Paper : ICSE Class X Important Questions : History (2003)

General Instructions

1. Attempt all questions from Part I (Compulsory). A total of five questions are to be attempted from Part II, one from Section A, one from Section B, one from Section C, and twoother questions from any of the Section A, B, and C.
2. The intended marks for questions or parts of questions are given in brackets . 

PART I (30 Marks)
Attempt all questions from this Part.

Question 1

(a) What is meant by the Directive Principles of State Policy? [1]

(b) How does a citizen stand to benefit by the Right to Constitutional Remedies? [1]

(c) Certain fundamental rights can be suspended during the period of Emergency. Who has the authority to suspend these fundamental rights? [1]

(d) The Headmaster of a school denies admission to a student who is from a weaker section of society. Which fundamental right is violated in this case? [1]

(e) Why were the Fundamental Duties introduced in the Constitution? [1]

(f) Who appoints the Chief Election Commissioner of India? [1]

(g) When is a political party recognized as a 'National Party'? [1]

(h) How can a party in opposition in the Parliament play a constructive role? [1]

(i) Name the Local Self-Government which is built around a military establishment. [1]

(j) Mention any one function of the Zila Parishad. [1]

Question 2

(a) What was the main grievance of Nana Saheb against the British? [1]

(b) Under what pretext was Oudh annexed to the Company's Dominions? [1]

(c) The Act of 1858, ended the East India Company's rule and the Government of India was transferred to the British Queen. Who became her first Viceroy under this Act? [1]

(d) Name the Act of Lord Lytton's regime which aimed at limiting the freedom of the Press. [1]

(e) Who wrote 'VandeMataram'? [1]

(f) Mention one important anti-India policy adopted by Lord Curzon which brought about aggressive nationalism in India. [1]

(g) Who started the paper 'The Young India'? [1]

(h) Who founded the 'East India Association'? [1]

(i) Why was the 'Civil Disobedience Movement' of March 1930, withdrawn? [1]

(j) Why was Sir Stafford Cripps sent to India in 1942? [1]

United Nation and the Regional Organization

Question 3

(a) Who appoints the Secretary General of the United Nations? [1]

(b) What is meant by the term 'Veto Power' which is enjoyed by the Permanent Members of UN? [1]

(c) State the importance of 'Uniting for Peace Resolution' of 1950. [1]

(d) What is meant by 'Apartheid'? [1]

(e) State one important function of the International Labour Organization. [1]

(f) What is meant by 'Policy of Containment'? [1]

(g) Give the meaning of 'Disarmament'. [1]

(h) When and where was the European Economic Community established? [1]

(i) Mention the most important role of the European Union. [1]

(j) Why is the 'Dhaka Declaration' significant for the SAARC countries? [1]

PART II (50 Marks)
A total of five questions are to be attempted from this Part.

Section-A
Civics

Question 4
With reference to the Constitution of India, answer the following questions:

(a) State the importance of the Preamble to the Constitution. [3]

(b) In what way is India a 'Sovereign Democratic Republic'? [3]

(c) Why did the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976 insert the words 'socialist' and 'secular' in the preamble? [4]

Question 5
The Constitution of India ensures that the Election Commission is an independent body. In this context, answer the following questions:

(a) Enumerate the functions of the Election Commission. [3]

(b) How does the Election Commission ensure free and fair elections? [3]

(c) Why is the Election Commission an independent body and how is its independence guaranteed? [4]

Question 6
With reference to Local Self-Government, answer the following questions:

(a) Explain the need for a Local Self-Government. [3]

(b) Differentiate between a Municipality and a Municipal Corporation. [3]

(c) How is the General Council of the Municipal Corporation formed? Enumerate the functions of the General Council. [4]

Section - B
Modern Indian History

Question 7
The First War of Independence, 1857, led to several changes. With reference to this, explain:

(a) The rights granted to the Indian Princes and Chiefs. [3]

(b) The reorganization of the Army. [3]

(c) The changes introduced in the administrative set-up of the British territories in India. [4]

Question 8
The All India Muslim League was founded on 30th December 1906. With reference to this, answer the following:

(a) Briefly mention the factors which led to the formation of the League. [3]

(b) What were the aims of the League? [3]

(c) Explain the reasons for the League's acceptance and later rejection of the Cabinet Mission Plan. [4]

Question 9
The Home Rule League was founded in India in 1915-1916. In this context, answer the following questions:

(a) What is meant by 'Home Rule'? Why did the leaders of this movement avoid revolutionary and aggressive methods? [3]

(b) Explain the role played by Tilak. [3]

(c) Describe the impact of the movement. [4]

Question 10
Various circumstances were responsible for the Non-co-operation Movement started by Gandhiji. In this context, write short notes on the following:

(a) Rowlatt Act, 1919. [3]

(b) Jallianwala Bagh Tragedy. [3]

(c) Khilafat Movement. [4]

Question 11
Briefly mention the contribution of the following in the freedom movement:

(a) Gopal Krishna Gokhale. [5]

(b) Subhash Chandra Bose. [5]

Question 12
The Mountbatten plan was the final proposal put forward by the British to solve the deadlock between the main political parties in India. In this context, give:

(a) Three reasons for the Cabinet Mission's rejection of Jinnah's demand for Pakistan. [3]

(b) Three reasons for the acceptance of the Plan by the Congress. [3]

(c) Any four clauses of the Plan. [4]

Section - C
The United Nations and the Regional Organization

Question 13
With reference to the United Nations, answer the following questions:

(a) What does the WHO do to achieve its objective of ensuring 'Health for All'? [3]

(b) State the composition of the International Court of Justice. [3]

(c) State any four functions of the General Assembly. [4]

Question 14
In order to maintain international peace and security, explain the importance of the following:

(a) Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty of 1963. [3]

(b) Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. [3]

(c) The Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. [4]

Question 15

(a) Why did Jawaharlal Nehru want India to follow the Non-aligned Policy? [3]

(b) A turn of events brought the South East Asian Nations closer and ASEAN was formed. In this context, describe: [3]

1. The structure of the ASEAN.
2. Any four objectives of the ASEAN.