Working of Institutions: Class 9 Social Studies Q&A
17 free answers on Working of Institutions (Social Studies) for Class 9 students, across CBSE, ICSE and State boards. Includes questions such as “Give reasons to explain why the Maasai community lost their grazing lands.”
Question & Answer
Questions
- Social StudiesClass 9CBSE
There are many similarities in the way in which the modern world forced changes in the lives of pastoral communities in India and East Africa. Write about any two examples of changes which were similar for Indian pastoralists and the Maasai herders.
Solution: India and East Africa were under occupation by European colonial powers. There were many similarities in which both regions were exploited by these powers. (I) Forest laws Various forest laws were also responsible for changing the lives of pastoralists both in India and Africa. In India, the forest was classed as reserved and protected. No pastoralist was allowed access to the reserved forest.</s
- Social StudiesClass 9CBSE
Give reasons to explain why the Maasai community lost their grazing lands.
Solution: In the late nineteenth century, in what would be knowns as the ‘scramble for Africa’, European imperial powers sliced up the region into different colonies with little to no regard for the local sentiments. In 1885, the land of the Maasai, Maasailand, was cut into half with an international boundary between British Kenya and German Tanzania. As a result, the best grazing lands were reserved for white settlers, with Maasai being pushed into a small area in so
- Social StudiesClass 9CBSE
Discuss why the colonial Government in India brought in the following laws. In each case, explain how the law changed the lives of the pastoralists. a. Wasteland Rules b. Forest Acts c. Criminal Tribes Act d. Grazing Tax
Solution: a. Wasteland rules: The colonial government considered all uncultivated lands or wastelands as unproductive as they neither generated revenue nor agricultural produce. In order to bring these ‘wasteland’ under cultivation, the Waste Land Rules were enacted throughout India from the mid-nineteenth century. These lands were given to select individuals with various concessions and encouraged to settle them. Most of these lands were earlier used by pastoral
- Social StudiesClass 9CBSE
Explain why nomadic tribes need to move from one place to another. What are the advantages to the environment of this continuous movement?
Solution: Nomadic tribes move from one location in order to maintain their sustenance and way of life. As they are involved in animal husbandry, the availability of water is paramount to their existence, along with fresh pastures for their animals. When the pasture is depleted, they move to the next area, looking for new grazing grounds. The advantages to the environment are as follows: (I) The environment gets a chance to regrow
- Social StudiesClass 9CBSE
Between 1880 and 1920 forests cover in the Indian subcontinent declined by 9.7 million hectares, from 108.6 million hectares to 98.9 million hectares. Discuss the role of the following factors in this decline: 1. Railways 2. Shipbuilding 3. Agricultural expansion 4. Commercial farming 5. Tea/Coffee plantations 6. Adivasis and other peasants users
Railways were an important asset that was essential in maintaining trade through the transport of goods and the domination of the colonies through the transport of troops. Wood was needed to lay the sleepers for railway tracks. The sleepers are what held the tracks from breaking apart. For one kilometre of railway track, anywhere between 1760 and 2000 sleepers were required. Thus, vast tracts of forest were cut down to provide the materials for the railways. (b) Ship Building<
- Social StudiesClass 9CBSE
What are the similarities between colonial management of the forests in Bastar and in Java?
Solution: The forest management of Bastar in India was under the control of the British, while in Java, it was under Dutch management (I) Just like the British, the Dutch required timber to make sleepers for railway tracks. (II) The British and Dutch colonial authorities enacted their own version of the forest laws that gave them total control over the forests and deprived the customary rights of the forest dwellers. (III) Both the Dutch and
- Social StudiesClass 9CBSE
Discuss how the changes in forest management in the colonial period affected the following groups of people: 1. Shifting cultivators 2. Nomadic and pastoralist communities 3. Firms trading in timber/forest produce 4. Plantation owners 5. Kings/British officials engaged in shikar (hunting)
(I) Shifting cultivators: European colonists regarded shifting cultivation as harmful to the existence of forests. Also, it stood in the way of commercial timber forestry. There was always the chance of fires spreading out of control and burning down all the precious timber. Thus, keeping these factors in mind, the colonial government banned shifting cultivation. Many of these cultivators lost their livelihood in the process, and most were also displaced from their
- Social StudiesClass 9CBSE
After reading the example of the reservation order, three students had different reactions to the role of the judiciary. Which view, according to you, is a correct reading of the role of the judiciary? a. Srinivas argues that since the Supreme Court agreed with the government, it is not independent. b. Anjaiah says that the judiciary is independent because it could have given a verdict against the government order. The Supreme Court did direct the government to modify it. c. Vijaya thinks that the judiciary is neither independent nor conformist, but acts as a mediator between opposing parties. The court struck a good balance between those who supported and those who opposed the order.
Answer. Anjaiah says that the judiciary is independent because it could have given a verdict against the government order. The Supreme Court did direct the government to modify it.
- Social StudiesClass 9CBSE
A teacher was making preparations for a mock parliament. She called two students to act as leaders of two political parties. She gave them an option: Each one could choose to have a majority either in the mock Lok Sabha or in the mock Rajya Sabha. If this choice was given to you, which one would you choose and why?
Students should choose on their own. A suggestion would be to write for both. However, the majority in Lok Sabha is more powerful, as members of Lok Sabha are directly elected by the people. Hence, to have a majority in the Lok Sabha means that the Prime Minister will be from your party, and that is a powerful position.
- Social StudiesClass 9CBSE
Three friends went to watch a film that showed the hero becoming Chief Minister for a day and making big changes in the state. Imran said this is what the country needs. Rizwan said this kind of a personal rule without institutions is dangerous. Shankar said all this is a fantasy. No minister can do anything in one day. What would be your reaction to such a film?
There is no such provision where a man can become a CM for a day. A proper institution is needed for any state to run. Similarly, as a CM, he needs his council to make decisions and administer. One day is not enough to pass laws, as all laws are implemented following a certain procedure.
- Social StudiesClass 9CBSE
Why is the Prime Minister in India not directly elected by the people? Choose the most appropriate answer and give reasons for your choice. a. In a Parliamentary democracy, only the leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha can become the Prime Minister. b. Lok Sabha can remove the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers even before the expiry of their term. c. Since the Prime Minister is appointed by the President, there is no need for it. d. Direct election of the Prime Minister will involve a lot of expenditure on the election.
In a Parliamentary democracy, only the leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha can become the Prime Minister. This provision is made so that the leader of a party has a majority before he becomes the PM.
- Social StudiesClass 9CBSE
Of all the institutions that we have studied in this chapter, name the one that exercises the powers on each of the following matters. a. Decision on the allocation of money for developing infrastructure like roads, irrigation etc. and different welfare activities for the citizens b. Considers the recommendation of the committee on a law to regulate the stock exchange c. Decides on a legal dispute between two state governments d. Implements the decision to provide relief for the victims of an earthquake
Lok Sabha (Ministry of Finance) Parliament Supreme Court Executive
- Social StudiesClass 9CBSE
Match the ministry with the news that the ministry may have released: A new policy is being made to increase the jute exports from the country Ministry of Defence Telephone services will be made more accessible to rural areas Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Public Distribution The price of rice and wheat sold under the Public Distribution System will go down Ministry of Health A pulse polio campaign will be launched Ministry of Commerce and Industry The allowances of the soldiers posted at high altitudes will be increased Ministry of Communications and Information Technology
nswer. A new policy is being made to increase the jute exports from the country Ministry of Commerce and Industry Telephone services will be made more accessible to rural areas Ministry of Communications and Information Technology The price of rice and wheat sold under the Public Distribution System will go down <
- Social StudiesClass 9CBSE
Which of the following institutions can make changes to an existing law of the country? a. The Supreme Court b. The President c. The Prime Minister d. The Parliament
The Parliament
- Social StudiesClass 9CBSE
Which of the following statements about the judiciary is false? a. Every law passed by the Parliament needs the approval of the Supreme Court b. Judiciary can strike down a law if it goes against the spirit of the Constitution c. Judiciary is independent of the Executive d. Any citizen can approach the courts if her rights are violated
Every law passed by the Parliament needs the approval of the Supreme Court
- Social StudiesClass 9CBSE
Who among the following is a part of the political executive? a. District Collector b. Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs c. Home Minister d. Director-General of Police
Home Minister
- Social StudiesClass 9CBSE
If you are elected as the President of India, which of the following decision can you take on your own? a. Select the person you like as Prime Minister. b. Dismiss a Prime Minister who has a majority in Lok Sabha. c. Ask for reconsideration of a bill passed by both Houses. d. Nominate the leaders of your choice to the Council of Ministers.
Ask for reconsideration of a bill passed by both Houses.