HISTORY, CIVICS AND GEOGRAPHY - Target ICSE

ICSE History and Civics Sample paper by www.targeticse.co.in

HISTORY, CIVICS AND GEOGRAPHY Paper 1(History and Civics) Question 1 a) Define Parliament. (1) In India, the word ‘Parliament’ refers to the legislative organ of the government. A Parliament may be defined as “a representative body whose permission is constitutionally required to make or change the country’s laws.” b) What are the two sets of authority in India? The two sets of authority in India are: (1) the Government of the whole country referred to as the Union Government and (2)Governments of the component units called State Government.

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c) Explain the term ‘Universal Adult Franchise’ The right of each and every person attaining the age of 18 is entitled to vote provided the Individual is not disqualified otherwise. This is known as ‘Universal Adult Franchise’.

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d) Name 2 qualifications essential to be a member of the Lok Sabha. In order to be a member of the Lok Sabha, (1) an individual must be a citizen of India and (2) must not be less than 25 years of age.

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e) What is meant by Lok Adalat? (1) The very term implies that lok Adalat means ‘people’s court’. These courts encourage to settle dispute through compromise or try to bring the parties to a settlement befitting both. f) Who is the Ex Officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha? The Vice President of India is the Ex Officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

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g) Name the first Vice President of India. Dr. S. Radhakrishnan is the first Vice President of India.

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h) Explain Unicameral Legislature. A legislature having only one house is known as Unicameral Legislature.

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i) Who appoints the Prime Minister of India? The Prime Minister is appointed by the President of India.

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j) Name 2 High Courts of India whose jurisdiction extends to more than one State. Guwahati High Court and Chandigarh High Court are the two courts whose jurisdiction extends to more than one state.

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Question 2 a) Name 3 states that fell victim to Dalhousie’s Doctrine of Lapse. The 3 states that fell victim to Dalhousie’s Doctrine of Lapse are Satara, Jhansi and Nagpur.

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b) Name the founder of Aligarh Movement in India. Sir Syed Ahmed Khan was the founder of Aligarh Movement in India.

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c) Who is referred to as the ‘Indian Burke’? Surendranath Banerjee is referred to as the ‘Indian Burke’. d) Who composed the song Vande Mataram? Bankim Chandra Chattopadhay composed the song Vande Mataram. e) Who presided over the Congress session at Chennai in 1887? Badruddin Tyabji presided over the Congress session at Chennai in 1887.

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f) What are the 2 proposals offered by Lord Linlithgow generally known as the August Offer? (2) The following are the two proposals presented in August Offer: • After the Second World War, a representative Indian body is to set up to frame the Constitution of India. • The Viceroy’s Executive Council would be expanded without any delay. g) Name 3 organs of ILO. (2) The 3 organs of ILO are International Labour Conference, the Governing body and the International Labour Office. h) When and where was WHO established? The World Health Organisation was established on 7th April, 1948. WHO has its headquarters in Geneva (Switzerland).

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i) Explain the meaning of the term Human Rights. (2) Human Rights refer to those freedoms which needs must be available to all individuals irrespective of their religion, caste, race or nationality. j) What is the meaning of the word ‘Non Alignment’? (2) The word ‘Non Alignment’ is very often differently interpreted. Negatively speaking, a country that is Non-aligned, does not support or is not a part of the power blocs. Non alignment must not be considered as isolationism since it also has a positive dimension. According to Jawaharlal Nehru, “Non-alignment does not mean passivity of mind or action. It does not mean submission to what we consider evil. It is a positive and dynamic approach to such problems that confront us.”

PART 2 (50 marks) SECTION A Attempt any 2 questions from this part Question 3 With reference to the Union Executive, answer the following questions: a) State three important functions of the Prime Minister in the Parliament. (3) The three important functions of the Prime Minister are: • The President summons and prorogues the Parliament and dissolves the Lok Sabha on the advice of the Prime Minister. • The Prime Minister is the ‘principal spokesperson’ and he is also the person to defend the Government in the Parliament. • The Prime Minister defends his Council of Ministers from severe attack or unpleasant situations. b) Mention the oaths of Office and of Secrecy taken by the Prime Minister. [email protected]

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ICSE History and Civics Sample paper by www.targeticse.co.in The Prime Minister takes the following oaths before entering his office: • To bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India. • To uphold the sovereignty and integrity of India. • To discharge his duties faithfully as a Minister without ill will or affection, fear or favour. Under the oath of Secrecy, the Prime Minister affirms not to reveal the ministerial affairs to any individual or community. c) Name the category of Ministers. (3) The Ministers of India are divided into three categories. They are the Cabinet Ministers or “Members of the Cabinet”, Ministers of State and Deputy Minister.

Question 4 With reference to the power and function of the Speaker, answer the following questions: a) How is the Speaker of the Lok Sabha appointed? (3) The Speaker or the principal Presiding Officer of the Lok Sabha is selected by the House from among its own members with the help of a simple majority of members present and voting. b) Mention the powers and functions of the Speaker of India. (3) The following are the powers and functions of the Speaker: • The Speaker is responsible for regulating debates and proceedings of the house. • The Speaker maintains discipline and order in the House. • The Speaker receives all the petitions and documents addressed to the House and is also responsible for communicating the decisions of the House to the respective authorities. b) Discuss the position of the Speaker. (4) The office of the Speaker is at the same time of great responsibility and honour. The Speaker is expected to be just, impartial and open-minded. The position of the Speaker is sought to made independent by means of the following provisions made in the Constitution: • The salary as well as the allowance of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker is charged on the consolidated fund of each State. • The Speaker is not to Vote though he can put in his Casting Vote in case of a tie. • The Speaker can be removed only by a resolution passed by a majority of members in the House. • The Speaker will not be a subject of jurisdiction of any Court. Question 5 With reference to the Supreme Court of India, answer the following questions: a) Manner of appointment of the Judges. (3) The Judges of the Supreme Court are appointed by the President of India though they are often done in consultation with the other Judges of the Supreme Court and the High Court as the President may deem necessary. Also, while appointing Judges other than the Chief Justice, it is also essential to consult the Chief Justice of India. b) Qualifications essential for the appointment of a Judge. [email protected]

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ICSE History and Civics Sample paper by www.targeticse.co.in In order to be a Judge of the Supreme Court, the following qualifications are essential: • A Judge of the Supreme Court must be a citizen of India. • Must have been a Judge of the high Court for five years. • An Advocate of the High Court for at least ten years. • Must be in the opinion of the President, a distinguished Jurist. c) Term of office and removal of the Judges. (3) The Judges of the Supreme Court enjoy a secured office with their tenure coming to an end only when they attain 65years of age when they retire. However, a Judge may also resign by writing to the President or removed from his office by the President on grounds of incapacity or misbehavior.

SECTION B ATTEMPT ANY THREE QUESTIONS FROM THIS PART Question 6 With reference to the religious and social causes of the first war of independence, answer the following questions: a) Fears regarding mass conversion to Christianity. (3) Activities of the Christian missionaries created a sense of alarm among both the Hindus and the Muslims. The teaching of Christian doctrines was made compulsory in the schools set up by the Christian missionaries. Furthermore, the introduction of Bible in Government schools, and the prisoners being instructed in Christianity intensified the sense of fear among the Hindus and Muslims of India. b) Introduction of railways and telegraphs. (4) Though railways and telegraph poles were actually introduced to develop India in the sphere of transport and communication, they were looked down upon as means to break social order and caste rules since people in railways needed people of different castes to sit together. This was regarded by Indians as an attempt to interfere with the caste rules. Furthermore, introduction of telegraph poles were looked down upon as poles to hang people who were against company’s rule in India. c) Fears regarding English Education. (3) Christian missionaries established a number of schools in British India. Gradually, the number of Government Schools also began to grow. In 1829, the Bengal Government established an English class in Kolkata Madrasa. English classes were also started in Benaras Sanskrit College. This shifting of emphasis from oriental learning to Western education was not received lightly by the Indian educated Pandits and Maulvis intensifying the gradual discontent among Indians. Question 7 With reference to the Moderates answer the following questions: [email protected]

ICSE History and Civics Sample paper by www.targeticse.co.in a) Administrative reforms demanded by the Moderates. (4) The Moderates demanded the following of the Government: • Wider employment of Indians in higher posts. • Holding of simultaneous examinations in India and England for recruitment to the Indian Civil Service. • Adequate representation of the Indians in the Executive Council of the Viceroy and those of the Governors. • Separation of the executive and the judicial functions. b) Methods of struggle of the Moderates. (3) Being liberal nationalists, the Moderates did not believe in the unconstitutional methods or agitation. The Moderates mainly carried on their struggle through petition to high Government officials, resolutions, distribution of leaflets and pamphlets, preparing memorandum for the Government committees, meetings in towns, cities, and the countryside and last but not the least, delegations of leading politicians to England. c) What was the official attitude of the Government towards the Congress? (3) In the beginning, the Government looked upon the Congress movement in a favorable light with the government officials attending meetings of the Congress. Slowly, as the movement gained vigour, the Government turned hostile. In November 1888, Lord Dufferin commented, “it appears to me a groundless contention that it (the Congress) represents the people of India.” Thenceforth the Government began to look down upon Congress with sheer contempt with the Government officials missing from the Congress sessions and the well proved policy of ‘Divide and Rule’ given ‘more teeth’. Question 8 With reference to the Quit India Movement, answer the following questions: a) State three reasons that led to the Quit India Movement. (4) The three causes leading to the Quit India Movement are:• Resignation of Congress Ministries-The Second World War broke out in 1939 with Germany’s invasion of Poland. The Congress Ministry resigned on the War issue. Their chief objection was that the British Government had involved India in war without consulting the Central Legislature and the Provincial Governments, though the Congress Working Committee had made it clear that India could not fight for freedom and democracy in Europe until India is free herself. The Viceroy, Lord Linlithgow did not assure of it. He declared Dominion Status to be the goal of British policy in India which was considered inadequate by the Congress. The Congress Ministry therefore resigned towards the end of October 1939 in protest. • The August Offer, 1940-The Congress was prepared to lend support to Britain in its war against Germany on the condition of India being declared an independent nation. In the meantime the situation in Europe worsened. Therefore, an attempt was made to end the political deadlock, generally known as the August Offer. This offer failed to satisfy the Congress leaders. • The Cripps Mission of 1942- On December 7, 1941, Japan attacked Pearl Harbour. Sir Stafford Cripps assured that after the war, India would be given the same status as [email protected]

ICSE History and Civics Sample paper by www.targeticse.co.in the other Indians. Moreover, a constituent assembly was also to set up. Until the new Constitution was framed the Government desired effective participation of Indian leader in the Viceroy’s Executive Council. The Congress could have joined the Viceroy’s Executive Council provided they had an assurance of the Viceroy acting as a Constitutional Head. But no such assurance was forthcoming. This led to the failure of the Cripps Mission of 1942 and thereby leading to the Quit India Movement. b) State the reasons responsible for the failure of the movement. (3) Though the Quit India Movement was short-lived, it was very intense. Some reasons responsible for the failures of the movement are:• The failure of the movement was caused due to the lack of coordination and clear-cut programme of action. • Some sections of the society, including many known politicians remained loyal to the government leading to the weakening of the movement. • The government tackled the movement by punishing the activists ruthlessly. This was a major cause leading to the failure of the movement.

c) State the importance of the Quit India Movement. (3) The importance of the Quit India Movement was:• Even though the movement was short-lived, it was an important landmark in the history of India’s struggle against the British. It continued to inspire the next generation of Indian to take up arms against the British Raj. • The movement symbolized the new confidence that the people had attained and warned the British that they were not welcome in India. It aroused among people a spirit of total sacrifice. • The movement hastened the decision of the British to quit India. All talk of giving Dominion Status to the Indians was consumed in the fire of the revolt.

Question 9 The Security Council is a permanently functioning organ of the United Nations. In this context describe the following: a) Its composition. (3) The Security Council, often described as the ‘Enforcement of Executive Wing’ is responsible for maintaining peace and security. The council consists of 15 members, with 5 permanent ones namely China, France, Russia, Britain and the USA. The ten nonpermanent members are elected by the General Assembly by two thirds majority for a two year term. b) Decision making process and the Veto power. (3) Each member of the Security Council has only one vote. Decisions on procedural matters are usually made by an affirmative vote of 9 members, including the concurring votes of the permanent members. [email protected]

ICSE History and Civics Sample paper by www.targeticse.co.in When a permanent member of the Security Council casts a negative vote, the Council is powerless and has to act in the face of a veto by any of the permanent members. This is known as the Veto power. c) Four of its main functions. (4) Four functions of the Security Council are:• Investigating role: The Security Council has the power to investigate any dispute or situation which may lead to international friction. • Pacific settlement of disputes: The Security Council may ask the disputing parties to seek a solution by negotiation. • Admission of new members: The Security Council may advice the General Assembly on admitting new members. • Electoral functions: The Security Council (i) participates in the election of the judges of the International Court of Justice. (ii) The UN Secretary General is appointed by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council. Question 10 With reference to Human Rights, answer the following questions:a) State the civil rights and freedoms set forth in the Human Rights declaration. (4) The following are the civil rights and freedoms are set forth in the Human Rights declaration: • All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. • Every individual has the right to live, liberty and security of person. • Slavery and slave trade shall be prohibited. • No one shall be subjected to torture or cruel and inhuman treatment. • Every individual has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. • Every individual has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association. b) State four importances of Human Rights. (3) The four important features of Human Rights are: • The declaration secures a common standard for all nations. • Human Rights are universal in nature, that is, every individual is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in the declaration. • Violation of the Human Rights is subject to international concern. c) Throw some light on the UN Human Rights Commission. (3) United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in its first session constituted the Human Rights commission. The Commission held its first full-fledged session in January 1947. Commission drafted ‘Universal Declaration of Human Rights’. The Commission meets each year at Geneva. It may consider any matter within the realm of human rights. The Commission has established Working Groups to investigate human rights problems in different countries. [email protected]


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