uniqueness.
8. Question: What is the key argument of Gail Omveldt regarding traditional Indian society and multiculturalism?
Answer: Gail Omveldt opposed romanticizing traditional Indian society, arguing that hierarchy has always dominated it and dismissing the notion that multiculturalism is an intrinsic feature of Indian society as a myth.
9. Question: Briefly explain the social hierarchy factor as a contributing element to ethnic movements as suggested by Olzak.
Answer: Olzak suggests that the construction of hierarchies among ethnic communities, which often leads to the suppression of one group by another, is a key factor that can instigate social and ethnic movements.
10. Question: Identify one consequence of the unequal economic development factor within the context of ethnic movements in India.
Answer: One consequence of unequal economic development is the marginalization and underdevelopment of certain groups, leading to feelings of alienation and sometimes initiating ethnic movements as these groups strive for equality and recognition.
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