The Glimpses of Free India Notes Class 10 History Chapter 7 Kerala Syllabus Questions and Answers

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SCERT Class 10 Social Science History Chapter 7 The Glimpses of Free India Notes Question Answer Kerala Syllabus

Class 10 History Chapter 7 Notes Kerala Syllabus The Glimpses of Free India

Question 1.
Examine map given below and identify the locations of India and Pakistan. What are the features of this map? What details can you gather about the partition of India from it?

Answer:
Features of the Map

• The map shows the political boundaries after the Partition of India in 1947.
• It highlights the division of British India into two separate nations – India and Pakistan.
• It clearly marks the geographical separation between West Pakistan and East Pakistan, which were located over 1,600 km apart with India lying in between.

Partition of India

• In 1947, India was divided into two countries – India and Pakistan.
• Pakistan had two parts, West Pakistan and East Pakistan, separated by India.
• Later, in 1971, East Pakistan became Bangladesh.
• The Partition led to mass migration and violence between communities.

Question 2.
Prepare a newspaper report about the partition of India and Pakistan.
Answer:
(Hints)
India and Pakistan became independent Nations
Date: August 15, 1947
Place: New Delhi

In a historic event, British India was divided into two independent countries – India and Pakistan. The Partition took place on August 14 – 15, 1947.

India became a secular nation, while Pakistan was created as a Muslim-majority country. The division led to the movement of millions of people across the new borders. Many families were separated, and there was widespread violence and hardship.

Despite the struggles, both nations began their journey toward freedom and rebuilding.

Question 3.
Prepare a digital presentation based on the problems faced by the people of India and Pakistan, following the partition and present to the class in groups.
Answer:
(Hints)
Slide 1 – Title
Problems Faced After Partition (1947)
Slide 2 – Introduction
In 1947, India and Pakistan became separate countries. The Partition caused many problems for the people on both sides.
Slide 3 – Main Problems
Mass Migration: Millions had to leave their homes and move to the other country.
Violence: There were riots and loss of many lives.
Homelessness: Many people lost their property and became refugees.
Food and Health Issues: Lack of shelter, food, and medical care.
Family Separation: Families were divided across borders.
Slide 4 – Conclusion
The Partition brought freedom but also pain and suffering. People had to rebuild their lives with courage and hope.

Question 4.
Make a presentation by collecting newspaper reports and pictures related to the martyrdom of Gandhiji.
Answer:
(Hints)

Question 5.
Conduct a discussion on ‘The integration of princely states into the Indian Union’ in the class.
Answer:
(Hints)
The Integration of Princely States into the Indian Union.

After India became independent in 1947, there were more than 560 princely states that were not directly under British rule. These states had to decide whether to join India or Pakistan.

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and V.P. Menon played a major role in convincing the rulers to join India. Most states agreed peacefully, but some, like Hyderabad, Junagadh, and Kashmir, needed special efforts or military action.

By 1949, almost all princely states had become part of India. This helped to unite the country and build a strong, independent nation.

Question 6.
Identify and list the enclaves under the French and the Portuguese from the map given below.

Answer:

• Territories under the French:
• Pondicherry
• Karaikal
• Mahe
• Yanam
• Chandranagar
• Diu
• Dadra and Nagar Haveli

Territories under the Portuguese:

• Goa
• Daman

Question 7.
Name the states formed in 1956. Identify and list the language of each state.
Answer:

1. Andra Pradesh: Telugu
2. Kerala: Malayalam
3. Karnataka (then Mysore): Kannada
4. Tamil Nadu (then Madras): Tamil
5. Maharashtra: Marathi
6. Gujarat: Gujarati
7. Punjab: Punjabi
8. Rajasthan: Hindi
9. Madhya Pradesh: Hindi
10. Uttar Pradesh: Hindi
11. Bihar: Hindi
12. West Bengal: Bengali
13. Odisha: Odia
14. Assam: Assamese

Question 8.
Were the Five-Year Plans able to stabilise the economy of independent India? Organise a panel discussion in class.
Answer:
(Hints)
Panel Discussion: Were the Five-Year Plans able to stabilise the economy of independent India? Student 1: After independence, India faced poverty, unemployment, and low production. The Five-Year Plans were started to improve the economy.

Student 2: The First Five-Year Plan (1951 – 56) focused on agriculture and gave good results. Food production increased.

Student 3: The Second Plan focused on industries and helped build factories and jobs, but later plans faced some failures due to poor implementation.

Student 4: Overall, the Five-Year Plans helped India move toward self-reliance and economic growth, though problems like poverty and inequality still remained.

Conclusion: The Five-Year Plans partly succeeded in stabilising India’s economy and laid the foundation for future development.

Question 9.
How did the revolutions in the agricultural sector help increase food production?
Answer:
Revolutions in the agricultural sector, especially the Green Revolution, helped increase food production in many ways:

• Use of high-yield variety (HYV) seeds increased crop output.
• Irrigation facilities like canals and tube wells ensured water supply.
• Use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides improved crop growth and reduced crop loss.
• Modern machines like tractors and harvesters made farming faster and more efficient.
• Better farming methods and research helped farmers improve productivity.

Question 10.
Organise a debate in class on the merits and demerits of the economic reforms implemented in India after independence.
Answer:
Class Debate: Merits and Demerits of Economic Reforms in India
Student 1 (For): Economic reforms opened India’s economy to the world. Industries grew, jobs increased, and foreign investment came in.
Student 2 (For): People got more choices in goods and services, and technology improved in many sectors.
Student 3 (Against): But the gap between the rich and poor also increased. Small industries suffered due to competition from big companies.
Student 4 (Against): Foreign companies started to control many markets, reducing India’s self-reliance. Conclusion: Economic reforms brought growth and development, but also created some inequality and dependence on foreign markets.

Question 11.
Organise a seminar in class on educational progress in independent India
Answer:
(Hints)
Class Seminar: Educational Progress in Independent India
Introduction: After independence, India worked hard to improve education for all.
Speaker 1: Many schools and universities were started to increase literacy.
Speaker 2: Schemes like Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and Mid-Day Meal encouraged children to attend school.
Speaker 3: Education for girls improved, and more opportunities for higher and technical education were created.
Speaker 4: Today, digital learning and skill development programs are helping students prepare for modem careers. Conclusion: India has made great progress in education, bringing knowledge and opportunities to millions of people.

Question 12.
Prepare a digital magazine that includes pictures and descriptions of the major institutions working in the science and technology sector in India.
Answer:

Question 13.
Prepare a questionnaire to interview space scientists to understand the innovative possibilities in space research.
Answer:

1. Could you describe the most significant project you have worked on? What were your specific contributions and any innovative techniques you used?
2. What originally inspired you to pursue a career in space science?
3. In your opinion, which recent technological advancement in space research is the most groundbreaking? Why?
4. What are some cutting-edge technologies or methods your team is currently developing?
5. Which areas of space science do you believe are ripe for significant innovative breakthroughs in the next decade?

Question 14.
Collect information about the main architects of the Non-Aligned Movement and prepare a profile album.

Architect	Country	Role	Key Contribution to NAM
Jawaharlal Nehru	India	Prime Minister	Nehru is often credited with coining the term “Non Alignment” in 1954 and was a key advocate for the Panchsheel (Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence), which formed the cornerstone of the movement’s principles.
Josip Broz Tito	Yugoslavia	President	As a European socialist leader independent of Soviet control, Tito was instrumental in bringing together diverse nations and hosted the first NAM summit in Belgrade in 1961. He advocated for “positive neutrality.”
Gamal Abdel Nasser	Egypt	President	A champion of Pan-Arabism and anti-colonialism, Nasser’s leadership was crucial in mobilizing African and Middle Eastern nations to join the non-aligned platform, particularly after the Suez Crisis.
Sukarno	Indonesia	President	Sukarno hosted the seminal 1955 Bandung Conference, a crucial precursor to the formation of NAM, and was a fervent anti-colonial and anti-imperialist voice from Asia.
Kwame Nkrumah	Ghana	President	As the leader of the first sub-Saharan African nation to gain independence (1957), Nkrumah was a pivotal figure in advancing Pan-Africanism and ensuring the movement addressed the concerns of newly decolonized African states.

Question 15.
India’s policy makers needed to learn lessons (from Kerala) about what could be done with limited state resources.
“Jean Drez and Amartya Sen, An uncertain glory: India and its contradictions (Quoted in Thirthankar Roy and Ravi Raman K; Kerala 1956 to the present India’s Miracle State, 2024) ”
You have read the observation made by the eminent economist Amartya Sen about the Kerala Development Model. What can you understand from this?
Answer:

• This implies that Kerala has successfully managed to implement effective social policies.
• Kerala is renowned for achieving high levels of literacy, life expectancy, low infant mortality, and better healthcare-metrics usually associated with much richer states or developed nations – at lower per capita incomes than other regions in India.

Question 16.
Prepare a digital presentation with the help of ICT, including more information related to the formation of the state of Kerala.
Answer:
(Based on the following hints given below prepare a digital presentation).

• Travancore: A large, powerful princely state in the south.
• Cochin: A princely state located in the center.
• Malabar District: A northern region that was part of the Madras Presidency under British rule.
• Malayalam-speaking regions: The movement in present-day Kerala aimed to unite all Malayalam-speaking areas into a single administrative unit.
• State Reorganisation Commission (1953): This corrimission was appointed by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to recommend the reorganization of Indian states.
• The Travancore-Cochin state was merged with the Malabar District of the Madras Presidency.
• In the 1957 elections, the Communist Party of India (CPI) won a majority and formed the first democratically elected communist government in the world.

Question 17.
What hints does the poem (Vazhakula, of Changambuzha) offer about the social system
prevalent at that time?
Answer:

• The poem is a direct criticism of the janmikudiyan system, which gave landlords absolute power over the land and the laborers who worked it.
• The disparity between the landowning and working classes is a central theme.
• The poem suggests the absence of any effective legal or social recourse for the oppressed.

Question 18.
Prepare a flowchart illustrating the milestones of the land reform laws that paved the way for far- reaching changes in Kerala’s socio-economic sectors.
Answer:

1. Pre – 1957 Feudal System
2. 1957: Introduction of Land Reforms Bill
3. 1959: Dismissal of EMS Government
4. 1960: Kerala Agrarian Relations Act
5. 1963: Kerala Land Reforms Act
6. 1969: Kerala Land Reforms (Amendment) Act
7. Post-1970 Socio-Economic Transformation

Question 19.
Prepare a note comparing the higher education sector in Kerala with that in other states.
Answer:
Importance of Research and development

• High Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER)
• Strong government investment
• Social equity
• Infrastructure and facilities
• Innovation

Question 20.
Analyse the table below and prepare a note comparing the difference in literacy rates at the national level and Kerala.

Answer:

• Kerala ahead of India – Kerala’s literacy rate has been much higher than the Indian average since 1951.
• Kerala’s rapid progress – It crossed 70% in 1971 and reached 90% in 1991 itself.
• Stability – Kerala reached 94% in 2011 and remained at the same level in 2021.
• India’s progress – India has also grown from 27% in 1951 to 78% in 2021,but lags behind Kerala.
• Kerala’s achievement – The government’s priority for education, social renaissance movements, expansion of the public education system, etc. are the main reasons for Kerala’s excellent literacy.

Question 21.

What can you find out about the health sector in Kerala from the news headlines given above?
Answer:

• High Achievement/Excellence: Kerala has performed very well in the NITI Aayog’s National Health Index.
• National Recognition: Kerala’s healthcare sector is receiving National Recognition.
• Model State: Kerala’s health performance is seen as a “Model” for “Health for All”.

Question 22.
Visit a primary health centre in your area and prepare a list of major activities implemented by the government in the health sector.
Answer:

• ArdhramMission
• Sadgamaya Programme
• National Ayush Mission
• Arogya Keralam

Question 23.
Organise a panel discussion in class on Kerala’s achievements in areas such as land reform, education, and public health.
Answer:
(Hints)
Topic: “Kerala’s Achievements in Land Reforms, Education, and Public Health”

Objective: To understand how Kerala became a model state in social development through its success in land reforms, education, and healthcare.

Participants:

1. Moderator – Leads the discussion, introduces panelists, and manages time.
2. Panelists (4 – 6 students):
   • Panelist 1: Land Reforms in Kerala
   • Panelist 2: Achievements in Education
   • Panelist 3: Public Health System
   • Panelist 4: Role of Government and People’s Participation
   • Panelist 5: Challenges and Future Prospects

Std 10 History Chapter 7 Notes Kerala Syllabus – Extended Activities

Question 1.
Prepare a digital presentation of events and pictures related to the partition of India.
Answer:

Question 2.
Prepare a digital atlas titled “Post-Independence India – My Own Atlas” including major maps related to the unit.
Answer:
(Hints)

Question 3.
Prepare a digital presentation including the major schemes and their objectives implemented by the government of Kerala in the education and health sectors.
Answer:
(Hints)

• Vidya Jyoti: Provide financial assistance for uniforms and study materials to disabled students, and benefits for higher education will increase.
• Vidyakiranam: Provide educational assistance to economically backward children of disabled parents, The monthly scholarship amount varies according to the academic level of the child.
• Arogya Kiranam: Meet all healthcare needs of children from birth to 18 years, provide free medicines, check-ups and treatment in government hospitals.
• Thalolam: Provide free treatment to children below 18 years of age suffering from specific chronic diseases such as kidney diseases, heart diseases and haemophilia.
• Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakaram: Offer free and no-cost deliveries, including C-sections, in public health institutions.

Question 4.
List the major reforms, implemented to improve the education sector in independent India, in chronological order.
Answer:

1. University Education Commission (1948 – 49)
2. Secondary Education Commission (1952 – 53)
3. Indian Education Commission (1964 – 66)
4. National Policy on Education (NPE) 1968
5. National Policy on Education (NPE) 1986
6. District Primary Education Programme (DPEP) (1994)
7. Mid-Day Meal Scheme (1995)
8. Right to Education Act (RTE) (2009)
9. Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) (2009)
10. National Education Policy (NEP): 2020

Question 5.
Organise a discussion about the role played by local self-government institutions in improving educational activities in your school.
Answer:
(Organise a discussion based on the hints given below.)

Local self-government bodies such as panchayats and municipalities play a crucial role in improving education by overseeing schools, managing infrastructure, ensuring teacher attendance, and involving the community in school development. To organise a discussion, students can research specific local projects, invite local government representatives, and discuss topics such as how to improve the school management committee, monitor teacher performance, and advocate for necessary infrastructure upgrades in the school.

Question 6.
Prepare a digital album depicting India’s proud achievements in space exploration missions.
Answer:

The Glimpses of Free India Class 10 Notes Pdf

• When India became independent, people from nearby areas flocked to Delhi to celebrate.
• India’s first Independence Day was not just a moment of happiness but also one filled with sorrow.
• Cyril Radcliffe, a renowned lawyer in London, was assigned with the task of drawing the detailed boundary map on the partition of India.
• Integrating the princely states into the Indian Union was a challenging task for the country.
• The princely states were integrated into the Indian Union through conciliation talks and military action.
• The Indian National Congress propagated its ideas by emphasising the mother tongue to bring people closer to the national movement.
• Post-independent India followed a mixed economy, giving importance to the public sector.
• The main problems of independent India were food scarcity and poverty. To overcome this, the First Five-Year Plan emphasised agricultural development.
• To ensure economic development and solve unemployment, the Second Five-Year Plan emphasised industrial development.
• Land reform was a significant step that initiated remarkable changes in the agricultural sector in independent India.
• Its aim was to set a limit on the amount of land an individual could own.
• The initiatives implemented in India from 1960 onwards to achieve self-sufficiency in food production brought about major changes in this sector, and therefore, they are called ‘revolutions’.
• The Green Revolution began with the aim of enhancing the agricultural sector and achieving self-sufficiency in food production.
• The Green Revolution took place in two phases: from 1960 to 1970 and from 1970 to 1980. Dr. M. S. Swaminathan is known as the father of green revolution.
• The foundation for modern education in India was laid during the British rule.
• After independence, the government appointed various commissions in several phases to study Indian education system and submit recommendations.
• Jawaharlal Nehru, recognised that scientific development is an indispensable component in shaping India’s future.
• Homi J. Bhabha and Vikram Sarabhai are prominent Indian scientists who have rendered commendable service in the field of space research.
• Jawaharlal Nehru, the chief architect of India’s foreign policy, formulated a foreign policy that safeguarded our national interests.
• The Panchsheel Principles were formulated based on India’s foreign policy.
• The Non-Aligned Movement was formed under India’s leadership.
• The state of Kerala officially came into existence on November 1, 1956.
• It was formed by integrating the geographically distinct political regions of Travancore, Kochi, and Malabar, along with the Kasaragod taluk of South Karnataka.
• The first election to the Kerala Legislative Assembly was held in 1957.
• Kerala became India’s first fully literate state on April 18, 1991.

INTRODUCTION

This chapter “The Glimpses of Free India” tells us about the major events and achievements that shaped our country after independence. When India became free in 1947, it faced many challenges such as the painful partition and the task of bringing together hundreds of princely states. Great leaders like Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel worked hard to integrate these states and make India one united nation. Later, the government reorganised the states on the basis of language so that people could live and progress peacefully. The newly independent nation also focused on strengthening its economy through planning, industry, and agriculture. Land reforms were introduced to give land to the farmers and reduce inequality in villages. Education became an important tool for national development, helping to spread knowledge and create awareness among people. India also followed an independent foreign policy that supported peace, friendship, and cooperation with other countries. Among the states, Kerala became a model for the world with its achievements in land reforms, public health, and education.

Thus, this chapter gives us a clear picture of how India, after gaining freedom, worked hard to achieve unity, progress, and social justice for all its people.

India after partition

• When India became independent, people from nearby areas flocked to Delhi to celebrate.
• While gaining freedom, our country was also divided into two separate independent nations, India and Pakistan.
• India’s first Independence Day was not just a moment of happiness but also one filled with sorrow.
• Cyril Radcliffe, a renowned lawyer in London, was assigned with the task of drawing the detailed boundary map on the partition of India.

Integration of princely states

• As per the Indian Independence Act of 1947, the 565 princely states in India had the authority to join either independent India or Pakistan, or to remain as independent states.
• Integrating these princely states into the Indian Union was a challenging task for the country.
• The princely states were integrated into the Indian Union through conciliation talks and military action.
• The rulers of the princely states that acceded to the Indian Union were granted Privy Purses.

Linguistics reorganisation of states

• Before independence, the boundaries of administrative regions (provinces) of the country were not formed based on such criteria.
• During the freedom struggle itself, a strong argument emerged that the administrative regions should be determined on the basis of language, as language has a strong influence on communication and cultural formation.
• The Indian National Congress propagated its ideas by emphasizing the mother tongue to bring people closer to the national movement.
• The Nagpur Congress session of 1920 decided to organise congress committees on linguistic basis.

Strengthening the Indian Economy

• Nehru took the initiative to form the Planning Commission in India based on the economic planning model of the Soviet Union.
• Post-independent India followed a mixed economy, giving importance to the public sector.
• The main problems of independent India were food scarcity and poverty. To overcome this, the First Five-Year Plan emphasised agricultural development.
• To ensure economic development and solve unemployment, the Second Five-Year Plan emphasised industrial development.

Land reform

• Land reform was a significant step that initiated remarkable changes in the agricultural sector in independent India.
• Its aim was to set a limit on the amount of land an individual could own.
• The idea of land reform had already taken shape in India even before independence.
• The initiatives implemented in India from 1960 onwards to achieve self-sufficiency in food production brought about major changes in this sector, and therefore, they are called ‘revolutions’.
• The Green Revolution began with the aim of enhancing the agricultural sector and achieving self-sufficiency in food production.
• The Green Revolution took place in two phases: from 1960 to 1970 and from 1970 to 1980. Dr. M. S. Swaminathan is known as the father of green revolution.
• In 1969, the Government of India, under the leadership of Indira Gandhi took the ownership of fourteen major banks. This is known as Nationalisation of Banks’.

Education

• The foundation for modern education in India was laid during the British rule.
• After independence, the government appointed various commissions in several phases to study Indian education system and submit recommendations.
• Jawaharlal Nehru, recognised that scientific development is an indispensable component in shaping India’s future.
• Homi J. Bhabha and Vikram Sarabhai are prominent Indian scientists who have rendered commendable service in the field of space research.
• Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, former president of India was a missile technologist, scientist and researcher.
• He held high positions in Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

India’s Foreign policy

• Jawaharlal Nehru, the chief architect of India’s foreign policy, formulated a foreign policy that safeguarded our national interests.
• The Panchsheel Principles were formulated based on India’s foreign policy.
• The Panchsheel Principles signed by Jawaharlal Nehru, the then Prime Minister of India, and Zhou Enlai, the then Premier of China in 1954.
• After the Second World War, the United States and the Soviet Union emerged as two global powers. The Cold War that began between them threatened world peace.
• The Non-Aligned Movement was formed under India’s leadership.

The experiences of Kerala’s Development that captured world attention

• The state of Kerala officially came into existence on November 1, 1956.
• It was formed by integrating the geographically distinct political regions of Travancore, Kochi, and Malabar, along with the Kasaragod taluk of South Karnataka.
• The first electron to the Kerala Legislative Assembly was held in 1957.
• E. M. S. Namboodiripad formed the government as the first Chief Minister of Kerala.
• Under the Kerala Land Reforms (Amendment) Act, which came into effect on January 1, 1970, gave permanent rights to the tenants in agricultural land.
• Kerala became India’s first fully literate state on April 18, 1991.

INDIA AFTER PARTITION

• When India became independent, people from nearby areas flocked to Delhi to celebrate.
• While gaining freedom, our country was also divided into two separate independent nations,
  India and Pakistan.
• India’s first Independence Day was not just a moment of happiness but also one filled with sorrow.
• Cyril Radcliffe, a renowned lawyer in London, was assigned with the task of drawing the detailed boundary map on the partition of India.
• Although some of the British Indian provinces went to Pakistan, the majority of the territories remained with India. However, only the provinces of Bengal and Punjab were divided.

While West Bengal remained with India, East Bengal became East Pakistan. Similarly, East Punjab became a part of India and West Punjab went to Pakistan. Besides, Sylhet became part of East Pakistan following a referendum conducted in Assam. After the partition, an exodus of Hindus and Sikhs took place from West Punj ab (which was part of Pakistan) to India. At the same time, many Muslims from Indian Punjab moved to Pakistan. Although Bengal was also partitioned, the migration there did not take place on a massive scale as that of in Punjab.

Some of the major reasons behind this difference in migration are given below:

• The secular nationalism that developed through the movement against the Partition of Bengal in 1905.
• The linguistic unity of Bengal.
• The Brahmaputra River and its tributaries hindered the sudden migration to both the countries.

At the time of partition, the people of Punjab had to suffer similar hardships. The memories of losing the loved ones can still be felt in the people living in those areas today. These memories continue to influence still in moulding their attitudes and opinions.

SYLHET AND REFERENDUM
Sylhet was a part of Assam province during the British rule. The Mountbat fen plan of 1947 recommended a referendum in Sylhet along with the partition of Punjab and Bengal. As a result of this referendum, most of the areas of Sylhet decided to join East Pakistan. Only the Karimganj region of Sylhet stood with India as a part of Assam province.

Partition created many problems:

• Hundreds of thousands of refugees flowed from India Pakistan and from Pakistan to India.
• Widespread violence took place, and tens of thousands were killed.
• Communal riots broke out in places like Kolkata, Delhi, land Lahore.
• Many women were dishonoured. Numerous women and children became victims of abduction.

THE FATHER OF THE NATION BECOMES A MARTYR
Gandhiji who strove for the Hindu-Muslim unity was shot dead by Nathuram Vinayak Godse a communalist on January 30, 1948 at the courtyard of Birla House in New Delhi.

Steps to Constitution: The foundation for the making of modem India was laid through the drafting of the Constitution. The functioning of the Constituent Assembly officially began on December 13, 1946. The Objective Resolution, introduced by Jawaharlal Nehru, was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on January 22, 1947. Later, on November 26, 1949, the Constituent Assembly approved the new Constitution. On January 26, 1950, the Indian Constitution came into force, and India became a Sovereign Democratic Republic. Based on the first general elections in independent India, held in 1951 – 1952 as per the Constitution, a parliamentary democratic system was established in India.

Challenges Faced by Independent India:

• Rehabilitation of refugees
• Integration of princely states
• Incorporation of Portuguese and French territories
• Reorganisation of states on a linguistic basis
• Strengthening the Indian economy
• Formulating an independent foreign policy

REHABILITATION OF REFUGEES

• Following the Partition, more than six million people from Pakistan had become refugees in India.
• The government took steps to rehabilitate these refugees. By 1951, the refugee crisis from West Pakistan was completely resolved.
• Although the initial refugee influx from East Pakistan during the partition was relatively low, due to the conflict between East and West Pakistan, which in later years led to a continuous flow of refugees from East Pakistan into India.
• The formation of Bangladesh in 1971 provided at least a temporary resolution to this refugee crisis.

FORMATION OF BANGLADESH

When British rule in India came to an end on August 15, 1947, the area that now includes Bangladesh was known as East Pakistan. East Pakistan which faced discrimination from West Pakistan gained independence in 1971 and became the nation of Bangladesh.

INTEGRATION OF PRINCELY STATES

• As per the Indian Independence Act of 1947, the 565 princely states in India had the authority to join either independent India or Pakistan, or to remain as independent states.
• Integrating these princely states into the Indian Union was a challenging task for the country.
• The princely states were integrated into the Indian Union through conciliation talks and military action.
• The rulers of the princely states that acceded to the Indian Union were granted Privy Purses.

Integrating these princely states into the Indian Union was a challenging task for the country. This mission was successfully accomplished by a team led by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the then Home Minister, and V. P. Menon, the Secretary of the States Department. They invited all the princely states to sign the Instrument of Accession and join the Indian Union. However, the rulers of the princely states of Junagadh, Kashmir, Travancore, and Hyderabad refused to join the Indian Union.

PRIVY PURSE

As part of the integration into the Indian Union, the Government of India signed certain agreements with the rulers of the princely states. Following this, the rulers lost their power and income. To compensate this, a fixed amount of financial aid was provided by the government to the ruling families of these princely states. This is known as the Privy Purse. This made a huge financial burden to the government. In 1971, during the tenure of Indira Gandhi as the Prime Minister, the provision of the Privy Purse was abolished under the 26th Amendment of the Constitution.

LIBERATION OF FRENCH PORTUGUESE ENCLAVES

• Even after India became independent from the British in 1947, some territories in the country remained under the control of foreign powers like the Portuguese and the French.
• Against this, mass protests intensified in the respective regions.
• Honouring the request of the Government of India, France agreed to leave India in 1954.
• Following this, the French territories like Pondicherry, Mahe, Yanam, Karaikal, and Chandranagar came under the direct administration of the central government.

The Portuguese refused to cede the territories of Goa, Daman, and Diu, which were under their control in India. In 1954, Portuguese dominance in the Dadra and Nagar Haveli regions ended following a popular uprising. Subsequently, in 1961, the territories of Goa, Daman and Diu were liberated through military operation and merged with the Indian Union.

LINGUISTIC REORGANISATION OF STATES

• Before independence, the boundaries of administrative regions (provinces) of the country were not formed based on such criteria.
• During the freedom struggle itself, a strong argument emerged that the administrative regions should be determined on the basis of language, as language has a strong influence on communication and cultural formation.
• The Indian National Congress propagated its ideas by emphasizing the mother tongue to bring people closer to the national movement.
• The Nagpur Congress session of 1920 decided to organise congress committees on linguistic basis.

The major steps related to the reorganisation of states on linguistic basis after independence are listed below:

• In 1948, the Constituent Assembly appointed a Linguistic Provinces Commission under the chairmanship of S. K. Dhar to study the reorganisation of states.
• In 1948, the Indian National Congress appointed the J.V.P. Committee, comprising Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Pattabhi Sitaramayya, to examine and submit a report on the strong demand for linguistic states.
• The demand for a separate Andhra state for Telugu speaking people arose, and in 1952, Potti Sreeramulu undertook a hunger strike for this and died. As a result of the agitation that ensued, the state of Andhra came into existence on October 1, 1953.
• In 1953, the Central Government appointed the State Reorganisation Commission under the leadership of Justice Fazal Ali, including Sardar K.M. Panikkar and H. N. Kunzru.
• Based on the State Reorganisation Bill passed by Parliament in 1956,14 linguistic states and 6 Union Territories were formed on November 1, 1956.

STRENGTHENING THE INDIAN ECONOMY

• Nehru took the initiative to form the Planning Commission in India based on the economic planning model of the Soviet Union.
• Post independent India followed a mixed economy, giving importance to the public sector.

The main problems of independent India were food scarcity and poverty. To overcome this, the First Five-Year Plan emphasised agricultural development. Irrigation facilities and power generation were necessary for the development of agricultural and industrial sectors. For this purpose, efforts were made to construct dams in various parts of the country. Bhakra Nangal on the Sutlej River, the Damodar Valley Project, and Hirakud on the Mahanadi are the major river valley projects set up during this period.

MILESTONES OF INDIAN PLANNING

• National Planning Committee appointed in 1938.
• Bombay Plan prepared in 1944.
• M. N. Roy’s People’s Plan, which put forward visions for India’s future economy.
• J. C. Kumarappa’s Plan based on Gandhian ideas.
• National Planning Commission appointed on March 15, 1950, with Nehru as chairman.
• Five-Year Plans started from 1951 NITI Aayog which came into existence in 2015.

To ensure economic development and solve unemployment, the Second Five-Year Plan emphasised industrial development. India aimed to achieve national progress by strengthening the public sector through the Five-Year Plans. Iron and steel industries were established in the public sector with the financial and technical assistance of foreign countries.

The major ones are listed below:

Iron and Steel Industry	State Where located	Country that Provided Assistance
Rourkela Iron and Steel Industry	Odisha	German
Bhilai Iron and Steel Industry	Chhattisgarh	Soviet Union
Durgapur Iron and Steel Industry	West Bengal	United Kingdom
Bokaro Iron and Steel Industry	Jharkhand	Soviet Union

LAND REFORM

• Land reform was a significant step that initiated remarkable changes in the agricultural sector in independent India.
• Its aim was to set a limit on the amount of land an individual could own.
• The idea of land reform had already taken shape in India even before independence.

Based on the recommendation of a committee chaired by Nehru, an Agrarian Reforms Committee was appointed under the leadership of J. C. Kumarappa, with the aim of economic development. Based on the report of the committee, a law was implemented to set limits on the land that the land owners could own, and acquire surplus land from them and distribute it to landless farmers. To some extent, this helped in poverty alleviation and increasing food production.

Bhoodan Movement: The Bhoodan Movement was initiated under the leadership of Vinoba Bhave to implement land reform without making legislation. Vinoba Bhave and his followers undertook foot marches through villages. They persuaded large landowners to donate one sixth of their land as ‘Bhoodan’ (land gift), and the land thus obtained was distributed to the landless. With the advent of land reform laws, the relevance of the Bhoodan Movement diminished.

FOOD PRODUCTION – THROUGH REVOLUTIONS

• The initiatives implemented in India from 1960 onwards to achieve self-sufficiency in food production brought about major changes in this sector, and therefore, they are called ‘revolutions’.
• The collective efforts of national leaders and scientists helped India achieve food self-sufficiency.
• The Green Revolution began with the aim of enhancing the agricultural sector and achieving self-sufficiency in food production.

Green revolution: The changes achieved in the agricultural sector in a short period through the use of high-yielding varieties of seeds, irrigation facilities, chemical fertilisers, pesticides and modem machinery are known as the Green Revolution. The Green Revolution took place in two phases: from 1960 to 1970 and from 1970 to 1980. Dr. M. S. Swaminathan is known as the father of green revolution.

Other Revolutions:

• Following the Green Revolution, the White Revolution which aimed to increase the production of milk and dairy products.
• The Blue Revolution which aimed to improve the fish production sector, were successfully implemented in India. Through this, numerous employment opportunities were created in the country and the nation’s economic growth was ensured.

WHITE REVOLUTION

Under the leadership of Dr. Verghese Kurien, a Malayali, the White Revolution initiated revolutionary changes in milk production in India. In the city of Anand in Gujarat, a dairy producer group called the district cooperative Milk Producers Union Limited was started. Gradually, it became the famous dairy producer group called ‘AmuT (Anand Milk Union Limited)

NATIONALISATION OF BANKS

• In independent India, banks were owned by large industrialists and wealthy individuals.
• Since banks prioritised the rich, farmers and common people found it difficult to obtain loans and other banking services.
• Thus, in 1969, the Government of India, under the leadership of Indira Gandhi took the ownership of fourteen major banks. This is known as Nationalisation of Banks.

EDUCATION

• The foundation for modern education in India was laid during the British rule.
• After independence, the government appointed various commissions in several phases to study Indian education system and submit recommendations.

The major education commissions in independent India and their primary areas of focus are listed below:

Education Commission/ Education Policy	Year	Area of Focus
Dr. Radhakrishnan Commission	1948	University education
Dr. Lakshmanaswami Mudaliar Commission	1952	Secondary education
Dr. D. S. Kothari Commission	1964	National Pattern of Education
National Education Policy	1986	Primary Education, Vocational Education
National Education Policy	2020	Education from Pre-Primary to Higher Secondary, Higher Education

REVOLUTION OF KNOWLEDGE: THROUGH SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

• Jawaharlal Nehru, recognised that scientific development is an indispensable component in shaping India’s future.
• Nehru encouraged the development of science and technology in India. Along with this, he considered it is his mission to create a society based on scientific temperament.
• For this, he availed the services of scientific advisors like Homi J. Bhabha and Meghnad Saha.

During this period, the foundation was laid for numerous institutions in independent India that were capable of creating a knowledge revolution. The prominent ones among them are listed below:

• Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)
• National Institute of Virology (NIV)
• Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC)
• All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)
• Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
• Indian Institute of Management (IIM)

SPACE RESEARCH

• India is a country that is advancing in the field of space research. The fundamental vision behind Indian space research is that space technology can be utilised for national development.
• Homi J. Bhabha and Vikram Sarabhai are prominent Indian scientists who have rendered commendable service in the field of space research.

Various institutions that work towards space exploration are functioning in our country. Among them, a key institution is the Indian Space Research Organisation. (ISRO), established in 1969 with its headquarters in Bengaluru. Other important institutions controlled by the Indian Department of Space include the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) based in Hyderabad, and the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) in Thiruvananthapuram.

Here are some of the proud achievements in space exploration missions that have placed India at the forefront globally:

• The launching of Aryabhata, India’s first artificial satellite, on April 19, 1975.
• The lunar exploration missions such as Chandrayaan I, Chandrayaan II, and Chandrayaan III.
• The Mangalyaan mission in 2013.
• The Aditya L1 launch mission, aimed at solar research and space weather studies. Besides, India is currently working towards successfully completing the Gaganyaan mission, which aims to send humans into space.

National Space Day: National Space Day is celebrated annually in India on August 23 in
commemoration of Chandrayaan Ill’s successful completion of its mission on the lunar surface.

‘MISSILE MAN OF INDIA’

Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, former president of India was a missile technologist, scientist and researcher. He held high positions in Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). He is known as the ‘Missile Man of India’ in recognition of his contributions to missile technology.

INDIA’S FOREIGN POLICY
Jawaharlal Nehru, the chief architect of India’s foreign policy, formulated a foreign policy that safeguarded our national interests.
Let us familiarise ourselves with the fundamental principles of India’s foreign policy:

• Peaceful Coexistence
• Stand against Colonialism and Apartheid
• Protect National Security and Sovereignty
• Non-Aligned Policy
• Panchsheel Principles

Panchsheel Principles

• The Panchsheel Principles were formulated based on India’s foreign policy.
• The Panchsheel Principles signed by Jawaharlai Nehru, the then Prime Minister of India, and Zhou Enlai, the then Premier of China in 1954, include the following:
  • Mutual respect for each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty
  • Mutual non-aggression
  • Mutual non-interference in each other’s internal affairs
  • Observe equality and mutual assistance
  • Maintain peaceful coexistence

Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)
After the Second World War, the United States and the Soviet Union emerged as two global powers. The Cold War that began between them threatened world peace. The Non-Aligned Movement was formed under India’s leadership. It was based on a foreign policy that aimed for independent stand without joining either power bloc. Thereby, India could protect national interests. While striving to maintain healthy relations with all countries worldwide, India pays special attention to upholding its dignity and interests among nations.

• Independent India has succeeded in overcoming the repercussions and challenges of colonial rule to grow into one of the major global powers.

THE EXPERIENCES OF KERALA’S DEVELOPMENT THAT CAPTURED WORLD ATTENTION

• The state of Kerala officially came into existence on November 1, 1956.
• It was formed by integrating the geographically distinct political regions of Travancore, Kochi, and Malabar, along with the Kasaragod taluk of South Karnataka.
• The first election to the Kerala Legislative Assembly was held in 1957.
• E. M. S. Namboodiripad formed the government as the first Chief Minister of Kerala.

LAND REFORMS IN KERALA

• To address such socio-economic problems, the Kerala government, formed in 1957, introduced the Agrarian Relations Bill.
• Later, under the Kerala Land Reforms (Amendment) Act, which came into effect on January 1, 1970, gave permanent rights to the tenants in agricultural land.

Key Outcomes of Land Reform Laws in Kerala

• A limit was set on the land that could be owned.
• The landlordism (Janmi system) was abolished.
• Tenants received permanent ownership rights over agricultural land.
• Exploitation and inequality prevalent in the agricultural sector-were eliminated to a certain extent.

Land Ceiling: As per Section 82 of the Kerala Land Reforms Act, the maximum land permissible for an individual to hold is 7.5 acres, and for a family, it is 15 acres. However, if there are more than five members in a family, then up to 20 acres can be held.

SPREAD AND EXCHANGE OF KNOWLEDGE IN KERALA
There was a period when children from all sections of society were denied the opportunity to sit together and acquire education. However, in later years, education became popular and universal in Kerala. Land reforms, social reform movements, the intervention of missionaries, and the growth of the national movement were the main factors that paved the way for this.

There are also other factors that influenced the spread of universal and free school education that exists today. These includes:

• Spread of printing
• Library movement
• Literacy movement
• Informal education activities
• Decentralisation of power

LIBRARY MOVEMENT

The Kerala Library Movement is the largest organised cultural movement in Kerala. The Public Library, Thiruvananthapuram established by Swathi Thirunal, in 1829, was the first library in Travancore. The collective formed under the leadership of P. N. Panicker at the conference of libraries in Travancore in 1945 marked the beginning of the Library Movement.

EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS OF KERALA
Education in Kerala gained strength when agricultural land became accessible to farmers, through land reforms. Kerala managed to make primary education free and universal through steps like land reforms and the Kerala Education Act of 1958. As a result of popular literacy campaigns, Kerala became India’s first fully literate state on April 18, 1991. With the enactment of the Kerala Panchayati Raj Act on April 23, 1994, local self-government institutions gained more powers in the education sector. This led to the formulation of various educational projects with public participation.

Kerala and Higher Education

• The progress achieved in the primary education sector gradually extended to the higher education sector in Kerala.
• The general objective of higher education is to nurture a young generation capable of leading towards a comprehensive change in all spheres of society.
• Higher education institutions in Kerala operate with the additional goal of fostering research and innovative discoveries, along with achieving proficiency in the fields of science, technology, and humanities.
• At the time of the formation of the state of Kerala, there was only one university in Kerala (the University of Kerala). However, today, various universities function in Kerala prioritising science, technology, agriculture, and health sectors. In addition, Polytechnics, Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), and similar institutions also function in Kerala as part of job skill development.
• Thus, the importance given to universal education since the formation of the state of Kerala and the achievements made in that sector are the main factors that have made Kerala a model state in the field of education.

HEALTH SECTOR

• Kerala has a public healthcare system comparable to that of developed countries.
• Kerala has been able to elevate its health sector to global standards and ensure excellent healthcare even with limited resources and at a low cost.
• Some of the achievements of Kerala in the health sector are listed below:
  • Low infant mortality rate
  • Low maternal mortality rate
  • High life expectancy
  • Rapidly declining population growth rate

Through the achievements in education and health sectors, Kerala has been able to rise to a global standard in the Human Development Index, despite having a low per capita income. Kerala became a model for other states in poverty alleviation through the Universal Public Distribution System implemented in 1965. In addition to this, Kerala has achieved significant progress in women’s empowerment, through Kudumbashree; in local governance, through decentralised planning; and in literacy, through the activities of Kerala State Literacy Mission Authority (KSLMA). Kerala’s agricultural, educational, and health sectors have developed with an emphasis on democratic values and social justice. Therefore, our state has been able to overcome with new challenges and compete with the standards of developed countries.