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Indian Polity

🧭 CHAPTER 1: UNDERSTANDING DIVERSITY

 

 

📘 1. What is Diversity?

  • Diversity means differences. It includes differences in:

    • Language

    • Food

    • Clothing

    • Traditions

    • Occupations

    • Religion

    • Festivals

  • Influenced by history and geography (e.g., life in Kashmir vs Mumbai).

🏞️ 2. How Does Diversity Emerge?

  • Historical Influence: Traders, rulers, migrants brought cultural exchanges.

  • Geographical Conditions: People living near seas vs mountains live differently.

  • Adaptation: Over time, people adopt new habits, beliefs, and ideas.

🔑 Example: People in Mumbai wear light clothes and eat seafood, while people in Kashmir wear woolens and eat differently — due to geography.

⚖️ 3. Inequality in Diversity

  • Inequality: When people lack resources or opportunities compared to others.

  • Caste System is a form of inequality:

    • People assigned work based on caste

    • Irreversible divisions (e.g., potters, cobblers)

    • Denied social mobility and respect

🧩 4. Unity in Diversity

  • Coined by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.

  • Despite many differences, Indians stand united.

  • Played a key role during India’s freedom movement.

  • Expressed through:

    • Indian Flag (symbol of protest)

    • National Anthem by Rabindranath Tagore

    • Freedom struggle united all regions, castes, religions.

🔖 Book Reference: The Discovery of India by Nehru highlights India’s unity.

🧠 Summary:

  • Diversity enriches society but can lead to inequality if resources aren't shared.

  • Despite differences, unity binds India.

  • Nehru emphasized this through the phrase “Unity in Diversity”.

📝 MCQs for Practice

✅ Level 1 (Moderate)

  1. The caste system shows:
    → (b) Inequality

  2. The cultural life of a place is influenced by:
    → (c) Both History and Geography

  3. ‘Unity in Diversity’ is a phrase given by:
    → (d) Jawaharlal Nehru

  4. Pandit Nehru wrote the book:
    → (a) The Discovery of India

  5. India’s national anthem is composed by:
    → (b) Rabindranath Tagore

✅ Level 2 (Advanced)

Q1. Consider:

  1. Caste system = inequality

  2. Caste system = occupational division
    → Correct: (c) Both 1 and 2

Q2. Consider:

  1. India is diverse

  2. Unity in Diversity by Sardar Patel

  3. Festivals reflect diversity
    → Correct: (d) 1 and 3 only

Q3. Statements:

  1. Diversity = strength

  2. Flag used as protest

  3. Anthem by Motilal Nehru ❌

  4. Caste system = inequality
    → Correct: (a) 1, 2 and 4

🧩 Thought Exercise:

  • Think about the diversity in your own locality.

  • Are there people of different states, religions, or languages?

  • What festivals do they celebrate?

  • Do you observe any inequality based on caste, work, or language?