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