Class 8 History 12. India gains Independence/ question and answers /maharashtra board

Class 8 History

12. India gains Independence/ question and answers /maharashtra board

1. Rewrite the statements by choosing the
appropriate options.
(1) .............. was the head of the Interim Government.
(a) Vallabhbhai Patel (b) Mahatma Gandhi (c) Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru(d) Barrister Jinnah
Ans: Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was the head of the Interim Government.

(2) The plan of creation of two independent
nations, India and Pakistan, was made by .............. .
(a) Lord Wavell (b) Stafford Cripps
(c) Lord Mountbatten (d) Pethick Lawrence
Ans: The plan of creation of two independent
nations, India and Pakistan, was made by Lord Mountbatten.

2. Answer the following questions in one sentence.
*(1) Which demand was advocated by Barrister Jinnah?
Ans: The two nation theory and demand of separate Muslim nation named Pakistan was advocated by Barrister Jinnah.

*(2) Write the name of the ministers participating in Cabinet Mission.
Ans: Pethick Lawrence, Stafford Cripps and A.V. Ale ander were the ministers participating in the Cabinet Mission.
3. Which policy did adopt to weaken the national struggle?
To weaken this movement the British adopted the
policy of ‘divide and rule’.

3. Explain the following statements with reasons.
(1) The Indian National Congress approved the partition.
• Ans: Lord Mountbatten prepared a plan of creation of India and Pakistan as two independent nations.
• Indian National Congress opposed the plan of partition as unity of the Nation was its basic stand.
• However, the Muslim League remained adamant on the creation of Pakistan.
• So, the Indian National Congress was left with no option but to accept the partition with complete helplessness.

(2) The working of Interim government could not run smoothly.
• Ans: Muslim League demanded a separate Muslim nation of Pakistan.

• The followers of the Muslim League resorted to violent ways.
• Though the Muslim League declined to participate initially, they later participated in it.
• However, the leaders of the Muslim League adopted the policy of obstruction and therefore the Interim Government could not run smoothly.

(3) The Wavell Plan could not become successful.
Ans: The Wavell Plan could not succeed because
• Barrister Jinnah insisted that only Muslim League should have the right to suggest the names of Muslim representatives to the Viceroy’s Executive Council.
• The Congress opposed this and as a result, no consensus could be arrived at the meeting called by Lord Wavell.

4. Write the events on the following timeline.

Ans: 

*5. Answer the following questions in brief.
(1) Why did the British took steps towards granting freedom to India?
• Ans: The Indian freedom struggle had become very intense during the period of Second World War. The revolt of Navy and Air Force shook the foundation of the British empire.
• The demand for independence of India was gaining its strength.
• The Muslim League had demanded a separate Muslim nation.
• The followers of the Muslim League resorted to violence.
• The British government realised that it was necessary to take a serious note of it. They realised that their rule in India will not last long.
Accordingly, the British government started preparing plans for granting Independence to India.

*(2) Write information about Mountbatten Plan.
• Ans: England’s Prime Minister Atlee announced the transfer of power would be before June 1948.
• He appointed Lord Mountbatten as the Viceroy of India who was to arrange the transfer of power.
• He held discussions with the leaders of India.
• Mountbatten prepared a plan for partition of India i.e., creation of two independent nations, India and Pakistan.
• The Indian National Congress opposed the plan.
• But, due to the adamant behaviour of the Muslim League, the Indian National Congress accepted the Plan, with complete helplessness.
• On the basis of Mountbatten Plan, Indian Independence Act was passed.

*(3) Why did Muslim League declare to observe 16 August as Direct Action Day? What were its effects ?
• Ans: The Muslim League was adamant on the demand of Pakistan.
• It was not satisfied with Cabinet Mission plan as it had no provision for a separate Muslim state.
• 16th August 1946 was observed as Direct Action Day. ‘
• The followers of Muslim League resorted to violent ways.
• There were Hindu-Muslim riots in various parts of the country.
• There were massacres in the Noakhali region in the province of Bengal.

4) What is Indian Independence Act ?
• Ans: On 18 July 1947, on the basis of Mountbatten Plan, the Indian Independence Act was passed in British Parliament.
•  On 15 August 1947, the two independent nations India and Pakistan will come into existence.
• Thereafter the British Parliament will not have any control over them.
•  The British supremacy over the princely states will also come to an end.
• The Act provided them the right to either join India or Pakistan or remain independent.
5)  Why the joy of attainment of freedom was
not untinted?
• Ans:  The joy of attainment of freedom was
not untinted because..
• Indian people were grieved due to the partition of the country and the terrible violence during that period.
•  Instead of joining the celebration of Independence, Gandhiji was striving hard in Bengal.
• Within six months of attainment of freedom of India, Gandhiji was brutally assassinated by Nathuram Godse on 30 January 1948.
•  Gandhiji strove day and night to preserve Hindu Muslim unity and laid down his life for the same.