|
Points to be learn :
- Post-Independence India
- Important events between 1947-2000 and in the tenure of Prime Ministers
- Indian economy
- Science and technology
- Changes in social field
- Globalisation
|
Post-Independence India : -
- After adopting the Constitution in 1950, India became a sovereign democratic republic.
- Immediately after Independence, India had to face a number of socio, economic and political problems. .
- Establishment of Planning Commission to achieve economic development by means of industrialisation.
- Attained political stability by successful conduct of elections and faith in democratic traditions.
- Several social reforms for the weaker sections of society were sought to be implemented.
Important events between 1947-2000 and in the tenure of Prime Ministers :
The 1960s (Nineteen-sixties) : In the decade of the 1960s, several events occurred which had a huge impact on the political situation in India.
- The regions of Goa, Diu and Daman were freed from Portuguese rule and became parts of the Indian federation.
- The tensions between India and China which had been rising since 1950, culminated in the war of 1962. This war was fought in the region of the MacMahon line between two countries.
Prime Ministers in 1960s :
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru (1947-1964) : After India became independent,
Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru led the country.
- First Prime Minister of India
- Liberation of Goa, Diu and Daman from Portuguese rule and merger with India.
- India-China war (1962).
- Pioneer of economic planning.
- Significant contribution to the social and economic development of India.
- Architect of India's foreign policy.
- Passed away in 1964.
Lal Bahadur Shastri (1964-1966) :
- Lal Bahadur Shastri became the Prime Minister of India after the death of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in 1964.
- The Green Revolution in India started in 1965.
- A war between India and Pakistan took place in 1965 on the Kashmir issue.
- He gave the slogan 'Jai Jawan Jai Kisan’ to highlight the importance of soldiers and farmers.
- The Soviet Union tried to mediate between India and Pakistan.
- Tashkent Agreement was signed by Lal Bahadur Shastri.
- He breathed his last at Tashkent in 1966.
The 1970s (Nineteen-seventies) : The 1971 war between India and Pakistan led to the creation of an independent country called Bangladesh. During this decade, the political situation in India grew unstable. The situation of law and order in the country worsened and the government declared a state of National Emergency
Prime Ministers in 1970s :
Indira Gandhi (1966-1977 and 1980—1984) :
The significant events in her tenure as the Prime Minister of India are as follows :
- The banks were Nationalised by her on 19th July 1966.
- The war between India and Pakistan in 1971 led to and emergence of Bangladesh.
- India successfully carried out the underground test of atomic devices at Pokharan in Rajasthan in 1974.
- The people of Sikkim voted for its merger with India in 1975.
- India launched 'Aryabhatta', the first satellite in space in 1975.
- The Allahabad High Court gave verdict against her due to misuse of government machinery during elections.
- She declared National Emergency due to worsening law and order situation in the country in 1975.
- The imposition of emergency led to her defeat in 1977 general elections. However, she returned to power in 1980.
- She curbed the Khalistan movement, sent the Indian army to Golden Temple at Amritsar in 1984 to evict terrorists who had taken shelter there.
- She was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards of her personal security in 1984.
Morarji Desai (1977-1979) : All the opposition parties came together and formed the Janata Party. He became the Prime Minister but his government did not last due to internal differences.
Shri Charan Singh (1979-1980) : Became Prime Minister for very short duration, i.e. five months.
Effects of national emergency :
- The national emergency was declared in 1975 and it lasted for two years.
- During this period, the fundamental rights of the citizens were suspended or restricted.
- Indian administration became disciplined.
- The resentment of people led to the defeat of the congress party in general election held in 1977.
The 1980s (Nineteen-eighties) :
During this decade the Indian political system faced many new challenges. The Sikhs in Punjab demanded an independent state of Khalistan and began a movement which went on to become violent and destructive. During this period, an organisation called United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) carried on a major movement in North-east India.
Prime Ministers in 1980s :
Rajiv Gandhi (1984-1989) : Right after Indira Gandhi’s assassination in 1984, Rajiv Gandhi became the Prime Minister of India.
- He initiated reforms in economy, science and technology.
- He was unsuccessful in resolving the issue of Tamil minority in Sri Lanka.
- He faced criticism on the issue of political corruption that took place in the defence deal with the Bofors.
- This led to his defeat in the general election in 1989.
- Movement by ULFA in the North-east.
- He Assassinated by LTTE terrorists in 1991.
Vishwanath Pratap Singh (1989-1990)
- Became Prime Minister of coalition, Janata Dal for very short time.
- Implemented the recommendations of the Mandal Commission about reservation for the OBCs.
- Waived loans of farmers worth 10,000 crore rupees.
Chandrashekhar (1990-1991) :
- Foreign exchange reserves depleted.
- Tried to control the situation by selling and mortgaging its gold.
- Debt on foreign loans increased.
- Deposits in foreign currency were withdrawn by Non-resident Indians.
- Indian economy faced a crisis situation.
The changes after 1991 : The year 1991 is held to be very important in the history of the world as well as India. The Soviet Union disintegrated into several different small countries and the Cold War came to an end.
The benefits of the economic reforms of 1991 :
- The lndian economy flourished.
- The foreign investment in India increased.
- Several avenues of employment opened up in the field of Information Technology in the country.
Prime Ministers (1991-2000) :
V. Narasimha Rao (1991-1996) :
- Initiated new economic reforms.
- Globalisation brought economic prosperity.
- Issue of Ram Janmabhumi and Babri Masjid came up.
D. Deve Gowda (1996-1997) : In power for a brief period. i.e., ten months
Inder Kumar Gujral (1997-1998) : Remained in office only for eleven months
Atal Bihari Vajpayee (1998-2004):
- He became Prime Minister for short period in 1996.
- He became Prime Minister again from 1998 till 2004 and headed National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
- He attempted to have a dialogue with Pakistan. He started bus and train service between India and Pakistan. But his efforts were unsuccessful.
- During his tenure, a number of nuclear tests were conducted in 1998 at Pokharan. India declared herself as a nuclear power.
- India defeated Pakistan in war in Kargil region in 1999.
Indian Economy after independence :
- The objectives of the Indian economy in the post—independence period are modernisation of economy, economic self-sufficiency, social justice, elimination of poverty and industrialisation as means to achieve economic development.
- For this purpose Planning Commission was established.
- It was entrusted the task to coordinate development through Five-year plans.
Five-Year Plans :
Five-Year Plans :
- Planning Commission coordinated Five-Year Plans.
- Economic reforms of 1991 paved the way for liberalisation of the economy also called ‘Globalisation’.
- Information Technology opened new avenues of employment.
Green Revolution :
Green Revolution : Green revolution started in India in 1966.
In Green Revolution Programme, high-yielding varieties of wheat and rice seedlings were planted for better output.
- Modern technology was used to increase food production.
- The introduction of high-yielding varieties (HYV) of seeds, chemical fertilizers, pesticides, mechanization of agriculture and availability of credit from banks, increased output.
- India became self-sufficient in foodgrains. Dr. Swaminathan who played a pivotal role is rightly called ‘Father of Green Revolution‘ in India.
White Revolution :
White Revolution : Operation Flood, launched in 1970, was a project of India's National Dairy Development Board (NDDB). The huge increase in milk supply through concentrated efforts on a co-operative basis is known as the White Revolution.
- Dr. Verghese Kurien, originally from Kerala, who was the chairman and founder of Amul initiated India's dairy co-operative movement.
- The bedrock of Operation Flood has been village milk producer's co-operatives collection of milk and then processing it to pasteurize.
- It was done on co-operative basis and with the help of modern technology. It made India one of the largest producers of milk and milk products.
- Dr. Verghese Kurien, is known as the Father of the White Revolution in India.
Science and Technology :
Science and Technology :
- Dr. Homi Bhabha laid foundation of India's atomic energy programme.
- Use of atomic energy for peaceful purposes like generation of electricity, pharmaceutical and defence.
- (3)Aryabhatta, first satellite launched in space in 1975 and many more satellites were launched thereafter.
- Considerable advancement in the telecom sector.
Women Empowerment :
Women Empowerment :
- A number of steps taken for welfare and empowerment of women.
- A separate department of women and child development established.
- A number of welfare schemes launched.
- Laws enacted to ensure social justice.
- Reservation of seats for women in local self government bodies by 73rd and 74th
- Constitutional amendments.
Betterment of Weaker Sections :
Betterment of Weaker Sections :
- Appointment of Kakasaheb Kalelkar Commission on OBCs in 1953.
- Prevention of Atrocities Act in 1955.
- Appointment of Mandal Commission in 1978. It recommended reservation of seats for the OBCs in Public employment and institutions (of higher learning)
- Policy of reservation implemented by the government in 1990.
- Helped them to live with dignity, respect and free from fear, violence.
Globalisation : Globalisation is the process of connecting the national economy with the world economy. This will lead to the free flow of goods, services, technology and labour across the world. Globalisation was a part of the economic reforms introduced in India in 1991. The Narasimha Rao Government started economic reforms from 1991. These economic reforms are called as economic liberalisation.
Effects of Globalisation :
Effects of Globalisation :
- Changes in economy, politics, science and technology, society and culture.
- Emerged as an important country on the global scene in different spheres.
- Member of G-20 and BRICS.
- Revolution in telecommunication sector.
- Demonstrated to the world how stable democracy can work successfully.
- Transformation in the lifestyle of youth which is visible in their dietary habits, clothing, language and beliefs.
G-20 :
G20 : G20 is a group of 19 countries It was founded in 1990.
- G20 aims to formulate policy among member nations for the promotion of international financial stability.
- It promotes financial regulations that reduce risks and prevent future financial crisis.
- It aims at creating a new international financial structure for sustainable development of member nations.