History Important Questions Chapter 12 India gains Independence Class 8 Maharashtra Board

Imp Questions For All Chapters – History Class 8

 Short Questions

1.When did India gain independence?

• On 15 August 1947.

2. What was the main goal of the Muslim League?

• To demand a separate Muslim nation, Pakistan.

3.Who proposed the idea of Pakistan?

• Chaudhary Rahmat Ali.

4.What was the Wavell Plan?

• A plan by Lord Wavell in 1945 to give equal representation to Hindus and Muslims in the Viceroy’s Council.

5. Why did the Wavell Plan fail?

• It failed because Jinnah insisted that only the Muslim League could represent Muslims, which Congress opposed.

6. What was the Cabinet Mission?

• A British proposal in 1946 to let Indians create their own constitution.

7. Who were the members of the Cabinet Mission?

• Pethick Lawrence, Stafford Cripps, and A.V. Alexander.

8. Why did the Muslim League declare Direct Action Day?

• Because their demand for Pakistan was not fulfilled.

9.When was Direct Action Day observed?

• On 16 August 1946.

10. Who led the Interim Government of India?

• Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.

11. What was the Mountbatten Plan?

• A plan by Lord Mountbatten to partition India into India and Pakistan.

12. When was the Indian Independence Act passed?

• On 18 July 1947.

13. What did the Indian Independence Act state?

• It granted independence to India and Pakistan on 15 August 1947 and ended British control.

14. Why did Gandhiji not join the Independence celebration?

• He was in Bengal, working to stop Hindu-Muslim violence.

15.When was Mahatma Gandhi assassinated?

• On 30 January 1948 by Nathuram Godse.

 Long Questions

1. Why did the British decide to give independence to India?

• The freedom struggle became stronger, and after World War II, the British faced political and financial pressure.

2. Why did the Wavell Plan fail?

• It failed because the Congress and Muslim League disagreed on who would represent Muslims in the government.

3. What were the effects of Direct Action Day?

• It caused violent Hindu-Muslim riots, especially in Noakhali, leading to mass killings and destruction.

4. What was the role of Lord Mountbatten in India’s independence?

• He proposed the Mountbatten Plan, which led to the partition of India and the creation of Pakistan.

5. Why did the Indian National Congress accept the partition?

• The Muslim League insisted on Pakistan, and Congress wanted to prevent further violence and civil war.

6. What was the Indian Independence Act?

• It was a law passed by British Parliament granting India and Pakistan their freedom on 15 August 1947.

7. Why was Gandhiji saddened after independence?

• He was heartbroken by the violence and partition and worked tirelessly for peace between Hindus and Muslims.

8.What was the significance of 15 August 1947?

• It marked the end of 150 years of British rule and the beginning of independent India and Pakistan.