BSEB Matric Social Science key terms

A feeling of unity and loyalty shared by people who see themselves as one nation with a common history, culture or territory. In India it grew through shared struggles against colonial rule.

Gandhi's method of non-violent resistance based on truth and moral force. Followers willingly accepted suffering instead of using violence, aiming to change the opponent's conscience rather than defeat him.

The 1920-22 campaign launched by Gandhi asking Indians to withdraw cooperation from British institutions, boycott schools, courts and foreign cloth, and promote swadeshi and Hindu-Muslim unity.

An agitation by Indian Muslims after the First World War to protect the Ottoman Caliph's position. Gandhi supported it, and it merged with non-cooperation, strengthening Hindu-Muslim political unity.

Deliberately breaking unjust laws peacefully and accepting punishment. Gandhi launched the 1930 Salt March under this method, making salt to defy the British salt monopoly.

The 1942 mass movement demanding an immediate end to British rule. After the arrest of leaders, protests spread widely, and the British responded with severe repression.

The 1905 division of Bengal by the British, which provoked widespread protest and the Swadeshi movement. It was annulled in 1911, and it deepened Indian political awareness.

A campaign to use goods made in India and boycott foreign products, especially British cloth. It began during the anti-Partition agitation and encouraged Indian industry and self-reliance.

Founded in 1885, it became the main organisation leading the struggle for Indian independence. It later formed the first government of independent India under Jawaharlal Nehru.

A strand of the freedom struggle that believed armed action and secret organisation were needed against colonial rule, as seen in groups like Anushilan Samiti and later Bhagat Singh's activities.

A British policy by which states without a natural male heir were annexed. Applied under Dalhousie, it was one cause of the Revolt of 1857, as in the annexation of Jhansi.

A major uprising against British rule that began with sepoys at Meerut and spread across northern India. It is also called the First War of Independence and led to direct Crown rule.

The 1793 land revenue system introduced by Lord Cornwallis in Bengal, Bihar and Odisha. Zamindars collected fixed revenue from peasants and became owners of the land.

A landholding arrangement in which zamindars held rights over land and collected rent from cultivators, paying a share to the state. It created a class of intermediaries in rural society.

A revenue system in which the government settled land revenue directly with the individual cultivator, the ryot, instead of through a zamindar. It was used largely in Madras and Bombay presidencies.

A policy of Lord Wellesley under which Indian rulers accepted British troops in their territory, paid for them, and surrendered control of foreign relations in return for protection.

A seasonal reversal of wind direction that brings heavy rain to India. The south-west monsoon gives most of the annual rainfall, and agriculture depends heavily on its timing and amount.

The uneven distribution of rain in amount, time and place. It causes floods in some years and drought in others, making irrigation and water storage important for Indian farming.

Fertile soil formed from silt deposited by rivers. It is rich in potash and lime, common in the northern plains and river valleys, and supports intensive cultivation of cereals and pulses.

Dark clayey soil formed from weathered lava, also called regur. It holds moisture well and is especially suited to cotton, so it is common in the Deccan lava plateau.

Forest found in areas with 70-200 cm of rain where trees shed leaves in the dry season. Common species include sal, teak and mahua, and such forests occur in parts of Bihar and central India.

Soil formed in hot, wet climates where heavy rain washes away silica and leaves iron and aluminium oxides. It is acidic, low in fertility, and used for tea, coffee and cashew with fertiliser.

The network of rivers and their tributaries that carries water across a region. India has Himalayan and peninsular systems; the Ganga and its tributaries drain Bihar's northern plains.

Supplying water to farmland through canals, wells, tubewells or tanks when rainfall is insufficient. It reduces dependence on the monsoon and allows more than one crop a year.

The official counting of a country's population at regular intervals, recording numbers, age, sex, literacy and occupation. India conducts it every ten years, and its data guide planning and policy.

The average number of people living per square kilometre of land. It shows how crowded an area is, and it is high in fertile plains such as the Ganga valley and low in deserts and hills.

The number of females per thousand males in a population. It is used as an indicator of social equality, and a low ratio signals discrimination against girls and women.

Development that meets present needs without destroying the ability of future generations to meet theirs. It balances economic growth with care for resources and the environment.

A system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent units, each with its own defined sphere. India has a federal structure with a strong centre.

The fundamental set of rules that establishes a country's institutions, distributes powers and guarantees rights. India's Constitution came into force on 26 January 1950 and can be amended.

Basic rights guaranteed to citizens by Part III of the Indian Constitution, such as equality, freedom of speech and protection from exploitation. Courts can enforce them through writs.

Guidelines in Part IV of the Constitution directing governments to promote welfare, reduce inequality and secure livelihood. They are not directly enforceable in court but are fundamental in governance.

The principle that the state does not promote or favour any religion and treats all faiths equally. India's Constitution establishes a secular republic and guarantees freedom of religion.

The system of elected local self-government in rural areas at village, block and district levels. A constitutional amendment in 1992 gave it constitutional status and reserved seats for women and marginalised groups.

An independent constitutional body that conducts elections to Parliament, state legislatures and the offices of President and Vice-President, and supervises the fairness of the electoral process.

The power of courts to examine laws and government actions and declare them invalid if they violate the Constitution. It protects fundamental rights and maintains the supremacy of the Constitution.

The total money value of all final goods and services produced within a country in a year. It is the main measure of the size of an economy and of its growth rate.

A country's total income divided by its population, giving average income per person. It is used to compare living standards but hides inequality between rich and poor.

Economic activities that use natural resources directly, such as farming, fishing, mining and forestry. It employs a large share of India's workforce but contributes a smaller share of output.

Activities that turn raw materials into manufactured goods, such as factories, construction and electricity generation. Its growth is central to industrialisation and to creating non-farm jobs.

Activities that provide services rather than goods, including transport, trade, banking, education and health. In India this sector has grown fastest and now contributes the largest share of output.

The income or consumption level below which a person is considered poor and unable to meet basic needs. India's official estimates are based on calorie requirements and consumption surveys.

A composite measure of development combining life expectancy, education and income per person. It shows that income alone does not capture people's well-being and opportunities.

Assured access for all people at all times to enough safe and nutritious food for an active life. Public distribution, buffer stocks and minimum support prices are used to secure it.

A government network of fair-price shops that supplies subsidised food grains to poor households. It aims to make food affordable and to reduce hunger and malnutrition.

The growing integration of economies through trade, investment, technology and movement of people. It brings new markets and goods but also exposes local producers to foreign competition.

The removal or reduction of government controls on economic activity, such as licensing and trade restrictions. India adopted it in 1991 to encourage private investment and faster growth.

A situation in which people who are able and willing to work cannot find paid jobs. It wastes human effort, lowers income and is high in India's farm sector.