Source Based Questions: Framing the constitution | History Class 12 - Humanities/Arts PDF Download

Q1: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

The years immediately preceding the making of the Constitution had been a time of great hope, but also of abject disappointment. On 15 August 1947, India was made free, but it had also been divided. Fresh in popular memory were the Quit India struggle of 1942 and the bid by Subhas Chandra Bose to win freedom through armed struggle with foreign aid.

i. What significant event occurred on 15 August 1947? (1 mark)
ii. How did the partition of India affect the new nation? (2 marks)
iii. Why was the period leading to the framing of the Constitution tumultuous? (1 mark)

Ans:
i. On 15 August 1947, India gained independence but was divided into India and Pakistan.
ii. The partition led to mass migration, violence, and deep divisions within the country, with millions of refugees and many lives lost during the transfer of populations.
iii. The period was tumultuous due to the aftermath of partition, communal violence, and the challenges of integrating princely states and communities.

Q2: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

The Constituent Assembly was dominated by one party, the Congress. The Congress swept the general seats in the provincial elections, and the Muslim League captured most of the reserved Muslim seats. However, the League chose to boycott the Constituent Assembly, pressing its demand for Pakistan with a separate constitution.

i. Which party dominated the Constituent Assembly? (1 mark)
ii. Why did the Muslim League choose to boycott the Constituent Assembly? (2 marks)
iii. What role did the Congress play in the framing of the Constitution? (1 mark)

Ans:
i. The Congress party dominated the Constituent Assembly.
ii. The Muslim League boycotted the Constituent Assembly as it was pressing for Pakistan and a separate constitution.
iii. The Congress played a central role in drafting the Constitution, with many members actively participating in its framing and debates.

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Q3: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

On 13 December 1946, Jawaharlal Nehru introduced the “Objectives ReAns” in the Constituent Assembly. This reAns outlined the defining ideals of the Constitution, proclaiming India to be an “Independent Sovereign Republic.”

i. What was the main purpose of the “Objectives ReAns” introduced by Nehru? (1 mark)
ii. How did Nehru view the role of the Constitution in shaping India’s future? (2 marks)
iii. Why was the “Objectives ReAns” significant in the context of the Constitution? (1 mark)

Ans:
i. The “Objectives ReAns” aimed to outline the ideals of the Indian Constitution, proclaiming India as an independent, sovereign republic.
ii. Nehru viewed the Constitution as a framework that would help shape India’s future, ensuring justice, equality, and freedom for all citizens.
iii. It was significant because it laid the foundation for the Constitution, setting the tone for the political and social principles that would govern independent India.

Q4: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

On 27 August 1947, B. Pocker Bahadur from Madras made a powerful plea for continuing separate electorates for minorities, arguing that they could not be “erased out of existence” and needed a political framework where their voices could be heard.

i. What did B. Pocker Bahadur argue regarding separate electorates? (1 mark)
ii. How did other members of the Constituent Assembly respond to this plea? (2 marks)
iii. Why was the demand for separate electorates seen as a divisive issue? (1 mark)

Ans:
i. Bahadur argued that separate electorates were necessary to ensure that minorities had a meaningful voice in governance.
ii. Most members of the Constituent Assembly opposed the plea, seeing separate electorates as a tool to divide the nation and perpetuate communal tensions.
iii. The demand for separate electorates was divisive because it promoted segregation between communities, hindering the creation of a unified nation.

Q5: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel strongly opposed the idea of separate electorates, calling it a “poison” that had divided the nation and led to partition. He warned that continuing separate electorates would perpetuate division and conflict.

i. How did Sardar Patel view separate electorates? (1 mark)
ii. What were the consequences Patel warned of if separate electorates continued? (2 marks)
iii. Why was Patel’s opposition to separate electorates significant? (1 mark)

Ans:
i. Sardar Patel viewed separate electorates as a divisive and harmful practice that had already caused significant harm to the nation.
ii. Patel warned that continuing separate electorates would perpetuate communal division, leading to further violence and possibly the disintegration of the country.
iii. Patel’s opposition was significant as it reflected his vision for a united India, free from communal divisions and focused on national unity.

Q6: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

N.G. Ranga, a socialist leader, argued that the real minorities in India were the poor and downtrodden, not the religious minorities. He emphasized that the Constitution needed to ensure that the rights of the oppressed and marginalized groups were protected.

i. Who did N.G. Ranga consider to be the real minorities? (1 mark)
ii. What was Ranga’s view on the rights of the poor and marginalized in India? (2 marks)
iii. Why did Ranga’s perspective on minorities differ from others in the Constituent Assembly? (1 mark)

Ans:
i. N.G. Ranga considered the poor and downtrodden, not religious minorities, to be the real minorities in India.
ii. Ranga believed that the rights of the poor and marginalized should be safeguarded through the Constitution, ensuring that they could enjoy the fundamental rights granted to all citizens.
iii. Ranga’s perspective differed because he focused on economic inequality and social justice, rather than religious identity, as the primary issue facing minorities in India.

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Q7: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

Jaipal Singh, a tribal leader, made a moving plea for the protection of tribal rights in the Constituent Assembly. He argued that tribes had been exploited and dispossessed for centuries and that they needed special safeguards to ensure equality in post-independence India.

i. What did Jaipal Singh argue regarding tribal rights? (1 mark)
ii. Why did Singh believe that tribal groups needed special protection? (2 marks)
iii. How did Singh’s argument contribute to the debate on minority rights? (1 mark)

Ans:
i. Jaipal Singh argued that tribes had been exploited and dispossessed, and that special safeguards were necessary to ensure their protection and equality.
ii. Singh believed that tribes had been marginalized and needed legal protection to ensure they could participate equally in the new nation.
iii. Singh’s argument contributed to the broader debate on minority rights by highlighting the need to protect vulnerable groups, not just religious minorities, but also marginalized communities like the tribals.

Q8: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

Jawaharlal Nehru emphasized that the Centre needed to be strong in order to ensure peace, coordinate vital matters, and represent India effectively on the international stage, especially after partition.

i. Why did Nehru argue for a strong Centre? (1 mark)
ii. What were the concerns of those advocating for stronger powers for the states? (2 marks)
iii. Why was centralization considered necessary after Partition? (1 mark)

Ans:
i. Nehru argued that a strong Centre was necessary to ensure national unity, maintain peace, and manage international relations effectively.
ii. Advocates for stronger state powers expressed several concerns:

• Centralisation could diminish state autonomy.
• Local governance might be hindered, affecting community needs.
• Excessive power at the centre could lead to inefficiency in addressing regional issues.
• There were fears of potential unrest if states felt powerless.

iii. Centralization was considered necessary after Partition to prevent chaos, manage internal conflicts, and plan the nation’s development.

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Q9: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

The language issue became a major point of contention during the Constituent Assembly debates. While some advocated for Hindi as the national language, others feared the imposition of Hindi on non-Hindi-speaking regions.

i. What was the primary issue in the language debate? (1 mark)
ii. How did proponents of Hindi as the national language justify their stance? (2 marks)
iii. Why was the language issue so divisive during the Constituent Assembly debates? (1 mark)

Ans:
i. The primary issue was whether Hindi should be declared the national language or if a more inclusive approach, like Hindustani, should be adopted.
ii. Proponents of Hindi as the national language justified their stance by highlighting several key points:

• Hindi is the most widely spoken language in India.
• It has the potential to unify the diverse population of the country.
• Supporters argued that promoting Hindi would foster a sense of national identity.

iii. The language issue was divisive because it was tied to regional identities, and non-Hindi-speaking regions feared losing their cultural and linguistic heritage.

Q10: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

The rights of individuals, minorities, and oppressed groups were hotly debated in the Constituent Assembly. Some argued for special protections for the Depressed Castes, while others emphasized the need for social reform and the abolition of untouchability.

i. What were the main issues regarding rights discussed in the Constituent Assembly? (1 mark)
ii. How did the Assembly seek to address the issues of untouchability and discrimination? (2 marks)
iii. Why was the debate on rights crucial to the framing of the Constitution? (1 mark)

Ans:
i. The main issues were the rights of individuals, minorities, and oppressed groups, including the abolition of untouchability and ensuring equality for all citizens.
ii. The Assembly addressed untouchability by explicitly banning it, opening Hindu temples to all castes, and providing reservations for the Depressed Castes in government jobs and legislatures.
iii. The debate on rights was crucial because it shaped the social and moral framework of the new nation, ensuring equality and justice for all citizens, especially marginalized groups.