Unit 2: Ethnographic profiles of Indian tribes: Racial, linguistic and socioeconomic characteristics
Racial Characteristics:
The racial characteristics of an Indian tribe can
vary widely based on their geographical location and historical interactions.
Many Indian tribes have distinctive physical features such as skin color,
facial features, and hair types that are unique to their group. It's important
to note that India is incredibly diverse racially, and tribes can range from
having Mongoloid features in the northeastern regions to Dravidian or Aryan
features in other parts of the country.
Linguistic Characteristics:
Indian tribes often have their own languages,
dialects, and linguistic practices that are specific to their community. These
languages are often distinct from the major languages spoken in the region and
are an integral part of the tribe's identity. Some tribes may also have their
own scripts or writing systems that are used to document their languages.
Socio-Economic Characteristics:
The socioeconomic characteristics of an Indian
tribe can be influenced by various factors, including historical
marginalization, geographical isolation, and government policies. Many tribes
have traditionally been engaged in subsistence activities such as hunting,
gathering, fishing, and shifting agriculture. However, socio-economic changes
over time have led some tribes to adapt to modern agricultural practices or
even urban occupations.
The socio-economic status of Indian tribes varies
widely, with some experiencing poverty and limited access to education,
healthcare, and other essential services. Government initiatives and
non-governmental organizations have aimed to improve the socio-economic
conditions of these tribes through various development programs.
Overall, understanding the ethnographic profile of
an Indian tribe requires a comprehensive study of their racial, linguistic, and
socio-economic characteristics, while considering the diversity and unique
histories of different tribal communities across the country.
Of course, here are multiple-choice questions
(MCQs) along with their answers related to the ethnographic profile of Indian
tribes, focusing on racial, linguistic, and socio-economic characteristics:
Racial Characteristics:
1. Which of the following factors can contribute to
the racial diversity of Indian tribes?
a) Historical interactions
b) Religious practices
c) Urbanization
d) Political affiliations
Answer: a) Historical interactions
2. The physical features of Indian tribes can
include variations in:
a) Eye color
b) Hair length
c) Skin color
d) Shoe size
Answer: c) Skin color
3. Indian tribes in the northeastern regions are
more likely to have which type of physical features?
a) Nordic
b) Mongoloid
c) Mediterranean
d) Semitic
Answer: b) Mongoloid
Linguistic Characteristics:
4. What distinguishes the languages of Indian
tribes from major regional languages?
a) They have a common script.
b) They are derived from Sanskrit.
c) They are unrelated to major
languages.
d) They are used only for religious
rituals.
Answer: c) They are unrelated to major
languages.
5. The linguistic diversity among Indian tribes is
a result of:
a) Government intervention
b) Globalization
c) Historical isolation
d) Economic prosperity
Answer: c) Historical isolation
6. Some Indian tribes have their own unique scripts
for writing. True or False?
Answer: True
Socio-Economic Characteristics:
7. The socio-economic status of Indian tribes is
influenced by:
a) Music preferences
b) Geographical isolation
c) Marital status
d) Political affiliation
Answer: b) Geographical isolation
8. Many Indian tribes traditionally engage in
activities such as:
a) Industrial manufacturing
b) Shifting agriculture
c) Urban planning
d) Software development
Answer: b) Shifting agriculture
9. Government initiatives aim to improve the
socio-economic conditions of Indian tribes. True or False?
Answer: True
Mixed Characteristics:
10. The diversity of racial characteristics among Indian
tribes is largely due to:
a) Genetic engineering
b) Colonial rule
c) Historical, geographical, and
cultural factors
d) Social media influence
Answer: c) Historical, geographical,
and cultural factors
11. Which factor plays a significant role in
shaping the linguistic diversity of Indian tribes?
a) Television shows
b) Interstellar travel
c) Historical isolation
d) Trade agreements
Answer: c) Historical isolation
12. Which characteristic has a strong impact on the
socio-economic status of Indian tribes?
a) Hair color
b) Population density
c) Government policies
d) Social media followers
Answer: c) Government policies
Racial Characteristics:
13. What term is used to describe the unique
physical features and traits of a particular group of people?
a) Cultural markers
b) Ethnicity
c) Racial profiling
d) Genetic code
Answer: b) Ethnicity
14. The racial characteristics of Indian tribes are
static and unchanging. True or False?
Answer: False
15. Which region of India is known for its
Dravidian ethnic groups?
a) North India
b) Northeast India
c) South India
d) Central India
Answer: c) South India
Linguistic Characteristics:
16. Which of the following is NOT a reason for
linguistic diversity among Indian tribes?
a) Historical isolation
b) Colonial influence
c) Shared religious practices
d) Geographical barriers
Answer: c) Shared religious practices
17. What is the term for languages that are no
longer spoken or have very few speakers?
a) Extinct languages
b) Ancient languages
c) Universal languages
d) Modern languages
Answer: a) Extinct languages
18. How can linguistic diversity impact social
interactions within tribes?
a) It fosters unity and understanding
b) It can lead to miscommunication
and division
c) It has no impact on social
interactions
d) It encourages assimilation
Answer: b) It can lead to
miscommunication and division
Socio-Economic Characteristics:
19. Which of the following can be a result of poor
socio-economic conditions among Indian tribes?
a) Increased access to education
b) Improved healthcare facilities
c) Limited access to basic services
d) Higher social mobility
Answer: c) Limited access to basic
services
20. The term "marginalization" refers to:
a) The central role of a tribe in
society
b) Economic prosperity
c) The process of pushing a group to
the outskirts of society
d) A political movement
Answer: c) The process of pushing a
group to the outskirts of society
21. Which of the following can contribute to the
improvement of socio-economic conditions among Indian tribes?
a) Cultural assimilation
b) Government policies and programs
c) Isolation from the mainstream
society
d) Emphasis on traditional practices
only
Answer: b) Government policies and
programs
Mixed Characteristics:
22. The socio-economic characteristics of Indian
tribes are often influenced by their historical interactions and:
a) Current fashion trends
b) Technological advancements
c) Government policies
d) Religious affiliations
Answer: c) Government policies
23. Which characteristic has a significant impact
on the cultural identity of Indian tribes?
a) Socio-economic status
b) Geographical location
c) Skin color
d) Political affiliations
Answer: b) Geographical location
24. Which aspect of an ethnographic profile is
concerned with the ways tribes make a living, allocate resources, and engage
with their environment?
a) Racial characteristics
b) Linguistic diversity
c) Socio-economic practices
d) Religious beliefs
Answer: c) Socio-economic practices
General Knowledge:
25. The term "Adivasi" in India refers
to:
a) A nomadic tribe
b) An indigenous or tribal community
c) A religious group
d) A linguistic minority
Answer: b) An indigenous or tribal
community
26. Who is responsible for conducting the decennial
population census in India?
a) United Nations
b) World Health Organization
c) Ministry of Home Affairs
d) Ministry of Tribal Affairs
Answer: c) Ministry of Home Affairs
27. Which Indian state is known for having a
significant population of tribal communities?
a) Goa
b) Kerala
c) Uttar Pradesh
d) Jharkhand
Answer: d) Jharkhand
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