Which examples show the general spread of Western cultural traits, not a westernised sub-cultural pattern?
(A) A middle class family buys a television set, a fridge and a dining table.
(B) A nineteenth century reformer adopts western ways of thinking and spreads them.
(C) Villagers widely take to new technology, dress and food habits.
(D) A dominant caste adopts the names and customs of a culturally high-placed caste.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → A and C only
(A) A middle class family buys a television set, a fridge and a dining table. — Correct. A television set, a fridge and a dining table are found across a very wide section of middle class homes. This is the general spread of Western cultural traits.
(B) A nineteenth century reformer adopts western ways of thinking and spreads them. — Incorrect. A nineteenth century reformer who adopts western ways of thinking and supports their spread belongs to the westernised sub-cultural pattern of a small minority.
(C) Villagers widely take to new technology, dress and food habits. — Correct. New technology, dress and food habits taken up by people in general form the general spread of Western cultural traits.
(D) A dominant caste adopts the names and customs of a culturally high-placed caste. — Incorrect. Adopting the names and customs of a culturally high-placed caste is sanskritisation. That process works within the caste order and has no link to Western cultural traits.
NCERT (2026-27): “Westernisation … “There were, therefore, small sections of people who adopted western life styles or were affected by western ways of thinking. Apart from this there has been also the general spread of Western cultural traits, such as the use of new technology, dress, food, and changes in the habits and styles of people in general. Across the country a very wide section of middle class homes have a television set, a fridge, some kind of sofa set, a dining table and chair in the living room.” |