Worksheet Solutions: Indian Economy On The Eve Of Independence- 1 | Economics Class 12 - Commerce PDF Download

Multiple Choice Questions

Q1: What was the main occupation of people in rural India on the eve of independence?
(a) Agriculture
(b) Manufacturing
(c) Services
(d) Mining
Ans: (a) Agriculture

Q2: Which sector contributed the most to the GDP of India in 1947?
(a) Agriculture
(b) Manufacturing
(c) Services
(d) Construction
Ans: (a) Agriculture

Q3: Who was the Governor-General of India when the country gained independence in 1947?
(a) Lord Mountbatten
(b) Lord Dalhousie
(c) Lord Curzon
(d) Lord Wavell
Ans: (a) Lord Mountbatten

Q4: What was the literacy rate in India on the eve of independence?
(a) Less than 20%
(b) Around 40%
(c) Around 60%
(d) More than 80%
Ans: (a) Less than 20%

Q5: Which of the following was a major factor contributing to the low level of industrialization in India before independence?
(a) Lack of raw materials
(b) Skilled workforce
(c) Modern technology
(d) Capital shortage
Ans: (d) Capital shortage

True and False

Q1: Agriculture was the main source of livelihood for the majority of people in pre-independence India.
Ans: True

Q2: The industrial sector in India was highly developed before independence.
Ans: False

Q3: The British colonial rule significantly improved the economic conditions of the Indian population.
Ans: False

Q4: The primary occupation of people in urban areas was agriculture.
Ans: False

Q5: The economic policies of the British colonial government focused on promoting Indian industries.
Ans: False

Match the Following

Q1: Match the following leaders with their respective movements:

Ans: A-3, B-1, C-2, D-4

Q2: Match the following agricultural practices with their regions:

Ans: A-2, B-3, C-1, D-4

Q3: Match the following economic challenges with their solutions:

Ans: A-1, B-3, C-4, D-2

Very Short Answers

Q1: What was the impact of World War II on the Indian economy?
Ans: Disrupted trade and economic activities
Led to inflation and scarcity of essential goods
The impact of World War II on the Indian economy was significant. Disrupted trade and economic activities due to the war led to inflation and scarcity of essential goods.

Q2: Name one major cash crop grown in pre-independence India.
Ans: Cotton
One major cash crop grown in pre-independence India was cotton.

Q3: Who was the first Prime Minister of India?
Ans: Jawaharlal Nehru
The first Prime Minister of India was Jawaharlal Nehru.

Q4: What was the main objective of the Swadeshi Movement?
Ans: Encouraging the use of Indian goods and boycotting British products
The main objective of the Swadeshi Movement was to encourage the use of Indian goods and boycott British products.

Q5: Which industry was known as the ‘drain of wealth’ during colonial rule?
Ans: Textile industry
Textile industry was known as the ‘drain of wealth’ during colonial rule.

Short Answers

Q1: Explain the impact of British colonial policies on Indian agriculture.
Ans: British colonial policies had a detrimental impact on Indian agriculture. Introduction of cash crops led to the decline of food crops. Heavy taxation and revenue policies impoverished farmers. Traditional industries suffered due to British imports.

• Introduction of cash crops led to the decline of food crops.
• Heavy taxation and revenue policies impoverished farmers.
• Traditional industries suffered due to British imports.

Q2: Describe the role of Mahatma Gandhi in India's struggle for independence.
Ans: Mahatma Gandhi played a crucial role in India's struggle for independence. He advocated non-violent civil disobedience and led various movements like Salt March and Non-Cooperation Movement, fighting for social and economic equality.

• Advocated non-violent civil disobedience.
• Led various movements like Salt March and Non-Cooperation Movement.
• Fought for social and economic equality.

Q3: Discuss the challenges faced by the industrial sector in pre-independence India.
Ans: The industrial sector in pre-independence India faced challenges such as lack of capital and technology, limited market due to colonial policies, and competition from cheap British goods, which affected local industries.

• Lack of capital and technology hindered growth.
• Limited market due to colonial policies.
• Competition from cheap British goods affected local industries.

Q4: Explain the importance of the agricultural sector in the pre-independence Indian economy.
Ans: The agricultural sector in pre-independence India was vital, contributing significantly to GDP and serving as the main livelihood for the majority. However, traditional farming methods prevailed, limiting productivity.

• Main source of livelihood for the majority.
• Contributed significantly to GDP.
• Traditional farming methods prevailed, limiting productivity.

Q5: Describe the social challenges faced by India on the eve of independence.
Ans: On the eve of independence, India faced social challenges like caste-based discrimination, low literacy rates (especially among women), and limited access to healthcare and basic amenities.

• Caste-based discrimination prevailed.
• Low literacy rates, especially among women.
• Limited access to healthcare and basic amenities.

Long Answers

Q1: Discuss the reasons for the low literacy rate in pre-independence India.
Ans: The low literacy rate in pre-independence India was primarily due to the lack of educational institutions, social norms restricting education (especially for girls), and poverty and economic constraints hindering access to schooling.

• Lack of educational institutions.
• Social norms restricted education, especially for girls.
• Poverty and economic constraints hindered access to schooling.

Q2: Explain the impact of the partition of India on the economy and society.
Ans: The partition of India had a profound impact on the economy and society. Mass migration led to displacement and communal tension. Economic resources were divided, affecting industries and trade. Socio-economic challenges arose due to refugee rehabilitation.

• Mass migration led to displacement and communal tension.
• Economic resources were divided, affecting industries and trade.
• Socio-economic challenges due to refugee rehabilitation.

Q3: Describe the economic policies adopted by the Indian leaders after independence.
Ans: After independence, Indian leaders focused on industrialization through five-year plans, implemented land reforms to address agrarian issues, and promoted education and healthcare for social development.

• Focus on industrialization through five-year plans.
• Land reforms to address agrarian issues.
• Promotion of education and healthcare for social development.

Q4: Examine the role of women in the pre-independence Indian economy.
Ans: Women in pre-independence India had limited participation in the formal workforce, engaging mostly in household and agricultural activities. Social reforms and the independence movement contributed to their empowerment.

• Limited participation in the formal workforce.
• Engaged in household and agricultural activities.
• Social reforms and independence movement contributed to their empowerment.

Q5: Discuss the impact of the Green Revolution on Indian agriculture.
Ans: The Green Revolution significantly impacted Indian agriculture by increasing productivity through modern techniques. It reduced dependency on imports, making India self-sufficient in food grains. However, there were social and economic disparities due to the uneven distribution of benefits.

• Increased agricultural productivity through modern techniques.
• Reduced dependency on imports; made India self-sufficient in food grains.
• Social and economic disparities due to uneven distribution of benefits.