Which of the following statement is incorrect with regard to westernisation?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → It necessarily means that people adopt modern values of democracy and equality
Option (1) The changes brought about in Indian society and culture as a result of long British rule — True. M.N. Srinivas defines westernisation as the changes brought about in Indian society and culture as a result of over 150 years of British rule. The option gives this definition in brief.
Option (2) It includes the changes in technology, institutions, ideology and values — True. The same definition says the term covers changes occurring at different levels: technology, institutions, ideology and values.
Option (3) It includes the imitation of external forms of culture — True. Westernisation does involve the imitation of external forms of culture, such as western dress, food, a sofa set or a dining table in the living room.
Option (4) It necessarily means that people adopt modern values of democracy and equality — False. Westernisation does not necessarily mean that people adopt modern values of democracy and equality. A person can wear western clothes and still hold prejudiced views about a caste or a community, so outward western ways do not guarantee democratic and egalitarian values.
NCERT (2025-26): “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. Westernisation does involve the imitation of external forms of culture. It does not necessarily mean that people adopt modern values of democracy and equality.” |