Class 12 Political Science Chapter 8: Challenges of Nation Building
Welcome to HSLC Guru! This article begins Part B — Politics in India Since Independence of the Class 12 Political Science syllabus prescribed by ASSEB. Chapter 8, “Challenges of Nation Building”, explores the immense political, territorial and social tasks that confronted India immediately after independence in 1947. The chapter focuses on three formidable challenges — shaping a united nation amidst the trauma of Partition, integrating more than 550 princely states into the Indian Union, and reorganising the internal map of the country along linguistic lines. The complete question-answer set below is suitable for HSLC Higher Secondary Class 12 board examinations and is prepared in line with the ASSEB syllabus.
About the Chapter
India became independent on 15 August 1947, but freedom arrived together with the painful Partition that created Pakistan. The new nation faced three urgent challenges: (i) building a united nation accommodating diversity of region, religion, language and culture; (ii) establishing democracy through a Constitution guaranteeing fundamental rights, parliamentary government and universal adult franchise; and (iii) ensuring development and economic well-being of the entire society. The most immediate task, however, was to consolidate the territory of India by integrating the princely states and to redraw the political map on a rational basis. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, as the first Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, accomplished the integration of about 550 princely states with extraordinary skill. The cases of Junagadh, Kashmir and Hyderabad required additional measures including plebiscite, accession and police action. The State Reorganisation Commission of 1953 and the State Reorganisation Act of 1956 redrew India’s internal boundaries on linguistic lines, vindicating the Congress’s pre-independence promise.
Summary
India attained independence on 15 August 1947 alongside the tragic Partition that displaced millions and triggered communal violence. The new nation faced three principal challenges of nation building: forging unity from diversity, establishing democratic institutions, and ensuring development for all. The most pressing immediate task was the integration of about 550 princely states that the British had left free to join either India or Pakistan or remain independent. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Iron Man of India and the first Home Minister, with the assistance of V. P. Menon, persuaded almost all rulers to sign the Instrument of Accession. Three states posed special problems — Junagadh acceded to India after a plebiscite; Hyderabad’s Nizam was forced to merge through Operation Polo, the police action of September 1948; and Jammu & Kashmir acceded on 26 October 1947 after a tribal invasion from Pakistan, with special provisions under Article 370. The second great task was the linguistic reorganisation of states. Following the Potti Sriramulu agitation and his death after a 56-day fast, Andhra Pradesh was created in 1953 as the first linguistic state. The State Reorganisation Commission, headed by Justice Fazl Ali with K. M. Panikkar and H. N. Kunzru as members, submitted its report in 1955. The State Reorganisation Act of 1956 reorganised India into 14 states and 6 union territories on linguistic basis. Jawaharlal Nehru’s vision of unity in diversity and democratic accommodation underpinned these decisions.
সাৰাংশ (Assamese)
১৯৪৭ চনৰ ১৫ আগষ্টত ভাৰতে স্বাধীনতা লাভ কৰিলে যদিও সেই স্বাধীনতাৰ লগে লগে দেশ বিভাজন হ’ল আৰু পাকিস্তান নামৰ এখন নতুন ৰাষ্ট্ৰ গঠন হ’ল। ভাৰতৰ সন্মুখত তিনিটা মূল প্ৰত্যাহ্বান উপস্থিত হ’ল — বৈচিত্ৰ্যৰ মাজত ঐক্য স্থাপন, গণতান্ত্ৰিক প্ৰতিষ্ঠানৰ গঢ় গঢ়া আৰু সমাজৰ আৰ্থিক উন্নয়ন। আটাইতকৈ জৰুৰী কাম আছিল ৫৫০ৰো অধিক দেশীয় ৰাজ্যক ভাৰত সংঘত একত্ৰীকৰণ। ভাৰতৰ লৌহ-পুৰুষ চৰ্দাৰ বল্লভভাই পেটেলে ভি. পি. মেননৰ সহযোগত প্ৰায় সকলো ৰজাকে অধিভুক্তিকৰণ চুক্তিত স্বাক্ষৰ কৰাবলৈ সক্ষম হ’ল। জুনাগড়, হায়দৰাবাদ আৰু কাশ্মীৰৰ ক্ষেত্ৰত বিশেষ ব্যৱস্থা ল’ব লগা হ’ল — জুনাগড়ত গণভোট, হায়দৰাবাদত আৰক্ষী কাৰ্যানুষ্ঠান (অপাৰেচন পলো, ১৯৪৮) আৰু কাশ্মীৰত ২৬ অক্টোবৰ ১৯৪৭ত অধিভুক্তি (অনুচ্ছেদ ৩৭০ৰ অধীনত)। ১৯৫৩ চনত পট্টি শ্ৰীৰামুলুৰ আমৰণ অনশনৰ মৃত্যুৰ পাছত প্ৰথম ভাষাভিত্তিক ৰাজ্য অন্ধ্ৰপ্ৰদেশ গঠন হ’ল। ফজল আলীৰ নেতৃত্বত গঠিত ৰাজ্য পুনৰ্গঠন আয়োগৰ পৰামৰ্শৰ ভিত্তিত ১৯৫৬ চনৰ ৰাজ্য পুনৰ্গঠন আইনৰ দ্বাৰা ভাৰতক ১৪খন ৰাজ্য আৰু ৬খন কেন্দ্ৰীয় শাসিত অঞ্চলত পুনৰ্গঠন কৰা হ’ল।
NCERT Textbook Questions and Answers
Q1. Which among the following statements about the Partition of India 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: (d) The scheme of Partition included a plan for transfer of population across the border. — There was no official plan for population transfer; people moved across the border on their own amid violence.
Q2. Match the following:
(a) Mountbatten Plan — (i) Plan for Partition
(b) Radcliffe Award — (ii) Boundary Commission
(c) Sardar Patel — (iii) Integration of princely states
(d) Potti Sriramulu — (iv) Linguistic states demand
Answer: (a)–(i), (b)–(ii), (c)–(iii), (d)–(iv).
Q3. Take a current political map of India and mark the location of princely states that are not part of India.
Answer: The princely states that did not initially join India were Junagadh, Hyderabad and Jammu & Kashmir. All three are now integral parts of India. Junagadh is in present-day Gujarat, Hyderabad is in Telangana (formerly Andhra Pradesh) and Jammu & Kashmir is now divided into the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
Q4. What was the task of the State Reorganisation Commission? What was its most salient recommendation?
Answer: The State Reorganisation Commission was set up by the Government of India in 1953 under the chairmanship of Justice Fazl Ali, with K. M. Panikkar and H. N. Kunzru as members. Its task was to examine the demand for reorganisation of state boundaries on linguistic lines. The Commission submitted its report in 1955 and accepted that boundaries of states should reflect the linguistic boundaries. Its most salient recommendation, accepted by Parliament through the State Reorganisation Act of 1956, was that India should be reorganised into 14 states and 6 union territories on the basis of language.
Q5. 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: India is a nation despite its enormous diversity because of certain shared features: (i) a common civilisational heritage stretching over millennia; (ii) a shared anti-colonial freedom struggle that united Indians against British rule; (iii) a written Constitution that affirms common values of liberty, equality and fraternity; (iv) parliamentary democracy and universal adult franchise that draw all citizens into a single political community; (v) the principle of unity in diversity that accommodates linguistic, religious and cultural pluralism; (vi) shared political institutions, festivals, symbols and economic life. These features knit Indians into a single political community and an “imagined community” of fellow citizens.
Q6. What was the role of Sardar Patel in the integration of princely states?
Answer: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India’s first Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, played the decisive role in the integration of princely states. With the help of V. P. Menon, the Secretary in the States Department, he used a combination of persuasion, diplomacy, patriotic appeal and firmness to bring the rulers of about 550 princely states to sign the Instrument of Accession before 15 August 1947. The Instrument provided that states would transfer only three subjects — defence, foreign affairs and communications — to the Indian Union. For Junagadh he organised a plebiscite, for Hyderabad he ordered police action (Operation Polo, September 1948), and for Jammu & Kashmir he secured accession on 26 October 1947. For his statesmanship in unifying India, Patel is honoured as the “Iron Man of India” and the “Bismarck of India”.
Q7. Here are two opinions: Bismay: “The merger with the Indian state was best for the princely states.” Inderpreet: “It is unfair to the people of the princely states because they were not consulted.” With whom do you agree and why?
Answer: Bismay’s opinion is more convincing. The princely states were small, unviable units, many of them autocratically ruled. Their continued existence as independent entities would have Balkanised India and weakened defence and economic development. Merger gave their people the benefits of fundamental rights, parliamentary democracy, planned development and equal citizenship. Although ordinary subjects were not formally consulted, the freedom struggle and the popular movements within many states (the Praja Mandals) had clearly indicated public support for joining India. Hence integration was both necessary and beneficial.
Q8. Read the following passage and answer the questions below: “Doubtless, the Constitution recognises the existence of differences. But the makers of the Constitution believed in absorbing all forms of diversity into a larger Indian identity…” (a) What is meant by absorbing diversity? (b) Why did the makers think such absorption necessary? (c) Was the linguistic reorganisation contrary to this idea?
Answer: (a) Absorbing diversity means accommodating different languages, religions and cultures within a single national framework so that no group feels excluded while all share a common citizenship. (b) The Constitution-makers believed it was necessary to prevent fragmentation, build national unity and provide equal rights and opportunities to all citizens regardless of regional or community identity. (c) Linguistic reorganisation was not contrary to this principle. By recognising linguistic identity in the form of states within a single Union, India strengthened unity in diversity. People satisfied with linguistic recognition felt more secure as Indians and so reorganisation deepened, rather than weakened, national unity.
Q9. Read the following passage about Kashmir and answer: Why did Maharaja Hari Singh not accede to either India or Pakistan immediately?
Answer: Maharaja Hari Singh of Jammu & Kashmir wanted to keep his state independent. He delayed accession because he hoped to bargain better terms with both Dominions. The situation changed when Pathan tribesmen, with Pakistani support, invaded the state in October 1947. Unable to defend his territory, Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession with India on 26 October 1947 and India sent troops to repel the invaders.
Short Answer Type Questions
Q1. When did India achieve independence?
Answer: India achieved independence on 15 August 1947.
Q2. Who were the architects of independent India?
Answer: The principal architects were Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad and Dr. Rajendra Prasad.
Q3. What is the “two-nation theory”?
Answer: The “two-nation theory” was propagated by the Muslim League under Mohammad Ali Jinnah, claiming that Hindus and Muslims constituted two separate nations and therefore Muslims required a separate homeland. It became the basis of the demand for Pakistan and led to the Partition of India in 1947.
Q4. What was the Mountbatten Plan?
Answer: The Mountbatten Plan, announced on 3 June 1947 by Lord Louis Mountbatten, the last Viceroy of India, provided the blueprint for the transfer of power. It accepted Partition, fixed 15 August 1947 as the date of independence, and laid down procedures for the division of provinces of Punjab and Bengal and for the choice of princely states.
Q5. What was the Radcliffe Award?
Answer: The Radcliffe Award was the boundary settlement made by Sir Cyril Radcliffe, who chaired the Boundary Commission to demarcate the border between India and Pakistan in Punjab and Bengal. It was published on 17 August 1947 and triggered massive cross-border migration and violence.
Q6. How many princely states existed at the time of independence?
Answer: There were about 565 princely states at the time of independence, of which roughly 550 acceded to India.
Q7. Who was V. P. Menon?
Answer: V. P. Menon was the Secretary of the States Department of the Government of India and the chief lieutenant of Sardar Patel in negotiating the accession of princely states to the Indian Union.
Q8. What was the Instrument of Accession?
Answer: The Instrument of Accession was a legal document signed by the rulers of princely states transferring three subjects — defence, foreign affairs and communications — to the Indian Union, while retaining internal autonomy in other matters. It was the principal instrument used to integrate the princely states.
Q9. Why is Sardar Patel called the “Iron Man of India”?
Answer: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel is called the “Iron Man of India” because of his firm leadership and skilful diplomacy in unifying around 550 princely states into the Indian Union, thereby securing the territorial integrity of the country.
Q10. What is “Operation Polo”?
Answer: “Operation Polo” was the code name of the police action launched by the Government of India in September 1948 to integrate the princely state of Hyderabad whose Nizam refused to join India. The action lasted only a few days and Hyderabad was merged with the Indian Union.
Q11. Who was Potti Sriramulu?
Answer: Potti Sriramulu was a Gandhian leader who undertook a 56-day fast unto death demanding a separate Telugu-speaking state. His death on 15 December 1952 led to widespread agitation and the creation of Andhra Pradesh in October 1953 as the first linguistic state of India.
Q12. When was Andhra Pradesh formed?
Answer: Andhra Pradesh was formed on 1 October 1953 as the first linguistic state of India.
Q13. Who chaired the State Reorganisation Commission?
Answer: The State Reorganisation Commission was chaired by Justice Fazl Ali, with K. M. Panikkar and H. N. Kunzru as the other two members.
Q14. What was the State Reorganisation Act of 1956?
Answer: The State Reorganisation Act of 1956 was passed by Parliament on the recommendation of the Fazl Ali Commission. It reorganised India into 14 states and 6 union territories on linguistic lines.
Q15. What is Article 370?
Answer: Article 370 of the Indian Constitution granted special autonomous status to the state of Jammu & Kashmir. It was abrogated by the Government of India in August 2019.
Long Answer Type Questions
Q1. Discuss the three challenges that India faced at the time of independence.
Answer: India faced three principal challenges immediately after independence:
(i) Challenge of building a united nation: India is a country of vast diversity in language, religion, region, caste and culture. The trauma of Partition had inflamed communal tensions, displaced millions and created a refugee crisis. Building a single nation that accommodated this diversity while preventing further division was an immense challenge. The integration of about 550 princely states into the Union and the redrawing of internal boundaries on linguistic lines were part of this task.
(ii) Challenge of establishing democracy: India chose the path of representative democracy with universal adult franchise, parliamentary government, fundamental rights and an independent judiciary, although a majority of citizens were poor and illiterate. Drafting and operating a Constitution that secured democratic rights and balanced power between the Union, the states and the people was a formidable task that the country accomplished in the very first decade.
(iii) Challenge of development and economic well-being: India had to ensure economic growth, alleviate poverty and reduce inequalities of caste, gender and region. The framers committed the state to the goal of a welfare society through the Directive Principles. The strategy of planned development through the Planning Commission, Five-Year Plans, land reforms and a mixed economy was the answer.
Q2. Explain the role of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in the integration of princely states.
Answer: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India’s first Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, accomplished one of the most remarkable feats in modern history — the unification of more than 550 princely states with the Indian Union — within a span of barely two years. The British Cabinet Mission Plan and the Indian Independence Act of 1947 had left the princely states free to join India, join Pakistan or remain independent. Such freedom threatened the very existence of India as a single state.
Patel adopted a flexible but firm approach. With the able assistance of V. P. Menon, Secretary of the States Department, he persuaded rulers to sign the Instrument of Accession by which they transferred only defence, foreign affairs and communications to the Union, retaining internal autonomy. He combined patriotic appeals to common heritage with offers of generous privy purses and titles, and where necessary applied firm pressure. Almost all states acceded peacefully before 15 August 1947.
Three states posed special difficulties. Junagadh: Although the population was overwhelmingly Hindu, the Nawab announced accession to Pakistan. Patel sent troops, organised a plebiscite in February 1948 in which the people voted overwhelmingly to join India. Hyderabad: The Nizam wanted independence and signed only a Standstill Agreement; meanwhile the Razakars unleashed terror. Patel ordered Operation Polo in September 1948 and Hyderabad was integrated within five days. Jammu & Kashmir: When tribal raiders from Pakistan invaded in October 1947, Maharaja Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession with India on 26 October 1947 and Indian troops were rushed to defend Srinagar.
For his statesmanship Patel is venerated as the “Iron Man of India” and the “Bismarck of India”. The Statue of Unity at Kevadia in Gujarat, dedicated in 2018, commemorates this achievement.
Q3. Describe the integration of Junagadh, Hyderabad and Jammu & Kashmir.
Answer: The three “problem states” of Junagadh, Hyderabad and Jammu & Kashmir were integrated through different methods.
Junagadh: A small state on the Kathiawar coast surrounded by Indian territory, with a Hindu majority population and a Muslim ruler. The Nawab announced accession to Pakistan in August 1947. The people rose in revolt and the Nawab fled to Pakistan. The provisional government invited India to take over. India organised a referendum in February 1948; over 99 per cent voted for joining India and Junagadh was merged.
Hyderabad: The largest princely state, ruled by the Nizam Mir Osman Ali Khan, who declared independence and signed only a Standstill Agreement with India in November 1947. Within the state the Razakars, a private militia, terrorised people who supported merger and a popular movement led by the Andhra Mahasabha and the Communist Party gathered strength. After repeated efforts at negotiation failed, the Government of India launched Operation Polo on 13 September 1948. The Nizam surrendered on 17 September 1948 and Hyderabad joined the Indian Union.
Jammu & Kashmir: Maharaja Hari Singh, a Hindu ruler of a Muslim-majority state, sought independence. On 22 October 1947 Pathan tribesmen, supported by Pakistan, invaded Kashmir. The Maharaja appealed to India for help. Sardar Patel and Lord Mountbatten insisted on accession before military assistance could be given. Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession on 26 October 1947 and Indian troops were airlifted to Srinagar the next morning. Sheikh Abdullah, leader of the National Conference, became the head of an interim administration. Article 370 of the Constitution provided for special status. India referred the matter to the United Nations on 1 January 1948. The unresolved part of the territory remains under Pakistan’s occupation as Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir.
Q4. Discuss the linguistic reorganisation of states in India.
Answer: The Indian National Congress had committed itself to redrawing provincial boundaries on linguistic lines as early as 1920 at its Nagpur session. After independence, however, leaders such as Nehru and Patel were initially cautious because they feared that linguistic states would weaken national unity, especially after the trauma of Partition. The Linguistic Provinces Commission (Dar Commission, 1948) and the JVP Committee (Nehru, Patel, Pattabhi Sitaramayya, 1949) advised against immediate reorganisation.
The decisive turning point was the agitation for a separate Telugu state. Potti Sriramulu, a Gandhian, undertook a fast unto death; he died on 15 December 1952 after 56 days. Public anger forced the government to announce the formation of Andhra Pradesh, which came into being on 1 October 1953 as the first state created on linguistic basis.
The Government of India then appointed the State Reorganisation Commission (SRC) in 1953 under Justice Fazl Ali, with K. M. Panikkar and H. N. Kunzru as members. The Commission submitted its report in 1955 accepting language as the basis of state formation. On its recommendations, Parliament passed the State Reorganisation Act of 1956, which reorganised India into 14 states and 6 union territories. Subsequently, several other linguistic states were created — Maharashtra and Gujarat in 1960, Punjab and Haryana in 1966, and others later.
Linguistic reorganisation has, on balance, strengthened Indian unity by accommodating regional aspirations within a federal democratic framework. It vindicated the principle of “unity in diversity”.
Q5. Discuss the role of Jawaharlal Nehru in nation building after independence.
Answer: As the first Prime Minister of India (1947–1964), Jawaharlal Nehru played the most decisive role in shaping independent India. (i) He provided steady democratic leadership in the most critical first 17 years, conducting three general elections under universal adult franchise. (ii) He championed the secular character of the state at a time when communal passions were running high after Partition; he insisted that India would be a home to all religions equally. (iii) He upheld parliamentary democracy and constitutional values; he respected debate, dissent and the independence of institutions. (iv) He was the architect of planned economic development through the Planning Commission and the Five-Year Plans, and laid the foundations of heavy industries, scientific research and higher education. (v) He guided the linguistic reorganisation of states. (vi) In foreign policy he formulated Non-Alignment and Panchsheel, giving India an independent voice in world affairs. Nehru’s unique blend of vision and pragmatism made him the principal architect of modern India.
Princely States Integration Table
| Princely State | Ruler | Issue | Method of Integration | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Junagadh | Nawab Mahabat Khan | Hindu-majority state, ruler acceded to Pakistan | Plebiscite (referendum) | 1948 |
| Hyderabad | Nizam Mir Osman Ali Khan | Wanted independence; Razakars terror | Police action — Operation Polo | 1948 |
| Jammu & Kashmir | Maharaja Hari Singh | Wanted independence; tribal invasion from Pakistan | Instrument of Accession (Article 370) | 1947 |
| Travancore | Maharaja Chithira Thirunal | Initially wanted independence | Persuasion by Patel and Menon | 1947 |
| Bhopal | Nawab Hamidullah Khan | Initially refused | Negotiation; signed in 1949 | 1949 |
| Manipur | Maharaja Bodhachandra Singh | Held its own elections first | Merger Agreement | 1949 |
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. India became independent on:
(a) 26 January 1950 (b) 15 August 1947 (c) 26 November 1949 (d) 2 October 1947
Answer: (b) 15 August 1947
2. The “two-nation theory” was propagated by:
(a) Indian National Congress (b) Muslim League (c) Hindu Mahasabha (d) Communist Party
Answer: (b) Muslim League
3. The Mountbatten Plan was announced on:
(a) 3 June 1947 (b) 15 August 1947 (c) 14 August 1947 (d) 17 August 1947
Answer: (a) 3 June 1947
4. The Boundary Commission was headed by:
(a) Lord Mountbatten (b) Sir Cyril Radcliffe (c) Stafford Cripps (d) Pethick Lawrence
Answer: (b) Sir Cyril Radcliffe
5. The first Home Minister of India was:
(a) Jawaharlal Nehru (b) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (c) Rajendra Prasad (d) C. Rajagopalachari
Answer: (b) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
6. About how many princely states existed at independence?
(a) 350 (b) 565 (c) 800 (d) 250
Answer: (b) 565
7. V. P. Menon was the Secretary of:
(a) Home Department (b) States Department (c) Foreign Department (d) Defence Department
Answer: (b) States Department
8. The Instrument of Accession transferred to the Union the subjects of:
(a) Defence, foreign affairs and communications (b) Defence and education (c) Trade and commerce (d) Police and revenue
Answer: (a) Defence, foreign affairs and communications
9. Junagadh joined India through:
(a) War (b) Plebiscite (c) Police action (d) Instrument of Accession alone
Answer: (b) Plebiscite
10. Operation Polo was launched against:
(a) Kashmir (b) Hyderabad (c) Junagadh (d) Manipur
Answer: (b) Hyderabad
11. Operation Polo was launched in:
(a) 1947 (b) 1948 (c) 1949 (d) 1950
Answer: (b) 1948
12. The ruler of Hyderabad at the time of integration was:
(a) Hari Singh (b) Mahabat Khan (c) Mir Osman Ali Khan (d) Bodhachandra Singh
Answer: (c) Mir Osman Ali Khan
13. Maharaja Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession on:
(a) 15 August 1947 (b) 26 October 1947 (c) 1 January 1948 (d) 26 January 1950
Answer: (b) 26 October 1947
14. Article 370 of the Indian Constitution related to:
(a) Hyderabad (b) Junagadh (c) Jammu & Kashmir (d) Manipur
Answer: (c) Jammu & Kashmir
15. Article 370 was abrogated in:
(a) 2014 (b) 2016 (c) 2019 (d) 2020
Answer: (c) 2019
16. Potti Sriramulu fasted for the creation of:
(a) Tamil Nadu (b) Karnataka (c) Andhra Pradesh (d) Kerala
Answer: (c) Andhra Pradesh
17. Andhra Pradesh was created in:
(a) 1953 (b) 1956 (c) 1960 (d) 1966
Answer: (a) 1953
18. The State Reorganisation Commission was headed by:
(a) K. M. Panikkar (b) Justice Fazl Ali (c) H. N. Kunzru (d) Jawaharlal Nehru
Answer: (b) Justice Fazl Ali
19. The State Reorganisation Act was passed in:
(a) 1953 (b) 1955 (c) 1956 (d) 1960
Answer: (c) 1956
20. Under the State Reorganisation Act, India was reorganised into:
(a) 14 states and 6 UTs (b) 16 states and 5 UTs (c) 17 states and 6 UTs (d) 12 states and 7 UTs
Answer: (a) 14 states and 6 UTs
21. Maharashtra and Gujarat were separated in:
(a) 1956 (b) 1960 (c) 1966 (d) 1970
Answer: (b) 1960
22. Punjab and Haryana were separated in:
(a) 1956 (b) 1960 (c) 1966 (d) 1971
Answer: (c) 1966
23. The “Iron Man of India” is:
(a) Jawaharlal Nehru (b) Subhas Chandra Bose (c) Sardar Patel (d) Lal Bahadur Shastri
Answer: (c) Sardar Patel
24. The Statue of Unity is dedicated to:
(a) Mahatma Gandhi (b) Jawaharlal Nehru (c) Sardar Patel (d) B. R. Ambedkar
Answer: (c) Sardar Patel
25. The Dar Commission of 1948 dealt with:
(a) Princely states (b) Linguistic provinces (c) Refugee resettlement (d) Border disputes
Answer: (b) Linguistic provinces
Key Terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Partition | Division of British India in 1947 into the Dominions of India and Pakistan |
| Two-Nation Theory | Idea that Hindus and Muslims constitute two separate nations, basis of demand for Pakistan |
| Mountbatten Plan | Plan announced on 3 June 1947 for the transfer of power and Partition |
| Radcliffe Award | Boundary settlement between India and Pakistan made by Cyril Radcliffe |
| Princely States | About 565 territories ruled by Indian princes under British paramountcy |
| Instrument of Accession | Legal document signed by princely rulers transferring three subjects to the Union |
| Standstill Agreement | Provisional agreement maintaining existing arrangements between a princely state and India |
| Operation Polo | Police action of September 1948 that integrated Hyderabad |
| Article 370 | Constitutional provision giving special autonomous status to Jammu & Kashmir; abrogated in 2019 |
| Plebiscite | Direct vote of the people on a particular question, used in Junagadh in 1948 |
| State Reorganisation Commission | 1953 commission under Justice Fazl Ali to recommend redrawing of state boundaries |
| State Reorganisation Act 1956 | Act of Parliament that reorganised India into 14 states and 6 union territories on linguistic basis |
| Linguistic State | State formed primarily on the basis of language spoken by the majority of its people |
| Iron Man of India | Title given to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel for unifying the princely states |
| Praja Mandals | Popular movements in princely states demanding democratic rights and merger with India |
This completes the question-answer set for Class 12 Political Science Chapter 8 — “Challenges of Nation Building” — Part B, Politics in India Since Independence, prescribed by ASSEB. The chapter sets the stage for the entire post-1947 Indian political journey examined in subsequent chapters.