Short Question Answers Section 1 & 2 ( O Level Pakistan studies)

 Short Questions and Answers

Q: What was Arya Samaj and swaraj?

 A: Arya Samaj were a group of Hindus founded in 1877. It had strongholds in western and northern India. It aimed to purify Hindus from the impure practices they had fallen into. It was founded by Dayanand Saraswati, who hoped to revert Hindus who had converted to Christianity. It spread educational and social reforms as well as carrying out militant activities, which strained Hindu- Muslim relations. Swaraj was a policy of the Indian National Congress. It was promoted especially during the Non-Cooperation Movement. They wanted self-rule in India; it stated that India could be ruled by Indians and the British should leave.

Q: What was Wardha Scheme?

A: The ‘Wardha scheme’ was an education scheme based on the views of Mahatama Gandhi during the Congress Ministries 1937-1939. It was introduced in all nine provinces under Congress rule (UP, CP, Bihar, Orissa, Madras, Bombay, Assam and the NWFP). Under this policy teaching was to be in Hindi, spinning cotton by hand became part of the curriculum, religious education was omitted and all the students had to bow before a picture of Gandhi daily. These all were unacceptable for the Muslims.

Q: What was the Battle of Panipat?

A: In 1526, Babur (a Muslim ruler from Turkestan) endeavored to extend his kingdom, in memory of his ancestor Timur. He fought against Ibrahim Lodhi, the Emperor of Delhi, in the first Battle of Panipat, in the plain of Panipat. He defeated Ibrahim Lodhi and established himself as an unchallenged ruler of Northern India. This was the beginning of Mughal rule in the Subcontinent.

Q: What was jizyah?

A: Aurangzeb re-introduced jizyah in the Subcontinent during his reign 1658 – 1707. Jizyah is a tax on Non-Muslims which is a part of the Shariah (Islamic law). It was made law as part of Aurangzeb’s reforms to introduce Islamic policies in India. Most of the non Muslims turned against him due to this tax.

Q. Who were Sepoys?

Ans: Sepoys were local Indians who were soldiers in East India Company’s army. They had very low salary and there was no chance of promotion. They got ammunition, uniforms, training etc from Britishers. They fought wars for Britshers and sometimes even have to fought against their own people. They have to follow the rules of their officers even if it is irrational like use of greased cartridges and because of these unacceptable rules, soldiers went against britishers which led to War of Independence 1857.

Q. What was Band-e-Matram?

Ans: Band-e-Matram was a nationalist Hindu song in which Hindus were encouraged to expel Muslims from Hindustan. This was not a congress policy, but the singing of song was made compulsory, in the rule of Congress 1937-1939 after they won 1935 elections, before the start of official business everyday in provincial assemblies. This worried and offended Muslims.

Q: What was 3rd June Plan?

Ans: Lord Mountbatten was sent to India in 1947 to work out a plan for the British to leave India. On 3rd June 1947, this plan was announced. According to this plan, two states should be set up, India and Pakistan. The interim constitution of both states was 1935 Government of India act. Each state was to have Dominion status and have an executive responsible to a constituent assembly. Muslim majority provinces would vote either to stay in India or join Pakistan.

Q. What were the administrative policies of Aurangzeb?

Ans: In 1707, Aurangzeb came into rule. He made administrative policies as it was very difficult to rule the vast empire so he appointed nobles and governors to control further parts. It took time to convey messages. Governors of provinces started becoming greedy and disloyal and some even become traitors and started selling their own country, making emperor weak and powerless and this is one of reason which led to decline of Mughal empire.

Q. What happened in battle of Okara?

And: In 1826, Syed Ahmed Shaheed Barelvi sent a message to Ranjit Singh telling him that he must allow Muslims freedom of worship or face the mujahideen. Ranjit Singh dismissed the ultimatum, so Syed ahmed was forced to attack at Akora on 21st December 1826 and a battle of okara took place between mujahideen and sikhs, in which Sikh suffered defeat.

Q. What was Black hole tragedy?

Ans:  The British East India Company had signed a trade agreement with the Nawab of Bengal, Siraj-ud-Daulah, their influence was growing and taking a government-like form. The Nawab disliked this after the company began making diplomatic relations, building fortresses, and more. So, in 1756 Siraj-ud-Daula's army captured old fort William in Calcutta and locked 123 British prisoners in a small  room overnight, from which only 23 survived and rest died out of suffocation. The news of this incident shocked Britain, and Robert Clive was hence sent to take over Calcutta, which he did. Clive went to battle with Siraj-ud-Daulah, and defeated him.

Q. What was Gandhi-Irwin Pact?
Ans) When the Indian Représenta returned from the first Round Table Conference, they urged Gandhi to stop his non-cooperation and agree to attend the next set of talks. In February 1931 Gandhi met the Viceroy, Lord Irwin, in the first of a series of meetings to agree the terms of future progress. So on 5 March 1931, the ‘Gandhi-Irwin Pact’ was signed. Irwin agreed to release most political prisoners and return property seized by the government, Gandhi agreed to call off the non-cooperation campaign and attend the next round of talks.

Q. What happened in the elections 1945-46?
Ans) In 1945, the British war-time prime minister, Winston Churchill, and the Conservative Party were defeated in a general election. The new prime minister, Claremont Attlee, and his Labour Party were committed to self-government in India.The League won 87% of the Muslim vote, all so Muslim seats in the Central Legislative Assembly and 446 of the 495 Muslim seats in the provincial elections. Congress won 91% of the non-Muslim vote and took control in the other eight states.

Q. What was Doctrine of Lapse?
Ans) In 1852, Governor-General Dalhousie extended British control even further by applying the Doctrine of Lapse. When a ruler died without a natural heir the British would annex his lands. So Sahara, Nagpur and Jhansi soon fell into British hands. In 1856 the Nawab of Oudh died, and although he had several legal heirs, Dalhousie declared that the Nawab had governed his people badly and took Oudh under British control. This act showed how British was now dominant in India.

Q. What was Muslim League?
Ans) In 1906, Muslim leaders met at the twentieth session of the Muhammaden Educational Conference at Dhaka. After the conference had finished a meeting was called, chaired by Nawab Viqar-ul-Mulk to consider setting up an organisation to be called ‘All-India Muslim League’. At the first meeting of the new organisation in December 1906, the League declared that its objectives were to protect and advance the political rights and interests of Muslims in India, and to promote feelings of loyalty to the British government.

Q .What were Aurangzeb’s policies?
Ans) There are mixed views on how successful Aurangzeb was an Emperor. Perhaps much of the criticism is a result of his more austere measures, such as appointing censors of public morals, banning the consumption of alcohol, stopping singing and dancing at ‘court’ and even determining the maximum length for beards. But to many people these were wise and needy measures helping to ensure that peoples’ lives were lived in the correct manner

Q. Who were Moplahs?

Ans: In August 1921 there was an uprising by the Moplahs in South Asia against British and their Hindu l landlords. At tirur, some 10,000 Moplah set the police station on fire and took arms and ammunition. The British had to send troops in to end uprising and 4000 Moplahs were killed.

Q. Who were Ali Brothers?

Ans: Ali brothers were Molana Shaukat Ali and moulana Muhammad Ali johar who was an Indian Muslim leader and president of Khilafat conference in 1918. He was the leader of delegation which was sent to England to persuade British to not to punish Turkey. In 1921 both brothers were accused of seditious material and were imprisoned.

Q: What was the Faraizi Movement?

A: Faraizi movement was started by Haji Shariatullah in the early 1800s in Bengal. He believed that the Muslims had moved away from Islamic practices. He wanted them to return to what he thought was the proper observation of Islamic duties called Faraiz. In this movement he aimed to bring Muslims back to essential basics and get rid of Hindu superstition. This movement also supported Jihad against the Non-Muslims, who were undermining true principles of Islam.    

  Q. What was The Loyal Muhammadans of India?

Ans. In 1860, Sir Syed Ahmed Khan wrote The Loyal Muhammadans of India. In this work, he defended the Muslims from British accusation that they were disloyal. He gave a detailed account of the loyal service which Muslims had given and named various Muslims who had shown particular loyalty to the British.

Q. What steps were taken for the promotion of Sindhi language?

Ans. After partition in 1947 many steps were taken for the promotion of Sindhi language. In 1948, the Sindhi Literary Board was set up and this has printed many books and magazines in Sindhi. Several important books have been written on Sindhi folk literature. In 1954, Bazm-e-Talib-ul-Muala was set up to promote Sindhi literature. A Sarmast academy has been established in the memory of Sachal Sarmast. A Sindhiology department has been established at Sindhi University Jamshoro.

Q.  Who was Chaudhary Rahmat Ali?

Ans. Rahmat Ali was born in 1897, in the Punjab. He attended the Islamia College Lahore. Later, he travelled to Britain to study at Cambridge University. He was in London when the Round Table Conferences were being held and tried to persuade the Muslim leaders that they should demand nothing less than a a separate homeland for Muslims. In 1933, Rahmat Ali with three other students at Cambridge University published a pamphlet entitled ‘Now or Never’.  In that pamphlet, Rahmat Ali provided a name for the separate homeland for Muslims, ‘Pakistan’. He formed Pakistan National Movement to campaign for the idea of Pakistan. 

Q: Who was the Nawab of Oudh?

A: In 1764, during the Battle of Buxar, the Nawab of Oudh, Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II and Mir Qasim fought against British. However, they were defeated and the British extended their rule to Oudh. The Nawab of Oudh then ruled under British supervision. In 1856, the Nawab died, and although he had a natural heir, the British captured Oudh under the Doctrine of Lapse.

Q. What was treaty of Versailles?

Ans: In 1919, at the end of First World War, peace treaties were drawn up showing how defeated nations were to be treated. The Treaty of Versailles set out what would happen to Germany. Its armed forces were greatly reduced, its colonies were taken away and the country was split in two by the creation of a new country, Poland. According to the terms of this treaty, Germans were also forced to pay a huge sum of victorious Allies for the damage caused by the fighting. Similar measures were taken against Germany ally, Austria.

Q. What was Satyagraya?

Ans: Satyagraya was a movement started by Gandhi in 1919 during the Khilafat conference. He was keen advocate of the policy of passive resistance. He gave this approach the name ‘satyagraya’, which he described as meaning ‘not meek submission to the will of the evil-doer, but the pitting of one’s whole soul against the will of tyrant.’ Passive resistance, he argued showed strength and moral supremacy over those who resorted to violence. Gandhi urged Muslims to join congress in seeking self-rule for India and most Muslim leaders agreed with it, though Jinnah thought India was not yet ready for it.

Q. What was Suttee?

Ans: Suttee was a religious practice of Hindus according to which the widow was burned with her husband's dead body. Although the British did not want to change the religious and cultural practices of Indian people but they banned suttee in 1829. An out rage of Hindus was seen in result which later on caused war of independence 1857.

Q. Who were Thuggees?

Ans: Thuggees were an organized group of professional robbers and murderers. In central and upper India groups of thugs claimed they were serving a goddess Kali. They mostly lived on railway stations and constantly changed their places, so were unable to catch by the police. They joined the travelers and gained their confidence after which they strangled them with a handkerchief or a noose and then rob and bury them. In 1830, the thugs were targeted for eradication by Governor-General of India William Bentinck and his chief colonel William Henry Sleeman. On their command about two hundred thugs were caught and dealt with. This step was welcomed by all as everyone was afraid of them.

Q. What was Montague-Chelmsford?

Ans: In July 1919, the viceroy of India, lord Chelmsford and the newly promoted Secretary of State, lord Montague issued the Montague-Chelmsford report which proposed separate electorates for Muslims and Sikhs, with 32 seats reserved for Muslims. It said that legislative council should be known as the legislative assembly which had 145 members, of which 103 should  be elected for a period of three years and other seats were also increased but  the real power was still with the viceroy who could pass any law, also the  executive council was still made of only nominated members , although three of these were now Indian. A new system of ‘diarchy’ was introduced which included reserved subjects i.e. justice, police, revenue, power resources, press and publication, controlled by the provincial governor and his executive council and transferred subjects i.e. local government education, public works, public health, forests, entrusted to provincial legislative councils. The voting rights were also extended to two percent.

Q: What was the Amritsar Massacre?

A: On 13th April 1919, General Dyer banned all public meetings. In Amritsar, civilians assembled to condemn the arrest of two national leaders in Jallianwala Bagh, a public garden. It was walled and had five narrow entrances. General Dyer, when he heard of the gathering, opened fire on the crowd (consisting of men, women and children), aimed mostly at the openings through which people were trying to flee. According to Dyer, 1650 rounds were fired for ten minutes, 379 people died and 1200 were injured. According to Congress, approximately a 1000 were killed and more than 1500 were wounded. This caused mass distrust in the British by the general public.    

Q. What was "Swadeshi movement" ?

Ans: After the partition of Bangladesh,in 1905 Hindus were very furious. Hindus decided to introduce a boycott of British goods. Instead of buying British products Hindus vowed to buy Indian products. British clothes were burned. This dropped the sale of British good dramatically and British industries became bankrupt. This action of Hindus on partition of Bangladesh was known as Sawadeshi movement. This movement was started by Gandhi.

Q. What was the agenda of round table conferences?

 In 1930 e the Simon Commission managed to produce a two-volume report. The reports had little in it to cheer the Muslim community in the subcontinent, although it supported the idea of separate electorates, it rejected Muslims having one third share of seats in the central assembly and the idea of Sindh being separated from Bombay. Hence the British called The Round Table Conferences (1930-1932) with the agenda to discuss the commission's recommendations.

Q. What was Cripps' mission?

 The Muslim League had made it clear that they wanted Independence but the Congress was not ready to be partitioned and British did not want to lose control over India. In March 1942 the British sent Sir Stafford Cripps to India to see if a compromise could be made. According to what Cripps proposed after the war an Indian union would be set up with dominion though provinces had the choice to opt out of the Union and negotiate their own independence. It was also said that the constitution and new elections would be held immediately after the war. Muslim League rejected the plan because it had no reference to partition. The Congress also rejected it because they wanted immediate control of India's affairs and could not wait until the war was over. The Congress was also not sure if the British would fulfill their promises.

Q. What was the Pakistan Resolution?

Both Allama Muhammad Iqbal and Rahamat Ali had recently built upon the idea of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan for a separate country. Although, Jinnah first opposed this idea but later he convinced that there was a need for a separate country. At the annual session of Muslim League held in Lahore on 22nd March 1940, Maulvi Fazlul-Haq Forward a resolution demanding a separate region for Muslims where they can freely preach and practice their religion. The resolution was passed on 23rd March and the Hindus started to call it as ‘The Pakistan Resolution’ and hence this title was adopted. Now the year of oppressions were put behind them and the work for the homeland to become a reality.

Q. What was Deen-e-Illahi?

Akbar was the successor of Humayu. He was only 13 years old when he succeeded his father and was greatly influenced by Sufi beliefs. In 1581 he announced his ‘Deen-e-Illahi’ a new religion containing elements of both Islam and Hinduism. This religion did not take root and died after Akbar's death.

Q. What was the meaning of Dar-ul-harb?

   To many Muslims the Khilafat movement was not about opposing the British but was about fostering Islam. In 1920 the Muslim Scholars declared the subcontinent as a Dar-ul-harb meaning a land under foreign rule and declare that Muslims can't live in such a territory. As a result, 18000 Muslim sold their homes, and farms, patched up their possessions, and migrated to Afghanistan. But Afghanistan did not want them because it was difficult for them to accommodate so many people. The disappointed villagers returned penniless. Some of them died along the way. When they got back, they had no place to live because they had sold their homes and lands.

Q. What was Battle of Plassey?

 In 1756, the French encouraged the Nawab of Bengal, Siraj-ud-Daulah to attack the EIC base at Calcutta. He captured the city but was unable to keep control of it. In 1757 Clive arrived with a force of EIC soldiers and defeated Siraj-ud-Daulah’s troops in the Battle of Plassey. Clive’s victory was made easy by the treasury of Siraj-ud-Daulah’s general Mir Jafar. The EIC rewarded him by making him Nawab of Bengal.

Q. What were British reforms?

 The British gave reforms to help themselves to rule over India. The reforms included Morley Minto reforms of 1903 which gave the right to separate electorates for Muslims. The Montagu-Chelmsford reforms of 1919 which put forward the bicameral system of government. Rowlatt Act of 1919 and the Government Act of 1935. 

 

Q. What was "Quit India movement"? 

Ans: In May 1942, Gandhi  spoke at a congress meeting in Allahabad. He talked about how British behaviour towards India has filled him with pain and argued that if Britain left India, Japan would no longer be a threat. On 8 August 1942, Quit India Resolution passed by Congress calling for immediately withdrawal of the British. The idea was that with enough pressure Britian, engaged in war would leave India, but Muslim League didn't approve Quit India Resolution as they saw it as Anti-muslim.

Q. What was the Battle of Buxar? 

Ans: In 1764, Mir Jafar son, Mir Qasim joined forces with the Nawab of Oudh and the Mughal emperor, Shah Alam (II) to drive the EIC out of Bengal. They were unsuccessful and after their defeat in the battle of Buxar in 1764, British influence actually increased and the EIC now took control of the revenue collection in Bengal Bihar and Orissa and also extend its influence into oudh. 

Q. Who was Monster of Mysore?

ANS: Tipu Sultan was the Sultan of Mysore, also called the monster of mysore , he ruled from 1782 to 1799. He was a     fierce and courageous opponent of the British East India Company. Tipu was determined to resist the British advance in India and believed that to defeat the British , he had to match their weapons. He used to get help from France. It is said that he had 50 cannons, 100,000 cannon balls and 10 muskets as well as rockets and handguns. His army was so strong that he defeated the British in battles, several times. In the Fourth Anglo Mysore war , the imperial forces of British East India Company were supported by the Marathas. They defeated Tipu Sultan ,he was killed on 4TH May 1799, while defending his fort of Seringapatam as his minister Mir Sadiq betrayed him by helping the british.

Q. What was 'Direct Action Day'?

ANS: In July summer 1946, the Muslim League passed a resolution declaring that it should prepare for the final struggle against both the British and the Congress. On 16 August, the league called for a 'Direct Action Day' to show the strenght of Muslim feelings in an attempt to stop the British Government giving in to the Congress. In many places thousands demonstrated peacefully to show Muslims solidarity. In Culcutta ,however, the demonstrations turned into voilence in which up to 4000 people were killed in the 'Great Culcutta Killing'.

Q. What was the meaning of the saying '' it is a post dated cheque on a failing bank''?

ANS: In March 1942, the British send Sir Stanfford Cripps, to India to see if a compromise could be reached ,which would win support from the British war effort. The Cripps mission proposed many things but both Muslim League and Congress rejected the proposal, as it was not prepared to wait until the war was over and wasn't sure that it trusted the British to deliver the promises. So Ghandi called this proposal '' a post dated cheque on a failing bank''.

Q. What was the 'Jihad Movement'?

ANS: In 1821, Syed Ahmed Shaheed went for hajj. Before going, he travelled across India and held meetings, in order to spread his belief in jihad. When he returned from Arabia in 1823, he was ready to take action. At this time Punjab was under sikh rule of Ranjit Singh. Syed Ahmed thought that Punjab was the place to launch his jihad against non-muslim rulers. He travelled many hundreds of miles to raise a mujahideen force. He went to Rajastan, Sindh, Balochistan and Afghanistan. In 1826, Syed Ahmed established his headquarters near Peshawar. He send a message to Ranjit Singh to allow Muslim freedom of worship. Ranjit Singh dismissed the ultimatum, so Syed Ahmed firstly attacked at Akora on 21 December 1826, the sikhs were defeated. After this victory , his force grew to 80,000 soilders. The famous battle of Balakot was fought on 6th May 1831. The Sikhs emerged victorious. Almost all the Mujahideens including Syed Ahmed Shaheed were martyred.

Q. Who was 'Lakshmibai'?

ANS:  Rani Lakshmibai was born on 19 November 1828.Lakshmibai, the Rani of Jhansi was an Indian queen and warrior. She was one of the greatest leaders of the Indian Rebellion of 1857 and, became for Indian nationalists a symbol of resistance to British rule in India.On 20th March 1958, the British sent a massive force under Sir Hugh Rose in order to recapture Jhansi. She was supported by Tantya Tope. It was a severe battle in which both parties suffered heavy losses. Eventually the British recaptured the fort by betrayal. However, Rani Lakshmi Bai escaped with some of her loyal followers and reached Kalpi. Soon, with the help of Tantya Tope and Rao Sahib, she captured the Gwalior fort from Jivaji Rao Scindia.She martyred on 18th June 1858 at Kotah-ki-Serai in Gwalior in the Indian Mutiny.

Q. What do you know about the revolt 1857?

Ans: In 1957, British banned Sattie, Satya Graih and other religious activities. Indians wanted freedom from British. So Indian sepoy started a war of independence against British which was started by Meerut. 

What were Delhi proposals?

In 1927, Jinnah called a conference of all muslim leaders in Delhi. The purpose was to discuss how muslim interests should be protected in the future of separate electorates in any future constitution reform. The Delhi conference resulted in a number of demands, known as the Delhi proposals. 

What was the day of deliverance?

When Britain went to war with Germany in 1939, it announced that India was at war with Germany too. Congress objected to the fact that it had not been consulted and all congress provincial governments resigned. The muslims were so pleased to see the end of the Hindu government that they gave great support to Jinnah’s call to celebrate the end of congress rule on 22 December 1939m as the day of deliverance.  

What were Ghandi-Jinnah talks?

Ghandi was released from prison on medical grounds by the new viceroy, lord waves in may 1944. Ghandi proposal to Jinnah that the two meet to consider the future of India after the British department, which now seemed inevitable. Throughout September 1944, the two met at Jinnah’s home in Bombay. Ghandi wanted the league to give immediate support to congress in its struggle to remove the British. Only after the British left could partition be considered. Jinnah knew that he had to secure partition before they left. But the talks broke up without agreement. However, Jinnah could claim some success from the talks. 

What was the battle of plassey?

In 1756, the French encouraged the nawab of bengal, siraj-ud-daula to attack the EIC base at Calcutta. He captured the city, but was unable to keep control of it. In 1957, Clive arrived with a force of EIC soldiers and defeated siraj-ud-daula’s troops in the battle of plassey. The nawab’s body was found in a river after the battle. 

What do you know about Mohsin-ud-din.

Mohsin-ud-din, continued to work to improve the partition of muslims in east bengal and introduced important economic measures. He divided east bengal into areas called circles, each under control of khalifas. They were responsible for the social and spiritual welfare of the people in their area. He helped the peasants to oppose the excessive taxes imposed by the Hindu and British landlord. After his death in 1860, the Faraizi movement declined. 

What was the system of basic democracies?

The first step in Ayub khan’s constitutional reforms came with the intoduction of the basic democracies order on 26 October 1959. This was a four-tier system in which ordinary people elected district and divisional members. At the end of 1959, Ayub asked the basic democrats for a vote of confidence. Almost 95% of them declared their confidence in him and on 17 February 1960, he was confirmed as president. He then announced the creation of a consultation commission to make recommendations for a new constitution. 

Q. What was the legal framework order? 

Ans: In 1971, General Yahya khan introduced this which declare that East Pakistan will have more seats then West Pakistan according to population ratio. The people above 18 were allowed to vote and choose leaders of their own choice.

 Q: Who was Yahya Khan? 

Ans: On March 1969, the Commander-in-Chief of the Army General Yahya Khan, was appointed Chief Martial Law Administrator and also took over as President. He suspended 1962 Constitution, and announced that Basic democracy had not been a success and there would be a properly elected government. Furthermore he said that the ‘One Unit’ system had not worked, so there would be a return to provincial government. On 7 December 1970 elections were held and for the first time ever were held on the principle of ‘One man, one vote’.

Q: What was six points formula?

Ans: The six point movement was a movement in East Pakistan, spearheaded by Sheikh Mujib-ur-Rahman in 1966, which called for greater autonomy for East Pakistan. In the Six points the Awami league called for a directly elected Government, the federal government to control defence and foreign policy, all other decisions to be made at provincial level, separate currencies for East and West Pakistan, the provinces tax their people and send share to federal government, the federal government not to tax people, each province to set up its own trade agreements with other countries and to control money spent or made through this trade, each province to have its own troops.

Q: What was Simla agreement?

Ans: On 2 July 1972, Bhutto signed Simla Agreement with the Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi. India agreed to return prisoners of war to Pakistan in return for a promise from Pakistan that the Kashmir problem would be discussed directly with India and not in national forums, such as the United Nations. Increased his popularity in Pakistan, international reputation enhanced, not given up on Kashmir.