Arihant social science class 10th Questions & Answers

The Rowlatt Act, passed by the Imperial Legislative Council in 1919, aimed to curb the growing nationalist movement in India. It authorized the British government to imprison any person without trial for up to two years, bypassing the right to habeas corpus. Indians reacted with widespread outrage, leading to nationwide hartals, demonstrations, and strikes, culminating in the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, which further intensified the struggle for independence.

Federalism in India refers to a system of government where power is divided between a central authority and various constituent units, typically states or provinces. India operates as a 'holding together' federation, meaning the central government tends to be more powerful than the states. Key features include a two-tier government, a written constitution, division of powers through Union, State, and Concurrent Lists, an independent judiciary, and financial autonomy for different levels of government.

Renewable resources are those that can be replenished naturally over a relatively short period through natural processes, making them inexhaustible. Examples include solar energy, wind energy, and forests. Non-renewable resources, conversely, are formed over very long geological periods and cannot be replenished once depleted. Their formation takes millions of years. Examples include fossil fuels like coal, petroleum, and natural gas, as well as minerals like iron ore and copper.

The Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-1922), led by Mahatma Gandhi, was a pivotal moment in India's freedom struggle. It aimed to resist British rule through non-violent means by encouraging Indians to boycott British goods, institutions, and services. Its significance lies in mobilizing a large section of the Indian population, including peasants, workers, and students, under a common nationalist banner, demonstrating the power of mass protest, and shifting the focus from elite-driven politics to a broad-based people's movement.

Intensive subsistence farming is a type of agriculture practiced in densely populated areas of India. It is characterized by high labor input, small landholdings, and the use of simple tools. Farmers aim to produce enough food for their own family's consumption, with little surplus for sale. This farming often involves multiple cropping on the same plot of land annually, relying heavily on monsoon, natural fertility of the soil, and manual labor to maximize yield from limited land.

Political parties are crucial for the functioning of a democracy. Their primary functions include contesting elections, forming and running governments, articulating and promoting different policies and programs, providing access to government machinery and welfare schemes, and acting as a link between citizens and the government. They also play a vital role in shaping public opinion, aggregating diverse interests, and holding the government accountable.

Sustainable development refers to development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It emphasizes balancing economic growth with environmental protection and social equity. Its importance lies in addressing the long-term consequences of resource depletion and environmental degradation, ensuring that natural resources are used judiciously, and promoting a holistic approach to progress that considers ecological limits and intergenerational justice.

Print culture significantly accelerated the spread of ideas and fostered nationalism in India. It made books, newspapers, and journals accessible to a wider audience, including the common people, enabling the dissemination of nationalist ideologies, critiques of colonial rule, and discussions on social reforms. Vernacular presses played a crucial role in reaching regional populations, creating a sense of shared identity and grievances, and mobilizing public opinion against British oppression, thereby fueling the independence movement.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is the total value of all final goods and services produced within a country's geographical boundaries during a specific period, usually a year. It is a key indicator of a country's economic health. GDP is calculated by summing up the value of output in the primary (agriculture), secondary (industry), and tertiary (services) sectors. It measures the size of the economy and helps in comparing the economic performance of different nations.

The manufacturing sector in India faces several challenges. These include inadequate infrastructure (power, transport), outdated technology, low productivity compared to international standards, intense competition from imported goods, lack of skilled labor, and inconsistent government policies. Other issues involve environmental concerns, land acquisition difficulties, and the need for greater investment in research and development to enhance competitiveness and foster innovation.

Power sharing refers to the distribution of power among different organs of government (legislature, executive, judiciary), different levels of government (central, state, local), different social groups (linguistic, religious), and different political parties or pressure groups. It is desirable in a democracy because it helps reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups, ensures political stability, prevents the tyranny of the majority, and upholds the spirit of democracy by giving a voice to diverse sections of society.

Globalisation has significantly affected the Indian economy by integrating it with the world economy. It has led to increased foreign trade, foreign direct investment (FDI), and technological advancements. While it has created new jobs, boosted exports, and provided consumers with a wider range of goods and services, it has also brought challenges such as increased competition for domestic industries, job displacement in some sectors, and concerns about environmental impact and labor standards.

The Chipko Movement was a non-violent social and ecological movement by rural villagers, particularly women, in the Himalayan region of Uttarakhand (then part of Uttar Pradesh) in the 1970s. Its main feature was the practice of hugging trees to prevent them from being felled by contractors. The movement aimed to protect forests from commercial exploitation, promote sustainable forestry practices, and raise awareness about ecological conservation and the rights of local communities over natural resources.

The formal sector of credit in India includes banks and cooperative societies, which are regulated by the Reserve Bank of India. They offer loans at reasonable interest rates, require collateral, and follow specific rules and procedures. The informal sector, on the other hand, comprises moneylenders, traders, employers, relatives, and friends. It is largely unregulated, often charges very high interest rates, and may not require collateral, but can trap borrowers in debt cycles.

Women played a crucial and active role in the Civil Disobedience Movement. They participated in large numbers in protest marches, manufactured salt, picketed foreign cloth and liquor shops, and even went to jail. Many women from high-caste families and urban areas, as well as rural women, became prominent figures in the movement. Their participation was a significant step towards their empowerment and recognition in the public sphere, challenging traditional gender roles and strengthening the nationalist cause.

The Human Development Index (HDI) is a composite statistic developed by the United Nations to rank countries by level of human development. It goes beyond mere economic growth to measure a country's average achievements in three basic dimensions of human development: a long and healthy life (measured by life expectancy at birth), knowledge (measured by mean years of schooling and expected years of schooling), and a decent standard of living (measured by Gross National Income per capita).

Democracy in India faces several challenges. These include the problem of dynastic succession in political parties, the growing role of money and muscle power in elections, corruption, criminalization of politics, and the spread of communalism and casteism. Other challenges involve ensuring effective participation of marginalized groups, addressing regional disparities, maintaining law and order, and strengthening democratic institutions to be more transparent and accountable.

Public sector industries are owned and operated by the government, with the primary objective of public welfare rather than profit maximization. Examples include railways, post offices, and major industrial undertakings like SAIL. Private sector industries are owned and operated by individuals or groups of individuals, with the main objective of earning profits. Examples include Tata Steel, Reliance Industries, and most consumer goods companies. Services in the public sector are often subsidized, while private sector services are market-driven.

The Great Depression (1929-1939) had a severe impact on India, which was then a British colony. Indian exports and imports nearly halved between 1928 and 1934. Agricultural prices fell sharply, but the colonial government continued to demand land revenue, pushing peasants and farmers into deeper debt and poverty. This economic distress fueled rural unrest and strengthened the nationalist movement, as people increasingly blamed British policies for their suffering.

Agenda 21 is a comprehensive plan of action adopted by more than 178 governments at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), also known as the Earth Summit, held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. Its main objective is to achieve global sustainable development. It calls for local governments to draw their own local Agenda 21, emphasizing global partnership to combat environmental damage, poverty, disease, and to promote sustainable living patterns.