Practicing Success

Target Exam

CUET

Subject

History

Chapter

Modern India: Understanding Partition

Question:

The conception of masculinity in North Indian peasant societies during the time of partition was defined in terms of ownership of which of the following?

Options:

zan

zamin

Both options, 1 and 2

Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer:

Both options, 1 and 2

Explanation:

Scholars have also shown how ideas of preserving community honour came into play in this period of extreme physical and psychological danger. This notion of honour drew upon a conception of masculinity defined as ownership of zan (women) and zamin (land), a notion of considerable antiquity in North Indian peasant societies. Virility, it was believed, lay in the ability to protect your possessions – zan and zamin – from being appropriated by outsiders. And quite frequently, conflict ensued over these two prime “possessions ”. Often enough, women internalised the same values.