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Questions and Answers
According to the provided text, what did Rabindranath Tagore predict about the British leaving India?
According to the provided text, what did Rabindranath Tagore predict about the British leaving India?
What was essential to the analysis of post-1947 India's progress?
What was essential to the analysis of post-1947 India's progress?
Where did India derive its values and ideals for nation-building?
Where did India derive its values and ideals for nation-building?
Which groups were largely excluded from the national movement?
Which groups were largely excluded from the national movement?
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Who disseminated the goals and values of the national movement among the common people?
Who disseminated the goals and values of the national movement among the common people?
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What was a critical role of the ideals of the national movement?
What was a critical role of the ideals of the national movement?
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What did Jawaharlal Nehru characterize the national movement's effects as?
What did Jawaharlal Nehru characterize the national movement's effects as?
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How did Gandhiji believe mass movements were created?
How did Gandhiji believe mass movements were created?
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What is a key focus of this book regarding India?
What is a key focus of this book regarding India?
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Which historical event is NOT specifically explored in the book?
Which historical event is NOT specifically explored in the book?
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What specific economic reforms are assessed in the book?
What specific economic reforms are assessed in the book?
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Which of these political issues is directly analyzed in the book?
Which of these political issues is directly analyzed in the book?
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What does the book analyze about the use of state power?
What does the book analyze about the use of state power?
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Which of the following is mentioned as contributing to the unraveling of political consensus at the Centre?
Which of the following is mentioned as contributing to the unraveling of political consensus at the Centre?
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What was a frequent concern for analysts of India's development?
What was a frequent concern for analysts of India's development?
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The book provides profiles of key figures. Which is NOT named?
The book provides profiles of key figures. Which is NOT named?
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Which idea is often associated with the critics of India's development?
Which idea is often associated with the critics of India's development?
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Besides political and economic analysis, what else does this book extensively cover?
Besides political and economic analysis, what else does this book extensively cover?
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What was the consensus among analysts regarding changes for India's development?
What was the consensus among analysts regarding changes for India's development?
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What characterized the leadership of India in its early years post-1947?
What characterized the leadership of India in its early years post-1947?
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What was a key characteristic of the early Indian leaders' approach to governance?
What was a key characteristic of the early Indian leaders' approach to governance?
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Which skill was acquired by Indian leaders during the national movement?
Which skill was acquired by Indian leaders during the national movement?
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What was a distinguishing characteristic regarding the ability of early Indian leaders?
What was a distinguishing characteristic regarding the ability of early Indian leaders?
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What program of reform was advocated for by many analysts of the Indian developments?
What program of reform was advocated for by many analysts of the Indian developments?
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What is a common sentiment expressed by the 'angry young men and disillusioned old men'?
What is a common sentiment expressed by the 'angry young men and disillusioned old men'?
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What does the text identify as a drawback, alongside some positive aspects, within the described nation?
What does the text identify as a drawback, alongside some positive aspects, within the described nation?
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According to the passage, what should the current generation focus on, as per the sentiments of Gopal Krishna Gokhale?
According to the passage, what should the current generation focus on, as per the sentiments of Gopal Krishna Gokhale?
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What phrase does the text use to describe the impact of British rule on India's development?
What phrase does the text use to describe the impact of British rule on India's development?
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What is mentioned as a positive development that ultimately became integrated into a process of underdevelopment?
What is mentioned as a positive development that ultimately became integrated into a process of underdevelopment?
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Which of the following best describes the economic relationship between India and Britain under colonial rule?
Which of the following best describes the economic relationship between India and Britain under colonial rule?
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What was one of the basic features of the colonial structure in India?
What was one of the basic features of the colonial structure in India?
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From what time period were India's economic interests primarily made subordinate to those of Britain, as described in the text?
From what time period were India's economic interests primarily made subordinate to those of Britain, as described in the text?
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What was the primary mechanism of the 'Drain' during the colonial period in India?
What was the primary mechanism of the 'Drain' during the colonial period in India?
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Approximately what percentage of India's national income was estimated to have been drained out of the country?
Approximately what percentage of India's national income was estimated to have been drained out of the country?
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What role did the British colonial state play in India's economic structure?
What role did the British colonial state play in India's economic structure?
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How did colonial policies contrast regarding state support for industries and agriculture in Britain and India?
How did colonial policies contrast regarding state support for industries and agriculture in Britain and India?
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What was the effect of the currency policy manipulated by the colonial government?
What was the effect of the currency policy manipulated by the colonial government?
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Which area of expenditure absorbed the bulk of public revenue in colonial India?
Which area of expenditure absorbed the bulk of public revenue in colonial India?
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What impact did the colonial state's free trade policy have on Indian industries?
What impact did the colonial state's free trade policy have on Indian industries?
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What prompted the Government of India to grant some tariff protection to a few industries after 1918?
What prompted the Government of India to grant some tariff protection to a few industries after 1918?
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What did the Karachi Resolution of 1931 declare regarding religion in a free India?
What did the Karachi Resolution of 1931 declare regarding religion in a free India?
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According to the Karachi Resolution, what was the principle regarding equality for all citizens?
According to the Karachi Resolution, what was the principle regarding equality for all citizens?
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Initially, why did Mahatma Gandhi emphasize the connection between religion and politics?
Initially, why did Mahatma Gandhi emphasize the connection between religion and politics?
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What was Gandhi's later stance on the relationship between religion and politics?
What was Gandhi's later stance on the relationship between religion and politics?
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How did Jawaharlal Nehru perceive communalism?
How did Jawaharlal Nehru perceive communalism?
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On what grounds did the leaders of the national movement generally critique British rule?
On what grounds did the leaders of the national movement generally critique British rule?
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Despite its secular commitment, why did the national movement fail to fully counter communalism?
Despite its secular commitment, why did the national movement fail to fully counter communalism?
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What did the national movement recognize about India's nation-formation process?
What did the national movement recognize about India's nation-formation process?
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Flashcards
Criticism and Resentment
Criticism and Resentment
Feelings of dissatisfaction, often expressing blame towards others.
Corruption and Inefficiency
Corruption and Inefficiency
Dishonesty in politics and lack of effectiveness in administration.
Gopal Krishna Gokhale
Gopal Krishna Gokhale
A prominent leader advocating for moderate nationalism in India.
Nation's Progress
Nation's Progress
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Development of Underdevelopment
Development of Underdevelopment
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Colonial Economic Structure
Colonial Economic Structure
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Integration with Capitalist System
Integration with Capitalist System
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Subordination to Britain
Subordination to Britain
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India's democracy
India's democracy
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Colonial legacy
Colonial legacy
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Constitution framing
Constitution framing
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Nehruvian agenda
Nehruvian agenda
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Communalism in India
Communalism in India
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2004 General Elections
2004 General Elections
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Economic reforms since 1991
Economic reforms since 1991
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Green Revolution
Green Revolution
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Karachi Resolution 1931
Karachi Resolution 1931
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Secular Commitment
Secular Commitment
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Gandhi's Shift
Gandhi's Shift
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Religion and Morality
Religion and Morality
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Nehru on Communalism
Nehru on Communalism
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National Movement's Critique
National Movement's Critique
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Partition and Communal Carnage
Partition and Communal Carnage
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India as a Nation-in-the-Making
India as a Nation-in-the-Making
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Rabindranath Tagore's Legacy
Rabindranath Tagore's Legacy
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National Movement
National Movement
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Ideological Goals
Ideological Goals
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Mass Politics
Mass Politics
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Jawaharlal Nehru's View
Jawaharlal Nehru's View
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Gandhi's Philosophy
Gandhi's Philosophy
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Political Action Post-1919
Political Action Post-1919
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Impact of Colonialism
Impact of Colonialism
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Prophets of doom
Prophets of doom
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Crisis of governability
Crisis of governability
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Radical reforms
Radical reforms
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Gandhian agenda
Gandhian agenda
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Political leadership post-1947
Political leadership post-1947
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Popular support
Popular support
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Negotiation and accommodation
Negotiation and accommodation
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Conspicuous Consumption
Conspicuous Consumption
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All-India view
All-India view
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Drain of Resources
Drain of Resources
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Colonial State Role
Colonial State Role
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Lack of State Support
Lack of State Support
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Free Trade Policy
Free Trade Policy
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Inadequate Tariff Protection
Inadequate Tariff Protection
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Currency Manipulation
Currency Manipulation
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Public Revenue Usage
Public Revenue Usage
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Study Notes
Contemporary India: An Introduction
- India's journey as a large democracy is rich and inspiring.
- This book, following a best-seller, analyzes India's post-independence challenges and successes.
- It examines the framing of the Constitution, Nehruvian policies, and foreign policy development.
- The book explores contentious issues like partisan politics, the Punjab problem, and anti-caste movements.
- A crucial analysis of communalism and the use of state power in its promotion is included.
- The fall of the NDA and rise of the UPA, alongside the Indo-US Nuclear Deal, are significant turning points discussed.
- Comprehensive analyses of economic reforms (since 1991), land reforms, and the Green Revolution are detailed.
- Profiles of key leaders (e.g., Nehru, Indira Gandhi, JP, Shastri, Rajiv Gandhi, VP Singh, Vajpayee, and Manmohan Singh) are presented.
- Critics and scholars recognized the complexities of Indian development, emphasizing the fragility of political stability and the need for structural reforms.
- The crucial role of political leadership for India's survival and growth is highlighted.
- India's early leaders were dedicated and popular figures who effectively communicated national objectives.
- Leaders emphasized democratic institutions and popular support for legitimacy.
- The colonial legacy profoundly impacted India's post-independence development.
- The transformation, while having some positive aspects (e.g., railway development), led to underdevelopment due to a system of subordination.
- The colonial economic structure perpetuated poverty and dependence on Britain (economic subordination).
- Colonialism caused a financial drain of India's resources through excess exports over imports ("Drain").
Colonial Legacy: Basic Features
- Complex Integration: India's economy became integrated with global capitalism, but in a subservient manner.
- Subordination: India's economic interests were subservient to Britain's, from the 1750s onwards.
- Drain: A significant transfer of India's financial resources and potential capital to Britain. Estimated at 5-10% of India's national income.
- State Role: The colonial state played a crucial role in shaping the economy, often prioritizing British interests.
- Economic Neglect: Limited support for Indian industries and agriculture in contrast to the state support seen in other capitalist nations.
- Free Trade: The colonial state enforced free trade policies, hindering Indian industries.
- Currency Manipulation: Currency policy favored British industries.
- Limited Social Spending: The colonial state minimized investment in social infrastructure (e.g., education, sanitation).
National Movement & Legacy
- The national movement shaped India's vision and ideology.
- Values and ideals drawn from the movement inspired post-independence nation-building.
- Mass mobilization played a crucial role in the national movement.
- The movement's secular principles were enshrined in the Constitution.
- While sometimes facing challenges, the national movement emphasized secularism as an important pillar of the nation.
- The national movement recognized India as a nation-in-the-making.
Political Leadership
- The leadership's configuration and development influenced India's survival and growth as a nation.
- Leaders instilled confidence and faith in the people and democratic institutions.
- They were able to negotiate and accommodate diverse interests.
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Description
This quiz covers key themes from the book 'Contemporary India: An Introduction', analyzing India's political journey post-independence. It delves into the Constitution, significant leaders, economic reforms, and major political events that shaped modern India. Test your knowledge on the challenges and successes that have defined India's democracy.