Which of the following pairs is correctly matched?

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 2

The correct answer is Option (2) → Westernisation - Imitation of external forms of culture

Option (1) Sanskritisation - Structural change in the unequal caste order — Incorrect. Sanskritisation has been criticised because it leads to no structural change, only positional change of some individuals. Inequality goes on even when a few improve their place within the unequal structure.

Option (2) Westernisation - Imitation of external forms of culture — Correct. Westernisation involves imitating external forms of culture, such as new technology, dress and food. This pairing matches the concept.

Option (3) Westernisation - Necessary adoption of values of democracy and equality — Incorrect. Westernisation does not necessarily bring modern values of democracy and equality. A person can take up western ways and still hold unequal views.

Option (4) Sanskritisation - Aspiration that arises as people become poorer — Incorrect. In sanskritisation the wish to be like a higher placed group arises only when people become wealthier. The pairing reverses this feature by linking it to people becoming poorer.

NCERT (2026-27): “Sanskritisation …
Sanskritisation suggests a process whereby people want to improve their status through adoption of names and customs of culturally high-placed groups. The ‘reference model’ is usually financially better of. In both, the aspiration or desire to be like the higher placed group occurs only when people become wealthier. Sanskritisation as a concept has been criticised at different levels. One, it has been criticised for exaggerating social mobility or the scope of ‘lower castes’ to move up the social ladder. For it leads to no structural change but only positional change of some individuals. In other words inequality continues to persist though some individuals may be able to improve their positions within the unequal structure. …”

“Westernisation does involve the imitation of external forms of culture. It does not necessarily mean that people adopt modern values of democracy and equality.”