Jammu & Kashmir on the path of Modernization 

(Solutions)

Complete Solutions of the Chapter VI  "Jammu & Kashmir on the path of Modernization"

LETS DISCUSS

1. Match the following:

Column A	Column B
a. Naya Kashmir Manifesto	Magna Carta of Peasant’s Rights
b. Mukraris	Land grants in lieu of services
c. jagirs	Economic Reforms in Kashmir
d. Big Landed Estates Abolition Act	Custodian grants

Answers:

Column A	Column B
a. Naya Kashmir Manifesto	Economic reforms in Kashmir
b. Mukraris	Custodian grants
c Jagir	Land grants in lieu of service
d. Big Landed Estates Abolition Act	Magna Carta of Peasant’s Rights

2. Fill in the blanks:

a. _______________  was the most popular leader of  Kashmir during the early Post-Independence period. 

b. _______________  was appointed as the second Prime  Minister of Jammu and Kashmir. 

c. _______________ was the literary journal of Cultural Congress. 

d. In 1955, _______________as the Education Minister under Bakshi Ghulam Muhammad drafted the Education Policy of the state. 

e. _______________was the most celebrated progressive Kashmiri poet who wrote ‘Bomber Te Yemberzal’.

Answers:

a. Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah was the most popular leader of Kashmir during the early Post-Independence period. 

b. Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad was appointed as the second Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir. 

c. Kwang Posh was the literary journal of Cultural Congress. 

d. In 1955, Ghulam Mohammad Sadiq as the Education Minister under Bakshi Ghulam Muhammad drafted the Education Policy of the state. 

e. Dina Nath Nadim was the most celebrated progressive Kashmiri poet who wrote ‘Bomber Te Yemberzal’.

3. State whether True or False: 

a. The Naya Kashmir Manifesto had a heavy socialistic tune. (     ) 

b. In 1957, Lalla Rookh Publications was disbanded and incorporated back to the Information Department. (    ) 

c. The first Prime Minister of Kashmir was Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad. (     ) 

d. The Jammu and Kashmir University was established in the year 1948.  (     ) 

e. Banihal Tunnel was constructed in the year 1960. (    )

Answers:

a. The Naya Kashmir Manifesto had a heavy socialistic tune. (True) 

b. In 1957, Lalla Rookh Publications was disbanded and incorporated back to the Information Department. (True) 

c. The first Prime Minister of Kashmir was Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad. (False) 

d. The Jammu and Kashmir University was established in the year 1948. (True) 

e. Banihal Tunnel was constructed in the year 1960. (False)

LETS RECALL

4. Right in breif:

a. Briefly discuss the major economic reforms introduced by the post-1947 Governments in the State.

Answer: The major economic reforms introduced by the post 1947 Government are:

• In 1948 the Government headed by Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah abolished Jagirs, Muafis and Mukararies [except those granted to religious places]. 
• In the same year, Government launched the Grow More Food scheme to bring cultivable waste lands under cultivation by allotting land to the landless peasants. 
• To protect the interests of the tenants the new Government, in Oct 1948, amended the State Tenancy Act of 1924. The new Act came to be known as the Tenancy Amendment Act, 1948 and guaranteed the fixity of tenure to the tenant and also fixed the maximum rent payable by him to the landlord. 
• The state enacted the Distressed Debtors Relief Act of 1950 to relieve debtors from indebtedness. 
• In 1950 the Big Landed Estates Abolition Act, 1950 was passed. Through this Act, Landlordism in the State was abolished by transferring land to the tiller without giving any compensation to the expropriator. This Act came to be called as the Magna Carta of the peasant rights in the state.
• A  separate department of irrigation was established out of the Public Works  Development  Organization. As a  result  of these  measures, the average annual growth rate of food production increased from  82.56  lakh  mounds  in  1951-52  to  166.10  lakh mounds in 1964-65.
• Introduction of modern  irrigation techniques like lift irrigation, application of  fertilizers and  popularization of China paddy with greater yielding capacity further modernized the  state  agriculture. 
• Two  important production  programmes-  Community  Development Programme  (CDP) and  Intensive  Agricultural Development  Programme (IADP) were also  initiated.
• Industrial estates were established at Gandhi Nagar (Jammu), Barzulla (Srinagar) and Anantnag.Many new industries were established.
• The Government took important steps to promote tourism which included opening up publicity wings all over the country, improvements in air services, abolition of permit system, construction of youth hostels and revitalizing hotel arrangements. The Government also built a Tourist Reception Centre in early sixties.

b. What was the  impact  of  land reforms  on  rural  society? 

Answer: These land reforms ended the privileges of the landlords, secured the position of the peasant and restored his confidence by making him the owner of the land. Land Reforms injected the elements of dynamism  in the agricultural setting of the state and encouraged  the peasant to make investments in land by making him the direct beneficiary of any such investments. The economic emancipation of the peasant paved way for  his social advancement by motivating him to educate his children and avail facilities of better health and cultural advancement. These reforms also aimed at reducing the taxation which was the primary reason for the discontent among the masses during Maharaja’s period. However, it is to be noted that the land reforms did  not do much in improving the conditions of landless laborers as the land appropriated  from the landlords  was distributed among the tillers of his estate. The land reforms had far-reaching political consequences as well.

c. Highlight the Education Policy of  the Government in Jammu and Kashmir during Bakshi’s period?

Answer: The vision of modern education envisaged by Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah received further impetus  during Bakshi’s reign with the full financial backing of the Central Government. Following were the main  highlights of the State Government’s education policy  during this period: 

• The salaries of the teachers were significantly  increased and education from primary to  University level was made free. 
• A network of educational institutions for primary,  middle and the higher education were opened and job oriented education was also incorporated in  the curriculum.
• Textbooks were provided to the poor students and  steps were taken to develop languages like  Kashmiri, Dogri, and Bhoti apart from other  regional languages.
• System of scholarship was constituted for poor students.
• Women education received special attention and  there was an unprecedented increase in women  schools and colleges. 
• Medical and Engineering Colleges were established  in Srinagar. National Institute of Technology and Government Medical College were  founded  during  Bakshi’s regime.

In 1955, G.M. Sadiq as the Education Minister under Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad drafted the Educational Policy of the State. Emphasis was laid on progressive education that was primarily to meet the economic goals of  the State.Mobile schools were also set up for the  tribals like Gujjars and Bakkerwals. The far sighted  vision behind such a comprehensive educational policy  was to give a practical shape to the State’s goal of an  equitable society.

d. Write a short note on Jashn-i-Kashmir and Cultural Front.

Answer: JASHN-I-KASHMIR: In 1956, the Jammu and Kashmir Government hosted first ever festival of Jashn-i-Kashmir which was held throughout the  region. It intended to bring to light many aspects of Kashmiri culture and served as a vehicle of contact between Kashmir and the rest of India. It showcased regional theatre, music, poetry, dance of Kashmir as well as of various other Indian States.

CULTURAL FRONT: Cultural Front was an organization which contributed to the development of a syncretic  cultural ethos. Writers affiliated with cultural front  travelled throughout the region holding drama and  theatre, programmes and activities on themes pertaining to social change, proletariat life, status of women and Hindu Muslim unity, in villages and small towns. Cultural Front was renamed as Cultural Congress in 1949 and began to publish its literary journal Kwang Posh. Important writers of the time were Dina Nath Nadim, Rehman Rahi, Dinoo Bhai Pant, Som Nath Zutshi, Prof. Ram Nath Shastri and Amin Kamil.

e. Discuss the role of state in the promotion of tourism. 

Answer: For the promotion of tourism in state the special campaign viz. The Kashmir Chalo Campaign was launched by the Bakshi’s Government. The entire administration was mobilized to take part in the  campaign. Department of Information took the lead in  propagating these developmental ideas to multiple audiences. The Government led by Bakshi took important steps to promote tourism which included opening up publicity wings all over the country,  improvements in air services, abolition of permit  system, construction of  youth hostels and revitalizing  hotel arrangements. A series of travel guides were printed and distributed through organizations like  school, universities and media throughout India and elsewhere. The Government also built a Tourist Reception Centre in early sixties. Thus, Kashmir came into  media gaze about its beautiful landscape  and  handicrafts. Places of natural attraction like Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonamarg, Kokernag, Verinag and Achabal became favourite destinations for the people of the countrty as well as world. This also brought economic dividend to the valley.

f. Write a short note on the development of roads and  buildings during Bakshi’s regime.

Answer: The construction of roads and buildings received huge impetus after 1947 especially under the Government of Bakshi Ghulam Muhammad. Bakshi  Ghulam Muhammad significantly contributed to the establishment of a vast network of roads within the State. Construction of Banihal tunnel designed by  German engineers was considered to be one of the  greatest achievements of the time. The tunnel accommodated two-way traffic and resulted in greater  flow of trade between Kashmir and rest of India.  Further, in order to bridge up the rural urban divide the city bus service was started which connected the  remote towns and villages. The road connectivity also  increased cultural interactions within and outside the state.