Indian History and Geography

Study Notes

Modern Indian History

Indian Independence Movement:
- Started in the late 19th century, gained momentum in the early 20th century
- Key figures: Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Subhas Chandra Bose, Lala Lajpat Rai
- Major events: Non-Cooperation Movement (1920), Civil Disobedience Movement (1930), Quit India Movement (1942)
Indian National Congress:
- Founded in 1885, played a key role in the independence movement
- Sessions: Bombay (1885), Lahore (1929), Karachi (1931)
Partition of India:
- India divided into India and Pakistan on August 15, 1947
- Resulted in one of the largest mass migrations in history
Post-Independence India:
- India became a republic on January 26, 1950
- Key leaders: Jawaharlal Nehru (first Prime Minister), Indira Gandhi (first female Prime Minister)

Indian Constitution

Preamble:
- Introduced on November 26, 1949
- Enshrines the objectives of the Constitution: justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity
Fundamental Rights:
- Guaranteed to all citizens
- Include: right to equality, right to freedom, right against exploitation, right to freedom of religion
Directive Principles of State Policy:
- Enshrined in Part IV of the Constitution
- Aim to promote the welfare of citizens and the country
Three Organs of the Government:
- Legislature: makes laws
- Executive: implements laws
- Judiciary: interprets laws

Environmental Conservation

Major Environmental Issues in India:
- Air pollution
- Water pollution
- Soil pollution
- Climate change
- Deforestation
Conservation Efforts:
- Wildlife Protection Act (1972)
- Forest Conservation Act (1980)
- National Conservation Strategy and Policy Statement (1992)
- National Environment Policy (2006)
International Agreements:
- United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (1992)
- Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
- Montreal Protocol (1987)

Physiography of India

Mountains:
- Himalayas: the highest mountain range in India
- Karakoram range: located in the northwestern part of India
- Eastern Ghats: located along the eastern coast of India
- Western Ghats: located along the western coast of India
Rivers:
- Ganges: the longest river in India
- Indus: the westernmost river in India
- Brahmaputra: the largest river in India by discharge
- Krishna: the second-longest river in India
Deserts:
- Thar Desert: located in the northwestern part of India
- Cold Desert: located in the Ladakh region
Islands:
- Andaman and Nicobar Islands: located in the Bay of Bengal
- Lakshadweep Islands: located in the Arabian Sea

Description

Test your knowledge of Modern Indian History, including the Indian Independence Movement, Indian National Congress, and Partition of India. Also, explore Physiography of India, including mountains, rivers, deserts, and islands. Additionally, get familiar with the Indian Constitution and Environmental Conservation efforts.