Welcome dear students! Today we are going to learn about India After Independence from Class 10 Social_Science. In this chapter, we will explore the consequences of the partition of India, the problem of refugees, the formation of government, the integration of the princely states, and the reorganization of states.
The declaration of the British government on the 3rd of June 1947, based on the report of Lord Mountbatten, formed the basis for creating two independent countries called India and Pakistan. August 15 1947 was a day of joy and sorrow for Indians. Although Indians were not in favour of separate countries for Hindus and Muslims, it became inevitable due to the Divide and Rule policy of the British. Many problems cropped up along with independence. Questions like rehabilitation of refugees, communal riots, formation of government, integration of various provinces, production of food, development of agriculture, and growth of industries had to be dealt with. [CHECKPOINT]
The problem of refugees was one of the worst problems resulting from the partition. Due to the division, people had to migrate from Pakistan to India, leaving their homes, familiar environment, and property to go to a new place. The burden of providing shelter, employment, land, education, health care, and a conducive social environment to these refugees fell on the government. Many efforts went into this process of rehabilitation. Next, we look at Communal Riots. The seeds of hatred between Hindus and Muslims sown by the British grew to an explosive level by the division of the country. The links of religious harmony among various religions were very loose and weak. Hatred grew among those who lived together, leading to untold suffering. Bringing these religious conflicts under control by the time of division was a herculean job for the government. Mahatma Gandhiji strived hard to control the communal conflicts which were leading to the destruction of national unity. He took to a fast in Calcutta, reading the Bhagavad Gita, praying that the people be liberated of their intense passions. I want you to pause and discuss with your teachers the problems India had been facing in maintaining peace in the country. [CHECKPOINT]
Now let us move on to the Formation of a New Government. A temporary government was formed on August 15 1947, when India got its independence. Lord Mountbatten continued as the Governor General. Jawaharlal Nehru took over as the first Prime Minister. The Chairmanship of the Constitution Drafting Committee was assumed by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. The Indian constitution came into effect on January 26 1950. After the constitution was adopted, Babu Rajendra Prasad became the first President. The constitution declared India as a sovereign, democratic, republic. Later, the 42nd amendment was brought in, and the phrases Secular and Socialist were added. On this basis, the Indian government followed an independent Non-Alignment foreign policy. India brought in parliamentary democracy into force. [CHECKPOINT]
Here is an important definition for your exams. Parliamentary democracy means that the constituent assembly studied many constitutions and came to the conclusion that a parliament consisting of elected representatives was the best form of government. Hence, they rejected the presidential model and recommended a parliamentary democracy. Let us now study the Integration of Native Provinces. When the British left India, there were 562 provinces. While dividing the country, the British gave three options to the provinces. Firstly, they could join the Union of India. Secondly, they could join Pakistan. Thirdly, without getting integrated with either nation, they could remain independent. In this backdrop, the Government of India invited all provinces to join the Union of India under the 1947 Integration Act. Those who joined were given a privy purse based on that province’s income, along with some special facilities and status. Later in 1969, the Government abolished the payment of the privy purse and other facilities. [CHECKPOINT]
During integration, Junagadh, Hyderabad, and Jammu and Kashmir displayed stiff opposition. Resolving these problems and achieving successful integration was done by the Iron Man of India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. In Junagadh, the king wanted to merge with Pakistan. People came onto the streets against him, and unable to face them, he fled. Based on a request from the province’s diwan, the Indian army was sent to establish peace, and Junagadh merged with India in 1949. Next is Hyderabad. It was under the Nizam’s rule, and he refused to join the Union of India, intending to remain independent. At this time, an armed struggle of Telangana farmers under Communist leadership was underway. There was severe hatred against the Razakar, the cruel army of the Nizam. The Indian government sent an army, defeated the Nizam, and paved the way for Hyderabad’s merger with India in 1948. [CHECKPOINT]
Now, let us look at Jammu and Kashmir. King Harisingh wanted to remain independent. Fearing a merger with India, Pakistan incited the tribals of the Kashmir valley. The National Conference of Sheikh Abdullah, which fought for Kashmir’s freedom, decided that merging with India’s democratic republican constitution was better than merging with Pakistan’s religious constitution. Pressurized by these circumstances, King Harisingh requested help from the Indian government. After the Pakistani attempt failed, Jammu and Kashmir merged with India under certain conditions. One part remained with Pakistan. The Indian government complained to the United Nations Organisation. On January 1 1949, the UNO ordered a ceasefire. The North-West region of Kashmir occupied by Pakistan is called Pak-occupied Kashmir even now. This integration is unique compared to other provinces. [CHECKPOINT]
Moving forward, we study Pondicherry, also known as Puducherry. The French colonies held Pondicherry, Karaikal, Mahe, and Chandranagar post-independence. Due to struggles by the Congress, Communists, and other organizations urging integration with India, these provinces joined India in 1954. Pondicherry was declared a Union territory in 1962 and renamed Puducherry in 2006. Next is Goa. An endless struggle demanded the inclusion of Goa, which was under Portuguese imperialist rule. Though ordered to give it up, the Portuguese brought additional troops from Africa and Europe to suppress the movement. In 1955, satyagrahis from across India gathered at Goa and began a liberation movement. In 1961, the Indian army intervened and took control. Goa remained a Union Territory until 1987, when it became a state. [CHECKPOINT]
Now we come to the Linguistic formation of states. The most important democratic movement post-independence was the demand for linguistic states to ensure good administration, as British and princely rule used administrative languages different from the common people’s. The desire became intense after Potty Sriramulu, under the Andhra Mahasabha, went on a fast-unto-death satyagraha for 58 days and died in 1952 demanding Vishalandhra state. In 1953, the government formed the Justice Fazal Ali Commission, with Fazal Ali as Chairman and K.M. Panickker and H.N. Kunjru as members. Andhra Pradesh became the first linguistic state in 1953. Following the Commission’s report, the State Reorganisation Act came into force in 1956, forming 14 States and 6 Union Territories. [CHECKPOINT]
Kannada-speaking areas were scattered across different provinces. A movement under the All Karnataka State Formation Parishat demanded their unification. Finally, on November 1 1956, the Mysore State was inaugurated and renamed Karnataka in 1973. Today, India has 28 states and 8 union territories. Delhi is a union territory as well as a national capital territory. As an activity, please make a list of the states that came into existence after 1970. Let us now review the Exercises. For the fill in the blanks section: The first Home Minister of India was Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The first President of India was Babu Rajendra Prasad. Pondicherry joined India as a Union Territory in 1962. The linguistic organization of India took place in 1956. [CHECKPOINT]
For the group discussion questions: What were the problems faced by India after Independence? They included refugee rehabilitation, communal riots, government formation, provincial integration, food production, agricultural development, and industrial growth. How did the country deal with the problem of refugees? The government provided shelter, employment, land, education, health care, and a conducive social environment, dedicating many efforts to rehabilitation. Describe how Pondicherry was liberated. Through struggles by the Congress, Communists, and others, the French provinces joined India in 1954, became a Union territory in 1962, and were renamed Puducherry in 2006. [CHECKPOINT]
How was Goa liberated from the Portuguese? In 1955, satyagrahis began a liberation movement. When the Portuguese brought troops to suppress it, the Indian army intervened in 1961 and took control. Goa became a state in 1987. Why was the state reorganisation commission formed in 1953? It was formed to address the intense demand for linguistic states after Potty Sriramulu’s death and to ensure effective administration by marking boundaries based on local languages. Finally, for the activities and projects: Draw a map of India and mark all the states. For the first project, make a list of the capitals and administrative languages of the states in India. For the second project, with your teacher’s help, learn about the cultural significance of our neighbouring states. Thank you for listening! Keep revising and practicing. Goodbye! [CHAPTER_COMPLETE]