Pearson General Knowledge Manual 2017

1048 Pages·2017·34.709 MB·English

by  Edgar Thorpe, Showick Thorpe

PEARSON
GENERAL
ANNIVERSARY
Edition PEARSON
GENERAL
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MANUAL O
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2017
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EDGAR THORPE I SHOWICK THORPE E O
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Structured and developed for both class room use and self learning, this updated edition is a must buy
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Pearson
General Knowledge
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222000111777
222000111777
Edgar Thorpe
Showick Thorpe
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Copyright © 2017 Pearson India Education Services Pvt. Ltd

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Contents
Preface xv
Section A: the World
chapter 1 Physical Geography A.3 Global Positioning System (GPS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A .51
How it Works .............................. A.51
The Universe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A .3
Other GPS Systems ......................... A.52
Vastness of the Universe .................... A.3
Composition of the Universe ................ A.3 chapter 2 World Geography A.74
Theories of the Universe .................... A.5
The World We Live in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A .74
Galaxy and the Local Group ................ A.6
A Profile of the World ....................... A.74
Hubble’s Classification of Galaxies ........... A.7
Continents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A .78
Cosmology and Cosmic Rays ................ A.8
Continent—ASIA ........................... A.78
Solar System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A .8
Continent—AFRICA ........................ A.81
Origin, Age, and Characteristics
Continent—NORTH AMERICA .............. A.83
of Solar System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A.9 Continent—SOUTH AMERICA .............. A.85
The Sun ................................... A.10 Continent—EUROPE ....................... A.85
The Planets ................................ A.12 Continent—ANTARCTICA .................. A.88
The Phases of the Moon ..................... A.18 Continent—AUSTRALIA .................... A.90
Stars ...................................... A.19 Principal Climates of the World .............. A.96
Constellation ............................... A.20 Climatic Divisions of the World .............. A.97
Asteroids, Meteors, and Comets .............. A.20 Köppen Climate Classification ............... A.100
Basic Knowledge About the Earth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A.24 Köppen-Geiger Climate Classification ......... A.100
Shape and Structure of the Earth ............. A.24 Major Natural Resources .................... A.103
Composition ............................... A.27 Countries Rich in Natural Resources .......... A.108
Geological History .......................... A.27 Regional Grouping of Countries of
Earth’s Movements ......................... A.29 the World. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A.109
Seasons ................................... A.30 Economic Classification of Countries
of the World ............................... A.111
Equinoxes and Solstices ..................... A.32
People of the World. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A.118
Eclipses ................................... A.32
Spheres of the Earth ........................ A.35 A Glossary of Geographical Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . A .120
Atmosphere . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A .35 World Architecture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A .146
Composition ............................... A.36 Wonders of the World ....................... A.146
Atmospheric Layers ........................ A.37
chapter 3 Glimpses of World history A.168
Winds ..................................... A.37
Lithosphere . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A.40 Important Events of World History . . . . . . . . . . . . . A .168
BCE ...................................... A.168
Rocks ..................................... A.41
Continents ................................. A.41 Rise of Islam in Central Asia
Mountains ................................. A.41 (1250 to 1500 ce) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A .178
Hydrosphere . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A .44 Turks ..................................... A.178
The Ottoman State .......................... A.178
Tides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A.44
India ...................................... A.178
Ocean Currents ............................ A.46
Mongols ................................... A.178
Shipping Canals ............................ A.46
China ..................................... A.178
Major Rivers of the World ................... A.48
Russia ..................................... A.179
Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A .49 Persia ..................................... A.179
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Africa ..................................... A.179 9/11 Attack on the USA ..................... A.197
South-East Asia ............................ A.179 The Afghan War ............................ A.197
Important Battles from 608 bce to 2013 . . . . . . . . . A .180 European Integration ....................... A.197
Operation Iraqi Freedom (Liberation) ......... A.197
Other Important Wars from
Israel Attacks Lebanon ...................... A.198
264 bce to 1856 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A .182
Syria’s Civil War ........................... A.198
Punic Wars (Carthage–Roman Wars) ......... A.182
Egyptian Protests 2012 to 2013 ............... A.198
Slaves Revolt (73 bce) ...................... A.182
Libyan Civil War ........................... A.198
Ambush in the Teutoburger Wald ............ A.182
Ukraine Crisis .............................. A.198
Roman Invasion of Britain ................... A.182
Battle of Mount Badon ...................... A.183
chapter 4 international organizations A.207
Battle of Maldon ........................... A.183
Battle of Stamford Bridge .................... A.183 The United Nations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A .207
War of Roses ............................... A.183 Charter of the UN .......................... A.207
The Hundred-year War ..................... A.184 The UN Flag and the Emblem ............... A.208
The Thirty-year War ........................ A.184 Membership of the UN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A.208
The Seven-year War ........................ A.184 Organizations of the UN .................... A.210
Battle of the Nile (1798) ..................... A.184 UN Observations ........................... A.212
Napoleonic Wars ........................... A.185 Agencies Related to the United Nations ....... A.217
Opium War (First China War) ............... A.186 United Nations MDGs ...................... A.221
The Crimean War ........................... A.186
The Commonwealth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A .223
Crusades .................................. A.186
Membership ............................... A.223
The World Wars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A .188
Commonwealth Secretariat .................. A.224
World War I (4 August 1914
The Non-Aligned Movement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A .225
to 11 November 1918) ...................... A.188
Founder Members of the ‘NAM’ ............. A.225
World War II (3 September 1939
Basic Principles of the ‘NAM’ ................ A.225
to 14 August 1945) ......................... A.190
Organizational Structure and Membership .... A.226
Revolutions, Wars, Conflicts and Stand-offs . . . . . A .190
South Asian Association for Regional
American War of Independence (1775) ........ A .190
Cooperation (SAARC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A .226
Greek War of Independence (1821) ........... A.191
Belgian War of Independence (1830) .......... A.191 Regional Centres ........................... A.227
American Civil War (1861 to 1865) ............ A.191 SAARC Summits ........................... A.228
French Revolution (1789 to 1793) ............. A.192 South Asian Free Trade Area ................. A.228
Russian Revolution (1917 to 1922) ............ A.193 Meeting of SAARC Culture Ministers ......... A.228
Chinese Revolution ......................... A.194 Meeting of SAARC Energy Ministers ......... A.228
Mexican Revolution ........................ A.194 The European Union . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A .229
Algerian War of Independence Five ‘EU’ Institutions ....................... A.229
(1947 to 1962) .............................. A.194 Important Treaties (Establishment) ........... A.230
Cold War (1945 to 1991) ..................... A.195 Member States ............................. A.230
Hungarian Revolution (1956) ................ A.195 Main Institutional Changes Introduced
Korean War ................................ A.195
by the Lisbon Treaty ........................ A.230
Islamic Revolution in Iran ................... A.195
European Community (Formerly Known
Cuban Crisis ............................... A.195
as EEC) ................................... A.231
The Six-day War ............................ A.195
Other World Organizations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A .231
Creation of Bangladesh. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A.195
Caribbean Community . . . .................. A.231
Independence of Zimbabwe ................. A.196
Organization of Petroleum Exporting
Reforms in Poland and Hungary ............. A.196
Countries .................................. A.231
Fall of Communism in East Germany and
Arab League (League of Arab States) ......... A.232
German Unification ......................... A.196
Iraq and Saddam Hussein ................... A.196 Benelux Economic Union .................... A.232
Division of Czechoslovakia .................. A.196 North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) ... A.232
Emergence of CIS and the Chechnya Issue .... A.196 The Group of 77 ............................ A.233
Disintegration of Yugoslavia ................. A.197 The Group of Seven (G-7) ................... A.233
Independence of Bosnia and Herzegovina ..... A.197 Colombo Plan .............................. A.233
Hong Kong Handed Over to China ........... A.197 Organization of American States (OAS) ....... A.233
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Contents ❖ v
Organization for Economic Cooperation South Africa (BRICS) ........................ A.240
and Development .......................... A.234 Colombia–Indonesia–Vietnam–Egypt–
Association of South-East Asian Nations ...... A.234 Turkey–South Africa ........................ A.241
Amnesty International ...................... A.235 Next Eleven (N-11) ......................... A.241
Red Cross ................................. A.235 Mexico–Indonesia–Nigeria–Turkey ........... A.241
World Trade Organization ................... A.235 India–Brazil–South Africa Dialogue Forum .... A.241
Interpol ................................... A.236 E-7 (Emerging-7) ........................... A.241
Organization of the Islamic Co-operation ...... A.237 E-9 Nations ................................ A.242
Scouts and Guides .......................... A.237 G-4 ...................................... A.242
Organization for Security and Co-operation Uniting for Consensus ...................... A.242
in Europe (OSCE) .......................... A.237 G-8 (Group of Eight) ........................ A.242
Council of Europe .......................... A.238 G-6 (Group of Six) .......................... A.242
The Commonwealth of Independent G-(8+5) .................................... A.242
States (CIS) ................................ A.238 G-15 ...................................... A.242
Collective Security Treaty Organization ....... A.238 G-20 (Group of 20) ......................... A.242
Eurasian Economic Union ................... A.238 G-20 Summits .............................. A.243
Turkic Council ............................. A.238 G-24 (Group of Twenty-Four) ................ A.243
African Union .............................. A.239 World Bank ................................ A.243
Union for the Mediterranean ................. A.239 International Monetary Fund ................ A.244
Cooperation Council for the Arab States Asian Development Bank. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A.245
of the Gulf (GCC) .......................... A.239 Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectorial
Union of South American Nations ............ A.240 Technical and Economic Cooperation ......... A.246
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation ........... A.240
Important Treaties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A .246
China–Japan–South Korea
Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) ....... A.246
Trilateral Summits .......................... A.240
Izmir Treaty ............................... A.246
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation .......... A.240
Antarctic Treaty ............................ A.246
Australia–New Zealand–United States
Kyoto Protocol ............................. A.247
(ANZUS) Security Treaty .................... A.240
Libya Accord .............................. A.247
Brazil–Russia–India–China–
International Courts—At a Glance ............ A.247
Section B: everydAy Science
chAPter 1 nomenclature B.3 Mass ...................................... B.37
Weight .................................... B.37
Branches of Sciences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B .3
Density .................................... B.37
Scientific Instruments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B .12 Force ...................................... B.37
Systems of Measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B .17 Friction .................................... B.38
Energy .................................... B.38
International System (SI) .................... B.18
Surface Tension ............................ B.38
Non-SI Units Used Along With
Motion .................................... B.38
International System ................... B.18
Work ...................................... B.39
Number System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B .19
Periodic Motion, Wave and Fluid Mechanics ... B.42
Arabic Numerals ........................... B.19
Heat and Thermodynamics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B .44
Invention of the Decimal System ............. B.19
Heat and Temperature ...................... B.44
Roman Numerals ........................... B.19
Evaporation ............................... B.45
Mathematical Symbols ...................... B.20
Latent Heat ................................ B.45
Prefixes of SI Unit .......................... B.20
Transfer of Heat ............................ B.45
Inventions and Discoveries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B .21
Radiation .................................. B.46
Scientific Concepts and Theories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B .26 Convection ................................ B.46
Laws of Thermodynamics ................... B.46
chAPter 2 Physics B.36
Light and Optics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B .46
Mechanics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B .36 Composition ............................... B.46
Matter .................................... B.36 Phenomenon of Light ....................... B.47
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Mirrors .................................... B.48 Industrial Chemistry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B .90
Lenses .................................... B.49 Soaps ..................................... B.90
Sound . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B .50 Glass ...................................... B.90
Cement ................................... B.91
Characteristics ............................. B.50
Organic Chemistry ......................... B.91
Phenomena Related to Sound ................ B.50
Carbon Compounds ........................ B.91
Sound Waves and Music .................... B.50
Organic and Inorganic Compounds ........... B.91
Ultrasonic and Supersonic Sounds ............ B.50
Carbon .................................... B.95
Speed of Sound ............................ B.51
Coal and Petroleum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B.95
Electricity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B .51
Liquefied Petroleum Gas .................... B.96
Electric Current ............................ B.52
Synthetic Fibre ............................. B.96
Heating Effect of Electricity .................. B.52
Synthetic Rubber ........................... B.97
Fuse Wire ................................. B.52
Radioactivity .............................. B.97
Magnetic Effect of Electricity ................. B.52
X-rays ..................................... B.99
Types of Electricity ......................... B.52
General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B .99
Household Wiring System ................... B.52
Important Chemical Tests ................... B.99
Magnetism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B .53
Important Laws of Chemistry ................ B.100
Magnets ................................... B.53
Important Chemical Processes ............... B.101
Magnetic Induction ......................... B.53
Nomenclature of Chemistry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B .103
Magnetic Field of the Earth .................. B.53
Terms in Chemistry ......................... B.103
Modern Physics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B .54
Chemical Reactions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B .106
Non-conductors ............................ B.54
Semiconductors ............................ B.54
chapter 4 G eneral Biology
Important Laws of Physics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B .55
(Botany and Zoology) B.124
Archimedes’ Principle ....................... B.55
Avogadro’s Law ............................ B.55 Cell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B .124
Newton’s (1642–1727) Laws ................. B.55 Historical Background ...................... B.124
Coulomb’s (1738–1806) Law ................. B.55 Structure .................................. B.124
Stefan’s (1835–1883) Law .................... B.55 Cell Division ............................... B.126
Pascal’s (1623–1662) Law .................... B.55
Classification of the Living Organisms . . . . . . . . . . B .126
Hooke’s (1635–1703) Law .................... B.55
Scientific Nomenclature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B.126
Lenz’s (1805–1865) Law ..................... B.55
General Classification ....................... B.127
Dalton’s (1766–1844) Law ................... B.56
Faraday’s (1791–1867) Laws ................. B.56 Classification of The Plant
Ohm’s (1787–1854) Law ..................... B.56 Kingdom (Plantae) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B .127
Modification of Plant Parts .................. B.129
Phenomena and Important Terms of Physics . . . . . B .56
Classification of the Animal Kingdom (Animalae) . . B .129
Physics in Everyday Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B .58
Protozoa. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B.129
Metazoa .................................. B.129
chapter 3 chemistry B.74
Important Biological Phenomena . . . . . . . . . . . . . B .131
Elements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B .74 Photosynthesis ............................. B.131
Types of Elements .......................... B.75 Metabolism ................................ B.131
New Elements ............................. B.76 Respiration ................................ B.131
Metals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B .80 Fertilization ................................ B.131
Chemical Nature of Metals .................. B.80 Transpiration .............................. B.132
Steel and Iron .............................. B.80 Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B .132
Non-metals ................................ B.80 Botanical Terms ............................ B.132
Alloys ..................................... B.81 Zoological Terms ........................... B.136
Minerals ................................... B.82
Chemical Compounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B .83
chapter 5 human Body B.148
Chemical Reaction and Chemical Change ..... B.83
Air ...................................... B.89 Anatomy and Physiology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B .148
Water ..................................... B.89 Blood ..................................... B.148
Important Gases ............................ B.89 Skeletal System (Bones) ..................... B.151
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Muscular System ........................... B.153 Common Drugs ............................ B.177
Organs of Human Body ..................... B.153 Commonly Abused Drugs ................... B.179
Sense Organs .............................. B.157 Medical Science . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B .180
Reproductive Organs ....................... B.162
Medical Aids (Equipment) ................... B.180
Glands .................................... B.163
Medical Treatment .......................... B.181
Human Cell, Genes and Heredity ............ B.164
Marvels of Medical Science .................. B.182
Human Genetics ........................... B.167
Glossary ................................... B.183
Medical Biochemistry ....................... B.168
Human Diet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B .169 chapter 6 ecosystem and Biosphere B.201
Food Nutrients ............................. B.169
Community and Ecosystem Dynamics . . . . . . . . . . B .201
Diseases of the Human Body . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B .171
Community Structure ....................... B.201
Types of Diseases ........................... B.171
Classification of Communities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B.201
Agents of Diseases .......................... B.172
Change in Communities Over Time .......... B.201
Defence Mechanism Against Infection ........ B.173
Ecosystems and Communities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B.202
Common Diseases ......................... B.174
Food Chain ................................ B.203
Common Blood Diseases .................... B.175
Biosphere . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B .204
Diseases of the Eyes ........................ B.176
Biogeochemical Cycles ...................... B.205
Common Body Disorders .................... B.176
Important Phenomena in Biosphere . . . . . . . . . . . B .207
Section c: indiA
chapter 1 history of india and British Rule After the 1857 Revolt ............ C.56
Freedom Struggle c.3 The Indigo Revolt of 1859–60 ................ C.57
The Indian National Congress ............... C.57
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C .3
Partition of Bengal (16 October 1905) ......... C.58
Ancient India . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C .3 Swadeshi Movement (1905) .................. C.58
Indus Valley Civilization .................... C.3 Muslim League (1906) ...................... C.58
The Vedic Period: The Aryans ................ C.6 Swaraj .................................... C.58
Emergence of Mahajanapadas or Kingdoms ... C.10 Surat Congress (26th December 1907) ......... C.59
Morley-Minto Reforms (1909) ................ C.59
Growth of Buddhism and Jainism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C .11
Home Rule Movement (1915–1916) ........... C.59
Buddhism ................................. C.11
Lucknow Pact (1916) ........................ C.59
Jainism .................................... C.13
August Declaration of 1917 .................. C.59
Magadha Empire (Sixth Century–Fourth
The Gandhian Era (1918–1947) ............... C.59
Century bce) ............................... C.16
Rowlatt Act (1919) .......................... C.59
Alexander’s Invasion (Greek Invasion) ........ C.16
Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (13 April, 1919) .... C.60
The Mauryan Empire (320–180 bce) .......... C.16
Khilafat Movement (1920) ................... C.60
The Gupta Dynasty (ce 320–550) ............. C.20
Non-Cooperation Movement (1920) ........... C.60
Harshavardhana (ce 606–647) ................ C.22
Chauri Chaura Incident (1922) ............... C.61
The Rajputs (ce 650–1200) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C .23 Swaraj Party (1923) ......................... C.61
Other Dynasties ............................ C.24
Simon Commission (1927) ................... C.61
Medieval India . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C .27 Lahore Session (1929) ....................... C.61
The Sultanate of Delhi (1206–1526) ........... C.28 Dandi March (1930) ......................... C.62
The Mughal Dynasty (1526–1540 and The First Round Table Conference (1930) ...... C.62
1555–1857) ................................. C.33 Gandhi–Irwin Pact (1931) .................... C.62
The Marathas, The Sikhs and The Jats ........ C.38 The Second Round Table Conference (1931). . . . C.62
The Communal Award (1932) ................ C.63
Modern India . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C .41
Poona Pact (1932) ........................... C.63
East India Company and British Rule ......... C.43
The Third Round Table Conference (1932) ..... C.63
British Rule ................................ C.47
The Government of India Act, 1935 ........... C.63
Viceroys of India ........................... C.49
Demand for Pakistan (1940) ................. C.63
Indian Freedom Struggle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C . 54
Quit India Movement (1942–1945) ............ C.64
First War of Independence ................... C.54
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Gandhiji’s Fast ............................. C.64 Directive Principles ......................... C.130
Cabinet Mission Plan (16 May 1946) .......... C.64 Duties of a Citizen of India .................. C.131
Azad Hind Fauj ............................ C.64 Machinery of the Union Government ......... C.132
Direct Action Campaign ..................... C.65 The Judiciary .............................. C.145
Interim Government ........................ C.65 State Council of Ministers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C .149
Formation of Constituent Assembly .......... C.65
The Chief Minister .......................... C.149
Mountbatten Plan (3rd June 1947) ............ C.65
The State Legislature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C .151
The Indian Independence Act 1947 ........... C.65
Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad) ........ C.151
Partition of India ........................... C.65
Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha) ......... C.151
Recent Political History of India
The State Judiciary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C .151
(Post-Independence Era) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C .66
High Court ................................ C.151
India—Immediately After Independence ...... C.66
Advocate-General .......................... C.152
First Border Disputes in Sovereign India ...... C.66
Pakistan War of 1971 ........................ C.66 Miscellaneous Constitutional Provisions . . . . . . . . C .156
Janata Party Comes to Power ................ C.66 General Elections ........................... C.156
Entry of Rajiv Gandhi ....................... C.67 Political Parties ............................. C.156
Presidential Rule in Assam .................. C.67 Special Position of Jammu and Kashmir in
The Punjab Problem ........................ C.67 the Indian Union ........................... C.157
Assassination of Indira Gandhi. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C.67 Centre–State Relationships ................... C.157
Mizoram Issue ............................. C.67 Official Language. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C.157
Bofors Scandal ............................. C.67 Constitutional Safeguards for SC/STs ......... C.158
Formation of National Front ................. C.67 Welfare of Minorities ........................ C.158
National Front Comes to Power .............. C.67 Panchayats—as Rural Self-Governing
Mandal Commission ........................ C.68 Institutions ................................ C.159
Ayodhya Issue ............................. C.68 Conduct of Business in the Parliament ........ C.161
Chandra Shekhar becomes Prime Minister ..... C.68 Motions and Resolutions .................... C.163
Unrest in Tamil Nadu and LTTE ............. C.68 Amendment of the Constitution .............. C.164
Assassination of Rajiv Gandhi ............... C.68 List of Schedules ........................... C.167
Rise of BJP as a Force in Indian Political Scene . C.68 States and Union Territories of India .......... C.168
No-Confidence Test of Rao Government ....... C.69 The Budget ................................ C.168
Beginning of Downfall of Congress (I) ........ C.69
Hawala Scandal ............................ C.69
chapter 3 Population of india c.187
Story of Prime Minister for 13 Days .......... C.69
Birth of the United Front .................... C.69 Census . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C .187
I. K. Gujral as New Prime Minister ........... C.69
Rural and Urban Population . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C .189
Entry of Sonia Gandhi in Politics ............. C.69
Literacy Rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C .190
K. R. Narayanan—First ‘Dalit’ President
of India ................................... C.70 National Population Policy, 2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C .195
Fall of Gujral’s Government ................. C.70
Sonia Gandhi, Congress (I)’s Trump Card ..... C.70
chapter 4 national Awards, culture
Atal Bihari Vajpayee Becomes ‘PM’ Again ..... C.70
and literature c.201
Congress Back to Power in 2004 General
Elections .................................. C.70 National Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C .201
Congress Continued to be in Power in 2009 Republic Day Awards (Civilian Awards) ...... C.201
General Election ............................ C.70 Gallantry Awards ........................... C.201
BJP-Led NDA Gained Power in 2014 Other Awards .............................. C.202
General Election ............................ C.70
Cultural and Literary Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C .204
Academies Lalit Kala Akademi ............... C.204
chapter 2 constitution of india c.125
Sahitya Akademi ........................... C.204
Drafting of the Constitution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C .125 Sangeet Natak Akademi ..................... C.204
Salient Features ............................ C.126 Museums .................................. C.206
The Preamble .............................. C.126 Literature National Book Trust ............... C.206
Nature of Citizenship in the Indian Republic .. C.128 Dances of India ............................ C.207
Fundamental Rights (FRs) ................... C.128 Important Regional Dances .................. C.208
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Contents ❖ ix
Other Important Dances/Dance Dramas ...... C.209 Project Elephant ............................ C.261
Musical Instruments and Musicians .......... C.210 Important Monuments: India . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C .263
Indian Tribes and Their Habitat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C .265
chapter 5 Geography of india c.218
Geographical Position of India . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C .218
Location ................................... C.218 chapter 6 indian economy c.280
Dimensions ................................ C.218
Planning in India . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C .280
Frontiers .................................. C.218
Historical Background ...................... C.280
Physical Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C .219
The NITI Aayog ............................ C.280
Himalayan Range .......................... C.219 Planning Commission ....................... C.281
Northern Plains ............................ C.219 Five-Year Plans ............................. C.281
Deccan Plateau ............................. C.220 Thrust Areas of the Eleventh Plan ............ C.288
Coastal Plains .............................. C.221 Poverty Line ............................... C.291
Islands .................................... C.221 Literacy and Education ..................... C.295
Soils . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C .221 Currency System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C .303
Alluvial Soil ............................... C.221 Historical Background ...................... C.303
Black Soil .................................. C.221 The Decimal System ........................ C.303
Red Soil ................................... C.221 Devaluation of Currency .................... C.304
Laterite Soil ................................ C.221 Small Note of Coins System in India .......... C.304
River Systems of India . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C .222 Public Finance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C .304
Himalayan System .......................... C.222 Sources of Revenue ......................... C.304
Deccan System ............................. C.222 Annual Financial Budget .................... C.306
Third River System ......................... C.223 Public Debt ................................ C.306
Climate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C .224 Banking System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C .306
Coldest Parts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C.224 Development of Banking System in India ..... C.306
Hottest Parts ............................... C.224 Narasimham Committee Report on Banking
Wettest Parts ............................... C.224 Sector Reforms ............................. C.307
Driest Part ................................. C.224 Reserve Bank of India ....................... C.307
Monsoons ................................. C.224 Imperial Bank of India ...................... C.308
Forests in India. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C.225 Scheduled Banks ........................... C.308
Agriculture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C .226 Public Sector Banks ......................... C.308
Land Utilization ............................ C.226 Other Banks ............................... C.308
Agricultural Scenario in India ................ C.226 New Banks in Private Sectors ................ C.310
Agricultural Marketing ..................... C.227 A Brief on Banking Sector Reforms in India ... C.312
Advances in Indian Agriculture Scene Monetary and Credit Policy ................. C.313
Policy Framework for Agricultural Insurance .................................. C.313
Extension (PFAE) .......................... C.228 National Pension System (NPS) .............. C.314
Green Revolution ........................... C.232 Social Security Scheme - Aam Aadmi Bima
Fertilizers .................................. C.232 Yojana (AABY) ............................. C.314
Irrigation .................................. C.233 Insurance Regulatory and Development
Multipurpose Projects ....................... C.234 Authority .................................. C.315
Mineral Resources of India . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C .239 Disinvestment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C .317
Other Minerals ............................. C.242 Policy Framework .......................... C.317
National Investment Fund (NIF) ............. C.317
Indian States and Union Territories . . . . . . . . . . . . C .242
Unit Trust of India (UTI) .................... C.318
Indian Cities on River Banks ................. C.258
Important Indian Cities ..................... C.258 Stock Exchanges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C .318
Hill Stations of India ........................ C.260 Securities and Exchange Board of India ....... C.318
National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries . . . . . . . . C .260 Mints and Presses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C .318
National Parks ............................. C.260 Industrial Finance Institutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C .319
Wildlife Sanctuaries ......................... C.261 Industrial Finance Corporation of
Project Tiger ............................... C.261 India (IFCI) ................................ C.319
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