Class 8 Social Science Notes Chapter 6 (India After Independence) – Our Pasts - III (Part-2) Book

Alright class, let's delve into a crucial period of our history: India immediately after achieving independence in 1947. Chapter 6, 'India After Independence,' outlines the monumental challenges and significant developments that shaped the nation we know today. These notes will help you understand the key aspects, especially for competitive exam preparation.

India After Independence: Detailed Notes

1. A Nation Divided: The Immediate Aftermath of Independence (August 1947)

• Joy and Sorrow: Independence arrived on 15th August 1947, but it was accompanied by the painful Partition of the country into India and Pakistan.
• Communal Violence: The Partition triggered massive communal riots, particularly in Punjab and Bengal. Hindus, Sikhs, and Muslims became victims of brutal violence.
• The Refugee Crisis: Nearly 8 million refugees crossed the newly drawn borders – Hindus and Sikhs moving to India, Muslims moving to Pakistan. They arrived destitute, having lost homes, property, and often family members. Providing them shelter, food, and employment was an enormous challenge for the new government.
• Problem of Princely States: At independence, there were over 500 princely states, ruled by Maharajas or Nawabs. They were given the choice to join either India or Pakistan, or remain independent.
  • Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's Role: As India's first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, Sardar Patel played a crucial role through persuasion and diplomacy (and sometimes firm action) in integrating most princely states into the Indian Union.
  • Difficult Cases: Junagadh (joined India after a plebiscite), Hyderabad (joined after police action - Operation Polo), and Kashmir (acceded to India but remains a complex issue) required significant effort.

2. Crafting a Future: The Constitution

• The Constituent Assembly: Between December 1946 and November 1949, the Constituent Assembly, comprising representatives from across India (around 300 members), met in New Delhi to draft the Constitution.
• Key Features & Vision:
  • Universal Adult Franchise: A revolutionary step at the time. All Indians above the age of 21 (later lowered to 18) were given the right to vote, regardless of gender, class, caste, or education. This affirmed India's commitment to democracy.
  • Equality Before Law: Guaranteed fundamental rights to all citizens, irrespective of caste, religion, or gender. Special provisions were made to abolish untouchability and protect the rights of Adivasis (Scheduled Tribes) and Dalits (Scheduled Castes).
  • Parliamentary Democracy: Adopted a system with a President as the head of state and a Prime Minister (along with the Council of Ministers) responsible to the Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha).
  • Federalism: Division of powers between the Central government and State governments. Three lists were created:
    • Union List: Subjects under Central control (e.g., defence, foreign affairs, currency).
    • State List: Subjects under State control (e.g., police, agriculture, health).
    • Concurrent List: Subjects where both Centre and State could legislate (e.g., education, forests). The Centre held more power and financial resources.
  • Secularism: Though not explicitly mentioned in the Preamble initially (added later), the Constitution guaranteed freedom of religion and ensured the state would not favour any particular religion.
• Dr. B.R. Ambedkar: Chairman of the Drafting Committee, often called the 'Father of the Indian Constitution,' played a pivotal role in shaping the final document.
• Language Debate: A major point of contention was the official language. Hindi was eventually adopted as the 'official language,' while English was permitted for official purposes. Many non-Hindi speaking states, especially in the South, opposed the imposition of Hindi.
• Adoption: The Constitution was adopted on 26th November 1949 and came into effect on 26th January 1950, marking India's transition to a Republic.

3. How Were States to be Formed? The Linguistic Challenge

• Initial Reluctance: In the 1920s, the Congress party had promised linguistic provinces after independence. However, leaders like Nehru and Patel were initially hesitant after 1947, fearing that creating states based on language might lead to division and instability, especially after the trauma of Partition.
• Demand for Linguistic States: Strong movements arose, particularly in South India.
  • Andhra Movement: The demand for a separate Telugu-speaking state (Andhra) carved out of the Madras Presidency intensified.
  • Potti Sriramulu: A veteran Gandhian, undertook a fast unto death demanding the formation of Andhra. His death after 58 days of fasting in October 1952 led to widespread protests and violence.
  • Formation of Andhra Pradesh: The government was forced to concede, and Andhra Pradesh was formed on 1st October 1953.
• States Reorganisation Commission (SRC): Following the creation of Andhra, the government set up the SRC in 1953 (submitted report in 1955).
  • Recommendation: The SRC recommended redrawing district and provincial boundaries to form compact provinces based on linguistic principles.
  • States Reorganisation Act, 1956: Based on the SRC report, this act led to the creation of 14 states and 6 Union Territories, largely along linguistic lines.
  • Later Divisions:
    • Bombay state was divided into Marathi-speaking Maharashtra and Gujarati-speaking Gujarat in 1960.
    • Punjab was divided into Punjab (Punjabi-speaking) and Haryana (Haryanvi/Hindi-speaking) in 1966.

4. Planning for Development: Economic Transformation

• Goal: Lifting India out of poverty and building a modern technical and industrial base were primary objectives.
• Planning Commission: Set up in 1950 to design and execute suitable policies for economic development.
• Mixed Economy Model: India adopted a model where both the state (public sector) and private individuals/companies (private sector) would play roles in increasing production and generating jobs.
• Five-Year Plans:
  • First Five-Year Plan (1951-1956): Focused primarily on agriculture, including investments in dams and irrigation (e.g., Bhakra Nangal Dam).
  • Second Five-Year Plan (1956-1961): Emphasised the development of heavy industries (like steel plants – Bhilai, Rourkela, Durgapur) and building large dams. This strategy had strong supporters but also critics who felt agriculture was being neglected or that the focus on state control hindered private enterprise.

5. India's Foreign Policy: Non-Alignment

• Context: The post-World War II era was dominated by the Cold War between the USA and the USSR, forming rival power blocs.
• Non-Aligned Movement (NAM): India, under Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, chose not to align with either bloc. Nehru, along with leaders like Egypt's Gamal Abdel Nasser and Yugoslavia's Josip Broz Tito, spearheaded the NAM.
• Objectives:
  • Maintain India's sovereignty and independence in foreign policy decisions.
  • Work towards reducing Cold War tensions and promoting peace.
  • Focus on internal development without being drawn into military alliances.
  • Support newly independent nations in Asia and Africa.

6. The Nation, Sixty Years On (As per the textbook's timeline)

• Achievements:
  • India remained a united and democratic country despite predictions of failure.
  • Universal Adult Franchise and regular elections became institutionalised.
  • A free press and an independent judiciary were established.
  • Linguistic and religious diversity did not lead to disintegration.
  • Significant economic progress was made, although uneven.
• Challenges Persisting:
  • Deep divisions based on caste and religion continued.
  • Communal violence occasionally flared up.
  • Economic inequality: A vast gap existed between the rich and the poor.
  • Poverty remained a significant challenge despite development efforts.
  • Dalits, Adivasis, and poor Muslims faced discrimination and lacked equal opportunities.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

1. Who played the most crucial role in the integration of Princely States into the Indian Union after independence?
   a) Jawaharlal Nehru
   b) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
   c) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
   d) Mahatma Gandhi

2. The Indian Constitution adopted the principle of Universal Adult Franchise, which meant:
   a) Only educated adults could vote.

   • b) Only male adults could vote.
     c) All adults above a certain age had the right to vote, regardless of gender, caste, or class.
     d) Only property owners could vote.

3. The Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Indian Constitution was:
   a) Rajendra Prasad
   b) Sardar Patel
   c) Jawaharlal Nehru
   d) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar

4. The death of which leader, after a fast unto death, led to the creation of the first linguistic state, Andhra Pradesh?
   a) Tanguturi Prakasam
   b) Potti Sriramulu
   c) C. Rajagopalachari
   d) K. Kamaraj

5. The States Reorganisation Commission (SRC), set up in 1953, recommended the formation of states primarily on the basis of:
   a) Religion
   b) Economic viability
   c) Language
   d) Administrative convenience

6. India established the Planning Commission in 1950 primarily to:
   a) Conduct elections fairly.
   b) Manage foreign relations.
   c) Design policies for economic development.
   d) Redraw state boundaries.

7. The Second Five-Year Plan (1956-1961) placed a strong emphasis on:
   a) Agricultural development and irrigation.
   b) Development of heavy industries and dams.
   c) Promoting small-scale industries.
   d) Educational reforms.

8. India's foreign policy immediately after independence, championed by Nehru, was known as:
   a) Alignment with the USA
   b) Alignment with the USSR
   c) Non-Alignment
   d) Isolationism

9. Which of the following subjects falls under the 'Union List' in the Indian Constitution?
   a) Agriculture
   b) Police
   c) Defence
   d) Health

10. One of the major immediate challenges faced by India right after independence in 1947 was:
    a) Conducting the first general election.
    b) The refugee crisis due to Partition.
    c) Deciding the national sport.
    d) Building the Parliament House.

Answer Key for MCQs:

1. c) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
2. c) All adults above a certain age had the right to vote, regardless of gender, caste, or class.
3. d) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
4. b) Potti Sriramulu
5. c) Language
6. c) Design policies for economic development.
7. b) Development of heavy industries and dams.
8. c) Non-Alignment
9. c) Defence
10. b) The refugee crisis due to Partition.

Remember to read the chapter thoroughly from your textbook as well. These notes provide a structured overview to aid your preparation. Good luck!