History – GK Questions

The Mandal Commission (1980) recommended 27% reservation for Other Backward Classes in government jobs. Prime Minister V.P. Singh implemented these recommendations in 1990, sparking widespread protests and political realignment. [[30]]

The Janata Party, a coalition of opposition parties, formed the first non-Congress government after the 1977 elections. Morarji Desai became Prime Minister, but internal conflicts led to its collapse in 1979. [[1]]

Indira Gandhi's Congress (R) won the 1971 elections with the slogan 'Garibi Hatao' (Remove Poverty). The victory strengthened her position and led to major policies like bank nationalization and the Bangladesh War. [[30]]

India's first general elections (1951-52) were conducted with universal adult franchise, making it the world's largest democracy. Over 173 million people were eligible to vote, with a turnout of about 45%. [[1]]

The 'Congress System' (1947-1967) featured Congress party dominance at the center, with diverse factions representing different interests. Opposition parties existed but were fragmented, allowing Congress to accommodate dissent internally. [[30]]

In Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973), the Supreme Court held that Parliament cannot amend the 'basic structure' of the Constitution. This doctrine limits constitutional amendments and protects core democratic values. [[1]]

The Swaran Singh Committee (1976) recommended adding Fundamental Duties to emphasize citizens' obligations. These were incorporated via the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976, as Part IVA (Article 51A). [[30]]

Directive Principles of State Policy (Part IV) were inspired by the Irish Constitution. They are non-justiciable guidelines for the state to establish social and economic democracy. [[1]]

The Constituent Assembly had 389 members initially (292 from provinces, 93 from princely states, 4 from Chief Commissioners' provinces). After Partition, it had 299 members who adopted the Constitution on November 26, 1949. [[30]]

Jawaharlal Nehru moved the Objective Resolution on December 13, 1946, outlining principles like sovereignty, democracy, justice, and minority rights. It later formed the basis of the Constitution's Preamble. [[1]]

Manipur was a princely state under British suzerainty. After independence, it acceded to India in 1949 and later became a full-fledged state in 1972. It has a rich history of monarchy and cultural traditions. [[30]]

The Battle of Saraighat (1671) on the Brahmaputra River saw Ahom forces under Lachit Borphukan defeat the Mughal navy. It is considered one of the greatest naval battles in Indian history and preserved Ahom independence. [[1]]

The Paik system was the backbone of Ahom administration. Every able-bodied male (Paik) owed labor or military service to the state in rotation, ensuring both revenue collection and defense readiness. [[30]]

The Treaty of Yandabo (1826) ended the First Anglo-Burmese War. Burma ceded Assam, Manipur, and Arakan to the British, marking the beginning of colonial rule in North-East India. [[1]]

The Ahom dynasty ruled Assam from 1228 to 1826 CE. They successfully resisted Mughal invasions (notably at Saraighat, 1671) and developed a unique administrative system called the Paik system. [[30]]

While railways facilitated internal connectivity, their primary purpose was economic exploitation: transporting cotton, jute, and minerals to ports for export to Britain, and distributing British manufactured goods inland. [[1]]

The Famine Commission under Richard Strachey (1880) investigated the Great Famine of 1876-78. It recommended famine codes, relief works, and irrigation projects, though implementation remained inadequate. [[30]]

The Deccan Agriculturists' Relief Act 1879 was enacted after peasant riots against moneylenders. It aimed to regulate moneylending practices and protect cultivators from exploitative interest rates. [[1]]

The Permanent Settlement (1793) recognized zamindars as landowners who paid fixed revenue to the British. Many zamindars lived in cities, collecting rent without investing in agriculture, leading to rural impoverishment. [[30]]

British policies promoted cash crops like indigo, cotton, and jute for export, reducing food grain cultivation. This made Indian agriculture vulnerable to global price fluctuations and contributed to famines. [[1]]