NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Social Chapter 8 - Clothing: A Social History

1. Explain the reasons for the changes in clothing patterns and materials in the eighteenth century.

Ans: The colonisation of most of the world by Europe, the spread of democratic principles, and the rise of an industrial civilization all transformed people's attitudes toward clothing after the 18th century. People might mix and match styles and materials from various civilizations and locales. Men's Western clothing styles have become popular all around the world.

2. What were the sumptuary laws in France?

Ans: The citizens of France were supposed to scrupulously follow the sumptuary laws from 1294 until the French Revolution in 1789. These rules attempted to govern the lower classes lifestyles by limiting the amount and type of clothing they may purchase. The laws tried to control the following:

• The actions of individuals who are judged to be socially inferior

• Restricting people from wearing specific clothing

• Consuming specific foods and beverages

• Hunting game in specific places

3. Give any two examples of the ways in which European dress codes were different from Indian dress codes.

Ans: European dress code differs from Indian dress code in the following ways:

• In Europe, dress regulations were based on socioeconomic factors, whereas in India, they were based on caste.

• While lower castes in Europe were prohibited from wearing certain materials, lower castes in India were prohibited from wearing certain clothing; for example, Shanar women were not permitted to cover their upper bodies, as higher caste women were.

4. In 1805, a British official, Benjamin Heyne, listed the manufactures of Bangalore which included the following:

• Women’s cloth of different musters and names 
• Coarse chintz 
• Muslins 
• Silk cloths 

Of this list, which kind of cloth would have definitely fallen out of use in the early 1900s and why?

Ans: Machine cloth had swamped the Indian markets and was cheaper, thus muslin would have gone out of favour. Muslin was prohibitively expensive, thus it was not used. In reality, the Industrial Revolution ushered in a total transformation in which muslin cloth was rendered obsolete.

5. Suggest reasons why women in nineteenth century India were obliged to continue wearing traditional Indian dress even when men switched over to the more convenient Western clothing. What does this show about the position of women in society?

Ans: Even as males converted to more accessible western clothing, women in nineteenth-century India were obligated to continue wearing traditional Indian attire. This obviously demonstrates that women had a lesser social rank than men at the period. They were imprisoned behind the four walls of their dwellings and were not allowed to see what was happening outside. They were not made part of the change and modernity. 

6. Winston Churchill described Mahatma Gandhi as a ‘seditious Middle Temple Lawyer’ now ‘posing as a half-naked fakir’. What provoked such a comment and what does it tell you about the symbolic strength of Mahatma Gandhi’s dress?

Ans: Mahatma Gandhi wore a dhoti to the Viceroy's residence. This elicited such a remark. This was a symbol of his dress's metaphorical power. It demonstrated his pride in his country and its people, particularly the peasantry. It also represented his sense of belonging to his people and the strength he derives from them.

7. Why did Mahatma Gandhi’s dream of clothing the nation in khadi appeal only to some sections of Indians?

Ans: For many reasons, Mahatma Gandhi's dream of draping the country in khadi only appealed to a select group of Indians. Emancipation created new vistas for the socially disadvantaged. They wanted to experiment with Western dress patterns now that dress prohibitions were no longer an impediment to their desires. This newfound self-confidence and societal respect for them was symbolised by the adoption of Western dress. Others found khadi to be too expensive, with ladies in southern India complaining that they couldn't afford nine yards of khadi (standard length of the sari in the south).

Summary of Chapter 8 History Class 9

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 History Chapter 8 suggest a beautiful concept of the history of clothing in the last few centuries. It has a significant transformation over the years that can be witnessed in the evolution of clothing from the historical eras. This chapter is a unique addition to the syllabus for Class 9 SST. It all starts from the capitalist markets in Europe in the 18th century when clothing was regulated depending on class, social hierarchy and gender. Once these countries started colonizing, the clothing concepts also came with them in India and the other parts of Asia. The material from other countries was adopted by us and even the western dress code was imbibed in our society gradually.

By referring to the answers provided in NCERT Solutions for Class 9 SST History Chapter 8, we find that the so-called inferiors in the society were controlled by the top-class people before the French Revolution began. Not only clothes but the rich controlled what the poor will eat, drink, and do. You can imagine how much social impact this phase had in the world’s history of clothing. It also tells us about the clothing style of the English natives back in the Victorian Era. The different types of materials used in making the then clothes were elegant. It is then women realized their place in society too. The initiation of womanhood began during that time. India was not as progressive as the western world to incorporate such ideas back then.

This chapter also tells us about the agitations in different parts of the world such as England, America, etc due to the difference in clothing. The agitation across the world witnessed the advent of a new era due to the introduction of new material and the adoption of clothing styles for both genders. You will find the exact answers to all the questions related to the historical events in NCERT Class 9 History Chapter 8 Solutions. It will become a lot easier for a student to understand the importance of this chapter.

The students will also find out how clothing was affected by various factors such as games, war, professionalism, colonial rule, material, etc. History shows how things change and clothing is the best idea to understand it. You will find new terms related to clothing that was used back in the Colonial and Victorian Era in different countries too. Concentrate on CBSE Class 9 SST Chapter 8 Solutions and learn the answers to the questions present in the exercises.

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