History: 2009: CBSE: [Delhi]: Set – I

The two ideal occupations of Brahmins according to Dharmashatras were: 
a) Teaching of the Vedas to the children of higher Varnas. 
b) Brahmins were given the responsibility to perform various Vedic rites.

The first All India Census was attempted in 1872. The data collected through census gave details of the growth of population in the urban cities. It helped the municipal authorities to collect the municipal taxes systematically.

Ryotwari system was introduced in Bombay Deccan. The most striking feature of the system was that it removed the intermediaries between the East India Company and the peasants or Ryot.

Women were an important resource because artisanal tasks such as spinning yarn, sifting and kneading clay for pottery and embroidery were among the many aspects of production dependent on female labour. The basis of production was labour and resources of the entire household.

The two characteristic features of the Krishna Deva Raya’s rule were as follows:
(i)     Expansion and consolidation of the Empire. Gajapati rulers and Bahmani kingdom were defeated.
(ii)   A major shift in the temple architecture came with the construction of Gopurams. Gopurams were also added to the old temples.

Major Rock edicts are at Girnar, Kalsi, Mansehra, Shahbazgarhi, Sopara, Jaugada, etc.
Pillar Edicts are at Topra, Meerut, Bairat, Sarnath, Rampurwa, Rummindei, Lauria Nandangarh, etc.

The five centres of the Revolt of 1857 were Meerut, Delhi, Kanpur, Lucknow and Jhansi.

Panipat, Delhi, Agra, Ajmer and Goa.

Rumours and prophecies played a part in moving people to action. There was the rumour that the British government had a conspiracy to destroy the caste and religion of Hindus and Muslims. The sepoys who had arrived in Delhi from Meerut had told Bahadur Shah about bullets coated with the fat of cows and pigs and that biting those bullets (of the Enfield rifles) would corrupt their caste and religion. Further, the rumours said the British had mixed the bone dust of cows and pigs into the flour that was sold in the market. Therefore, people refused to touch the atta. There was fear and suspicion that the British wanted to convert Indians to Christianity. This sensitivity was provoked by the activities of Christian missionaries. In such a situation of uncertainty, rumours spread with remarkable swiftness.

The Cabinet Mission came in March 1946 to negotiate terms of transfer of power with the Indian leaders. The Mission proposed a two-tiered federal plan, which was expected to maintain national unity while it conceded regional autonomy to the member states. A federation of states and provinces with the federal centre was provided. The centre was given control over defence, foreign affairs and communications. It also provided for the setting up of the Constitution making body in which the members of the Princely states and provincial assemblies would participate.
The Congress agreed to the Constituent Assembly but rejected the proposal regarding the formation of Interim government because Muslim League was given disproportionate representation in it. Muslim League rejected the proposal as there was no mention of separate state for Muslim people.