India After Independence PDF - Questions and Answers

CHALLENGING THE CASTE SYSTEM ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS IN ONE OT TWO SENTENCES Q1. What was the major problem facing India after Partition? Ans: The major problem facing India after Partition was the rehabilitation of the refugees and the integration of the princely states. Q2. Explain how s...

CHALLENGING THE CASTE SYSTEM ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS IN ONE OT TWO SENTENCES Q1. What was the major problem facing India after Partition? Ans: The major problem facing India after Partition was the rehabilitation of the refugees and the integration of the princely states. Q2. Explain how states in India were reorganized? Ans: Post-partition, states were reorganized on the basis of the language spoken by the people. Q3. What were the five principles of Panchsheel? Ans: The five principles of Panchsheel were: Respect for each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. Non-aggression. Non-interference in domestic affairs. Equality and co-operation for mutual benefit. Peaceful coexistence. Q4. What are the objectives of SAARC? Ans: The objective of SAARC is to promote peace and cooperation between India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Afghanistan and Maldives. Q5. What are some of the schemes introduced to deal with unemployment? Ans: The schemes introduced to deal with unemployment include Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, Prime Minister Rozgar Yojana, National Rural Livelihood Mission, National Urban Livelihood Mission, Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, Skill India and Stand-up India. ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS IN FOUR OR FIVE SENTENCES Q1. Write a short note on the integration of princely states into the Indian union. Ans: At the time of Independence, around 560 princely states existed all over India. As per the terms drawn up by the British, the princely states were given the option of either becoming a part of India or Pakistan, or remaining independent. The credit for integrating these states into the Union of India largely goes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. For this achievement, he was popularly called the ‘Iron Man of India’.  The three princely states where integration proved more challenging than that at others were Junagarh, Hyderabad and Kashmir. Q2. How has Indian agriculture progressed after Independence? Ans: After Independence, India made great efforts to improve its agriculture. A lot of agricultural land which produced raw materials had gone to Pakistan. To increase agricultural production and generate power, dams were built. Farmers were taught modern agricultural techniques and supplied with seeds and fertilizers. Banks gave loans at special rates to poor farmers. However, the growing numbers of farmer suicides in recent years indicate that great efforts are still needed to help them become economically strong. Q3. What is the Non-Aligned Movement? What is its significance? Ans: After the Second World War, many countries in the world were divided into two groups or power blocs which were hostile to each other. The group led by the USA was called the First World or the Western Bloc, while the Second World or the Eastern Bloc was led by the erstwhile USSR. These two groups were engaged in a long conflict called the Cold War. Nehru was resolute that India would not be forced to align with either of the two blocs. He, therefore, coined the term ‘non alignment’. The Non-Aligned Movement was launched by India and other newly independent countries. These countries were called the ‘Third World’, and comprised many developing countries and former colonies. Q4. Why have India and Pakistan had a troubled relationship? Ans: The relationship between India and Pakistan has been full of conflict since Partition. The main source of friction has been Kashmir. Cross-border terrorism continues to be a source of tension between the two nations The aid given by India in the freedom struggle of Bangladesh also deteriorated relations with Pakistan. The acquisition of nuclear weapons by both nations has increased the levels of mistrust. The inability to find solutions to the cross-border terrorism in Kashmir comes in the way of lasting cooperation. Q5. Write a short note on socio-economic challenges faced by India today? Ans: India is a land of many religions. However, differences between these communities have, at times, flared into violent clashes. India is the second-most populous country in the world. Early marriage, ignorance and lack of education have led to overpopulation. This large population puts a strain on the resources of the country. It leads to a lack of education opportunities, which, in turn, causes unemployment as too many people compete for a limited number of jobs. To combat illiteracy, the government has made the Right to Education a Fundamental Right. It has built schools in villages, towns and cities, and instituted scholarships for poor students. It has also started adult literacy programs. Social workers are also striving to educate people across the nation. To combat unemployment, the government has started industries and infrastructure-building projects which provide jobs to the poor.