Social Science STD 8 Chapter 8: India: Post Independence : Exercises

Social Science STD 8 Chapter 8: India: Post Independence : Exercises

1. Fill in the blanks:

  1. 1. ......... Act was passed by the British Parliament for the partition of India.

    Indian Independence

  2. 2. The first Chief Minister of Gujarat was .........

    Dr. Jivraj Mehta

  3. 3. Presently Planning Commission is known as .........

    NITI aayog

2. Write the answers of the following questions in one or two sentences:

  1. 1. When did India become independent?

    India became independent on August 15, 1947.

  2. 2. Who was the Chairman of the State Reorganisation Commission?

    The Chairman of the State Reorganisation Commission was Dr. Faizal Ali, a former Supreme Court Justice.

  3. 3. When was the state of Gujarat established?

    The state of Gujarat was established on May 1, 1960.

3. Answer the following questions briefly:

  1. 1. What were the challenges faced by independent India?

    Independent India faced several challenges, including the resettlement of about 8 million refugees from Pakistan. There were 562 small and large native states that needed to be convinced to join the Union of India, which was a daunting task. It was also challenging to create a constitution and a political system that could meet the expectations of the diverse population, which had differences in language, dress, and culture. Furthermore, independent India had to address problems like poverty, lack of education and health facilities, and unemployment in rural areas.

  2. 2. When was Junagadh merged with Indian Union?

    After the Nawab of Junagadh signed a treaty to join Pakistan, the citizens in Mumbai formed the 'Aarzi Hukumat' to ally with the Indian Union. Following widespread opposition, the Nawab migrated to Pakistan, and India occupied Junagadh. A referendum was then held in which the people overwhelmingly supported the merger with India, thus, Junagadh was merged with the Union of India.

  3. 3. Write a note on the progress made by India in the field of space technology.

    In the post-independence years, India has made significant progress in the field of space and technology. The country has developed and launched special GSLV (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle) for launching satellites into space. India has also become self-reliant in launching its own satellites and has successfully completed the Mars mission. These achievements have been noted by countries around the world.

4. Write detailed answers of the following questions:

  1. 1. Give information about the unification and merger of the native states.

    The amalgamation of 562 native states into the Indian Union was a major challenge for independent India. Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel appealed to the native kings to voluntarily merge their states. With his practical intelligence, most states were merged, with the exception of Hyderabad, Junagadh, and Kashmir. Hyderabad was merged through police action. In Junagadh, a popular revolt and a subsequent referendum led to its merger with India. Maharaja Harisinh Dogra of Kashmir initially did not join but signed a pact with India after Pakistan invaded, leading to the Indian army defending it. By the end of 1948, political unity was achieved in India.

  2. 2. Give information on economic development made through five year plans.

    The Government of India launched the Planning Commission in 1950 (now known as NITI Aayog) to achieve economic growth and development. The Five-Year Plans were implemented with objectives such as reducing economic inequality, achieving full employment, and self-reliance. Heavy industries were established for industrial development, making India almost self-sufficient in industrial production. The Green Revolution in agriculture transformed the country from a grain importer to an exporter. Other initiatives like the White Revolution in milk production and Yellow Revolution for oilseeds were also undertaken. As a result, national and per capita income have increased, and poverty alleviation programs have been implemented to reduce economic inequality.

  3. 3. Give a brief account of the progress made by India in the post-independence years.

    In the post-independence years, India has made significant progress while keeping its democratic ideals alive. The country has successfully held numerous elections and provides citizens with adult suffrage, freedom of the press, and an impartial judiciary. India's linguistic and religious diversity has become a source of national unity. In science and technology, India has kept pace with developed countries despite limited resources. The country has developed in peaceful use of nuclear science, and its industries in electronics, energy, and petroleum are booming. In the space sector, India has launched its own satellites using GSLV and completed a mission to Mars. India's achievements, such as the global recognition of yoga and the declaration of June 21 as World Yoga Day, have been noted by the world.