RRB NTPC History and Polity of India 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The Preamble of the Indian Constitution describes India as:
- Sovereign, Federal, Democratic Republic
- Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic (Correct answer)
- Secular, Federal, Socialist Republic
- Democratic, Federal, Sovereign Republic
Correct answer: Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic
The Preamble (as amended by 42nd Amendment, 1976) declares India to be a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic.
The original Preamble (1950) declared India a 'Sovereign Democratic Republic.' The 42nd Constitutional Amendment (1976) added 'Socialist' and 'Secular' — making India a 'Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic.' The Preamble also mentions 'Justice (social, economic, political), Liberty (of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship), Equality (of status and opportunity), and Fraternity (assuring dignity of the individual and unity and integrity of the nation).' The Supreme Court in the Kesavananda Bharati case (1973) held that the Preamble is part of the Constitution.
Question 2: The Battle of Plassey (1757) was fought between which two sides?
- British East India Company vs. Hyder Ali
- British East India Company vs. Siraj-ud-Daulah (Correct answer)
- British East India Company vs. Tipu Sultan
- Marathas vs. British East India Company
Correct answer: British East India Company vs. Siraj-ud-Daulah
The Battle of Plassey (June 23, 1757) was fought between the British East India Company (Robert Clive) and Siraj-ud-Daulah, the Nawab of Bengal.
The Battle of Plassey was fought on June 23, 1757, at Plassey (Palashi) in Bengal. The British East India Company forces led by Robert Clive defeated Siraj-ud-Daulah (the Nawab of Bengal) largely due to the treachery of Siraj's commander Mir Jafar (who was promised the throne). This battle is considered the beginning of British political dominion over India. After the battle, Mir Jafar became the puppet Nawab, and the British East India Company gained financial control over Bengal — which funded subsequent conquests. Robert Clive became the first British Governor of Bengal.
Question 3: Which Article of the Indian Constitution gives the President the power to declare a National Emergency?
- Article 352 (Correct answer)
- Article 356
- Article 360
- Article 365
Correct answer: Article 352
Article 352 empowers the President to declare a National Emergency when the security of India is threatened by war, external aggression, or armed rebellion.
Emergency Provisions in the Indian Constitution (Part XVIII): Article 352 — National Emergency (war, external aggression, or armed rebellion; formerly 'internal disturbance' before 44th Amendment). Article 356 — President's Rule (failure of constitutional machinery in a state). Article 360 — Financial Emergency. National Emergency has been declared three times: 1962 (China War), 1971 (Pakistan War), and 1975 (Internal disturbance — the most controversial, by Indira Gandhi). Under Article 352, a proclamation must be approved by a special majority (2/3 members present and voting + absolute majority) of both Houses within one month.
Question 4: Akbar's policy of 'Sulh-i-Kul' referred to:
- Military conquest of all territories
- Universal peace and tolerance among all religions (Correct answer)
- Taxation of all subjects equally
- Division of the empire into administrative units
Correct answer: Universal peace and tolerance among all religions
'Sulh-i-Kul' (or Sulh-e-Kul) means 'universal peace' in Persian. Akbar promoted this policy of religious tolerance, treating all faiths equally.
Sulh-i-Kul (Persian: 'absolute peace' or 'universal peace') was Akbar's philosophy of governance based on tolerance of all religions. Under this policy, Akbar abolished the Jizya (poll tax on non-Muslims), celebrated Hindu festivals, married Rajput princesses (like Jodha Bai), and appointed Hindus to high positions (like Raja Todar Mal as Finance Minister, Raja Man Singh as general). He founded Din-i-Ilahi (Religion of God) incorporating elements from various faiths. This policy strengthened Mughal rule by gaining loyalty from all sections of the population.
Question 5: The Lok Sabha can be dissolved by:
- The Prime Minister alone
- The President on the advice of the Prime Minister (Correct answer)
- Two-thirds majority of Parliament
- A joint session of Parliament
Correct answer: The President on the advice of the Prime Minister
Under Article 85, the President can dissolve the Lok Sabha on the advice of the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister.
Under Article 85 of the Constitution, the President can dissolve the Lok Sabha on the advice of the Council of Ministers (Cabinet) headed by the Prime Minister. The President is a constitutional head and acts on the aid and advice of the Cabinet (Article 74). However, if the Prime Minister loses majority in Lok Sabha, the President may exercise discretion in accepting or rejecting dissolution advice. A Lok Sabha has a normal term of 5 years from its first sitting (Article 83). During National Emergency, this term can be extended by Parliament by one year at a time (Article 83(2)).
Question 6: The 'Quit India Movement' was launched by Mahatma Gandhi in which year?
- 1940
- 1941
- 1942 (Correct answer)
- 1943
Correct answer: 1942
The Quit India Movement (also called the August Movement or August Kranti) was launched on 8 August 1942 at the Bombay session of the All India Congress Committee.
The Quit India Movement was launched on August 8, 1942, at the All India Congress Committee session at Gowalia Tank Maidan (now August Kranti Maidan) in Bombay. The movement demanded an end to British rule in India and began with Gandhi's famous 'Do or Die' speech. The British responded by arresting virtually all INC leaders (Gandhi, Nehru, Patel) within hours, on August 9, 1942. Gandhi was imprisoned at Aga Khan Palace in Pune until 1944. Despite the mass arrests, the movement spread across India with widespread strikes and protests, demonstrating that Indians would accept nothing less than independence.
RRB NTPC History and Polity of India 2
The Preamble of the Indian Constitution describes India as: