1. ​Which among the following statements about the Partition is incorrect ?

(a) Partition of India was the outcome of the two-nation theory.

(b) Punjab and Bengal were the two provinces divided on the basis of religion.
(c) East Pakistan and West Pakistan were not contiguous.
(d) The scheme of Partition included a plan for transfer of population across the border.

The Correct answer is:

(d) The scheme of Partition included a plan for transfer of population across the border.

2. Do q2 NCERT

3.​Take a current political map of India (showing outlines of states) and mark the location of the
following Princely States:
(a) Junagadh (b) Manipur
(c) Mysore (d) Gwalior
4.​Here are two opinions –
Bismay : “The merger with the Indian State was an extension of democracy to the people of the
Princely. States”.
Inderpreet: “I am not so sure, there was force being used. Democracy comes by creating consensus”.
What is your own opinion in the light of accession of Princely States and the responses of the people in
these parts ?

My opinion is that merger with Indian State was an extension of democracy to the people of the Princely
States. The decision of joining Pakistan could have threatened the very existence of a united India. The
response of some rulers such as Travancore, Hyderabad was negative. This meant that India would get
further divided into a number of small countries. The prospects of democracy for the people in these
states also looked bleak. Indian leaders had aimed at unity, self-determination as well as democracy, in
most of the Princely States, governments were run in a non-democratic manner and the people did not
enjoy any rights. So the merger with Indian State established democracy in the Princely States.

While, it is correct that force was used but that was necessitated due to the prevailing circumstances of
that time in the states like Hyderabad where a paramilitary force known as the Razakars whose
communal atrocities knew no bound. They murdered, maimed and raped targeting particularly non
muslim. Hence, the army was sent to control the Nizam’s forces. This led to Hyderabad’s accession to
India.

5.​Read the following very different statements made in August 1947 :

“Today you have worn on your heads a crown of thorns. The seat of power is a nasty thing. You have
to remain ever wakeful on that seat...... you have to he more humble and forbearing... now there will be
no end to your being tested. ” – M.K Gandhi
“... India will awake to a life of freedom....we step out from the old to the new...we end today a period of
ill fortune and India discovers herself again. The achievement we celebrate today is but a step, an
opening of opportunity... ” – Jawaharlal Nehru
Spell out the agenda of nation building that flows from these two statements. Which one appeals more
to you and why ?

The agenda of nation building that flows from these two statements is as given below :

According to M.K.Gandhi, there were different challenges of nation building viz. to shape a united nation,
to establish democracy and to ensure the development and well-being of the entire society and not only of
some sections. The problems would have arisen again and again had we been not been humble and
forbearing to solve those problems. It was a fact because the partition led to one of the largest, most
abrupt, unplanned and tragic transfer of population that human history has known. It was a test for the
Indian leaders as their rehabilitation was not an easy task and there was a crown of thorns on their heads.

Whereas for Jawaharlal Nehru, freedom of India was only a step. There were problems of poverty,
unemployment, rehabilitation of people, harmony among people and establishing democracy but freedom
has given an opportunity to solve them.

The agenda of Gandhi appeals to me because it deals with the problems as a crown of thorns and
advises the leaders to remain ever wakeful on the seat of power. It advises them to be humble and
forbearing.

6.​What was the basis of the States Reorganization Commission?

Language

7.​Why were the states reorganized on linguistic basis in India in 1956?

The linguistic states underlined the acceptance of the principle of diversity.

8.​Read the passage given below carefully and answer the following questions:
The interim government took a firm stance against the possible division of India into smaller
principalities of different sizes. The Muslim League opposed the Indian National Congress and took the
view that the States should be free to adopt any course they liked. Sardar Patel, India‟s Deputy Prime
Minister and the Home Minister during the crucial period, immediately after Independence, played a
historic role in negotiating with the rulers of Princely States in bringing most of them into the Indian
Union.
(i) Which government has been referred to as the interim government?
(ii) Why did Muslim League oppose the Indian National Congress?
(iii) What makes the role of Sardar Patel a historic one?
Explain.

(i) The government of free India working before the General elections has been termed as the Interim
Government.
(ii) The Muslim League opposed the Indian National Congress and took the view that the princely states
should be free to adopt any course they liked.
(iii) Sardar Patel played a historic role in negotiating with the rulers of Princely States firmly but
diplomatically and bringing most of them into the Indian Union.

9​.​“The accommodation of regional demands and the formation of linguistic states were also seen as
more democratic”. Justify the statement with any three suitable arguments.

Arguments for justification:

i. It is almost 60 years that the formation of Linguistic States have changed the nature of democratic
politics in a positive and constructive way.
ii. Formation on the basis of language became a uniform basis for drawing the state boundaries. It has
united the country rather than leading to disintegration.
iii. Regional aspirations when fulfilled, give strength to the people and make democracy a success. Many
a regional aspirations are being accommodated to strengthen the democracy.

10.​Justify the constitution of States Reorganisation Commission under the circumstance prevailing at
the time.

(i) The boundaries had to be drawn in a way so that the linguistic and cultural plurality of the country could
be reflected without affecting the unity of the nation.
(ii) It was hoped that if we accept the regional and linguistic claims of all regions, the threat of division and
separatism would be reduced.
(iii) The accommodation of regional demands and the formation of linguistic states were also seen as
more democratic.
(iv) It is more than fifty years since the formation of states on linguistic basis, it has changed the nature of
our democratic politics and leadership in some basic ways.

11.​Fill in the blanks:

“According to the ________ advanced by the ______-,India consisted of not
one but ________ people, _______ and Muslims.

The Correct answer are:

(1) Two-nation theory
(2) Muslim League
(3) two
(4) hindus

12.​What was percentage of Muslim population in India in 1951 ?

The Muslim population in India accounted for 12 percent of the total population in 1951.

13.​Name the political organisation that was formed to protect the interest of the Muslims in colonial
India.

Muslim League.

14.​Which states were created on the basis of separate regional culture or complaints of regional
imbalance in development ?

The states were: Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Uttaranchal.

15.​Read the cartoon given below and answer the question that follow :
What does the above cartoon show ?

The cartoon shows the contemporary impression of the demand for linguistic states.The cartoon shows
the people of different regions putting forward demand for separate states such as Vishala Andhra , Maha
Gujarat , Samyukta Karnataka , Brihan Maharashtra.

16.​How were the state boundaries drawn during the colonial rule ?

During colonial rule, the state boundaries were drawn either on administrative convenience or simply
coincided with the territories annexed by the British government or the territories ruled by the princely
powers.

17.​What was promised regarding formation of states by the Indian leaders and when was this principle
recognised?

The Indian leaders had promised the linguistic principle as the basis of formation of states.
This principle was recognised as the basis of the reorganisation of the Indian National Congress party
itself after the Nagpur session of Congress in 1920.

18.​Why the Indian leaders were averse to the formation of states on linguistic basis after
independence?

They feared that this might had led to disruption and disintegration and this would also have drawn
attention away from the social and economic challenges that the country faced.The fate of the Princely
States had also not been decided.

19.​Describing the events leading to the formation of a separate Andhra.

● Vishala Andhra movement was started which demanded Telugu speaking areas be separated
from Madras as nearly all the political forces were in favour of it.
● Potti Sriramulu, a Congress leader and a veteran Gandhian went on an indefinite fast and
ultimately died after 56 days. This caused great unrest and resulted in violent outburst.
● Even legislators had also resigned from their seats.
● As a result of these events formation of a separate Andhra state was announced in December
1952.
21. ​Explain the challenges that India faced at the time of independence in 1947 of nation building.

India faced the following three challenges at the time of independence in 1947 :
(i) The first challenge was to shape a nation that was united, yet accommodative of the diversity in our
society. India was a land of continental size and diversity. Its people spoke different languages and
followed different culture and religions. At that time it was widely believed that a country full of such kinds
of diversity could not remain together for long.
(ii) The second challenge was to establish democracy. The Constitution had granted fundamental rights
and extended right to vote to every citizen. India adopted Representative democracy based on the
parliamentary form of government.The challenge was to develop democratic practices in accordance with
the Constitution.
(iii) The third challenge was to ensure the development and well-being of the entire society and not only of
some sections. The Constitution had adopted the principle of equality and provided special protection to
socially disadvantaged groups and religious and cultural communities. The real challenge was to evolve
effective policies for economic development and eradication of poverty.

22.​Describe the difficulties that was associated with Partition of India.

The following difficulties are associated with Partition of India in 1947:

(i) There was no single belt of Muslim majority areas in British India.
(ii)Not all Muslim majority areas wanted to be in Pakistan. Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan or Frontier Gandhi,
leader of the North West Frontier Province staunchly opposed to the two-nation theory.
(iii)Two of the Muslim majority provinces of British India Punjab and Bengal had very large areas where
non-Muslims were in majority.
(iv) The fourth problem was related to ‘minorities’ on both sides of the border. They were undesirable
aliens in their own home, in the land where they and their ancestors had lived for centuries. The minorities
on both sides of the border were left with no choice except to leave their homes, often at a few hour’s
notice.

23.​Examine the consequences of Partition.

The consequences of Partition were as examined below :

(i) The Partition led to the largest, most-abrupt, unplanned and tragic transfer of population that human
history has known. Large number of people were killed in the name of religion. Lahore, Amritsar and
Kolkata were divided in ‘communal zones’.
(ii) Minorities on both sides of the border fled their home and often secured shelter in ‘refugee camps’.
(iii) Thousands of women were abducted on both sides and were made to convert to the religion of the
abductor and were forced into marriage.Many children were separated from their parents.
(iv) The Partition led to division of properties, liabilities and assets, administrative apparatus and financial
assets and things like tables-chairs and musical instrument of police band.
(v) The employees of the government and the railways were also divided.
(vi) It led to a violent separation of communities who had hitherto lived together as neighbours.
(vii) Partition was described as ‘division of hearts’ by writers, poets and others.

24.​What were the consideration of Government of India in its approaches towards the Princely States ?

The interim government took a firm stance against the possible division of India into small principalities of
different sizes.The government’s approach was guided by three considerations:
(i) The people of most of the Princely States clearly wanted to become part of the Indian Union.
(ii) The government was prepared to be flexible in giving autonomy to some regions.
(iii)In the backdrop of partition which brought into focus the contest over demarcation of territory,the
integration and consolidation of the territorial boundaries of the nation had assumed supreme importance.

Thus,peaceful negotiations led to almost all the states whose boundaries were contiguous to the new
boundaries of India to join the Indian Union.The rulers signed the ‘Instrument of Accession’.

25. ​Write a brief note on Sardar Patel's role in integration of Princely states .

● Sardar patel played an important role towards India’s integration.

● Sardar Patel was India’s Deputy Prime Minister as well as the Home Minister during the crucial
period immediately following independence.
● He played a historic role in negotiating with the rulers of the Princely States firmly but
diplomatically and bringing most of them into the Indian Union.

26. ​What were reasons and effects of accepting the demands for separate states on linguistic claims?
The demands for separate states on linguistic claims were accepted for the following reasons :
(i) It was hoped that if the demand for separate states on linguistic basis are accepted then the threat of
division and separatism would be reduced.
(ii) Accommodation of regional demands and the formation of linguistic states were also seen as more
democratic.

Its effects were :

(i) It has changed the nature of democratic politics and leadership in some basic ways. The path to
politics and power was now open to people other than the small English speaking elite.
(ii) It gave uniform basis to the drawing of state boundaries.
(iii) It has infact strengthened national unity contrary to the belief that it would lead to disintegration of the
country.
(iv) The linguistic states underlined the acceptance of the principle of diversity. Democracy was now
associated with plurality of ideas and ways of life. Much of the politics in the later period had taken place
within this framework.

27. Map
(I) Name the original state from which the following states were carved out: Gujarat Haryana
Meghalaya Chhattisgarh
(ii) Name two states that were affected by the Partition of the country.
(iii) Name two states today that were once a Union Territory.

(i) Gujarat - Bombay: Haryana – Punjab: Meghalaya – Assam: Chhattisgarh – Madhya Pradesh.
(ii) Punjab and West Bengal.
(iii) Tripura and Goa.
28.​What are the reasons being used by Nehru for keeping India secular ? Do you think these reasons
were only ethical and sentimental ? Or were there some prudential reasons as well ?

Nehru used the following reasons for keeping India secular :

(i) There was a Muslim minority who are so large in numbers that they cannot go anywhere else.
(ii)Everyone, irrespective of religion, must enjoy security and rights of citizens in a democratic state.
(iii)All citizens should be equal irrespective of their religious affiliation. Being religious or a believer would
not be a test of citizenship.

The reasons were neither ethical nor sentimental but prudential.In view of the fact that there were
different communities, people of different religions, it was necessary for India to be a secular state. The
leaders cherished the ideal of the secular nation. This ideal has been enshrined in the Indian Constitution.

29.​Bring out two major differences between the challenge of nation building for eastern and western
regions of the country at the time of independence.

The two major differences between the challenge of nation building for eastern and western regions of the
country at the time of independence were as mentioned below :

(i) The western region i.e., Punjab was facing the problem of refugees,i.e., persons displaced from
Pakistan .Their rehabilitation became necessary.
(ii)While the Eastern region was facing the challenges of communalism which had led to violence.

30.​What was the task of the States Reorganisation Commission ? What was its most salient
recommendation ?

The task of the States Reorganisation Commission was to look into the question of redrawing of the
boundaries of states.
Its most salient recommendation was that the boundaries of the state should reflect the boundaries of
different languages.

31.​It is said that the nation is to a large extent an “imagined community” held together by common
beliefs, history, political aspirations and imaginations. Identify the features that make India a nation.
The features that make India a nation are as given below :
(i) Common beliefs : The Indian people have common beliefs. The festivals of Dussehra, Diwali and Holi
etc. are celebrated all over India. The names of festivals may be different from place to place but people
have common faith and belief.
(ii) Common history : People of India have a common history. Every Indian is proud of its ancient past
which was known as the golden age in history. Indian civilisation spread in Jawa, Sumatra and Cambodia
in the ancient times. The ancient emperors like Ashoka conquered whole of India and established political
unity.
(iii) Political aspirations : The Indians have been supporters of democratic institutions from the ancient
time. During the Vedic period there was ‘sabha’ and ‘samiti’.There was Republic in Vaishali during the
later Vedic period. There were panchayats during the rule of Chandragupta Maurya. Thus, democracy
has it roots since ancient times.
(iv) One geographical entity : India from the Himalayas to Kanyakumari is one geographical entity.
Monsoon is awaited by the people all over India. It binds the people together.

32.​Read the following passage and answer the questions below:

“In the history of nation-building only the Soviet experiment bears comparison with the Indian. There
too, a sense of unity had to be forged between many diverse ethnic groups, religious, linguistic
communities and social classes. The scale – geographic as well as demographic – was comparably
massive. The raw material the state had to work with was equally unpropitious : a people divided by
faith and driven by debt and disease. ”
—Ramachandra Guha
(a) List the commonalities that the author mentions between India and Soviet Union and give one
example for each of these from India.
(b) The author does not talk about dissimilarities between the two experiments. Can you mention two
dissimilarities ?
(c) In retrospect which of these two experiments worked better and why ?

(a)Commonalities are:
(i) Diverse religions – Hindu, Islam, Buddhism.
(ii) Many social classes – Upper classes Lower classes i.e., Scheduled castes, Backward classes.
(b) The dissimilarities are:
(i) The Soviet republics were given the right to secede from the Union.
(ii)Adoption of Communism as main principle
(c) The experiment in India worked better because it has led to unity among different groups of people.
We have been able to solve our problems amicably and in a democratic way. On the other hand, Soviet
Union disintegrated in 1991.