Maharashtra Board Class 9 History Chapter 2 India Events after 1960 PDF Download

India: Events After 1960

India became independent in 1947 CE. India accepted the constitutional framework in 1950 and became a sovereign democratic nation. The Indian society is multicultural and people of various languages, religions, ethnicities and castes live together.

During the initial period after independence, India needed to solve different issues of economic, political and social development. The establishment of the Planning Commission and emphasis on industrialisation was a means to achieve economic development and to eliminate poverty in India. Successful conduct of elections and faith in democratic traditions made it possible for us to achieve political stability. At the same time, several social reforms including policies and programmes for the weaker sections of the society were sought to be implemented.

The 1960s (Nineteen-Sixties)

In the decade of the 1960s, several events occurred which had a huge impact on the political situation in India. The regions of Goa, Diu and Daman were freed from Portuguese rule and became parts of the Indian federation. The tensions between India and China on the northern border which had been rising since 1950, culminated in the war of 1962 between two countries. This war was fought in the region of the MacMahon line.

After India became independent, Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru led the country. He was the architect of India's foreign policy. His contribution to the social and economic development of India is significant. Jawaharlal Nehru passed away in 1964.

Lal Bahadur Shastri succeeded him and became the next Prime Minister of India. During his tenure, India and Pakistan went to war over the Kashmir issue in 1965. The Soviet Union tried to mediate between the two countries. Lal Bahadur Shastri gave the slogan 'Jai Jawan Jai Kisan' with which he highlighted the importance of Indian soldiers and Indian farmers. Lal Bahadur Shastri breathed his last at Tashkent in 1966.

Indira Gandhi became the Prime Minister of India in 1966. During her tenure, Pakistan's oppressive policies in East Pakistan resulted in a big movement there. This movement was led by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his organisation, 'Mukti Bahini.' This crisis in East Pakistan affected India as well, because millions of refugees came to India.

Teacher's Note

In the 1960s, India's leaders like Nehru and Shastri worked hard to build our nation. Just like a teacher guides students, these leaders guided India through difficult times and wars.

Exam Trick

Remember: Pandit Nehru = First PM and died in 1964. Lal Bahadur Shastri = Second PM and gave "Jai Jawan Jai Kisan" slogan. Indira Gandhi = Third PM and dealt with East Pakistan crisis. Write these three names and years in your notebook for exams.

Points to Remember

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was the first Prime Minister of India.

Lal Bahadur Shastri gave the slogan "Jai Jawan Jai Kisan" during the 1965 war with Pakistan.

Indira Gandhi became Prime Minister in 1966 and faced the East Pakistan crisis.

Millions of refugees came to India from East Pakistan due to oppressive policies.

The 1970s (Nineteen-Seventies)

The 1971 war between India and Pakistan led to the creation of an independent country called Bangladesh. As a part of India's policy to use atomic energy for peaceful purposes, India successfully carried out an underground test of an atomic device at Pokharan in Rajasthan in 1974. In 1975, the people of Sikkim voted for joining the Indian republic and Sikkim became a full-fledged State in the Indian federation.

During this decade, the political situation in India grew unstable. The Allahabad High Court gave the verdict in 1974 that Indira Gandhi, the then Prime Minister had misused the government machinery during her election campaign. It led to nationwide strikes and protest. During this period, the situation became more complicated due to the movement led by Jayprakash Narayan. The situation of law and order in the country worsened and the government declared a state of National Emergency on the basis of the constitutional provisions relating to Emergency. During this turbulent period, the fundamental rights of Indian citizens were suspended. Due to the emergency, the Indian administration became disciplined, but the human rights were restricted. The period of national emergency lasted from 1975 to 1977 and after that general elections were conducted.

On the backdrop of the emergency, many opposition parties came together and formed a party called the Janata Party. The Congress party led by Indira Gandhi was roundly defeated by this newly formed 'Janata Party'. Morarji Desai became the Prime Minister, but under his leadership the Janata Party government couldn't last long due to internal differences. Charan Singh succeeded him, but even his government was a short-lived one. Elections were conducted once again in 1980 and the Congress party under the leadership of Indira Gandhi came to power again.

Teacher's Note

The 1970s was a difficult time in India. The Emergency in 1975-1977 was like a strict principal who took away student freedoms. But Indians voted against it and brought democracy back in 1977.

Exam Trick

Remember: 1974 = Allahabad Court case against Indira Gandhi. 1975-1977 = Emergency period (rights suspended). 1980 = Indira Gandhi comes back to power. Write this timeline in your answer for exams.

Points to Remember

The 1971 India-Pakistan war led to the creation of Bangladesh.

India conducted an atomic test at Pokharan in 1974 for peaceful purposes.

National Emergency was declared from 1975 to 1977, which suspended citizens' rights.

The Janata Party defeated Indira Gandhi's Congress party in 1977 elections.

Morarji Desai and Charan Singh became Prime Ministers but had short tenures.

The 1980s (Nineteen-Eighties)

During this decade the Indian political system faced many new challenges. The Sikhs in Punjab demanded an independent state of Khalistan and began a movement which went on to become violent and destructive. Pakistan had lent its support to this movement. The Indian army was sent into the Golden Temple at Amritsar, a holy shrine of the Sikhs in 1984, to evict the terrorists who had allegedly taken shelter there. One of the Sikh bodyguards in Indira Gandhi's personal security assassinated her. During this period, an organisation called United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) carried on a major movement in North-east India.

Right after Indira Gandhi's assassination in 1984, Rajiv Gandhi became the Prime Minister of India. He tried to make several reforms in the field of Indian economy and that of science and technology. He took the lead in solving the issues of the Tamil minority in Sri Lanka. He promoted the idea of a united Sri Lanka with internal autonomy to the Tamil community, but his efforts in this regard proved to be in vain.

He faced a lot of criticism in the context of corruption that took place during a defence equipment deal, especially the purchase of long-range canons from a foreign company called Bofors. Political corruption became a crucial issue in the general elections that followed and the Congress party was defeated. Several political parties formed a coalition called the Janata Dal and Vishwanath Pratap Singh became the next Prime Minister of India. The policy for providing reservations for other backward classes (OBC) is considered to be his most important contribution. He could not continue as Prime Minister due to internal differences in the party. In 1990, Chandra Shekhar became the Prime Minister of India. His government was also short-lived. In 1991, during the election campaign, the terrorist organisation in Sri Lanka, Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelum (LTTE), assassinated Rajiv Gandhi.

Towards the end of the decade of 1980s, the unrest in Jammu and Kashmir had begun. The terrorist activities there forced the Kashmiri Pandits to leave the valley. This problem grew serious day by day and today it has taken the form of terrorism.

Teacher's Note

The 1980s saw many challenges in India. Problems in Punjab, Kashmir, and corruption cases showed that India needed to solve many issues. But India's democracy remained strong and free elections continued.

Exam Trick

Remember: 1984 = Indira Gandhi assassinated. Rajiv Gandhi becomes PM = reforms but Bofors corruption scandal. 1989 = Congress loses, Janata Dal wins. Vishwanath Pratap Singh = OBC reservations (Mandal Commission). Write these important events for exam answers.

Points to Remember

Indira Gandhi was assassinated in 1984 by one of her Sikh bodyguards.

Rajiv Gandhi became Prime Minister and tried to make economic reforms.

Rajiv Gandhi faced criticism for the Bofors gun deal corruption scandal.

Vishwanath Pratap Singh introduced reservations for Other Backward Classes (OBC).

The period saw unrest in Punjab, Kashmir, and North-east India.

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