Q1. [3] medium initial-understanding
How did print culture help marginalised or oppressed groups in Indian society raise their voices against social inequalities? Give two specific ways.
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-26 13:46 · grounding rag
Model Answer
Print culture helped marginalised groups raise their voices in two specific ways:
- Writings by reformers and oppressed communities: Social reformers used print to challenge caste discrimination and inequality. For example, Jyotiba Phule wrote about the injustices of the caste system, and B.R. Ambedkar published writings criticising untouchability, reaching a wide audience through print.
- Newspapers and journals for the poor and women: Cheap printed material, newspapers, and journals allowed oppressed groups to express their grievances publicly. Workers' movements used print to spread awareness, and reformers published material in vernacular languages to reach ordinary people and build support for social change.
Source: New Forms of Publication / India and the World of Print, Chapter 5
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Explanation
- The question asks for two specific ways — examiners expect two distinct, clearly labelled points.
- The source passages focus on print enabling new voices (social/political essays, caricatures, reformers' writings). Bring in contextual knowledge about Phule and Ambedkar, as CBSE expects this for such questions.
- Avoid vague statements — name a group, name an effect. That's what earns marks.
- At 3 marks, two well-developed points (not just one-liners) with brief explanation each is ideal.