RBSE Solutions Class 8 Social Science Chapter 23 India after Independence

Rajasthan Board Class 8 Social Science Textbook Questions Solved

Question 1.
(i) Which one of the following is not a neighbouring country of India?
(a) Pakistan
(b) England
(c) China
(d) Nepal
(ii) Who was the first President of India?
(a) Dr. Radha Krishnan
(b) Bhim Rao Ambedkar
(c) Dr. Rajendra Prasad
(d) Vallabh Bhai Patel
Answer: (i) (b) England
Answer: (ii) (c) Dr. Rajendra Prasad
In simple words: For the first question, England is not a country next to India. For the second question, Dr. Rajendra Prasad was India's very first President.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always read the question carefully, especially when it asks for what is "not" true, and double-check facts like names and positions.

Question 2. Which commission was formed to determine the inter-state border lines?
Answer: The State Reorganisation Commission was formed to determine the border lines between different states in India. This commission played a crucial role in shaping the current map of India.
In simple words: The State Reorganisation Commission was set up to decide where the borders between India's states should be.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember the full name of the commission as it's a key term in understanding India's post-independence administrative changes.

Question 3. Who is the Chairman of NITI Aayog?
Answer: The Chairman of NITI Aayog is Shri Arvind Pangariya. NITI Aayog is an important policy think tank for the Government of India, advising on economic policies and strategies.
In simple words: Shri Arvind Pangariya is the head of NITI Aayog.

🎯 Exam Tip: Be sure to keep up-to-date with current affairs for questions about chairpersons or heads of important government bodies, as these can change.

Question 4. Which princely states were included in Sanyukta Rajasthan?
Answer: The princely states that came together to form Sanyukta Rajasthan were Banswara, Kota, Bundi, Tonk, Jhalawar, Pratapgarh, Shahpura, Kishangarh, and Dungarpur. Kota was chosen as the capital of this new union. This step was part of the larger process of integrating diverse regions into the Indian Union.
In simple words: Banswara, Kota, Bundi, Tonk, Jhalawar, Pratapgarh, Shahpura, Kishangarh, and Dungarpur were the states in Sanyukta Rajasthan, with Kota as its capital.

🎯 Exam Tip: When listing multiple items, ensure all are included and spelled correctly to get full marks.

Question 6. Write a short note on relations of India with her neighbouring countries.
Answer: India shares complex relationships with its neighboring countries. After the partition, the boundary between India and Pakistan was set by the Radcliffe Line, leading to ongoing tensions and conflicts, including wars in 1965, 1971, and 1994. Relations with China have also been strained due to border disputes, with China occupying a part of Indian territory. However, India maintains friendly ties and open borders with other neighbors like Nepal, Myanmar, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and Maldives, fostering regional cooperation. These varied relationships are crucial for India's foreign policy and regional stability.
In simple words: India has difficult relations with Pakistan and China because of old arguments about borders and land. But, India has good, friendly relationships with countries like Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Maldives.

🎯 Exam Tip: When describing relations, categorize them (e.g., friendly, strained) and provide specific examples for each to show depth of knowledge.

Question 7. What is the contribution of Sardar Patel in the unification of India?
Answer: Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel made a huge contribution to the unification of India by skillfully integrating the many princely states into the Indian Union after independence. As the head of the States Department in the interim government, he convinced rulers of states like Baroda and Bikaner to merge early. He urged them to consider geography, economy, and the people's wishes. Through strong diplomacy and, when necessary, military action (as in Hyderabad and Junagarh), he ensured that almost all states, except Junagarh, Hyderabad, and Kashmir initially, agreed to join India before August 15, 1947. His decisive actions and leadership earned him the title "Iron Man of India" and prevented the fragmentation of the newly independent nation.
In simple words: Sardar Patel played a very important role in bringing all the princely states together to form India. He convinced the rulers to join India, using his leadership and sometimes force, ensuring the country stayed united.

🎯 Exam Tip: Highlight key contributions and use specific examples (like names of states or actions) when describing historical figures' roles to demonstrate a strong understanding.

Question 8. Describe the main challenges in front of India after independent.
Answer: After gaining independence, India faced several major challenges. These included:
(i) **Rehabilitation:** About 70 to 80 lakh refugees had to be resettled after moving from Pakistan to India.
(ii) **Integration of Princely States:** The country needed to merge 562 princely states into the Indian Union, a massive task that required delicate negotiation and firm action.
(iii) **Border Determination:** Establishing clear border lines with neighboring countries and building good relationships with them was crucial for peace.
(iv) **Economic Strengthening:** India had to build a strong economy to support its large population and development goals.
(v) **National Unity:** Promoting unity and reducing differences based on language, community, race, and region was vital for a cohesive nation. Addressing these challenges laid the foundation for modern India.
In simple words: After freedom, India had to help many refugees, unite hundreds of small kingdoms, decide its borders, make its economy strong, and bring all the different people together.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked to describe challenges, it's effective to list them with clear, concise explanations for each point, ensuring completeness.

Question 9. Describe the incident occur at the time of re-organizatin of state after Independent in Indian.
Answer: After India gained independence, the country needed to reorganize its states due to their varying sizes and the large number of princely states that had merged. To address this, the States Reorganisation Commission was formed. This commission recommended that states should be reorganized mainly based on language. For example, Madras state was divided into Mysore, Andhra Pradesh, and Madras (later renamed Tamil Nadu), with Mysore becoming Karnataka. The Bombay state was split into Gujarat and Maharashtra. Rajasthan, which had already started its integration, was confirmed as a distinct state. Later, Punjab and Haryana were formed in 1966. More recently, in 2000, Uttarakhand was separated from Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh from Madhya Pradesh, and Jharkhand from Bihar. Andhra Pradesh was also divided, forming Telangana. This process continues with ongoing demands for new states like Bundelkhand and Vidarbha, showing that state reorganization is a continuous historical process.
In simple words: After independence, India reorganized its states, mostly based on language, to make them more manageable. This led to many states being created or divided, like Madras splitting into new states, and Bombay splitting into Gujarat and Maharashtra.

🎯 Exam Tip: When discussing state reorganization, mention key commissions and provide specific examples of states that were formed or divided, along with the main principle (language).

Question 10. Describe the various steps of Rajasthan's unification.
Answer: The unification of Rajasthan involved several steps, transforming Rajputana into the modern state of Rajasthan.
**First step:** The Matsya Sangh was formed on March 17, 1948, by merging Alwar, Bharatpur, Dhaulpur, and Karauli. Shobharam became its Prime Minister, and Alwar was its capital.
**Second Step:** Sanyukta Rajasthan was formed on March 25, 1948, by merging Banswara, Kota, Bundi, Tonk, Jhalawar, Pratapgarh, Shahpura, Kishangarh, Dungarpur, Kusalgarh, and Lava. Kota was its capital.
**Third Step:** Three weeks later, Mewar (Udaipur) merged with Sanyukta Rajasthan, making Udaipur its capital. Manikya Lal Verma became the Prime Minister.
**Fourth Step:** Vrihat Rajasthan was formed on March 30, 1949, by adding Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, and Bikaner to the existing Sanyukta Rajasthan. Jaipur became the capital, and Hira Lal Shastri was the Chief Minister.
**Fifth Step:** On May 15, 1949, Matsya Sangh was merged into Vrihat Rajasthan, which continued to have Jaipur as its capital.
**Sixth Step:** By India's first Republic Day, most of Sirohi, excluding Dilwara and Abu, became part of Rajasthan. Finally, in 1956, the State Reorganisation Commission ordered the merger of Ajmer-Merwara, along with Sunel and Tappa from Madhya Pradesh, into Rajasthan. On November 1, 1956, modern Rajasthan was fully unified, though Rajasthan Diwas is celebrated on March 30 based on the formation of Vrihat Rajasthan. This phased integration showed careful planning and negotiation.
In simple words: Rajasthan was formed in many steps. First, small areas joined together, then more kingdoms like Mewar joined. Later, bigger states like Jodhpur and Jaipur merged, and finally, all the remaining parts came together to make the Rajasthan we know today.

🎯 Exam Tip: For historical processes with multiple steps, present them in chronological order and include key dates, names of unions, and their capitals to show a clear understanding.

Question 11. What were the problems of integration of Princely States of India?
Answer: The integration of princely states in India presented significant challenges after independence. When the British left, they ended all treaties with these states, allowing them to either join India, Pakistan, or remain independent. This created a difficult situation because many rulers wanted to stay independent or even merge with Pakistan, despite their states being located in the heart of India. This presented a serious threat to India's unity and integrity. To solve this, the interim government created a department under Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. He worked to persuade the rulers to join India, encouraging them to consider the geographical location, economic benefits, and the wishes of their people. His efforts were crucial in preventing the fragmentation of India into numerous small kingdoms. This was a complex political challenge that required strong leadership and negotiation.
In simple words: The main problem was that when the British left, many small kingdoms wanted to stay independent or join Pakistan, which threatened India's unity. Sardar Patel then worked hard to convince them to join India.

🎯 Exam Tip: When discussing historical problems, identify the root causes (e.g., British policy) and the key individuals or bodies responsible for solving them, along with their methods.

RBSE Solutions for Class 8 Additional Questions Solved

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1. The first president of Niti Aayog Arvind Pangaria belong to ....... district of Rajasthan.
(a) Jaipur
(b) Bhilwara
(c) Ajmer
(d) Jodhpur
Answer: (b) Bhilwara
In simple words: Arvind Pangaria, the first head of NITI Aayog, is from the Bhilwara district in Rajasthan.

🎯 Exam Tip: Knowing the origins of prominent figures can sometimes be asked in general knowledge sections; always cross-check such facts.

Question 2. ........ is called the Iron Man of India.
(a) Jawaliarlal Nehru
(b) Mahatma Gandhi
(c) Lai Bahadur Shastri
(d) Sardar Patel
Answer: (d) Sardar Patel
In simple words: Sardar Patel is known as the Iron Man of India because of his strong will and efforts to unite the country.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify key titles and epithets associated with famous personalities, as they often appear in multiple-choice questions.

Question 3. The constituent assembly was organised in
(a) 1946
(b) 1948
Answer: (a) 1946
In simple words: The constituent assembly, which made India's constitution, was set up in the year 1946.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember important dates related to the formation of the Indian Constitution, as these are fundamental facts.

Question 4. [Question text missing in source]
(a) Jharkhand
(b) Chhattisgarh
(c) Uttrakhand
(d) Telangana
Answer: (d) Telangana
In simple words: Based on the answer key, Telangana is the correct option for this question, even though the question text itself is not provided in the source.

🎯 Exam Tip: In situations where a question is incomplete, focus on understanding the context from other questions or provided options to infer possible themes, although here the exact question is absent.

Question 5. Discuss the facts about constituent assembly.
Answer: Here are some key facts about the Constituent Assembly, which was responsible for drafting the Indian Constitution:
(i) Its first meeting was held on December 9, 1946, in the Central Hall of Lok Sabha.
(ii) Initially, it had 389 members.
(iii) After Pakistan was created on June 3, 1947, the number of members in the Constituent Assembly was reduced to 299.
(iv) Seventeen committees were formed to prepare the Constitution, with Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar serving as the Chairman of the Drafting Committee.
(v) The Constitution was notified, dedicated, and adopted by the Assembly on November 26, 1949.
(vi) Finally, the Constitution was put into effect across the country on January 26, 1950. These steps highlight the detailed and extensive process involved in creating India's foundational legal document.
In simple words: The Constituent Assembly met first in 1946, had many members, and created India's Constitution using several committees. It finished its work in 1949, and the Constitution started working in 1950.

🎯 Exam Tip: When listing facts, use clear bullet points or numbered lists, and include specific dates and key figures like Dr. Ambedkar.