Practicing Success

Target Exam

CUET

Subject

Sociology

Chapter

Indian Society: Market as a social Institution

Question:
Which is true about the Dhorai Market, an Adivasi Village Market in Bastar?
A. Rich Rajput jewellers sit in the central zones.
B. Hindu traders sit in the central zones.
C. Tribal vegetable sellers sit in the outer circles.
Options:
A, B and C
Only A and C
Only A and B
Only B and C
Correct Answer:
A, B and C
Explanation:
According to Alfred Gell (1982), the anthropologist who studied Dhorai, the market has significance much beyond its economic functions. For example, the layout of the market symbolises the hierarchical inter-group social relations in this region. Different social groups are located according to their position in the caste and social hierarchy as well as in the market system. The wealthy and high-ranking Rajput jeweller and the middle-ranking local Hindu traders sit in the central ‘zones’, and the tribal sellers of vegetables and local wares in the outer circles. The quality of social relations is expressed in the kinds of goods that are bought and sold, and the way in which transactions are carried out. For instance, interactions between tribals and non-tribal traders are very different than those between Hindus of the same community: they express hierarchy and social distance rather than social equality.