Odisha BSE HSC Social Science key terms

A method of non-violent resistance developed by Mahatma Gandhi, in which people refuse to cooperate with unjust laws and accept suffering without hatred or violence.

The 1920-22 campaign launched by Gandhi asking Indians to withdraw cooperation from British institutions by boycotting schools, courts, titles and foreign cloth.

The 1930 campaign begun with the Dandi March, in which Indians deliberately broke colonial laws such as the salt law to challenge British authority.

Gandhi's 1930 walk of about 240 miles from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi, where he made salt from seawater to defy the British salt monopoly.

The 1942 mass movement launched by Gandhi demanding an immediate end to British rule, marked by the slogan 'Do or Die'.

An agitation by Indian Muslims from 1919 to protect the Ottoman Caliphate, which Gandhi supported to build Hindu-Muslim unity against British rule.

The political party founded in 1885 that led India's nationalist struggle and later became a major ruling party after independence.

The 1905 division of Bengal by Lord Curzon, which sparked widespread protest and the Swadeshi movement before being annulled in 1911.

A campaign encouraging Indians to use goods made in India and boycott British products, especially during the anti-partition protests after 1905.

A deliberate refusal to buy goods, use services or take part in activities, used as a political weapon to pressure a government or industry.

A British colonial rule that gave the government a monopoly on salt production and sale and taxed it, which Indians saw as unjust and oppressive.

A policy of the East India Company under which a princely state without a natural male heir was annexed by the British.

A system imposed by the British under which Indian rulers accepted British troops in their territory, paid for them, and gave up independent foreign policy.

A widespread uprising of Indian soldiers and civilians against British rule, often called the First War of Indian Independence.

A system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent units such as states, each with its own defined sphere.

The principle that the state treats all religions equally, does not favour any one religion, and protects the freedom of religion of all citizens.

The introductory statement of the Indian Constitution that declares the source of its authority and lists the ideals of justice, liberty, equality and fraternity.

Basic rights guaranteed by the Indian Constitution, such as equality, freedom of speech and expression, and protection from exploitation, which courts can enforce.

Guidelines in Part IV of the Indian Constitution that direct governments to promote social and economic welfare, though they cannot be enforced in court.

A list in the Indian Constitution that divides legislative powers into the Union, State and Concurrent Lists, defining what each level of government may legislate on.

A system of local self-government in rural India with elected bodies at village, block and district levels, strengthened by the 73rd Constitutional Amendment.

An independent constitutional body in India responsible for conducting free and fair elections and supervising the preparation of electoral rolls.

The right of every adult citizen to vote in elections, regardless of caste, religion, gender, education or wealth.

A defined geographical area whose voters elect one representative to a legislative body such as the Lok Sabha or a state assembly.

The angular distance of a place north or south of the equator, measured in degrees and used to locate places and explain climate differences.

The angular distance of a place east or west of the Prime Meridian, measured in degrees and used to determine time zones.

The uniform local time adopted across a country or zone, based on a chosen central meridian, so that clocks agree within that region.

A seasonal reversal of wind direction that brings heavy rainfall to India, typically from the southwest in summer and dry winds in winter.

Water that falls from clouds to the ground as rain, measured in millimetres, and a key factor in deciding crop patterns and water supply.

The wearing away and removal of the top layer of soil by wind, water or human activity, which reduces fertility and can lead to land degradation.

A farming method in which ploughing follows the natural contour lines of a slope, slowing the flow of water and reducing soil erosion.

The introduction of high-yielding crop varieties, fertilisers and irrigation from the 1960s that greatly increased food grain production in India.

The total money value of all final goods and services produced within a country during a given period, used to measure economic output.

The average income of each person in a country, calculated by dividing national income by the total population.

A minimum level of income or consumption used to decide who is poor, based on the cost of food and basic necessities.

A composite measure of development combining life expectancy, education and income, used to compare the well-being of people across countries.

A sustained rise in the general price level of goods and services, which reduces the purchasing power of money over time.

Development that meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, balancing growth with environmental care.

The growing interconnection of economies and societies through trade, investment, technology and movement of people across national borders.

The removal or reduction of government controls and restrictions on economic activity, allowing markets and private enterprise greater freedom.