The correct option is 2 only.
Explanation
The caste system in India has undergone significant transformation due to modernization, economic development, legal interventions, and social movements. While caste identity persists, the rigid hierarchy and traditional restrictions associated with it have eroded due to specific socio-economic shifts.
Statement-wise Analysis:
- Statement 1 is Incorrect: India is experiencing rapid urbanisation, not de-urbanisation. Urbanisation is a key factor in breaking down caste hierarchies because the anonymity of city life and the necessity of sharing public spaces (such as transport and offices) make it difficult to maintain rigid rules of commensality and segregation.
- Statement 2 is Correct: Occupational mobility refers to the ability of individuals to move between different jobs and economic statuses. In the traditional caste system, occupation was hereditary. The shift toward modern, secular professions allows individuals to leave caste-based occupations, thereby weakening the link between caste and economic status.
- Statement 3 is Incorrect: The traditional authority of landlords in villages has generally weakened, not strengthened. Land reforms, the democratization of village administration through Panchayati Raj institutions, and increased political awareness among marginalized communities have challenged the feudal power structures that historically enforced caste rigidity.
Key Takeaway:
The breakdown of caste hierarchy is driven by factors such as rapid urbanisation, the growth of literacy and education, occupational mobility, and the weakening of the traditional position of landlords in the village economy.