GSEB Solutions Class 8 Social Science Chapter 12 India-Post Independence

Gujarat Board GSEB Solutions Class 8 Social Science Chapter 12 India-Post Independence Textbook Exercise Important Questions and Answers, Notes Pdf.

Gujarat Board Textbook Solutions Class 8 Social Science Chapter 12 India-Post Independence

GSEB Class 8 Social Science India-Post Independence Textbook Questions and Answers

Match the items in colum A with the appropriate one in column B

Section ‘A’	Section ‘B’
(1) Independence Day	(1) Dr Rajendra Prasad
(2) The first Prime Minister of India	(2) 15th August
(3) Republic Day	(3) Jawaharlal Nehru
(4) The first President of India	(4) Dr Ambedkar
(5) Chairman of Drafting Committee	(5) 26th January

Answer:
(1 – 2), (2 – 3), (3 – 5), (4 – 1), (5 – 4).

Answer the following questions:

Question 1.
What were the challenges faced by India at the time of independence ?
OR
Which were the three difficult problems faced by India after independence?
Answer:
The three major challenges that had to be faced immediately after independence were : ( 1 ) 80 lakh refugees who had come into India from Pakistan had to be rehabilitated, ( 2 ) As many as 562 small and big states of India had to be integrated into United India and ( 3 ) To build a stable political system to fulfil people’s hopes and expectations and develop India into a strong nation.

Question 2.
What was the resolution passed by the Muslim League in its Lahore Session?
Answer:
In the Lahore Session of March, 1940, the Muslim League passed the resolution that Pakistan would be formed in areas that had majority of Muslims. Thereafter, the demand for Pakistan became the main goal of the Muslim League.

Question 3.
What were the main clauses of the ‘Indian Independence Act’ ?
Answer:
The main clauses of the ‘Indian Independence Act’ were :

• Sikhs, Hindus and Muslims in Punjab and Bengal would vote for partition but Sindh was to take its own decision.
• India would be independent by 15th August and separate independence for Bengal was ruled out.
• The princely states could join any one of the unions and if they were not willing to do so, they were free to remain independent.

Question 4.
Who was given the responsibility of merging the princely states into the Indian Union?
Answer:
The responsibility of merging these princely states into the Indian Union was given to the Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Shri Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel who successfully completed the mammoth task with the help of his assistant Shri V. P Menon.

Question 5.
What did Jawaharlal Nehru say on radio while announcing the death of Gandhiji?
Answer:
Gandhiji was assassinated by Nathuram Godse on 30th January, 1948. This sad news was announced on the radio by Jawaharlal Nehru in the following words : “Friends and comrades, the light has gone out of our lives and there is darkness everywhere. I do not know what to tell you and how to say it. Our beloved leader, Bapu as we called him, the ‘Father of the Nation’ is no more.”

Fill in the blanks with proper words or numbers in the following statements:

1. There were ……………… princely states in India at the time of independence.
Answer:
562

2. The Constituent Assembly was formed in the year ……………….. .
Answer:
1946

3. ………………. and his secretary Shri ……………… were given the responsibility of merging the princely states into the Indian Union.
Answer:
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Shri V E Menon

4. The proposal of partition of India was put forward …………………. .
Answer:
Lord Mountbatten

5. ……………….. became the first President of independent
India.
Answer:
Dr Rajendra Prasad

Let’s do and learn.
(1) Collect the cuttings of news regarding historical facts published on 15th August and 26th
January.
(2) How are 26th January and 15th August celebrated in your school? Write an article on It and present it before the class.
(3) Take a resolution to contribute in some or the
other way towards the betterment of our nation apart from participating in the celebration of national festivals.

Observe the picture given below carefully:
This photograph is one of refugee camps made for those who came to India from Pakistan.
Imagine:
If you were one of the refugees, what problems might you have faced ? Write them in your own words.

GSEB Class 8 Social Science India-Post Independence Intext Questions and Answers

Question 1.
India got its independent on 15th August, 1947. Find out how this day was celebrated in your village or city.
Answer:

Celebration of 15th August, 1947,
our Independence Day

Amrapur, Dt. 15 – 8 – 1947

Our first independence day 15th August, 1947, was celebrated with great pomp and show in our village Amrapur. Every street of the village had been decorated with Asopalav leaves and Tricolour flags. A huge programme of hoisting the Indian Flag had been organized on the grounds of the primary school of the village. All the villagers had been invited for this programme the previous night by announcing it loudly on the microphone. A programme of ‘morning march’ was held at dawn. Most of the villagers had gathered as early as 8 am on the ground of the school in the form of a committee.

All the students and teachers of the school had also reached the place punctually. The chief guest of the programme, one of the influential elders of the village, Shri Hariprasadbhai Patel was also present. The flag was hoisted by his auspicious hands. Everyone had saluted the waving national flag. Along with this, slogans like ‘Jai Hind’, ‘Vande Mataram’, ‘May our freedom be forever’, ‘May Gandhiji live forever’, etc. had rent the air. The ‘Flag Song’ was sung. Everyone was quite overcome with happiness.

In his short speech, the chief guest remembered all the revolutionaries, leaders as well as known and unknown people who had contributed towards our freedom and saluted them. He advised the villagers to walk the path shown by Gandhiji and do great things for the nation. The National Anthem was sung in the end. Sweets offered by the Sarpanch of the village, Shri Dinshaw Thakore were distributed to all. Everyone left the grounds talking about our freedom and remembering Gandhiji.

At night all the roads and lanes of our village were decorated with lights. Crackers were burst at Subhash Square situated in the centre of the village.

GSEB Class 8 Social Science India-Post Independence Additional Important Questions and Answers

Choose the correct alternative from those given below each question:
1.
Question 1.
When did India become independent?
A. On 15th June, 1947
B. On 16th February, 1947
C. On 26th January, 1950
D. On 15th August, 1947
Answer:
D. On 15th August, 1947

Question 2.
When India became independent, how many princely states existed in India?
A. 692
B. 562
C.662
D. 542
Answer:
B. 562

Question 3.
When did the Muslim League pass the resolution to demand a separate Pakistan ? At which place was this session held ?
A. In March, 1940, at Lahore
B. In March, 1942, at Aligadh
C. In December, 1940, at Lahore
D. In August, 1941, at Ajmer
Answer:
A. In March, 1940, at Lahore

Question 4.
When did Mountbatten become the viceroy of India ?
A. In November, 1946
B. In February, 1946
C. In March, 1947
D. In August, 1947
Answer:
C. In March, 1947

Question 5.
Who decided to partition India ?
A. Lord Mountbatten
B. British Prime Minister, Atlee
C. Lord Linlithgow
D. The British Parliament
Answer:
A. Lord Mountbatten

Question 6.
When did the British Parliament pass the ‘Indian Independence Act’ ?
A. In 1946 C.E.
B. In 1942 C.E.
C. In 1945 C.E.
D. In 1947 C.E.
Answer:
D. In 1947 C.E.

Question 7.
Who was appointed as the first Governor General of independent India?
A. Lord Mountbatten
B. Lord Linlithgow
C. Chakraborty Rajagopalachari
D. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru
Answer:
A. Lord Mountbatten

Question 8.
Who was given the post of the first Prime Minister of independent India?
A. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
B. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru
C. Chakraborty Rajagopalachari
D. Dr Rajendra Prasad
Answer:
B. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru

Question 9.
Which state did Sir C. E Ramswami Iyer declare as a sovereign Republic state ?
A. Bhopal state
B. Hyderabad state
C. Travancore state
D. Mysore state
Answer:
C. Travancore state

Question 10.
Which Nawab declared his state as merged with Pakistan ?
A. The Nawab of Junagadh
B. The Nawab of Mysore
C. The Nizam of Hyderabad
D. The Nawab of Bhopal
Answer:
A. The Nawab of Junagadh

2.
Question 11.
Who merged the princely states into the union of India ?
A. Lord Mountbatten
B. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
C. The British Parliament
D. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru
Answer:
B. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

Question 12.
Which king took the first initiative to join the union of India ?
A. Bhagwat Singhji
B. Jaikumar Singhji
C. Bhavsinghji
D. Krishnakumar Singhji
Answer:
D. Krishnakumar Singhji

Question 13.
Who unfurled the Tricolour from the Red Fort in Delhi for the first time in independent India?
A. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru
B. Dr Rajendra Prasad
C. Mahatma Gandhi
D. Maulana Azad
Answer:
A. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru

Question 14.
How was Junagadh merged into the union of India ?
A. By taking police action
B. With majority votes from people of Junagadh
C. With the Nawab’s consent
D. Due to convincing done by the Nizam of Hyderabad
Answer:
B. With majority votes from people of Junagadh

Question 15.
When did Pakistan attack Kashmir?
A. In 1949 C.E.
B. In 1947 C.E.
C. In 1950 C.E.
D. In 1948 C.E.
Answer:
D. In 1948 C.E.

Question 16.
When was Gandhiji assassinated?
A. On 30th January, 1947
B. On 30th January, 1948
C. On 2nd October, 1950
D. On 26th January, 1949
Answer:
B. On 30th January, 1948

Question 17.
Who assassinated Gandhiji?
A. Balram Godse
B. Nathuram Godse
C. Dhanuram Godse
D. Ramgopal Godse
Answer:
B. Nathuram Godse

Question 18.
Who is considered as the Father of Modern India?
A. Mahatma Gandhi
B. Dadabhai Navroji
C. Gopalkrishna Gokhale
D. Govind Vallabh Pant
Answer:
A. Mahatma Gandhi

Question 19.
When was the committee to frame the constitution formed ?
A. In 1940 C.E.
B. In 1945 C.E.
C. In 1946 C.E.
D. In 1948 C.E.
Answer:
C. In 1946 C.E.

Question 20.
Till when did the work of framing the constitution continue ?
A. Till December, 1949
B. Till January, 1950
C. Till March, 1950
D. Till November, 1948
Answer:
A. Till December, 1949

3.
Question 21.
Approximately how many Indians took part in the framing of the constitution?
A. 450
B. 350
C. 250
D. 300
Answer:
D. 300

Question 22.
Who was appointed as the Chairman of the Drafting Committee ?
A. Dr Rajendra Prasad
B. Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar
C. Dr Kanhaiyalal Munshi
D. Dr Radhakrishnan
Answer:
B. Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar

Question 23.
Who was appointed as the President of the Constitution Committee ?
A. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru
B. Dr Radhakrishnan
C. Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar
D. Dr Rajendra Prasad
Answer:
D. Dr Rajendra Prasad

Question 24.
From when was our constitution implemented ?
A. From 26th January, 1950
B. From 26th December, 1948
C. From 15th August, 1947
D. From 26th January, 1949
Answer:
A. From 26th January, 1950

Question 25.
Which day do we celebrate as ‘Republic Day’ ?
A. 2nd October
B. 15th August
C. 26th January
D. 14th January
Answer:
C. 26th January

Question 26.
Which day do we celebrate as ‘Independence Day’ ?
A. 26th January
B. 2nd October
C. 2nd January
D. 15th August
Answer:
D. 15th August

Question 27.
Who was the last Governor General of independent India ?
A. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
B. Lord Mountbatten
C. Dr Rajendra Prasad
D. Chakraborty Rajagopalachari
Answer:
D. Chakraborty Rajagopalachari

Question 28.
Who was the first President of India ?
A. Dr Radhakrishnan
B. Dr Rajendra Prasad
C. Dr Zakir Husain
D. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru
Answer:
B. Dr Rajendra Prasad

Fill in the blanks with proper words or numbers in the following statements:

1.
1. Our country, India became independent on 15th August, ………………. .
Answer:
1947

2. Pakistan was separated from India on ………………. August, 1947.
Answer:
14

3. The policy of the British was always to ‘………………….’ .
Answer:
Divide and Rule

4. The conference of the Muslim League was held at ………………. in March, 1940.
Answer:
Lahore

5. Viceroy, Lord Mountbatten came to India in March, ………………….. .
Answer:
1947

6. According to Viceroy Lord Mountbatten’s plan, the British Parliament passed the ‘…………… Act’.
Answer:
Indian Independence

7. ……………….. was appointed as the first Governor General of independent India.
Answer:
Lord Mountbatten

8. ………………. was appointed as the first President of independent Pakistan.
Answer:
Mohammad Ali Jinnah

2.
9. ………………. unfurled the Tricolour from Red Fort in Delhi for the first time in independent India.
Answer:
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru

10. ………………. declared Travancore as a sovereign republic state.
Answer:
Sir C. P. Ramswamy Iyer

11. The Nawab of Junagadh declared Junagadh as merged with ……………….. .
Answer:
Pakistan

12. King ………………. of Bhavnagar took the first initiative of joining the union of India.
Answer:
Krishnakumar Singlyi

13. Ratubhai Adani and others together established the ‘………………….’ .
Answer:
Arzi Hakumat

14. To merge Hyderabad into the union of India, …………………. action had to be taken.
Answer:
Military (Police)

15. Pakistan attacked Kashmir in ……………… C.E.
Answer:
1948

16. Merging of all the states was the great and unique service done to the nation by …………………. .
Answer:
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

17. To stop the many communal riots that had started all over the nation …………… went on a fast unto death.
Answer:
Gandhiji

3.
18. The meetings for framing the constitution of India continued for …………….. days.
Answer:
165

19. …………………. was appointed as the Chairman of the Constitution Committee.
Answer:
Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar

20. ……………… was appointed as the President of the Constitution Committee.
Answer:
Dr Rajendra Prasad

21. The constitution of India was implemented from …………………., 1950.
Answer:
26th January

22. ……………….. was the last Indian Governor General of independent India.
Answer:
Chakraborty Rajagopalachari

State whether the following statements are true or false:

1. The British always maintained that Hindus and Muslims had the same welfare.
Answer:
False

2. Viceroy Lord Mountbatten was of the opinion that if India had to be independent, its partition was inevitable.
Answer:
True

3. The Nawab of Junagadh declared Junagadh as merged with the Union of India,
Answer:
False

4. Harisingh was the king of Kashmir when India became independent.
Answer:
True

5. Gandhiji became a martyr on 30th January, 1949.
Answer:
False

6. All the members of the Constitution Committee lived in Delhi.
Answer:
False

7. We celebrate 15th August as our ‘Republic Day’.
Answer:
False

Answer the following questions in one or two sentences:

Question 1.
When did India become independent ?
Answer:
India became independent on 15th August, 1947.

Question 2.
When was Pakistan created ?
Answer:
Pakistan was created on 14th August, 1947.

Question 3.
What was the policy of the British ?
Answer:
The policy of the British was to ‘Divide and Rule’.

Question 4.
What did the Muslims influenced by the thoughts of the British believe ?
Answer:
Many Muslim leaders were convinced that the Muslim community would not be safe and their sociopolitical and cultural interests will not be taken care of in independent India. So these Muslim leaders were in favour of a separate nation (Pakistan) so that both the countries could flourish independently.

Question 5.
What was Viceroy Lord Mountbatten’s opinion about India’s independence?
Answer:
Viceroy Lord Mountbatten was of the opinion that if India had to be independent, its partition was inevitable. If the partition is not done, there would be communal riots everywhere which would harass people.

Question 6.
Who prepared the plan for the partition of India ? What was done for the implementation of this plan?
Answer:
Viceroy Lord Mountbatten prepared a plan for the partition of India which was known as the ‘Mountbatten Plan’. To implement the plan, the resolution of ‘Indian Independence Act: 1947’ was passed.

Question 7.
Who was appointed as the first President of independent Pakistan ?
Answer:
Mohammad Ali Jinnah was appointed as the first President of independent Pakistan.

Question 8.
Which areas were included in Pakistan ?
Answer:
Sindh, Baluchistan, West Punjab and boundary areas and East Bengal were included in Pakistan.

Question 9.
Which princely states refused to merge with the Indian Union ?
Answer:
The states of Junagadh, Hyderabad and Kashmir refused to merge with the Indian Union.

Question 10.
Who proved India’s political unity after independence? How?
Answer:
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel proved India’s political unity by successfully merging the princely states into the Indian Union.

Question 11.
Which are our national festivals?
Answer:
26th January ‘Republic Day’ and 15th August ‘Independence Day’ are our national festivals.

Answer the following questions:

Question 1.
Write briefly about the merging of the princely states.
OR
Give some information about the merging of the princely states.
Answer:
At the time of independence there were about 562 states in our country. India could emerge as a strong, united and prosperous country only if all these states joined the India Union. The most important and challenging task of merging these princely states into the Indian Union was completed by the Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Shri Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and his secretary Shri V. R Menon. With their excellent diplomatic skills and their appeals to the patriotism of the various kings, they successfully merged 559 states into the Indian Union.

The first princely state to accept the merger was the King of Bhavnagar, Maharaj Krishnakumar Singhji. In the end, only three states were reluctant to cooperate – Junagadh, Hyderabad and Kashmir. People launched a protest against the Nawab of Junagadh. Leaders like Ratubhai Adani and others established ‘Arzi Hakumat’. Sardar Patel conducted a referendum and declared Junagadh as a part of the Indian Union as per the people’s will. ‘Military action’ was taken against the Nizam of Hyderabad and in the end this state was also merged into the Indian Union. Pakistan attacked Kashmir in 1948 C.E. At that time, the King of Kashmir, Harisingh, officially joined the Indian Union.

Indians will always remain indebted to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and V R Menon for their mammoth task of securing the unity and integrity of the princely states into the Indian Union.

Question 2.
How did the problem of refugees come up ? What steps were taken by India to solve it ?
Answer:
India attained independence on 15th August, 1947. With this two separate nations India and Pakistan came into existence. Hindus and non-Muslims were driven out of Pakistan. Thus, 80 lakh refugees migrated to India from Pakistan. Consequently, their settlement and employment was the biggest challenge that India faced. The Indian Government tackled it successfully by giving them as many facilities as possible. Huge refugee camps were opened. The refugees were given shelter and food along with love and compassion. Common people and various organizations helped the government. As a result the people who migrated to India could easily be integrated with other fellow Indians.

Question 3.
Write a short note on the Constitution of India.
Answer:
The Constituent Assembly was formed in 1946 C.E. to frame the constitution of independent India. Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar was appointed the Chairman of the Drafting Committee and was asked to prepare the draft of the constitution. Dr Rajendra Prasad was the President of the Constituent Assembly. The work of the committee continued up to 26th December, 1949. The committee met for 11 sessions that continued for 165 days to discuss each point and each clause. Various committees and sub-committees were formed with 300 Indians participating in the process. Though the meetings were held in Delhi members from all over India attended them. The constitution of India was implemented on 26th January, 1950 i.e. actual powers were given to the people on this day. So this day is known and celebrated as ‘Republic Day’.

Answer the following questions briefly:

Question 1.
Under which circumstances did Muslim League pass the resolution to demand a separate Pakistan?
Answer:
The British propagated that Hindus and Muslims had different interests and cultures. Many Muslim leaders were convinced that the Muslim community would not be
safe and their socio-political and cultural interests will not be taken care of in independent India. So these Muslim leaders were in favour of a separate nation (Pakistan) so that both the countries could flourish independently. In the Lahore Session of March, 1940, the Muslim League passed the resolution that Pakistan would be formed in areas that had majority of Muslims. Thereafter, the demand for Pakistan became the main goal of the Muslim League.

Question 2.
What plan did Lord Mountbatten make ? Why ?
OR
Give reason: Lord Mountbatten presented the plan of dividing India.
Answer:
Viceroy Lord Mountbatten was of the opinion that partition was an inevitable condition to India’s independence. Otherwise the entire country would face communal riots and many people would suffer. Many visionary leaders who know the reality accepted the proposal of a separate Pakistan most unwillingly. Thus, Viceroy Lord Mountbatten prepared a plan for the partition of India which was known as the ‘Mountbatten Plan’. The British Parliament passed the ‘Indian Independence Act: 1947’ that finalized the arrangements for partition and abandoned British sovereignty over the princely states.

Give historical reasons for the following statements:

Question 1.
After independence, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel merged the princely states into the union of India.
Answer:
When India attained independence on 15th August, 1947 there were as many as 562 small and big states of India. These states had also become free along with India. Had each princely state declared its independence then India would never have attained unity and integrity. There would have been constant conflicts over boundaries, resources of development would have become limited and there would have been disputes between the princely states. All this would have made independence meaningless. Therefore, it was necessary to merge the small and big princely states under the Indian Union and Indians will always be grateful to Sardar Patel and his assistant Mr V. E Menon who carried out this mammoth task successfully with their excellent diplomatic skills.

Question 2.
The huge problem of rehabilitating refugees rose in front of India after independence.
Answer:

• As soon as India became independent, it was divided into two separate nations – India and Pakistan.
• Hindus and non-Muslims migrated to India from Pakistan.
• Thus, 80 lakh refugees reached India. Consequently, India faced a huge challenge of rehabilitating these refugees who had come into India.