INTERNATIONAL INDIAN SCHOOL, DAMMAM
MIDDLE SECTION (2025-26)
GRADE VIII, SOCIAL SCIENCE
( SPL ) L- UNDERSTANDING MARGINALISATION
I. Define:
1. Hierarchy: A graded system or arrangement of persons or things.
2. Militarised: An area where the presence of the armed forces is considerable.
3. Malnourished: A person who does not get adequate nutrition or food.
4. Displaced: This refers to people who are forced or compelled to move from their homes for
big development projects including dams, mining etc.
Answer the Following.
1. What is marginalization? (2m)
• Marginalization refers to groups of people or communities being excluded or being
considered of low social status due to the different customs, religion or language they
follow.
• It is a situation when a particular group is forced to live on the fringes rather than
in the mainstream.
2. How are Adivasis stereotyped? (3m)
• We believe that they are exotic, primitive and backward. Their colorful costumes,
headgear and dancing and typical lifestyle often give the impression that they lack
advancement.
• We also believe that they are resistant to change or new ideas.
• Their stereotyping about the Adivasi communities leads to their discrimination and
marginalization.
3. What is ghettoization? (1m)
A ghetto is an area or locality that is populated largely by members of a particular
community. Ghettoization refers to the process that leads to such a situation. This may
occur due to various social, cultural and economic reasons.
4. What are the consequences of marginalization? (1m)
Marginalization results in having a low social status and not having equal access to education
and other resources enjoyed by the majority communities
5. How were Adivasis marginalized? (2m)
• Adivasis feel marginalized due to their poor and low social status .
• This sense of difference and exclusion leads to communities not having access to
resources and opportunities and in their inability to assert their rights.
6. What do you understand by the term minority? (2m)
• The term minority is used to define the communities that are smaller in number in relation
to the rest of the population.
• It includes issues of power, access to resources and has social and cultural dimensions.
7. What happened to the Adivasis when they lost their traditional homelands?
(5m)
• After Adivasis lost access to their traditional homeland, i.e. forest, they faced problems of
basic livelihood and food.
• When Adivasis are displaced from their lands, they lose much more than a source of
income. They lose their traditions and customs – a way of living and being.
• Hence, they migrated to the cities in search of work. They found employment in the cities
but received very low wages.
• This made their lives miserable. They were caught in the cycle of poverty and deprivation.
• Above 45% of tribal groups in rural areas and 35% in urban areas live below poverty
line. Their children malnourished and many died without adequate food.
8. Why do you think some empires highly depended on Adivasis for forest
resources in history?(2m)
• Adivasis are known to have originated from forests. It will be obvious these people will
know how to survive in the hardest conditions. So, the ruling empire was highly dependent
on Adivasis for these products.
9. In which Indian states can you find the majority of Adivasis? (2m)
Adivasis are particularly found in some Indian states like Jharkhand, Assam, Manipur,
Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha, Gujarat, West Bengal, and a few more.
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