INDIA 1947 12.1 India on 15" August India attained independence on 15" August, 1947. One day prior to it ic. on 14" August. 1947, Pakistan was separated from India, Thus, the happiness of independence was there among the people of India but at the same time many problems cropped up before the nation. Due to India being devided into two, approximately 80 lakh refugees came back to India from Pakistan. The re-habilitation fo Social Science Std - 8i cof these tefugtes wae @ ttajot pioblem, Seootidly thets wats os minty a6 562 states big and small in India. So it wax a big problem for India to join them with Indian tesritncy and consequently, building of nation was also a tough problem. The third major problem was meeting the expectations of the people by providing satisfaction on their hopes. For this India required a solld political structure for post independence. ‘Why was India parted ? Which were the various problema faced hy our comntry after Pattition 7 What was the total structure of this incident 7 All theac queations will be discussed in the chapter, Resclntion of Muslim League : ‘The Britishers had alwaya followed the policy of “Divide and Rule’. So they wese in favour of convincing poole that the welfare concerns of Hindus and Muslims were different. They told every onc that the thought process of Hindus and Muslims are different. |/! Due to mech circumstances created, many Muslim |g leaders thought thet the welfare of Muslims will not be concemed and taken care of in independent India and they will not be secured. So, these Muslim leaders wees in favour of creation of sepatats Pakistan. It would Iced to independent development of both the commmnities. Kecping this objective in mind, the ‘Mnelim Leagne conference was held m 1940 at Lahore, Tn this conference resolution was pesoed that the eress having majority of Mustims will be imcuded and the demand fr separate Paldistan will be put forward. After this the main goal of Muslim loagne wea formation of Pakistan. Mounthetten Plan: ‘Viceroy Mountbatten arrived in India in March 1947. He waa of the opinion that if India had to be independent, irs partition was compulsory. Hf the partition were-not be dons, the whole county would have to face communal not everywhere. People would be brressed. The freedom movements had reached up fo sucha stage that there was na option with Britislaes than to leave India immodiaboly: Jn such circumetmces, many visionary leaders who Imew the reality, accepted the view of formation cof Pakistan. These Inaders also persuaded others to accept this vicw paint, The discussions continacd for three months, Many meetings were held with Jeadem and ot lest Monunthatten proposed the point ‘of partition of Indin wtich is imown aa ‘Mounthatten Plan’ To implement the plan, the resolution of “Nation's independence” wea passed. “Paat Taependeacs Hh12.3 Meeting af transference of anthority-Mounthatten, Jewuharial Nebro, Mobanmnad Ali Jinneb, VP. Menon ‘Acourding to Mountbatten plan, the British Paliament passed the law of ‘Freedom of the nation.” ‘The provisions made in the law were : © The Indian league and Pakistan league are divided into two and would be made independent. © Byery unit would independently form its own constitution. © The big or small states would join any one of the leagues as per their wish and if they didn’t wish to join, they were free to work independently, According to Mountbatten Plan, India was divided into two-India and Pakistan. Mountbatten was appointed ax Indis's first Govemer General and Mohammad Ali Jimah ax the firt president of Pakistan. With this law, the slavery of India ended, The struggle had started in 1857 A.D. The country got its independence finally in 1947. Sindh, Baluchistan, West Punjab, boundary areas and Bast Bengal was included in Pakistan, The rest of the areas were in India. [a6 Socinl Science Std - 8Happiness of Independence throughout the country : There was an air of happiness throughout the country due to the attainment of independence, ‘We all became free from years of slavery. Innumerable revolutionaries and leaders sacrificed their lives. Apart from this, many known and unknown people have contributed a lot to the freedom struggle. After so much hard work, sacrifices and freedom movements, we became the citizens of an independent nation. Jawaharlal Nehru was the first Prime Minister of independent India and he unfurled the tricolour flag of our country at Red Fort in Delhi by bringing down the flag of British union. The nation was coloured with independence. India got its independence on 15th August 1947. This day must have been celebrated in your village or city. How was the celebration done ? Certain movements among Indian states : ‘As the law of ‘Freedom of the nation’ was passed, many Indian states tried to be completely independent. As per the law, it was obvious that the state would think so. Sir C.P. Ramaswamy Iyer declared the state of ‘Travancor as a soverign republic state. Same declaration was made by Nizam of Hyderabad, Nawab of Bhopal and Holker of Indore. The Nawab of Junagadh declared his state to be associated with Pakistan, It was felt that if every state would try to be independent on its own, India would be distributed into various small states. There would be conflicts due to boundaries. The resources of development ‘would become limited. Disputes would rise among states. There would be no meaning of independence gained. Merger of states : At the time of independence, there were 562 states in our country. If all these states, joined only the Indian League, could imagine of United India. This most important task was completed by vice president and Home minister Shri Sardar Vallabhai Patel and his secretary Shri V.P. Menon. ‘They tried to awaken the feeling of patriotism among the states and with their presence of mind they merged 559 states with the Indian league. The first and foremost effort of merging the states was done by king of Bhavnagar - Maharaj Krishnakumar Singhji. Now, the only problem was of three states and they were Junagadh, Hyderabad and Kashmir, 124 Shri Sardar Patel Post Independence faPeople started revolutionary activity against Nawab of Junagadh. Ratubhai Adani along with other people established ‘Arci Hukumat’, ‘Sardar Villabhbhai Patel achieved majority note from peogle of Jimagadh and finally it was meqged with Indian League. Military action wus talocn against ‘Nizam of Hyderabad and at the end it was also included in the Inidan League. Pakiston attacked Kashmir in 1948 AD. and thos, during this war, the king of Kashmir, Harisingh officially joined the Indian League. Even geographically also it was very important that these states join the Indian league. ‘The kings of various states wanted to give a responsible government to the people. It was assured that the government of India would give a responsible government to the people. The second point was also noteworthy tht the eduction among people had increased. Every individual was able to understand the meaning of independence. Hach one wanted to be free, Thus, the kings and their people observed that there will be sure development associated with Indian League. It is praiseworthy that these kings gave all their treasure to Indiam league except some portion necessary for them. Thus, all the states became ready to merge with Indian league, It was a historical event not only for India but in the I history of the world. The contribution of VP. Menon along with Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel under whose guidance he worked for merger of states would alway be remembered. Such unity in India was never seen before. This was the most invatuable contribution of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel towards our country. _l by being which wasGandhiji’s death : It was only six months since India got independence, the whole nation was shocked. Several ‘communal riots took place in various areas on account of partition of India, Gandhiji started fasting to stop these riots. He appealed to people for maintaning peace. During this fasting, Gandhiji was going for evening prayer to Birla House on 30" January 1948. There he was shot dead by Nathuram Godse. ‘The whole nation went into grief as they heard this sad news on radio announced by Jawaharlal Nehru : “Friends, companions, the tarch of our life is lost and now there is darkness on alll sides. Onr dear ‘Father of the Nation’ is no more among us.” The whole nation was deeply schocked. Gandhiji believed in unity among all classes of people and for this, he sacrificed his whole life. His funeral started in Delhi. People with tears in their eyes joined the funeral. Re-habilitation of refugees : Lakhs of people came to India from Pakistan, Their habitat and employment was the biggest responsibility which was taken up by government of India. People were given as much facilities as possible. ‘Huge refugee camps were opened. They were not only ¢given habitat and food but even love and compassion. ‘The Common people and various institutions also helped the government. Thus, these people mixed with ‘Constitution of India and its implementation : ‘The constitution committee was formed in 1946 A.D. Its work was to frame constitution for independent India. This work of framing the constitution continued up to December 1949, Long discussions were held on its minute points. Almost 11 sessions were arranged for the work. Meetings continued for 165 days. Various committees and sub-committees did the work of ammendment in the matters of constitution. 300 Indians participated in this process. The meetings related to the constitution were held in Delhi but the members were from all over the nation. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar was appointed as the chairman of constitution committee, Dr. Rajendra Prasad was appointed as the first president of constitutional committee. ‘As the constitution was prepared, it was enforced and implemented on the day of 26 January 1950. This was the day when real powers were given to the people. (oe 12.7 People during partition of India‘Ths, 26° Jenumry is colcbraicd ax Republic Day, whereas 152 August is celebrated an ‘Tndependence day.” These owe days are called our ustionsl festivals, British Govemor Gener Mountbatten setired and retomed. to bis country. Agter him, C. Rajgopalachari became the Governer General. He was the last Govemer Generel of Indin after the constitution was enforced. Dr. ‘Rajendea Prasad became the first pessicient of our country, Exerche QU Maton che frems fn colam ‘A? with the appropriate one in eolmmn ‘B? w eB 1. Todepeadence Day 1. Dr Rajendea Prasad 2, First Prime Minister of India 2 1S" Avgut 3. Republic Dey 4. Jawaharlal Nebra 4, Fist President of India 4 Dr Ambedkar 5. Chaleman of Constitution conumitins 3. 264 Jomary Q2 Answer the following qumtions = (1) Which were the problems India had to face an challenges when it became independent 7 @) Which recommendation was pat forwand by Muslim leegns in conference held at Lahone 7 G) Which were the main proposls of Inw af “Eccdom of nation’ 7 (4) Who was given the responsibility of merging of stalcs 7 (8) What words were suid by Jawabaelal Nebtu an radio while giving the news of Gasdbiji's death? Q2 FH in the blanks with appropriate words CQ) There WET. eeneeree .— ttetes in India at the tims of independence. (2) Ths conmimlon waa framed in the year ..... G) Sundar Vallsbibbsd Patel und his socretery Shei o merging of states,(4) The proposal of partition of India waa put forward by ... (s) became the first president of independent India. QA Let's do on our own : (1) Collect the cuttings out of the newspaper regarding the historical matter published on 15% Anguat and 26% Jemumy. (2) How is the cclebration done in your achool on 26 Jumary and 15 August 7 Write about it mad present ft befir the class. (3) Along with celebration of national festivals, what will be your contribution towards ths nation ? Q5 There is a picture given below. Look at it carefully, ‘This photograph is of the refugee camp made for the refugees who came for shelter to India from Pakinian, ‘Tmagina : Tf you were one of the refugees, what problems would you have faced ? Write in your own