- 1. India After Gandhi by Ramachandra Guha is a comprehensive and insightful narrative that chronicles the political, social, and cultural changes in India from the time of independence in 1947 to the early 21st century. Guha meticulously examines the triumphs and tribulations of the world’s largest democracy, delving into various themes such as the challenges of nation-building, the impact of partition, the complexities of multiculturalism, and the evolution of India's political landscape. Through a rich tapestry of historical events, personal anecdotes, and the lives of prominent leaders, he captures the essence of a nation struggling to define itself while navigating the tensions between tradition and modernity. The book reflects on significant moments in time, such as the rise of regional identities, the role of the caste system, and the influence of economic policies. Guha’s narrative style is engaging, making the intricacies of India’s democratic journey accessible to readers, while also providing scholarly insights that contribute to a deeper understanding of the subcontinent's diverse and dynamic history. Overall, India After Gandhi serves not only as a historical account but also as a thoughtful exploration of the ideals and challenges that continue to shape India in the post-colonial era.
What is the subtitle of 'India After Gandhi'?
A) The History of the World's Largest Democracy
B) A Nation's Struggle for Identity
C) From Independence to Globalization
D) The Story of Modern India
- 2. Who was India's first Prime Minister?
A) Rajendra Prasad
B) Mahatma Gandhi
C) Jawaharlal Nehru
D) Sardar Patel
- 3. Who was the first Home Minister of independent India?
A) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
B) B.R. Ambedkar
C) C. Rajagopalachari
D) Jawaharlal Nehru
- 4. What major crisis occurred shortly after independence that involved massive population displacement?
A) The Bangladesh War
B) The Emergency
C) The Sino-Indian War
D) Partition of India
- 5. Which prime minister declared the Emergency in 1975?
A) Indira Gandhi
B) Rajiv Gandhi
C) Jawaharlal Nehru
D) Morarji Desai
- 6. What was the duration of the Emergency period?
A) 2 years
B) 18 months
C) 21 months
D) 6 months
- 7. Who was the main architect of the Indian Constitution?
A) Jawaharlal Nehru
B) Sardar Patel
C) B.R. Ambedkar
D) Rajendra Prasad
- 8. Which war with Pakistan resulted in the creation of Bangladesh?
A) Kargil War
B) 1947 War
C) 1971 War
D) 1965 War
- 9. What significant economic policy was introduced in 1991?
A) License Raj
B) Five-Year Plans
C) Economic liberalization
D) Green Revolution
- 10. Who became Prime Minister after Indira Gandhi's assassination?
A) Morarji Desai
B) V.P. Singh
C) Charan Singh
D) Rajiv Gandhi
- 11. Which movement was led by Jayaprakash Narayan in the 1970s?
A) Swadeshi Movement
B) Non-Cooperation Movement
C) Total Revolution
D) Quit India Movement
- 12. What was the main cause of the Anti-Sikh riots in 1984?
A) Operation Blue Star
B) Khalistan movement
C) Economic crisis
D) Assassination of Indira Gandhi
- 13. Which prime minister implemented the Mandal Commission recommendations?
A) P.V. Narasimha Rao
B) Chandra Shekhar
C) V.P. Singh
D) Rajiv Gandhi
- 14. What was Operation Blue Star?
A) Military operation at Golden Temple
B) Agricultural development program
C) Foreign policy initiative
D) Economic reform package
- 15. Who was India's first President?
A) V.V. Giri
B) Rajendra Prasad
C) S. Radhakrishnan
D) Zakir Hussain
- 16. Which political party dominated Indian politics for the first three decades after independence?
A) Janata Party
B) Bharatiya Janata Party
C) Communist Party
D) Indian National Congress
- 17. What significant event happened in 1962 that tested India's security?
A) Bangladesh Liberation War
B) Pokhran nuclear tests
C) Sino-Indian War
D) Kargil War
- 18. What was the main purpose of the Planning Commission?
A) Military strategy
B) Foreign policy
C) Judicial reforms
D) Five-Year Plans
- 19. What was the main issue in the Babri Masjid controversy?
A) Religious dispute over temple/mosque
B) Language policy conflict
C) Economic policy disagreement
D) Border dispute
- 20. Which prime minister initiated economic reforms in 1991?
A) Atal Bihari Vajpayee
B) Rajiv Gandhi
C) P.V. Narasimha Rao
D) Indira Gandhi
- 21. Who was the first non-Congress prime minister to complete a full term?
A) Morarji Desai
B) Atal Bihari Vajpayee
C) V.P. Singh
D) Charan Singh
- 22. In which year was 'India After Gandhi' first published?
A) 2007
B) 2010
C) 1997
D) 2000
- 23. Which event does Guha describe as 'the world's biggest experiment in democracy'?
A) The linguistic reorganization of states
B) The liberation of Goa
C) The Green Revolution
D) India's first general election in 1951-52
- 24. Which political party first formed a non-Congress government at the center?
A) Communist Party
B) Socialist Party
C) Janata Party
D) Bharatiya Janata Party
- 25. What was the codename for India's first nuclear test in 1974?
A) Pokhran-I
B) Smiling Buddha
C) Operation Shakti
D) Nuclear Dawn
- 26. Which state was created in 2000 as described in later editions of the book?
A) Uttarakhand
B) Jharkhand
C) Chhattisgarh
D) Telangana
- 27. Which movement led to the formation of the state of Telangana?
A) Gorkhaland movement
B) Bodoland movement
C) Vidarbha movement
D) Telangana movement
- 28. Which commission investigated the anti-Sikh riots?
A) Shah Commission
B) Srikrishna Commission
C) Liberhan Commission
D) Nanavati Commission
- 29. Which state was the first to be formed on linguistic basis?
A) Karnataka
B) Tamil Nadu
C) Kerala
D) Andhra Pradesh
- 30. Who was the first Chief Election Commissioner of India?
A) M.S. Gill
B) T.N. Seshan
C) Sukumar Sen
D) James Michael Lyngdoh
- 31. What major event occurred in India in 1975 that Guha extensively covers?
A) India's first nuclear test
B) The Emergency
C) Economic liberalization
D) The Bangladesh War
- 32. What does Guha identify as a key factor in India's democratic survival?
A) Strong military
B) Independent judiciary
C) Single party dominance
D) Economic growth
- 33. Which state experienced a major separatist movement that Guha analyzes?
A) Nagaland
B) Kashmir
C) Assam
D) Punjab
- 34. What significant social legislation was passed in 1955 discussed in the book?
A) Right to Education Act
B) Dowry Prohibition Act
C) Child Marriage Restraint Act
D) Hindu Marriage Act
- 35. Who succeeded Jawaharlal Nehru as Prime Minister?
A) Indira Gandhi
B) Gulzarilal Nanda
C) Lal Bahadur Shastri
D) Morarji Desai
- 36. What major infrastructure project begun in Nehru's era does Guha mention?
A) Golden Quadrilateral
B) Bhakra Nangal Dam
C) Konkan Railway
D) Delhi Metro
- 37. Which international conference did Nehru help organize in 1955?
A) Non-Aligned Movement Summit
B) Commonwealth Summit
C) Bandung Conference
D) United Nations Conference
- 38. Which governor-general signed the Indian Independence Act?
A) Lord Wavell
B) C. Rajagopalachari
C) Lord Linlithgow
D) Lord Mountbatten
- 39. What major judicial decision in the 1970s limited parliamentary power?
A) Golaknath case
B) Maneka Gandhi case
C) Kesavananda Bharati case
D) Shah Bano case
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