CBSE Class 8 Social Science Chapter 12: India After Independence NCERT Solutions

The newly independent nation of India faced several significant challenges. Three of the most pressing problems were:

1. Rehabilitation of Refugees: India had to manage the immense task of resettling approximately 8 million refugees who had migrated from Pakistan following the partition.
2. Integration of Princely States: There were around 500 princely states, each ruled by a Maharaja or Nawab. Each of these states had to be persuaded and integrated into the new Indian nation, which required careful negotiation and diplomacy.
3. Establishing a Political System: The nation needed to adopt a political structure and system that would effectively serve the hopes and aspirations of its diverse population and ensure democratic governance.

The Planning Commission was an institution established by the Indian government in 1950. Its primary role was to help design and execute suitable policies for the economic development of the country. It was responsible for formulating national plans, allocating resources, and overseeing the implementation of strategies aimed at achieving economic growth and social progress.

Here are the completed sentences:

(a) Subjects that were placed on the Union List were taxes, defence, and foreign affairs.

(b) Subjects on the Concurrent List were forests, agriculture, and trade unions.

(c) Economic planning by which both the state and the private sector played a role in development was called a 'mixed economy' model.

(d) The death of Potti Sriramulu sparked off such violent protests that the government was forced to give into the demand for linguistic state of Andhra.

Here are the answers to the true or false statements:

(a) True. At the time of independence, India was predominantly an agrarian society, with most of its population residing in rural areas.

(b) False. While the Congress Party had a significant presence, the Constituent Assembly included members from various political parties and backgrounds, not exclusively Congress members.

(c) False. In the first national election held in 1951-52, universal adult suffrage was granted, meaning both men and women were allowed to vote.

(d) True. The Second Five Year Plan (1956-1961) placed a strong emphasis on the development of heavy industries, such as steel production, and infrastructure projects.

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's statement highlights a critical paradox in Indian society post-independence. He meant that while the new Constitution would grant political equality to all citizens, including those from lower castes, through universal adult suffrage and equal rights in the political sphere, this political equality would not automatically translate into social and economic equality. He recognized that deep-rooted social hierarchies, discrimination based on caste, and economic disparities between the rich and the poor, and between upper castes and lower castes, would persist. Therefore, Indians might be equal in the eyes of the law and in the political arena, but significant inequalities would continue to exist in their social interactions and economic opportunities.

There was a significant reluctance to divide India into linguistic states immediately after independence primarily because the nation had just endured the immense trauma and violence of the partition based on religion. The division of the country in 1947 had resulted in widespread riots, mass killings, and displacement of millions of people. In such a sensitive and fragile post-partition environment, the idea of further dividing the country based on language was viewed with great apprehension. Both Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Deputy Prime Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel were cautious and initially opposed to the creation of linguistic states, fearing that it could exacerbate regional tensions and undermine national unity.

English continued to be used in India after independence largely because of strong opposition from some non-Hindi speaking states, particularly in South India. These states expressed significant concerns about the imposition of Hindi as the sole official language, fearing it would disadvantage their populations and undermine their cultural identity. To maintain national unity and accommodate these concerns, English was retained as an associate official language alongside Hindi.

In the early decades after independence, India envisioned its economic development through a planned approach. In 1950, the government established the Planning Commission to formulate and implement policies for economic growth. There was a broad consensus on adopting a 'mixed economy' model, where both the state and the private sector would play crucial, complementary roles in boosting production and creating employment opportunities. The Planning Commission was tasked with determining which industries the state should develop and which the market should handle, while also ensuring a balance between different regions. The Second Five Year Plan (1956) particularly focused on developing heavy industries like steel and constructing large dams, with these key sectors to be under state control. This emphasis on state-led industrialization and economic regulation guided India's economic policy for several decades.

Mira Behn, born Madeline Slade in 1892, was the daughter of a British Admiral. She was deeply inspired by Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy and left England to live and work alongside him in India. She dedicated her life to human development, promoting Gandhi's principles, and actively participating in India's freedom struggle. Her ideas were rooted in simple living, self-sufficiency, and the upliftment of rural communities. She was a strong advocate for sustainable practices and environmental conservation. In recognition of her lifelong service, she was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 1982. She passed away in 1982.

Pakistan, upon its creation, was divided into two geographically separate regions: West Pakistan and East Pakistan. This division was primarily based on linguistic and cultural differences, with West Pakistan dominated by Urdu speakers and East Pakistan by Bengali speakers. However, the political and economic power was concentrated in West Pakistan, leading to the marginalization and discrimination of the Bengali-speaking population in East Pakistan. The West Pakistani rulers often viewed the Bengalis as inferior and imposed Urdu as the sole national language, disregarding the linguistic identity of East Pakistan. This led to growing resentment and demands for greater autonomy and recognition. The dissatisfaction escalated into widespread protests and a movement for independence in East Pakistan. The situation culminated in a brutal crackdown by the Pakistani military in 1971, which triggered a massive refugee crisis in India. India intervened militarily, supporting the Bengali liberation movement. This led to a war between India and Pakistan, resulting in India's victory and the declaration of East Pakistan as the independent nation of Bangladesh on December 16, 1971. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman became the first President of Bangladesh.