Qulaification, Election, Removal process and Powers of the INDIAN PRESIDENT

Article 52 of the Constitution penned that there shall be a President of India. Article 53(1) further says that the executive power of the Union shall be vested in the President and shall be exercised by him either directly or through officers` sub-ordinate to him in accordance with this constitution. But the constitution Forty-second Amendment Act, 1976 clearly and unequivocally lays down by modifying the provisions of Article 74(1) of the original constitution that there shall be a Council of Ministers with the Prime Minister at the head to aid and advise the President who shall, in the exercise of his functions, act in accordance with such advice.

Qualification of Indian President
The Constitution of India prescribes the following qualifications for the office of the President.

It says that he must be a citizen of India and must be at least 35 years of age. Secondly, he must be qualified for election as a member to the House of the People; thirdly, he must not hold any office of profit under the Government of India or Government of any state or under any local or other authority subject to the control of any of the said Governments. The Vice-President, State Governors, Ministers and Legislators may seek election as President provided they have resigned from their former offices.

Election of Indian President
The Indian President is elected by an electoral college. The Electoral College consists of the elected members of the two Houses of Parliament and Legislative Assemblies of the States. The system of election that is followed in the election of Vice President is that of proportional representation through the means of a single transferable vote.

Tenure of Office of Indian President
The President is elected for a period of five years from the date on which he assumes office but he is eligible for re-election. The President`s office terminates on the completion of five years.

Powers and Duties of Indian President
Powers of Indian President encompass a wide array of activities. The Indian President is at the head of the Union Government, and thus he exercises extensive powers in the administration of the country. The powers of the President in various areas of governance are discussed below.

Executive Powers of Indian President
The executive power of the Union is vested in the President and is exercised by him through officers subordinate to him in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of India. There is a Council of Ministers headed by the Indian Prime Minister, to aid and advice the President. The President appoints the Prime Minister, and other Ministers are appointed by him on the advice of the Prime Minister. As India has a parliamentary system of Government, it is the leader of the majority party who is appointed as the Prime Minister. The ministers hold office during the pleasure of the President. He makes rules for the convenient transaction of business of the Government of India and allocates business among Ministers.

The President appoints Governors, ambassadors and other diplomatic representatives; the Chief Justice and other Judges of the Supreme Court, the Chairman and other members of the Union Public Service Commission, the Attorney-General and Auditor-General of India, the Chief Justice, and Judges of the State High Courts etc. Besides, the President also appoints various Commissions such as the Finance Commission, the Election Commission etc. All the officers of the Union are the officers of the President and as such his subordinates. He has the right to be informed of all affairs of the Union.

The President has the power to remove his Ministers, the Attorney-General of India and the Governors of the States. In dismissing Ministers he has to follow the principles of parliamentary system of government. In the matter of dismissing other officers he has to act on the advice of the Minister or act according to rules laid down by the Indian Parliament. All executive actions of the Union Government are taken in the name of the President. All contracts and assurances of property made on behalf of the Government of India are expressed to be made by the President and executed in such a manner as the President may direct.

Powers of Indian President in Military and Foreign Affairs
The constitution vests the Supreme Command of the Defence Forces in the President, which he is required to exercise in accordance with law. Declaration of war and conclusion of peace are exclusive executive functions. The executive power relating to foreign affairs is exercised by the Union Government and all the diplomatic business is conducted in the name of the President. Diplomatic envoys and consular agents are accredited to him. All treaties and international agreements are negotiated and concluded in the name of the President.

Legislative Power of Indian President
The legislative powers of the President are given in Article 79 of the Constitution. He summons and prorogues Parliament and dissolves the House of the People. In dissolving the House of the People (Lok Sabha) the President has to act on the advice of the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister. Apart from this he has extensive rights in the functioning of the parliament-he has the right to address and send messages to Parliament; he may address either House of Parliament or both Houses assembled together; he recommends legislation for the reorganization of States or alteration of boundaries or name of any of the States; he sanctions the introduction of Money Bills, Bills involving expenditure etc; he has the right to withhold his assent to a Bill passed by both houses of Parliament and he may also resend any non-money Bill for re-consideration; he may summon a joint sitting of the two houses of Parliament in certain circumstances.

Judicial Powers of Indian President
The President has the power to grant pardons, reprieves, respites or remissions of punishment or to suspend, remit or commute sentences of any person convicted of offence:
(a) in all cases where the punishment or sentence is by a Court Martial;
(b) in all cases where the punishment or sentence is for an offence against any law relating to a matter to which the executive power of the Union extends; and
(c) in all cases where the sentence is a death sentence.

Emergency Powers
Besides the powers enumerated above, the President exercises vast emergency powers. Three kinds of emergency may be declared by the President- National, State and Financial Emergency. During times of emergency, the President exercises his discretionary powers, and in case of national emergency the suspension of the autonomy of the states as well as of fundamental rights is seen.
 Removal of Indian President
The President may resign in writing under his own hand addressed to the Vice-President. His office may also terminate by removal for violation of the constitution by the process of impeachment which requires that either House will prefer a charge of violation of the constitution before the other House. The latter then shall have to investigate the charge itself or cause the charge to be investigated. For preferring the charge, a resolution containing the proposal is to be moved after a 14 day`s notice in writing and signed by at least one-fourth of the number of members of that House. If the resolution is passed by not less than two-thirds majority of total membership of the House, the charge may then be preferred.

The President has a right to appear and be represented at such investigation. If after investigation a resolution is passed by at least a two-thirds majority of total membership of the investigating House declaring that the charge has been sustained, such resolution shall lead to the removal- of the President from the date of passing the resolution.

Since the 1950 when the post of Indian President was first introduced there are 14 presidents. They are Dr. Rajendra Prasad(1950), Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan(1962), Zakir Hussain(1967), Varahagiri Venkata Giri( 1969 ), Muhammad Hidayatullah(1969), Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed( 1974), Basappa Danappa Jatti (1977), Neelam Sanjiva Reddy(1977), Giani Zail Singh(1982), Ramaswamy Venkataraman(1987), Shankar Dayal Sharma(1992), Kocheril Raman Narayanan(2002), A. P. J. Abdul Kalam(2002), Pratibha Patil(2007).

Indian National Movement - A Brief Description

1857- The First War of Indian Indepndence The East India Company had established its control over almost all parts of India by the middle of the 19th century. There were numerous risings in the first hundred years of British rule in India. They were, however, local and isolated in character. Some of them were led by the nobility who were refusing to accept the changing patterns of the time and wanted the past to be restored. But the risings developed a tradition of resistance offoreign rule, culminating in the 1857 revolt.  The Revolt of 1857, which was called a Sepoy Mutiny by British historians and their imitators in India but described as "the First War of Indian Independence" by many Indian historians, shook the British authority in India from its very foundations. The Revolt of 1857, an unsuccessful but heroic effort to eliminate foreign rule, had begun. The capture of Delhi and the proclamation of Bahadurshah as the Emperor of Hindustan are a positive meaning to the Revolt and provided a rallying point for the rebels by recalling the past glory of the imperial city. On May 10, 1857, soldiers at Meerut refused to touch the new Enfield rifle cartridges. The soldiers along with other group of civilians, went on a rampage shouting 'Maro Firangi Ko'. They broke open jails, murdered European men and women, burnt their houses and marched to Delhi. The appearance of the marching soldiers next morning in Delhi was a'signal to the local soldiers, who in turn revolted, seized the city and proclaimed the 80-year old Bahadurshah Zafar, as Emperor of India.  Within a month of the capture of Delhi, the Revolt spread to the different parts of the country. Kanpur, Lucknow, Benaras,  Allahabad, Bareilly, Jagdishpur and Jhansi. In the absence of any leader from their own ranks, the insurgents turned to the traditional leaders of Indian society. At Kanpur, NanaSaheb, the adopted son of last Peshwa, Baji Rao II, led the forces. Rani Lakshmi Bai in Jhansi, Begum Hazrat Mahal in Lucknow and .Khan Bahadur in Bareilly were in command. However, apart from a commonly shared hatred for alien rule, the rebels had no political perspective or a definite vision of the future. They were all prisoners of their own past, fighting primarily to regain their lost privileges. Unsurprisingly, they proved incapable of ushering in a new political order.  Government of India Act 1858 Queen Victoria issued a proclamation on November 1, 1858, placing India under direct government of the Crown, whereby: (a) A viceroy was appointed in India (b) Princes were given the right to adopt a son (abolition of Doctrine of Lapse) (c) Treaties were honoured (d) Religious freedom was restored and equality treatment promised to Indians  The Proclamation was called the 'Magna Carta of Indian Liberty'. The British rule in India was  strongest between 1858 and 1905. The British also started treating India as its most precious possession and their rule over India seemed set to continue for centuries to come. Because of various subjective and objective factors which came into existence during this era, the feeling of nationalism in Indians started and grow. Indian National Congress (1885) Although the British succeeded in suppressing the 1857 Revolt, they could not stop the growth of political awareness in India. The Indian National Congress was founded in December 1885. It was the visible embodiment of the national awakening in the country. Its founder was an Englishman, Allan Octavian Hume, a retired member of the Indian Civil Service. The Indian leaders, who cooperated with Hume in launching the Congress, were patriots of high character. The first President of the Congress was W.C. Bannerjee.  The aims of the Congress were: promotion of friendship and cooperation amongst the nationalist political workers from the different parts of the country; the eradication of racial, creed or provincial prejudices and promotion of national unity; formulation of popular demands and their presentation before the Government; and, most important of all, the training and organisation of public opinion in the country. Partition of Bengal (1905) On December 30, 1898, Lord Curzon took over as the new Viceroy of India. The partition of Bengal came into effect on October 16, 1905, through a Royal Proclamation, reducing the old province of Bengal in size by creating a new province of East Bengal, which later on became East Pakistan and present day Bangladesh. The government explained that it was done to stimu­late growth of underdeveloped eastern region of the Bengal. But, actually, the main objective was to 'Divide and Rule' the most advanced region of the country at that time. Muslim League (1906) In 1906, All India Muslim League was set up under the leader­ship of Aga Khan, Nawab Salimul­lab of Dacca and Nawab Mohsin-ul-Mulk. The League supported the partition of Bengal, opposed the Swadeshi Movement, and demanded special safegurds for its community and a separate elec­torates of Muslims. This led to communal differences between Hindus and Muslims. Swadeshi Movement (1905) The Swadeshi movement has its genesis in the anti-partition move­ment which was started to oppose the British decision to divide Bengal. With the start of the Swadeshi movement at the turn of the century, the Indian National Movement took a major leap forward. The Indian National Congress took up the Swadeshi call in Benaras Session, 1905, presided over by G.K. Gokhale, supported the Swadeshi and Boycott Movement of Bengal, Militant Nationalism spearheaded by Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, Lala Lajpat Rai, and Aurobindo Ghosh was, however, in favour of extending the movement of the rest of India and carrying it beyond the programme of just Swadeshi and boycott of goods to full-fledged political mass struggle. Morley-Minto Reforms (1909) Morley-Minto Reforms were introduced in 1909 during the period when Lord Minto was the Governor­General of India. The reforms envisaged a separate electorate for Muslims besides other constitutional measures. The government thereby sought to create a rift within the Congress on the one hand by winning the support of the moderates, and on the other, to win favour of Muslims against Bindus. To achieve the latter objective, the reforms introduced the system of separate electorates under which Muslims could only vote for Muslim candidates. This was done to encourage the notion that the political, economic and cultural interests of Hindus and Muslims were separate and not common. Indian political leaders were however dissatisfied by these reforms. Lucknow Pact (1916) An important step forward in achieving Hindu-Muslim unity was the Lucknow Pact 1916. Anti­British feelings were generated among the Muslims following a war between Britain and Turkey which opened way for Congress and Mus­lim League unity. Both the Con­gress and the Muslim League held sessions at Lucknow in 1916 and concluded the famous Lucknow Pact. The Congress accepted the separate electorates, and both organizations jointly demanded dominion status for the country.                   Hindu-Muslim unity weakened the British attitude and forced the government to announce its future policy. In 1916 a British policy was announced whereby association of Indians was increased and there was to be a gradual development of local self-governing institutions. Home Rule Movement (1915­1916) Dr. Annie Besant, inspired by the Irish rebellion, started a Home Rule Movement in India in September 1916. The movement spread rapidly and branches of the Rome Rule League were established all over India. Bal Gangadhar Tilak wholeheartedly supported this movement. Rejoined forces with Dr. Besant and persuaded the Muslim League to support this programme. The Gandhian Era (1918-1947) Mahatma Gandhi dominated the Indian political scene from 1918­1947. This period of the Indian National Congress is also referred to as the Gandhian Era. It was the most intense and eventful phase of India's freedom struggle. Mahatma Gandhi provided the leadership of the highest order and his philosophy of non-violent Satyagraha became the most potent weapon to drive out .the British from the Indian soil. Khilafat Movement (1920) The Caliph, Sultan of Turkey, was looked upon by the Muslims as their religious head. During the First World War, when the safety and the welfare of Turkey were threatened by the British thereby weakening the Caliph's position, Indian Muslims adopted an aggressive anti-British attitude. The two brothers, Mohammed Ah and Shaukat Ali launched an anti­British movement in 1920-the Khilafat Movement for the restoration. The Rowlatt Act (1919) While trying to appease Indians, the British Government was following a policy of repression. Throughout the First World War, repression of freedom fighters had continued. The revolutionaries had been hunted down, hanged or im­prisoned. The Government now decided to arm itself with more powers in order to suppress the freedom fighters. In March 1919, it passed the Rowlatt Act. This Act authorised the government to detain any person without trial. The Rowlatt Act came like a sudden blow. The Indians had been promised extension of democracy during the war. They felt humiliated and were filled with anger when they found that their civil liberties were going to be curtailed still further. Unrest gripped the country and a powerful agitation against the Act started. During this agitation, Gandhiji took command of the nationalist movement. March and April 1919 witnessed a remarkable political awakening in the country. There were hartals, strikes and demonstrations at various places. The slogans of Hindu-Muslim unity filled the air. Jallianwalla Bagh Massacre (1919) The Government was bent on suppressing the mass agitation. In Bombay; Ahmedabad, Calcutta, Delhi and at other places demonstrators were lathi-charged and fired upon. Gandhiji gave a call for a general hartal on April 6, 1919. The call was responded to with great enthusiasm. The Government decided to resort to repression to suppress the agitation. At this time the British Government committed one of the worst political crimes in modem history. An unarmed but a large crowd had gathered in Jallianwalla Bagh, Amritsar (Punjab) on April, 13, 1919 for a meeting. General Dyer ordered his troops to open fire on them without warning. This massacre of unarmed people (hundreds died and thousands were wounded) in an enclosed place from which there was no exit, was fol­lowed by a reign of terror in several districts under martial law. Non-Cooperation Movement (1920) With the Congress support of the Khilafat movement, Hindu-Muslim unity was achieved which encouraged Gandhiji to launch his non-violent, non-cooperation movement. At the Calcutta Session in September 1920, the Congress resolved in favour of the non-violent, non-cooperation movement and defined Swaraj as its ultimate aim. The movement envisaged: (i) Surrender of titles and honorary officers; (ii) Resignation from nominated offices and posts in the local bodies; (iii) Refusal to attend government darbars and official functions and boycott of British courts by the lawyers; (iv) Refusal of general public to offer themselves for military and other government jobs, and boycott of foreign goods, etc.  The non-cooperation movement also saw picketing of shops selling foreign cloth and boycott of the foreign cloth by the followers of Gandhiji. Chauri Chaura Incident (1922) The Congress session held at Ahmedabad in December 1921 decided to launch a Civil Disobedience Movement while reiterating its stand on the non-violent, non­cooperation movement of which Gandhiji was appointed the leader. Before Gandhiji could launch the Civil Disobedience Movement, a mob of countrymen at Chauri Chaura, a place near Gorakhpur in D.P., clashed with the police which opened fire. In retaliation the mob burnt the police-station and killed 22 policemen. This compelled Gandhiji to call off the Civil Disobedience Movement on February 12, 1922.  Despite this Gandhiji was arrested and sentenced to six years imprisonment. The Chauri Chaura incident convinced Gandhiji that the nation was not yet ready for the mass-dis6bedience and he prevailed upon Congress Working Committee in Bardoli on February 12, 1922 to call off the Non-Cooperation Movement. Swaraj Party (1922) Gandhiji's decision to call off the agitation caused frustration among masses. His decision came in for severe criticism from his colleagues like Motilal Nehru, C.R. Das and N.C. Kelkar, who organized the Swaraj Party. The foundations of the 'Swaraj Party' were laid on January 1, 1923, as the 'Congress­Khilafat-Swarajya Patty'. It proposed then an alternative programme of diverting the movement from widespread civil disobedience programme to restrictive one which would encourage its member to enter into legislative councils (established under Montford Reforms of 1919) by contesting elections in order to wreck the legislature from within and to use moral pressure to compel the authority to concede to the popular demand for self-government. Simon Commission (1927) Under the 1919 Act, a statutory commission was to be appointed by the British Government at the end of ten years from the passing of the Act to inquire into the working of the system of government in the country and to recommend further reforms. Thus the commission was scheduled to be appointed in 1929. It was ac­tually appointed two years earlier in 1927. The commission consisted of seven members of the British Parliament. It was headed by Sir John Simon. As all its members were British, the Congress decided to boycott it. The Commission arrived in India in Feb. 1928. It was greeted with black flags and hostile demonstrations everywhere it went. In one such demonstration at Lahore, Lala Lajpat Rai was seriously injured in a wanton police lathi-charge on the demonstrators. Lalaji died soon after from wounds received during the demonstration. Dandi March (1930) Also called the 'Salt Satyagraha'. To achieve the goal of complete independence, Gandhiji launched another civil disobedience movement. Along with 79 followers, Gandhiji started his famous march from Sabarmati Ashram on March 20,1930, for the small village Dandi to break the Salt Law. While Gandhiji was marching to Dandi, Congress leaders and workers had been busy at various levels with the hard organizational tasks of enrolling volunteers and members, forming grassroot Congress Committees, collecting funds, and touring villages and towns to spread nationalist messages.  On reaching the seashore on April 6, 1930, he broke the Salt Law by picking up salt from the seashore. By picking a handful of salt, Gandhiji inaugurated the Civil Disobedience Movement, a movement that was to remain unsurpassed in the history of the Indian National Movement for the countrywide mass participation it unleashed. The movement became so powerful that it sparked off partriotism even among the Indian soldiers in the Army. The Garhwal soldiers refused to fire on the people at Peshawar. Gandhi-Irwin Pact (1931) Early in 1931 two moderate statesmen, Sapru and Jayakar, initiated efforts to bring about rapprochement between Gandhiji and the government. Six meetings with Viceroy Lord Irwin finally led to the signing of a pact between the two on March 5, 1931, whereby the Congress called off the movement and agreed to join the Second Round Table Conference. The terms of the agreement included the immediate release of all political prisoners not convicted for violence, the remission of all fines not yet collected, the return of confiscated land not yet sold to third parties, and lenient treatment of all the government officials who had resigned.  Gandhiji and other leaders were released from jail as Irwin agreed to release most political prisoners and to return the properties that had been seized by the governments. The government also conceded the right to make the salt for consumption of villages along the coast, and also the right to peaceful and non-aggressive picketing. The Congress on its part, agreed to discontinue the Civil Disobedience Movement and to participate in the next Round Table Conference. The Government of India Act, 1935 The Simon Commission report submitted in 1930 formed the basis for the Government of India Act 1935. The new Government of India Act received the royal assent on August 4, 1935.  The Act continued and extended all the existing features of the Indian constitution. Popular representation, which went back to 1892, dyarchy and ministerial responsibility, which dated from 1921, provincial autonomy, whose chequered history went back to eighteenth century presidencies, communal representation, which first received recognition in 1909, and the safeguards devised in 1919, were all continued and in most cases extended. But in addition there were certain new principles intro­duced. It provided for a federal type of government. Thus, the act: (a) Introduced provincial autonomy (b) Abolished dyarchy in provinces I (c) Made ministers responsible to the legislative and federation at the centre  The Act of 1935 was condemned by nearly all sections of Indian public opinion and was unanimously rejected by the Congress. The Congress demanded instead, the convening of a Constituent Assembly elected on the basis of adult franchise to frame a constitution for an independent India.               Quit India Movement (1942) On August 8, 1942, the Congress in its meeting at Bombay passed a resolution known as 'Quit India' resolution, whereby Gandhiji asked the British to quit India and gave a call for 'Do or die' to his countrymen. On August 9, 1942, Gandhiji was arrested but the other leaders continued the revolutionary struggle. Violence spread throughout the country, several government officers were destroyed and damaged, telegraph wires were cut and communication paralyzed. The movement was, however, crushed by the government. Cabinet Mission Plan (1946) The struggle for freedom entered a decisive phase in the year 1945-46. The British Prime Minister, Lord Attlee, made a declaration on March 15, 1946, that British Cabinet Mission would visit India to make recommendations regarding constitutional reforms to be introduced in India. The Cabinet Mission which constituted of Lord Lawrence, Sir Stafford Cripps and A.V. Alexander visited India and met the representatives of different political parties but a satisfactory solution to the constitutional difficulties could not be found. The Mission envisaged the establishment of a Constituent Assembly to frame the Constitution as well as an interim government. The Muslim League accepted the plan on June 6, 1946, while maintaining its rights of striving for a separate Muslim state. The Congress also partially accepted the plan. Interim Government (1946) On September 2, 1946, an inter­im government was formed. Congress members led by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru joined it but the Muslim League did not as it withdrew its earlier acceptance of the Cabinet Mission Plan. Formation of Constituent Assembly (1946) The Constituent Assembly met on December 9, 1946, and Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected its President. The Muslim League did not join the Assembly. Mountbatten Plan (1947) In March 1947, Lord Mountbatten replaced Lord Wavell. He announced his plan on June 3, 1947. It offered a key to the political and constitutional deadlock created by the refusal of the Muslim League to join the Constituent Assembly formed to frame the Constitution of India. Mountbatten's formula was to divide India but retain maximum unity. The country would be partitioned but so would be Punjab and Bengal, so that the limited Pakistan that emerged would meet both the Congress and the League's position to some extent. The League's position on Pakistan was conceded in that it would be created, but the Congress position on unity would be taken into account to make Pakistan as small as possible. He laid down detailed principles for the partition of the country and speedy transfer of political powers in the form of dominion status to the newly formed dominions of India and Pakistan. Its acceptance by the Congress and the Muslim' League resulted in the birth of Pakistan.  The Indian Independence Act, 1947 The Bill containing the provisions of the Mountbatten Plan of June 3, 1947, was introduced in the British Parliament and passed as the Indian Independence Act, 1947. The Act laid down detailed measures for the partition of India and speedy transfer of political powers to the new government of India and Pakistan.  Partition of India (1947) In accordance with the Indian Independence Act, 1947, India was partitioned on August 15, 1947 into India and Pakistan. The Act made India and Pakistan independent dominions. Bloodshed and violence marked the exodus of refugees. The state of Kashmir acceded to the Indian Union, after the raiders were helped by Pakistan, in October 1947. Lord Mountbatten was appointed the Governor-General of free1ndia and M.A. Jinnah the first Governor-General of Pakistan.

NTSE Sample Questions based on Ruling The CountrySide (Class VIII)

1.    Read the  following statement. Find out the incorrect statement.
    (A) On 15 Aug 1765, the Mughal emperor appointed the East India Company the Diwan of Bengal.
    (B) After Diwani right Company became the chief financial administrator of the territory under its control.
    (C) Diwani right were also met their revenue demands.
    (D) Company became the diwan but it saw itself primarily as trader.
    Find out which one is incorrect:-
    (A) A, B & C    (B) A & C    (C) C & D    (D) A, B & D

2.    Mahalwari system means:-
    (A) In British revenue records mahal is a revenue records.
    (B) Mahal is a Revenue Estate
    (C) Mahal can be the village or group of villages.
    (D) All of the above

3.    Which one of the following is true regarding mahalwari system?
    (A) Revenue was added up to calculate the revenue that each village had to pay.
    (B) This demand was to be revised periodcally.
    (C) The demand was not permanently fixed.
    (D) The charge of collecting revenue & paying it to  the Company was given to the village.
    (A) A, B, C & D    (B) A & D    (C) A, C & D    (D) A, B & D

4.    A person who is owned by someone else and has no freedom & is compelled to work for master.
    (A) Ryoti    (B) Cultivator    (C) Slave    (D) Servant

5.    Following are the problems related to Niz cultivated pick up the wrong statement?
    (A) It was easier for the cultivators to expand the area under Niz cultivators.
    (B) Only small plots were scattered under this cultivation.
    (C) Labour was needed precisely at a time when peasants were usually busy with cultivation.
    (D) This also requires many Ploughs & Bullocks.

6.    Find out the correct statement for Ryoti’s system?
    (a) The planters fixed the ryots to sign a contract.
    (b) At times they pressurised the village headmen to sign the contract on behalf of the ryots.
    (c) Those who signed the contract got cash advances.
    (d) Planters provided the seed & the drill necessary for farming.
    (A) A, B & D    (B) B & C    (C) D, C & A        (D) A, B, C & D

7.    In which year & month blue rebellion took place?
    (A) April 1859    (B) March 1859    (C) June 1859        (D) Feb 1859

8.    Match the following :
    A. Ryots        (1) Village
    B. Mahal        (2) Peasant
    C. Niz        (3) Cultivation on Ryots lands.
    D. Ryoti        (4) Cultivation on Planters own land.
    (A) A - 1, B - 2, C - 3, D - 4    (B) A - 3, B - 1, C - 4, D - 2
    (C) A - 1, B - 2, C - 3, D - 4    (D) A - 4, B - 2, C - 1, D - 3
9.    Which one of the following is considered as proper statement as per Munro system?
    (a) Munro system also known as Ryotwari system.
    (b) The settlement they argued had to be made directly with cultivators.
    (c) The charge of collecting the revenue & paying it to the Company & directly was given it to village headmen.
    (d) The estimated revenue of each plot was added upto calculate the revenue that each village ray.
    (A) A & B are true    (B) C & D are true    (C) A & C true        (D) All are true


ANSWERS - Q.1.-(B),Q.2.-(D),Q.3.-(D),Q.4.-(A),Q.5.-(C),Q.6.-(D),Q.7.-(B),Q.8.-(B),Q.9.-(A),

RISE OF INDIAN NATIONALISM

British rule led to administrative unification, the introduction of Western Education and indirectly to cultural awakening. These factors created the conditions for the rise of nationalism in India. The activities of the press, and reactions against British economic exploitation, repressive policies and racial discrimination also contributed to the rise of nationalism.

The British curbed the freedom of the press through the Vernacular Press Act of 1878. The Europeans’ agitation against the Ilbert Bil (1883) exposed their racial arrogance.

Many political associations were formed after 1850 to express the grievances of the people. Surendranath Banerjea established the Indian Association in 1876. He started a countrywide campaign against the lowering of the age limit for competing in the ICS examination and against Lord Lytton’s repressive policies.

Allan Octavian Hume started the Indian National Congress in 1885. Its First session, in Bombay was presided over by W C Bonnerjea and was attended by 72 delegates.

The first phase (1885-1905) of the Congress-led National Movement is called the moderate phase because the leaders of this period had great faith in the British and believed in petitions rather than confrontation to achieve their objectives.

The extremists in the Congress did not believe in petitions, and were disappointed with the moderates. They were inspired by international events that demonstrated the courage of oppressed peoples. Their leaders included Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Lala Lajpat Rai, Bipin Chandra Pal and Aurobindo Ghosh. Their goal was swaraj or self-rule.

Lord Curzon’s unpopular policies and his act of partitioning Bengal in 1905 intensified the agitation of the extremists. They introduced three new methods of protest – boycott, swadeshi and national education.

The Swadeshi Movement spread from Bengal to Maharashtra and Punjab, school and college students, and even women, joined the movement. The British used severe repression to suppress the movement.

The Moderates reluctantly accepted swadeshi and boycott as methods as protest, but not on a regular basis. Although Dadabhai Naoroji accepted swaraj as the goal of Congress in 1906, the moderates and the extremists parted ways at the Surat Session in 1907.

The British appeased the moderates through the Indian Councils Act of 1909, or the Morely-Minto Reforms. This act granted the Muslims separate electorates.

In the 1890’s the trend of revolutionary emerged. It aimed at overthrowing the British through the violent means. It was led by Aurobindo Ghosh, V D Savarkar and Ajit Singh. The Ghadar Party and the Anushilan  Samiti tried to organize armed uprisings in India with foreign help. Their activities alarmed the British, but they  ultimately failed as the did not have mass support.

In 1906, the All India Muslim League was formed to advance the political interests of Muslims in India. Nationalist Muslims condemned this separatist trend.

In 1911, the partition of Bengal was annulled. During the First World War (1914-1918), the Congress cooperated with the British in hope of being granted self-government after the war.

In 1916, Tilak and Annie Besant simultaneously established Home Rule Leagues to demand self-government for India. The movement became popular, and the British retaliated with repression.

The Congress session at Lucknow in 1916 saw the union of the moderates and the extremists as well as a pact between the Congress and the Muslim League. The pact demanded political reforms leading to self-government, but also accepted the idea that Hindus and Muslims were two different communities with separate interests.

The Era of Militant Nationalism (1905-1919) 

Cause of its growth, exposition of the nature of British rule:

The Moderates like Dadabhai Naoroji, M.G. Ranade, R.C. Dutta etc. exposed in their writings, the nature of economic exploitation of the Indian mass by the British authority.
The apathetic attitude of the British Government towards the people who came under the gap of terrible famines between 1896 and 1900 discharged venom in the minds of Indians towards the British rule. Any progressive attitudes of the Indians were opposed by the British authorities. This was very well noticed by the leaders of Indian National Congress and prepared the way for the rise of extremism.
Racial antagonism:
The Britishers always projected before the Indian people their racial superiority. Their wrong deeds were even supported by the Anglo-Indian newspapers. Nobody could raise finger towards the actions of the British authority. They dealt with the Indians mercilessly who prayed for justice.
In every action, right or wrong, the Britishers justified their stand. The vernacular press reflected all these inhuman, undemocratic and brutal works of the Britishers that contributed a lot for the rise of militant nationalism.
Result of the social and cultural awakening:
The nineteenth century Renaissance reformed Indian society and contributed for the advancement of the culture of this land. It created a sense of self-respect among the people of India. The proud Indians now forgot their inferiority complex and came forward to challenge western culture and administration and thus, emerged the leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tikal, Lala Lajpat Rai, Begin Chandra Pal and others to have a. deal with the British Government.
The ideology of Moderates no more acceptable:
The emerging leaders within the Indian National Congress became grossly dissatisfied with the 'prayer and petition' technique of the Moderates and their liberal outlook towards the British rule. They viewed that the Moderates would fail to achieve the goal what the Indians wanted. Aurobindo Ghosh's article 'New Lamps in place of Old Lamps' in the magazine Indus Prakash was pointer in this direction.
Lajpat Rai viewed the annual sessions of the Indian National Congress as 'annual national festivals of the educated Indians'. Similar opinions were formed by the younger generation represented by Tikal, D. H. Chapeau, Lala Mushy Ram etc. who challenged the leadership of the Moderates,
Unemployment:
The British authority could not generate employment facilities to the educated Indians. Further, the Indians, who were in service, were low-paid. They came forward and joined hands with the militant nationalists preaching against the colonial rule of the British people.
International events:
Certain international events during that time influenced the course of Indian history. Abyssinia defeated Italy in 1896. In 1905 Russia was defeated by Japan, Egypt, Ireland, Turkey and Persia demanded self-government. This showed that even small country could challenge the mighty power and that gave rise to extremism in Indian politics.
The reactionary policies of British Viceroys:
The Viceroys of British India opened their Pandora’s Box to suppress the Indians. Bal Gangadhar Tikal organized the peasants in Maharashtra and advised them not to pay revenue to the government due to failure of crops. He was arrested in 1897 and thrown inside the jail for eighteen months. The Chapeau brothers were sentenced to death for murdering two plague officers. The Nat brothers were banished from country due to the charge of treason. Lord Curzon marched ahead with his programme of centralization of administration by passing Indian Universities Act and Calcutta Corporation Act. He also followed the principle 'Divide and rule' by creating communalism among the Hindus and Muslims.
Partition of Bengal:
Lord Curzon's partition of Bengal in 1905 brought division among the Hindus and Muslims. Bengal was dominated with Hindu population and the new provinces of eastern Bengal and Assam constituted with the dominance of Muslim population. Surrender Nath Banerjee took the lead in opposing the partition and maintaining friendly ties among the Hindus and Muslims. This partition Of Bengal infuriated the Indians and led to the rise of extremism.
The leadership of Lal-Bal-Pal and Aurobindo:
Lala Lajpat Rai, Begin Chandra Pal, Bal Gangadhar Tikal and Aurobindo Ghosh gave direction to the national movement. They opposed the repressive policies of the government with boldness, courage and self-confidence. Their leadership gave new dimension to the Indian politics. People ungrudgingly accepted their leadership and followed them in perpetuating extremism.

NTSE Sample Questions based on From Trade to Territory (Class VIII)

1.    Which of the following was the last powerful Mughal Ruler & in which year he died?
    (A) Shah Jahan, 1608        (B) Jahangir, 1687
    (C) Bhadur Shah Jafar 1857    (D) Aurangzeb, 1707

2.    “By 1600, the East India company acquired Charter from the ruler of England, Queen Elizabeth I” What this statement refers?
    (i) No other trading group in England could compete with East India company
    (ii) With this charter the Co. could venture across the oceans, looking for new lands.
    (iii) So that they could buy goods at cheap price & carry them back to Europe to sell at the higher price       (iv) The company also face competition from other English trading company.
    Which of the Above statement is/are wrong?
    (A) A, B, C    (B) Only D    (C) A, B, C, D    (D) C & D

3.    Identify the wrong statement
    (A)Doctrine of lapse was implemented by Lord Hastings
    (B) Doctrine declared that if any Indian ruler died without a male heir his kingdom would lapse
    (C) One kingdom after another was annexed simply by applying this doctrine.
    (D) The annexed territories were satara, Sambalpur, Udaipur, Nagpur & Jhansi.             

4.    Find out the incorrect statement:-
    (A) In year 1769 the Mughal Emperor appointed the company as the Diwan of Bengal.
    (B) Battle of Plassey became famous because it was the first major victory of company in India.
    (C) Robert Clive met with Sirajuddaulah at Plassey in 1757.
    (D) Nabobes was an anglicized version of the Indian word “Nabobs”

5.    Which of the following statement are not true regarding the Paramountcy?
    (A) Company claim its authority was Paramount or supreme.
    (B) Co’s power was great than that of Indian state.
    (C) This policy was imposed by Cornwallis
    (D) Under this policy or to protect its interest they can annexed or threaten any Indian kingdom


6.    Find out the incorrect statement:-
    (A) There were three Presidencies during the British Rule
    (B) These Presidencies were Bengal, Calcutta & Bombay.
    (C) The supreme head of those administration was the  Governor General.
    (D) British territories were divided into administrative unit.

7.    Match the following :
    A. Diwani                        (1) Tipu Sultan
    B. Tiger of Mysore          (2) Right to collect land revenue
    C. Faujdari Adalat           (3) Sepoy
    D. Rani Channamma        (4) Criminal Court.
    E. Sipahi        (5) Led an anti British movement in kitoor.
    (A) A – 2, B – 1, C – 4, D – 5, E - 3    (B) A – 1, B – 2, C – 3, D – 4, E - 5
    (C) A – 3, B – 1, C – 2, D – 4, E - 5    (D) A – 4, B – 3, C – 2, D – 5, E - 1

8.    In which year new system of Justice was established during the tenure of Warren Hastings?
    (A) 1771    (B) 1772    (C) 1773    (D) 1774

9.    Find out correct statement:-
    (A) Mir Jafar did not protested & the Co. deposed him.
    (B) Co. installed Mir Jafar in Place of Mir Qasim.
    (C) Mir Qasim was defeated in a battle of Buxer.
    (D) Co. wanted more money & finances its war.

10.    Which of the following are Incorrect.
    (A) After the Defeat at Plassey, Sirajuddaulah was assassinated.
    (B) The Prime objective after the Battle was to earn profit not the expansion of territories.
    (C) Battle of Buxar was fought in year 1784.
    (D) British officers considered themselves as “Nabobs”
 
11.    Arrange the following important battles in proper Chronological order:-
    (1) Battles of Srirangapattam.
    (2) Battles of Plassey
    (3) Battle of Buxar
    (4) Battle of Wandiwash
    Which of the following order is correct.
    (A) 4, 2, 3, 1    (B) 1, 3, 2, 4    (C) 2, 4, 3, 1        (D) 2, 4, 1, 3


ANSWERS - Q.1.-(D),Q.2.-(B),Q.3.-(A),Q.4.-(A),Q.5.-(C),Q.6.-(B),Q.7.-(A),Q.8.-(B),Q.9.-(C),Q.10.-(B),Q.11.-(D)

NTSE Sample Questions based on Human Resources (Class VIII)

Q.1. Match the following –

(a) Population density                                    (i) The difference between the birth rate and the death

                                                                             rate of a country.

(b) Population change                                    (ii) Refers to the structure of the population.

(c) Natural growth rate                                  (iii) Number of people living in a unit area of the earth’s surface

(d) Population composition                           (iv) Change in the number of people during a specific time.

(A) a-(ii), b-(iii), c-(iv), d-(i)                           (B) a-(ii), b-(i), c-(iii), d-(iv)
(C)  a-(iii), b-(iv), c-(i), d-(ii)                          (D) a-(i), b-(iv), c-(iii), d-(ii)

Q.2. Which of the following Geographical factors affect the distribution of Population –

(i) Topography             (ii) Climate                   (iii) Cultural            (iv) Minerals              (v) Soil

(A) (i), (ii), (iii) & (v) are correct                                     (B) (ii), (iii), (iv) & (v) are correct 

(C) (i), (ii), (iii) & (iv) are correct                                    (D) (i), (ii), (iv) & (v) are correct

Q.3. Which of the following are non-geographical factors affecting the distribution of Population –

(i) Areas of better housing, education and health facilities.

(ii) Places with religion or cultural significance

(iii) Fertile soil provide suitable land for agriculture

(iv) Industrial areas provide employment opportunities

(v) Areas with mineral deposits are more populated.

(A) (i), (ii) & (v) are correct                                     (B) (ii), (iii), (iv) & (v) are correct 

(C) (i), (ii), (iii) & (iv) are correct                            (D) (i), (ii) & (iv) are correct

Q.4. What is the average density of population in India ?

(A) 314 persons per square km.                              (B) 324 persons per square km.

(C) 334 persons per square km.                              (D) 304 persons per square km.

Q.5. Until the 1800s, the world’s population grew steadily but slowly, what was/were the reasons behind that –

(i) Control over the birth rate

(ii) Large number of babies born, but died early too.

(iii) Sufficient food was not available for all the people.

(iv) Farmers were not able to produce enough to meet the food requirements of all the people.

(v) We were not able to save many people from natural disasters and calamities due to lack of medical facilities.

Match the following –

(a) Birth Rate                                            (i) Number of deaths per 1000 people..

(b) Death Rate                                          (ii) When a person enters a new country.

(c) Immigration                                        (iii) When a person leaves a country.

(d) Emigration                                          (iv) Number of live births per 1000 people.

(A) a-(iv), b-(iii), c-(ii), d-(i)                           (B) a-(iv), b-(i), c-(ii), d-(iii)
(C)  a-(iv), b-(iii), c-(i), d-(ii)                          (D) a-(i), b-(iv), c-(iii), d-(ii)

Q.6. Match the following –

(a) Birth Rate                                            (i) Number of deaths per 1000 people..

(b) Death Rate                                          (ii) When a person enters a new country.

(c) Immigration                                        (iii) When a person leaves a country.

(d) Emigration                                          (iv) Number of live births per 1000 people.

(A) a-(iv), b-(iii), c-(ii), d-(i)                           (B) a-(iv), b-(i), c-(ii), d-(iii)
(C)  a-(iv), b-(iii), c-(i), d-(ii)                          (D) a-(i), b-(iv), c-(iii), d-(ii)

Q.7. Match the following –

(a) Australia                                              (i) Experienced a loss in population numbers due to emigration.

(b) Sudan                                                  (ii) Have high population growth rate.

(c) Kenya                                                  (iii)Have gained in-numbers by in-migration.

(d) United Kingdom                                 (iv) Population growth is slowing.

(A) a-(iii), b-(iv), c-(ii), d-(i)                           (B) a-(iii), b-(i), c-(ii), d-(iv)
(C)  a-(iii), b-(iv), c-(i), d-(ii)                          (D) a-(i), b-(iv), c-(iii), d-(ii)

Q.8. The composition of population helps us to know –

(i) How many are males or females

(ii) Which age group they belong to

(iii) How educated they are

(iv) What type of occupations they are employed in

(v) What is their income level and health conditions etc.

(A) (i), (ii) & (v) are correct                                     (B) (ii), (iii), (iv) & (v) are correct 

(C) (i), (ii), (iii) & (iv) are correct                            (D) All are correct

Q.9. The shape of the population pyramid tells the story of the people living in that particular country –

(i) The numbers of children (below 15 years) are shown at the bottom and reflect the level of births.

(ii) The size of the top shows the numbers of aged people (above 65 years) and reflect the number of deaths.

(A) (i) is correct                                                                 (B) (ii) is correct

(C) Both (i) and (ii) are correct                                         (D) Both (i) and (ii) are incorrect

Q.10. A population pyramid shows –

(i) The total population divided into various age groups.

(ii) The percentage of the total population, subdivided into males and females.

(iii) How many dependents are there in a country.

(A) Only (i) is correct                                                     (B) (i) and (ii) both are correct

(C) (ii) and (iii) are correct                                             (D) All are correct

Q.11. Match the following –

(a) Population pyramid broad at the base and           (i) Low birth rates, decreased death rates allow numbers

     Rapidly narrows towards the top                               of people to reach old age. e.g.-Kenya

(b) Pyramid is broad in the younger age group         (ii) Low birth rates, decreased death rates allow numbers

                                                                                         of people to reach old age

(c) Pyramid narrow at the base                                (iii)  Death rates are decreasing, more infants survive to

                                                                                        adulthood. e.g. India

(A) a-(i), b-(ii), c-(iii)                                      (B) a-(iii), b-(i), c-(ii)
(C)  a-(i), b-(iii), c-(ii)                                     (D) a-(ii), b-(i), c-(iii)

                            

ANSWERS – Q.1.-(C), Q.2.-(D), Q.3.-(D), Q.4.-(B), Q.5.-(C),

                      Q.6.-(B), Q.7.-(B), Q.8.-(D), Q.9.-(C), Q.10.-(D), Q.11.-(A)

NTSE Sample Questions based on Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation and Wildlife Resources (Class VIII)

Q.1. The use of land is determined by factors such as

(i) topography     (ii) Soil        (iii) Climate        (iv) minerals          (v) availability of water

(A) (i),(ii) & (iii) are correct                                           (B) (i), (ii), (iii) & (iv) are correct  

(C) (ii), (iii), (iv) and (v) are correct                               (D) All are correct

Q.2. Match the following –

Name of the Country             Percentage of land area in Forest

(a) Australia                                    (i) 67

(b) Brazil                                        (ii) 31

(c) Russia                                        (iii) 22

(d) India                                         (iv) 14

(e) Japan                                         (v)  66

(f) World                                        (vi) 44

(A) a-(v), b-(iv), c-(i), d-(iii), e-(vi), f-(ii)                     (B) a-(ii), b-(v), c-(vi), d-(iv), e-(iii), f-(i)
(C) a-(iv), b-(v), c-(vi), d-(iii), e-(i), f-(ii)                      (D) a-(v), b-(vi), c-(i), d-(ii), e-(iii), f-(iv)

Q.3. What is/are the major threats to the environment because of the expansion of agriculture and construction activities ?

(i) Land degradation                    (ii) Landslides                     (iii) Soil erosion            (iv) Desertification

(A) (i),(ii) & (iii) are correct                                           (B) (i), (iii) & (iv) are correct  

(C) (ii), (iii) are correct                                                   (D) All are correct

Q.4. What can be some of the common methods to conserve land resources –

(i) Afforestation                                                                          (ii) Land Reclamation                  

(iii) Regulated use of chemical pesticide and fertilizers            (iv) Check on overgrazing

(A) Only (i) is correct        (B) (i) and (iv) are correct   (C) (i), (ii) and (iii) are correct   (D) All are correct

Q.5. Identify the Natural Hazard, according to the given description –

(i) Mass movement of rock, debris or earth down a slope.

(ii) They often take place in conjunction with earthquakes, floods and volcanoes.

(iii) A prolonged spell of rainfall can cause this and these can block the flow of river for quite some time.

(iv) In the hilly terrain these have been a major and widely spread natural disaster that often strike life and property and occupy a position of major concern.

(A) Floods                     (B) Landslides                   (C) Avalanche                    (D) Glacier movements

Q.6. Arrange the following in the correct sequence of Soil Profile –

(i) Weathered rock material                                            (ii) Sub soil with sand, silt and clay

(iii) Top soil with humus and vegetation                       (iv) Parent rock

(A) (iii), (ii), (i) and (iv)                                                 (B) (iv), (ii), (i) and (iii)

(C) (iii), (i), (iv) and (ii)                                                 (D) (ii), (i), (iii) and (iv)

Q.7. Match the following major factors of soil formation and their role -

(a) Parent Rock                              (i) Influence rate of weathering and humus

(b) Relief                                        (ii) Determines thickness of soil profile

(c) Flora, Fauna &

     Micro-organism                        (iii) Determines colour, texture, chemical properties

                                                              Mineral, content, permeability

(d) Time                                     (iv) Affects the rate of humus formation

(e) Climate                                  (v) Determine accumulation of soil

(A) a-(iii), b-(iv), c-(v), d-(i), e-(ii)                     (B) a-(ii), b-(v), c-(i), d-(iv), e-(iii)
(C) a-(iii), b-(v), c-(iv), d-(ii), e-(i)                     (D) a-(v), b-(iv), c-(iii), d-(ii), e-(i)

Q.8. Match the following-

      

(a) Mulching                          (i) Broad flat steps or terraces are made on the steep slopes so that

                                                   Flat surfaces are available to grow crops. They reduce surface

                                                   Run-off and soil erosion.

(b) Contour Barriers              (ii) Ploughing parallel to the contours of a hill slope to form a natural

                                                    Barrier for water to flow down the slope.

(c) Rock Dam                       (iii) Different crops are grown in alternate rows and are sown at

                                                    Different times to protect the soil from rain wash

(d) Terrace Farming              (iv) In the coastal and dry regions, rows of trees are planted to check

                                                     The wind movement to protect soil cover.

(e) Intercropping                   (v) Bare ground between plants is covered with a layer of organic matter,

                                                     Helps in retain soil moisture.

(f) Contour Ploughing          (vi) Stones, grass, soil are used to build  barriers along contours. Trenches

                                                    Are made in front of the barriers to collect water.

(g) Shelter belt                      (vii) Rocks are piled up to slow down the flow of water. This prevents

                                                     Gullies and further soil loss.

(A) a-(v), b-(vi), c-(vii), d-(i), e-(iii), f-(ii), g-(i)          (B) a-(vii), b-(v), c-(vi), d-(iv), e-(iii), f-(i), g-(ii)
(C) a-(iv), b-(vi), c-(ii), d-(v), e-(i), f-(vii), g-(iii)          (D) a-(iii), b-(vii), c-(v), d-(vi), e-(i), f-(ii), g-(iv)

Q.9. Water shortage may be a consequence of

(i) variation in seasonal  or annual precipitation

(ii) over exploitation and contamination of water sources.

(A) (i) is correct                                                       (B) (ii) is correct

(C) Both (i) and (ii) are correct                               (D) Both are wrong

Q.10. In dry regions which irrigation method should be adopted for the conservation of water resource ?

(i) Canals should be properly lined to minimize losses by water seepage.

(ii) Sprinklers effectively irrigate the area by checking water losses through seepage and evaporation.

(iii) Drip or trickle irrigation.

(iv) Forest and other vegetation cover to slow the surface runoff.

(A) (i) & (ii) are correct        (B) (i) and (iv) are correct   (C) (i), (ii) and (iii) are correct   (D) (iii) is correct

ANSWER  - Q.1.-(D), Q.2.-(C), Q.3.-(D), Q.4.-(D), Q.5.-(B),
                     Q.6.-(A), Q.7.-(C), Q.8.-(A), Q.9.-(C), Q.10-(D)