CHALLENGES OF NATION BUILDING

Challenges for the New Nation-State (1947)

Independence: 

• 14-15 Aug 1947; Nehru’s “Tryst with Destiny” speech.
• Common Goals. 
• Democratic govt.
• Welfare of all, esp. poor & disadvantaged.

Difficult Start:

• Born amid Partition, violence, mass displacement.

Leadership Focus: 

• Despite turmoil, leaders remained committed to national goals.

Three Challenges After Independence

1. National Unity

• Unite diverse society (languages, cultures, religions).
• Fears post-Partition: survival, unity vs. diversity, integration of territories.

2. Democracy

• Constitution: Fundamental Rights, universal adult franchise, parliamentary govt.
• Challenge: Implement democratic practices beyond constitutional text.

3. Development & Equality

• Ensure welfare of all, esp. disadvantaged groups.
• Directive Principles: guide for development & poverty removal.
• Need for effective policies.

Partition – Displacement & Rehabilitation

1. Partition (14-15 Aug 1947)

• Two nations: India & Pakistan.
• Based on Muslim League’s Two-Nation Theory.
• Congress opposed, but political developments + British role led to Partition.

2. Partition Process

• Religious majority areas to form Pakistan.

Problems:

• Muslim areas in two regions: West & East.
• No connection between East & West Pakistan.
• Some Muslim-majority areas (e.g., NWFP) opposed Pakistan (e.g., Gaffar Khan ignored).
• Punjab & Bengal: mixed population, had to be bifurcated at district level.
• Borders undecided by Independence Day — confusion, chaos.

3. Minorities Crisis

• Hindus & Sikhs in Pakistan, Muslims in India trapped.
• Violence broke out before Partition, escalated rapidly.
• No plans to manage mass migration or riots.
• Millions displaced with little notice.

4. Impact

• Massive trauma, bloodshed, uprooting of centuries-old communities.

Consequences of Partition (1947)

1. Mass Migration

• Abrupt, tragic population transfer
• ~80 lakh migrated, 5–10 lakh killed
• Cities divided into communal zones

2. Communal Violence

• Killings, atrocities by both sides
• Women abducted, forced conversions/marriages
• Families killed daughters for "honour"
• Children separated

3. Refugee Crisis

• People fled homes
• Temporary shelter in refugee camps
• Poor support from administration/police
• Homelessness, trauma, long-term suffering

4. Cultural Response

• Writers, poets, filmmakers depicted trauma
• Called it “division of hearts”

5. Division Beyond Borders

• Property, finances, even furniture divided
• Govt. & railway employees split
• Communities, neighbours violently separated

6. Religious Question

• Partition on religious lines
• India: Not a Hindu nation
• 10–12% Muslims remained in India (1951)
• Other minorities: Sikhs, Christians, Jains, etc.

7. Ideological Conflict

• Muslim League: demanded Muslim nation
• Hindu orgs: wanted Hindu nation
• National leaders: secular India

8. Secular Vision

• Equality for all religions
• Religion ≠ citizenship test
• Enshrined in Constitution

Integration of Princely States 

British India: 

• Divided into British Provinces (under British rule) & Princely States (internal autonomy under British paramountcy).
• Princely States: 565 in number; 1/3 land; 1/4 population.
• British Announcement (1947): Paramountcy ends; states free to join India, Pakistan, or remain independent.
• Decision Power: Given to rulers, not people.
• Challenge: Threat to India’s unity.

Early Issues:

• Travancore, Hyderabad: Declared independence.
• Bhopal: Opposed joining Constituent Assembly.

Implication:

• Risk of fragmentation.
• No democracy in princely states.
• Contradicted goals of unity, self-determination, democracy.

Government’s Approach

• Govt Stance: Opposed division into many princely states.
• Mountbatten Plan: States free to join India or Pakistan.
• Sardar Patel: Key role; firm & diplomatic negotiations.
• Challenge: Complex; e.g., Orissa – 26 states; Saurashtra – 14 big, 119 small states.

Govt Strategy – 3 Points:

1. People's will: Wanted to join India.

2. Flexibility: Autonomy for some; accommodate diversity.

3. Territorial integrity: Post-partition, focus on national consolidation.

By 15 Aug 1947: Most states joined peacefully via Instrument of Accession.

Tough Cases: 

• Junagadh, Hyderabad, Kashmir, Manipur.
• Junagadh: Joined India after plebiscite.
• Hyderabad, Manipur: Complex (discussed later).

Hyderabad 

• Largest princely state, surrounded by India.
• Nizam: Wanted independence; signed Standstill Agreement (Nov 1947).
• People’s revolt: Telangana peasants, women, Communists, Hyderabad Congress.
• Razakars: Nizam’s militia; communal violence, atrocities.
• Indian Army: Entered Sept 1948; Nizam surrendered.
• Result: Hyderabad joined India.

Manipur 

• Maharaja signed Instrument of Accession before Independence.
• June 1948: Elections held; first universal franchise election in India.
• Assembly split: Congress wanted merger; others opposed.
• Sept 1949: Maharaja signed Merger Agreement under persuasion.

Reorganisation of States 

• Post-Independence Challenge: Redrawing internal state boundaries.
• Colonial Rule: Boundaries based on admin convenience/annexations.
• National Movement: Favoured linguistic reorganisation (1920 Nagpur session).
• Post-1947 Concern: Fear of disruption, disintegration; decision postponed.

Vishalandhra Movement:

• Demand: Separate Andhra from Madras.
• Leader: Potti Sriramulu fasted; died after 56 days.
• Result: Violent protests, Andhra state formed (Dec 1952).
• States Reorganisation Commission (1953):
• Accepted linguistic basis.
• Led to States Reorganisation Act (1956): 14 states, 6 UTs formed.

Concerns:

• Linguistic states may cause separatism.
• Decision made in favour of linguistic reorganisation.

Impact:

• Strengthened unity, promoted democracy.
• Opened politics to non-elite.
• Uniform basis for boundaries.
• Accepted diversity, plurality within democracy.

Fast Forward: Creation of New States

• Linguistic states: Not all formed immediately.
• Bombay State: Bilingual (Gujarati + Marathi);
• Result: Maharashtra & Gujarat formed (1960).

Punjab:

Two groups: Hindi + Punjabi speakers.
Separate state granted in 1966;
Haryana & Himachal Pradesh separated.

Northeast Reorganisation (1972):

• Meghalaya, Manipur, Tripura formed.
• Nagaland: State in 1963.
• Mizoram & Arunachal Pradesh: States in 1987.

Beyond Language:

• Regional culture + development imbalance led to:
• Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand (2000).

Telangana:

• Formed 2 June 2014.
• Current Demands:
• Movements for:
• Vidarbha (Maharashtra),
• Harit Pradesh (W. UP),
• North Bengal.

NCERT SOLUTIONS

1. Which among the following statements about the Partition is incorrect?

(a) Partition of India was the outcome of the “two-nation theory.”

(b) Punjab and Bengal were the two provinces divided on the basis of religion.

(c) East Pakistan and West Pakistan were not contiguous.

(d) The scheme of Partition included a plan for transfer of population across the border.

► (d) The scheme of Partition included a plan for transfer of population across the border.

2. Match the principles with the instances:

(a) Mapping of boundaries on religious grounds               i. Pakistan and Bangladesh

(b) Mapping of boundaries on grounds of different languages     ii. India and Pakistan

(c) Demarcating boundaries within a country by geographical zones                                             iii. Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh

(d) Demarcating boundaries within a country on administrative and political grounds               iv. Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand

Answer

(a) Mapping of boundaries on religious grounds                  ii. India and Pakistan

(b) Mapping of boundaries on grounds of different languages            i. Pakistan and Bangladesh

(c) Demarcating boundaries within a country by geographical zones                      iv. Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand

(d) Demarcating boundaries within a country on administrative and political grounds      iii. Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh

3. Take a current political map of India (showing outlines of states) and mark the location of the following Princely States.

(a) Junagadh

(b) Manipur

(c) Mysore

(d) Gwalior

4. Here are two opinions –

Bismay: “The merger with the Indian State was an extension of democracy to the people of the Princely States.”

Inderpreet: “I am not so sure, there was force being used. Democracy comes by creating consensus.”

What is your own opinion in the light of accession of Princely States and the responses of the people in these parts?

Answer

The integration of the native states was done in a democratic way. There were 565 states. 

Some of the rulers had expressed their unwillingness to join the Indian Union however most of the public opinion were in the favour of integration of the states with the Indian Union.

 The forceful integration helped in the expansion of democracy all over the country because princely states never enjoyed their political rights and also secured security aspects of India.

5. Read the following very different statements made in August 1947 –

“Today you have worn on your heads a crown of thorns. The seat of power is a nasty thing. You have to remain ever wakeful on that seat…. you have to be more humble and forbearing…now there will be no end to your being tested.” — M.K GANDHI

“…India will awake to a life of freedom….we step out from the old to the new…we end today a period of ill fortune and India discovers herself again. The achievement we celebrate today is but a step, an opening of opportunity…” — JAWAHARLAL NEHRU

Spell out the agenda of nation building that flows from these two statements. Which one appeals more to you and why?

Answer

These two statements focus on the agenda of secularism, democracy, sovereignty and freedom. These Principles pave the way of real development and prosperity of our country. The first statement appeals to me more than the second one because it inspires the countrymen to remain awake alert as it is not the end of our struggle but a new beginning of nation building.

6. What are the reasons being used by Nehru for keeping India secular? Do you think these reasons were only ethical and sentimental? Or were there some prudential reasons as well?

Answer

Reasons for keeping India secular:

• After the partition, all the Muslims did not leave India and stayed as a minority. Nehru wanted to dealt them with this minority in a dignified and civilised manner. 

• He wanted to give them security and the rights of citizens in a democratic State.

No, The reasons for secular India were neither ethical nor sentimental but prudential as India’s secularism cherished long term principles like equality, liberty and fraternity.

7. Bring out two major differences between the challenge of nation building for eastern and western regions of the country at the time of Independence.

Answer

The two major differences between eastern (Bengal) and Western (Punjab) regions can be summed up as:

• There was no single belt of Muslim majority areas in British India. There were two areas of concentration, one in the west and one in the east.. Hence, it was decided that new country Pakistan will comprise two territories i.e. West and East Pakistan.

• Secondly, there was a problem of minorities on both sides of border (East and West). Lakhs of Hindus and Sikhs in areas of Pakistan and Muslims on the Indian side of Punjab and Bengal found themselves trapped with no option except to leave their homes.

• Third, two of the Muslim majority provinces of British India, Punjab and Bengal, had very large areas where the non-Muslims were in majority. Eventually it was decided that these two provinces would be bifurcated according to the religious majority at the district or even lower level.

8. What was the task of the States Reorganisation Commission? What was its most salient recommendation?

Answer

The State Reorganisation Commission was set up in 1953 by central government to look into the question of redrawing of boundaries of state:

• The commission evolved that states’ boundaries should reflect the boundaries of different languages to accommodate linguistic diversity.

• The State Reorganisation Act was passed in 1956 which resulted the creation of 14 states and 6 union territories.

• Its most salient recommendation was the formation of linguistic states i.e. to reorganise states on the basis of accommodation of their languages to prepare a uniform base for the nation.

9. It is said that the nation is to a large extent an “ imagined community” held together by common beliefs, history, political aspirations and imaginations. Identify the features that make India a nation.

Answer

The features that make India a nation are:

• India is a secular country where people follow different cultures and religions and speak different languages. They are recognised as a nation of unity in diversity with common faith and beliefs.

• Political aspiration ensures democratic setup. It is based on parliamentary form of government.

• India’s imaginations established a welfare state on the principle of equality. For the purpose it provides special protection to socially disadvantaged groups and cultural communities.

10. Read the following passage and answer the questions below:

“In the history of nation-building only the Soviet experiment bears comparison with the Indian. There too, a sense of unity had to be forged between many diverse ethnic groups, religious, linguistic communities and social classes. The scale – geographic as well as demographic – was comparably massive. The raw material the state had to work with was equally unpropitious: a people divided by faith and driven by debt and disease.” — RAMACHANDRA GUHA

(a) List the commonalities that the author mentions between India and Soviet Union and give one example for each of these from India.

(b) The author does not talk about dissimilarities between the two experiments. Can you mention two dissimilarities?

(c) In retrospect which of these two experiments worked better and why?

Answer

(a) Communalities between India and Soviet Union were :

(i) Both the nations were shaped on linguistic basis.

(ii) To promote welfare motives, the economic and technological developments took place in both

the countries.

(iii) In both the nations states were divided on the grounds of geographical boundary and strength of populations

(b) Dissimilarities between the two experiments:

(i) Soviet Union was divided into 15 independent republics to be disintegrated.

(ii) India maintained its unity and integrity even among diversified nature of states and peoples

(c) The Indian experiment worked better to promote linguistic and cultural plurality without affecting unity and integrity of the nation.

MOST IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

Multiple Choice Question (MCQ):

1.Which speech marked India’s independence at midnight on 14-15 August 1947?  

(a) Quit India Speech  

(b) Tryst with Destiny  

(c) Freedom at Midnight  

(d) Republic Day Address  

2. Reason-Assertion Question:

Assertion (A): The partition of India led to the creation of East Pakistan and West Pakistan.  

Reason (R):Muslim-majority regions were located in both eastern and western parts of British India.  

(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.  

(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.  

(c) A is true, but R is false.  

(d) A is false, but R is true.  

3. Match the Following:

Match the princely states with their integration challenges:  

Column A                   Column B

(i) Hyderabad  (a) King Hari Singh sought India’s help against Pakistan  

(ii) Jammu & Kashmir   (b) Nizam’s resistance and Razakar violence  

(iii) Manipur  (c) Pressure from people led to elections 

4.

Arrange the following events in chronological order:  

(a) Signing of the Instrument of Accession by Jammu & Kashmir  

(b) Creation of Andhra Pradesh  

(c) Announcement of the State Reorganization Act  

(d) Integration of Hyderabad into India  

5. The ___________ was a document signed by princely states to merge with India.  

6.The State Reorganization Commission recommended forming states on the basis of religion.  

7. Who was given the title "Iron Man of India" for integrating princely states?  

8. What was the immediate outcome of the partition of Punjab and Bengal?  

(a) Peaceful coexistence  

(b) Violent riots and refugee crisis  

(c) Economic prosperity  

(d) Formation of new princely states  

9. Assertion (A): Article 370 granted special status to Jammu & Kashmir.  

Reason (R):The state had a unique demographic and geopolitical situation.  

(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.  

(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.  

(c) A is true, but R is false.  

(d) A is false, but R is true.  

10. Match the leaders with their roles:  

Column A         Column B

 (i) Jawaharlal Nehru    (a) First Home Minister 

(ii) Sardar Patel    (b) Delivered "Tryst with Destiny" 

 (iii) Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan  (c) Opposed Partition 

11. What was the primary basis for state reorganization in 1956?  

(a) Religion  

(b) Language  

(c) Economic status  

(d) Colonial boundaries  

12. Short Answer Question:

Name one princely state that resisted joining India and describe how it was integrated. 

Answers Summary:

1. (b)  

2. (a)  

3. (i)-(b), (ii)-(a), (iii)-(c)  

4. (d)→(a)→(b)→(c)  

5. Instrument of Accession  

6. False  

7. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel  

8. (b)  

9. (a)  

10. (i)-(b), (ii)-(a), (iii)-(c)  

11. (b)  

12. Hyderabad – Integrated via military action (Operation Polo).

Very Short Questions (30 words each)

1. What was the main challenge after India's independence in 1947?

   - Uniting a diverse nation amidst Partition’s violence and displacement.

2. What was the Two-Nation Theory?  

   - Muslim League’s idea that Hindus and Muslims needed separate nations.

3. What was the purpose of the Instrument of Accession?

   - Princely states joined India or Pakistan, ensuring territorial unity.

Short Questions (60 words each)

1. What were the three main challenges India faced after independence? 

   - Unity: Integrating diverse languages, cultures, and regions post-Partition.  

   - Democracy: Establishing rights, voting, and parliamentary governance.  

   - Development: Ensuring welfare and equality for all, especially the poor.  

   - Leaders focused on these despite initial chaos.

2. How did Partition affect India’s population?

   - Mass Migration: 80 lakh people displaced; 5-10 lakh died.  

   - Violence: Communal riots killed and separated families.  

   - Refugee Crisis: Millions lived in camps with little support.  

   - Trauma reshaped communities permanently.

3. Why was the integration of princely states a challenge?  

   - Autonomy: 565 states had internal freedom under British rule.  

   - Choice: Rulers decided, not people; some chose independence.  

   - Risk: Fragmentation threatened India’s unity.  

   - Patel negotiated to secure most states.

Long Questions (120 words each)

1. Explain the consequences of Partition on Indian society in 1947. 

   - Mass Migration: 80 lakh crossed borders; 5-10 lakh died in chaos.  

   - Communal Violence: Killings, abductions, and forced conversions split communities.  

   - Refugee Crisis: Families fled to camps; faced homelessness and trauma.  

   - Cultural Impact: Writers depicted the “division of hearts.”  

   - Social Divide: Cities split into religious zones; trust eroded.  

   - Resilience: India chose secularism despite religious tensions.

2. How did the Indian government approach the integration of princely states?

   - Policy: Opposed fragmentation; states to join India or Pakistan.  

   - Leadership: Sardar Patel used diplomacy and firmness.  

   - Strategy: Respected people’s will, offered autonomy, ensured territorial unity.  

   - Instrument of Accession: Most states joined by Aug 1947.  

   - Tough Cases: Junagadh settled by plebiscite; Hyderabad by force.  

   - Outcome: Unified India despite diversity.

3. Discuss the significance of linguistic reorganisation of states in India.  

   - Demand: National movement backed linguistic states since 1920.  

   - Trigger: Potti Sriramulu’s death led to Andhra in 1952.  

   - Commission: 1953 panel formed 14 states, 6 UTs by 1956.  

   - Benefit: Unified diverse regions; boosted local democracy.  

   - Concern: Fear of separatism, but unity strengthened.  

   - Legacy: Accepted diversity; later states like Telangana followed.

Case Study Based Questions

Case Study 1:  

In Hyderabad, the Nizam resisted joining India in 1947, signing a Standstill Agreement. People revolted, and the Razakars caused violence. In 1948, the Indian Army intervened, and Hyderabad joined India.

1. Why did the Nizam resist joining India? 

   - He wanted Hyderabad to remain independent.

2. What was the role of the Razakars? 

   - a) Supported integration  

   - b) Caused communal violence  

   - c) Helped the Indian Army  

   - Answer: b

3. How was Hyderabad integrated? 

   - Indian Army entered in 1948; Nizam surrendered.

Case Study 2:  

After Independence, Punjab’s bilingual population demanded separate states. Protests grew, and in 1966, Punjab was split into Punjab (Punjabi-speaking) and Haryana (Hindi-speaking), with Himachal Pradesh later separated.

1. What caused the demand for Punjab’s division?  

   - Linguistic diversity: Hindi and Punjabi speakers.

2. When was Punjab reorganised?  

   - a) 1956  

   - b) 1966  

   - c) 1972  

   -  Answer: b

3. What new states emerged from Punjab?

   - Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh.