(SEM V) THEORY EXAMINATION 2023-24 INDIAN TRADITION, CULTURE AND SOCIETY

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Course: B.Tech (All Branches – Common Subject)

Semester: V

Subject Code: KNC502

Subject Title: Indian Tradition, Culture and Society

Maximum Marks: 50

Duration: 3 Hours

Paper Type: Theory (Conceptual + Descriptive)

SECTION A — Short Answer Questions (2 × 5 = 10 Marks)

All questions are compulsory.

a. Which theory says that the State came into existence as a result of the contract between those in power and those they govern?

Answer: Social Contract Theory — proposed by thinkers like Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau. It states that the state originated through an agreement among individuals to form a governing body to ensure order and protection.

b. What is the Force Theory of evolution of state?

The theory suggests that the state was established through the use of force or conquest—the stronger imposed their authority over the weaker.

c. Who invented Harappan script?

The Harappan script remains undeciphered, and no individual inventor is known. It was used by the people of the Indus Valley Civilization (c. 2600–1900 BCE).

d. What is the greatest literature of India?

The Vedas are regarded as the greatest and oldest literature of India, forming the foundation of Indian philosophy, culture, and spirituality.

e. What was the nature of the pre-Vedic religion?

It was animistic and nature-worshipping, involving reverence for elements like the Sun, Moon, Fire (Agni), Wind (Vayu), and Water (Varuna).

SECTION B — Descriptive Questions (5 × 3 = 15 Marks)

Attempt any three.

a. Structure of political and administrative units in ancient India

Ancient Indian administration followed a hierarchical model:

Grama (village) – basic unit led by the Gramik. Vis (clan) – group of villages.

Janapada (state) – ruled by a Raja or Maharaja. Sabha and Samiti – advisory and popular assemblies.

The Mauryan Empire introduced centralized governance under Chandragupta and Ashoka.

b. Describe the two Sanskrit epics — Mahabharata and Ramayana.

Ramayana (by Valmiki): The story of Lord Rama’s journey, symbolizing truth, dharma, and virtue.

Mahabharata (by Vyasa): The world’s longest epic, portraying the war of Kurukshetra and containing the Bhagavad Gita, which teaches karma and morality.

c. Socio-political organization in the Vedic period.

Society was divided into four varnas — Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, Shudras.

Family was patriarchal, and village assemblies played a role in governance.

Kingship evolved from tribal chieftainship to hereditary monarchy.

d. Different types of art and crafts in Harappan civilization.

Arts: Terracotta figurines, seals, pottery, bronze statues like the Dancing Girl of Mohenjo-Daro.

Crafts: Bead-making, metallurgy, and shell-carving indicated advanced craftsmanship.

e. Three main styles of ancient Indian culture.

Nagara (North Indian), Dravidian (South Indian), and Vesara (Hybrid) — seen in temple architecture across regions.

SECTION C — Long / Analytical Questions (5 × 5 = 25 Marks)

Attempt one part from each question (Q3–Q7).

Q3.

(a) How are women represented in history? What are the traditional representations of women?

Traditionally, women were viewed as nurturers and homemakers, associated with divinity (e.g., Saraswati, Durga).

Ancient texts like the Manusmriti restricted women’s independence, but periods like the Vedic era granted them education and participation in rituals.

Modern history reinterprets women as leaders, reformers, and contributors in various fields.

(b) What are the seven limbs of a state? In which treatise are they mentioned?

Mentioned in Kautilya’s Arthashastra, the seven limbs (Saptanga Theory) are:

Swami (King) Amatya (Ministers)

Janapada (Territory/People) Durga (Fort)

Kosa (Treasury) Danda (Army)

Mitra (Allies)

Q4.

(a) Explain the development of the Prakrit language.

Derived from Sanskrit; used by common people during the Mauryan and Gupta periods.

Emperor Ashoka’s inscriptions were in Prakrit.

Later evolved into modern languages like Hindi, Gujarati, and Marathi.

(b) Write characteristics of Persian literature.

Rich in poetry, prose, and Sufism.

Flourished during the Delhi Sultanate and Mughal period.

Prominent works: Amir Khusrau’s poems, Baburnama, Akbarnama.

Q5.

(a) Discuss reasons for the rise of Jainism and its impact.

Reasons: Corruption in Vedic rituals, inequality of caste, and spiritual quest.

Impact: Emphasis on non-violence (Ahimsa), vegetarianism, and moral discipline.

Promoted tolerance and simplicity, influencing Buddhism and Gandhian thought.

(b) Socio-religious reforms of the 19th–20th century: modernization vs. westernization.

Reformers like Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Swami Vivekananda, and Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar sought modernization through education and rationalism.

They aimed to reform traditional practices (e.g., Sati, child marriage) without imitating the West completely.