SST Half-Yearly Quick Revision Notes
■ History
1. Nationalism in India:
- 1916: Lucknow Pact (INC + Muslim League).
- 1917: Gandhiji’s entry (Champaran, Kheda, Ahmedabad).
- 1919: Rowlatt Act, Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
- 1920–22: Non-Cooperation Movement → withdrawn after Chauri Chaura.
- 1928: Simon Commission protests.
- 1929: Lahore Session → Purna Swaraj, 26 Jan as Independence Day.
- 1930: Dandi March → Civil Disobedience.
- 1931: Gandhi-Irwin Pact.
- 1932: Poona Pact (Gandhi–Ambedkar).
- 1942: Quit India Movement (Do or Die).
2. Rise of Nationalism in Europe:
- 1789: French Revolution spreads nationalism.
- 1815: Congress of Vienna restores monarchies.
- 1830s–1848: Liberal revolutions across Europe.
- 1834: Zollverein (customs union in Germany).
- 1848: French monarchy overthrown.
- 1859–70: Unification of Italy (Mazzini, Garibaldi, Cavour).
- 1871: Unification of Germany (Bismarck, Kaiser William I).
- 1905: Balkan nationalism grows.
3. The Making of a Global World (1.1–1.3):
- Silk Routes, explorers (Columbus, Vasco da Gama).
- 19th c.: Industrial Revolution, global agriculture, colonisation.
- 1840s: Potato famine in Ireland.
- 19th–20th c.: Indentured labour migration (Caribbean, Africa, Fiji).
- WWI (1914–18): reshaped economy and society.
- Great Depression (1929–33): global crisis.
■ Geography
1. Resources and Development:
- Types: Biotic/Abiotic, Renewable/Non-renewable, Individual/Community/National/International,
Potential/Developed/Stock/Reserves.
- Soil types: Alluvial, Black, Red, Laterite, Arid, Forest.
- Soil erosion: Gully, Sheet erosion.
- Conservation: Terrace farming, contour ploughing, afforestation.
2. Water Resources:
- Rivers: Ganga, Brahmaputra, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri, Narmada, Tapi.
- Multi-purpose Projects: Bhakra Nangal, Damodar Valley, Hirakud, Nagarjuna Sagar, Sardar
Sarovar, Indira Gandhi Canal.
- Benefits: Irrigation, hydro power, flood control, drinking water.
- Problems: Displacement, ecological issues.
- Rainwater harvesting: Rooftop, recharge pits, bamboo drip irrigation (Meghalaya), Tamil Nadu
mandatory.
■■ Political Science
1. Power Sharing:
- Forms: Organs (Leg, Exec, Jud), Levels (Union, State, Local), Social groups, Parties/pressure
groups.
- Belgium: Dutch, French, German → community govt.
- Sri Lanka: Sinhala-only policy → civil war.
- Desirable: reduces conflict, promotes stability, deepens democracy.
2. Federalism:
- Division of power between Centre & States.
- Features: 2+ levels, jurisdiction in constitution, independent judiciary.
- India: Union, State, Concurrent lists.
- 73rd & 74th Amendments (1992): Panchayati Raj & Municipalities.
3. Gender, Religion and Caste:
- Gender: literacy gap, low representation in politics (Lok Sabha <15%).
- Reservation: 1/3 seats for women in Panchayats.
- Religion: Communal politics threatens democracy. Indian secularism = equal treatment of all.
- Caste: still influences politics, both positive (mobilisation) & negative (division).
4. Outcomes of Democracy:
- Ensures accountable govt., economic growth, social justice.
- Reduces inequality & poverty (not perfect).
- Accommodates diversity, protects dignity & freedom.
■ Economics
1. Development:
- Goals vary: income, security, equality, freedom.
- PCI = total income ÷ population.
- World Bank classification: Low (<$955), Middle ($955–$12,235), High (>$12,235).
- Other indicators: Literacy, IMR, Net Attendance.
- HDI: PCI, life expectancy, education levels.
- Sustainable development: without harming environment.
2. Sectors of Indian Economy:
- Primary: agriculture, forestry, fishing.
- Secondary: manufacturing, industry.
- Tertiary: services (banking, transport, IT).
- Organised vs Unorganised: job security vs no security.
- Public vs Private: govt. owned vs privately owned.
3. Money and Credit:
- Money: medium of exchange.
- Modern forms: currency, demand deposits.
- Credit: Formal (banks, cooperatives), Informal (moneylenders).
- Formal: regulated by RBI, lower interest.
- Informal: exploitative, high interest.
- SHGs: savings, access to bank loans, women empowerment.
