1.

List the different types of religious practices that you find in your
neighbourhood. This could be different forms of prayer, worship of different
gods, sacred sites, different kinds of religious music and singing, etc. Does
this indicate freedom of religious practice?

Answer: The different types of religious practices that we can see in our
neighbourhood are as follows:

1. A Sikh person worships in Gurudwara to Guru Nanak using Guru Granth Sahib
2. A Muslim worships in a mosque, and their sacred book is the Quran.
3. A Christian worships Jesus Christ in a Church, and their religious book is the Holy Bible.
4. A Hindu worships in a Temple to the idols of Gods and Goddess.

This shows that the people in India have the freedom to practise the religion of their
choice and yet live together in peace and harmony.

2. Will the government intervene if some religious group says that their
religion allows them to practise infanticide? Give reasons for your answer.

Answer: Yes, the Government can intervene if some religious group says that their
religion allows them to practise infanticide. This is because the Indian Constitution
clearly states that the Government has the right to intervene if there is a threat to
social harmony. Also, killing an infant is a crime, and the judiciary is the only
authority that can punish a person to death; no other religion or person can commit
the crime of killing someone.

3. Complete the following table.

Objective Why is it Example of a violation

important of this objective

One religious community does not dominate another

The state does not enforce any particular religion nor

take away the religious freedom of individuals

That some members do not dominate other members

of the same religious community
Answer:

Objective Why is it important Example of a

violation of this
objective

One religious community It is important because the Constitution gives the Stopping the
does not dominate another right to religious freedom to all, and if it is not people of a
provided, there may be chances of riots and a particular religion
disturbance of harmony in the country. from celebrating
their festival

The state does not enforce It is important that every individual in a country India is a country
any particular religion nor has the right to follow the religion of their choice. where people from
take away the religious This is what makes the nation a secular country. different castes
freedom of individuals and religions
reside.

That some members do not Religion cannot be divided on the basis of wealth Distinguishing
dominate other members of or creed. Hence, it is important that no member between upper-
the same religious dominates other members from the same class and lower-
community religion. Following their religion is the right of class.
every individual.

4. Look up the annual calendar of holidays of your school. How many of them
pertain to different religions? What does this indicate?

Answer: The annual calendar of our school marks holidays like Eid, which is
celebrated by Muslims. Diwali, which is a Hindu festival, Christmas, which is
celebrated by Christians and Guru Nanak Jayanti, which is a Sikh festival. This
proves that India is a secular country, and every individual has the right to religious
freedom.

5. Find out some examples of different views within the same religion.

Answer: Some examples of different views within the same religion are as follows:

1. Hindus worship different idols of Gods and Goddesses.

2. Muslims are divided into Shia and Sunni
3. Followers of Lord Mahavir are called Jains
4. Buddhist followers are divided into Mahayan and Hinyan
6. The Indian State both keeps away from religion as well as intervenes in
religion. This idea can be quite confusing. Discuss this once again in class
using examples from the chapter as well as those that you might have come
up with.

Answer: The Indian State both keeps away from religion as well as intervenes in
religion. If a person with a majority religious group gets the state power, he may use
the power to discriminate and persecute the people of other religions. The majority
may even deprive the minority of practising their religion. For example, untouchability
still exists in the Hindu community. If the state power is handed over to a person
belonging to an upper-caste Hindu majority, they may use it as a weapon against the
lower-class people of the society or that state.

1. What does the term ‘secularism’ refer to?

Answer: Secularism refers to this separation of religion from the State.

2. What do you mean by ‘freedom to interpret’?

Answer: ‘Freedom to interpret’ means an individual’s liberty to develop his
own understanding and meaning of the religious teachings.

3. Explain the concept of ‘principled distance’.

Answer: This means that any interference in religion by the State has to be
based on the ideals laid out in the Constitution.

4. How are non-Muslims treated in Saudi Arabia?

Answer: In Saudi Arabia, non-Muslims are not allowed to build a temple,
church etc., and nor can they gather in a public place for prayers.

5. What is meant by the word ‘establishment’?

Answer: The word ‘establishment’ means that the legislature cannot declare
any religion as the official religion. Nor can they give preference to one
religion.

6. What is the most important aspect of secularism? State its importance.

Answer: The most important aspect of secularism is its separation of
religion from State power. This is important for a country to function
democratically.

Short Answer Type Questions

1. “The government cannot force Sikhs to wear a helmet while driving

two wheelers.” Give reason.
Answer: This is because the Indian State recognises that wearing a pugri
(turban) is central to a Sikh’s religious practice and in order not to interfere
with this, allows an exception in the law.

2. What provision has been made by the government to follow

religious equality in government spaces, schools and offices?
Answer: In India, government spaces like law courts, police stations,
government schools and offices are not supposed to display or promote
any one religion. Government schools cannot promote any one religion
either in their morning prayers or through religious celebrations.

3. When does discrimination occur?

Or
When does the act of discrimination take place?
Answer: Discrimination occurs when members of one religious community
either persecute or discriminate against members of other religious
communities. These acts of discrimination take place more easily when one
religion is given official recognition by the State at the expense of other
religions.

4. How Indian concept of secularism is different from United States?

Answer: There is one significant way in which Indian secularism differs from
the dominant understanding of secularism as practised in the United States
of America. This is because unlike the strict separation between religion and
the State in American secularism, in Indian secularism the State can
intervene in religious affairs.

5. Why government schools are not allowed to celebrate religious festival?

Answer: The celebration of the religious festival within the school would be
a violation of the government’s policy of treating all religions equally.
Government schools cannot promote any one religion either in their
morning prayers or through religious celebrations. That’s why government
schools are not allowed to celebrate religious festival.

6. What is secularism in Indian context?

Answer: The Indian Constitution allows individuals the freedom to live by
their religious beliefs and practices as they interpret these. In keeping with
this idea of religious freedom for all, India also adopted a strategy of
separating the power of religion and the power of the State. Secularism
refers to this separation of religion from the State.

7. When was law passed by French government banning religious symbols in

school? What was its impact?
Answer: In February 2004, France passed a law banning students from
wearing any conspicuous religious or political signs or symbols such as the
Islamic headscarf, the Jewish skullcap, or large Christian crosses. This law
has encountered a lot of resistance from immigrants who are mainly from
the former French colonies of Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco.

8. What are the three objectives of a secular State?

Or
State the three objectives of a secular State.
Answer: The three objectives of a secular State are:
 One religious community does not dominate another;
 Some members do not dominate other members of the same religious
community;
 State does not enforce any particular religion nor take away the religious
freedom of individuals.


9. Why is it important to separate religion from the State?

Or
Why does state not interfere in religious matter?
Answer: It is important to separate religion from the State because of the
following reasons:
 To prevent the domination of one religion over another.
 To protect the freedom of individuals to exit from their religion, embrace
another religion or have the freedom to interpret religious teachings
differently.

10. Site some historical examples of discrimination.

Answer: Historical examples of discrimination are:
 Jews were persecuted in Hitler’s Germany.
 Jewish State of Israel treats its own Muslim and Christian minorities quite
badly.
 In Saudi Arabia, non-Muslims are not allowed to build a temple, church
etc., and nor can they gather in a public place for prayers.

Long Answer Type Questions

1. Will the government intervene if some religious group says that their religion
allows them to practise infanticide? Give reasons for your answer.
Answer: The government will surely intervene if some religious group says
that their religion allows them to practice infanticide because it involves
killing of innocent child, which is against fundamental right – The Right to
Life. No one is allowed to go against fundamental rights. Everyone’s right to
life shall be protected by law.

2. Find out some examples of different views within the same religion.
Answer: Different views are found within the same religion. For example:
 In Hinduism, there are Vaishnavism, Shaivism, Shaktism and Smartism.
 In Muslim community, there are Sunni, Shia, Ahmadiyya and Quranists.
 In Jainas, there are Shwetambar and Digambar sects.
 In Buddhism, there are Hinayana, Mahayana and Vajrayana.

3. How does the Indian constitution ensure its objectives of secular state?
Answer: The Indian Constitution ensures its objectives of a secular state in
the following manner:
 One religious community does not dominate another;
 Some members do not dominate other members of the same religious
community;
 State does not enforce any particular religion nor take away the religious
freedom of individuals.

4. Look up the annual calendar of holidays of your school. How many of them
pertain to different religions? What does this indicate?
Answer: Holidays in school calendar
Religions Holidays

Hindu Holi, Dussehra, Diwali

Muslim Eid ul Zuha or Bakrid, Eid al-Fitr, Muharram

Sikh Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti, Gurpurab

Christian Christmas, Goodfriday

This indicates that India is secular country where religious freedom is

granted to its citizens and all religions are equally respected.

5. Give one example to prove that the Indian secular state can intervene to
prevent the religious domination concerning different groups of the same
religion.
Answer: We can prove this fact with following example: Where members of
the same religion (‘upper-caste’ Hindus) dominate other members (some
‘lower castes’) within it. In order to prevent this religion-based exclusion
and discrimination of ‘lower castes’, the Indian Constitution banned
untouchability. In this instance, the State is intervening in religion in order
to end a social practice that it believes discriminates and excludes, and that
violates the Fundamental Rights of ‘lower castes’ who are citizens of this
country.

6. List the different types of religious practice that you find in your
neighbourhood. This could be different forms of prayer, worship of different
gods, sacred sites, different kinds of religious music and singing etc. Does this
indicate freedom of religious practice?
Answer: The various types of religious practice found in our neighbourhood
are:
 Hindu performing Puja and Havan
 Muslims offering Namaz
 Sikhs visiting Gurudwara
 Christians praying in Church
There are churches, gurudwaras, mosques and temples in our
neighbourhood. People of different cultures and religions stay together and
celebrate festivals. This indicates that all the citizens are able to practice
their religion with freedom in secular environment.

7. In what ways does the Indian state work to prevent domination of the
majority religious group?
Answer: The Indian State works in various ways to prevent the domination.
 First, it uses a strategy of distancing itself from religion. The Indian State
is not ruled by a religious group and nor does it support any one
religion. In India, government spaces like law courts, police stations,
government schools and offices are not supposed to display or promote
any one religion.
 The second way in which Indian secularism works to prevent the above
domination is through a strategy of noninterference. This means that in
order to respect the sentiments of all religions and not interfere with
religious practices, the State makes certain exceptions for particular
religious communities.
 The third way in which Indian secularism works to prevent the
domination listed earlier is through a strategy of intervention. The State
intervenes in religion in order to end a social practice that it believes
discriminates and excludes, and that violates the Fundamental Rights of
people who are citizens of this country.

8. The Indian State both keeps away from religion as well as intervenes in
religion. This idea can be quite confusing. Discuss this once again in class using
examples from the chapter as well as those that you might have come up with.
Answer: In Indian secularism, though the State is not strictly separate from
religion, it does maintain a principled distance vis-à-vis religion. This means
that any interference in religion by the State has to be based on the ideals
laid out in the Constitution.

For example:

 Where members of the same religion (‘upper-caste’ Hindus) dominate

other members (some ‘lower castes’) within it. In order to prevent this
religion-based exclusion and discrimination of ‘lower castes’, the Indian
Constitution banned untouchability. In this instance, the State is
intervening in religion in order to end a social practice that it believes
discriminates and excludes, and that violates the Fundamental Rights of
‘lower castes’ who are citizens of this country.
 Similarly, to ensure that laws relating to equal inheritance rights are
respected, the State may have to intervene in the religion-based
‘personal laws’ of communities.
 The intervention of the State can also be in the form of support. The
Indian Constitution grants the right to religious communities to set up
their own schools and colleges. It also gives them financial aid on a non-
preferential basis.

GLIMPSE OF THE PAST

1.what was the supremacy of East India company in war?

Answer: East India company intruded with powerful weapons and thus defeated the Indian princely
states easily.
2. What was the resentment of common people?

Answer: Common people were tired of wars, loots by thugs and tyranny of princely states.

3. How did the common folk react to the British conquests?

Answer: The common folk wanted to lead peaceful lives. So they were happy to have a stable rule.
However people also realized that the king and princes were of their own motherland.

4. How did British East India Company extend its power in India?

Answer: The Indians were not united. The Indian princes were short-sighted. They fought amongst
each other. In order to defeat the other Kings, they called The British and ultimately defeated them.

5. How were the Indian princes short-sighted?

Answer: The Indians were not united at that time. The Indian princes fought among each other.
There was no peace due to constant fights. They called the British to defeat the other Kings but were
not aware of the future consequences. Tipu Sultan who was far-seeing ruler fought bravely against
the British and fought till death. The British defeated the other kings and later dethroned them also.
This shows that the Indian princes were short-sighted.

6. How did the East India company subdue the Indian princes?

Answer: The Indian princes were constantly at war with each other. They called the English
merchants to help them in their fights. The people had no peace due to such constant fights. The
rivalries helped the East India company subdue the Indian princes one by one.

7. How did the British subdue Indian princes?

Answer: The Indian princes fought amongst each other. They had no unity. One of them took help
from the British and defeated the other princes. But they did not realise the future consequences.
With the help of the rivalries, the East India Company subdued the Indian princes one by one.

8. What were the different opinions of the Indians about the British rule in India?

Answer: The peoples of India had different opinions about the British. Some of them were happy as
they thought that the British brought peace. They considered them to be sent from God, while
others were not happy. They were disappointed that their kings were dethroned and they became
the slaves of the foreigners.

9. How did India turn socially superstitious? Discuss untouchability and child marriage?

Answer: The religious leaders preached ideas like untouchability and child marriage. They spread
false information. According to them, anyone who crossed the seas would lose his religion. Not only
that, they believed that the misery that happened at that time was only because of the women.

Untouchability and child marriage were the social stigma that was prevalent at that time.
Untouchability is an act which discriminates among people on the basis of their caste. Child marriage
is a practice in which the marriage is done at a very young age.

10. How did the British destroy the farmers and businessmen?
Answer: The British implemented various laws in order to make more profits. They imposed heavy
taxes on the peasants which forced farmers to abandon their lands. The British were taking their
crops and if anyone dared not to pay them, then the British would send them to jail. Not only the
farmers, but the businessmen in India were affected too. The British East India Company decided
that the good that were manufactured in England should not have any import duty when it was
being brought to India. Thus, this destroyed the Indian industries. This ruined the artisans and lead
to famine which happened in between 1822 and 1836.

11. Why did Ram Mohan Ray visit England?

Answer: Ram Mohan Roy had a great respect for every religion. He was attracted by science and
modernity. He felt that knowledge should be practical and scientific.

12. Quote the words used by Ram Mohan Roy to say that every religion teaches the same
principles.

Answer: Ram Mohan Roy said, “Cows are of different colours but the colour of their milk is the
same”. Similarity different religious preachers may sound different but the real meaning and lesson
from them are always same.

13. How did Raja Ram Mohan Roy understand what was wrong with the country? What did he tell
his wife Uma?

Answer: Raja Ram Mohan Roy was a learned person from Bengal understood what was wrong with
the country. He believed that our ancient culture was great. He understood that superstitions should
be eradicated as it was ruining the society.

He told his wife Uma that Cows were of different colours but the colour of its milk was same. In the
same way, different teachers had different opinions but the essence of religion was the same.

14. What attracted Raja Ram Mohan Roy? What did he tell the British in England? Why did he go
to England?

Answer: Raja Ram Mohan Roy was attracted by science and technology. His knowledge was modern
and modern.

He told the British that he would accept them as rulers and in the same way, they should accept the
Indians to be subjects and they must remember their duties and responsibilities towards the
subjects. He went to England to see what made the British so powerful.

15. Why were the Britishers termed as ‘oppressors’?

Answer: Britishers turned apathetic towards Indians. They passed regulation III in 1818 where they
could put Indians to jail without trial in a court. Any British official was paid off beyond measures.
Indian industries were dying because of the heavy imports of British goods.

16. In what ways did the British officers exploit Indians?

Answer: The British rulers passed a resolution under which an Indian could be sent to jail without
trial in a court. The goods manufactured in England were exempted from custom duty. The officers
prospered on the company’s loot and their private business flourished.
17. Tell us about Regulation III. How were the British officers making profit?

Answer: The Regulation III was implemented by the British. The British implemented this policy to
oppress Indians. According to this act, the Indians could be jailed without a trial in the court. The
British officers drew big salaries and also made fortunes in private business.

18.How did the British destroy the cotton weavers of India?

Answer: The Indian cotton textiles were the leading cotton producers at that time. But after the
British took its hold over the country, they ruined the industry so badly. They didn’t pay the textile
workers properly. Moreover, they imposed high taxes on imports of Indian textile products to
England. On the other hand, very low taxes were imposed on the Britain textiles and these were
then imported to India. The British textiles were handmade as well as cheaper than that of the
Indian textiles as a result of which its demand decreased drastically. 1

19. How did Lord Macaulay plan to destroy the Education of India and to make Indians

low-profile?

Answer: Earlier Education System in India was done in Sanskrit and Persian language. Lord Macaulay
suggested teaching the Indians the English language. It would be easier to communicate with the
peoples who would be working under them. Actually, the main motive was not to teach them rather
to destroy the education system.

20. How did Indians take the Western education as opportunity?

Answer: Some of the Indians took the Western education as an opportunity and a newgroup of
intellectuals was being produced. As they were educated so they decided to educate others and
worked for the country. They tried to improve the material conditions. They even decided to convey
their grievances to the British Parliament.

21. In what ways there had been grudge among Indians against the British?

Answer: The British didn’t care for the Indians at all. They used unfair means against Indians. The
Indians understood their real motive. They discussed about their problems. The kings had turned
into puppet rulers. The common people had lost their jobs and lands. They were even converting
their religions which created a feeling of grudge amongst them.

22. What was Macaulay’s proposal for Indian education system?

Answer: Before 1835, education in India was in Persian and Sanskrit. Macaulay proposed to educate
the students in English language so as to make them understand English and to work as clerks in
their offices.

23. What forces worked as ‘sparks’ before the Revolt in 1857?

Answer: Heavy taxes were levied on the farmers. They were loosing their lands. Industries were
dying as expert bulk was cheaper. Discrimination in British and Indian armed forces brought
discontentment amongst Indian forces.

24. Tell us about Sepoy Mangal Pandey. How Mangal Pandey was a spark for the mutiny?
Answer: Sepoy Mangal Pandey was an Indian soldier who fought bravely against the British and
played a significant role in the First Indian War of Independence held in the year of 1857. He
attacked the adjutant of his regiment on March 29,1857 and later was executed.

After Mangal Pandey was executed, it led to widespread fire amongst the peoples. Revolt spread
almost everywhere. Thus, by this way the spark of mutiny started in India and later turned out to be
the First war of Independence.

25. How did the British cheat Hindus and Muslims with new rifle?

Answer: The British were quite clever. They didn’t try to understand the Indian customs. The new
Enfield rifle needed to be loaded before using it. The problem that prevailed was that the person
who was using it needed to bite off the cartilage. But the cartilage was made from the grease of pigs
and cows. This created a religious sentiment among the Hindus and the Muslims in India. By this
way, the British cheated Hindus and Muslims in India.

26. What was the significance of sending chapattis and lotus flowers?

Answer: Sepoys revolted against the tyranny and discrimination of officials. So, they decided to unite
themselves to revolt against exploitation by sending secret messages as chappatis and lotus flowers.

27. What was the meaning of chapatti and Lotus in the fight?

Answer: The meaning of chapatti was that it was sent to other villages and was symbolised as
support and the Emperor might ask for their services. Similarly, Lotus was being circulated as a
symbol of unity and support

28. Why did the Santhals go rebellion against the British?

Answer: The Santhals lost their lands in Bengal after the implementation of the new laws. They
became quite desperate. In the year of 1885, they rose in rebellion and massacred Europeans and
their supporters alike.

29. Discuss the outbreak of the mutiny. Refer Bahadur Shah and others who joined the fight.

Answer: As the British East India Company imposed heavy taxes and forced people to leave their
lands. The Santhals in Bengal became desperate. In the year of1855, the Santhals revolted and
massacred the Europeans and their supporters alike. After the execution of Sepoy Mangal Pandey,
there was a violent out break at Meerut. Emperors like Bahadur Shah joined too and it was a wide
spread movement.

30. What did Begum Hazrat Mahal and Ahmedulla say against the British?

Answer: Begum Hazrat Mahal was the former ruler of Lucknow. She told that her kingdom was being
taken away by the British. On the other hand, Maulvi Ahemedulla raised power against British. He
influenced people to join the movement. He said, “Rise, brothers, rise!” He told the English people
were ruining their lands.

31. Discuss the role of Tatiya Tope, Nana Saheb and Kunwar Singh in the mutiny?
Answer: Tatiya Tope played a significant role in the First Indian War of Independence. He was an
important ruler of Cawnpore. He decided to make Peshwa Nana Saheb as his leader in the war of
independence. Kunwar Singh, who was eighty years old fought bravely and he was being shot a
bullet on his wrist. He said to mother Ganga that it was his last offering to her.

32. What brought various rulers to fight together?

Answer: Various rulers came under one flag. The patriots pounced upon the British and fought
pitched battles all over North India.

33. Name these people.

(i) The ruler who fought pitched battles against the British and died fighting.
(ii) The person who wanted to reform the society.’
(iii) The person Who recommended the introduction of English education in India.
(iv) Two popular leaders who led the revolt (Choices may vary.)

Answer:
(i) Tipu Sultan of Mysore.
(ii) Raja Ram Mohan Roy of Bengal.
(iii) Lord Mecaulay
(iv) Nana Sahib Peshwa, Kunwar Singh, Begum Hazrat Mahal. .

34.What were the social and religious malpractices that prevailed during British rule?

Answer: Religious leaders preached ideas like untouchability, child marriage and against women folk.
Social and religious degradation had started pushing women inside their homes.