Chapter 1

Challenges of Nation Building

CLASS:--12TH, POLITICAL SCIENCE

RIVISON NOTES

Very Short Answer Type Questions [2 Marks]

1. Identify any two consequences of the partition of India in 1947.

Answer: 1. Communal Riots took place as the people of one community
were killed and maimed by the people of other community in the name
of religion.
2. People went through immense sufferings as they were forced to

abandon their homes and to secure temporary shelter in the refugee

camps. Thousands of women were abducted on both sides of border.

2. Mention any two challenges that India faced just after independence.
Answer: (i) Challenge to shape a nation
(ii) Challenges to establish democracy. Or

(iii) Challenge to ensure the development and well

being of the entire society.

3. Name the original states from which the following states were carved
out.
(a) Meghalaya (b) Gujarat
Answer: (a) Assam (1972) (b) Bombay (1960)

4. Explain the role played by Sardar Patel in the integration of princely

states into the IndianUnion.

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Answer. Sardar Patel negotiated with the rulers of princely states and
diplomatically merged most of them into the Indian Union i.e. there
were 26 small states in today’s Orissa and 14 big states and 119 small
states in today’s Gujarat.

Which state got divided on bilingual basis?

5.

Answer: Bombay got divided on bilingual basis consisting of Gujarat

and Marathi speaking people. After popular agitation, the states of
Maharashtra and Gujarat were created in 1960.

6.Name the leader who advocated separate state of Andhra Pradesh by

observing fast unto deathand participation in Salt Satyagraha.
Answer: The leader Potti Sriramulu of Madras resigned from
government job to participate in Salt
Satyagraha and advocated equality in the society and demanded entry
of dalits in temples of
Madras as well as observed fast unto death since 19 October 1952 to
create separate state of Andhra Pradesh

What was government’s approach towards the integration of princely

7.
states was based on threeconsiderations?
Answer: 1. Most of the princely states willingly wanted to join Indian
Union.
2. The government wanted to accommo¬date plurality by adopting
flexible approach in dealing with the demand of the region.

3. The central government was so much concerned towards

integration and consolidation ofterritorial boundaries of Indian nation.

8. Which interests were hidden behind the conflicts between Hindus and
Muslims at the time of independence?
Answer: Hindu and Muslim communities bear some political interests at
the time of independence:
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1. MuslimLeague demanded a separate nation for Muslims to protect
the interests of Muslims only.
2. Therewere some Hindu organisations also which made efforts to look
after the interests of Hindus only to make India a ‘Hindu Nation’.

9. “India got independence under very difficult circumstances rather

than any other country”.
Justify the statement.
Answer: India got independence in 1947 under very difficult
circumstances:
1. Freedom came with the partition of the country.
2. The year 1947 became the year of unprecedented violence and

trauma.
3. Still our leader faced all these challenges in an appreciable manner by

accommodating regional diversities also.

Short Answer Type Questions [4 Marks]

1. How was the princely state of Manipur acceded to India?
Answer: Due to integration of princely states, Maharaja of Manipur
Bodhachandra Singh signed the Instrument of Accession with the India
Government on the assurance to be maintained the internal autonomy
of Manipur:
1. The state became a constitutional Monarchy after it conducted
elections in 1948 to become first state to hold elections based on
‘Universal Adult Franchise’.
2. But sharp differences arose in Legislative Assembly over the
question of merger of Manipur with India while the state congress
wanted the merger other political parties were opposed to this.

2. Describe briefly any four problems faced in the process of partition of

India.

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Answer: The process of partition had been started in 1940 when Muslim
League Propounded Two Nation Theory. This process involved various
problems:
1. Areas were supposed to be distributed on the basis of religions

majority i.e. Muslim majority areas built Pakistani territory and rest
stayed with India. It created communal riots in country.
2. No single belt of muslim majority was the part of British India. They

were concentrated in East and West. Hence, it was decided that

Pakistan will comprise two territories namely East and West Pakistan
separated by long expansion of India territory.
3. All muslim majority areas did not want to be merged with Pakistan

i. e. it was opposed in NWFP. But ultimately NW.FP was made

to merge with Pakistan. 4. Another problem belonged to
minorities on both sides of border
i. e. Lakhs of Hindus and Muslims and Sikhs from both the sides were
left with no option except to leave their homes.

3. Name the states divided on the basis of sub-regional culture.

Answer: In the late 20th century, some states sub-regions raised the
voice for separate states accommodating their regional culture on the
ground of complaints of regional imbalances. Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh,
and Uttaranchal were created in 2000 on the basis of separate regional
culture only.
4. Explain three challenges which independent India faced during the

process of Nation Building.Answer: India had to face many challenges

immediately after she got independence, which can be summed up as
follows:
1. Challenge to Shape a Nation: India was divided among various
states at the time of independence. Hence a great challenge arose to
unity and integrate country into one bond Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

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took upon himself to integrate these states either wilfully or
diplomatically to be completed into different stages.
2. To Establish Democratic Setup: India constituted representative
democracy based on parliamentary form of government and it was a
great challenge to develop these democratic practices in the nation.
3. To Ensure Development and Well Being of the Society: Indian polity
made herself to achieve welfare goods with the environment of
effective economic policies and eradication of poverty and
unemployment.

5. What problems were involved at the integration of princely states

during nation building?
Answer: Integration of princely states possessed many difficulties in
front of nation builders:
1.British announced to lapse of British
Paramountcy over princely states with the end of their rule over India.
2. British government took the view that all these states were free to
join either India or Pakistan or remain independent wilfully. It became
a hindrance for unity of nation.
3. Ruler of Travancore declared the states an independent one.

4. Nizam of Hyderabad and Bhopal also followed Travancore.

5. These responses created a possibility of division of country in place of

unity and democracy.

6. Write a short note on the people’s movement of Hyderabad.

Answer: Hyderabad was the largest princely state of India under the
rule of Nizam. One of the world’s richest person. Nizam wanted
Hyderabad to be an independent state. But the people of Hyderabad
were not happy with the rule of Nizam due to his non-democratic
practices. Hence, various section of society agitated against him:
1. The peasants in Telangana region particularly rose voice against him.

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2. Women also joined the movement in large number.
3. The communist and Hyderabad congress were in the forefront of

movement.
4. Nizam responded by unbashing a Razakars paramilitary force on
people.
5. Ultimately, the central government had to order the army to tackle

and in 1948, Indian army moved in control the Nizam’s forces.

All the above mentioned situations led to an accession of Hyderabad.

7. What was the significance of linguistic reorganisation of Indian states

to the nation building? Answer: In the initial years it was felt that
linguistic states may foster separatism and create pressures on
newly founded nation. But India considered democracy and federalism
by making a favour to linguistic states only:
1. Linguistic states enhanced democratic practices.

2. Linguistic states reduced separatist attitude by accepting the regional

linguistic claims of all regions.

3. Linguistic reorganisation provided a uniform base to the nation and

strengthened unity of nation.

4. Linguistic
states promoted the principle of unity in diversity, a distinct
feature of nation.

Passage Based Questions [5 Marks]

1. 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

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with the rulers of Princely States in bringing most of them into the
Indian Union.

Questions
1. Which government has been referred to as the interim government?

2. Why did the Muslim League oppose the Indian National Congress?

3. What makes the role of Sardar Patel a historic one? Explain.

Answer:
1. The Indian National Congress has been referred to as the interim

government.
2. The Muslim League opposed the Indian National Congress because it

was of the view that the states should be free to adopt any course
they liked.
3. Sardar Patel was India’s Deputy Prime Minister and the Home

Minister during the crucial period immediately following

Independence. He negotiated with the rulers of princely states firmly
but diplomatically and brought most of them into the Indian Union.

2. Read the passage given below carefully and answer the questions:
We should begin to work in that spirit and in course of time all these
angularities of the majority and minority communities, the Hindu
community and the Muslim community-because even as regards
Muslims you have Pathans, Punjabis, Shias, Sunnis and so on and
among the Hindus you have Brahmins, Vaishnavas, Khatris, also
Bengalees, Madrasis, and so on-will vanish. … You are free; you are free
to go to your temples, you are free to go to your mosques or to any
other place of worship in this State of Pakistan. You may belong to any
religion or caste or creed-that has nothing to do with the business of the
State.
—Mohammad Ali Jinnah

Questions

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1. Do you think that Jinnah’s statement contradicts the theory which was
the basis of creation of Pakistan? Justify your answer.
2. What is the essence of Jinnah’s statement in this passage?

3. To what extent did Pakistan live up to Jinnah’s expectations in this

passage?
Answer:
1. Jinnah’s statement does not con-tradict the ‘Two Nations’ Theory’
as he aimed at the creation of separate state for Muslims without any
interference in other communities like Pathans, Punjabis, Shias and
Sunnis.
2. The essence of Jinnah’s statement in this passage is his secular
outlook regarding the protection and promotion of every community by
giving freedom to practices one’s own beliefs (religiously).
3. Pakistan did not live up to Jinnah’s expectations because Pakistan
became an orthodox Muslim country that did not respect interests of
another communities after indepen-dence.

3. Read the passage given below carefully and answer the questions:
We have a Muslim minority who are so large in numbers that they
cannot, even if they want, go anywhere else. That is a basic fact about
which there can be no argument.. Whatever the provocation from
Pakistan and whatever the indignities and horrors inflicted on non-
Muslims there, we have got to deal with this minority in a civilised
manner. We must give them security and the rights of citizens in a
democratic state. If we fail to do so, we shall have a festering sore
which will eventually poison the whole body politic and probably
destroy it.
—Jawaharlal Nehru
Questions
1. Why did Jawaharlal Nehru want to deal with the muslim minority in a
civilised way?
2. Why this minority should be given the security and rights-on the same
footing as 20 all others in a democratic system?
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3. If this minority was not provided security and rights w’hat kind of
scenario is envisaged?
Answer:
1. Because India adopted democracy which commit equal rights and

opportunities to each and every human being in place of dividing

them.
2. It was argued by Jawaharlal Nehru not only for ethical and

sentimental reasons but prudential reasons also to realise long

cherished goals and principles as socialism, equality, and fraternity.
3. If this minority was not provided security and rights it may effect:

1. Basic nature of democratic system.

2. It is against secular nature of India.

3. It may effect India’s foreign policy also.

4. It
may threat to other minorities also.
5. Most important it may lead to disintegration of the nation.

Long Answer Type Questions [6 Marks]

1. What forced the Union Government of India to appoint the State
Reorganisation Commission in 1953? Mention its two main
recommendations. Name any four new states formed after 1956.
Answer: 1. State Reorganisation Commission was appointed in 1953
by central Government to rearrange the boundaries of states.
2. Its main recommendations were to organise states on language basis

as well as the boundaries of state could reflect the linguistic aspects

also.
3. The Madras province under British India created following linguistic

states :
(a) Andhra Pradesh (Telugu)
(b) Tamilnadu (Tamil)
(c) Kerala (Malayalam )

(cl) Karnataka (Kannad )

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4. The state Reorganisation Act was passed in 1956 which created 14
states and 6 Union territories.

2. Explain any three challenges faced by India at the time of its

independence.
Answer: India had to face many challenges immediately after she got
independence, which can be summed up as follows:
1. Challenge to Shape a Nation: India was divided among various
states at the time of independence. Hence a great challenge arose to
unify and integrate country into one bond. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
took upon himself to integrate these states either wishfully or
diplomatically to be completed into different stages.
2. To Establish Democratic Set up: India constituted representative
democracy based on parliamentary form of government and it was a
great challenge to develop these democratic practices in the nation.
3. To Ensure Development and Well Being of the Society: Indian polity
made herself to achieve welfare goals with the evolvement of effective
economic policies and eradication of poverty and unemployment.

3. How did the reorganisation of states take place in India after its
independence? Explain.
Answer: 1. In the initial years it was felt that linguistic states may foster
seperatism and create pressures on newly founded nation, but India
considered democracy and federalism by making a favour to linguistic
states only.
2. State Reorganisation Commission was appointed in 1953 central

Government to rearrange the boundaries of states.

3. Its main recommendations were to organise states on language basis

as well as the boundaries of states could reflect the linguistic aspects

also.
4. The State Reorganisation Act was passed in 1956 which created 14

states and 6 union territories.

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5. Linguistic states enhanced demo¬cratic practices.
6. Linguistic states reduced separatist attitude by accepting the regional

and linguistic claims of all regions.

4. Explain any three consequences of partition in India.

Answer: 1. In the name of religion, people of one community killed and
mained people of the other community. Cities like Lahore, Kolkata and
Amritsar were titled as communal zones.
2. People went through social sufferings also be forced to abandon their

homes especially minorities, who took shelter in refugee camps.

3. To preserve the honour of family, many women were killed even

many children were separated from their family and if crossed

borders, they did not have any home.
4. The partition did not only divide property, assets or liabilities but also

the government employees and the railways etc.

5. Assess the role played by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in nation building.

Answer: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel is also known as ‘Iron man of India’,
became India’s Deputy Prime minister and Home minister during
integration of princely states. He played a historic role in negotiating
the rulers of princely states and diplomatically brought most of them in
Indian Union. It was very complicated which required skilful persuation
i.e. there were 26 small states in today’s
Orissa, Saurashtra region of Gujarat had 14 states with 119 small states
etc.

Picture/Map Based Questions [5 Marks]

Al. Study the picture given below and answer the questions that follow:

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Questions
1. What does this picture represent?

2. Mention some consequences of partition.

3. Which year is being denoted in the picture?

Answer:
1. This picture represents the painful scene of partition of country when

people were supposed to leave their homes.

2. (i) Communal Riots (ii) Social Sufferings

(iii) Administrative Concerns and Financial Strains.

3. The year of 1947, most abrupt, unplanned year in the history.
2. Study the picture given below and answer the questions that follow:

Questions
1. Identify the person in the centre of the cartoon and mention the
challenge surrounding him.
2. What does the picture actually refer?

3. How did India avoid all these conflicts?

Answer:
1. The person is the first Prime Minister of India Pt. Jawahar Lai
Nehru, who faced the first and foremost challenge of integration of
princely states and formation of linguistic states.
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2. The picture refers the problem of reorganisation of states on
linguistic basis with the fear of disintegration in the country.
3. India identified and respected regional demands of the people and
enhanced democracy by providing some autonomy to the states also.

B. On a political outline map of India locate and label the following and
symbolise them as indicated:

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Questions
1. Name and mark the original state from . which the following states
were carved out.
(a) Gujarat (b) Meghalaya (c) Haryana (d) Chhattisgarh
2. Name and mark the countries reorganised on religious grounds.

3. Demarcated boundaries of these countries by geographical zones.

Answer:
1. (a) Gujarat (from Bombay )
(b) Meghalaya (from
Assam) (c) Haryana
(from Punjab)
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(d) Chhattisgarh (from Madhya Pradesh )
2. (a) India (b) Pakistan
3. (a) Pakistan (b) Bangladesh

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