Questions of Work, Life and Leisure

Cities in the Contemporary World

In 1880, Durgacharan Ray composed a novel, Debganer Martye Aagaman (The Gods Visit Earth), in which Brahma, the Creator in Hindu folklore, took a train to Calcutta with some different divine beings. As Varuna, the Rain God, led them around the capital of British India, the divine beings were wonder-struck by the huge, current city – the train itself, the huge ships on the river Ganges, plants burping smoke, scaffolds and landmarks and an amazing cluster of shops selling a wide scope of wares.

The divine beings were so dazzled by the wonders of the abounding city that they chose to assemble a Museum and a High Court in Heaven! The city of Calcutta in the nineteenth century was overflowing with circumstances – for exchange and business, instruction and occupations.

However, the divine beings were upset by another part of city life – its cheats and criminals, its crushing neediness, and the low quality of lodging for some. Brahma himself got fooled into purchasing a couple of modest glasses and when he attempted to purchase a couple of shoes, he was extraordinarily befuddled by the business-people who blamed each other for being swindlers. The divine beings were additionally annoyed at the disarray of station, strict and sexual orientation characters in the city.

Work, Life and Leisure
Work, Life and Leisure

Every social differentiation that had all the earmarks of being regular and typical appeared to separate. Like Durgacharan Ray, numerous others in nineteenth-century India were both stunned and confounded by what they found in the urban communities. The city appeared to offer a progression of differentiating pictures and encounters – riches and neediness, magnificence and soil, openings and dissatisfactions. Were urban areas constantly like the one portrayed previously?

In spite of the fact that urbanization has a long history, the cutting-edge city worldwide has grown distinctly in the course of the most recent 200 years.

Three verifiable procedures have formed current urban communities in conclusive manners: the ascent of modern private enterprise, the foundation of pilgrim rule over enormous pieces of the world, and the advancement of majority rule standards. This part will follow a portion of the procedures of this urbanization. It will investigate how the cutting-edge city rises, and what occurs inside the city.

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS OF WORK, LIFE AND LEISURE


1. What steps were taken to clean up London?

Ans: The following steps were taken to clean up London:
1. Attempts were made to decongest localities, green the open spaces, and reduce pollution and landscape the city.
2. Large blocks of apartments were built.
3. Demands were made for ‘New Lungs’ for the city and the idea of green belt around London was offered.

2. Give three reasons why the population of London expended from the middle of the 18th century?

Ans: The three reasons are as follows:
1. Industrialization was the most important factor which attracted people to London.
2. The textile industry of London attracted a large number of migrants.
3. The city of London attracted people from all walks of life like clerks, shopkeepers, soldiers, servants, laborers, beggars etc.

3. How did people entertain themselves in the ‘chawls’?

Ans: People entertained themselves in the ‘chawls’ in the following ways:
1. Magicians, Monkey players or acrobats used to perform their acts on the streets.
2. The Nandi bull used to predict the future.
3. Chawls were also the place for the exchange of news about jobs, strikes, riots or demonstrations.

4. Explain the social change in London which led to the need for underground?

Ans: The social change in London which led to the need for underground was:
1. British made a million houses, single family cottages.
2. Now people could not walk to work and this led to the development of underground railways.
3. By 1880, the expended train services were carrying 40 million passengers in a year.

5. What was the status of the women folk in the conservative industrial towns?

Ans: 1. Women of upper and middle classes faced higher level of isolation, although their lives were made easier by domestic maids.
2. Women who worked for wages had some control over their lives particularly among the lower social classes.
3. As women lost their industrial jobs and conservative people railed against their presence in public plans, women were forced to withdraw into their homes.

6. Give two reasons why the population of London expanded from the middle of the 18th century?

Ans: The two reasons why the population of London expanded from the middle of the 18th century are:

A) Industrial Migration: People from the region around London migrated there in order to get employment in the factories.


B) Housing and Transportation: Migrants had to live in one room apartments, which proved hazardous for health. Therefore, London authorities began to expand its limits and garden cities were established.



7. How does the existence of a population affect each of the following -

A) A private land lord
B) A police superintendent in charge of law and order.
C) A leader of a political party
Ans:
A) Effect on Private land lord:
i) Increase in density of population leads to increase the price of land and subsequent increase in rents.
ii) Enabled exploitation of migrant population through attractive rents.

B) A police superintendent in charge of law and order:

i) Increase in criminals and petty thieves like cheats, pickpockets etc.
ii. For the police superintendent in charge of laws and order a large urban population posed many possibilities of social tension and disorder. Thus, led to increase in authority and process.

C) A leader of a political party:

i. Needs a multilevel agenda catering to diverse groups.
ii. Increase the accountability.


8. Describe in three points, the social changes in the city of London with respect to entertainment and leisure of the people due to industrialization.

Ans: Social changes in London with respect to entertainment and leisure:
Industrialization brought two contrasting social classes in England – the rich and poor – the working class.

A) To the Wealthy – Long annual ‘London season’, Cultural events such as opera, theater and classical music performances.

B) For the working class – It was meeting in pubs and taverns to have a drink, exchange news and sometimes organize for political action.
Entertainment for common people- libraries, art galleries museums etc. which were established by the government
Music halls became popular for lower class people.
C) Cinemas in the early 20th century become mass entertainment; industrial workers spent their holidays by the sea.

CLICK HERE for more questions on Work, Life and Leisure!

Post a Comment

Please leave your comment

Previous Post Next Post