Anthropology - II

 1.1 Evolution of the Indian Culture and Civilization—Prehistoric (Palaeolithic, 

Mesolithic, Neolithic and Neolithic-Chalcolithic), Protohistoric (Indus Civilization). 

Pre-Harappan, Harappan and post-Harappan cultures. Contributions of the tribal 

cultures to Indian civilization. 

1.2 Palaeo—Anthropological evidences from India with special reference to Siwaliks 

and Narmada basin (Ramapithecus, Sivapithecus and Narmada Man). 

1.3. Ethno-archaeology in India: The concept of ethno-archaeology; Survivals and 

Parallels among the hunting, foraging, fishing, pastoral and peasant communities 

including arts and crafts producing communities. 

2. Demographic profile of India—Ethnic and linguistic elements in the Indian 

population and their distribution. Indian population—factors influencing its 

structure and growth. 

3.1 The structure and nature of traditional Indian social system—Varnashram, 

Purushartha, Karma, Rina and Rebirth. 

3.2 Caste system in India— Structure and characteristics Varna and caste, Theories of 

origin of caste system, Dominant caste, Caste mobility, Future of caste system, Jajmani 

system. Tribe-case continuum. 

3.3 Sacred Complex and Nature-Man-Spirit Complex.

3.4. Impact of Buddhism, Jainism, Islam and Christianity of Indian society. 

4. Emergence, growth and development in India—Contributions of the 18th, 19th and 

early 20th Century scholar-administrators. Contributions of Indian 

anthropologists to tribal and caste studies. 

5.1 Indian Village—Significane of village study in India; Indian village as a social 

system; Traditional and changing patterns of settlement and inter-caste relations; 

Agrarian relations in Indian villages; Impact of globalization on Indian villages. 

5.2 Linguistic and religious minorities and their social, political and economic status. 

5.3 Indigenous and exogenous processes of socio-cultural change in Indian society: 

Sanskritization, Westernization, Modernization; Inter-play of little and great 

traditions; Panchayati Raj and social change; Media and Social change. 

6.1 Tribal situation in India—Bio-genetic variability, linguistic and socio-economic 

characteristics of the tribal populations and their distribution. 

6.2 Problems of the tribal Communities—Land alienation, poverty, indebtedness, low 

literacy, poor educational facilities, unemployment, under- employment, health and 

nutrition. 

6.3 Developmental projects and their impact on tribal displacement and problems of 

rehabilitation. Development of forest policy and tribals. Impact of urbanisation and

industrialization on tribal populations. 

7.1 Problems of exploitation and deprivation of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and 

Other Backward Classes. Constitutional safeguards for Scheduled Tribes and 

Scheduled Castes. 

7.2 Social change and contemporary tribal societies : Impact of modern democratic 

institutions, development programmes and welfare measures on tribals and weaker 

sections. 

7.3 The concept of ethnicity; Ethnic conflicts and political developments; Unrest among 

tribal communities; Regionalism and demand for autonomy; Pseudo-tribalism. Social 

change among the tribes during colonial and post-Independent India. 

8.1 Impact of Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam and other religions on tribal 

societies. 

8.2 Tribe and nation state—a comparative study of tribal communities in India and other 

countries. 

9.1 History of administration of tribal areas, tribal policies, plans, programmes of tribal 

development and their implementation. The concept of PTGs (Primitive Tribal 

Groups), their distribution, special programmes for their development. Role of N.G.O.s 

in tribal development. 

9.2 Role of anthropology in tribal and rural development. 

9.3 Contributions of anthropology to the understanding of regionalism, communalism 

and ethnic and political movements.