12th class Political Science notes ch-10 (English)

📘 Chapter 1 – Challenges of Nation Building (Detailed Notes)

Book: Politics in India Since Independence
Subject: Political Science – Class 12 (NCERT)

When India got independence on 15 August 1947, it faced the biggest challenge in history — building a new nation from the ruins of colonial rule and partition.
India had to ensure unity in diversity, establish democracy, and plan for economic development despite poverty and illiteracy.

🧩 Main Challenges after Independence

1️⃣ Challenge of Nation Building (National Unity and Integration)

• India became independent but also divided due to the Partition of India and Pakistan.
• There were riots, killings, and mass migrations — nearly one crore refugees came to India.
• The government had to rehabilitate refugees, maintain law and order, and ensure unity.

Integration of Princely States:

• At independence, India consisted of British provinces and 565 princely states.
• Each princely state had the option to join India, join Pakistan, or remain independent.
• The challenge was to integrate all these states into one Indian Union.

Role of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel:

• As Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, he led the integration process.
• Used diplomacy and persuasion to convince rulers to join India.
• States like Hyderabad, Junagadh, and Kashmir required special efforts.

Key Examples:

• Junagadh (Gujarat): Muslim ruler, Hindu population → joined India after public vote.
• Hyderabad: Wanted independence → Indian army action (Operation Polo) integrated it in 1948.
• Kashmir: Faced invasion from Pakistan → Maharaja acceded to India with promise of special status (Article 370).

2️⃣ Challenge of Establishing Democracy

• India adopted universal adult franchise – every adult (18+) could vote, regardless of caste, religion, or gender.
• The Constitution of India (1950) provided democratic principles: justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity.
• Conducting free and fair elections in such a large, diverse, and poor country was a huge task.

Election Commission’s Role:

• First general elections (1952) were held under Election Commission led by Sukumar Sen.
• Over 17 crore voters participated — one of the world’s largest democratic exercises.

Outcome:

• India successfully established itself as a stable democracy, unlike many other newly independent nations.

3️⃣ Challenge of Development

• At the time of independence, India was extremely poor and underdeveloped.
• Agriculture was backward, industry was limited, and literacy was low.
• Regional inequality and caste-based discrimination were widespread.

Goals of Development:

• To achieve economic growth with social justice.
• To reduce poverty and inequality.
• To build a self-reliant economy.

Planned Development:

• India adopted a mixed economy (both public and private sectors).
• Set up the Planning Commission (1950) to frame Five-Year Plans.
• Focus areas: agriculture, industries, infrastructure, and education.

Examples:

• First Five-Year Plan (1951–56): Focus on agriculture, irrigation, and power.
• Second Plan (1956–61): Based on Nehru–Mahalanobis model – focus on industrialization.

⚙️ Major Issues and Events

Partition and Its Consequences

• Led to communal violence, mass migration, and refugee crisis.
• Division of resources (army, civil services, finances) between India and Pakistan.
• Created Kashmir conflict – Pakistan’s invasion led to first Indo-Pak war (1947–48).

Rehabilitation of Refugees

• Government built refugee camps, gave jobs, homes, and land to displaced people.
• Major rehabilitation work in Punjab, Delhi, and West Bengal.

Reorganization of States (Linguistic Basis)

• After independence, states were reorganized on linguistic lines.
• Andhra Pradesh (1953) was the first linguistic state (for Telugu speakers).
• Later, States Reorganisation Act, 1956 created new states and altered boundaries.

💡 Leaders and Their Roles

Leader Contribution
Jawaharlal Nehru First PM, promoted democracy and planned economy
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Integrated princely states, maintained unity
Mahatma Gandhi Advocated peace during Partition violence
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Drafted the Indian Constitution
Rajendra Prasad First President of India

🧭 Conclusion

Despite enormous difficulties, India succeeded in:

• Maintaining unity in diversity,
• Establishing a democratic system, and
• Beginning a journey of planned development.

These achievements laid the foundation of modern India — a sovereign, democratic, and secular nation.