Anthropology Optional Topic-wise source (Paper 2)

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.

Primary Source: Indian Anthropology Nadeem Hasnain Value addition: DK Bhattacharya (Selective Reading only for this topic) Diagrams: Anthropology Simplified by Vivek Bhasme Prepare notes for each topic under various subheads Climate Tools, Tool-types, Tool-technology, Tool material Practice the diagrams of tools Prominent sites, their excavators, any uniqueness in the sites, etc. Draw India map and locate the sites in all your answers For the sub-topic “Contribution of Tribal Cultures”, I referred to  Anthropology Simplified

1.2   Palaeo—Anthropological evidences from India with special reference to Siwaliks and Narmada basin (Ramapithecus,    Sivapithecus and Narmada Man).

Prepare notes for a comprehensive 15 marker on Ramapithecus, Sivapithecus and Narmada Man For all answers, you should quote the archaeologist name, the site and the year of discovery and its significance Draw a phylogenetic to illustrate where that particular fossil fits in the whole chain

1.3. Ethno-archaeology in India: The concept of ethnoarchaeology; Survivals and Parallels among the hunting, foraging, fishing, pastoral and peasant communities including arts and crafts producing communities.

I skipped this topic for lack of time

2. Demographic profile of India—Ethnic and linguistic elements in the Indian population and their distribution. Indian population—factors influencing its structure and growth.

Source: Nadeem Hasnain and Brain Tree Thoroughly prepare map of profile distribution – both ethnic and linguistic Cram Risley’s and Guha’s Classification i.e., memorise the physical characteristics and other features of each of the race they described. Also prepare on criticism of their classification. Basically  you need to have holistic content for a 15 marker question from this section.

3.1   The structure and nature of traditional Indian social system—Varnashram, Purushartha, Karma, Rina and Rebirth.

Core material: Indian Anthropology by Hasnain You can refer to Anthropology Simplified for diagrams/schematics and value addition

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.

Indian Anthropology by Hasnain and Internet to understand about Sociology theories little more deeply You can prepare notes for easy revision. It’s a static part and so if a question comes from this section, you must answer well. Have a solid grip over the works of MN Srinivas, Ghurye, Louis Dumont and other sociologists. Use internet to make in-depth notes. When discussing a concept, always remember to quote the relevant anthropologist name, tribe’s name, village name, and the name of their publication. Eg: Wiser’s work on Jajmani system, Bailey’s on Tribe-caste continuum etc. Also mention scholarly criticism of that concept by other anthropologists etc. You must answer like a specialist, not a generalist. Write about contemporary relevance of these social systems in Indian Society with examples to substantiate the concept.

3.3     Sacred Complex and Nature-Man-Spirit Complex.

Indian Anthropology by Hasnain Also mention about BN Saraswati’s work. You can use internet for getting details Link it to contemporary relevance too. Mention how when tribes that get displaced the balance inherent between NMS get disturbed. Use schematic to improve presentation.

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

Indian Anthropology – Nadeem Hasnain. Anthropology Simplified – Vivek Bhasme This is a static part. Prepare comprehensive notes for a 15 marker.

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.

I completely relied on Anthropology Simplified for this topic Cramm important Anthropologists and their work

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.

I did not find any concrete material for this topic. I prepared very basic stuff from BrainTree. Apart from it, wherever relevant I used to quote important village studies of major anthropologists like Redfield and interlink with the concepts that emerged out of their studies. Also prepare scholarly criticisms of these concepts. Adding a brief line or two about the relevance of these studies on contemporary Indian society would enrich your answer.

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

Prepared completely from Anthropology Simplified Wherever relevant quote Constitutional provisions regarding minorities Give some contemporary relevance. For instance, when you talk about any minority community, try and quote any govt scheme specifically designed to benefit the community and its evaluation.

5.3   Indigenous and exogenous processes of sociocultural change in Indian society: Sanskritization, Westernization, Modernization; Inter-play of little and great traditions; Panchayati Raj and social change; Media and Social change.

Indian Anthropology by Nadeem Hasnain + Anthropology Simplified Use schematic/diagrams to improve presentation (Eg: Interplay between GT and LT) For Panchayati Raj and Social Change, Media and social change etc., use internet to prepare case studies

6.1 Tribal situation in India—Bio-genetic variability, linguistic and socio-economic characteristics of the tribal populations and their distribution.

Tribal India by Nadeem Hasnain

6.2 Problems of the tribal Communities—Land alienation, poverty, indebtedness, low literacy, poor educational facilities, unemployment, underemployment, 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.

6.2 and 6.3 – Tribal Problems Tribal India + Anthropology Simplified Prepare notes from Xaxa report to enrich your answers Always be mindful of being specific. Don’t just say tribes are afflicted with ill-health and indebtedness. Tell the examiner which specific tribe suffers from which problem, its underlying cause, latest statistics, govt schemes, criticisms, and way forward. Quote relevant case studies with separate side heading to draw examiner’s attention.

7.1 Problems of exploitation and deprivation of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes. Constitutional safeguards for Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes

Tribal India + Anthropology Simplified Memorize all the Constitutional safeguards, articles, etc. Xaxa report has excellent content for this topic.

7.2 Social change and contemporary tribal societies :

Impact of modern democratic institutions, development programmes and welfare measures on tribals and weaker sections.

Source: Hasnain’s Tribal India The problem with this topic is that the questions would be very generic. The challenge is to make your write answers that stand out. You can do this through value addition. Memorize tribal examples, case studies and explain the specificity of the problem of a certain tribe and how it was/is being impacted by development. For instance, some tribes suffer from ill health while others from outright displacement. Be specific when you quote your examples. That’s how you make a mark on the examiner’s mind. Suggest a good way forward as conclusion (Xaxa committee report has many good recommendations)

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.

I prepared this topic from Tribal India and Anthropology Simplified

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

I prepared this topic from LP Vidyarthi’s The Tribal Culture of India Value addition: Tribal India – Nadeem Hasnain Cram examples and case studies

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

I skipped it for lack of time

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.

I prepared this topic from Tribal India and Xaxa report. Names of important PVTGs, how they are defined, their location, specific problems, current statistics, govt schemes related to them must be on your finger tips. Have a rough idea of which PVTGs reside in which part of the country. Wherever relevant, draw India map to illustrate. Value addition: Yojana 2014 edition on Tribals Watch out for latest news/legislations related to PVTGs and quote them in your answers. PRS website is a good resource. Use internet for understanding about important NGOs doing work in this sector

9.2 Role of anthropology in tribal and rural development.

Tribal India + Anthropology Simplified Value addition: Yojana 2014 edition on Tribals Write about Action Anthropology content of Paper I and the thinkers associated with it. Enrich your answer with examples and case studies in Indian context

9.3 Contributions of anthropology to the understanding of regionalism, communalism and ethnic and political movements.

Prepare a generic GS answer on each topic. Quote examples of regionalism and ethnic movements (you can give any tribal movement as an example) and underlying causes Way forward as conclusion

Endnote: In Anthro Paper II, you can inculcate the following things to NOT make your write up look like a GS answer.

1. Always quote names of relevant anthropologists, their publication, tribe/village name on which they worked etc
2. Have compilation of case studies (can be sourced from Xaxa report)
3. Interlinkage with theories of Paper-I
4. Contemporary relevance of the question and link it with current affairs
5. Use diagrams/Schematics for better presentation

Other Source:

Prehistoric Indian Culture

• Indian Prehistory by D.K Bhattacharya
• Video lectures ( However it covers the subject quite extensively, one only needs to find the relevant videos for UPSC): Link

Indian Society

• Vaid Sir Notes
• Indian Anthropology – Nadeem Hasnain
• Indian Society – Class 12thC.E.R.T
• Social Change and Development in India – Class 12thC.E.R.T

Tribal India

• Tribal India – Nadeem Hasnain
•  Xaxa Committee Report: http://www.kractivist.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Tribal-Committee-Report-May-June-2014.pdf
• Tribal and Marginalized Communities – January 2014 edition of Yojana.
• Tribal documentaries: Link

Other Sources:

• IGNOU Material for Anthropology: Link
• Case-Studies are something that plays crucial role in scoring marks especially in Anthropology Paper-2. Here ,i am attaching some of the case-studies that i referred specifically for Tribal India apart from XAXA report. You can find the link of google drive below: Link
• Compilation of 200 questions: Link
• Test Copies: Link