Important Questions
Practice these important questions to strengthen your understanding
This question tests students’ knowledge of the health impact of sanitation. Teachers would explain the link between sanitation and disease prevention, emphasizing how safe disposal of human waste prevents contamination. The explanation helps students understand the importance of sanitation in public health and the types of diseases caused by poor sanitation.
Conserving land resources involves methods that protect and maintain the quality and fertility of the land such as afforestation, regulated use of chemicals, and preventing overgrazing. Urbanization involves converting natural or agricultural land into urban areas, which often leads to land degradation rather than conservation.
Universal access to safe water in Porto Alegre has led to a significant reduction in infant mortality rates. Safe water prevents many waterborne diseases that commonly affect infants and children. This outcome highlights the importance of reliable and safe water supply as a public health measure.
Social marginalisation means being pushed to the margins or edges of society rather than being part of the main or dominant group. It often involves exclusion from resources, opportunities, and rights. This concept helps us understand why some groups feel left out or powerless in society.
However, it also strengthened the resolve of many nationalists who saw the need for more organized and sustained resistance.
Some leaders went underground, and new strategies such as sabotage and guerrilla tactics were adopted by certain groups.
The repression highlighted the oppressive nature of colonial rule, increasing sympathy for the nationalist cause both within India and internationally.
Overall, it led to a more radical and determined nationalist movement.
The teacher would explain that while British repression was intended to crush the movement, it had the opposite effect of galvanizing many Indians. The response forced nationalists to rethink their strategies, moving beyond peaceful protests to more diverse forms of resistance. This question helps students understand cause and effect in historical movements and the evolution of political strategies.
Before the rebellion of 1857, the British used the Doctrine of Lapse to annex kingdoms without natural heirs, refusing to recognize adopted sons as successors. This policy caused resentment among Indian rulers. After the rebellion, to prevent further unrest, the British assured rulers that their territories would not be annexed and that adopted heirs would be accepted. This change was a strategic move to secure loyalty and stabilize British rule. It reflected a shift from aggressive annexation to indirect control through loyal princely states.
The Commission's role was investigative and advisory.
It collected evidence from ryots and planters to understand the causes of the rebellion.
It criticized the planters for their harsh methods and acknowledged the hardships faced by the ryots.
It recommended protecting ryots from forced indigo cultivation in the future.
This was an important step towards addressing the injustices in the indigo system.
In clans like the Mundas, land belonged collectively to the clan as descendants of original settlers.
Some members gained more power, becoming chiefs while others became followers.
Powerful men often rented out land instead of cultivating it themselves.
This created social hierarchies and changed traditional communal land use into more individual or clan-based ownership.
Settled cultivation required fixed land ownership, which altered the traditional shifting cultivation practices.
Among the Mundas, land rights were linked to clan membership and descent from original settlers.
This led to social stratification as some individuals gained more control over land.
Renting land introduced economic relationships and power imbalances.
Thus, settled cultivation transformed social power dynamics and land ownership patterns within tribal clans.
A. Criticized Aryan supremacy and linked caste to conquest
B. Led temple entry movements in the 1920s
C. Preached one caste, one religion, one god
D. Organized leatherworkers to improve social status
B - Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
C - Shri Narayana Guru
D - Ayyankali
This question requires knowledge of key social reformers and their contributions to caste reform in colonial India.
First, identify the leader who criticized Aryan supremacy and linked caste to conquest, which was Periyar's key argument.
Second, the temple entry movements in the 1920s were led by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar to allow Dalits access to temples.
Third, Shri Narayana Guru preached the idea of one caste, one religion, one god, promoting social equality.
Finally, Ayyankali organized leatherworkers, a marginalized community, to improve their social status.
This matching tests understanding of the leaders' ideologies and actions.
The public bonfires were a powerful visual and collective expression of resistance. They helped unite people across different regions and social groups in a common cause. By burning foreign cloth, Indians were asserting their economic independence and rejecting colonial exploitation. This act also encouraged the revival of Indian industries and traditional crafts. Teachers can explain this by showing how symbolic acts can have real political and economic impact, inspiring students to appreciate the role of non-violent protest in history.
Swami Dayanand Saraswati founded the Arya Samaj in 1875. This reform organization aimed to purify Hinduism by removing caste restrictions and superstitions. It supported widow remarriage and other social reforms to improve the status of women and society. The Arya Samaj played an important role in promoting education and social equality during the nineteenth century.
The Indian Constitution guarantees fundamental rights to its citizens. Article 21 specifically ensures the Right to Life, which has been interpreted by courts to include the right to safe and sufficient water. This means every person has the legal right to access water necessary for daily life.
One of the accusations against the English traders was that they enticed local merchants to take protection under them, thereby undermining the Nawab's authority and control over trade and revenue. This tactic was part of the English strategy to expand their influence and control in Bengal, leading to increased tensions and eventual conflict.
Public Interest Litigation (PIL) allows any individual or organization to approach the courts on behalf of people whose rights have been violated but who may not be able to approach the court themselves. This is a significant step in ensuring access to justice for all, especially marginalized groups.
Plains and river valleys provide fertile soil and adequate water supply which support farming and human settlements. Their flat terrain facilitates transportation and construction. Mountains and deserts often have harsh climates, poor soil, and difficult terrain, limiting their capacity to support dense populations.
1. Larger landmass and more fertile plains are located in the Northern Hemisphere.
2. The Northern Hemisphere has more favorable climates for agriculture and settlement.
3. Historically, major civilizations and economic centers developed north of the Equator.
4. The Southern Hemisphere has more oceans and fewer large land areas, leading to lower population density.
Population distribution depends on physical and historical factors.
The Northern Hemisphere has more land area suitable for farming and living.
Climate and historical development have concentrated populations north of the Equator.
Understanding these reasons helps explain global population patterns.
The Supreme Court is the highest court in India and its decisions are binding on all other courts including High Courts and District Courts. This ensures uniformity and consistency in the interpretation of law across the country.
The chapter emphasizes that citizens' role does not end with elections.
They are encouraged to use newspapers and media to track the work of their MPs and criticize when necessary.
This active involvement ensures that representatives remain accountable and responsive to the people's needs.
Before British regulation, pathshalas were informal and flexible.
Teaching was oral, and schedules were adapted to local needs such as agricultural cycles.
There were no fixed timetables, printed textbooks, or mandatory fees.
Thus, option B best describes the education system in pathshalas before regulation.
Gandhiji's philosophy of non-violence includes the principle of not harboring ill will or hatred even towards those who cause harm or injustice. This attitude is essential to maintain moral high ground and to ensure that the struggle remains peaceful and constructive. It helps in transforming the oppressor by appealing to their conscience rather than seeking revenge or retaliation.

