Class 12 Political Science Notes Chapter 1 (Challenges of nation building) – Political Science-II Book

Alright class, let's delve into the crucial first chapter of your Political Science-II book, 'Challenges of Nation Building'. This chapter sets the stage for understanding the journey of independent India and is vital for your government exam preparations. Pay close attention to the key events, figures, and concepts.

Chapter 1: Challenges of Nation Building - Detailed Notes

1. Introduction: India's Independence and the 'Tryst with Destiny'

• India achieved independence on August 15, 1947, marking the end of British colonial rule.
• Jawaharlal Nehru's famous speech, "Tryst with Destiny," delivered at the midnight hour, captured the aspirations and challenges ahead.
• Independence came with Partition, the division of British India into India and Pakistan, based largely on religious lines. This was a traumatic and violent process.

2. The Three Major Challenges Facing Independent India:

The newly independent nation faced immediate and immense challenges:

• (a) The Challenge of Unity and Accommodation:

  • Problem: Forging a unified nation-state out of a land of immense diversity (regional, linguistic, religious, cultural). There were serious doubts about India's ability to survive as a single country.
  • Goal: To shape a nation that accommodated this diversity while fostering a sense of common national identity. This involved not suppressing differences but integrating them.

• (b) The Challenge of Establishing Democracy:

  • Problem: Establishing democratic practices and institutions in a society marked by poverty, illiteracy, and deep social hierarchies. Many post-colonial nations struggled with democracy.
  • Goal: To adopt a constitution, conduct regular elections based on Universal Adult Franchise (UAF), guarantee fundamental rights, and establish parliamentary democracy. India's commitment to democracy from the outset was remarkable.

• (c) The Challenge of Development and Well-being:

  • Problem: Ensuring economic development and eradicating poverty and inequality. The colonial rule had left India economically backward.
  • Goal: To frame policies for economic growth and social justice, ensuring the well-being of all citizens, not just a select few. The Constitution laid down Directive Principles of State Policy to guide the state in this direction. Special protection for socially disadvantaged groups was also enshrined.

3. Partition: Displacement and Rehabilitation

• The Two-Nation Theory: Advanced by the Muslim League, it proposed that Hindus and Muslims constituted two separate nations, leading to the demand for Pakistan. The Congress opposed this theory.
• Process of Partition:
  • Based on the principle of religious majorities: Muslim-majority areas would form Pakistan, the rest would stay with India.
  • Implementation was difficult:
    • No single belt of Muslim majority areas; two concentrations existed (West and East).
    • Not all Muslims in majority areas wanted to join Pakistan (e.g., Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, the 'Frontier Gandhi', opposed partition).
    • Provinces like Punjab and Bengal had large non-Muslim populations in Muslim-majority areas, leading to their painful division.
    • The problem of minorities on both sides of the new border was immense.
• Consequences of Partition:
  • Communal Violence: Unprecedented violence erupted in cities like Lahore, Amritsar, and Kolkata. Minorities on both sides faced attacks, killings, rape, and abduction.
  • Mass Displacement: Largest, most abrupt, unplanned, and tragic transfer of population in human history. Millions were forced to flee their homes and become refugees.
  • Refugee Crisis: Providing shelter, relief, and rehabilitation for millions of refugees was a massive challenge for the nascent Indian government.
  • Division of Assets: Assets, liabilities, government employees, railways, etc., had to be divided between the two new countries.
  • Legacy of Bitterness: Partition created deep-seated bitterness and suspicion between India and Pakistan.

4. Integration of Princely States

• The Problem: At independence, British India was divided into British Indian Provinces (directly ruled by the British) and Princely States (ruled by princes who acknowledged British supremacy or 'paramountcy'). With the end of British rule, paramountcy also lapsed. The British declared that the approximately 565 princely states were legally independent and free to join either India or Pakistan, or remain independent. This posed a serious threat to India's unity.
• Government's Approach: Led by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (India's first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister), the government adopted a firm yet flexible approach. Most rulers were persuaded to sign the 'Instrument of Accession', signifying their agreement to become part of India. Key considerations were the wishes of the people of the state and maintaining India's territorial integrity.
• Difficult Cases:
  • Junagadh: The Nawab wanted to join Pakistan, but the population was overwhelmingly Hindu and wanted to join India. A plebiscite confirmed the people's wish, and Junagadh became part of India.
  • Hyderabad: The Nizam, ruler of the largest princely state, wanted independence. He unleashed a paramilitary force (Razakars) on the population. After negotiations failed, the Indian Army intervened in September 1948 (Operation Polo), and Hyderabad acceded to India.
  • Manipur: Maharaja Bodhachandra Singh signed the Instrument of Accession on the assurance of internal autonomy. Under public pressure, elections were held (Manipur became the first part of India to hold elections based on UAF), leading to a constitutional monarchy. Later, the Maharaja signed a Merger Agreement with India in September 1949, amidst some controversy regarding the lack of consultation with the elected legislature.
  • Kashmir: Had a Hindu ruler (Maharaja Hari Singh) and a majority Muslim population. The Maharaja initially sought independence but acceded to India in October 1947 after Pakistan-backed tribal invaders attacked the state. This accession under special circumstances led to Article 370 and the ongoing dispute.

5. Reorganisation of States: The Linguistic Principle

• Background: During the freedom struggle, the Congress had promised the creation of states based on language (linguistic principle) to better reflect regional identities and facilitate administration.
• Post-Independence Hesitation: Leaders like Nehru and Patel feared that creating states solely on linguistic lines might fuel separatism and disrupt the unity achieved with difficulty after partition and integration of princely states. The priority was consolidation.
• Vishalandhra Movement: Strong protests erupted in Telugu-speaking areas of the Madras Presidency demanding a separate state of Andhra.
• Potti Sriramulu: A veteran Gandhian, undertook a fast unto death demanding the formation of Andhra state. He died after 56 days of fasting in December 1952. His death led to widespread violence and protests.
• Formation of Andhra: Under intense pressure, the Prime Minister announced the formation of a separate Andhra state in December 1952 (it formally came into being in October 1953).
• States Reorganisation Commission (SRC): The success of the Andhra movement spurred demands from other linguistic groups. The central government appointed the SRC in 1953.
  • Members: Fazl Ali (Chairman), K. M. Panikkar, H. N. Kunzru.
  • Report (1955): Accepted language as the basis for redrawing state boundaries but recommended balancing it with administrative and financial viability.
• States Reorganisation Act, 1956: Based on the SRC report, this act led to the creation of 14 states and 6 union territories.
• Later State Formations: The process didn't end in 1956.
  • Bombay was divided into Maharashtra and Gujarat in 1960.
  • Nagaland was created in 1963.
  • Punjab was reorganised in 1966 into Punjab (Punjabi-speaking), Haryana (Hindi-speaking), and Himachal Pradesh (initially a UT, later a state).
  • Later years saw the creation of states like Meghalaya, Manipur, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Goa, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, and Telangana, based on various factors including language, tribal identity, and administrative convenience.
• Conclusion on Linguistic States: Contrary to initial fears, linguistic states have largely strengthened, not weakened, national unity by accepting and accommodating regional aspirations within the democratic framework.

Key Takeaways for Exams:

• Remember the three major challenges.
• Understand the causes and consequences of Partition (Two-Nation Theory, violence, refugees).
• Know the role of Sardar Patel in integrating princely states and the Instrument of Accession. Be aware of the specific cases (Hyderabad, Junagadh, Manipur, Kashmir).
• Trace the demand for linguistic states (Vishalandhra movement, Potti Sriramulu, SRC, States Reorganisation Act 1956).
• Key dates: Independence (Aug 15, 1947), Hyderabad Action (Sep 1948), Potti Sriramulu's death (Dec 1952), SRC appointed (1953), SRC Report (1955), States Reorganisation Act (1956).

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

1. Which famous speech did Jawaharlal Nehru deliver on the eve of India's independence?
   a) Quit India Speech
   b) Tryst with Destiny
   c) Do or Die
   d) Swaraj is my Birthright

2. Which of the following was NOT one of the three major challenges faced by India immediately after independence?
   a) Establishing democracy
   b) Ensuring unity and accommodation of diversity
   c) Joining a military bloc (like NATO or Warsaw Pact)
   d) Achieving economic development and well-being

3. The theory advocating for separate nations for Hindus and Muslims, leading to the demand for Pakistan, was known as:
   a) The Integration Theory
   b) The Secularism Theory
   c) The Two-Nation Theory
   d) The Linguistic Reorganisation Theory

4. Who played the most crucial role in the integration of princely states into India?
   a) Jawaharlal Nehru
   b) Mahatma Gandhi
   c) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
   d) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar

5. The document signed by the rulers of princely states to join the Union of India was called:
   a) Instrument of Merger
   b) Instrument of Accession
   c) Standstill Agreement
   d) Treaty of Integration

6. Which princely state was integrated into India through military action ('Operation Polo') in 1948?
   a) Junagadh
   b) Kashmir
   c) Manipur
   d) Hyderabad

7. The death of which leader after a 56-day hunger strike intensified the demand for a separate Andhra state?
   a) Tanguturi Prakasam
   b) Potti Sriramulu
   c) N.G. Ranga
   d) Neelam Sanjiva Reddy

8. The States Reorganisation Commission (SRC) was appointed in which year?
   a) 1947
   b) 1950
   c) 1953
   d) 1956

9. The States Reorganisation Act of 1956 primarily used which basis for redrawing state boundaries?
   a) Religion
   b) Economic viability
   c) Language
   d) Caste

10. Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, also known as the 'Frontier Gandhi', was a prominent leader who:
    a) Strongly advocated for the Partition of India
    b) Led the integration of Hyderabad
    c) Opposed the Partition of India
    d) Was the first chairman of the SRC

Answer Key:

1. b) Tryst with Destiny
2. c) Joining a military bloc (like NATO or Warsaw Pact) - India pursued Non-Alignment.
3. c) The Two-Nation Theory
4. c) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
5. b) Instrument of Accession
6. d) Hyderabad
7. b) Potti Sriramulu
8. c) 1953
9. c) Language
10. c) Opposed the Partition of India

Make sure you revise these notes thoroughly. Understanding these initial challenges is fundamental to grasping the subsequent political developments in India. Let me know if any part needs further clarification.