These DAV Class 8 SST Solutions and DAV Class 8 SST Chapter 15 Question Answer – India Marches Ahead are thoughtfully prepared by experienced teachers.
DAV Class 8 SST Ch 15 Question Answer – India Marches Ahead
DAV Class 8 SST Ch 15 Solutions – India Marches Ahead
Something to Know
A. Tick (✓) the correct option.
Question 1.
The first Governor-General of independent India was-
(a) Lord Mountbatten
(b) Chakravarti Rajagoplachari
(c) Wareen Hastings
(d) Dr. Rajendra Prasad
Answer:
(a) Lord Mountbatten
Question 2.
Sikkim became a part of India in the year-
(a) 1955
(b) 1965
(c) 1975
(d) 1995
Answer:
(c) 1975
Question 3.
Agricultural production in India shot up due to-
(a) Blue Revolution
(b) White Revolution
(c) Green Revolution
(d) Yellow Revolution
Answer:
(c) Green Revolution
Question 4.
Who imposed emergency in India in 1975?
(a) Morarji Desai
(b) Indira Gandhi
(c) Lai Bahadur Shastri
(d) V.P. Singh
Answer:
(b) Indira Gandhi
Question 5.
Pondichery was liberated from-
(a) the English
(b) the French
(c) the Dutch
(d) the Portuguese
Answer:
(b) the French
B. Fill in the blanks.
1. The First Five Year Plan was presented for the period from ________ to ________ .
Answer:
1951,1956
2. The Indian Independence Act was based on ________ .
Answer:
Mountbatten Plan
3. ________ was the last Governor-General of free India.
Answer:
Chakravati Rajgopalachari
4. ________ As per the Indian Independence Act 1947, the Princely States were given the freedom to decide with ________ to join.
Answer:
dominion
5. The states of ________ and ________ joined India after military action.
Answer:
Junagrah, Hyderabad
C. Write a technical term or an appropriate word for each of the following statements.
1. The institution responsible for holding free and fair elections in India.
Answer:
Election Commission
2. The colonial state liberated from the Portuguese in 1961.
Answer:
Goa
3. The Assembly that made the Constitution of India.
Answer:
Constituent Assembly
4. If needs be, it is formed after the elections to form a government.
Answer:
Coalition Government
5. The architect of India’s foreign policy.
Answer:
Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru
D. Answer the following questions in brief.
Question 1.
Who framed the Constitution of India and how?.
Answer:
The Constitution of India was framed by the Constituent Assembly formed with indirectly elected members of the Provisional Legislative Assemblies. It held its first session in 1946. It re-assembled on August 14, 1947 as the sovereign Constituent Assembly for the dominion of India. The Constitution was passed on November 26, 1949 and adopted on January 26, 1950, when India became a Republic.
Question 2.
Describe India’s economic progress by highlighting the major achievements in this field.
Answer:
Our economic progress can be witnessed in expansion and diversification of production both in industry and agriculture. The Government has built the infrastructure like power, information technology, communication, transport, etc., which are the basic requirement of the industry.
Indian Government has also followed a policy of encouraging indigenous industries and given them a lot of assistance. In the agriculture sector mechanisation, irrigation, fertilisers and research have improved the scenario. As a result, the agricultural production has shot up both qualitatively and quantitatively. The progress and development can be witnessed in the Green Revolution, the White Revolution, etc.
Question 3.
Differentiate between a National Political Party and a Regional Political Party. Give one example of each.
Answer:
National Political Party: The political party at the national level is called the National Party. For example, Indian National Congress. Regional Political Party: The political party at the state/regional level is called regional party. For example, Shiromani Akali Dal.
Question 4.
Explain any three challenges being faced by the Indian society even now?
Answer:
- Better quality of education is required at all levels from basic literacy to hi-tech science and technology.
- Tackling issues related to population growth.
- Water conservations, peace and security are required.
Question 5.
‘Our democratic government has also protected the interest of the backward sections of the society’. ‘Justify the statement by giving three arguments’.
Answer:
While forming the Indian Constitution the framer of the Constitution realised that the economic conditions of the- schedule castes, schedule tribes and other backward classes are very pitiable. They had to face many difficulties in every day life due to their extreme poverty. So the uplift the condition of these weaker sections, the constitution framed legislations like provisions for reservation in legislature, government jobs and educational institutions for schedule castes, schedule tribes and other backward classes.
Since the Independence, these weaker sections’ conditions have improved in all respects. They are getting higher education, decent job and leading a decent life.
E. Answer the following questions.
Question 1.
State the main features of the Indian Independence Act, 1947.
Answer:
The main features of the Indian Independence Act of 1947 were:
- The British rule of India would end with immediate effect.
- An independent dominion of India was made including the United Provinces under the British like Madras Presidency, Carnatic, East Punjab, West Bengal, Assam, etc.
- West Punjab, North-West Frontier Province, Sindh and East Bengal would go to Pakistan.
- The Princely States were given the freedom to decide which dominion to join.
- The dominions of India and Pakistan were granted complete freedom and they became members of the British Commonwealth.
Question 2.
Describe the progress made by India in the field of industry and agriculture.
Answer:
India’s economic progress can be witnessed in expansion and diversification of production both in industry and agriculture. Some of its achievements are given below:
- The government has built the infrastructure like power, information technology, communication, transport, etc. which are the basic requirements of the industry.
- The government has also followed a policy of encouraging indigenous industries and give them a lot of assistance.
- In agriculture sector also, mechanisation, irrigation, fertilisers and research have improved the scenario. Agricultural production has shot up both qualitatively and quantitatively.
- The Green Revolution and the White Revolution are also grand achievements India.
Question 3.
Mention any five basic features of India’s foreign policy.
Answer:
The basic features of India’s foreign policy are:
- Promotion of world peace
- Anti-colonialism
- Anti-imperialism
- Anti-racialism
- Panchsheel
- Non-alignment
- Friendly relations with neighbours
- Regional Cooperation
Question 4.
Highlight the main features of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s India Vision 2020.
Answer:
Every country needs a vision which will stir the imagination and motivate all segments of society to greater effort. It is the dream of all Indians that India should emerge as a vibrant and dynamic country and make great progress in all fields.
Better quality of education is required at all levels from basic literacy to hi- tech science and technology, raising of agricultural productivity and industrial quality, spurring growth of IT and biotechnology, improving health and nutrition, tackling issues related to population growth, energy and water conservation, peace and security are required. In the words of our late-President Dr. Abdul Kalam, “the day is not far when enlightened and ignited minds will transform India into a competitive beautiful nation.’
Question 5.
Why did India opt for a democratic set-up? In your opinion, how far have we succeeded in this respect?
Answer:
The path that independent India had to follow was planned during the freedom struggle itself. It aimed at vesting the sovereign power in the hand of the people. Hence, India opted for a democracy. It was necessary to have a system where every section of society would be represented. Every community, religion and language would enjoy equal status. Equality means equality of status and opportunity without any discrimination. Our democratic government has also protected the interest of the backward sections of the society.
DAV Class 8 Social Science Chapter 15 Question Answer – India Marches Ahead
A. Tick (✓) the correct option.
Question 1.
Who designed the Independence Act of 1947?
(a) Lord Mountbatten
(b) Clement Attlee
(c) Rajagopalachari
(d) Jawaharlal Nehru
Answer:
(b) Clement Attlee
Question 2.
The first Governor-General Independent India was
(a) Lord Mountbatten
(b) Rajagopalachari
(c) Jawaharlal Nehru
(d) Lord Curzon
Answer:
(a) Lord Mountbatten
Question 3.
The states joined India after military action were
(a) Junagadh and Hyderabad
(b) East Punjab and West Bengal
(c) Junagadh and Sindh
(d) Hyderabad and East Bengal
Answer:
(a) Junagadh and Hyderabad
Question 4.
India took back Goa in 1961 from the
(a) French
(b) British
(c) Dutch
(d) Portuguese
Answer:
(d) Portuguese
Question 5.
India held its first general elections in.
(a) 1951
(b) 1953
(c) 1955
(d) 1957
Answer:
(b) 1953
Question 6.
The Deputy Prime Minister of Independent India was
(a) Dr. Rajendra Prasad
(b) Jawaharlal Nehru
(c) Sardar Ballabhbhai Patel
(d) Rajagopachari
Answer:
(c) Sardar Ballabhbhai Patel
Question 7.
The first five year plan was formulated in the year.
(a) 1950
(b) 1955
(c) 1956
(d) 1960
Answer:
(a) 1950
Question 8.
A state of emergency was imposed on India in the year
(a) 1965
(b) 1970
(c) 1975
(d) 1980
Answer:
(c) 1975
B. Fill in the blanks.
1. India and Pakistan became members of British ________ .
Answer:
Commonwealth
2. Lord ________ was the last Viceroy of India.
Answer:
Mountbatten
3. Jawaharlal Nehru was the chief architect of India’s ________ policy.
Answer:
foreign
4. A democratic government protects the interests of the ________ sections of the society.
Answer:
weaker
5. ________ is the biggest threat to the peace of the country.
Answer:
Terrorism
C. Match the following.
| 1. Five Year Plan | (a) Self-help group for women |
| 2. Sardar Patel | (b) Groups of parties who join together |
| 3. Alliances | (c) USSR |
| 4. Sewa Shakti Project | (d) Mrs Indira Gandhi |
| 5. Emergency of 1975 | (e) First Deputy Prime Minister |
Answer:
| 1. Five Year Plan | (c) USSR |
| 2. Sardar Patel | (e) First Deputy Prime Minister |
| 3. Alliances | (b) Groups of parties who join together |
| 4. Sewa Shakti Project | (a) Self-help group for women |
| 5. Emergency of 1975 | (d) Mrs Indira Gandhi |
D. Very Short Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
Give another name for Indian Independence Act 1947.
Answer:
Mountbatten Plan.
Question 2.
When and from which country did India take back Pondicherry?
Answer:
India took back Pondicherry from French in 1953-54.
Question 3.
When was Indian Constitution adopted?
Answer:
Indian Constitution was adopted on January 26, 1950.
Question 4.
Mention any two features of India’s foreign policy.
Answer:
(i) Promotion of world peace
(ii) Friendly relations with neighbours
Question 5.
What is the biggest challenge to Indian democracy?
Answer:
Poverty is the biggest challenge to Indian democracy.
Question 6.
Name the parts that formed the independent dominion of India.
Answer:
West Bengal, North West Frontier Province, Sindh and East Bengal.
Question 7.
How many princely states joined India?
Answer:
Five hundred and sixty princely states joined India.
Question 8.
How much time did the Constituent Assembly take to complete the drafting of the Constitution for Independent India?
Answer:
The Constitutent Assembly took almost three (two years, eleven months and seventeen days) years to complete the drafting of the Constitution for Independent India.
Question 9.
Who was elected the first President of Independent India?
Answer:
Dr Rajendra Prasad was elected the first President of Independent India.
Question 10.
What does ‘equality’ mean?
Answer:
‘Equality’ means equality of status and opportunity, without any discrimination.
Question 11.
Who started Bhoodan Movement?
Answer:
Archarya Vinoba Bhave started Bhoodan Movement.
Question 12.
How did Bhoodan Movement create a just and equitable society?
Answer:
Bhoodan Movement created a just and equitable society by re¬distribution of excess lands from the landlords to the landless farmers.
Question 13.
Name two problems which are rampant.
Answer:
- Poverty
- Illitracy
Question 14.
What are the biggest threats to the peace and progress of the country?
Answer:
Corruption and terrorism are the biggest threats to the peace and progress of the country.
Question 15.
Name the two problems which were hampering the growth of our country in the beginning years of Independent India.
Answer:
- Caste system
- Social evils
E. Short Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
Why did many people fear that democracy would not succeed in India?
Answer:
When India opted for a democracy, many people feared that it would not succeed. These people had predicted that India, because of its diversities in culture, religions, castes, languages, manners and identities will not be able to work as a united democratic country.
Question 2.
List the parts that formed the independent dominion of India.
Answer:
An independent dominion of India was made including the United Provinces under the British like Madras Presidency, Carnatic, East Punjab, West Bengal, Assam, etc.
Question 3.
What are the two main targets of Indian economy?
Answer:
- Our government has been striving hard to ensure 100% literacy for the entire population.
- Poverty and unemployment have to be eradicated.
Question 4.
What is politics of ‘fronts’?
Answer:
In recent times, we have witnessed politics of “fronts’ or ‘alliances’. They are formed to contest elections or after the elections to form the government. The supporting parties either join the government or support from outside (without joining the government), depending on the conditions of the alliances or fronts.
Question 5.
What is India Vision 2020?
Answer:
It is a dream of all Indians that India should emerge as a vibrant and dynamic country and make great progress in all the fields. Better quality of education at all levels from basic literacy to hi-tech science and technology, raising of agricultural productivity and industrial quality, spurring growth of IT and biotechnology, improving health and nutrition, tackling issues related to population growth, energy and water conservation, peace and security are required.
Question 6.
The basis of our foreign policy are the five principles of Panchsheel. Name them.
Answer:
The five principles of Panchsheel are:
- Mutual respect for each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
- Mutual non-aggression.
- Mutual non-interference in each other’s internal matters
- Equality and mutual benefits
- Peaceful co-existence.
Question 7.
Mention the steps taken to achieve social progress in India.
Answer:
Many steps were taken to achieve social progress in India through legislations and social movements like Sewa-Shakti Project. The Project has been introduced as a Self-Help group of 15 to 20 woman to start some productive work with financial assistance by the government.
F. Long Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
How has Indian government faced the challenges to Indian democracy?
Answer:
India adopted the path of planned development from the pattern that was followed earlier by USSR. Five Year Plans were made to ensure systematic progress in all sectors. The first five year plan was formulated in 1950. At present, we are in the 11th Five Year Plan.
Our government has been striving hard to ensure 100% literacy for the entire population. But the objective is still to be attained. Poverty and unemployment have to be eradicated, as most of the governmental schemes have only benefited a small section of people.
Question 2.
What changes have taken place in Indian society since independence? Have they been successful in unifying the Indian society?
Answer:
Several changes have taken place in Indian society since independence:
- Special privileges for the poorest and most disadvantaged Indians have been provided.
- The practice of untouchability has been abolished.
- We see unity in diversities.
- The cases of child marriage are not seen except in some remote areas of India.
- But the practice of female infanticide has been growing.
Question 3.
Mention any two steps taken by the Indian government to promote literary in India.
Answer:
The Indian government has taken several steps to promote literacy in India. Two of them are:
- Sarva Siksha Abhiyan. It is a significant step towards providing elementary education to all children in the age group of six to fourteen years.
- Navodaya Vidyalayas have been set up in each district to provide quality education to weaker sections of society.
Question 4.
Give an assessment of the different phases of Indian democracy.
Answer:
(i) Independent India opted for a democracy. It was necessary to have a system where every section of society would be represented. Every community, religion and language would enjoy equal status. Our democratic government has also protected the interest of the backward sections of the society.
(ii) The Congress under Jawaharlal Nehru controlled the reins of the government after independence till 1964. But the year of 1967 proved to be a turning point when some state parties came into prominence. This was a period of actual democratisation of Indian politics.
(iii) successfully except for two years when state of emergency was imposed in 1975 by Mrs. Indira Gandhi, the then Prime Minister. After 1977, some political parties succeeded in controlling the power for short duration. But they could not sustain their governments.
(iv) In recent times, we have witnessed coalition governments and politics of fronts’ or ‘alliances’. They are formed to contest the elections or after the elections to form the government. Supporting parties either join the government or support from outside, depending on the conditions of the alliances/fronts.
Question 5.
Describe any five main features of the Indian Independence Act, 1947. (DAV Board)
Answer:
The main features of the Indian Independence Act of 1947 were:
- The British rule of India would end with immediate effect.
- An independent dominion of India was made including the United Provinces under the British like Madras Presidency, Carnatic, East Punjab, West Bengal, Assam, etc.
- West Punjab, North-West Frontier Province, Sindh and East Bengal would go to Pakistan.
- The Princely States were given the freedom to decide which dominion to join.
- The dominions of India and Pakistan were granted complete freedom and they became members of the British Commonwealth.
Something to Do
Question 1.
What infrastructural facilities have contributed to India’s economic development?
Answer:
- The government has built the infrastructure like power , information technology, communication, transport, etc. which are the basic requirements of the industry.
- The government has also followed a policy of encouraging indigenous industries and given them a lot of assistance.
- In the agricultural sector, mechanisation, irrigation, fertilisers and research have improved the scenario.
- The Green Revolution in the late 1960s introduced the Indian farmer to cultivation of wheat and rise using high yielding varieties of seeds. The use of HYV seeds produced much greater amounts of grain on a single plant.
Question 2.
You must be having neighbours following different religion and speaking different languages. What are the bonds that unite you, inspite of the differences?
Answer:
A feeling of belonging to one nation binds us inspite of the differences.
Question 3.
Corruption is a major challenge that is hampering the growth of India. Make some suggestions to eradicate corruption.
Answer:
- We need to make a comprehensive code of conduct for politicians, legistatures, bureaucrats. Such code should be strictly enforced.
- There should be a common law to punish corrupt people be they are the President, Prime Minister or any politician and bureaucrats.