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