India After Independence Chapter Notes | History Class 8 ICSE PDF Download

Introduction

India gained independence on August 15, 1947, marking a significant moment in its history. However, the joy of freedom was overshadowed by the partition into India and Pakistan, leading to communal violence and mass migration. The new government faced numerous challenges, including rehabilitating refugees, integrating princely states, reorganizing states, framing a constitution, and fostering economic and social development. This chapter explores the hurdles faced by independent India, its efforts to unify the nation, its progress in various sectors, its foreign policy, relations with neighboring countries, and the current state of the nation.

Challenges Faced by the New Government

• Rehabilitating millions of refugees displaced due to partition by providing housing, jobs, education, and loans for businesses.
• Integrating over 500 princely states into the Indian Union.
• Adopting a political system suitable for India's diverse population.
• Addressing economic challenges caused by colonial policies to build infrastructure for national growth.
• Managing a large population of 345 million divided by caste, class, and religion.
• Ensuring national unity despite social divisions like caste and religious differences.
• Promoting agriculture and industries to increase productivity and create jobs.
• Reducing poverty and ensuring equitable distribution of economic benefits to avoid new divisions between rich and poor or urban and rural areas.

Integration of Princely States

• Over 500 princely states existed at independence, varying in size and status.
• States were given the choice to join India, Pakistan, or remain independent.
• Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and V.P. Menon, with help from Lord Mountbatten, persuaded most states to sign the Instrument of Accession.
• The Instrument of Accession gave the central government authority over defense, external affairs, and communications.
• Princely states were offered privy purses or prestigious positions to join India.
• Most states joined India, except Junagadh, Hyderabad, and Kashmir.
• Junagadh: A Hindu-majority state with a Muslim Nawab; the Nawab wanted to join Pakistan, but the people favored India. The Nawab fled in 1947, and a plebiscite confirmed integration with India.
• Hyderabad: Ruled by a Muslim Nizam with a Hindu majority; the Nizam sought independence, but Indian troops intervened in 1948, merging Hyderabad with India.
• Kashmir: A Muslim-majority state ruled by Hindu king Hari Singh, who wanted independence. After an invasion by Pakistani tribesmen in 1947, he sought India’s help and acceded to India.

The Freeing of French and Portuguese Territories

• Some Indian territories remained under French and Portuguese control post-independence.
• French Territories: Pondicherry, Mahe, Karaikal, Yanam, and Chandernagore were returned to India by France in 1954.
• Portuguese Territories: Included Goa, Daman, Diu, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli.
• Dadra and Nagar Haveli was liberated by Indian troops in 1954.
• Goa, Daman, and Diu were liberated in 1961 after Portugal refused to hand them over.
• All these territories were designated as Union Territories.

Reorganization of States

• British India was divided into provinces, and the Indian National Congress promised linguistic provinces before independence.
• Post-independence, Congress delayed creating linguistic states, causing public discontent.
• Strong protests from Telugu-speaking regions of Madras Presidency led to the creation of Andhra state in 1953.
• The States Reorganisation Commission was formed, and the States Reorganisation Act was passed in 1956.
• New states were created based on linguistic lines, including Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, Telugu, Assamese, Oriya, and Bengali-speaking states.
• The large Hindi-speaking region was divided into multiple states.
• In 1960, Bombay state was split into Maharashtra (Marathi speakers) and Gujarat (Gujarati speakers).
• In 1966, Punjab was divided into Punjab (Punjabi/Sikh majority), Haryana (Haryanvi/Hindi speakers), and Himachal Pradesh (Pahari speakers).

Preparing a Constitution

• The Constituent Assembly worked from December 1946 to November 1949 to draft the Constitution.
• Around 300 members from diverse regions and political parties participated in meetings in New Delhi.
• Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Chairman of the Drafting Committee, is known as the Father of the Indian Constitution.
• The Constitution was completed on November 26, 1949, and adopted on January 26, 1950, declaring India a sovereign democratic republic.
• In 1976, it was amended to include socialist and secular principles, making India a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic.
• Key features included universal adult franchise, granting voting rights to all citizens regardless of class, caste, religion, gender, or education.
• Equality before the law was guaranteed for all, irrespective of caste or religion.
• Articles 25–28 ensure the right to practice, propagate, and profess any religion, with no state religion.
• Special privileges were provided for disadvantaged groups, and untouchability was abolished to uplift their social and economic status.
• Debates over the official language led to Hindi being declared the official language, with English retained for courts, government services, and inter-state communication.

India’s Progress and Development after Independence

• India focused on improving agriculture and industries post-independence.
• The Planning Commission, established in 1950 with Jawaharlal Nehru as its first chairman, framed economic development policies.
• A mixed economy model was adopted, involving both state and private sectors to boost production and jobs.
• Five-Year Plans emphasized developing heavy industries like steel and building large dams.

India’s Foreign Policy

• The United Nations Organization (UNO) was formed in 1945 to promote peace and cooperation among nations.
• Post-World War II, the USA and USSR emerged as superpowers, leading to the Cold War (1947–1991) marked by tension and mistrust.
• The world was divided into the Western Bloc (USA-led) and Eastern Bloc (USSR-led).
• Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, chose non-alignment to avoid joining either bloc.

Nam

• The NAM’s first conference was held in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, in 1961, and it now has 120 members.
• The 1955 Bandung Conference in Indonesia discussed opposing colonialism and western domination.
• NAM is based on the Panchsheel principles: mutual respect for sovereignty, non-aggression, non-interference, equality, and peaceful coexistence.
• Non-alignment meant staying independent from military blocs while actively promoting global peace and cooperation.

Saarc

• SAARC’s headquarters are in Kathmandu, Nepal, aiming for economic, social, and cultural development in South Asia.

India and Her Neighbours

Pakistan

• Created from India in 1947, sharing cultural links but facing tensions, mainly over Kashmir.
• India and Pakistan fought wars, including the 1971 war that led to Bangladesh’s creation, with others over Kashmir.
• Efforts like train and bus services aim to improve people-to-people contact.

Bangladesh

•  Initially East Pakistan, it became independent in 1971 with India’s support.
• India aids Bangladesh during natural calamities, but issues like illegal immigration and water sharing cause tensions.

China

• India and China share ancient cultural and trade ties.
• In 1954, the Sino-Indian agreement based on Panchsheel was signed.
• Tensions arose in 1959 when China built a road through Aksai Chin and refused to recognize the McMahon Line.
• The 1962 Sino-Indian war ended in a ceasefire, and relations deteriorated, with China supporting Pakistan in Indo-Pak wars.
• Since the late 1980s, India and China have been improving relations through border dispute talks.

Sri Lanka

• Historical ties with India were strained by tensions between Sinhalese and Tamil communities.
• The LTTE, a Tamil separatist group, fought for an independent state, leading to the Sri Lankan War (1983–2009).
• India sent the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) in 1987, withdrawn in 1990, after a peace accord granting Tamil regional autonomy.

Nepal

• The 1950 Treaty of Peace and Friendship ensured mutual security and economic cooperation.
• Relations hit a low in 1989 due to India’s 13-month economic blockade on Nepal.
• India provided relief during the 2015 Nepal earthquake.

Myanmar

•  India and Myanmar share historical ties, including Buddhism and cultural exchanges.
• Diplomatic relations began in 1948 after Myanmar’s independence.
• India supported Myanmar against regional insurgencies, but ties were strained after Myanmar’s military coup.
• Since 1993, both nations have worked to improve relations.

Bhutan

• A British protectorate until 1947, Bhutan recognized India’s independence early.
• The 1949 Treaty of Friendship allowed India to guide Bhutan’s foreign policy and ensured peace and non-interference.
• The 2007 updated treaty granted Bhutan more sovereignty, removing the need for India’s permission for arms imports.
• India supports Bhutan’s democracy and trade, allowing 16 entry/exit points for Bhutanese trade.

Sources

India Today

• By August 15, 2015, India celebrated 68 years of independence.
• India remains a united, democratic nation with regular elections, a free press, and an independent judiciary.
• Diversity in language and religion has not hindered national unity.
• Agricultural and industrial growth has been significant, with major progress in Information Technology, boosting cities like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune.
• India’s economy is growing rapidly.
• Challenges include persistent caste, gender, and wealth disparities.
• Dalits face ongoing issues despite constitutional protections.
• Communal violence, like the 2002 Gujarat riots, highlights religious tensions.
• Gender bias, female infanticide, and dowry practices continue in some areas.
• India’s large population strains resources, and the rich-poor gap has widened.
• Poverty, unemployment, and illiteracy remain significant challenges.

Points To Remember

• After gaining independence on 15th August 1947, India faced problems such as rehabilitating the refugees, integration of the Princely states into the Union of India and adopting a suitable political system.
• In 1954, Dadra and Nagar Haveli was liberated by Indian troops, while Goa, Daman and Diu were liberated in 1961. These territories were given the status of Union Territories.
• The States Reorganisation Commission submitted its report in 1955 and the States Reorganisation Act was passed in 1956. New states were created, according to its suggestions.
• The Constitution came into effect on 26th January 1950.
• The United Nations Organization (UNO) was formed in 1945 with the aim of promoting cooperation, understanding and peace among the nations, and to prevent the outbreak of wars.
• Rivalry between the USA and the former USSR led to the Cold War, often dated from 1947 to 1991.
• The NAM’s actions are based on the Panchsheel principles or the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.
• The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was established in 1985 to promote peace and cooperation between seven South Asian countries, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, and Maldives. Later Afghanistan was also made a member of SAARC.
• Though Pakistan and India share close cultural links, their relationship has not been harmonious.
• In 1971, Bangladesh became an independent nation.
• In 1954, a Sino-Indian agreement was signed which was based on the Panchseel principles.
• Tensions between Sinhalese and Tamil citizens have caused tension between India and Sri Lanka.
• The 1950 treaty between Nepal and India said that neither government shall tolerate any threat to the other by a foreign aggressor. India established diplomatic relations with Myanmar in 1948. Bhutan and India signed the Treaty of Friendship on 8th August 1949.