12th Political Science Notes : Chapter-1: Challenges of Nation-Building

Chapter-1: Challenges of Nation-Building

Summary:

India gained independence on 15 August 1947 (Note: The original mentions 14 August, but the correct date is 15 August—midnight independence). Jawaharlal Nehru delivered the famous “Tryst with Destiny” speech in the Constituent Assembly, pledging to remove poverty, inequality, and ignorance through freedom and empowerment, and to build a democratic and progressive India.
Interesting fact: This speech was broadcast on radio and today has millions of views on YouTube.

Major Challenges for Independent India:

1. Nation-Building: To integrate 500+ princely states into one nation, accommodating diversity. Example: Like assembling a jigsaw puzzle.
2. Establishing Democracy: Implementing the Constitution (took 2 years, 11 months, 18 days to draft) and setting up a democratic system.
3. Socio-Economic Development: Uplifting the poor and marginalized (Dalits, Adivasis). Note: Reservation continues to be debated today.

Partition Challenges:

• India and Pakistan were divided on a religious basis, displacing 15 million people—the largest migration after WWII.
  Interesting: Khushwant Singh’s novel “Train to Pakistan” depicts this tragedy.
• Communal tensions and violence grew, referred to as the “Partition of Hearts.”

Integration of Princely States:

• After British rule ended, 565 princely states could have remained independent, risking India’s unity.
  Note: Sardar Patel handled this like a “spy thriller.”
• Hyderabad, Junagadh, Kashmir, and Manipur delayed signing the Instrument of Accession. Patel firmly integrated most states into India.
  Interesting: Patel is called the “Bismarck of India.”
• Hyderabad was annexed through Operation Polo; Junagadh joined after a plebiscite (99% voted for India).

Reorganization of States:

• Linguistic demands led to the formation of the States Reorganisation Commission (1953) under Fazl Ali. The 1956 Act created 14 states and 6 union territories.
  Note: This became the basis of India’s modern map.
• Linguistic reorganization reduced separatism and division risks.
  Interesting: The Commission visited 100+ cities in 2 years—like a road trip.

Conclusion:
Despite partition, violence, and integration challenges, India emerged as a united, democratic nation and remains a symbol of “Unity in Diversity.”

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One-Sentence Answers

(1 Mark Each)

1. When was the States Reorganisation Commission formed?
   → 1953

2. Who is the author of “Train to Pakistan”?
   → Khushwant Singh

3. When did Tripura gain full statehood?
   → 21 January 1972

4. Who died during a hunger strike demanding Andhra Pradesh state?
   → Potti Sriramulu

5. Whose colony was Goa?
   → Portugal’s; it was liberated in 1961 through Operation Vijay

6. Who was the Chairman of the States Reorganisation Commission?
   → Fazl Ali

7. Who is known as the ‘Iron Man’ of Indian politics?
   → Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

8. Name the French colony in independent India.
   → Pondicherry (now Puducherry)

9. Who wrote “Zindanama”?
   → Krishan Chander

10. When was the Delhi Agreement signed?
    → 8 April 1948

11. Which king signed the treaty of accession with India?
    → Maharaja Hari Singh of Jammu & Kashmir

12. Who led the Hyderabad campaign?
    → Sardar Patel (Operation Polo)

13. Who was the editor of “Nagamani”?
    → Ramakrishna Hegde (linked with Kannada literature)

14. Which event is called the “Partition of Hearts”?
    → The 1947 India-Pakistan partition

15. On what principle was India’s partition carried out?
    → The Two-Nation Theory

16. Who is called the “Bismarck of India”?
    → Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

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Choose the Correct Answer

(1 Mark Each)

1. Governor-General at the time of India’s partition (1947):
   → (A) Lord Mountbatten

2. Name of Nizam’s paramilitary forces:
   → (C) Razakar Forces

3. Joined India through plebiscite:
   → (B) Junagadh

4. Potti Sriramulu died after fasting for:
   → (C) 56 days

5. Manipur held general elections in:
   → (C) June 1948

6. “Tryst with Destiny” speech was delivered by:
   → (B) Jawaharlal Nehru

7. States Reorganisation Act was passed in:
   → (A) 1956

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Map-Based Questions

1. Portuguese colony before 1961 → Goa
2. State formed after 56-day hunger strike → Andhra Pradesh
3. First linguistic state of India → Andhra Pradesh (1953, Telugu-based)
4. State made UT in 2019 → Jammu & Kashmir
5. Junagadh princely state → Gujarat
6. Hyderabad princely state → Telangana & Andhra Pradesh
7. State carved out of Madhya Pradesh in 2000 → Chhattisgarh
8. State carved out of Bihar in 2000 → Jharkhand
9. State carved out of Punjab in 1966 → Haryana
10. State most affected by 2004 Tsunami → Tamil Nadu (also Andaman & Nicobar)
11. Gwalior belongs to → Madhya Pradesh

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Short Answer Questions (40 words max | 2 Marks)

1. What is the States Reorganisation Commission?
   → Formed in 1953 under Fazl Ali to reorganize states on linguistic basis, leading to the 1956 Act.

2. What is “Tryst with Destiny”?
   → Nehru’s speech (14–15 Aug 1947) declaring independence and promising to remove poverty and inequality.

3. Two recommendations of States Reorganisation Commission.
   → (1) Creation of 14 states on linguistic basis. (2) Formation of 6 Union Territories.

4. What is the Fazl Ali Commission?
   → Same as States Reorganisation Commission (1953), reorganized states linguistically; basis of the 1956 Act.

5. Who is called the Iron Man and why?
   → Sardar Patel, for uniting 565 princely states into India.

6. How did Tripura emerge as a state?
   → Merged in 1949; became full state in 1972 under North-Eastern Reorganisation Act.

7. How did Junagadh join India?
   → By plebiscite in 1948, where 99% chose India.

8. What is the Two-Nation Theory?
   → Jinnah’s idea that Hindus and Muslims were two nations, leading to partition in 1947.

9. How did Manipur merge with India?
   → In 1949, Maharaja signed Instrument of Accession; Patel used diplomacy.

10. Two challenges of 1947 Partition?
    → (1) Communal violence & 15 million displaced. (2) Integration of states like Hyderabad, Kashmir.

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Long Answer Questions (120 words max | 3–4 Marks)

1. Challenges of Nation-Building
   → Post-independence challenges: (a) Integration of 565 princely states (e.g., Hyderabad—Operation Polo). (b) Establishing democracy (Constitution 1950, despite low literacy). (c) Socio-economic upliftment (poverty removal, reservations for Dalits). (d) Partition (15M displaced, communal violence). Outcome: A united democratic India, though Kashmir remained disputed.

2. Obstacles to Integration of States
   → (1) 565 states could remain independent. (2) Resistance by rulers (Hyderabad, Junagadh). (3) Cultural-geographic issues (Kashmir invasion by Pakistan). Solution: Patel used diplomacy (Instruments of Accession) and force (Operation Polo).

3. Reorganisation of States
   → Fazl Ali Commission (1953) created linguistic states after Potti Sriramulu’s martyrdom. Recommendations: 14 states + 6 UTs. Enacted in 1956, reshaping India’s map, balancing unity with diversity.

4. Nehru’s Arguments for Secularism
   → (a) Diversity—India is multi-religious. (b) Partition showed communal danger. (c) Modernity requires separation of religion & state. Ethical sensitivity: minority protection, Gandhi’s assassination impact. Wisdom: Articles 25–28 guarantee religious freedom.

5. Problems after Partition
   → (a) Communal riots in Punjab & Bengal. (b) 15M refugees. (c) Economic disruption (jute mills, raw materials split). (d) Kashmir war. Impact: Halted development, but India rose with democracy.

6. Patel’s Role in Unity
   → Used diplomacy (Bhopal, Travancore persuaded), force (Operation Polo in Hyderabad), and plebiscite (Junagadh). Called “Iron Man,” ensured unity, though Kashmir remained unresolved.

7. Consequences of Partition (1947)
   → (a) 500,000 deaths, 15M displaced. (b) Economic dislocation. (c) Political instability (wars over Kashmir). (d) Social wounds of communal hatred.

8. Government’s Approach to Princely States
   → Offered merger incentives (privy purses, security), disallowed independence, used force if required (Hyderabad). VP Menon aided Patel. Outcome: 562 integrated states.

9. Integration of Hyderabad & Manipur
   → Hyderabad: Nizam resisted, Razakars caused violence, annexed in 1948 (Operation Polo).
   → Manipur: 1949, Maharaja signed merger agreement after negotiations.

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