Chapter 1 India size and location Chapter 2 Physical features of India

Question-1 Question-1
What are Tectonic Plates?
1. Name the group of islands lying in the Arabian sea? Solution:
2. Name the countries which are larger than India? The crust (upper part) of the earth has been formed out of seven major and
3. Which island group of India lies to its south-east? some minor plates. These are called tectonic plates.
4. Which island countries are our southern neighbors? A Tectonic plate (also called lithospheric plate) is a massive, irregularly
shaped slab of solid rock, generally composed of both continental and
Solution: oceanic lithosphere. Plate size can vary greatly, from a few hundred to
thousands of kilometers across; the Pacific and Antarctic Plates are among
1. Lakshadweep islands. the largest. Plate thickness also varies greatly, ranging from less than 15 km
2. Russia, Canada, USA, China, Brazil, and Australia. for young oceanic lithosphere to about 200 km or more for ancient
3. Andaman and Nicobar islands. continental lithosphere.
4. Srilanka and Maldives
Question-2
Question-2 Which continents of today were part of the Gondwana land?
The sun rises two hours earlier in Arunachal Pradesh as compared to Gujarat Solution:
in the west but the watches show the same time. How does this happen? The oldest landmass, (the Peninsula part), was a part of the Gondwana land.
Solution: The Gondwana land included India, Australia, South Africa and South
From Gujarat to Arunachal Pradesh, there is a time lag of two hours, but the America as one single land mass.
watches show the same time because the time along the Standard Meridian of
India (82° 30’E) passing through Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh is taken as the Question-3
standard time for the whole country. Because the same standard time for the What is the bhabar?
whole country has been adopted, the watches show the same time in Solution:
Arunachal Pradesh, Gujarat, and in all parts of the country. The rivers, after descending from the mountains deposit pebbles in a narrow
belt of about 8 to 16 km in width lying parallel to the slopes of the Shiwaliks.
Question-3 It is known as bhabar.
The central location of India at the head of the Indian Ocean is considered of
great significance. Why? Question-4
Solution: Distinguish Between Converging and Diverging Tectonic Plates
The trans-Indian Ocean routes which connect the countries of Europe in the Solution:
West and the countries of East Asia provide a strategic central location to Converging Tectonic Plates: Some plates come towards each other and form
India. convergent boundaries.
Diverging Tectonic Plates: Some plates move away from each other and form
divergent boundaries.
Question-5 whole mountain system of Himalaya represents a very youthful topography
Distinguish Between Bhangar and Khadar with high peaks, deep valleys and fast flowing rivers. The northern plains are
Solution: formed of alluvial deposits. The peninsular plateau is composed of igneous
Bhangar: and metamorphic rocks with gently rising hills and wide valleys.
The largest part of the northern plain is formed of older alluvium They lie
above the flood plains of the rivers and present a terrace-like feature. This Question-7
part is known as bhangar. Describe how the Himalayas were formed.
Solution:
Khadar: The Himalayas and the Northern Plains are the most recent landforms. From
The soil in this region contains calcareous deposits locally known as kankar. the viewpoint of geology, Himalayan Mountains form an unstable zone. The
The newer, younger deposits of the flood plains are called khadar. They are whole mountain system of Himalaya represents a very youthful topography
renewed almost every year and so are fertile, thus, ideal for intensive with high peaks, deep valleys and fast flowing rivers. The northern plains are
agriculture. formed of alluvial deposits. The peninsular plateau is composed of igneous
and metamorphic rocks with gently rising hills and wide valleys.
Question-6
Distinguish Between the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats Question-8
Solution: Which are the major physiographic divisions of India? Contrast the relief of
Western Ghats: the Himalayan region with that of the Peninsular plateau.
The Western Ghats are higher than the Eastern Ghats. Their average Solution:
elevation is 900– 1600 metres as against 600 metres of the Eastern Ghats. The physical features of India can be grouped under the following
The Western Ghats cause orographic rain by facing the rain bearing moist physiographic divisions:
winds to rise along the western slopes of the Ghats. The Western Ghats are
known by different local names. The height of the Western Ghats  The Himalayan Mountains
progressively increases from north to south. The highest peaks include the  The Northern Plains
Anai Mudi (2,695metres) and the Doda Betta (2,637 metres).  The Peninsular Plateau
 The Indian Desert
Eastern Ghats:  The Coastal Plains
The Eastern Ghats stretch from the Mahanadi Valley to the Nigiris in the  The Islands
south. The Eastern Ghats are discontinuous and irregular and dissected by
rivers draining into the Bay of Bengal. Mahendragiri (1,501 metres) is the The Himalaya consists of three parallel ranges in its longitudinal extent. A
highest peak in the Eastern Ghats. Shevroy Hills and the Javadi Hills are number of valleys lie between these ranges. The northernmost range is
located to the southeast of the Eastern Ghats. known as the Great or Inner Himalayas or the ‘Himadri’. It is the most
continuous range consisting of the loftiest peaks with an average height of
Question-7 6,000 metres. It contains all the prominent Himalayan peaks.
Describe how the Himalayas were formed.
Solution: The Deccan Plateau is a triangular landmass that lies to the south of the river
The Himalayas and the Northern Plains are the most recent landforms. From Narmada. The Satpura range flanks its broad base in the north while the
the viewpoint of geology, Himalayan Mountains form an unstable zone. The Mahadev, the Kaimur hills and the Maikal range form its eastern extensions.
Locate these hills and ranges in the physical map of India. The Deccan the sand as they do not have enough water to reach the sea. Luni is the only
Plateau is higher in the west and slopes gently eastwards. An extension of the large river in this region. Barchans (crescent-shaped dunes) cover larger areas
Plateau is also visible in the northeast– locally known as the Meghalaya and but longitudinal dunes become more promiment near the Indo-Pakistan
Karbi-Anglong Plateau. It is separated by a fault from the Chotanagpur boundary.
Plateau. Three Prominent hill ranges from the west to east are the Garo, the
Khasi and the Jaintia Hills. (ii) The Central Highlands
The Peninsular plateau consists of two broad divisions, namely, the Central
Question-9 Highlands and the Deccan Plateau. The part of the Peninsular plateau lying to
Give an account of the Northern Plains of India. the north of the Narmada river covering a major area of the Malwa plateau is
Solution: known as the Central Highlands. The Vindhyan range is bounded by the
The northern plain has been formed by the interplay of the three major river Central Highlands on the south and the Aravalis on the northwest. The further
systems, namely– the Indus, the Ganga and the Brahmaputra along with their westward extension gradually merges with the sandy and rocky desert of
tributaries. This plain is formed of alluvial soil. The deposition of alluvium in Rajasthan.
a vast basin lying at the foothills of the Himalaya over millions of years,
formed this fertile plain. It spreads over an area of 7 lakh sq. km. The plain The flow of the rivers draining this region, namely the Chambal, the Sind, the
being about 2400 Km long and 240 to 320 Km broad is a densely populated Betwa and Ken is from southwest to northeast, thus indicating the slope. The
physiographic division. With a rich soil cover combined with adequate water Central Highlands are wider in the west but narrower in the east. The
supply and favourable climate, it is agriculturally a very productive part of eastward extensions of this plateau are locally known as the Bundelkhand and
India. Baghelkhand. The Chotanagpur plateau marks the further eastward extension,
drained by the Damodar river.
The rivers in their lower course split into numerous channels due to the
deposition of silt. These channels are known as distributaries. The Northern (iii) The Island Groups of India
Plain is broadly divided into three sections. The Western part of the Northern This group of islands is composed of small coral islands. Earlier they were
Plain is referred to as the Punjab Plains. Formed by the Indus and its known as Laccadive, Minicoy and Amindive. In 1973 these were named as
tributaries, the larger part of this plain lies in Pakistan. The Indus and its Lakshadweep. It covers small area of 32 sq km. Kavaratti island is the
tributaries–the Jhelum, the Chenab, the Ravi, the Beas and the Satluj administrative headquarters of Lakshadweep.
originate in the Himalaya. This section of the plain is dominated by the doabs.
This island group has great diversity of flora and fauna. The Pitli Island,
Question-10 which is uninhabited, has a bird sanctuary. An elongated chain of islands
Write short notes on the following.(i) The Indian Desert, (ii) The Central located in the Bay of Bengal extending from north to south. These are
Highlands (iii) The Island Groups of India Andaman and Nicobar islands. They are bigger in size and are more
Solution: numerous and scattered. The entire group of islands is divided into two broad
categories – The Andaman in the north and the Nicobar in the south. It is
(i) The Indian Desert believed that these islands are an elevated portion of submarine mountains.
The Indian desest lies towards the western margins of the Aravali Hills. It is These island groups are of great starategic importance for the country. There
an undulating sandy plain covered with sand dunes. This region receives very is great diversity of flora and fauna in this group of islands too. These islands
low rainfall below 150 mm per year. It has arid climate with low vegetation lie close to the equator and experience equatorial climate and has thick forest
cover. Streams appear during the rainy season. Soon after they disappear into cover.
 identified. The most constant is the mid-latitude and the subtropical jet
stream.
Chapter 4 Climate Questions
Over India, these jet streams blow south of the Himalayas, all through the
Question-1 year except in summer. The western cyclonic disturbances experienced in the
What are the controls affecting the climate of India? north and northwestern parts of the country are brought in by this westerly
Solution: flow. In summer, the subtropical westerly jet stream moves north of the
There are six major controls of the climate of any place. They are: Himalayas with the apparent movement of the sun. An easterly jet stream,
called the tropical easterly jet stream blows over peninsular India,
1. Latitude approximately over 14°N during the summer months.
2. Altitude
3. Pressure and wind system Question-5
4. Distance from the sea (continentality) Define monsoons. What do you understand by “breaks” in monsoon?
5. Ocean currents Solution:
6. Relief features The seasonal reversal in wind direction during a yeat is called the monsoon.
Monsoon tends to have ‘breaks’ in rainfall; which means that there are wet
Question-2 and dry spells in between The monsoon rains take place only for a few days
Why does India have a monsoon type of climate? at a time and then come to the rainless intervals.
Solution:
The monsoon type of climate is characterised by a distinct seasonal pattern. Question-6
The weather conditions greatly change from one season to the other. These Why is the monsoon considered a unifying bond?
changes are particularly noticeable in the interior parts of the country. The Solution:
coastal areas do not experience much variation in temperature though there is Despite great moderating influences on the climate of India, there are great
variation in rainfall patterns. Four main seasons can be identified in India – variations in the temperature conditions. Nevertheless, the unifying influence
the cold-weather season, the hot weather season, the advancing monsoon, and of the monsoon on the Indian subcontinent is quite perceptible. The seasonal
the retreating monsoon with some regional variations. alteration of the wind systems and the associated weather conditions provide
a rhythmic cycle of seasons.
Question-3
Which winds account for rainfall along the Malabar Coast? Question-7
Solution: Why does the rainfall decrease from the east to the west in Northern India?
Surface winds account for rainfall along the Malabar coast. Solution:
The western coast and northeastern India receive over about 400 cm of
Question-4 rainfall annually. However, it is less than 60 cm in western Rajasthan and
What are Jet streams and how do they affect the climate of India? adjoining parts of Gujarat, Haryana, and Punjab. Rainfall is equally low in
Solution: the interior of the Deccan plateau, and east of the Sahyadris. The third area of
Jet streams are a narrow belt of high altitude (above 12,000 m) westerly low precipitation is around Leh in Jammu and Kashmir. The rest of the
winds in the troposphere. Their speed varies from about 110 km/h in summer country receives moderate rainfall.
to about 184 km/h in winter. A number of separate jet streams have been
Snowfall is restricted to the Himalayan region. Owing to the nature of (iii) The delta region of the eastern coast is frequently struck by cyclones
monsoons, the annual rainfall is highly variable from year to year. Variability The low-pressure conditions, over northwestern India, get transferred to the
is high in the regions of low rainfall such as parts of Rajasthan, Gujarat and Bay of Bengal by early November. This shift is associated with the
the leeward side of the Western Ghats. As such, while areas of high rainfall occurrence of cyclonic depressions, which originate over the Andaman Sea.
are liable to be affected by floods, areas of low rainfall are drought-prone. These cyclones generally cross the eastern coasts of India cause heavy and
widespread rain. These tropical cyclones are often very destructive. The
Question-8 thickly populated deltas of the Godavari, the Krishna and the Kaveri are
Give reasons as to why. frequently struck by cyclones, which cause great damage to life and property.
(i) The bulk of rainfall in India is concentrated over a few months. Sometimes, these cyclones arrive at the coasts of Orissa, West Bengal and
(ii) The Tamil Nadu coast receives winter rainfall. Bangladesh.
(iii) The delta region of the eastern coast is frequently struck by cyclones.
(iv) Parts of Rajasthan, Gujarat, and the leeward side of the Western Ghats (iv) Parts of Rajasthan, Gujarat and the leeward side of the Western Ghats are
are drought-prone. drought-prone
Solution: Owing to the nature of monsoons, the annual rainfall is highly variable from
(i) The bulk of rainfall in India is concentrated over a few months year to year. Variability is high in the regions of low rainfall such as parts of
The inflow of the south-west monsoon into India brings about a total change Rajasthan, Gujarat and the leeward side of the Western Ghats. As such, while
in the weather. Early in the season, the windward side of the Western Ghats areas of high rainfall are liable to be affected by floods, areas of low rainfall
receives very heavy rainfall, more than 250 cm. The Deccan Plateau and are drought-prone.
parts of Madhya Pradesh also receive some amount of rain in spite of lying in
the rain shadow area. The maximum rainfall of this season is received in the Question-9
north-eastern part of the country. Mawsynram in the southern ranges of the Describe the regional variations in the climatic conditions of India with the
Khasi Hills receives the highest average rainfall in the world. Rainfall in the help of suitable examples.
Ganga valley decreases from the east to the west. Rajasthan and parts of Solution:
Gujarat get scanty rainfall. Despite an overall unity in the general pattern, there are perceptible regional
variations in climatic conditions within the country. The two important
(ii) The Tamil Nadu coast receives winter rainfall elements, which cause these variations, are – temperature and precipitation.
A characteristic feature of the cold weather season over the northern plains is For example, in summer, the mercury occasionally touches 50°C in some
the inflow of cyclonic disturbances from the west and the northwest. These parts of the Rajasthan desert, whereas it may be around 20°C in Pahalgam in
low-pressure systems, originate over the Mediterranean Sea and western Asia Jammu and Kashmir. On a winter night, the temperature at Drass in Jammu
and move into India, along with the westerly flow. They cause the much- and Kashmir may be as low as minus 45°C. Tiruvananthapuram, on the other
needed winter rains over the plains and snowfall in the mountains. Although hand, may have a temperature of 20°C.
the total amount of winter rainfall locally known as ‘mahawat’ is small, they
are of immense importance for the cultivation of ‘rabi’ crops. The peninsular Question-10
region does not have a well-defined cold season. There is hardly any Discuss the mechanism of monsoons.
noticeable seasonal change in temperature patterns during winters due to the Solution:
moderating influence of the sea. To understand the mechanism of the monsoons, the following facts are
important.
 The differential heating and cooling of land and water create a low way over the warm tropical seas. The duration of the monsoon is between
pressure on the landmass of India while the seas around experience 100- 120 days from early June to mid-September. Around the time of its
comparatively high pressure. arrival, the normal rainfall increases suddenly and continues constantly for
 The shift of the position of Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) in several days. This is known as the ‘burst’ of the monsoon and can be
summer, over the Ganga plain (this is the equatorial trough normally distinguished from the pre-monsoon showers.
positioned about 5°N of the equator – also known as the monsoon trough
during the monsoon season). The monsoon arrives at the southern tip of the Indian peninsula generally by
 The presence of the high-pressure area, east of Madagascar, the first week of June. Subsequently, it divides into two – the Arabian Sea
approximately 20°S over the Indian Ocean. The intensity and position of branch and the Bay of Bengal branch. The Arabian Sea branch reaches
this high-pressure area affect the Indian Monsoon. Mumbai about ten days later on approximately the 10th of June. This is a
 The Tibetan plateau gets intensely heated during summer, which results fairly rapid advance.
in strong vertical air currents and the formation of high pressure over the
plateau at about 9 km above sea level. The Bay of Bengal branch also advances rapidly and arrives in Assam in the
 The movement of the westerly jet stream to the north of the Himalayas first week of June. The lofty mountains cause the monsoon winds to deflect
and the presence of the tropical easterly jet stream over the Indian towards the west over the Ganga plains. By mid-June, the Arabian Sea
peninsula during summer. branch of the monsoon arrives over Saurashtra-Kuchchh and the central part
of the country.
Question-11
Give an account of weather conditions and characteristics of the cold season. The Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal branches of the monsoon merge over
Solution: the northwestern part of the Ganga plains. Delhi generally receives the
The weather conditions greatly change from one season to the other. These monsoon showers from the Bay of Bengal branch by the end of June
changes are particularly noticeable in the interior parts of the country. The (tentative date is 29th of June). By the first week of July, western Uttar
coastal areas do not experience much variation in temperature though there is Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and eastern Rajasthan experience the monsoon.
variation in rainfall patterns. The cold weather season begins from mid-
November in northern India and stays till February. December and January By mid-July, the monsoon reaches Himachal Pradesh and the rest of the
are the coldest months in the northern part of India. The temperature country. Withdrawal or the retreat of the monsoon is a more gradual process.
decreases from the south to the north. The average temperature of Chennai, The withdrawal of the monsoon begins in the northwestern states of India by
on the eastern coast, is between 24° – 25° Celsius, while in the northern early September. By mid-October, it withdraws completely from the northern
plains, it ranges between 10° – 15° Celsius. Days are warm and nights are half of the peninsula. The withdrawal from the southern half of the peninsula
cold. Frost is common in the north and the higher slopes of the Himalayas is fairly rapid. By early December, the monsoon has withdrawn from the rest
experience snowfall. of the country.

Question-12 The islands receive the very first monsoon showers, progressively from south
Give the characteristics and effects of the monsoon rainfall in India. to north, from the first week of April to the first week of May. The
Solution: withdrawal takes place progressively from north to south from the first week
The Monsoon, unlike the trades, are not steady winds but are pulsating in of December to the first week of January. By this time the rest of the country
nature, affected by different atmospheric conditions encountered by it, on its is already under the influence of the winter monsoon.
What is Democracy? Why Democracy? (c) Democratic government is more accountable to the people.
(d) Democracies are more prosperous than others.
1. Here is some information about four countries. Based on this Answer:
information, how would you classify each of these countries. Write (d) Democracies are more prosperous than others.
‘democratic’, ‘undemocratic’ or ‘not sure’ against each of these. This is not a good agreement as the prosperity of a country cannot be
(a) Country A: People who do not accept the country’s official religion determined through its form of government but through its economic
do not have a right to vote. condition. For example, a democratic country like India is still a developing
(b) Country B: The same party has been winning elections for the last country, while a country following monarchy rule is economically strong.
twenty years.
(c) Country C: Ruling party has lost in the last three elections. Page No: 38
(d) Country D: There is no independent election commission.
Answer: 4. Each of these statements contains a democratic and undemocratic
(a) Undemocratic element. Write out the two separately for each statement.
(b) Not sure (a) A minister said that some laws have to be passed by the parliament in
(c) Democratic order to conform to the regulations decided by the World Trade
(d) Undemocratic Organisation (WTO).
(b) The Election Commission ordered re-polling in a constituency where
2. Here is some information about four countries. Based on this large-scale rigging was reported.
information, how would you classify each of these countries. Write (c) Women’s representation in the parliament has barely reached 10
‘democratic’, ‘undemocratic’ or ‘not sure’ against each of these. percent. This led women’s organisations to demand one-third seats for
(a) Country P: The parliament cannot pass a law about the army without women.
the consent of the Chief of Army. Answer:
(b) Country Q: The parliament cannot pass a law reducing the powers of (a) Democratic: Passing of the laws by the Parliament.
the judiciary. Undemocratic: Conforming to the regulations decided by the World Trade
(c) Country R: The country’s leaders cannot sign any treaty with Organisation.
another country without taking permission from its neighbouring (b) Democratic: The order to re-poll by the Election Commission.
country. Undemocratic: large scale rigging was reported
(d) Country S: All the major economic decisions about the country are (c) Democratic: Demand by Women’s Organisation to reserve one-third seats
taken by officials of the central bank which the ministers cannot change. for women.
Answer: Undemocratic: Women’s representation in parliament is less than 10 percent.
(a) Undemocratic
(b) Democratic 5. Which of these is not a valid reason for arguing that there is a lesser
(c) Undemocratic possibility of famine in a democratic country?
(d) Undemocratic (a) Opposition parties can draw attention to hunger and starvation.
(b) Free press can report suffering from famine in different parts of the
3. Which of these is not a good argument in favour of democracy? Why? country.
(a) People feel free and equal in a democracy. (c) Government fears its defeat in the next elections.
(b) Democracies resolve conflict in a better way than others. (d) People are free to believe in and practice any religion.
Answer: (b) Such a thing would be against the principle of the Universal Adult
(d) “People are free to believe in and practise any religion” is not a valid Franchise, wherein every person above the age of 18 yrs in our country
reason because there are lesser chances for famine to take place in a irrespective of religion, caste, sex, socio-economic background, etc. has the
democratic country. This is because practicing of religion is not at all related right to vote. Everyone has the right to participate equally in the formation of
to famine. the government. Therefore ignoring some sections of society would be unfair.
Moreover, wise men need not be necessarily good administrators.
6. There are 40 villages in a district where the government has made no
provision for drinking water. These villagers met and considered many (c) Those who say that the country should be ruled by religious leaders are
methods of forcing the government to respond to their needs. Which of making a very risky statement. Because in a multi-religious country bringing
these is not a democratic method? religion into politics can cause serious conflict among the people. Moreover,
(a) Filing a case in the courts claiming that water is part of the right to religious leaders can bring trouble to the country due to their mutual conflicts
life. of ideologies. Besides, many even do not have any experience in
(b) Boycotting the next elections to give a message to all parties. administration. Thus, it is very necessary for them to run their own religious
(c) Organising public meetings against the government’s policies. institutions and need not meddle in the political affairs of the country.
(d) Paying money to government officials to get water.
Answer: 8. Are the following statements in keeping with democracy as a value?
(d) Paying money to government officials to get water is an undemocratic Why?
method. (a) Father to daughter: I don’t want to hear your opinion about your
marriage. In our family children marry where the parents tell them to.
7. Write a response to the following arguments against democracy. (b) Teacher to student: Don’t disturb my concentration by asking me
(a) Army is the most disciplined and corruption-free organisation in the questions in the classroom.
country. Therefore the army should rule the country. (c) Employee to the officer: Our working hours must be reduced
(b) Rule of the majority means the rule of ignorant people. What we according to the law.
need is the rule of the wise, even if they are in small numbers. Answer:
(c) If we want religious leaders to guide us in spiritual matters, why not (a) The statement made is an undemocratic statement as the girl is being
invite them to guide us in politics as well. The country should be ruled by denied as an opportunity to voice her opinion and choose her partner. As per
religious leaders. our Constitution, every citizen who is 18 or above has the right to marry
Answer: according to his/her choice.
(a) Though the army the most disciplined and corruption-free organisation in
the country, however, it cannot be justified that they should rule the country. (b) The statement made is undemocratic as the student is being denied the
Primarily, because they do not form a democratic government i.e. are not right to ask questions/clear his doubts. The best the teacher can do is to ask
elected by the people. Secondarily, people will not be allowed to voice their the student to ask his query at the end of the lecture; however, stopping him
opinion or expression as all their fundamentals rights would be curtailed. from doing so is incorrect.
Also, there would be no assurance that the army cannot turn into a ruthful
dictator at any point of their rule, making the life of the people difficult. For (c) The statement made is a democratic statement because here the employees
example, the people of Chile suffered under the rule of General Augusto are asking for their fundamental rights. Within the norms of the company, the
Pinochet. employees are always entitled to ask or request their office for something.
9. Consider the following facts about a country and decide if you would Answer:
call it a democracy. Give reasons to support your decision. Democracy and poverty have been inextricably linked in India ever since her
(a) All the citizens of the country have the right to vote Elections are held birth. The political independence of our country had been achieved through
regularly. the mass participation of the rural poor in the national movement. However,
(b) The country took a loan from international agencies. One of the and unfortunately, since then this rural poor mass of the Indian population
conditions for the given loan was that the government would reduce its has seen its influence shrink in national politics.
expenses on education and health.
(c) People speak more than seven languages but education is available A decade by decade, India has cultivated its resources and added to its
only in one language, the language spoken by 52 percent people of the national financial wealth, the rich have grown richer, and the poor have
country. grown abysmally poorer. We have the distinction of being the largest
(d) Several organisations have given a call for peaceful demonstrations democracy in the world, but we are also one of the world’s poorest countries,
and nationwide strikes in the country to oppose these policies. The with gaping economic cleavages within our society.
government has arrested these leaders.
(e) The government owns the radio and television in the country. All the The inequality of income is a concern that gets reflected directly in the
newspapers have to get permission from the government to publish any operation of the democratic process of our republic. Research has firmly
news about the government’s policies and protests. established the fact that though the majority of Indian voters come from the
Answer: rural Indian hinterland, their influence on their elected representatives and on
(a) Two important features of democracy are regular elections and universal the whole, on the process of national policymaking is shrinking with each
adult franchise. passing year. On the other hand, the richer sections of our society, though
they do not necessarily vote or have any discernible concern for their civic
(b) Undemocratic: because it is undemocratic action to reduce expenses at the responsibilities, exercise leverage on the policymaking in this country grossly
cost of the people. disproportionate to their actual size in the population.

(c) The national language can be a single language because such a concept Moreover, the culture of corporate funding of political parties has fast
will bring about national integrity but other languages also should be spawned its offspring in the realms of the government establishment. It has
encouraged to cultivate in their respective regions. made political parties and their leaders less dependent on their actual
electorate and has allowed them to ignore the real concerns of the public like
(d) Democracy provides people the right to strike or the right to free speech agrarian reforms, fine-tuning of the Public Distribution System, agricultural
and demonstrations. subsidies, and educational reforms.

(e) A very important part of democracy is the freedom of the press. Therefore, To encapsulate, as we take pride in us being the largest democracy in the
the total control of media shows that there is no freedom of speech and world, it is also necessary to recognise and act on the fact that the
expression and the right to speak against the government. phenomenon of gross economic inequalities is putting a major limitation on
Thus, though the country is democratic in some manners, it is also its workability.
undemocratic in some ways.

10. Write an essay on ‘Democracy and Poverty’ using the information

given in this report but using examples from India.
Constitutional Design 3. Which of these is a provision that a democratic constitution does not
have?
Page 53 (a) Powers of the head of the state
(b) Name of the head of the state
1. Here are some false statements. Identify the mistake in each case and
(c) Powers of the legislature
rewrite these correctly based on what you have read in this chapter.
(d) Name of the country
(a) Leaders of the freedom movement had an open mind about whether the
Answer:
country should be democratic or not after independence.
(b) Name of the head of the state
(b) Members of the Constituent Assembly of India held the same views on all
provisions of the Constitution. 4. Match the following leaders with their roles in the making of the
(c) A country that has a constitution must be a democracy. Constitution:
(d) Constitution cannot be amended because it is the supreme law of a
country.
Answer: (a) Motilal Nehru (i) President of the Constituent Assembly
(a) Leaders of the freedom movement had an open mind about the country (b) Β.R. Ambedkar (ii) Member of the Constituent Assembly
being democratic after independence. (c) Rajendra Prasad (iii) Chairman of the Drafting Committee
(d) Sarojini Naidu (iv) Prepared a Constitution for India in 1928
(b) Members of the Constituent Assembly worked in a systematic, open, and Answer:
consensual manner to resolve differences among them.
(a) Motilal Nehru (iv) Prepared a Constitution for India in 1928
(c) It is not necessary that a country having a constitution must be a
democracy. The constitution of a country can even make provisions for (b) B.R. Ambedkar (iii) Chairman of the Drafting Committee
dictatorship or monarchy. Examples: the Soviet Union and Pakistan.
(c) Rajendra Prasad (i) President of the Constituent Assembly
(d) A Constitution can be amended to keep up with the changes in aspirations (d) Sarojini Naidu (ii) Member of the Constituent Assembly
of the society. It can also be changed keeping in mind the social, political,
and economic conditions of the country. 5. Read again the extracts from Nehru’s speech ‘Tryst with Destiny’ and
answer the following:
2. Which of these was the most salient underlying conflict in the making (a) Why did Nehru use the expression “not wholly or in full measure” in the
of a democratic constitution in South Africa? first sentence?
(a) Between South Africa and its neighbours (b) What pledge did he want the makers of the Indian Constitution to take?
(b) Between men and women (c) “The ambition of the greatest man of our generation has been to wipe
(c) Between the white majority and the black minority every tear from every eye”. Who was he referring to?
(d) Between the coloured minority and the black majority Answer:
Answer: (a) The expression ‘not wholly or in full measure’ in the first sentence was
(c) Between the white majority and the black minority used by Nehru because he thought that the task they had undertaken was
incomplete and it wasn’t possible to fulfill the pledges all at once but would
be gradually fulfilled.
(b) The pledge that he wanted the makers of the Indian Constitution to take I find myself hoping that the demand for a new Constituent Assembly would
was to dedicate their lives to the service of India, Indians, and humanity at take root in Nepal. A republican constitution has its benefits you know! In
large. countries like yours and mine, there is already too much wastage in terms of
government expenditure. Unfortunately, such is the reality of our national
(c) He was referring to Mahatma Gandhi. culture. In addition, if Nepal has a Constitutional Monarchy, a lot of money
would have to be spent on maintaining the high standards of living for the
6. Here are some of the guiding values of the Constitution and their royalty. UK has a Constitutional monarchy, but it can also afford it–centuries
meaning. Rewrite them by matching them correctly. and centuries of colonial exploitation of other countries has its benefits!
However, in my opinion, for countries like India and Nepal, a Republican
(a) Sovereign (i) Government will not favour any religion. government is best suited.
(b) Republic (ii) People have the supreme right to make decisions.
(c) Fraternity (iii) Head of the state is an elected person. By all means, the Constitution offered by your king can hardly be called
(d) Secular (iv) People should live like brothers and sisters. democratic! It hardly gives any powers to your Parliament or the civilian
government or so I’ve heard. Nevertheless, whatever I might think as a
Answer:
foreigner, the people of Nepal will be the best judge of your country’s
political future. Let’s see what happens.
(a) Sovereign (ii) People have the supreme right to make decisions.
(b) Republic (iii) Head of the state is an elected person. P.S. – I have heard the Maoists are making some inroads in the rural
(c) Fraternity (iv) People should live like brothers and sisters. heartland of Nepal? I don’t personally support violence of any kind and am a
(d) Secular (i) Government will not favour any religion. believer in democracy. However, the Maoists intrigue me to no limit. What is
Page No: 54 their attitude towards India? What do they think about the Chinese? Do let
me know what you think.
7. A friend from Nepal has written you a letter describing the political
exercises situation there. Many political parties are opposing the rule of Your Friend,
the king. Some of them say that the existing constitution given by the
monarch can be amended to allow more powers to elected XVZ
representatives. Others are demanding a new Constituent Assembly to
write a republican constitution. Reply to your friend giving your 8. Here are different opinions about what made India a democracy. How
opinions on the subject. much importance would you give to each of these factors?
Answer: (a) Democracy in India is a gift of the British rulers. We received training to
work with representative legislative institutions under British rule.
Dear Yam, (b) Freedom Struggle challenged the colonial exploitation and denial of
different freedoms to Indians. Free India could not be anything but
I read your letter. These are exciting times indeed for you! My country has democratic.
been independent for almost sixty years, and we have already gone through (c) We were lucky to have leaders who had democratic convictions. The
the whole process of the establishment of democracy. Fortunately, it has denial of democracy in several other newly independent countries shows the
survived on this soil as well. I just hope the same happens in Nepal. important role of these leaders.
Answer:
(a) Though I would acknowledge many good things were learned from the 10. Read the following statements about a constitution. Give reasons why
British rulers and democracy being one of them,I wouldn’t say that each of these is true or not true.
democracy was a gift given by them. Indians had to struggle a lot and make (a) The authority of the rules of the constitution is the same as that of any
many sacrifices to attain freedom from British rule. These circumstances other law.
helped people to gain experience and training in the working of the (b) Constitution lays down how different organs of the government will be
legislative institutions. formed.
(c) Rights of citizens and limits on the power of the government are laid
(b) Yes, Free India could not be anything but democratic because the people down in the constitution.
had already suffered a lot under British rule. This made them realise that for (d) A constitution is about institutions, not about values.
people to have a say in ruling the country, it was necessary to make India a Answer:
democratic country. (a) Not true. An ordinary law is passed by the Parliament and can be changed
by it on its own will. On the other hand, the rules of the Constitution have
(c) It is indeed true that we were lucky to have leaders who had deep greater authority and the Parliament has to abide by them. For amending
democratic values. It is because of these ideals that India’s freedom struggle these rules, a special procedure has to be adopted.
can be considered as the only example of a bloodless freedom struggle in
contemporary history. Therefore, absence of such ideals has made many (b) True. The Constitution has laid down the framework for government
countries undemocratic. formation. It has put in place the structure, power, and functions of the three
organs of the government, i.e. executive, legislative, and the judiciary.
9. Read the following extract from a conduct book for ‘married women’,
published in 1912. ‘God has made the female species delicate and fragile (c) True. The rights of the citizens are laid down in the Constitution as
both physically and emotionally, pitiably incapable of self-defence. They fundamental rights, which are enforceable by law. The powers and functions
are destined thus by God to remain in male protection – of the father, of the government are divided into the executive, legislative, and judiciary. It
husband, and son – all their lives. Women should, therefore, not despair, is done to keep each organ under check by the other organs to ensure the
but feel obliged that they can dedicate themselves to the service of men’. power functioning of the government.
Do you think the values expressed in this para reflected the values
underlying our constitution? Or does this go against the constitutional (d) Not True. The Constitution is the supreme law of the country. It lays
values? down the composition powers and functions of the various institutions of
Answer: government. The Constitution is guided by values which are found in the
The given paragraph does not reflect the underlying value in our Constitution. form of Preamble. Principles and values such as equality, liberty, fraternity,
It refers to the patriarchal views and endorses the thought of inequality in brotherhood, secularism, and justice are included in the Preamble of the
genders. Constitution.

It goes against the constitutional values because in the paragraph women are
shown as inferior, unequal as weak and fragile who should serve men.
However, the Constitution has provided equal rights to women. They enjoy
the right to vote, can take up any job, and are paid equal wages for the same
work.
The French Revolution Question 2.
Which groups of French society benefited from the revolution? Which
Question 1. groups were forced to relinquish power? Which sections of society would
Describe the circumstances leading to the outbreak of revolutionary have been disappointed with the outcome of the revolution?
protest in France? Answer:
Answer:
The following circumstances led to the outbreak of revolutionary protest in 1. The wealthy class of the third estate which came to be known as the new
France: middle class of France benefited the most from the revolution. This
group comprised of big businessmen, petty officers, lawyers, teachers,
1. Louis XVI was an autocratic ruler who could not compromise with his doctors and traders. Previously, these people had to pay state taxes and
luxurious life. He also lacked farsightedness. they did not enjoy equal status. But after the revolution they began to be
2. When he ascended the throne the royal treasury was empty. Long years treated equally with the upper sections of the society.
of war had drained the financial resources of France. Added to this was 2. With the abolition of feudal system of obligation and taxes, the clergy
the cost of maintaining an extravagant court at the immense palace of and the nobility came on the same level with the middle class. They were
Versailles. forced to give up their privileges. Their executive powers were also taken
3. Under Louis XVI France helped the thirteen American colonies to gain away from them.
their independence from Britain the war added more than a billion livres 3. The poorer sections of the society, i.e. small peasants, landless labourers,
to a dept credit, now began to charge 10% interest on loans. So the servants, daily wage earners would have been disappointed with the
French government was obliged to spend an increasing percentage of its outcome of the revolution. Women also would have been highly
budget on interest payments alone. discontented.
4. The state finally increased taxes to meet its regular expenses su?h as the
cost of maintaining an army, running government offices and universities. Question 3.
5. The French society was divided into three estates but only members of Describe the legacy of the French Revolution for the peoples of the world
the first two estates i.e,, the clergy and the nobles were exempted to pay during the nineteenth and the twentieth centuries.
taxes. They belonged to privileged class. Thus the burden of financing Answer:
activities of the state through taxes was borne by the third estate only. The French Revolution proved to be the most important event in the history
6. The middle class that emerged in the 18th century France was educated of the world.
and enlightened. They refuted the theory of divine rights of the kings and
absolute monarchy. They believed that a person’s social position must
1. The ideas of liberty and democratic rights were the most important
depend on his merit. They had access to the various ideas of equality and
legacy of the French Revolution. These ideas became an umpiring force
freedom proposed by philosophers like John Locke, Jean Jacques
for the political movements in the world in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Rousseau, Montesquieu etc. Their ideas got popularised among the
2. The ideas of liberty, equality and fraternity spread from France to the rest
common mass as a result of intensive discussions and debates in saloons
of Europe, where feudal system was finally abolished.
and coffee houses and through books and newspapers.
3. Colonised people reworked on the idea of freedom from bondage into
7. The French administration was extremely corrupt. It did not give
their movements to Create a sovereign nation-state.
weightage to the French Common man.
The state finally increased taxes to meet its regular expenses such as the
cost of maintaining an army, running government offices and universities.
4. The idea of Nationalism that emerged after the French Revolution started 3. Women were still regarded as passive citizens. They did not have any
becoming mass movements all over the world. Now people began to political rights such as right to vote and hold political offices like men.
question the absolute power. Hence, their struggle for equal political rights continued.
5. The impact of the French Revolution would be seen in India too. Tipu 4. France continued to hold and expand colonies. Thus, its image as a
Sultan and Raja Rammohan Roy got deeply influenced by the ideas of liberator could not last for a long time.
the revolution. In the end, we can say that after the French Revolution 5. Slavery existed in France until the first half of the 19th century.
people all over the world became aware of their rights.
Question 6.
Question 4. How would you explain the rise of Napoleon?
Draw up a list of democratic rights we enjoy today whose origins could Answer:
be traced to the French Revolution.
Answer: 1. The political instability of the Directory paved the way for the rise of
Some of the democratic rights which we enjoy today can be traced to the Napoleon Bonaparte Napoleon had achieved glorious victories in wars.
French Revolution are as follows: This made France realize that only a military dictator like Napoleon
would restore a stable government.
1. Right to equality including equality before the law, the prohibition of 2. In 1804, he crowned himself the emperor of France. He set out to
discrimination, and equality of opportunity in matters of employment. conquer neighboring European countries, dispossessing dynasties and
2. Right to freedom of speech and expression including the right to practice creating kingdoms where he placed members of his family. Napoleon
any profession or occupation. viewed himself as a moderniser of Europe.
3. Right against exploitation. 3. He introduced many laws such as the protection of private property and a
4. Right to life. uniform system of weight and measures provided by the decimal system.
5. Right to vote. But his rise to power did not last for a long time. He was finally defeated
at Waterloo in 1815.
Question 5.
Would you agree with the view that the message of universal rights was
beset with contradictions? Explain.
Answer:

1. The message of universal rights was definitely beset with contradictions.

Many ideals of the “Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen” were not
at all clear. They had dubious meanings.
2. The French Revolution could not bring economic equality and it is the
fact that unless there is economic equality, real equality cannot be
received at any sphere. The Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen
laid stress on equality but large section of the society was denied to it.
The right to vote and elect their representatives did not solve the poor
man’s problem.