ICSE X | HISTORY AND CIVICS

Board Paper – 2019

www.topperlearning.com 1
ICSE Board
Class X History and Civics
H.C.G – Paper 1
Board Paper – 2019
Time: 2 hrs Total Marks: 80

General Instructions:
Answers to this Paper must be written on the paper provided separately.
You will not be allowed to write doting the first 15 minutes.
This time is to be spent in reading the question paper.
The time given at the head of this Paper is the time allowed for writing the answers.

Attempt all questions from Part I (Compulsory) A total of five questions are to be
attempted from Part II, two out of three questions from Section A and
three out of five questions from Section B.
The intended marks for questions or parts of questions are given in brackets [ ]

PART – I (30 Marks)

(Attempt all questions from this part)
Question 1
(a) What is the normal term of the Lok Sabha? [1]
(b) State the meaning of the term Question Hour. [1]
(c) Name the presiding officer of the Lok Sabha. [1]
(d) State any one condition when the Parliament can legislate on subjects in the state
list. [1]
(e) Write any one circumstance when the President can declare a National
Emergency. [1]
(f) What happens when a motion of ‘No-Confidence’ is passed against a Minister? [1]
(g) On whose advice can the President appoint the Council of Ministers? [1]
(h) What is meant by Appellate Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court? [1]
(i) On what grounds can a Supreme Court Judge be removed from office? [1]
(j) State one point of distinction between a District Judge and a sessions Judge. [1]

Solution 1:

(a)The normal term of the Lok Sabha is 5 years.

(b) The first hour of sitting in both Houses of Parliament is allotted for asking and answering of
questions unless otherwise decided by the Speaker. This hour is known as Question Hour which
usually starts at 11 a.m.
(c) The presiding officer of the Lok Sabha is the Speaker.
(d) During the Proclamation of a National Emergency.
(e) The President can declare a National Emergency when there is a danger of foreign aggression
or threat to the peace and security of the country because of a civil war, due to the failure of the

1
constitutional machinery in the states or if there is a threat to the financial stability of the
country.

(f) If a motion of No confidence is passed against a minister, he has to resign. If is passed against
the Prime Minister the Government has to resign.

(g) On Prime Minister advice the President appoint the Council of Ministers.

(h) The Supreme Court is the final court of Appeal. Appellate Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court
means an appeal lies to the Supreme Court from any judgment or final order of a high court in
the country.

(i) A Supreme Court Judge can be removed by the President only for proved misbehavior or in
capacity.

(j) The District Judge decides civil cases related to land, property, money, transactions,
arbitration, guard ship, marriage, divorce and will. The sessions Judge decides criminal cases
like murders, theft, dacoity, pick-pocketing, etc.

Question 2
(a) What was the General Service Enlistment Act? [2]
(b) Name the two books that Dadabhai Naoroji authored explaining the ‘Drain of India’s
Wealth’. [2]
(c) Name each of the organizations founded by Jyotiba Phule and Raja Rammohan
Roy. [2]
(d) Write any two contributions of Lala Lajpat Rai to the National Movement. [2]
(e) State any two provisions of the Indian Independence Act of 1947 that was to decide the fate
of the Princely States. [2]
(f) Write any two reasons for the acceptance of the Mountbatten Plan by the
Congress. [2]
(g) State any two objections imposed by the Treaty of Versailles on the German military power.
[2]
(h) Name the Signatory countries of the Triple Alliance. [2]
(i) What is meant by the term ‘Veto’ power? [2]
(j) Why was the League of Nations established? [2/]

Solution 2.
(a) According to traditional belief, it was considered a taboo for a Brahim to cross the seas. The
British Parliament passed the general Service Enlistment Act in 1856. As per this act, The Act
did not take into account the religious soldiers saw in this a danger to their caste which led to a
feeling of resentment, against the Britishers, among them.

(b) Poverty and Un- British Rule in India.

(c) Jyotiba Phule – Satya Shodak Samwithraj Raja Rammohan Roy- Brahmo Samaj.

2
(d) Contribution by Lala Lajpat Rai are:
1) He transformed the freedom struggle into the agitation of the millions and the common
masses. Through his speeches and writings, he accelerated its pace and widened its base. He
presided over historic session of the Congress in 1920. It was here that the resolution of “Non-
Cooperation” was adopted by the Congress.
2) He led the demonstration against the Simon Commission. A British sergeant has assaulted him
in the ensuing lathi charge and he could not recover from it. He sacrificed his life so that India
could win its independence. Before his death, he said, “Lathi blows inflicted on me would prove
one day as nails in the coffin of the British Empire.”

(e) According to Indian independence Act of 1947, the Princely States would become
independent and all over the powers exercised by the British authority were to be terminated. All
treaties and agreements made by the British reference to States would lapse from August 15,
1947. They would be free to associate themselves with either of the two Dominions or remain
independent.

(f) Reasons for the acceptance of the Mountbatten plan by the congress are:
1) The large-scale communal riots that engulfed the whole country convinced all that the only
solution to the communal problem lay in the Partition of India.
2) The league had joined the Interim Government to obstruct and not to cooperate. Experience of
working with the League had convinced the Congress that it could not have a joint
administration with the League.

(g)The two objections imposed by the Treaty of Versailles on the German military power are:
(1) The German Army was restricted to a force of 1, 00,000 soldiers and the Navy was limited to
15,000 men and 36 ships.
(2) The Air Force and submarines of German Army were banned.

(h) The Signatory Countries of the Triple Alliance are Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy.

(i) Each member of the UN Security Council has one vote. Decisions on procedural matters are
made by an affirmative vote of nine members, including the concurring votes of all five
permanent members. The negative vote of a permanent members are called veto. The Council is
powerless to act if any of the five permanent members uses the veto power.

(j) League of Nations was formed as a consequence of the First World War. It was formed to
prevent War and promote international cooperation.

3
 PART II (50 Marks)
SECTION A
Attempt any two questions from this Section
Question 3
The Parliament is the body of people’s representatives who have Supreme power in a
democracy. With reference to the Union Legislature answer the following:
(a) How are the members of the Rajya Sabha elected? [3]
(b) Why is it called a Permanent house? [3]
(c) State any two Financial and any two Legislative Powers of the Indian Parliament. [4]

Solution 3:
(a) The representative of each State in the Rajya Sabha are elected by the elected members of the
Legislative Assembly in accordance with system of proportional representation by means of a
‘single transferable vote’.

(b) Rajya Sabha is called a Permanent House because if the Lok Sabha is dissolved before or
after the declaration of a National Emergency, the Rajya Sabha becomes the sole de facto and de
jure parliament that is it takes over the functions of the Parliament. Thus, it cannot be dissolved.

(c) The two financial powers of the Indian Parliament are:

1) The Parliament passes the Union Budget containing estimates of receipts and expenditure of
the Government for a financial year.
2) The salaries and allowances of MPs, Ministers and Judges of the Supreme Court and the High
Court are determined by Parliament.

The two Legislative powers of the Indian Parliament are:

1) The Parliament has exclusive powers to make laws with respect to matters mentioned in the
Union List. The Parliament and the state Legislature both have the right to make laws on the
subjects mentioned in the concurrent list but in the case of a conflict, the law made by the
Parliament shall prevail.
2) The Parliament possess vesiduary powers, meaning that it can make laws with respect to all
those matters that are not mentioned in any three lists.

Question 4
The Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister, is the most Powerful Institution in the
Indian Polity. In this context, answer the following:
(a) State briefly the position of the Prime Minister in the Parliamentary system of
Government. State any two powers the Prime Minister has as a leader of the
Nation. [3]
(b) Distinguish between the Council of Ministers and the Cabinet. [3]
(c) Write any four functions of the ‘Cabinet’. [4]

4
Solution 4:

a) The Prime Minister heads the Council of Ministers and aids and advises the President. He is
the real executive of the Indian Union. The Prime Minister is the chief spokesperson and
defender of the Government in the Parliament. The Prime Minister exercise vast authority both
in legislation and finance.
The two powers the Prime Minister has as a leader of the Nation are:
1) The Prime Minister represents the nation. When he speaks, the whole nation is supposed to be
speaking through him.
2) During the national crisis like war, even the opposition parties support the Prime Minister.

b)
Council of Ministers Cabinet
1) The Council of Ministers consists of all 1) The Cabinet is a smaller group consisting
categories of Ministers – Cabinet Ministers, of some 25 senior Ministers holding
Ministers of State and Deputy Ministers. important portfolios such as Defense,
Finance, Home, etc.
2) The Prime Minister may or may not 2) They are the most trusted colleagues of the
consult the other ministers, below the rank of Prime Minister. The Prime Minister always
Cabinet Ministers. consults them. The decisions of the Cabinet
are binding on all the members.
3)In a day-to-day working of the government, 3) The Cabinet is a small cohesive group of
the Council of Ministers, as a whole, rarely senior Minister who determine the policies
meets and programmes of the Government, so they
meet as frequently as possible.

c) Functions of the Cabinet:

(i) Policy Making:

The Cabinet formulates both external and domestic polices of the Government.

(ii) Coordinates the Functioning of various Minister:

The Cabinet coordinates the working of various departments for the smooth implementation of
government policies.

(iii) Appointment: All major appointments though made by the President, are decided upon by
the Cabinet.

Question 5
India has a single integrated judicial system that is Independent and Supreme.
With reference to the Judiciary, answer the following:
(a) (i) Who appoints the Judges of the High court? [3]
(ii) State any two qualifications required for a person to be appointed as a High
Court Judge.
(b) Explain briefly the term ‘Court of Record’ with reference to the High Court. [3]

5
(c) List any four writs that the High Court can issue for the enforcement of Fundamental rights.
[4]
Solution 5:

(a) (i) The Chief Justice of a High Court is appointed by the President of India in consultation
with the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and the Governor of the concerned State. The other
Judges of the High Court are also to be appointed in the same manner except that in their case
the Chief Justice of the High Court shall also be consulted.

(ii) Qualifications for appointment as a High Court Judge:

1. One should be a citizen of India.
2. One should have held a judicial office in India for at least 10 years.
3. One should have been an advocate of a High Court for 10 years.

(b) The High Court is a ‘Court of Record’ like the Supreme Court. It means its judgments and
orders are preserved as a record to be referred to by its courts in future cases. They can be
produced as precedents. The law laid down by the High Court is binding on all subordinate
courts in the State concerned. But it does not bind the other High Courts, although it is of great
significance and can be produced in support of an argument.

c) The writs that High Court can issue are:

1) Habeas Corpus
2) Mandamus
3) Prohibition
4) Quo Warranto

SECTION B
Attempt any three questions from this Section
Question 6
The second half of the 19th century witnessed the growth of a strong feeling of Nationalism.
With reference to the statement, answer the following:
(a) Write any three repressive Colonial policies of the British. [3]
(b) State any three ways in which the Press played an important role in developing nationalism
amongst Indians. [3]
(c) Explain briefly any three differences in the methods adopted between the Early
Nationalists and Radicals, in the National Movement. [4]

Solution 6:

a) The three repressive Colonial polices of the British are:

1) Lord Lytton organized a Grand Delhi Durbar in 1877 to proclaim Queen Victoria as the
Empress to India. Lakhs of rupees were spent on the event but nothing was done for Indians who
were in the grip of a famine.
2) The Vernacular Press Act (1878) introduced by Lord Lytton forbade vernacular papers to
publish any material that might excite feelings of dissatisfaction against the British Government.

6
This Act was not applicable to English newspapers. The editors who opposed the act were
sentenced to jail.
3)The maximum age limit for the Indian Civil Service Examination was reduced from 21 to 19
years, thus, making it difficult for the Indians to compete for it.

(b) The three ways in which the Press played an important role in developing nationalism
amongst Indians are:
1) It was through the Press that the message of patriotism and modern liberal ideas of liberty,
freedom, equality, home rule and independence, spread among the people.
2) The Press carried on daily criticism of the unjust policies of the British Government in India
and exposed the true nature of British rule in India.
3) It made possible the exchange of views among different social groups from different parts of
the country.

c)
Early Nationalists Radicals
1) The early nationalists wanted to achieve 1) The Radicals aimed at nothing short of
self- government and they strove for Swaraj as it existed in the United Kingdom.
autonomy within the Empire and not for
absolute independence.
2) They believed in constitutional methods 2) They were assertive in their approach.
and worked within the framework of the law.
3) They held good positions under the British 3) They denounced British rule and defied it.
Government.
4) They had faith in the British sense of 4) They rejected British rule and held it
justice and fair play. responsible for the prevailing poverty of the
Indian people.

Question 7
With reference to the picture given below, answer the following questions:

(a) (i) Identify the Memorial built for those who were killed in this incident. [3]
(ii) Where did this incident take place?
(iii) Name the movement launched by Gandhi in 1920 as a consequence.
7
(b) Explain briefly the reason for the suspension of this particular movement by Gandhi
in 1922. [3]
(c) State any four impacts of the movement. [4]

Solution 7:

a) (i) Jallianwala Bagh memorial.

(ii) Jallianwla Bagh, Amritsar, Punjab.
(iii) Non- Cooperation Movement.

b) The tragedy at Chauri Chaura, a village in Gorakhpur district in Uttar Pradesh, occurred on
February 5, 1922. A procession of about 3000 peasants marched to the nearby police station to
protest against the police officer who had beaten some volunteers picketing a liquor shop. The
police fired at the peasants. The infuriated demonstrators set the police station on fire, killing 22
policemen who were inside the police station. There were also a few violent incidents in the
other parts of the country. That why, Gandhi ji, a strong believer in ‘Ahimsa’ was greatly
shocked at these incidents and he withdrew the Non- Cooperation Movement on February 12,
1922.

c) The four impact of the movements are:

1) The National Movement become a Mass Movement:

The Indian National Movement for the first time in history, acquired a real mass base with the
participation of different sections of Indian society such as peasants, workers, students, teachers
and women.

2) Instilled Confidence among the people:

The movement undermined the power and prestige of the British Government. It generated a
desire for freedom and inspired people to challenge the colonial rule.

3) The Congress became an organized Fighting Force:

The weapons of Satyagraha and Non- cooperation changed the character of the Congress
overnight. It transformed the Indian national Congress from a deliberative assembly into an
organized fighting force, pledged to revolution.

4) Fostered Hindu- Muslim Unity:

It fostered Hindu-Muslim unity which could be seen in the merger of the Khilafat issue with this
movement.

Question 8
With reference to the National Movement from 1930 to 1947, answer the following:
(a) State any three features of the Programme of the Civil Disobedience Movement launched in
1930. [3]
(b) What was the significance of the Second Round Table Conference held in 1931? [3]
(c) State any four clauses of the Cabinet Mission Plan of 1946. [4]
ICSE X | HISTORY AND CIVICS

8
Solution 8:
a) The three features of the Programme of the Civil Disobedience Movement launched in 1930
are:
1) Defiance of Salt Laws.
2) Boycott of liquor.
3) Boycott of foreign cloth and British goods of all kinds.

b) The significance of the Second Round Table Conference held in 1931 was that it was attended
by Gandhi ji as a sole representative of the Congress, according to the terms of the Gandhi- Irwin
Pact of 1931. The conference was soon deadlocked on the minorities issue, with separate
electorates being demanded not only by Muslims but also by the Depressed Classes, Sikhs,
Indian Christians and Anglo- Indian.,
The question of Independence or setting up of a responsible Government receded into the
background. The British government refused to concede the immediate grant of dominion status,
Gandhi ji returned to India disappointed.

c) The four clauses of the Cabinet Mission Plan of 1946 are:

(1) Federal Union: There was to be a federal union of the British Provinces and the Princely
States. The Union Government should deal with the following subjects: Foreign Affairs, Defense
and Communication.
(2) A Constitutional making Body: Constituent Assembly would frame the Union constitution. It
was to consist of 385 members out of which the provinces were to elect 292 members, whereas
princely states were allocated 93 seats.
3) Provincial Autonomy: The Provinces would enjoy full autonomy for all subjects other than the
Union Subjects.
4) Grouping of Provinces: The British Provinces would be divided into three groups namely
‘Group A’, ‘Group B’, ‘Group C’. Each group could determine the provincial subjects to eb
taken in common.

Question 9
With reference to the Rise of Dictatorships and the Second World War, answer the following:
(a) State any three reasons for the Rise of Fascism in Italy. [3]
(b) Explain any three consequences of World War II. [3]
(c) Name the two rival blocs that fought against each other during World War II and state its
signatory countries. [4]

Solution 9:
a) The three reasons for the Rise of Fascism in Italy are:
1) Dissatisfaction with the Peace Treaties: Italy joined the War on the side of the Allies. Among
Italians the feeling was that they “had won the war but lost the Peace”. Italy had much to
contribute to the success of the Allies in the war. But Italy could have no valuable addition to her
territory. When it came to dividing the spoils of War, her allies deserted her.
2) Economic factors: Economic conditions in Italy after the War were very bad. War debts and
budget deficits caused lots of difficulty. Everyone in the country felt the pinch of post-war
inflation. There was wide spread unemployment in the country which led to agrarian riots and
strikes.

9
3) Political Instability and Inefficient and Corrupt Democratic Governments:
The post- war democratic government in Italy were weak; they could not respond properly to the
needs and aspirations of the people. The government under Nitti and Giolitti in Italy were unable
to control industrial and agrarian disorders. Popular discontent took the form of strikes and riots.
b) The three consequences of World War II are:
1) Defeat of Axis Powers: Up to the middle of 1942, the Axis powers met with remarkable
success and captured large territories in Europe, Africa and Asia. But by the end of 1942, the tide
began to turn against the Axis Powers. In 1945, Allied Powers defeated the Axis Powers.
2) Formation of UN: The horrors of the two World Wars and the failure of the League of the
nations led to a meeting of the Big Three- Roosevelt(President of USA), Churchill ( Prime
Minister Britain) and Stalin (Premier of the USSR) at Yalta in February 1945. They resolved to
convene a conference of the representatives of all nations at San Francisco to draw up the
establishment of the United Nations Organisation on October 24, 1945.
3) Cold War: After the Second World War, the USA and the erstwhile USSR emerged as two
great powers representing contrasting ideologies. They divided the world into two rival blocs-
Capitalist bloc led by the USA and the communist bloc led by USSR. There was a state of
extreme political tension between the two blocs but no armed conflict took place. This is known
as the period of Cold War.

c) The two rival blocs that fought against each other during World War II were Allied Powers
and Axis powers.
And its signatory countries are”
1) Allied Powers: The Allied Powers included countries are Britain, France, (except during the
German occupation, 1940-44), the Soviet Union, China and the Unites States of America.
2) Axis Power: Axis Power included Germany, Italy and japan. These countries came together as
a result of the resentment due to the unjust treatment meted out to them after the World War I.

Question 10
The necessity to maintain International peace led to the establishment of the United
Nations Organisation. With reference to the statement, answer the following:
(a) Write any three functions of UNESCO that preserves our “Cultural Heritage”. [3]
(b) State the Composition of the Security Council. [3]
(c) Write any four functions of the General Assembly. [4]
Solution 10:
a) The three functions of UNESCO that preserves our “Cultural Heritage” are:
1) It helps the Member- States in the preservation of their cultural heritage and encourages
translation of rare manuscripts. It adopted a Convention to ensure that member- states take
measures to protect monuments of artistic or historic interest.
2) It encourages cultural interchange. UNESCO provides travel grants to writers and artists under
a project named Mutual Appreciation of Eastern and Western Cultural Values.
3) It gives every possible encouragement to artistic creations in the field of literature and fine
arts.

10
4) It plays a vital role in distribution knowledge about the human rights.
b) The Composition of the Security Council are:
1) The council consists of members. It has five permanent members- Chna, France, Russia,
Britain and the USA.
2) The regional representation of the ten non- permanent members is –
Afro- Asian countries (5)
Latin American countries (2)
West European and other countries (2)
East European countries (1)
3) The ten non-permanent members are elected majority for the term of two years. A retiring
member is not eligible for immediate re-election.
4) The Presidency of the Council rotates monthly, according to the English alphabetical listing of
its member States.
c) The four functions of the General Assembly are:
1) To discuss any question relating to international peace and security.
2) The General Assembly regulates the working of the other organs and Agencies of the United
Nations.
3) The General Assembly considers and approves the budget of the United Nations.
4) The Assembly elects the Non-permanent members of the Security Council and the members
of the Economics and Social Council.

11