WBBSE Madhyamika Model Question Paper History Group A
Choose the correct answer:
Question 1 Jibaner Jharapata’ is-
1. A novel
2. A book of poems
3. A biography
4. An autobiography
Answer: 4. An autobiography
Question 2 ‘Somprakash’ was-
1. A Daily paper
2. A Weekly paper
3. A Fortnightly paper
4. A Monthly paper
Answer: 2. A Weekly paper
Question 3 The publisher of the English translation of ‘Neeldarpan’ was-
1. Kaliprasanna Singha
2. Michael Madhusudan Dutta
3. Harischandra Mukhopadhyaya
4. Rev. James Long
Answer: 4. Rev. James Long
Question 4 The practice of Sati was prohibited in-
1. 1828 AD
2. 1830 AD
3. 1829 AD
4. 1856 AD
Answer: 3. 1829 AD
Question 5 The ideal of Sarva Dharma Samannwaya was propagated by-
1. Bijoy Krishna Goswami
2. Swami Vivekananda
3. Sri Ramakrishna
4. Keshab Chandra Sen
Answer: 3. Sri Ramakrishna
Question 6 ‘Kol’ rebellion (1831-32) took place in-
1. Medinipore
2. Jhargram
3. Chhotonagpur
4. Ranchi
Answer: 3. Chhotonagpur
Question 7 The First Forest Act was passed in India in-
1. 1859 AD
2. 1865 AD
3. 1860 AD
4. 1878 AD
Answer: 2. 1865 AD
Question 8 The Revolt of 1857 was described as India’s First War of Independence by-
1. Ramesh Chandra Mazumdar
2. Surendranath Sen
3. Binayak Damodar Savarkar
4. Dababhai Naoroji
Answer: 3. Binayak Damodar Savarkar
Question 9 The rule of East India Company in India came to an end in-
1. 1857 AD
2. 1858 AD
3. 1919 AD
4. 1947 AD
Answer: 2. 1858 AD
Question 10 First President of the Indian Association was-
1. Surendranath Bandyopadhyay
2. Anandamohan Bose
3. Rev. Krishnamohan Bandyopadhyay
4. Sibnath Sastri
Answer: 3. Rev. Krishnamohan Bandyopadhyay
Question 11 The first printed book in the Bengali language was-
1. Barnaparichay
2. Grammar of the Bengal Language
3. Mangal Samachar Matier
4. Annadamangal
Answer: 2. Grammar of the Bengal Language
Question 12 The scientist of the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science who was awarded the Nobel prize was-
1. Jagadish Chandra Bose
2. CV Raman
3. Prafulla Chandra Roy
4. Satyendranath Bose
Answer: 2. CV Raman
Question 13 The Boycott movement economically affected-
1. Peasants of Bengal
2. Middle Class
3. Zamindars
4. Students
Answer: 2. Middle Class
Question 14 Baba Ramchandra led the Peasants’ movement in-
1. Bihar
2. United Province
3. Rajasthan
4. Maharashtra
Answer: 2. United Province
Question 15 Rampa tribal rebellion was organized in-
1. Malabar region
2. Konkan Coastal area
3. Orissa
4. Godavari Valley
Answer: 4. Godavari Valley
Question 16 ‘Nari Karma Mandir’ was established by-
1. Urmila Devi
2. Basanti Devi
3. Kalpana Dutta
4. Leela Roy (Nag)
Answer: 1. Urmila Devi
Question 17 The revolutionary group founded by Surya Sen was known as-
1. Anushilan Samity
2. Gadar Dal
3. Indian Republican Army
4. Bengal Volunteers
Answer: 3. Indian Republican Army
Question 18 Dalits were called ‘Harijan’ by-
1. Jyotiba Phule
2. Gandhiji
3. Narayan Guru
4. Dr. Ambedkar
Answer: 2. Gandhiji
Question 19 Separate linguistic state of Andhra Pradesh was formed in the year-
1. 1947 AD
2. 1950 AD
3. 1955 AD
4. 1953 AD
Answer: 4. 1953 AD
Question 20 Goa became a part of India in-
1. 1947 AD
2. 1961 AD
3. 1956 AD
4. 1971 AD
Answer: 2. 1961 AD
WBBSE Madhyamika Model Question Paper History Group B
Answer the following questions: (Attempt one question from each sub-group; in all answer 16 questions):
Answer each of the following questions in one sentence:
Question 1 In which historical context the ‘Bharatmata’ was painted?
Answer: The ‘Bharatmata’ was painted in the historical context of the Swadeshi Movement in Bengal.
Question 2 Where was founded the All India Trade Union Congress (1920)?
Answer: The All India Trade Union Congress (1920 AD) was founded in Bombay.
Question 3 In which year was the Forward Bloc founded?
Answer: The Leftist Forward Bloc party was founded in 1939 AD.
Question 4 Who is the founder of the Matua Community?
Answer: Harichand Thakur was the founder of the Matua Community.
WBBSE Madhyamika Model Question Paper History Identify which of the following is ‘True’ or ‘False’:
Question 1 Uday Shankar encouraged educated middle-class Bengalis in dance.
Answer: True
Question 2 Indian Association protested against the Ilbert Bill.
Answer: False
Question 3 Faraji is the name of an ancient tribe.
Answer: False
Question 4 Vidyasagar introduced Linotype in Bengali.
Answer: False
WBBSE Madhyamika Model Question Paper History Match Column ‘A’ with Column ‘B’:
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
| (1) Jawaharlal Nehru | (A) Non-Cooperation Movement |
| (2) Birendranath Sashmal | (B) Poona Pact(1932) |
| (3) Kaliprasanna Singha | (C) Letters From A Father to his Daughter |
| (4) Dr. Ambedkar | (D) Hutom Pyanchar Naksha |
Answer: 1-C,2-A,3-D,4-B
Question 1 On the given outline map of India, locate and label the following places:
1 Area of Chuar Rebellion
Answer:
2 Region of Munda Rebellion
Answer:
3 Centre of 1857 Revolt-Jhansi
Answer:
4 Princely State-Junagadh
Answer:
Select the correct interpretation of the following statements:
Question 1 Statement: Nineteenth century Bengal Renaissance was limited in scope.
Interpretation 1: Because only rural Bengal experienced it.
Interpretation 2: Because this renaissance was limited to the field of literature. this renaissance was limited
Interpretation 3: Because of western educated progressive society.
Answer:
Interpretation 3: Because of western educated progressive society.
Question 2 Statement: The British Government passed Act-III in 1872.
Interpretation 1: Its object was to unite the Hindu, Muslim, and Christian Communities.
Interpretation 2: Its object was to develop the economic, social, and cultural development of the people.
Interpretation 3: Its object was to ban child marriage and polygamy and also to legalize widow re-marriage.
Answer:
Interpretation 3: Its object was to ban child marriage and polygamy and also to legalize widow re-marriage.
Question 3 Statement: Rabindranath didn’t like the colonial system of education.
Interpretation 1: Because this system was expensive.
Interpretation 2: Because the medium of instruction Was vernacular.
Interpretation 3: Because this system did not help the mental development of the student.
Answer:
Interpretation 3: Because this system did not help the mental development of the student.
Question 4 Statement: Sarala Devi Choudhurani established Lakshmir Bhandar.
Interpretation 1: To sell foreign goods.
Interpretation 2: To help women who were engaged in movements.
Interpretation 3: To sell indigenous goods.
Answer:
Interpretation 3: To sell indigenous goods.
WBBSE Madhyamika Model Question Paper History Group C
Answer the following questions in two or three sentences only (any eleven).
Question 1 What is the importance of the history of the environment?
Answer:
The importance of the history of the environment is as follows-
[1] It helps to point out how the environment is in direct relation to the development of human civilization and thereby underlining the importance for the need of its conservation.
[2] It acquaints people with the notions of environmental hazards, the implications of environmental disasters, the severity of such calamities, and most importantly highlights the impact of the environment on habitat.
However, the important environmental history, as a discourse is further understood when it is connected to history in its conventional form.
Question 2 How are memoirs or autobiographies used as sources of modern Indian history?
Answer:
Autobiographies used as sources of modern Indian history:
The life history of an individual, written by himself, is called an autobiography. A memoir is an account of an individual’s life and experience. It is a piece of writing based on the writer’s personal knowledge and experiences. and Autobiographies and memoirs are important sources of information in writing history. These are essential elements in the study of history as well.
History is a record of human progress, achievements, and endeavors. Hence, without the contribution of personal accounts, the study and analysis of history would be a one-dimensional representation of facts. History without personal facts would be tedious and unbalanced But autobiographies and memoirs as sources of history have some limitations.
Memory and the passage of time can distort or omit details. Sometimes the narrative can be too elaborate or might be an exaggerated form of an individual’s contribution. Autobiographies can also add personal insight into an event or modify or distort the truth. Due to this, autobiographies are not totally reliable.
Thus, the wisest way to study history through autobiographies and memoirs is to corroborate the accounts of autobiographies and memoirs with other sources of information. Historians have to juxtapose with other sources to arrive at a better understanding of the facts.
Question 3 What is Macaulay’s Minute?
Answer:
Macaulay’s Minute:
In 1835, a law member of the Governor General’s Council, Thomas Babington Macauley published his famous ‘Minute’ to decide upon the course of western education in India. The significance of the ‘Minute’ was that it brought an end to the ensuing ‘Anglicist-Orientalist’ controversy.
Question 4 What was the role of Young Bengal in social reform?
Answer:
The role of Young Bengal in social reform:
[1]In the 20s of the 19th century, some students of the Hindu College started a strong rationalist reform movement under the inspiration of their teacher, Henry Louis Vivian Derozio. The most favorite students of Derozio-Krishna Mohan Banerjee, Rasik Krishna Mallick, Radhanath Sikdar, Ramtanu Lahiri, etc. were collectively known as Young Bengal.
[2]They attacked the evil practices of the society like Sati, untouchability, image worship, casteism, etc. They wanted to apply Western ideas in India to pave her path to progress. Their objective was to emancipate the Indians from ignorance, illiteracy, superstitions, and all social evils and to remake India after the images of the West.
Question 5 Why is Dudu Mian remembered?
Answer:
The Farazi Movement holds an important place in the history of peasant rebellion in India. The leader of the Farazi Movement was Haji Shariatullah. After his death, his son Muhammad Muhsin, better known as Dudu Miyan, took up the leadership of the movement.
After he returned from Mecca, he preached that all men were equal and that God was the ultimate owner of the land; so it would be contrary to Divine law to pay rent to anyone.
He united the peasants against the tyranny of the zamindars and the indigo planters and instructed his followers. not to pay taxes to the zamindars. He created a parallel government but was arrested and put in prison.
Question 6 What was the role of Harishchandra Mukhopadhyay in the Indigo Revolt?
Answer:
The role of Harishchandra Mukhopadhyay in the Indigo Revolt:
Harish Chandra Mukhopadhyay was the editor of ‘Hindoo Patriot’. He published the day-to-day news of the tyranny and brutality of the planters and the progress of the rebellion. He questioned the indigo peasants and vehemently expressed his view against the European indigo planters. Besides his fiery editorials criticizing the administration. he considerably influenced public opinion against the government.
Question 7 What was the main objective of the Queen’s Proclamation (1858)?
Answer:
The main objective of the Queen’s Proclamation (1858)?:
The Great Rebellion of 1857 shook British rule in India to its very foundation. The immediate consequence of this revolt was the end of the East India Company’s rule in India and the Indian administration was taken over by the British Crown. Earl Canning announced this at a ‘Durbar’ held at Allahabad in a proclamation on November 1, 1858, in the name of Queen Victoria. The Queen’s Proclamation announced the policy and principles that the Government of England intended to follow upon the assumption of power.
[1] It confirmed the treatise and engagements of the East India Company and the native states and assured that their territories would not be annexed to the British Empire.
[2] Full religious freedom was granted to the Indians by the proclamation.
[3] It promised to pay due regard to the ancient rights, customs, and usages of India and to respect the rights and honor of the native princes.
[4] It declared that all Indians, according to their qualifications, will be freely admitted to “offices in our service.”
[5] It also granted a general amnesty to all offenders, of the Revolt of 1857 except those who had been convicted of taking part in the murder of British subjects.
[6] It was also promised that the British Indian Government would try to advance the moral and material progress of the Indians.
Question 8 With what purposes are Cartoons drawn?
Answer:
In colonial India, like novels, cartoons also became an important instrument to express dissent against British rule. On one hand, it made people aware of the exploitative tools of oppression employed by the British dispensation in India, just to attain their own selfish goals. On the other hand, these cartoons and caricatures, often satirical in character, depicted the contemporary socio-economic lives of Indians, bringing to the fore, the impact of colonial rule in India.
Question 9 What was the role of Panchanan Karmakar in the development of the printing press in Bengal?
Answer:
Panchanan Karmakar played a very vital role in the development of the printing press in Bengal-
[1] He was one of the pioneers in the field of printing block manufacturing in Bengal. He was devoted to the printing of books in the Bengali language.
[2] He was the first to introduce a movable metallic printing block in Bengal.
Question 10 What is the importance of the Battala publications in the history of the Bengali printing press?
Answer:
The importance of the Battala publications in the history of the Bengali printing press:
Charles Wilkins, a British East India Company Official, set up a printing press at Chinsurah in Hooghly in 1778. He designed a Bengali script, a style of letters, for the first time with the purpose of printing. However, those letters were quite simple and of inferior quality.
Question 11 Why was the ‘Eka’ movement initiated?
Answer:
‘Eka’ Movement:
The Eka (Unity) movement broke out in the districts of Hardoi, Bahraich, and Sitapur (UP) towards the end of 1921.
[1] Causes: The main cause of the Eka movement was higher rent, which was about 50% higher than the recorded rents in some areas, oppression of thikadars in charge of revenue collection, and the practice of share rents.
[2] Objective: The objective of the movement was to resist the attempt of the landlords and their men to take more than the recorded rent from the tenants. The peasants vowed that they would pay only the recorded rent and would pay it on time. They would not leave when evicted and refused to do forced labor.
[3] Leaders: The movement was led by Madari Pasi and other low-caste leaders and many small zamindars who were unhappy with the British demands for high revenue, though the initial thrust was provided by the Congress and the Khilafat leaders.
[4] Repression: Madari Pasi, the leader of the movement, was arrested, in 1922. Severe repression by the British government brought the movement to an end.
Question 12 Why was the Bardoli Satyagraha movement organized?
Answer:
Bardoli Satyagraha movement:
In 1928, Bardoli faced famine causing crop production to suffer and leaving farmers in great financial trouble. The government of the Bombay Presidency raised the tax rate by 30% that year. The government refused to show any leniency in the face of the calamities. In 1928, the peasants of Bardoli in Gujarat started a no-tax campaign under the leadership of Sardar Vallabbhai Patel.
Question 13 With what objective was the Anti-Circular Society founded?
Answer:
The Anti-Partition Movement in 1905 became quite powerful due to the participation of students in large numbers. In order to suppress the movement, the Chief Secretary of Bengal, R W Carlyle, issued a repressive circular which is known as the Carlyle circular.
[1] Background: The Carlyle circular prohibited the students from participating in meetings, processions, and demonstrations, and even chanting the slogan ‘Bande Mataram’ was banned. So the students form the Anti-Circular Society (November 1905) as a protest against such repressive measures.
[2] Foundation: Sachindra Prasad Bose, a student leader of Ripon College (present Surendra Nath College) and a follower of Surendranath Bandyopadhyay, founded the Anti-Circular Society in November 1905 as a protest against Carlyle’s circular. Its president and secretary were Krishna Kumar Mitra and Sachindra Prasad Bose.
[3] Objectives:
The main objectives of the society were-
[1] Unite the students and keep them involved in the movement,
[2] Encourage the students,
[3] Arrange for alternative education for the students who have been expelled from government schools and colleges.
[4] Activeness: The anti-British student movement gained momentum due to the initiative of the Anti-Circular Society. Sachindra Prasad also designed a flag in 1906. He continuously tried to keep the students united and so the enraged government arrested him in 1906 and sent him to Rawalpindi prison.
Question 14 Why was the Dipali Sangha established?
Answer:
In 1923, Lila Nag, a freedom fighter and a crusader for women’s education established the Deepali Sangha, an association for women.
Its main objectives were to-
[1] Enhance women’s education,
[2] Liberate women from the clutches of evil social customs,
[3] Create a feminist consciousness,
[4] Arouse women’s political and social awareness,
[5] Develop women in all fields of life. It became a center for initiating various activities by women and its branches were established in different parts of Dacca. Within a short time, Lila Nag started a high school for girls in Dacca under the auspices of Deepali Sangha.
Its units were opened at almost every place and members were taught drill, parade, sword fighting, and lathi wielding. It instilled revolutionary political ideas in the minds of the members of the Deepali Sangha.
Question 15 Under what circumstances Hari Singh, the ruler of Kashmir signed the Instrument of Accession?
Answer:
After India attained independence both India and Pakistan asked Hari Singh, the Maharaja of the princely state of Kashmir, to accede to their respective nations.
Pakistan Kashmir and proceeded towards its capital Maharaja might want to join India at some government anticipated that the Hindu point of time.In October 1947 mercenaries supported by the Pakistan army infiltrated Kashmir. The Maharaja became helpless. This left Maharaja no choice but to sign the Instrument Accession.
Question 16 Why was the States Reorganisation Commission (1953) formed?
Answer:
Formation Of States Reorganisation Commission (1953)
The matter of reorganization of states and demarcation of interstate borders became quite important after India got independence in 1947.
[1] Demand for linguistic reorganization: There was no division of state on a linguistic basis, prior to independence. The movement for the reorganization of states on a linguistic basis started in India after independence.
[2] Objection by the government: The Linguistic State Reorganisation Commission opposed the idea of reorganization on a linguistic basis.
[3] Movements: In protest against the government’s stand, movements began in different parts of the country. Potti Sreeramulu went on a fast for 58 days on the demand of a separate state for the Telugu population.
Consequently, in 1953, Andhra Pradesh was formed for the Telugu population, and Madras renamed Tamil Nadu (1963), went to the Tamil population.
[4] State Reorganisation Commission: Jawaharlal Nehru formed the State Reorganisation Commission (1953) to formulate the policy of state reorganization.
[5] State Reorganisation Act: By this Act, 14 states and 6 Union territories were formed on a linguistic basis on November 1, 1956. Since no separate states were formed for the Marathas and Gujaratis by the State Reorganisation Act, a conflict broke out between the two communities in Bombay and a movement began demanding separate states. The separate states of Maharashtra and Gujarat were formed by dividing Bombay in 1960.
WBBSE Madhyamika Model Question Paper History Group D
Answer the following questions in seven or eight sentences each.
Attempt one question from each Subgroup. Answer six questions in all:
Question 1 What picture of 19th-century Bengali society is revealed in the book ‘Hutom Pyanchar Naksha’?
Answer:
‘Hutom Pyanchar Naksha’, first published in 1861, was written by Kaliprasanna Singha. It reflects a vivid picture of contemporary society in its pages in a satirical light. The picture of the society that was reflected through it is as follows
[1] It is a compilation of about 140 pages of satirical prose. Here Kaliprasanna criticized the activities of the then-urban society in a humorous manner under the pseudonym ‘Hutom Pyancha’.
[2] It portrays the picture of the 19th-century ‘babu’ culture in Calcutta.
[3] It consists of descriptions of religious festivals, false saints, babus, sahibs, etc. The traditional Hindu festivals, like Charak, Rathayatra, Snanyatra, and Durgapuja were celebrated along with Christmas. This comical mixture of the Eastern and Western modes of life is the object of ridicule in the book.
The ‘custom plancha, or barn owl, is supposed to have shrewd eyes and a sharp beak. Nobody escapes his shrewd eyes and he harshly criticizes all the social evils. The book is full of character sketches like those of the station master, booking clerk, drunkards, the newly rich zamindars, etc.
Question 2 What role did the Calcutta Medical College play in the field of medical science in this country?
Answer:
At the beginning of the nineteenth century, age-old medical practices were prevalent in India. It was only after the establishment of the Calcutta Medical College in 1835 during the governor generalship of Lord William Bentinck that modern medical methodologies and procedures were introduced in India.
Role of Medical College in the field of medical science: The Calcutta Medical College played an important role in familiarising and popularising modern medical methods and practices.
[1] Modern Methods of Teaching & Curriculum: In the Calcutta Medical College, for the first time Indian indigenous diagnosis methods were rejected, instead European principles of modern medical science were imparted among students.
At first, an entrance test of 100 students aged between 14 and 20 years was conducted. Out of that 100, only 49 were admitted in the college’s first batch. Theoretical and practical knowledge of anatomy, chemistry, medicine, and pharmaceutics was given to students at the college.
[2] First Batch: The first batch of the medical college produced a number of stalwarts like Umacharan Seth, Ramkrishna De, and Dwarakanath Gupta, who later went on to serve the medical colleges at Dhaka, Chittagong, Murshidabad, and Patna to name a few. Under the initiative of Dr. Bramley students of the medical college were also sent abroad. Bholanath Bose, Surya Kumar Chakraborty, and Gopal Chandra Sil were some of the notable doctors with foreign degrees.
[3] Renowned Doctors: Rahim Khan in 1856 became the first Muslim doctor to pass out from this college. Another alumnus of the college, Madhusudan Gupta went on to become the first person to successfully carry out a post-mortem. This was a revolutionary achievement.
Students passing out from Calcutta Medical College went on to serve as doctors in different parts of the country. This led to the spread of western notions of medical practices which in turn, ushered in a new era in the history of Indian medicine.
Question 3 With what objectives the Colonial Government enacted the Forest Laws?
Answer:
Objectives the Colonial Government enacted the Forest Laws:
In 1864, during colonial rule, the Imperial Forest Department was established in India. In the year 1865, the first Forest Act was and subsequently, in 1878 the second Forest Act was passed. These acts enabled the British Government in India to ensure total control over Indian forestry.
Need for Forest Act: The colonial British government had various reasons for the promulgation of the Forest Act-
[1] The Company, after 1806 needed lots of Oak wood for shipbuilding. Naturally, the British government directed its attention to Indian forestry.
[2] During the second half of the nineteenth century, with the advent of railways in India, there was felt, a growing need for timber for the construction of railway sleepers and many other things. Thus, the colonial dispensation at that time felt the need for forest conservation.
[3] In India, the aboriginals traditionally utilized forest resources for their living and sustenance. The colonial government wanted to put an end to this practice and wished to tap in, on the vast forest resources that India had. The forest acts passed by the British government had widespread ramifications.
Not only was the sanctity of Indian forest life meddled with, the government, by interfering with the tribal ways of life stirred up dissent of the native forest tribes of India, which finally found its way out through a number of tribal revolts that dotted Indian history during the second half of nineteenth century.
Question 4 Can the Great Revolt of 1857 be termed a feudal revolt?
Answer:
The Great Revolt of 1857 be termed a feudal revolt
The Revolt of 1857 dealt a severe blow to the British government, so much so that it shook the basis of colonial rule in India. Historians are divided on their opinions regarding the nature of the Revolt of 1857.
Feudal Uprising: Historians like Rajanipam Dutta, R C Majumdar, Surendranath Sen, and Manabendranath Roy regard the 1857 rebellion as the uprising of the conservative feudal lords.
Furthering their argument, they pointed out, how the plenipotentiaries of the revolt like Nana Saheb, Laxmi Bai, Kunwar Singh, and others were actually of feudal origin. Some also regard this as the last expression of the disaffection of discontented feudal India. Dr. R C Majumdar is also at one with this opinion.
The 1857 revolt has been variously regarded as ‘the first war of independence’, ‘sepoy mutiny’, ‘mass rebellion’, ‘national uprising’, ‘great rebellion’, and so on. Whatever the nature of the rebellion, that it shook the very foundation of British rule in India is a fact accepted by one and all.
Question 5 What was the contribution of Ganga Kishore Bhattacharya to the growth of the Bengali printing press?
Answer:
The contribution of Ganga Kishore Bhattacharya to the growth of the Bengali printing press:
During the later part of the eighteenth century, Bengal saw the advent of the modern printing press under the initiatives of European Christian missionaries. Innumerable printing presses were established over the next one hundred years in various parts of Bengal. In a way, there was a boom in the printing press industry in Bengal during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
Contribution of Gangakishore Bhattacharya: In 1816, Gangakishore Bhattacharya became the first Bengali to own a printing press. He pioneered the field of the Bengali printing press and inspired many Bengalis to venture into this printing business. This led to increased production of books, newspapers, periodicals, etc. during this period.
Gangakishore Bhattacharya was the first Bengali entrepreneur in the ambit of the printing and publication industry. He founded the Bengal Gazette Press as a commercial venture, which in turn resulted in the growth and development of the publishing industry in contemporary India.
Question 6 How did the Serampore Mission Press develop into a front-ranking printing press?
Answer:
The Serampore Mission Press develop into a front-ranking printing press:
Christian missionaries from Denmark, established several printing presses in Serampore, due to various reasons. It added to the pride of the East.
[1] Establishment of the printing press: A Christian missionary, William Carey, established a printing press in Serampore, which was Asia’s largest and one of the best printing presses in the world.
[2] Release of the translation: Different ancient texts like the Bible, the Ramayana, the Mahabharata, etc., were translated and published in several languages such as Bengali, Hindi, Marathi, and so on.
[3] Other works related to printing: Other than translation, academic books for Fort William College, Ramram Bose’s ‘Pratapaditya Charitra’ and several other newspapers were also published from these printing press.
[4] Imparting education: Under the initiative of William Carey, Joshua Marshman, and William Ward, from the Serampore mission, mass education flourished. More than 2 lakh books were published in about 40 languages, in this printing press, between 1801-1832. They played a very important role in spreading education about culture and science.
[5] Privileges to the poor students: Since a large number of books were printed from these printing presses, they were available to the poor students, at a cheaper price or even free of cost. Thus, they were no longer deprived of gaining knowledge and wisdom.
Question 7 Write a short note on the Refugee Problem in India after Partition (1947).
Answer:
Refugee Problem in India after Partition (1947):
According to the Indian Independence Act, the Indian subcontinent was divided into India and Pakistan on August 15, 1947. India, as a newly formed nation faced certain problems,
which are as follows-
[1] Massive exodus: Due to the Partition of India, millions of Hindus and Sikhs from the newly created Pakistan migrated to India in search of safety and shelter.
[2] Refugee problem: Millions of Hindus from East Pakistan, and millions of Hindus and Sikhs from West Pakistan, took shelter in India as refugees. It became very hard for the Indian Government to arrange the basic amenities for these people as well as secure a future for them. States like West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, and Punjab witnessed the refugee problem at its highest level.
[3] Transfer of wealth: As a result of the partition, a large part of the Indian subcontinent went to Pakistan, which resulted in the transfer of wealth and resources to Pakistan. This made India economically weak.
[4] Lack of cultivable land: A large portion of cultivable land went to Pakistan as a result of the partition. This led to a shortage of cultivable land, which, in turn, led to an acute shortage of food.
[5] Lack of raw materials for industries: Jute and cotton-producing areas went to Pakistan as a result of Partition. This led to a shortage of raw materials for industrial purposes in India.
Question 8 How was the princely state of Hyderabad incorporated into India?
Answer:
The princely state of Hyderabad incorporated into India:
Hyderabad was the largest princely state when India attained independence in 1947. The ruler of Hyderabad was known as the Nizam.
[1] Distribution of population: When India gained freedom, the Nizam of Hyderabad was Osman Ali Khan. But though the ruler was a Muslim, about 87 percent of the population of Hyderabad were Hindus.
[2] Anti-India feelings: After the British left India, the Nizam of Hyderabad did not accede either to India or to Pakistan, and tried to maintain his independence. The leader of the Muslims, Qasim Rizvi, led a group known as ‘Razakar’, which carried out acts of terrorism on the Hindus living in the Indian subcontinent at the borders of Hyderabad. These people fled from their homes and took shelter in relief camps in India.
[3] Increasing complexities: The Nizam of Hyderabad instructed the Muslims to declare jihad on the people living in India. He brought in arms and ammunition from Pakistan and further complicated the issue by appealing against India to the United Nations and the International Court of Justice.
[4] Operation ‘Polo’: In this ‘backdrop, India sent an ultimatum to Hyderabad, but even that was ignored by the Nizam. Consequently, General J N Choudhury led the Indian army into Hyderabad in a military operation known as Operation Polo on September 13, 1948.
[5] The surrender: The Hyderabad army was easily defeated by the Indian army and they surrendered on September 18. Consequently, Hyderabad acceded to the Indian Union.
[6] Signing the Instrument of Accession: A few days later, the Nizam of Hyderabad signed the Instrument of Accession to the Indian Union and Hyderabad officially became a part of the Indian Union on January 26, 1950.
WBBSE Madhyamika Model Question Paper History Group E
Answer any one question in fifteen or sixteen sentences:
Question 1 What was the role of the various Brahma Samajas in the movement for social reform in nineteenth-century Bengal?
Answer:
The role of the various Brahma Samajas in the movement for social reform in nineteenth-century Bengal:
In nineteenth-century colonial India, Brahmo Samaj and its subsequent factions played an important role in the sphere of contemporary socio-religious reform movements. Various streams of Brahmo Samaj included the Adi Brahmo Samaj, the Brahmo Samaj of India, the Sadharan Brahmo Samaj, the Naba Vidhan Brahma Samaj, and the like.
In 1828, Raja Rammohan Roy in Calcutta established the Brahmo Sabha. In 1830, it was renamed the Brahmo Samaj. After the death of Raja Rammohan Roy, the leadership baton of the Brahmo Samaj was taken over by Debendranath Tagore, Keshab Chandra Sen, and others.
[1] Rejection of Superstitions & Imbueding a Rationalistic Fibre: The various activities of the Brahmo Samaj were not only directed against the prevalent superstitions and social malpractices but also aimed at encouraging and inculcating a spirit of rationalism among the common mass.
[2] Protest against Caste System & Religious Orthodoxy: The Brahmo Samaj committed itself to the abolition of the caste system and other religious chauvinism that was prevalent in contemporary Hindu society. Through their activities, they tried to inspire people to follow the lines of rationale.
[3] Concept of National Integration: Through its liberal religious ideology and by way of spreading the ideals of nationalism, the Brahmo movement played an important role in spreading the concept of national integration.
[4] Role in Women’s Emancipation: Brahmo Samaj worked ardently towards women’s emancipation. They protested against the purdah system and polygamy. Besides, they focused on the legitimization of widow remarriage. They also dedicated themselves to the spread of female education.
[5] Social Welfare Activities: The foremost initiatives of the Brahmo Samaj included various social welfare activities and philanthropic works through which they succeeded in spreading the ideas of nationalism. Keshab Chandra along with a group of Bengali youths showed exemplary character during a famine relief program during the famine.
All the streams of the Brahmo Samaj together played a very important role in the socio-religious reform movements of nineteenth-century India. Not only did they work towards a just and egalitarian society, discarding the prevalent religious malpractices but they also put their efforts behind female emancipation.
Their activities had a far-reaching impact, as they inspired socio-religious activities outside Bengal as well. They inspired the mass to tread along the paths of rationalism, rejecting superstitions. In a way, the Brahmo movement successfully instilled the spirit of national consciousness, especially among the youth.
Question 2 Briefly discuss the ideas of Rabindranath Tagore on the synthesis between Nature, Man, and Education.
Answer:
The ideas of Rabindranath Tagore on the synthesis between Nature, Man, and Education:
According to Rabindranath a child is born in a natural environment and he is also born in a social environment. A method that can integrate these two in education should be selected.
He believed that society and nature around would help in educating children better. He believed that in an ideal method of teaching, there must be active communication between man and nature. The pupils of the school should be allowed to enjoy enough freedom. They should be allowed to move about freely on the school campus according to their own will and play as they like.
The teaching-learning should be conducted under the open sky and he himself disliked keeping students confined within the classroom. He believed that the relationship between a teacher and a pupil should be as close as that of the ancient ashram period and based on mutual respect.
Question 3 Discuss the role of the Leftists in the Anti-Colonial Movements of 20th-century India.
Answer:
The role of the Leftists in the Anti-Colonial Movements of 20th-century India:
Leftists played an important role in the anti-colonial movement in 20th-century India.
[1] All India Workers’ and Peasants’ Party: In 1928 formed All India Workers’ and Peasants’ Party was. Under the initiative of the party, several workers and peasant movements were organized against the oppression of the British on the working class.
[2] Meerut Conspiracy Case: The Communist Party leaders like M N Roy, and SA Dange organized industrial workers and peasants. The activities of the Workers’ and Peasants’ Party alarmed the government. In order to suppress communist influence, the British government started the Meerut Conspiracy Case (1929). This was a clear case of an attack on the communists who were arrested and put to jail.
[3] Communist Party banned: However, the remaining members of the Communist Party continued the struggle against the British. There were successful strikes under the communist leaders. Consequently, in 1934, the Communist Party of India was banned. But these repressions failed to weaken the communist movement. However, the leftist movements could not make any progressive development as the basic themes of ‘class antagonism’ and ‘violence’ were alien to the Indian tradition.
