Detailed explanations in West Bengal Board Class 10 History Book Solutions Chapter 8 Post-Colonial India: Second Half of the 20th Century (1947- 1964) offer valuable context and analysis.
WBBSE Class 10 History Chapter 8 Question Answer – Post-Colonial India: Second Half of the 20th Century (1947- 1964)
Class 10 History Chapter 8 Question Answer WBBSE – Very Short Answer Questions (1 Mark)
Question 1.
How many independent Princely States did exist in India prior to their accession in the Indian Union ?
Answer:
For long time past there had existed as many as 565 Princely States in India.
Question 2.
Which statement of Clement Atlee complicated the process of accession of the Princely States ?
Answer:
On 20 February 1947 Clement Atlee, the British Premier announced that the British Government had no intention to hand over paramountcy either to India or Pakistan which complicated the process of the Princely States.
Question 3.
What was the statement made by Muhammad Mi Jinnah that encouraged the Princes to retain their independent status?
Answer:
The statement of Mr. Jinnah that the States would be independent sovereign States on the termination of paramountcy encouraged the Princes to retain their independence.
Question 4.
Identify one of the dual policies that Vallabhbhai Patel adopted to complete the accession of the Princely States ?
Answer:
One of the dual policies adopted by Vallabhbhai Patel was to convince the princes the advantages they would derive being acceded to
.
Question 5.
Who protested against the Nawab’s declaration of the accession of Junagadh to Pakistan?
Answer:
As a protest against the Nawab’s declaration the people of Junagadh launched a vigourous movement.
Question 6.
What was the joint declaration made by India and Pakistan regarding the secession of a state ?
Answer:
In the declaration it was agreed by both India and Pakistan that the secession of a state would depend on the decision of the respective rulers of the Princely States.
Question 7.
How was the monarchy in Kashmir replaced by a popular government?
Answer:
Immediately after Han Singh had formally acceded Kashmir to India he abdicated voluntarily following which a popular government headed by Sheikh Abdullah that replaced the monarchy in Kashmir.
Question 8.
Who were the Razakars?
Answer:
Razakczrs were a fanatical group in Hyderabad that entertained wild schemes regarding the future of Hyderabad and were opposed to India.
Question 10.
How was Hyderabad annexed to the Indian Union?
Answer:
When repeated attempts at peaceful solution were of no avail the Government of India was forced to annex Hyderabad by ‘policeaction’.
Question 11.
Was the transfer of population in Punjab a peaceful exercise?
Answer:
No, there was large-scale massacre during the course of the transfer of population in Punjab.
Question 12.
If the refugees from East Pakistan who were the worst sufferers?
Answer:
The worst sufferers were those refugees who took shelter in squatters’ colonies because they were not entitled to government help in any manner.
Question 13.
How was the integration of states effected swiftly?
Answer:
The integration of states was effected swiftly and nicely by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
Question 14.
What was the consequence of Andhra being reorganized linguistically?
Answer:
After the reorganization of Andhra as a linguistic state the demand was raised for similar linguistic states.
Question 15.
What are the official languages of the Government of India?
Answer:
English and Hindi are the two official languages recognized by the Government of India.
Class 10 History Chapter 8 Questions and Answers WBBSE – Short Answer Questions (2 Marks)
Question 1.
Why was the accession of the Princely States a matter of concern for india ?
Answer:
The accession of the Princely States was a cause of concern for India. This was because of the fact that many larger and powerful Princes began to dream of independence once the British left the country.
Question 2.
Why was the statement of Muhammad Mi Jinnah unacceptable to the Indian national leaders?
Answer:
In the statement of Mr. Jinnah there was the sly hint that should the Princely States so desired they could retain their independence. This was unacceptable to the Indian national leaders, for, in such an event the unity of India was sure be threatened.
Question 3.
What was the dual policy adopted by Vallabhbbai Patel for the accession of the Princely States with the Indian Union?
Answer:
Vallabhbhai Patel followed a dual policy of carrot and stick for the accession of the Princely States. One was to convince the Princes the advantages they would derive being acceded to India. Second was to get those acceded through application of force in case the appeal was not responded to.
Question 4.
Did Pakistan agree to the principle of plebiscite in the joint declaration by India and Pakistan regarding secession of a state?
Answer:
In a joint declaration by India and Pakistan it was agreed upon by both the sides that secession of a state would depend on the decision of the respective rulers of the Princely States. As such Pakistan refused to accept the principle of plebiscite in deciding the issue of accession.
Question 5.
How was a popular government installed in Kashmir?
Answer:
Immediately after Maharaja Han Singh had abdicated voluntarily a popular government was installed in Kashmir. The government was headed by Sheikh Abdullah. Thus monarchy in Kashmir was replaced by a popular government.
Question 6.
What was the difference between the influx of refugees in Punjab and Bengal?
Answer:
in Punjab there was the exchange of population, mutual transfer of population. But in Bengal it was a one-way traffic, Hindus moving from East Pakistan to West Bengal. While in Punjab the influx was a one-time affair, in West Bengal it continued in several waves.
Question 7.
Who were the worst sufferers of the refugees from East Pakistan to West Bengal?
Or
Why did the refugees taking shelter in squatters’ colonies raise their voice for relief and rehabilitation?
Answer:
The fourth category of the refugees who were shelter-seekers in the squatters’ colonies were the worst sufferers. They were not entitled to any government help in any manner. In course of time they realized that they had no other option but to raise their voice for relief and rehabilitation.
Question 8.
How was Andhra separated from Madras Presidency?
Answer:
It was due to a strong movement of the people of Andhra that it was separated from the Madras Presidency. The movement was led by Patti Srirarnalu who had been a great freedom fighter. He undertook a fast unto death over the demand for separation of Andhra from the Madras Presidency.
Question 9.
What was the difference between the influx of refugees in Punjab and Bengal?
Answer:
in Punjab there was the exchange of population, mutual transfer of population. But in Bengal it was a one-way traffic, Hindus moving from East Pakistan to West Bengal. While in Punjab the influx was a one-time affair, in West Bengal it continued in several waves.
Question 10.
Who were the worst sufferers of the refugees from East Pakistan to West Bengal?
Or
Why did the refugees taking shelter in squatters’ colonies raise their voice for relief and rehabilitation?
Answer:
The fourth category of the refugees who were shelter-seekers in the squatters’ colonies were the worst sufferers. They were not entitled to any government help in any manner. In course of time they realized that they had no other option but to raise their voice for relief and rehabilitation.
Question 11.
How was Andhra separated from Madras Presidency?
Answer:
It was due to a strong movement of the people of Andhra that it was separated from the Madras Presidency. The movement was led by Patti Srirarnalu who had been a great freedom fighter. He undertook a fast unto death over the demand for separation of Andhra from the Madras Presidency.
Question 12.
What was the importance of integration of states into the Union of India?
Answer:
The integration of states was the greatest historical event of the country. The integration foiled the British attempt to leave the country in a mess at the time of their withdrawal. The integration was completed in such a speed that it surprised everybody.
Question 13.
Why was the States’ Reorganization Commission formed?
Answer:
The creation of Andhra on the basis of language created a spark that created a flutter all over the country with similar demands. In this background, the States Reorganization Commission was formed with Fazi Ah as Chairman. The Commission submitted its report in 1955.
WBBSE Class 10 History Chapter 8 Questions and Answers – Analytical Answer Questions (4 Marks)
Question 1.
How did the announcements made by Clement Atlee and Muhammad Ah Jinnah complicate the issue of accession of the Princely States to the Indian Union?
Answer:
Cement Atlee, the then British Prime Minister announced that the British Government had no intention to handover paramounty to either India or Pakistan. Muhammad Mi Jinnah, in an open statement, said that the Princely States would be independent sovereign states following the British withdrawal.
The two statements complicated the process of integration of the Princely States. The reason is not far too seek. In view of such statements the Princes of several Princely States claimed that they would become independent as soon as the British rule in India came to an end. The attitude of some of the Princely States, obviously, complicated the issue of accession of their States to the Indian Union.
Question 2.
What was the response of the Princely States to the call of Vallabhbhaj Patel?
Answer:
Sardar Patel followed the dual policy of carrot and stick.
- First, he tried to Convince the princes the advantages they would derive being acceded to India.
- In the cases where the appeal was not responded to he did not hesitate to get those acceded through the application of force. Of the princely states that responded to the call of Sardas Pate! mention may be made of Bhopal, Coochbehar, Tripura, Manipur, etc.
There were also a number of states that merged with the neighbouring provinces. These were : The princely state of Myurbhanj merged with Orissa (present Odisa), Koihapur joined with Bombay, and Benaras with Uttar Pradesh. In a similar manner many other small states acceded to India. By 15 August 1947 excepting the states of Junagadh, Jammu-Kashmir and Hyderabad all the princely states joined India.
Question 3.
How was Junagadh acceded to the Indian Union?
Answer:
Situated on the coast of Saurashtra and surrounded by Indian territory Junagadh created some problem in its accession to India. Muhammad Muhabat Khanji III, the ruling Nawab of Junagadh, despite the wishes of the people declared the accession of the state to Pakistan. As a protest against this the people of Junagadh launched a movement.
Unable to resist this Nawab fled to Pakistan. In November 1947 the Government of India took over the administration at the express desire of the people of Junagadh. Later on Junagadh was merged into Saurashtra according to the desire of the people. However, Muhammad Muhabat Khanji III was the last Nawab of the princely state of Junagadh.
Question 4.
How was Hyderabad acceded to the Indian Union?
Answer:
Hyderabad was the largest of the princely states, and was surrounded on all sides by Indian territory. Mir Osman Mi Khan Asaf Jah VII was the ruling Nizam of Hyderabad. He refused to join either India or Pakistan, and preferred to remain as the ruler of an independent kingdom.
But an independent Hyderabad kingdom was, as it were, a dagger pointed to the heart of India. However, the prevailing internal chaos and confusion in Hyderabad became a cause of alarm to the Government of India.Nizam at that time fell under the influence of a fanatical group called Razakars who entertained wild schemes regarding the future of the state and were opposed to India.
When repeated protests and attempts at peaceful solution seemed to be of no avail the Government of India decided upon ‘police action’ in Hyderabad. Indian military forces under the command of General J.N. Chaudhuri entered Hyderabad 13 September (1949) and by 16th Nizain surrendered. In November, the Nizam formally joined the Indian Union. This was how Hyderabad was annexed to India.
Question 5.
How was Kashmir acceded to the Indian Union?
Answer:
When the British left India Maharaja Han Singh of Kashmir could not decide upon the accession of his State. Unable to decide the Maharaja concluded Standstill Agreement with India and Pakistan to maintain status quo that had existed before 15 August 1947. From that time onwards Pakistan started exercising pressure upon the Maharaja to complete him to accede to Pakistan.
But the Maharaja found that the frontier tribesmen with the support of Pakistan marched into Kashmir and proceeded towards Srinagar to force the issue of accession. In such a situation the Maharaja sought the help of the Government of India and pressed for the accession of Kashmir to the Indian Union.
After the formal accession of Kashmir (26 October 1949) Indian military forces were rushed to Kashmir. Srinagar was saved by driving out the raiders from Pakistan. Simultaneously, a popular government headed by Sheikh Abdullah replaced the monarchy in Kashmir. The Maharaja of Kashmir abdicated voluntarily.
Question 6.
What was the difference between Punjab and West Bengal in respect of the movement of refugees ?
Answer:
In the partition of Punjab there was the exchange of population. Hindus came from western Punjab to India, and the Muslims moving from eastern Punjab to Paldstan. This exchange of population, however, was not at all peaceful. There had been large-scale massacres during the course
Question 7.
Narrate two eye-witness accounts of the plight of the refugees in Punjab and in Bengal.
Answer:
Kuldip Nayar, the renowned journalist, narrated in a column published in the Statesman what he had seen with his own eyes at the time of leaving his native home in Sialkot on 14 August 1947. He wrote “I saw the pain-etched faces man and women with their meager belongings bundled on their heads and their fear-stricken children following them.
Both Hindus and Muslims had left behind their hearth, homes, friends and neighbours Recollecting his memories as a resident of Bijaygarh colony in the outskirts of Calcutta, Himangsu Mazumder stated the following in an interview:
“There was no colony as such when I came here with my father from our desh, Barisal. It was November or December 1947 I got a plot of five or six cottahs on my first night at Calcutta. We constructed a thatched hut to live in. We used Hogla leaves to cover our roof. The land was low-lying and marshy. We cleared the land, installed tube-well and made the place liveable…” (quoted by Anasua Basu Roychaudhury).
Question 8.
What was the controversy that erupted in the Government initiative in rehabilitating the refugees ?
Answer:
The Government of India’s initiative in rehabilitating the refugees was not beyond controversy. In fact, the sincere efforts the government had taken in settling and rehabilitating the refugees from West Pakistan was found missing in case of the refugees who had to leave their homeland in East Pakistan.
The Hindu and Sikh refugees moving from West Pakistan occupied deserted houses or fallow land in Punjab, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. In Punjab itself about two hundred camps or tenements were raised for rehabilitating the refugees. Besides as many as nineteen suburban towns were built for rehabilitation of the refugees. But in the case of rehabilitating the refugees in West Bengal a step motherly attitude of the Government of India was noticeable.
The refugees were shifted from the platforms of Sealdah station to hastily improvised government camps. The only difference between the migration in Punjab and that of West Bengal was that the former was a one-time affair while the influx of refugees from East Pakistan continued in waves for several years.
Question 9.
What were the proposals on the basis of which the states were to be reorganized?
Answer:
The borders of the states inherited from British India by independent India was found not suitable for easy administration. Thus the Government of India found it necessary to reorganize the state boundaries. There had been several proposals on the basis of which the states were to be reorganized. Of the proposals, two were found to be important.
i. First was to reorganize the states on the basis of languages of India. This, it was hoped, would make administration easier; and would replace the caste and religion-based identities.
ii. It was also realized that states formed solely on the basis of linguistic considerations was not to the larger interests of the Indian nation. In view of this it was recommended that the states be reorganized on the basis of geographical contiguity, ease of administration and financial self-sufficiency. However, in order to reorganize the states, the Government of India constituted the States Reorganization Commission under the chairmanship of Fazi Ah.
Class 10 History Chapter 8 Questions and Answers West Bengal Board – Explanatory Answer Questions (8 Marks)
Question 1.
What were the announcements made by Clement Atlee and Mueammad Ali Jinnah that complicated the issue of accession of States to the Indian Union ? What was the attitude of the national leaders to the announcements ?
Answer:
a. The Announcements: Clement Atlee, the then British Prime Minister announced that the British Government had no intention to handover paramountcy to either India or Pakistan. Muhammad Ali Jinnah, in an open statement, said that the Princely States would be independent sovereign states following the British withdrawal.
The two statements complicated the process of integration of the Princely States. The reason is not far too seek. In view of such statements the Princes of several Princely States claimed that they would become independent as soon as the British rule in India came to an end. The attitude of some of the Princely States, obviously, complicated the issue of accession of their States to the Indian Union.
b. Attitude of the National Leaders : The situation was hardly acceptable to the Indian nationalists as the unity of free India would be jeopardized and put into peril by the presence of hundreds of autonomous states within it. Obviously, the nationalist leaders rejected the idea of independence of any of the princely states.
It was clearly stated that the only option left with the princely states was to accede to India or Pakistan. It was Vallabhbhai Patel who with great skill and diplomacy successfully completed the accession of the princely states with the Indian Union. Sardar Patel followed the dual policy of carrot and stick,
- First, he tried to convince the princes the advantages they would derive being acceded to India,
- In the cases where the appeal was not responded to he did not hesitate to get those acceded through the application of force.
Question 2.
How were Junagadh and Kashmir acceded to the Indian Union ?
Answer:
a. Junagadh : Situated on the coast of Saurashtra and surrounded by Indian territory Junagadh created some problem in its accession to India. Muhammad Muhabat Khanji III, the ruling Nawab of Junagadh, despite the wishes of the people declared the accession of the state to Pakistan. As a protest against this the people of Junagadh launched a movement.
Unable to resist this Nawab fled to Pakistan. In November 1947 the Government of India took over the administration at the express desire of the people of Junagadh. Later on Junagadh was merged into Saurashtra according to the desire of the people. However, Muhammad Muhabat Khanji III was the last Nawab of the princely state of Junagadh.
b. Kashmir : When the British left India Maharaja Hari Singh of Kashmir could not decide upon the accession of his State. Unable to decide the Maharaja concluded Standstill Agreement with India and Pakistan to maintain status quo that had existed before 15 August 1947. From that time onwards Pakistan started exercising pressure upon the Maharaja to compel him to accede to Pakistan. But the Maharaja found that the frontier tribesmen with the support of Pakistan marched into Kashmir and proceeded towards Srinagar to force the issue of accession.
In such a situation the Maharaja sought the help of the Government of India and pressed for the accession of Kashmir to the Indian Union. After the formal accession of Kashmir (26 October 1949) Indian military forces were rushed to Kashmir. Srinagar was saved by driving out the raiders from Pakistan. Simultaneously, a popular government headed by Sheikh Abdullah replaced the monarchy in Kashmir. The Maharaja of Kashmir abdicated voluntarily.
Question 3.
Why was ‘police action’ needed for the accession of Hyderabad ?
Answer:
Hyderabad was the largest of the princely states, and was surrounded by Indian territory. At the time the British left India Mir Osman Ali Khan Asaf Jah VII was the ruling Nizam of Hyderabad . He refused to join either India or Pakistan, and preferred to remain as the ruler of an independent kingdom.
But an independent Hyderabad kingdom was, as it were, a dagger pointed to the heart of India. It was not desirable for the Government of India from the consideration of defense, security as well as the solidarity of the Indian nation. The prevailing internal chaos and confusion in Hyderabad which was a cause of alarm to the Government of India further complicated the situation.
Nizam at that time fell under the influence of a fanatical group called Razakars who entertained wild schemes regarding the future of the state and were opposed to India. In fact, a reign of terror was let loose in Hyderabad by the Razakars under the leadership of Qasim Rizvi. The Razakars even carried on depredations on the borders of Indian provinces of Madras, Central Province and Bombay.
When repeated protests and attempts at peaceful solution seemed to be of no avail and the danger to people and their life and property continued unabated the Government of India decided upon ‘police action’ in Hyderabad. Indian military forces under the command of General J.N. Chaudhuri entered Hyderabad 13 September (1949) and by 16th Nizam surrendered. In November, the Nizam formally joined the Indian Union. This was how Hyderabad was annexed to India.
Question 4.
What was the difference between Punjab and West Bengal in respect of the movement of refugees ? Why did the refugees of Bengal raise their voice for relief and rehabilitation ?
Answer:
a. Difference between Punjab and Bengal: In the partition of Punjab there was the exchange of population. Hindus came from western Punjab to India, and the Muslims moving from eastern Punjab to Pakistan. This exchange of population, however, was not at all peaceful. There had been large-scale massacre during the course of the transfer of population.
In any case the transfer of population in Punjab was a onetime affair. But in case of Bengal the picture was completely different. Partition resulted in killing of several thousands of people. A few times more than that people were displaced and uprooted from their homeland were to find their way to the Indian side of Bengal (West Bengal). What is worse was that the influx of people from East to West, that is to say, from former East Pakistan (and present Bangladesh) to West Bengal has been a continuing affair and remains ‘as inescapable part of our reality’.
b. Refugees of Bengal Raised their Voice : Hironmoy Banerjee, the then Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner from June 1949, classified the early migrants from East Pakistan into three categories. But there was also a fourth who were shelter-seekers in squatters’ colonies. In fact, they were the worst sufferers as they were not entitled for government help in any manner.
In course of time they realized that they had no other option but to raise their voice for relief and rehabilitation. In 1948 All Bengal Refugee Council for Action was formed. Thus the refugees from East Pakistan for the first time began agitational politics. In 1950 the United Central Refugee Council (UCRC) was formed in the wake of a movement against the proposed Eviction Bill. The UCRC worked as the spokesman of the helpless migrants from East Pakistan.
Question 5.
How was the states’ reorganization finally completed ?
Answer:
The borders of the states inherited from British India by independent India was found not suitable for easy administration. Thus the Government of India found it necessary to reorganize the state boundaries. There had been several proposals on the basis of which the states were to be reorganized. Of the proposals two were found to be important.
- was to reorganize the states on the basis of languages of India. This, it was hoped, would make administration easier; and would replace the caste and religion-based identities.
- It was also realized that states formed solely on the basis of linguistic considerations was not to the larger interests of the Indian nation. In view of this it was recommended that the states be reorganized on the basis of geographical contiguity, ease of administration and financial self-sufficiency. However, in order to reorganize the states, the Government of India constituted the States Reorganization Commission under the chairmanship of Fazl Ali.
i. The Commission submitted its report on 30 September 1955. The main features in the report were :
- The Indian Union was to consist of 16 States.
- Special safeguards were recommended for linguistic minorities.
- Reconstitution of certain All India Services.
- Emphasis on the need for encouraging the study of Indian languages, and English to continue as an important language in educational institutions.
ii. On the basis of the recommendations of the SRC the State Reorganization Act was passed by the Indian Parliament in 1956.
iii. The Act provided for fourteen States and six Union Territories.
iv. Telengana was joined with Andhra Pradesh. Again, Malabar and Travancore-Cochin were clubbed together to become present Kerala. Similar other adjustments had to be made to give effect to the Act of 1956.
v. But the creation of new states was far from over. Tension ran high between Marathi and Gujarati-speaking people of Bombay. Thus were born Gujarat and Maharashtra in 1960.
vi. Akali leader Master Tara Singh’s demand for a separate homeland for Sikhs in Punjab was also gaining ground. Subsequently, on lines of bifurcation of Bombay, the states of Punjab and Haryana were created.
vii. Bowing to the demand of the Nagas, Nagaland was curved out of Assam in 1963. Assam had to face another surgery with the formation of Meghalaya. The map of the Indian states has undergone further changes since 1966. Presently the Indian Union consists of 29 states and 7 Union Territories.