What kinds of cloth had a large market in Europe?

Cotton and silk textiles had a large market in Europe. Indian textiles were famous
for its fine quality and exquisite craftsmanship. Chintz, bandanna, jamdani etc were
some varieties of cloths which were sold to the people in Europe. There was also the
demand of Indian cotton textiles with printed floral designs in the European markets.
What is jamdani?

Jamdaniis one of the finest muslin textiles on which decorative motifs are woven on
the loom particularly in grey and white colures.They are woven generally with
cotton and gold threads.
What is bandanna?

The word "bandanna" originally referred to variety of brightly coloured cloth which
was produced through a method of tying and dying. Currently, 'bandanna' refers to
brightly coloured printed scarf for the neck or the head.
Who are the Agarias?

The Agarias are an Indian community of iron smelters.

What is an aurung?

Aurung is a Persian term for a warehouse - a place where goods are collected before
being sold. The word also refers to a workshop for finished goods
What is a slag heap?

A slag heap is the waste left behind when smelting metal.

Explain the process of smelting.

The process of smelting refers to the process of obtaining metal from rock or soil by
heating it to a very high temperature, or of melting objects made from metal in order
to use the metal to make something new.
Why was the sword of Tipu Sultan very popular?

The swords had an incredibly hard and sharp edge that could easily rip through
the opponents arm our.

This quality of swords came from a special type of high carbon steel called wootz
which was produced all over South India. Wootz steel when made into swords
produces a very sharp edge with a flowering water pattern.
1

What was the name of the industrial township established by TISCO on the banks of
the river Subarnarekha? Jamshedpur
What was Britain called after its iron and steel industry started growing from the
1850s? Workshop of the world
Which component was high in quantity in Wootz steel? Carbon
When did the Tata Iron and Steel Company (TISCO) begin steel production? 1912

Fill in the blanks:

The word chintz comes from the word chhint.

Tipu's sword was made of Wootz steel.
India's textile exports declined in the nineteenth century.
Indian Wootz steel impressed the European scientist Michael Faraday.
The word muslin is derived from the Arabic language. The Europeans saw
this cloth for the first time in Mosul, a place in Iraq. Hence, they termed it as
muslin.
In the Wootz steel production process, iron was mixed with Charcoal.
The spinning jenny was invented in 1764 by John Kaye.

6. How do the names of different textiles tell us about their histories?

Tracing the origin of the names of certain textiles is interesting as it tells about the
history of the textiles.
Muslin:

European traders first encountered fine cotton cloth from India carried by
Arab merchants in Mosul in present-day Iraq. They began referring to all finely
woven textiles as muslin.

Calico:

When the Portuguese first came to India in search of spices they landed in
Calicut on the Kerala coast in south-west India. They took back to Europe cotton
textiles which they called calico (derived from Calicut) and subsequently calico
became the general name for all cotton textiles.

Chintz:

It is derived from the Hindi word chhint, a cloth with small and colourful
flowery designs.
2

Bandanna: now

refers to any brightly coloured and printed scarf for the neck or head.
Originally, the term derived from the word bandhna (Hindi for tying), and referred
to a variety of brightly coloured cloth produced through a method of tying and dying

Other cloth and textiles from India were named and ordered by their place of origin:
Kasimbazar, Patna, Calcutta, Orissa, Charpoore.

The widespread use of these words shows how popular Indian textiles had become
in different parts of the world.
7. Why did the wool and silk producers in England protest against the
import of Indian textiles in the early eighteenth century?

Indian textiles were famous all over the world for its fine texture and exquisite
craftsmanship. By the seventeenth century, the demand of Indian textiles
dramatically increased in Europe. Wool and silk producers in England protested
against the import of Indian textiles in the eighteenth century as these industries had
just begun to develop in England and hence were not able to compete with the
Indian textiles. They thus wanted to prevent the entry of Indian textiles in the
English markets.
8. How did the development of cotton industries in Britain affect textile
producers in India?

Effects of the development of cotton industries in Britain on the textile producers in

India:
Competition- Indian textiles had to compete with British textiles in European and
American markets.
High duties- Exporting textiles to England became increasingly difficult due to
the very high duties imposed on Indian textiles imported into Britain.
Capture of foreign markets- By the beginning of the nineteenth century, Englishmade cotton textiles ousted Indian textiles from their traditional markets, thereby
throwing thousands of Indian weavers out of employment. The English and
European companies stopped buying Indian textiles and their agents no longer gave
out advances to weavers to secure supplies.
Capture of the Indian market- By the 1830s, British cotton cloth flooded Indian
markets. By the 1880s, two-third of all cotton clothes worn by Indians were made of
cloth produced in Britain. This greatly affected both the weavers and the spinners.
3

Thus, Indian textiles declined in the nineteenth century, and thousands of Indian
weavers and spinners lost their livelihood.
9. Why did the Indian iron smelting industry decline in the nineteenth
century?

The Indian iron smelting industry began to decline due to the following reasons:
The introduction of forest laws demarcated forests as protected and reserved. The
smelters now were not able to find wood for charcoal and iron ore for producing
iron. Many smelters thus abandoned their work.
In forests where smelters obtained permission for obtaining iron ore, had to pay
high taxes for each furnace that they used. This led to a substantial decline in
their incomes.
By the nineteenth century, iron and steel began to be imported from Britain.
Ironsmiths in India began to use steel imported by Britain for making various
articles. Thus, the demand for iron produced by local smelters reduced.
Smelters also faced competition from the iron and steel industries that began to
be set up in the country.
In the late nineteenth century, a series of famines devastated the dry tracts of
India. As a result, many of the local smelters stopped work, deserted their
villages, and migrated, looking for some other work to survive the hard times.
10. What problems did the Indian textile industry face in the early years
of its development?

In the early years of its development, Indian textile industry had to face competition
from the textiles which were imported into the country. In its early years, the Indian
textile industry found it difficult to compete with the cheap textiles imported from
Britain. Unlike other countries where governments allowed local industries to grow
by imposing heavy duties on imports, the colonial government in India did not
protect and support the local textile industries in any such way .
11. What helped TISCO expand steel production during the First World
War?

In 1914 the First Would War broke out.

Steel produced in Britain now had to meet the demands of war in Europe.
So imports of British steel into India declined dramatically.

 The government turned to TISCO for the supply of rails. By 1919, the colonial
government was purchasing about 90% of the steel that was manufactured by
TISCO.
Over time TISCO became the biggest steel industry within the British Empire.
Why was the Calico Act passed by the British government in 1720?

In 1720, the British government enacted a legislation, banning the use of printed
cotton textiles chintz in England. This Act was known as the Calico Act.
It was passed for preventing the Indian textiles from entering the European markets.
The Act aimed at securing the European textile market for the English producers by
eliminating competition from India.

What were the various efforts made by the British to eliminate competition from
Indian textiles?

In 1720, the British government enacted a legislation, banning the use of

printed cotton textiles chintz in England. This Act was known as the Calico
Act.It was passed for preventing the Indian textiles from entering the
European markets. The Act aimed at securing the European textile market for
the English producers by eliminating competition from India.
The invention of the spinning jenny by John Kaye in 1764 increased the
textile production in Britain. The invention of steam engine by Richard
Arkwright in 1786 further revolutionized textile weaving in England. Hence,
the British increased their production capacity and limited the production of
Indian goods.
They also dominated the markets by selling their goods at cheaper rates.
Mention the two technological innovations which revolutionized cotton productions.

In 1764, the spinning jenny was invented by John Kaye which increased the
productivity of the traditional spindles.
The invention of the steam engine by Richard Ark Wright in 1786
revolutions cotton textile weaving.
During the 18 th century, in which four regions of India was textile production
concentrated?
5

 Bengal
Dacca (Now in Bangladesh)
Tamil Nadu
Gujarat
Explain what is a Spinning Jenny?

A Spinning Jenny is a machine by which a single worker could operate several

spindles on to which thread was spun. When the wheel was turned, all the spindles
rotated.
Why did Mahatma Gandhi urge people to boycott imported textiles?

Mahatma Gandhi urged the people of India to boycott imported textiles during the
national movement. He encouraged people to use hand spun and hand-woven khadi.
He did this to save the Indian textile industry from extinction and to encourage the
spirit of nationalism among the people by drawing them closer to Indian goods.
What is wootz steel?

Wootz steel was a good quality steel having high carbon content. It was primarily
produced in South India. Tipu Sultans sword was made of this steel. The swords
made from this steel had very sharp edges as small carbon crystals were embedded
in iron.
Name the famous weaving communities of India and the regions to which they
belonged.

(1) Tanti weavers of Bengal

(2) Julahas or Momin weavers of North India
(3) Sale weavers of South India
(4) Kaikollar weavers of South India
(5) Devang weavers of South India
Where was the Patola weave woven?

The Patola weave was woven in Surat, Ahmadabad and Patan in Gujarat.

State whether true or false:

(a) James Mill was a severe critic of the Orientalists. True

(b) The 1854 Despatch on education was in favour of English being introduced as a
medium of higher education in India. True
(c) Mahatma Gandhi thought that promotion of literacy was the most important aim
of education. False
(d) Rabindranath Tagore felt that children ought to be subjected to strict discipline.
False
Who is a linguist?

A person who studies and knows several languages is known as a linguist.

Who established the Serampore mission?

A Scottish missionary named William Corey established the Serampore mission.

Write a short note on William Jones.

William Jones was a British judge at the supreme court of Calcutta. He was a
linguist who studied Greek and Latin. He had deep interest in Arabic, Persian and
Sanskrit languages. He studied various Indian texts and established the Asiatic
Society of Bengal for promoting the rich literature of India. He discovered many
ancient Indian texts and translated them into English. He also started a journal called
Asiatick Researches.
What is a madrasa?

A madrasa is an Arabic word for a place of learning or any type of school or college.
Who is a munshi?

A person who can read, write and teach Persian is called a munshi.
Explain the term vernacular.

The term vernacular is generally used to refer to a local language or dialect as

distinct from what is seen as the standard language. In colonies like India, the British
used this particular term in order to ascertain the difference between the native
languages and English, i.e. the language of the imperial masters.
What do you understand by orientalism?
8

Orientalism stands for the study of oriental languages and literature characterised by
the texts of the eastern countries of Asia. This term was used by the European
colonial powers in the 19 th and 20 th centuries for describing the study of the texts,
languages, literatures and cultures of the Asian countries. Those who supported the
study of these vernacular languages were termed as orientalists.
How was Indian regarded by orientalists?

1. Indian civilization was great though it deteriorated over the years.

2. They had deep respect for the ancient Indian culture.
3. They believed that the study of Sanskrit and Persian texts produced during the
rule of Hindu and Muslim monarchs could form the basis of the future
development in India.
4. Hence, the orientalists laid great stress on learning Sanskrit and Persian
languages and translating various Indian texts into English. They also
established oriental societies for promoting oriental studies among the
Europeans.
Why did the British promote the use of vernacular languages in India?

The British promoted the use of vernacular languages in India because they believed
that by doing so they would be able to win a place in the hearts of the natives. They
even learnt the language of the masses so as to administer India in a more efficient
manner and strengthen their hold over the country.
Why did William Jones feel the need to study Indian history, philosophy and law?

Orientalists like William Jones studied ancient Indian texts on law, philosophy,
religion, politics, morality, arithmetic, medicine and the other sciences. This was for
a reason. They felt that Indian civilisation had attained its glory in the ancient past,
but had subsequently declined. In order to understand India, it was necessary to
discover the sacred and legal texts that were produced in the ancient period. For only
those texts could reveal the real ideas and laws of the Hindus and Muslims, and only
a new study of these texts could form the basis of future development of India
Why did James Mill and Thomas Macaulay think that European education was
essential in India?

James Mill and Thomas Macaulay were critical of the Orientalist vision of learning.
They believed that the knowledge of the East was full of errors and unscientific
thought that Eastern literature was non-serious and light-hearted that no branch of
9

Eastern knowledge could be compared to what had been produced in Europe, and
especially in England that the British government was wasting both effort and
public money in promoting Oriental learning as it was of no practical use. They saw
India as an uncivilised country that needed to be civilised. For them the aim of
education was to teach what was useful and practical. European education was thus
essential in India English language education was essential in India. Indians needed
to be made familiar with the scientific, technical and philosophical advances that the
West had made they needed to be exposed to the great poets and writers of the
West their tastes, values and culture needed to be changed. This, according to them,
was the right way forward.
What were the main features of Macaulays minute?

The following were the main features of Macaulays minute.

1. Macaulays minute was introduced by Thomas Macaulay in 1835.
2. It was a scheme of education to be imparted to Indians.
3. It recommended making English the medium of instruction for higher
education.
4. For primary classes, vernacular languages were retained as the medium of
instruction.
5.

It also suggested terminating the promotion of oriental institutions in India as

these were seen as temples of darkness.

Why did Mahatma Gandhi want to teach children handicrafts?

Mahatma Gandhi believed that the aim of education should the development of a
person's mind and soul. He felt that children needed to work with their hands, learn a
useful handicraft and know how different things operated. This would develop their
mind and their capacity to understand.
Why did Mahatma Gandhi think that English education had enslaved Indians?

Gandhi believed that the colonial education filled Indians with the inferiority
complex. It was because they were made to believe in the greatness and superiority
of the western education. This destroyed their pride in their own culture. After
receiving western education, Indians gradually begin to admire the British rule.
Thus, he believed that English education had enslaved Indians.
What was the Woods Despatch?
10

The Woods Despatch of 1854 was an educational Despatch introduced in India by

Charles Wood, the President of the Board of Control of the East India Company. It
outlined the importance of English education in India and opposed oriental
knowledge. English education was seen as a tool for making Indians understand the
importance of trade and commerce. Thus, the Despatch used education as a tool for
furthering British economic interests in India.

What was unique about the way Indian pathshalas functioned during the 19 th
century?

In the 19 th century, there were over one lakh pathshalas all over the country.
These institutions were different from modernday schools.
1. In these pathshalas, There was no fixed fee
2. There were no printed books
3. There were no separate school buildings
4. There were no benches or chairs
5. There were no blackboards
6. There was no system of separate classes
7. There were no rollcall registers
8. There was no annual examination and no regular timetable
9. Classes were held under a tree or in the cover of a village temple
10.The fee depended on the income of parents
11. Teaching

was oral and the guru decided what to teach

What is meant by the term Santiniketan? The abode of peace

Which two prominent Indians protested against the increasing importance of
Western education?

Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore

11

Those with a scholarly knowledge of the language and culture of Asia were called
Orientalist
On which point did Gandhi and Tagore differ on the question of national
education?

Teaching of science and technology

Macaulay wanted to ban the promotion of oriental institutions like the Calcutta
Madrasa and the Benaras Sanskrit College
The Asiatic Society of Bengal was established in 1784
The Hindu College of Benaras was established in 1791
The Education Act was introduced in 1870 and
The Calcutta Madrasa was established in 1781.
Rabindranath Tagore established Santiniketan in the year 1901.
Rabindranath Tagore emphasised the need to teach science and technology at
Santiniketan along with art, music and dance.
Asiatick Researches was the journal started by William Jones.
The first three universities of India were established in Calcutta, Madras and
Bombay.
William Carey, a Scottish missionary, established the Serampore Mission.

12

(i) What is agriculture?

Agriculture is a primary activity that involves growing of crops, fruits, vegetables,

flowers and rearing of livestock.
(ii) Name the factors influencing agriculture.

Factors influencing agriculture are:

1. Topography
2. Climate
3. Soil
4. Technology
5. Population
(iii) What is shifting cultivation? What are its disadvantages?

Shifting cultivation is a form of agriculture which involves clearing of a plot of land

by cutting of trees and burning them. The ashes are then mixed with the soil and
crops are grown. After the land has lost its fertility, it is abandoned. The farmers
then move to a new place.
Disadvantages:
1. Leads to deforestation
2. Loss of fertility of a particular land
3. Leads to Soil erosion
4. Burning of trees air pollution
5. Insufficient cultivation of crops for a large population.
(iv) What is plantation agriculture?

Plantation agriculture is a type of farming that involves growing of one crop on large
farms for profit. The crops could be either a cash crop or beverage crops such as
coffee, tea, sugarcane, rubber, banana or cotton. This farming requires large amount
of labour and capital. The produce is processed either on the farm or some nearby
factories. This type of farming can be found in tropical regions of the world India,
Sri Lanka and Brazil.
(v) Name the fibre crops and name the climatic conditions required for

their growth.
Fibre crops - Jute and Cotton
13

Jute requires the following conditions

High temperature

Heavy rainfall

Humid climate
Cotton requires the following conditions

High temperature

Light rainfall

Bright sunshine

Two hundred and ten frost free days

Give reasons.

(i) In India agriculture is a primary activity.

In India, agriculture is a primary activity because:

Many regions in India have fertile land that is favourable for agriculture.
Due to lack of literacy among the people, they prefer agriculture (skills for
these can be learnt from their ancestors.) Therefore, two-thirds of the Indian
population still depends on it.

India being a densely populated country requires food production on a large

scale to fulfil the people needs.

(ii) Different crops are grown in different regions.

14

Growing of the crops depends on a variety of factors such as:

1. Type of Climate of a place/region
2. Amount of rainfall in a particular place/ region
3. Favourable topography of soil
4. Demand of produce
5. Labour and Technology level
6. Different lifestyles of people staying at a particular place/region
Hence, different crops are grown in different regions.

15

Explain subsistence farming.

Subsistence agriculture is self-sufficiency farming in which farmers grow only

enough food to feed their families. The typical subsistence farm has a range of crops
and animals needed by the family to eat during the year. Subsistence farming can be
classified into the following categories:
Intensive subsistence farming: It is practiced on a small plot of land using more

labour and simple tools. Rice, wheat, maize, pulses and oilseeds are cultivated by
using this kind of farming.
Primitive subsistence farming: It includes shifting cultivation and nomadic

herding.

Distinguish between the following.

(i) Primary activities and tertiary activities

(i) Difference between Primary and Secondary activities.

Primary activities

Secondary activities

These are activities through which natural These are activities that support the
resources are obtained.
primary and the secondary sector.
Examples: Mining, Fishing, Agriculture

Examples: Communication, Transport,

Services like Bank or Advertising.

(ii) Subsistence farming and intensive farming

Difference between Subsistence and Intensive farming.

Subsistence Farming

Intensive Farming

It is a type of farming that is done by the It is a type of farming that is done by the
farmer to cultivate crops for himself and farmer to increase production of crops by
his family, in order to meet their needs. involving tools and extra labour.
This farming is done for personal
consumption.

This farming is done for gaining profits.

16

Write a short note on nomadic herding.

Nomadic herding is a practice in which herdsmen keep migrating with their herd of
animals for fodder and water.
It is practiced in the following arid and semiarid regions:
Central Asia
Sahara
Parts of India such as Jammu & Kashmir and Rajasthan
Commonly reared animals include goats, yaks, camels and sheep. The herders and
their families get meat, milk, hide and wool from these animals.

What kind of climatic condition is essential for coffee plantation? Which countries
are the leading producers of coffee?

The necessary conditions for coffee plantation are as follows:

Warm and wet climate
Well-drained loamy soil
Hilly slopes
The major producers of coffee are Brazil, Colombia and India.

What kind of climate is essential for wheat plantation? Which countries are the
leading producers of wheat?

The essential conditions for wheat production are as follows:

Rainfall
Moderate temperature during growing season
Bright sunshine at the time of harvest
Well-drained loamy soil

17

The major producers of wheat are USA, Argentina, Canada, Russia, Australia,
Ukraine and India.

What do you understand by agricultural development?

Agricultural development refers to the efforts made towards increasing the farm
production to meet the demands of the growing population. Agricultural
development can be achieved in the following ways:
1. Increasing the crop area
2. Increasing the number of crops grown
3. Improving irrigation facilities
4. Using fertilizers
5. Using high yielding variety of seeds
6. Mechanising agriculture
What do you understand by mixed farming?

Mixed farming is a system of farming in which a farmer conducts different types of

agricultural practices on a single farm with the view of increasing his income
through different sources. In mixed farming, land is used for growing food crops and
fodder crops apart from using it for rearing livestock. It is extensively practiced in
eastern USA, Argentina, Europe, South Africa and New Zealand.

Explain commercial farming.

Commercial farming could be defined as farming for profit, where food is produced
and animals are reared using advanced technology for sale in the market. Most of
the work is done by machines. Commercial farming includes the following:
Commercial grain farming:

In commercial grain farming, crops are grown for commercial purpose. Wheat and
maize are the major commercially grown crops. Major areas practicing commercial
18

grain farming are the temperate grasslands of Asia, Europe and North America.
Mixed farming:

In mixed farming, a piece of land is used for growing food, fodder crops and for
rearing livestock. Plantation agriculture: In plantation agriculture, a single crop such
as coffee, sugarcane, banana, cotton, rubber, tea, etc. is grown. This kind of farming
requires a large amount of capital and labour.
Where is mixed farming practiced?

It is practiced in Europe, eastern USA, Argentina, south east Australia, New

Zealand and South Africa.
What kind of climatic conditions are necessary for the production of rice? Which
are the leading producers of rice in the world?

Rice is the major food crop in the world. It is considered as a staple diet in tropical
and subtropical regions. The conditions necessary for the production of rice are as
follows:
High temperature
Humidity
Rainfall
Alluvial clayey soil, which can retain water
The leading producers of rice in the world are China, India, Egypt, Japan and Sri
Lanka.

Primary activities include all those economic activities connected with extraction

and production of natural resources.

Examples of primary activities are agriculture, fishing and gathering.
Secondary activities are those activities which involve the manufacturing of

finished goods by processing the raw materials that are found in the nature.
Examples:
i. Manufacturing steel
ii. Weaving cloth
iii. Baking bread
19

The land for wheat should be Leveled and undulated.

Subsistence type of farming is practiced to meet the needs of the farmers family.
Rice is not a crop grown in shifting cultivation.
Loamy soil is best suitable for the growth of wheat

Name any four countries where wheat is grown extensively. USA, Canada,
Argentina and Russia.
Millet is known as coarse grain.
Jhumming is shifting cultivation known in North-East India.
The plantation of Rubber crop is abundantly found in Malaysia.

Name any three types of farming.

1. Commercial farming
2. Mixed farming
3. Dairy farming.

Briefly explain the climatic condition suitable for production of tea.

It requires a cool, frost-free climate with abundant rainfall, well distributed

throughout the year for a good crop. It also needs well drained loamy soils and
gentle slopes that can be terraced for cultivation. Tea was introduced to India by the
British. Kenya, China and Sri Lanka produce some of the best quality tea in the
world.
Define the following:a) Sericulture b) Pisciculture c) Viticulture d) Horticulture
a) Sericulture- Commercial rearing of silk worms. It may supplement the income
of the farmer.
b) Pisciculture-Breeding of fish in specially constructed tanks and ponds.
c)Viticulture- Cultivation of grapes.
20

d) Horticulture- Growing vegetables, flowers and fruits for commercial use.

Which crop is called Golden fibre? Write a short note on it.

Jute is also known as the Golden fibre. It grows well on alluvial soil and requires
high temperature, heavy rainfall and humid climate. This crop is grown in the
tropical areas. India and Bangladesh are the leading producers of jute.

What do you mean by arable land?

The land on which the crops are grown is known as arable land.

21

Write in your own words what you understand by the term the rule of law. In
your response include a fictitious or real example of a violation of the rule of law.:

The rule of law implies that everyone, regardless of any discrimination, is equal
before the law. In an independent and democratic India, all citizens from a rickshaw
puller to the Prime Minister are to be judged equally before the law if they violate it
by committing a crime. Every violation of a law or commitment of a criminal
offence has a specific process to establish guilt and cite its punishment. The rule of
law ensures that equality is maintained by passing the same judgment on a criminal
regardless of his/her status or background.
Violations of the rule of law are, sadly enough, aplenty in India. In our country, if
one has power or contacts with influential people, then it is easy to get away with
even gross violations of laws and rules. For example, most politicians today own
property and wealth worth crores but they do not even file tax returns on the same.
The assets they declare are probably not even half of what they originally own.
However, an ordinary income tax official cannot dare to question them for fear of
losing his job, because the former have power that this official does not possess.

State two reasons why historians refute the claim that the British introduced the
rule of law in India.
The two reasons why historians refute the claim that the British introduced the Rule of
Law in India are

Colonial law was arbitrary, e.g. Sedition Act of 1870

Indian nationalists played a prominent role in the development of the legal sphere
in British India.

Re-read the storyboard on how a new law on domestic violence got passed.
Describe in your own words the different ways in which women's groups worked
to make this happen.
The different ways in which women worked to pass the Bill of Protection of Women from
Domestic Violence Act are

Women collected various complaints of victims of domestic violence.

They raised the issues of domestic violence in various forums such as campaigning.
A group of lawyers, law students and activists took overall consultations from the nation,
and then took the lead in drafting the Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Bill.
Various meetings were held with different organisations.
Several womens organisations made submissions of the draft to the Parliamentary
Standing Committee.
22

The bill was introduced to the Parliament in 2002.

In December 2002, the recommendations of the Standing Committee were submitted to the
Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha.

The new bill was introduced in 2005.

After the bill was passed by both the houses, it was sent for the Presidents consent.

Finally, the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act came into effect in 2006.
Write in your own words what you understand by the following sentence on pages
44-45: They also began fighting for greater equality and wanted to change the
idea of law from a set of rules that they were forced to obey to law as including
ideas of justice.
The line refers to the Indian nationalists feeling violated.

During their rule, the British arbitrated the Indians by introducing the Sedition Act in 1870.
The Act stated that any person protesting or criticising the British government could be
arrested without due trial.
Thus, the Indians felt the need to bring in changes to the law which were derogatory and
forced upon them.
They started protesting and criticising the arbitrary use of authority by the British.
Therefore, they fought for the greater equality and wanted to change the idea of law from a
set of rules that they were forced to obey, law as including ideas of justice.

What were the main demands of Indian nationalists with respect to

reforms in law?

The main demands of Indian nationalists with respect to reforms in law were as
follows:
1. They opposed the arbitrary laws imposed by the British on Indians.
2. They wanted equality and that laws be made more sensitive to their
circumstances.
3. Indian lawyers began joining the nationalist movement and demanded reforms
in the legal system. They also defended the legal rights of Indians in the law
courts dominated by the British.

What do you understand by the rule of law?

The rule of law means that no one is above the law. The concept of the rule of law
has been incorporated in the Constitution of India for the following reasons:
It establishes the supremacy of law over all the citizens whether rich or poor.
23

Law cannot discriminate between persons on the basis of their religion, caste or
gender.

What was the process of dispensing justice in ancient India?

In ancient India, the Indian society was divided into numerous caste and class
divisions. The process of dispensing justice was as follows:
1. There were innumerable laws and justice was dispensed according to ones
caste. The upper castes enjoyed leniency in laws whereas the lower castes
were harshly punished for the same crime.
2. The rule of law or equality before law was an unknown concept during the
ancient period.

Why was the Sedition Act of 1870 criticised by Indians?

According to the Sedition Act of 1870, any person protesting or criticising the
British Government could be arrested without trial. It was yet another instance of
arbitrary use of authority by the British. The act was criticised and opposed by the
Indian nationalists.

What do you mean by Hindu Succession Act 2005?

The Hindu Succession Act, 2005, stated that after the fathers death, sons, daughters
and their mothers can get an equal share of family property.

What are the salient features of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence
Act?

The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 is a novel legislation
passed by the Indian government for the following reasons:
1. It protects women from physical or mental abuse within their households.
2. It provides a woman the right to secure housing.
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3. It recognizes the right of women to live in a shared household and claim for
monetary relief to meet her expenses.

What are the various mediums through which citizens can communicate with the
government?

The citizens can communicate with the government through the following means:
1. T. V. reports
2. Newspaper editorials
3. Radio broadcasts
4. Local meetings
5. Press conferences
6. Memorandums

Write a short note on the Rowlatt Act.

The Rowlatt Act was passed by the British government in 1919. The Act allowed the
British government to imprison any Indian, even on the grounds of suspicion,
without trial. The Act was vehemently opposed by the Indian nationalist leaders
including Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. Saifuddin Kitchlew and Dr. Satyapal Malik.

What do you understand by domestic violence? What steps have been taken by
the government of India to stop it?

Domestic violence refers to any injury or use of force or threat on women by an

adult male member of her house. Both physical injury and emotional abuse come
under the purview of domestic violence. The government of India passed the
Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act in 2005 for preventing women
from being subject to violence by anyone in their households. The act has been very
useful in protecting the rights of women and giving them a tool for their selfdefense.

Why do certain laws made by the Parliament become controversial?

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The Parliament passes laws for the general welfare of the people and for promoting
the interests of the country. However, certain laws passed by the Parliament become
controversial because of the following reasons:
1. Certain laws have unfriendly provisions.
2. A law fails to be accepted by the people if they feel that its provisions are not
for their benefit.
3. At times, a law made for the welfare of one section of the society may cause
resentment in the other sections.
4. The citizens of a democratic nation are free to express their opposition and
their unwillingness to accept a law which they consider repressive.

What is the role of citizens in the effective functioning of democracy?

Citizens are active players in a democratic system. They play the following roles:
1. It is they who elect their representatives to form the government.
2. They keep a constant vigil on the policies and laws framed by the government
and are at liberty to oppose laws which they find repressive.
3. They make the government accountable for all its actions.
4. The government that fails to fulfil the peoples expectations is usually not
elected to power in the next elections.

How are Laws Passed?

Laws are passed by the Parliament which represents the people of India.
1. When people generally feel that the passing of a law is necessary to change
some exploitative norms which are existing in society, protests and rallies are
first held to create awareness among people about the issue.
2. People of civil societies such as lawyers, teachers and law students may even
draft the bill.
3. The bill is then sent to the Parliamentary Standing Committee. The bill is
then moved into the Parliament. The members of the Parliament discuss each
clause of the bill.
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4. After a bill is discussed and approved by two-thirds majority of the members

of the House, it is sent to the other House for discussions. The same procedure
takes place in the second House.
5. After it is passed in the second House, the bill goes to the President for his
signature. The President may send the bill back to the House if he believes
that certain provisions in the bill need review.
6. When the bill comes to the President with or without changes for the second
time, he/she has to sign the bill.
7. After being signed by the President, the bill becomes a law.

Unpopular and Controversial Laws

The Parliament may pass some controversial and unpopular laws. When a set of
laws favours one group at the expense of the other group, the law is said to be
controversial.
1. When an unpopular law is passed, people may come together on a common
platform to criticise the provisions of the law.
2. Holding of rallies and protests, writing in magazines and newspapers, holding
debates in the television are some ways in which the Parliament may be
pressurised into changing unpopular provisions of the law.
3. Unpopular and repressive laws may be challenged in the court by the people.
The Supreme Court has the power to revoke the laws if the laws do not adhere
to the Constitution of the country.

The Civil Rights Act

The Civil Rights Act was passed by the U.S.A. in 1964. It prohibited any sort of
discrimination on the basis of colour. The aim of the Civil Rights Act was to put an
end to the discrimination against African Americans.

The Sedition act of 1870 gave the British the freedom to arrest anybody without

trial for protesting or criticising the British government.

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The Jallianwala Bagh incident happened in the aftermath of the arrests of two
prominent Indian leaders who were opposing the Rowlatt Act. Which of the
following leaders was arrested during the opposition of the Rowlatt Act?
Dr. Saifuddin Kitchlew, along with Dr. Satyapal Malik, was arrested during the
Rowlatt Satyagraha.

Column 1
1. Local laws
2. Process of development
3. Protection of women through
domestic violence Act
4. Controversial acts

Column 2
iii. Overlapping
ii. Evolution
i. A civil law
iv. Lead to conflict

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