Agrarian Structure: Caste and Class in Rural India

Read the passage given and answer the questions :-

The harsh working conditions suffered by labourers in Aghanbigha were an outcome of  the combined effect of the economic power of the maliks as a class and their overwhelming  power as members of a dominant caste. A significant aspect of the social power of the  maliks was their ability to secure the intervention of various arms of the state to advance  their interests. Thus, political factors decissively contributed to widening the gulf between  the dominant class and the underclass.

i.  Why do you think the maliks were able to use the power of the state to advance their own interests?

ii.  Why did labourers have harsh working conditions?

Hindi and regional language films were often set in rural areas. Think of a  film set in rural India and describe the agrarian society and culture that is  shown in it. How realistic do you think the portrayal is? Have you seen any  recent film set in rural areas? If not how would you explain it? 

Assertion(A): Members of low-ranked caste groups had to provide labour for a fixed number of days per year to the village zamindar.

Reason(R): Lack of resources and dependence on the landed caste for economic and social support meant that many working poor were tied to landowners in hereditary labour relationships.