NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Sociology - Structural Change

Q1: How has colonialism impacted our lives? You can either focus on one aspect like culture or politics or treat them together.
Ans: 

• British colonialism which was based on capitalism directly interfered to ensure greatest profit and benefit to British capitalism.
• Every policy was geared towards the strengthening and expansion of British capitalism.
• It changed the law of land as:
  • It changed not just land ownership laws but decided even what crops would be grown and what ought not to be.
  • It altered the way production and distribution of goods take place.
  • It started interfering with the manufacturing sector.
  • It started occupying forests and cleared trees and started plantation.
  • Colonialism introduced the forest acts that changed the lives of tribals/ pastoralists.
  • It also led to movements of people from one part to another in India which ultimately lead to the growth of nationalist and anti colonial awareness in the Indian masses.

The colonialism affected our lives culturally, politically and more or less combining the two.
Due to mobility and exposure to modem western thoughts people started thinking about freedom, liberty and human rights which provided basis for India freedom movement.
Colonialism also had significant social influences e.g. Indian society particularly the emerging middle class was gradually changed i.e. their life style, eating habits, languages and clothing.
Political impact of colonialism on Indian society was significant our national movement, the political system, the parliamentary and legal system, constitution, education system, the police traffic rules by and large the whole political structure changed due to the colonial impact.

Q2: Industrialisation and urbanisation are linked processes. Discuss.
Ans: 

• Industrialisation refers to the emergence of machine production, based on the use of inanimate power resources like steam or electricity.
• A prime feature of industrial societies is that a large number of people are employed in factories, offices or shops rather than agriculture.
• Over 90% of people are living in cities and towns where most jobs are to be found and new job opportunities are created e.g. in Britain the first society to undergo industrialisation was also the earliest to move from being rural to an urban community.
• During British period industrialisation in some regions had led to decline of old urban centres.
• The process of urbanisation during the colonial period caused decline of earlier urban centres and the emergence of new colonial cities e.g. cities like Surat and Masulipatnam lost their charm and Bombay and Madras emerged as important cities.
• When manufacturing units boomed in Britain, traditional export of cotton and silk manufactures of India declined because they could not compete to Manchester.
• At the end of 19th century, with the development of mechanised factory industrialisation, few towns became heavily populated.
• Other than eastern India where British penetration was earliest and deepest, survived much longer e.g. village crafts in the interior could survive. They were affected only with the spread of railways.
• The government of India after Independence played a significant role in protecting and promoting industrialisation.
• Because of recent policies related to liberalisation and globalisation led to vast expansion of cities.

Q3: You may be living in a very small town, may be in a very big city, a semi-urban settlement or a village.
(i) Describe the place where you live. 
Ans: I live in a semi-urban settlement situated on the outskirts of a major city in India. 

(ii) What are the features, which make you think it is a town and not a city, a village and not a town, or a city and not a village?
Ans: It exhibits characteristics that make it more akin to a town than a city or village:

• Size: The settlement is relatively small in comparison to a city. It doesn't have the vast expanse or population density typically associated with metropolitan areas. 
• Infrastructure: While it has basic amenities like schools, healthcare facilities, and markets, the level of infrastructure development is not as extensive as in a city. There are no major shopping malls or industrial complexes. 
• Economic Activities: The primary source of livelihood for most residents is agriculture, but there are also small businesses and local artisans. There's no significant industrial presence. 
• Lifestyle: The lifestyle here is a mix of traditional and modern elements. While people embrace modern conveniences, the pace of life is more relaxed than in a bustling city. 

(iii) Is there any factory where you live?
Ans: Yes, there is a small-scale manufacturing unit in the vicinity that produces agricultural equipment. However, it is not a large industrial facility. 

(iv) Is agriculture the main job that people do?
Ans: Yes, agriculture is the predominant occupation, with a significant portion of the population engaged in farming. 

(v) Is it the occupational nature that has a determining influence?
Ans: Yes, the predominant occupation, which is agriculture, influences the overall character and economic activities of the settlement. 

(a) Is it the buildings?
Ans: The architecture here consists of a mix of traditional houses and some modern residential buildings. There are no skyscrapers or high-rise apartments. 

(b) Is it the availability of educational opportunities?
Ans: While there are local schools, access to higher education is limited. Many students from here often commute to nearby towns or cities for college education. 

(c) Is it the way people live and behave?
Ans: People in this settlement have a close-knit community and maintain a more traditional way of life. Social interactions are characterized by familiarity and communal bonds. 

(d) Is it the way people talk and dress?
Ans: The local dialect and traditional attire are still prevalent, but there is also an influence of urban fashion and language.