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