Class 12 : Poltical Science (English) – Lesson 8.Challenges of Nation-Building
EXPLANATION & SUMMARY
🔵 Introduction
The lesson ‘Challenges of Nation Building’ focuses on the challenges India faced as a newly independent nation after 15 August 1947. The country was freed from British rule but inherited many complex problems like partition, integration of princely states, and framing of the Constitution. These challenges were interconnected and deeply influenced India’s future as a democracy. This chapter helps us understand the political leadership’s efforts under Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel to lay the foundation of modern India.
🟢 Challenge of Partition: Origin, Impact, and Consequences
🔶 Background of Partition:
➡️ India’s freedom was accompanied by the partition of the country into India and Pakistan in 1947.
➡️ Partition was based on the demand for a separate Muslim state (Pakistan) by the Muslim League, led by Mohammad Ali Jinnah.
🔶 Consequences of Partition:
✔️ Widespread communal violence erupted, leading to the death of thousands.
✔️ Massive migration took place as Hindus and Sikhs moved to India, and Muslims moved to Pakistan.
✔️ Loss of lives, displacement, economic dislocation, and psychological trauma were widespread.
⚡ Refugee Problem:
India had to provide rehabilitation, employment, and shelter to a large number of refugees.
🌿 Communal Riots:
The riots created deep-rooted hostilities between communities and became a long-term challenge for India’s unity.
🔴 Challenge of Integration of Princely States
🔶 Problem Explained:
➡️ India consisted of British India and 565 princely states at the time of independence.
➡️ These princely states had the option to join India or Pakistan or remain independent.
➡️ Integration of princely states was essential for India’s unity and sovereignty.
🔶 Role of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel:
🧠 Known as ‘Iron Man of India’, Patel played a crucial role in integrating these states.
✔️ Used a combination of persuasion, diplomacy, and force.
✔️ Ensured most states signed the Instrument of Accession.
🔶 Difficult Cases:
1️⃣ Junagarh: Wanted to join Pakistan despite having a Hindu majority; India took military action and integrated it.
2️⃣ Hyderabad: Ruled by the Nizam who refused to join India; integrated through ‘Operation Polo’ in 1948.
3️⃣ Kashmir: Faced tribal invasion from Pakistan; acceded to India after the Instrument of Accession was signed.
💡 Concept: Without this integration, India would have remained a fragmented nation.
🟡 Challenge of Shaping a New Nation through Constitution-Making
🔶 Constitutional Framework:
➡️ The Constituent Assembly was formed to write the Constitution of India.
➡️ Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was the chairman of the Drafting Committee.
➡️ The Constitution came into effect on 26 January 1950.
🔶 Key Features of the Constitution:
✔️ Adopted the principles of justice, liberty, equality, fraternity.
✔️ Established India as a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic.
✔️ Provided for universal adult franchise.
🔶 Importance of Constitution:
🧠 The Constitution became the guiding document for India’s governance, rights, and democratic practices.
✏️ Note: India’s democracy was based on inclusion, rights, and pluralism from its very birth.
🔵 Political Leadership in Nation-Building
🔶 Jawaharlal Nehru’s Role:
➡️ As India’s first Prime Minister, Nehru played a vital role in modernising India.
➡️ Advocated for industrialisation, scientific temper, and secularism.
🔶 Policy of Non-Alignment:
✔️ Nehru led India on the path of Non-Alignment during the Cold War.
✔️ Ensured India did not align militarily with either the USA or the USSR.
🌿 Economic Vision:
Nehru believed in state-led industrialisation and planning to achieve self-reliance.
🟢 Linguistic Reorganisation of States
🔶 Demand for Reorganisation:
➡️ After independence, demands arose to reorganise states on linguistic lines.
➡️ People believed linguistic states would ensure better governance and preserve cultures.
🔶 Formation of Andhra Pradesh:
⚡ Potti Sriramulu’s fast unto death in 1952 forced the creation of Andhra Pradesh for Telugu speakers.
🔶 States Reorganisation Act (1956):
✔️ Set up the States Reorganisation Commission.
✔️ States were reorganised primarily based on language.
💡 Concept: Linguistic reorganisation helped strengthen federalism and national unity.
🔴 Communalism, Secularism and Minority Rights
🔶 Communal Tensions:
➡️ Partition left deep scars of communal violence.
➡️ India adopted secularism as a constitutional principle to maintain peace.
🔶 Secularism Defined:
✔️ Equal treatment of all religions by the state.
✔️ Protection of minority rights and religious freedom.
🌿 Constitutional Safeguards:
➡️ Fundamental Rights ensured freedom of religion and cultural rights for minorities.
🟡 Challenges of Economic Development
🔶 Economic Conditions Post-Independence:
➡️ India was economically weak, poor, and underdeveloped.
➡️ Required infrastructure, industries, agriculture reforms.
🔶 Planning Commission:
🧠 Set up to draft Five-Year Plans for economic development.
✔️ Focused on self-reliance, employment, poverty removal.
🔵 Real-Life Connection: Impact on Modern India
➡️ The foundational efforts of Nehru and Patel shaped the India we live in today.
➡️ Issues like state boundaries, secularism, democracy, and planning still influence current policies.
➡️ India’s success as a diverse, democratic, and unified nation is rooted in overcoming these early challenges.
⚡ Why This Lesson Matters
✔️ Helps us understand how India’s democracy, unity, and diversity were protected post-1947.
✔️ Shows the vision and efforts of leaders like Nehru and Patel.
✔️ Explains the roots of India’s modern governance structures.
✔️ Connects history to present debates on secularism, federalism, and democracy.
📝 Quick Recap:
🔵 Partition ➡️ Violence, Refugees
🟢 Integration ➡️ Patel’s Diplomacy
🔴 Constitution ➡️ Rights, Democracy
🟡 Nehru’s Role ➡️ Modernisation, Non-Alignment
🔵 Linguistic States ➡️ Andhra Pradesh, 1956 Act
🟢 Secularism ➡️ Equality of Religions
🔴 Economic Planning ➡️ Five-Year Plans
Summary (~300 words)
🔵 Challenges of Nation Building – Overview
1️⃣ Partition of India (1947):
Led to communal violence, mass migration, and refugee problems.
Created long-term issues between India and Pakistan.
2️⃣ Integration of Princely States:
565 princely states were integrated under Sardar Patel.
Difficult cases like Junagarh, Hyderabad, and Kashmir were solved through diplomacy and force.
3️⃣ Constitution-Making:
India adopted its Constitution in 1950 under Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
Provided for universal adult franchise, secularism, and federalism.
4️⃣ Leadership of Nehru:
Promoted scientific temper, secular values, and economic development.
Followed Non-Alignment during the Cold War.
5️⃣ Linguistic Reorganisation:
Demands for states based on language led to creation of Andhra Pradesh (1953).
States Reorganisation Act (1956) reorganised states linguistically.
6️⃣ Communalism and Secularism:
Communal tensions addressed through secularism and protection of minority rights.
Fundamental rights guaranteed freedom of religion.
7️⃣ Economic Challenges:
India focused on self-reliance through Five-Year Plans.
Planning Commission aimed to improve industry, agriculture, and infrastructure.
⚡ Significance of the Chapter:
Explains how India built its unity, democracy, and governance structure.
Highlights the leadership roles of Nehru and Patel.
Connects past challenges to present-day India.
—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
TEXTBOOK QUESTIONS
Question 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.
Answer 1:
✅ Correct Answer: (d) The scheme of Partition included a plan for transfer of population across the border.
🔵 Explanation:
There was no formal plan for population transfer, but violence and insecurity forced mass migrations.
Question 2:
Match the principles with the instances:
(a) Mapping of boundaries on religious grounds
(b) Mapping of boundaries on grounds of different languages
(c) Demarcating boundaries within a country by geographical zones
(d) Demarcating boundaries within a country on administrative and political grounds
Options:
i. Pakistan and Bangladesh
ii. India and Pakistan
iii. Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh
iv. Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand
Answer 2:
Principle Example
(a) Mapping on religious grounds ii. India and Pakistan
(b) Mapping on grounds of different languages i. Pakistan and Bangladesh
(c) Demarcating boundaries by geographical zones iii. Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh
(d) Demarcating boundaries on administrative grounds iv. Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand
Question 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
Answer 3:
🔵 Location of Princely States on the Map of India:
(a) Junagadh – Present-day Gujarat
(b) Manipur – Present-day Manipur (Northeast India)
(c) Mysore – Present-day Karnataka
(d) Gwalior – Present-day Madhya Pradesh
Question 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?
Answer 4:
🟢 My Opinion:
The accession of Princely States was necessary to create a unified India. While some force was used in special cases like Hyderabad and Junagadh, the broader goal was to ensure political stability and democratic governance for all regions. Therefore, Bismay’s view seems more practical, as democracy could not have functioned without territorial integration.
Question 5:
Read the following very different statements made in August 1947 –
M.K. Gandhi: “Today you have worn on your heads a crown of thorns. The seat of power is a nasty thing… you have to be more humble and forbearing… now there will be no end to your being tested.”
Jawaharlal Nehru: “…India will awake to a life of freedom… 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…”
Spell out the agenda of nation building that flows from these two statements. Which one appeals more to you and why?
Answer 5:
🔴 Agenda of Nation-Building from These Statements:
Gandhiji’s View: Emphasises the responsibility, humility, and moral discipline required in governance.
Nehru’s View: Focuses on optimism, development, and the future potential of India as a newly independent nation.
🟡 Which appeals more to me?
Nehru’s view is more appealing as it reflects hope, vision, and determination towards building a new India with opportunities for all citizens.
Question 6:
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?
Answer 6:
🟢 Reasons for Keeping India Secular:
✔️ Ethical: Respect for all religions and equal treatment.
✔️ Sentimental: To protect minorities’ dignity and promote harmony.
✔️ Prudential:
➡️ To maintain national unity in a religiously diverse society.
➡️ To prevent further communal conflicts post-partition.
🧠 Conclusion: Nehru’s reasons were both ethical and practical. Secularism ensured peace and stability.
Question 7:
Bring out two major differences between the challenge of nation building for eastern and western regions of the country at the time of Independence.
Answer 7:
🔵 Eastern Region:
✔️ Focused on integrating regions with different ethnic identities (Northeast India).
✔️ Dealt with tribal autonomy and integration into the national mainstream.
🔴 Western Region:
✔️ Focused on accession of princely states like Junagadh, Kashmir.
✔️ Addressed external aggression from Pakistan during partition.
Question 8:
What was the task of the States Reorganisation Commission? What was its most salient recommendation?
Answer 8:
🟡 Task of States Reorganisation Commission (SRC):
✔️ To examine demands for reorganising states on linguistic lines.
✔️ Ensure administrative efficiency and unity.
🟢 Salient Recommendation:
Creation of linguistic states to respect cultural identities and strengthen national integration.
➡️ Led to the States Reorganisation Act, 1956.
Question 9:
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.
Answer 9:
🔴 Features that Make India a Nation:
✔️ Shared History: Common struggle against British colonialism.
✔️ Political Aspirations: Unity in democratic values and Constitution.
✔️ Cultural Diversity: Acceptance of religious, linguistic, and ethnic differences.
✔️ Common Institutions: Parliament, Judiciary, Election Commission.
✔️ Symbolic Identity: National Flag, Anthem, Army.
Question 10:
Read the following passage and answer the questions below:
(a) List the commonalities that the author mentions between India and Soviet Union and give one example for each of these from India.
Answer 10(a):
🟢 Commonalities:
✔️ Both had diverse ethnic, religious, linguistic communities.
✔️ Both needed to create unity from diversity.
✔️ Both had vast geographical and demographic scales.
➡️ Example from India:
North-East tribes, South Indian languages, Sikh, Muslim minorities living within a unified India.
(b) The author does not talk about dissimilarities between the two experiments. Can you mention two dissimilarities?
Answer 10(b):
🔵 Dissimilarities:
1️⃣ India adopted democracy; USSR followed communism.
2️⃣ India allowed religious freedom; USSR promoted atheism.
(c) In retrospect which of these two experiments worked better and why?
Answer 10(c):
🟡 India’s Experiment Worked Better:
✔️ Democratic structure ensured stability and flexibility.
✔️ Freedom of speech, religion, and political choices maintained unity.
✔️ USSR disintegrated; India remains united.
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
OTHER IMPORTANT QUESTIONS
(CBSE MODEL QUESTIONS PAPER)
ESPECIALLY MADE FROM THIS LESSON ONLY
Q1. Which of the following leaders played a key role in the integration of princely states into India?
(A) Mahatma Gandhi
(B) Jawaharlal Nehru
(C) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
(D) Rajendra Prasad
Answer: (C) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
Q2. The first general elections in India were held in:
(A) 1947-48
(B) 1948-49
(C) 1950-51
(D) 1951-52
Answer: (D) 1951-52
Q3. Which state was created in 1966 as a result of the demand for a separate Punjabi-speaking state?
(A) Rajasthan
(B) Haryana
(C) Punjab
(D) Himachal Pradesh
Answer: (B) Haryana
Q4. Which Article of the Constitution grants special status to Jammu and Kashmir (before abrogation in 2019)?
(A) Article 356
(B) Article 360
(C) Article 370
(D) Article 371
Answer: (C) Article 370
Q5. Which of the following was NOT a challenge at the time of India’s independence?
(A) Unity and integrity of the nation
(B) Establishing democracy
(C) Industrial revolution
(D) Development and planning
Answer: (C) Industrial revolution
Q6. Assertion (A): India adopted universal adult franchise right from the beginning.
Reason (R): The leaders of India believed in democracy and equality.
Options:
(A) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
(B) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(C) A is true, but R is false.
(D) A is false, but R is true.
Answer: (A) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
Q7. Who was the first Chief Election Commissioner of India?
(A) Sukumar Sen
(B) T.N. Seshan
(C) Rajiv Kumar
(D) K.V.K. Sundaram
Answer: (A) Sukumar Sen
Q8. Hyderabad was integrated into India through:
(A) Popular referendum
(B) Military action (Police action)
(C) Peaceful negotiations
(D) Court ruling
Answer: (B) Military action (Police action)
Q9. Who coined the phrase ‘Unity in Diversity’ in the context of India?
(A) Jawaharlal Nehru
(B) B.R. Ambedkar
(C) Mahatma Gandhi
(D) Rajendra Prasad
Answer: (A) Jawaharlal Nehru
Q10. Which Commission was appointed to recommend the reorganisation of states on linguistic basis?
(A) Dhar Commission
(B) JVP Committee
(C) States Reorganisation Commission
(D) Shah Commission
Answer: (C) States Reorganisation Commission
Q11. What does the term ‘Linguistic States’ refer to?
Answer: States formed primarily on the basis of language spoken by the majority population.
Q12. Which region in India witnessed a violent movement for integration led by the Nizam’s militia?
Answer: Hyderabad
Q13. Who is considered as the ‘Iron Man of India’?
Answer: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
Q14. In which year was the States Reorganisation Act passed?
Answer: 1956
Q15. Which political party dominated Indian politics immediately after independence?
Answer: Indian National Congress
Q16. Name the leader who went on a fast unto death for the formation of Andhra Pradesh.
Answer: Potti Sriramulu
Q17. What does ‘Democratic Consolidation’ refer to in the context of India after 1947?
Answer: The strengthening and stabilization of democratic institutions and processes in India.
Q18. Write the full form of NEFA.
Answer: North-East Frontier Agency
Q19. Why was the integration of princely states considered a major challenge for India after independence?
Answer:
The princely states had the option to either join India or Pakistan or remain independent. Many rulers were reluctant to join India, posing a threat to the unity and territorial integrity of the nation. The integration was necessary to avoid fragmentation and ensure political stability.
Q20. State any two challenges faced during the first general elections of India.
Answer:
Illiteracy was widespread, and most people had never voted before.
Organising elections on such a massive scale required huge administrative effort, including preparing electoral rolls and ensuring security.
Q21. What was the significance of the linguistic reorganisation of states?
Answer:
It recognised the aspirations of people to govern themselves in their own language, strengthened the unity of the nation, reduced regional tensions, and gave a sense of cultural pride to linguistic communities.
Q22. Explain how the Kashmir issue became an international matter.
Answer:
After tribal invaders from Pakistan attacked Kashmir in 1947, the Maharaja of Kashmir sought India’s help and signed the Instrument of Accession. India took the issue to the United Nations, turning it into an international dispute between India and Pakistan.
Q23. What was the main objective behind adopting universal adult franchise in India from the beginning?
Answer:
The leaders of India believed in the principles of equality and democracy. Granting voting rights to all adults, irrespective of caste, gender, or literacy, was seen as essential for establishing a democratic and inclusive political system.
Q24. Describe three main features of India’s approach towards nation-building after independence.
Answer:
Democratic Framework: India adopted a democratic political system with universal adult franchise, fundamental rights, and rule of law.
Secularism: India chose to treat all religions equally, ensuring no state religion and protecting minority rights.
Unity with Diversity: India accepted diversity in terms of language, culture, and ethnicity but aimed to integrate these under a common national identity.
Q25. Explain the steps taken by the Indian government to integrate Hyderabad into the Indian Union.
Answer:
The Nizam of Hyderabad wished to remain independent, supported by the Razakars militia.
Communal violence and lawlessness escalated.
India launched ‘Operation Polo’ (a police action) in 1948, defeating the Nizam’s forces and integrating Hyderabad into India.
Q26. Highlight the role played by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in the integration of princely states.
Answer:
Patel convinced over 500 princely states to join India through diplomacy, persuasion, and firmness.
He handled complex cases like Junagadh, Hyderabad, and Kashmir strategically.
His efforts ensured India’s territorial integrity and earned him the title ‘Iron Man of India.’
Q27. Discuss any three consequences of the reorganisation of states on linguistic basis.
Answer:
Reduced regional discontent and gave linguistic groups political recognition.
Strengthened India’s unity despite diversity.
Set a precedent for future demands, leading to the creation of more states like Gujarat and Maharashtra.
Q28. Write a brief note on the significance of the first general elections in India.
Answer:
Marked the beginning of electoral democracy in India on a massive scale.
Proved that democracy could succeed in a diverse, poor, and largely illiterate nation.
Established India’s faith in democratic principles and became a model for other post-colonial nations.
Q29. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:
The integration of princely states was a remarkable achievement in India’s nation-building process. Some rulers showed reluctance, while others actively resisted joining India. The government under Sardar Patel used a combination of diplomacy and force where necessary to bring them into the Indian Union.
(i) Name any two princely states that resisted integration. (1)
(ii) What was the name of the operation undertaken to integrate Hyderabad? (1)
(iii) Why was the integration of these princely states essential for India’s unity? (2)
Answer:
(i) Junagadh, Hyderabad
(ii) Operation Polo
(iii) Integration was essential to avoid fragmentation, maintain territorial integrity, and ensure political and administrative coherence within India.
Q30. Read the following case and answer the questions that follow:
The reorganisation of states on linguistic lines became a pressing demand in post-independence India. Leaders like Potti Sriramulu fasted unto death, demanding the creation of Andhra Pradesh for Telugu-speaking people.
(i) Who was Potti Sriramulu, and what was his demand? (1)
(ii) When was Andhra Pradesh created? (1)
(iii) What was the broader impact of linguistic reorganisation on Indian federalism? (2)
Answer:
(i) Potti Sriramulu was a freedom fighter who demanded a separate Telugu-speaking state, Andhra Pradesh.
(ii) Andhra Pradesh was created in 1953.
(iii) Linguistic reorganisation recognised cultural identities, reduced regional tensions, and strengthened the federal structure by accommodating diversity.
Q31. Study the following passage and answer the questions that follow:
India chose to adopt universal adult franchise despite poverty and illiteracy. This decision reflected the faith of Indian leadership in democracy and equality.
(i) What is meant by universal adult franchise? (1)
(ii) Why was this step considered bold and significant? (1)
(iii) What impact did it have on India’s democracy? (2)
Answer:
(i) The right of all adult citizens to vote, irrespective of caste, creed, religion, or gender.
(ii) It was bold because many believed India was not ready due to poverty and illiteracy, yet the leadership trusted people’s ability to participate in democracy.
(iii) It empowered marginalized groups, promoted equality, and firmly established democratic traditions in India.
Q32. Analyse the three core challenges that India faced immediately after independence.
Answer:
Territorial Integration: India had to integrate over 500 princely states to form a united nation. This required negotiations, legal measures, and sometimes military action. Key cases included Junagadh, Hyderabad, and Kashmir.
Establishment of Democracy: India had to lay the foundation of democratic institutions, hold free elections, and ensure equal rights through universal adult franchise.
Development and Planning: Economic backwardness, poverty, and illiteracy were rampant. The government prioritized planned economic development through Five-Year Plans and building infrastructure to ensure social and economic justice.
Q33. Examine the factors responsible for the Kashmir conflict between India and Pakistan.
Answer:
Partition and Accession: Kashmir was a princely state with a Muslim-majority population and a Hindu ruler. The invasion by tribal forces from Pakistan led the Maharaja to sign the Instrument of Accession with India.
UN Involvement: India took the issue to the United Nations, which called for a ceasefire and a plebiscite, leading to internationalisation of the conflict.
Pakistan’s Claim: Pakistan claimed Kashmir due to its Muslim majority, leading to prolonged disputes and wars.
Military Standoff: Both nations fought wars (1947-48, 1965, 1999) over Kashmir, keeping the issue unresolved.
Special Status: Article 370 granted special autonomy to Kashmir, which further complicated matters until its abrogation in 2019.
Q34. Describe the process and impact of the reorganisation of states on linguistic lines in India.
Answer:
Process:
Initial opposition from leaders like Nehru and Patel due to fear of division.
Potti Sriramulu’s hunger strike led to Andhra Pradesh’s formation in 1953.
The States Reorganisation Commission (1953) recommended linguistic states.
The States Reorganisation Act (1956) reorganised boundaries on linguistic basis.
Impact:
Reduced linguistic tensions and gave recognition to cultural identities.
Strengthened India’s unity by respecting diversity.
Set a precedent for future reorganisations (e.g., Maharashtra, Gujarat, Haryana).
Enhanced federal structure by aligning political units with linguistic identities.
Q35. Evaluate the contributions of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in the process of national integration.
Answer:
Political Integration: Led the integration of over 500 princely states through persuasion, diplomacy, and firmness.
Key Contributions: Solved complex cases like Junagadh, Hyderabad (through Operation Polo), and Kashmir (with Nehru).
Institution Building: Laid the foundation of India’s civil services and administrative machinery to strengthen unity.
Vision: Advocated for a strong, united India where regional and religious differences would not divide the nation.
Legacy: Known as the ‘Iron Man of India’, his efforts ensured India’s territorial integrity and political stability post-independence.
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
QUESTIONS FROM COMPETITION EXAMS
🔵 Q1. The Instrument of Accession was related to:
(A) Integration of States
(B) Division of Powers
(C) Making of the Constitution
(D) International Treaties
✅ Answer: (A) Integration of States
📅 Exam: UPSC Prelims 2016
📝 Explanation: It allowed princely states to join India.
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
🔵 Q2. Who was responsible for the integration of princely states?
(A) Mahatma Gandhi
(B) Jawaharlal Nehru
(C) Vallabhbhai Patel
(D) B.R. Ambedkar
✅ Answer: (C) Vallabhbhai Patel
📅 Exam: SSC CGL 2015
📝 Explanation: Patel used diplomacy and force.
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
🔵 Q3. Which state was annexed through Operation Polo?
(A) Hyderabad
(B) Kashmir
(C) Junagadh
(D) Goa
✅ Answer: (A) Hyderabad
📅 Exam: SSC CHSL 2017
📝 Explanation: Military action against Nizam.
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
🔵 Q4. Which year was the first General Election held in India?
(A) 1947
(B) 1948
(C) 1950
(D) 1952
✅ Answer: (D) 1952
📅 Exam: SSC CPO 2016
📝 Explanation: First election under the new Constitution.
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
🔵 Q5. Article 370 was related to:
(A) Sikkim
(B) Punjab
(C) Jammu and Kashmir
(D) Nagaland
✅ Answer: (C) Jammu and Kashmir
📅 Exam: UPSC Prelims 2013
📝 Explanation: Special status provision.
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
🔵 Q6. Who was the first Deputy Prime Minister of India?
(A) Sardar Patel
(B) Nehru
(C) Rajendra Prasad
(D) Ambedkar
✅ Answer: (A) Sardar Patel
📅 Exam: SSC CGL 2014
📝 Explanation: Key figure in integration efforts.
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
🔵 Q7. The linguistic reorganisation of states began in:
(A) 1947
(B) 1956
(C) 1962
(D) 1971
✅ Answer: (B) 1956
📅 Exam: UPSC Prelims 2015
📝 Explanation: State Reorganisation Act 1956.
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
🔵 Q8. The first state formed on a linguistic basis was:
(A) Andhra Pradesh
(B) Tamil Nadu
(C) Maharashtra
(D) Kerala
✅ Answer: (A) Andhra Pradesh
📅 Exam: SSC MTS 2015
📝 Explanation: Formed after Potti Sriramulu’s fast.
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
🔵 Q9. Which of the following is NOT true about Partition?
(A) Religious divide
(B) Economic reasons
(C) Administrative convenience
(D) Political bargaining
✅ Answer: (C) Administrative convenience
📅 Exam: SSC CHSL 2016
📝 Explanation: Main cause was religious divide.
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
🔵 Q10. Which commission recommended state reorganisation?
(A) Fazal Ali Commission
(B) Sarkaria Commission
(C) Mandal Commission
(D) Punchhi Commission
✅ Answer: (A) Fazal Ali Commission
📅 Exam: SSC CGL 2016
📝 Explanation: Basis for 1956 Act.
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
🔵 Q11. Which state merged with India through a referendum?
(A) Junagadh
(B) Goa
(C) Hyderabad
(D) Kashmir
✅ Answer: (A) Junagadh
📅 Exam: UPSC Prelims 2017
📝 Explanation: People’s vote led to merger.
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
🔵 Q12. Which state was annexed by military action in 1961?
(A) Kashmir
(B) Hyderabad
(C) Goa
(D) Pondicherry
✅ Answer: (C) Goa
📅 Exam: SSC CHSL 2018
📝 Explanation: Goa Liberation in 1961.
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
🔵 Q13. Which year did Sikkim become a part of India?
(A) 1962
(B) 1971
(C) 1975
(D) 1980
✅ Answer: (C) 1975
📅 Exam: SSC JE 2016
📝 Explanation: After referendum, Sikkim merged.
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
🔵 Q14. Which region was NOT affected by Partition violence?
(A) Punjab
(B) Bengal
(C) Assam
(D) Kerala
✅ Answer: (D) Kerala
📅 Exam: SSC GD 2017
📝 Explanation: Kerala was unaffected.
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
🔵 Q15. Which political party was formed first after Independence?
(A) Jan Sangh
(B) Congress
(C) DMK
(D) CPI
✅ Answer: (D) CPI
📅 Exam: SSC MTS 2017
📝 Explanation: Existed since 1925 but reorganised post-Independence.
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
🔵 Q16. Which community’s demands led to Punjab’s reorganisation?
(A) Muslims
(B) Sikhs
(C) Christians
(D) Bengalis
✅ Answer: (B) Sikhs
📅 Exam: SSC CHSL 2015
📝 Explanation: Punjabi Suba Movement.
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
🔵 Q17. Internal security threat during nation-building:
(A) Terrorism
(B) Linguistic agitations
(C) Left-Wing Extremism
(D) All of these
✅ Answer: (D) All of these
📅 Exam: CAPF 2017
📝 Explanation: All factors impacted unity.
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
🔵 Q18. Reorganisation of states was mainly based on:
(A) Ethnicity
(B) Religion
(C) Language
(D) Economy
✅ Answer: (C) Language
📅 Exam: SSC CGL 2017
📝 Explanation: Language was key factor.
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
🔵 Q19. When was the States Reorganisation Commission constituted?
(A) 1950
(B) 1953
(C) 1956
(D) 1960
✅ Answer: (B) 1953
📅 Exam: SSC CHSL 2017
📝 Explanation: For linguistic reorganisation.
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
🔵 Q20. Who advocated a “strong Centre” in Constitution-making?
(A) Nehru
(B) Patel
(C) Rajendra Prasad
(D) Ambedkar
✅ Answer: (B) Patel
📅 Exam: UPSC Prelims 2012
📝 Explanation: Patel stressed unity over autonomy.
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
🔵 Q21. Article 371 provides:
(A) Emergency Provisions
(B) Special status for NE states
(C) Uniform Civil Code
(D) Fundamental Rights
✅ Answer: (B) Special status for NE states
📅 Exam: SSC JE 2019
📝 Explanation: Special provisions for specific regions.
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
KNOWLEDGE WITH FUN
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
MNEMONICS
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————