WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History Chapter 9 India Today Topic A India Today Government Democracy And Self Governance

Chapter 9 India Today Salient Points At A Glance

All sovereign nations have a government. Now the people of the nation decide who will rule the nation.

The word ‘sarkar’ originates from the Persian language. In the medieval age, the word ‘sarkar’ meant both ruler and rule.

The method of selecting the ruler by the people is called ‘democracy’. The people themselves decide the system of governance. Thus it is called Democracy.

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Even today, some countries like England and Japan still have Monarchies. But those countries have a democratic government too.

Every country has certain rules for administration. These rules are called the Constitution. Most of countries have written constitutions. But in some other countries, conventional rules are followed.

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India has a written constitution. It is the largest written constitution in the world. The chief architect of our constitution is B. R. Ambedkar.

The Indian constitution was adopted on 26 November 1949. The Indian constitution came into effect on 26 January 1950. Every year 26 January is celebrated as Republic Day.

In India, the election occurs after every five years. The election is commonly known as ‘vote’. By voting, the people elect their government for five years.

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India has one Union government. Again, each state has its own government called State government. The Union government is selected by the people of the nation. The State government is selected by the people of a particular state.

The Government of India is democratic because the people select their own government and also federal because there are both Union and State governments.

The role of the government is to rule the nation. To take measures for welfare of the people, collect tax, and to maintain sovereignty of the nation-all these functions of a nation are guided by the constitution.

There are three branches of the government for functioning-Legislative, Executive, and Judicial.

The people of India not only elect the ruler but also take part in governance. This active participation in the rule of the government is called Self-governance.

In West Bengal, there are two types of Self- governance-Municipality for cities or towns, and Gram Panchayat for rural areas. A cluster of villages forms a Block. Again, a cluster of Blocks forms a District.

The local people elect their representatives every five years-whether it is a Municipality or Gram Panchayat.

Chapter 9 Topic A India Today Government Democracy And Self Governance

Analytical Questions

Question 1. Discuss the term ‘Sarkar’.
Answer:

Source:

The term Sarkar meaning government is derived from a Persian word.

Meaning:

To govern means to rule. In the middle ages, the word ‘government’ meant both the ruler and the administrative system. Sher Shah, the Afghan ruler, divided territories under his rule into many Sarkars for administrative convenience.

Question 2. Give an idea of the modern concept of Government.
Answer:

Definition:

Government is the term used collectively for those who are entrusted with the responsibility of administering a country. It has three organs-executive, legislative, and judiciary.

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Opinion of Garner:

Political scientist Garner says, Government is a responsible institution which decides public regulations, looks after public welfare, and fulfils aspirations of the common folk.

Question 3. What are the duties of government?
Answer:

Duties of government:

Governments all over the world perform three essential duties

1. Policy determination: To determine policy, which is the job of the legislature.
2. Policy execution: To put the policies into action, which is done by the executive.
3. Settle disputes: To wear down legal opposition and settle disputes, which is done by the judiciary.

Question 4. What is meant by unitary and federal systems of government?
Answer:

Unitary Government:

Prof. Garner says the Unitary system of government is where administration is vested in a single government, the Central Government.

For example Great Britain.

Federal Government:

The federal system of government is where the administrative power rests in the Central Government and some state Governments.

For example India.

WBBSE Class 7 History Chapter 9 Question Answer

Question 5. What are the Parliamentary and Presidential systems of government?
Answer:

Parliamentary System:

In this system of government, there is a close relation between the executive and legislative wings of the government. The tenure and capability of the executive is dependent on the legislature. The base of administrative power is the Council of Ministers.

Presidential System:

The system where the executive is free from the influence of the legislature is called Presidential system of government, for example, United States.

Question 6. What is meant by Democracy?
Answer:

Definition:

At present, the citizens of a country themselves decide who would administer the country. This system by which the citizens themselves choose their leaders, to rule over them is called Democracy.

Nature:

The leaders administer the country on the basis of the people’s aspirations.

Question 7. What do you mean by the Theory of Separation of Powers?
Answer:

Theory of Separation of Powers:

Separation of Powers is a doctrine of constitutional law under which the three branches of government (executive, legislative, and judiciary) are kept separate.

Each branch has separate powers and generally, each branch is not allowed to exercise the powers of the other branches.

The term ‘Separation of Powers’ was coined by French philosopher Montesquieu in 18th century. Separation of Powers is a model that divides the government into separate branches, each of which has separate and independent powers.

Question 8. Give a brief idea of the Constitution of India.
Answer:

Constitution of India:

The Constitution of India is the largest written Constitution of the world. It has many articles, clauses, and sub-clauses, which are not present in any other Constitution.

The Constitution of India was compiled by the constituent assembly under the supervision of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.

Question 9. Discuss the various branches or departments of government.
Answer:

Departments of government:

At present, the government has to perform many functions, through its component organs. Various branches or departments of government are

Executive:

It is the most important department of the government. It looks after administrative duties like preservation of internal law and order, foreign relations, defence affairs, and financial affairs.

Legislature:

It makes and passes laws, holds discussions necessary for law-making, introduces no-confidence motions against ministers. Through legislature the aims and aspirations of the state are expressed and fulfilled.

Judiciary:

It settles the conflicts between the Government and citizens, among citizens and among different social organizations. It also performs different functions like interpreting the laws, including the Constitution, advising the legislature, and making legal suggestions.

WBBSE Class 7 History Chapter 9 Question Answer

Question 10. Describe the various levels of the government of India.
Answer:

Various levels of Indian government are

Central Secretariat:

The Secretariat or Central Secretariat or the ministerial departments supervises and conducts various governmental activities.

Prime Minister’s Office:

The PMO (Prime Minister’s Office) assists the Prime Minister, collects data on issues, and provides information which assists the Prime Minister in the discharge of duties.

Cabinet Secretariat:

The political head and the administrative head of the Cabinet Secretariat are the Prime Minister and the Cabinet Secretary respectively.

It has four wings

1. Main secretariat
2. Economic secretariat
3. Military secretariat
4. Secretariat in charge of organisation and conducting of administrative activities.

Question 11. Describe the nature of the Indian Government. Or, What type of government is existing in India at present?
Answer:

The nature of the Indian Government is

Parliamentary:

The Indian Government is supervised by the Parliament, of which the Council of Ministers or Cabinet is a part.

Federal:

Indian Government is partly unitary and partly federal. At the Centre is the Central Government, and at the provinces, are the State Governments.

Mixed administration:

Some thinkers feel India has a mixed system of administration. They feel, the President of India is not merely a decorative head of State but can assume power if necessary especially during emergencies.

WBBSE Class 7 History Chapter 9 Question Answer

Question 12. Describe the main features of a federal government.
Answer:

The main features of a federal government are

Existence of dual government:

Two sets of governments exist in this system-the Central Government and the State Governments.

Division of power:

Power is divided between the Central and State Governments on the basis of the Constitution.

Supremacy the Constitution:

The Constitution is regarded as the highest authority in administration.

Federal Court:

There is an independent and impartial judiciary that interprets the Constitution and settles disputes between the Central and State Governments.

Question 13. Describe the various levels of the Panchayat system at present in West Bengal.
Answer:

The various levels of the Panchayat system at present in West Bengal:

At present in West Bengal, the various levels of the Panchayat system are

Village Panchayat:

It is the lowest level of the Panchayat system and comprises of a minimum of 5 members and a maximum of 30 members. Its tenure is five years.

Panchayat Samiti:

At the second/intermediate level, is the Panchayat Samiti, named after the Block to which it belongs. Not more than 3 members are nominated from each village as its members. The tenure of the Panchayat Samiti is also five years.

Zilla Parishad:

The highest level of the Panchayat System is the Zilla Parishad, with a tenure of five years. Out of 19 districts of West Bengal, barring Kolkata and Darjeeling, 17 districts have a Zilla Parishad each.

Question 14. Describe the main duties and functions of the Zilla Parishad of the Panchayat system in West Bengal.
Answer:

Main duties and functions of the Zilla Parishad are

It takes up various enterprises like agriculture, cottage industries, cattle breeding, co-operative societies, irrigation facilities, public health, primary, secondary and adult education and provide financial aid for them.

1. To give financial grants to the Gram Panchayat and Panchayat Samitis.
2. To examine and sanction the income and expenditure of the various Panchayat Samitis of the district.

WBBSE Class 7 History Chapter 9 Question Answer

Chapter 9 Topic A India Today Government Democracy And Self Governance Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1. Write in brief about the word ‘Sarkar’.
Answer: The word ‘Sarkar’ originates from the Persian language. In English, its synonym is ‘government’. The word ‘govern’ means ‘to rule’. In the medieval age, ‘Sarkar’ meant both ruler and rule.

Question 2. What are the functions of government? Or, Write two functions of the government.
Answer: The functions of the government are

1. To rule the nation and maintain sovereignty of the nation, and
2. To maintain peace and develop the nation.

Question 3. What kind of government is the Indian government?
Answer: The Government of India is democratic because the people select their own government. On the other hand, it is also federal because there are both Union and State governments.

Question 4. What is the actual meaning of democracy?
Answer: The actual meaning of democracy is the people themselves decide the system of governance. The method of selecting the ruler among themselves is known as ‘democracy’.

Question 5. What is the relevance of 26 January in India? Or, Why is the date 26 January, 1950 Important?
Answer: On 26 January 1950 the Indian constitution came into effect. Since then, every year on 26 January the Republic Day is celebrated in India. Thus the date is important.

Question 6. How many branches of Indian government are there for functioning and what are they?
Answer: There are three branches of the Indian government for functioning. They are- Legislative, Executive, and Judicial.

WBBSE Class 7 History Chapter 9 Question Answer

Question 7. Why constitution is necessary?
Answer: The government takes various measures for public welfare. The government collects taxes and maintains sovereignty and peace. And for these functions, the government needs the constitution for being guided.

Question 8. What is the Policy of Separation of Powers?
Answer: In India, Judiciary is separated from the Executive and Legislative branches, so that justice is not impeded at any cost. This system is called the Policy of Separation of Powers. This policy is adopted to safeguard democracy.

Question 9. What do you mean by the term Self- governance?
Answer: When the people are governed by their own selves, then such a system is called Self- governance. In other words, the active participation in the rule of the government is called Self-governance.

Question 10. What does Gram Panchayat do for the welfare of a village? Or, Write in brief about the Gram Panchayat. Or, Write two functions of the Gram Panchayat.
Answer: The function of the Gram Panchayat is to make all kinds of development in the village. The Panchayat looks after supply of drinking water, cleanliness, building health centers, schools, and roads, planting trees, etc.

Question 11. How are Block and Districts formed?
Answer: A cluster of villages forms a Block and a cluster of Blocks makes a District.

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Question 12. Write a note on the self-governance of Municipalities in West Bengal.
Answer: In West Bengal, towns or cities are governed by Municipalities. Residents of the city or town, of or above 18 years, elect the members of the municipalities.

The functions of the Municipality are public welfare, public health, local development, and administration, providing pure drinking water, building roads, pollution control, etc.

Question 13. Write in brief about the Preamble of the Indian Constitution.
Answer: In the Preamble of the Indian Constitution, India is described as a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic. After the 42nd Amendment of the constitution in 1976, socialist and secular ideals were associated.

Besides, the promotion of justice, liberty equality, and fraternity is also mentioned.

Question 14. According to modern view, what are the three branches of government?
Answer: According to modern view, the three branches of government are executive, legislative, and judiciary. The executive is again divided into two parts, political and non-political.

Question 15. What is meant by election?
Answer: All citizens of India exercise their right of adult franchise and elect leaders to form the government. Leaders are elected for five years. This process is called election or voting.

 

Chapter 9 Topic A India Today Government Democracy And Self Governance Objective Type Questions

State whether the following statements are true or false

Question 1. The word ‘govern’ means government.
Answer: False

Question 2. Government has the responsibility of administering a country.
Answer: True

Question 3. Today all nations have their own government.
Answer: False

Question 4. Federal system of government is where administration is vested in the Central Government.
Answer: False

Question 5. The Union Government is selected by the people of the nation.
Answer: True

Question 6. Monarchy still exists in India.
Answer: False

Question 7. Block is an aggregate of many villages.
Answer: True

Question 8. Panchayat Samiti is the intermediate level of the Panchayat system.
Answer: True

Question 9. Village Panchayat’s tenure is ten years.
Answer: False

Question 10. In a Federal government the Secretariat is regarded as the highest authority in administration.
Answer: False

 

Fill In The Blanks By Selecting The Appropriate Expressions From The Brackets

Question 1. The term ‘Sarkar’ has come from an ________ (Arabic/Persian/Urdu) word.
Answer: Persian

Question 2. In the present world, ________(India-China/England-Japan/Russia-USA) have a King and a Queen.
Answer: England-Japan

Question 3. The chief architect of Indian Constitution is ________(Jawaharlal Nehru/Mahatma Gandhi/B.R. Ambedkar).
Answer: B.R. Ambedkar

Question 4. Some blocks make up a ________(village/district/city).
Answer: District

Question 5. The Policy of Separation of Power was first spoken of by ________ (Rammohan/ Montesquieu/Karl Marx).
Answer: Montesquieu

Question 6. The term ‘Tantra’ means ________ (condition/system/pitiful condition).
Answer: System

Question 7. The term ‘Vidhan’ means ________ (order/advice/regulation).
Answer: Regulation

Question 8. Elections are held in our country every ________ (three/five/seven) years.
Answer: five

Question 9. After discussions and debates of nearly ________ (three/five/seven) years, the Indian Constitution was created.
Answer: Three

 

Chapter 9 Topic A India Today Government Democracy And Self Governance Answer In A Complete Sentence

Question 1. What were the two meanings of the word ‘sarkar’ in the medieval period?
Answer: In the medieval period the two meanings of the word ‘sarkar’ were both ruler and the rule.

Question 2. What is ‘monarchy’?
Answer: The hereditary rule of the Kings, Sultans, and Emperors is called ‘monarchy’.

Question 3. After how many years is election held in India?
Answer: In India election is held after every five years.

Question 4. Who is the constitutional head of the Government of India?
Answer: The President of India is the constitutional head of the Indian Government.

Question 5. Who was the main architect of the Indian constitution?
Answer: Dr. B. R. Ambedkar was the main architect of the Indian constitution.

Question 6. What is ‘vote’?
Answer: General or any sort of election is called voting in colloquial language.

Class 7 History WBBSE

Question 7. When is the Republic Day celebrated in India?
Answer: Republic Day in India is celebrated on 26 January every year.

Question 8. When was the Indian constitution adopted?
Answer: The Indian constitution was adopted on 26 November 1950.

Question 9. What do you mean by ‘Separation’?
Answer: The word separation means ‘segregation’.

Question 10. From which language is the word ‘Sarkar’ originated?
Answer: The word ‘Sarkar’ originated from the Persian language.

Question 11. How is the ‘block’ formed?
Answer: The ‘block’ is formed by several villages.

Question 12. Where does the Kingship still exist?
Answer: In UK and Japan Kingship is still prevalent.

Question 13. By whom was the Policy of Separation of Power first mentioned?
Answer: The Policy of Separation of Powers was first mentioned by the French Philosopher Montesquieu.

Question 14. Where did the conception of ‘Democracy’ originate first?
Answer: The concept of ‘Democracy’ had its origin in Athens of Greece.

Question 15. Name one self-governing body.
Answer: A municipality is a self-governing body.

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Chapter 9 Topic A India Today Government Democracy And Self Governance Select The Most Appropriate Option For The Following Statements

Question 1. Democracy is the most popular system of administration.
1. The citizens can choose their leaders from among themselves.
2. The people can lead their lives happily.
3. Certain advantages are obtained in the judicial system.

Answer: 1. The citizens can choose their leaders from among themselves.

Question 2. The Indian Constitution is the largest written Constitution in the world.
1. It contains written rules alongwith many maps and figures.
2. So many articles, clauses, and sub-clauses are not found in the Constitution of any other country.
3. It includes all rules and regulations of the world.

Answer: 2. So many articles, clauses, and sub-clauses are not found in the Constitution of any other country.

Question 3. Every year, 26th of January is observed as Republic Day in India.
1. The Constitution of India came into force on and from 26 January 1950.
2. India got independence on 26th January 1947.
3. On 26 January 1942, Gandhiji gave the call for the Quit India Movement.

Answer: 1. The Constitution of India came into force on and from 26 January 1950.

Question 4. Indian administration is federal.
1. The citizens get the scope to select their own leaders.
2. This administrative system includes both the Central and State governments.
3. This system comprises of either the Central or the State Governments.

Answer: 2. This administrative system includes both the Central and State governments.

Question 5. In India, local self-government exists.
1. The citizens participate in the administration and rule themselves.
2. Citizens get the right to rule, and subjugate others.
3. The citizens come together and indirectly build up the administrative structure.

Answer: 1. The citizens participate in the administration and rule themselves.

 

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1. ‘Demas’ means

1. Rule
2. Govern
3. Nation
4. People

Answer: 4. People

Question 2. An ideal example of a Unitary Government is

1. India
2. Australia
3. England
4. Germany

Answer: 3. England

Question 3. The State government is selected by the people of

1. State
2. Block
3. Country
4. Zilla

Answer: 1. State

Question 4. Small towns are governed by

1. Gram Panchayat
2. Panchayat Samity
3. Zilla Parishad
4. Municipalities

Answer: 4. Municipalities

Class 7 WBBSE History Question Answer

Question 5. The members of the Municipalities are called

1. Sarkars
2. Councillors
3. Ministers
4. Secretariats

Answer: 2. Councillors

Question 6. Indian administration is

1. Monarchial
2. Dictatorial
3. Colonial
4. Federal

Answer: 4. Federal

Question 7. Elections are held in India after every

1. 3 years
2. 5 years
3. 7years
4. 10 years

Answer: 2. 5 years

Question 8. Panchayat system is divided into

1. Two layers
2. Three layers
3. Four layers
4. Five layers

Answer: 2. Three layers

Question 9. An aggregate of many Blocks is called

1. Village
2. Zilla
3. State
4. Country

Answer: 2. Zilla

Class 7 WBBSE History Question Answer

Question 10. The administrative head of the Zilla Parishad is

1. Panchayat Pradhan
2. Sabhapati
3. Secretariat
4. Sabhadhipati

Answer: 3. Sabhadhipati