Topics
Introduction to Indian Society
- Study of Indian Society: Sociological Connections with History and Anthropology
- Study of Indian Society
- Religious Beliefs and Practices in Ancient India
- Religion in Ancient Indian Civilizations
- Jainism and Buddhism in Ancient India
- Religious Beliefs and Practices in Medieval India
- Status of Women in Indian Society
- Nature of Education in Ancient and Medieval India
- Social Life in Ancient and Medieval India
- Urbanisation in Ancient India
- Concept of Sociological Imagination
- Colonial Period in India
- Effects of Colonialisation in India
- Factors Affecting Post-Independence India
- Overview of Introduction to Indian Society
Segments of Indian Society
- Introduction to Segments of Indian Society
- The Tribal Community in India
- Exploitation and Problems of the Indian Tribal Community
- Tribal Development in India
- The Rural Community in India
- Rural Development in India (Sociological Perspective)
- The Urban Community in India
- Urban Development in India
- Overview of Segments of Indian Society
Diversity and Unity in Indian Society
- Introduction of Diversity and Unity in Indian Society
- Diversity in Indian Society
- Unity in Diversity
- Challenges to National Unity
- Factors that Are Responsible for Economic Inequality in Society
- Overview of Diversity and Unity in Indian Society
Processes of Social Change in India
- Industrialisation
- Urbanisation in India
- Modernisation
- Digitalisation
- Factors Responsible for Social Change
- Overview of Processes of Social Change in India
Social Movements in India
- Meaning and Nature of Social Movement
- Types of Social Movements
- Causes of Social Movements
- Social Movements and Social Change
- Womens’ Movement in India
- Workers’ Movements
- Farmer's Movements
- Environmental Movement in India
- Overview of Social Movements in India
Social Problems in India
- Social Problem
- Ageing
- The Problems of Ageing
- Measures to Tackle the Problems of Ageing
- Concept of Unemployment
- Causes of Unemployment
- General Measures to Reduce Unemployment
- Farmers’ Suicide
- Causes of Farmers’ Suicide
- Consequences of Farmers’ Suicides
- Measures to Tackle the Problem of Farmer Suicides
- Domestic Violence
- Causes of Domestic Violence
- Consequences of Domestic Violence
- Measures to Deal with Domestic Violence
- Addiction (Substance, Internet, Mobile)
- Types of Addiction
- Causes of Addiction
- Consequences of Addiction
- Measures to Tackle Addiction Problems
- Overview of Social Problems in India
Passages
- Passages
Estimated time: 55 minutes
Maharashtra State Board: Class 12
Definition: Social Movement
- Turner and Killian: A collectivity acting with some continuity to promote or resist a change in the society or group of which it is a part.
- Herbert Blumer: Collective enterprises to establish a new order of life.
- Sidney Tarrow: Collective challenges to authority, established cultural codes by people with common purposes and solidarity in sustained interactions with elites, opponents and authorities.
Maharashtra State Board: Class 12
Key Points: Characteristics of Social Movements
- Social Movements are different in nature, features, pace and operations.
- Essentially collective in nature: Social movement is not an individual action. It involves a collective action. A group collectivity has to be part of the movement.
- Planned and deliberate action: Social movements have to be preplanned to be executed effectively. Movements are deliberate initiatives and not spontaneous in nature.
- Ideology and objectives: A social movement is backed by an ideology. The ideology guides the course of the movement. It has a set of objectives to fulfill.
- Social change: Social movements are oriented towards bringing about a change. It usually demands change in the already established order or it resists change initiated by the authorities.
Maharashtra State Board: Class 12
Key Points: Types of Social Movements
- Alternative Social Movements: Aim at limited change in specific individuals’ behaviour.
- Reformative Social Movements: Seek partial change in certain aspects of society.
- Redemptive Social Movements: Focus on total change in individuals’ beliefs and lifestyle.
- Revolutionary Social Movements: Aim at complete transformation of society.
- General, Specific and Expressive Social Movements: Classified by Herbert Blumer based on their scope and objectives.
Maharashtra State Board: Class 12
Key Points: Causes of Social Movements
- Cultural Drift – Rapid changes in values and ideas create conflict between old and new norms.
- Social Disorganisation – Uneven social change (industrialisation, urbanisation) creates confusion and instability.
- Perceived Social Injustice – Feeling of injustice and dissatisfaction against authorities leads to collective action.
- Rigidity in the normative structure – When social norms become inflexible and fail to meet people’s expectations, movements arise.
Maharashtra State Board: Class 12
Key Points: Social Movements and Social Change
- Social movements and social change are interconnected.
- A social movement has a life cycle (emerges, grows, declines), but social change is continuous.
- A social movement is organised and planned, whereas social change may not always be deliberate.
- Social movements are not present everywhere all the time, but social change is universal and inevitable.
Maharashtra State Board: Class 12
Key Points: Impact of Social Reformers
- Women’s Movement began in the 19th century with efforts of progressive reformers.
- Reformers like Raja Rammohan Roy opposed discriminatory practices against women.
- Laws such as Prevention of Sati Act and Widow Remarriage Act were passed.
- Organisations like Women’s Indian Association and AIWC promoted women’s education.
- Women became more aware of their rights and social position.
Maharashtra State Board: Class 12
Key Points: Impact of Nationalist Movement
- Women actively participated in the freedom struggle.
- Leaders like Sarojini Naidu and Annie Besant mobilised women politically.
- Women joined protests, agitations and civil disobedience movements.
- Participation increased awareness about political and civil rights.
- Nationalism strengthened women’s public presence and leadership.
Maharashtra State Board: Class 12
Key Points: Post-Independence Era
- Women’s Movement slowed initially after Independence.
- The Constitution guaranteed equality and justice to women.
- The report Towards Equality (1974) highlighted women’s issues.
- Focus shifted to violence, dowry deaths and gender discrimination.
- Feminist organisations became active in major cities.
Maharashtra State Board: Class 12
Key Points: Towards Women’s empowerment
- The movement now focuses on empowerment and equal rights.
- It aims at elimination of discriminatory practices.
- Women seek realisation of their full potential.
- Participation includes activists, NGOs and government support.
- The movement continues with changing perspectives and strategies.
Maharashtra State Board: Class 12
Key Points: Emergence of the Workers’ Movement (1850 to 1918)
- The first phase consisted of spontaneous and unorganised protests by workers.
- Workers protested against low wages, long working hours and poor conditions.
- Shapurji Bengalee and Narayan Meghaji Lokhande played important roles.
- The First Factories Act (1881) was passed due to workers’ agitation.
- The Bombay Mill Hands Association (1884) was one of the first workers’ organisations.
Maharashtra State Board: Class 12
Key Points: Rise of Pressure Groups (1918 to 1947)
- After World War I, rising prices and poor wages led to mass strikes.
- Textile, railway and jute mill workers actively organised strikes.
- Trade Unions emerged as strong pressure groups.
- All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) was formed in 1920.
- The Trade Union Act, 1926 gave legal recognition to trade unions.
Maharashtra State Board: Class 12
Key Points: Role of INTUC (1948 to 1960)
- Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) was formed in 1947.
- Other unions like HMS, UTUC and BMS were also established.
- Trade unions became linked with political parties.
- The Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 provided machinery for settlement of disputes.
- Unions focused on wages, bonus, promotion and workers’ rights.
Maharashtra State Board: Class 12
Key Points: Consolidation and Diversification of the Movement (after 1960)
- Workers achieved gains in wages and working conditions.
- The movement diversified under different political ideologies.
- The 1982 Bombay Textile Strike marked a major turning point.
- Trade unions expanded but also became divided and politicised.
- Globalisation changed the role of government and unions in labour matters.
Maharashtra State Board: Class 12
Key Points: Early Agitations (1857 to 1921)
- British revenue policies and Zamindari system exploited farmers.
- Heavy taxes, indebtedness and famines increased rural distress.
- Moneylenders and landlords seized lands of poor peasants.
- Revolts like Champaran and Kheda movements highlighted peasant issues
- Peasant struggles gained support from the Indian National Congress.
Maharashtra State Board: Class 12
Key Points: Emergence of Kisan Sabhas (1922 to 1946)
- Kisan Sabhas were formed to organise peasants against exploitation.
- Swami Sahajanand Saraswati led the movement in Bihar.
- All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) was formed in 1936.
- Movements spread to Punjab, Gujarat and other regions.
- Peasants demanded abolition of Zamindari and reduction of land revenue.
Maharashtra State Board: Class 12
Key Points: Post-Independence period
- Farmers’ movements became more organised in the 1960s and 1970s.
- Leaders like Charansingh mobilised farmers politically.
- Organisations like BKD, Shetkari Sanghatana and Karnataka Rajya Ryot Sangh emerged.
- Farmers demanded fair prices, representation and policy reforms.
- Recent protests and ‘Farmers’ Strike’ reflect continuing agrarian distress.
Maharashtra State Board: Class 12
Key Points: Emergence of the Environmental Movement in India
- Modern environmentalism began in the 1960s due to rising awareness about environmental degradation.
- It aimed at protecting natural resources and ecological balance.
- The movement is inclusive and involves tribals, farmers and women.
- It mainly uses non-violent methods to raise environmental issues.
- It influenced policy making and environmental laws in India.
Maharashtra State Board: Class 12
Key Points: Causal Issues
- Environmental movements emerged due to rapid industrialisation and urbanisation.
- Population growth led to overuse of land, water and forest resources.
- Problems like deforestation, pollution and loss of biodiversity increased.
- Environmental degradation is linked to social and economic inequalities.
- These issues disturbed the ecological balance of society.
Maharashtra State Board: Class 12
Key Points: Significant Environmental Movements in India
- The movement covers issues like forest rights, land use, water and pollution.
- Chipko Movement opposed deforestation through non-violent protest.
- Narmada Bachao Andolan opposed displacement caused by big dams.
- Movements focus on sustainable development and rehabilitation of affected people.
- Environmental activism continues to shape development policies in India.
