Challenges Of Nation Building - UPSC Indian Polity Free MCQ Test with solutions

The interim government of India existed from 2 September 1946 to 15 August 1947 with the purpose of transitioning India from British Raj to independence. The interim government was formed on 2 September 1946 from the newly-elected Constituent Assembly of India. It was headed by Jawaharlal Nehru and Vallabhbhai Patel held the second-most powerful position in the council, heading the Department of Home Affairs, and Department of Information and Broadcasting.

The Central government had appointed a State Reorganisation Commission in 1953 to look into the question of redrawing the boundaries of states.

• The creation of linguistic states in 1956 helped address regional demands for linguistic recognition.
• This move made people feel represented within a state that spoke their language.
• It strengthened national unity by respecting India's diverse culture.
• The creation of linguistic states accommodated various linguistic groups.
• It did not lead to a decrease in democratic participation or severe divisions.
• Contrary to initial fears, it reinforced India's commitment to diversity and pluralism.
• This development created a more inclusive political environment.

• The Assertion is true; the Nizam did want to keep Hyderabad independent from India.
• The Reason is also true; there was significant public sentiment in Hyderabad favoring integration into India.
• Since the Reason does not accurately explains why the Assertion is true, the correct answer is Option B.

• During the Partition, cities like Lahore, Amritsar, and Calcutta experienced intense violence.
• Entire sections of these cities were designated for specific religious groups.
• Lahore and Karachi were predominantly Muslim cities where the non-Muslim population was forced to migrate to India.
• Amritsar had a mixed population where Muslims were forced to flee to Pakistan. Hindus and Sikhs took over certain areas in Amritsar.

• After gaining independence, India faced two significant challenges:
• Building a united India by convincing the princely states to join the Indian Union was essential for maintaining national unity.
• Establishing democracy by implementing a parliamentary system and ensuring fundamental rights for all citizens was another major challenge.
• Setting up a monarchy and ending foreign trade were not part of these challenges as India aimed for democracy, not monarchy, and the goal was economic development, not isolation.

India and Pakistan gained independence first (2). Patel then worked to integrate the princely states (1), leading to the signing of the Instrument of Accession (3). Finally, the Razakars committed atrocities in Hyderabad, leading to its integration (4).

Statement I is false because military intervention was necessary in cases like Hyderabad, where the Nizam resisted joining India. Statement II is true because the Razakars committed atrocities in Hyderabad before the Indian Army intervened.

- The Assertion (A) is true because the integration of the princely states was essential to create a unified nation after the division of British India and the establishment of Pakistan.

- The Reason (R) is also true as the princely states had significant autonomy and could choose whether to join India, Pakistan, or remain independent, which made their integration a vital issue for national unity.

- Since the Reason provides a correct explanation for why the Assertion is true, the correct answer is Option A.

A) Manipur → Pressure on the king to sign accession
The Maharaja of Manipur was persuaded under political pressure in 1949 at Shillong to sign the Instrument of Accession.

B) Travancore → Initial refusal to join India
Travancore’s Diwan, C.P. Ramaswami Iyer, first declared independence but later agreed to join India in 1947.

C) Hyderabad → Military intervention by Indian Army
The Nizam refused to accede, leading to Operation Polo (1948) — a military action that merged Hyderabad with India.

D) Kashmir → Political and communal violence
Tribal invasion and communal unrest in 1947 forced Maharaja Hari Singh to seek India’s help and sign the accession.