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Difficulty: HardState Society, Culture, and Heritage

Consider the following statements regarding the tribal socio-cultural institutions and heritage traditions of Central and Eastern India:

1. The *Ghotul* is a traditional village dormitory institution among the Muria Gonds that serves to transmit oral folklore, customary discipline, and civic responsibilities to tribal youth.
2. The *Sarhul* festival, celebrated by the Oraon and Munda communities at the sacred grove (*Sarna*), marks the completion of the winter crop harvest and the commencement of grain storage.
3. *Dhokra* craft, preserved by indigenous artisan groups in the Bastar and Chota Nagpur belts, utilizes the non-ferrous lost-wax (*cire perdue*) casting technique to produce ritual figurines.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. A
    1 and 2 only
  2. B
    2 and 3 only
  3. 1 and 3 onlyAnswer
  4. D
    1, 2, and 3

Answer

Statements 1 and 3 only are correct.
The option containing statements 1 and 3 only is correct. The Ghotul represents an authentic youth dormitory system among the Muria Gonds designed for cultural transmission and social socialization. Additionally, Dhokra is a renowned non-ferrous lost-wax metal craft rooted in the Bastar and Chota Nagpur tribal regions. Statement 2 is incorrect because Sarhul is a springtime festival marking the blooming of the sacred Sal tree in the Hindu month of Chaitra, heralding the new year rather than concluding the winter harvest.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Evaluate Statement 1 regarding the Ghotul institution of the Muria Gonds.
Statement 1 is correct.
The Ghotul is a well-documented socio-cultural and educational dormitory institution among the Muria Gond community where unmarried youths learn community ethics, customary law, music, dance, and civic duties.
2
Evaluate Statement 2 regarding the seasonal and ritual significance of the Sarhul festival.
Statement 2 is incorrect.
Sarhul (worship of the village deity at the Sarna) is celebrated during the spring season in the month of Chaitra when Sal trees (*Shorea robusta*) blossom. It marks the start of the new year and the commencement of the new agricultural cycle, not the winter harvesting or grain storage period (which is associated with festivals like Sohrai and Bandna).
3
Evaluate Statement 3 regarding the metallurgical tradition of Dhokra art.
Statement 3 is correct.
Dhokra is an ancient tribal metal-casting craft practiced across Bastar and Chota Nagpur that employs the hollow lost-wax (*cire perdue*) technique with non-ferrous alloys such as bell metal and brass.

Key Concept

Tribal socio-cultural institutions, seasonal ritual calendars, and indigenous craft heritage
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Topics

State Society, Culture, and Heritage

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