The 1960s
When the elders’ responsibility at home changes, the way decisions are made changes. In the same way in the 1960s the leaders of the country changed and new problems had to be faced.
The 1960s means 1960 to 1969. In this period Goa joined India, there was a war with China, two prime ministers changed and a war was fought with Pakistan.
Key idea 1 : Goa and the China war — Goa, Diu and Daman were freed from Portuguese rule and joined India. In 1962 a war was fought between India and China near the McMahon Line.
Key idea 2 : Change of leadership — Pandit Nehru passed away in 1964 and Lal Bahadur Shastri became Prime Minister. He gave the slogan ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan’. In 1966 Indira Gandhi became Prime Minister.
Key idea 3 : 1965 war and Tashkent — In 1965 India and Pakistan fought a war over Kashmir. Soviet Russia mediated between the two. In 1966 Shastri died at Tashkent.
- Easy : Who became Prime Minister after Nehru in 1964? — Lal Bahadur Shastri.
- Medium : Whose slogan is ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan’? — Lal Bahadur Shastri.
- Exam-type : Who became Prime Minister in 1966? — Indira Gandhi.
In the figure: Timeline of the 1960s.
What happened before the Tashkent Declaration? After the 1965 war a ceasefire came on 23 September 1965 under UN orders. Then Soviet Premier Kosygin invited the leaders of India and Pakistan for talks at Tashkent.
What happened after the Tashkent Declaration? On 10 January 1966 Shastri and Pakistan’s President Ayub Khan signed the Tashkent Declaration; both agreed to take their forces back to pre-war positions. Early the next morning, 11 January, Shastri died in Tashkent; the official cause given was a heart attack. Then Gulzarilal Nanda was acting Prime Minister for a short time and later Indira Gandhi became Prime Minister.
1961 Goa; 1962 China; 1964 Nehru; 1965 Pak; 1966 Tashkent + Indira.
The 1962 war was not with Pakistan; it was with China.
Memory clue: 61-62-64-65-66: Goa-China-Nehru-Pak-Tashkent. Memory clue: “Go-Chi-Ne-Pa-Ta”.
Spot the difference
| Year | Event | Key person |
|---|---|---|
| 1962 | War with China | Nehru |
| 1965 | War with Pakistan | Shastri |
| 1966 | Indira becomes PM | Indira Gandhi |
Practice questions
- 1Which regions were freed from Portuguese rule in the 1960s?
- 2With whom was the 1962 war fought?
- 3What was Shastri’s slogan?
- 4In what order did persons become Prime Minister after Nehru? (1964 to 1966)
- 5State what happened before and after the Tashkent Declaration.
- 6Explain the importance of the slogan ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan’.
- 7Which country mediated in the 1965 war?
- 8Write four years of the 1960s with their events.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1Goa, Diu and Daman.
- 2With China.
- 3‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan’.
- 4Nehru → Shastri → (then) Indira Gandhi.
- 5Before: ceasefire and talks; after: the agreement on 10 January 1966 and Shastri’s death on 11 January.
- 6It shows the importance of soldiers and farmers to the nation.
- 7Soviet Russia.
- 81961 Goa freed; 1962 China war; 1965 Pak war; 1966 Tashkent.
The 1970s
After a big competition at school many changes follow. In the same way in the 1970s big events like a war, a nuclear test and the Emergency changed the country.
The 1970s means 1970 to 1979. It includes the creation of Bangladesh, the first nuclear test at Pokharan, the merger of Sikkim, the Emergency and the Janata Party government.
Key idea 1 : The 1971 war and Bangladesh — Because of the movement in East Pakistan millions of refugees came to India. The 1971 war led to an independent country called Bangladesh. Indira Gandhi’s firm leadership was seen in this.
Key idea 2 : Nuclear test and Sikkim — In 1974 India carried out an underground nuclear test for peaceful purposes at Pokharan in Rajasthan. In 1975 the people of Sikkim voted to join India and Sikkim became a full state.
Key idea 3 : Emergency and the Janata Party — From 1975 to 1977 the country was under a National Emergency; fundamental rights of citizens were suspended. Then elections were held and many opposition parties together formed the Janata Party. Morarji Desai became Prime Minister, then Charan Singh; in 1980 Indira Gandhi came back to power.
- Easy : In which year’s war was Bangladesh created? — 1971.
- Medium : How long did the Emergency last? — 1975 to 1977, about 2 years.
- Exam-type : Who was the first Prime Minister from the Janata Party? — Morarji Desai.
In the figure: Timeline of the 1970s.
What happened before the 1971 war? In 1971 an estimated one crore people came to India from East Pakistan as refugees. Hundreds of camps had to be set up for them in West Bengal, Assam, Tripura and Bihar. On 3 December 1971 Pakistani aircraft attacked some airfields in northern India and the war began.
What happened after the 1971 war? Just 13 days later, on 16 December 1971 at the Ramna Race Course in Dhaka, Lt Gen Niazi of Pakistan’s Eastern Command signed the surrender paper before India’s Lt Gen Jagjit Singh Aurora. Bangladesh was born from this. Even today the Indian Army observes 16 December as ‘Vijay Diwas’.
What happened before the Emergency? Raj Narain, who had lost to Indira Gandhi from Rae Bareli in the 1971 election, filed an election petition in the Allahabad High Court. In March 1975 Indira Gandhi had to appear in court for cross-examination. On 12 June 1975 Justice Jagmohanlal Sinha held that electoral malpractice had occurred and declared her election void.
What happened after the Emergency? On the night of 25 June 1975 the President declared the Emergency. Elections were announced on 18 January 1977. In the March 1977 election the Janata Party won a majority; Indira Gandhi herself lost to Raj Narain in Rae Bareli. On 24 March 1977 Morarji Desai took the oath as Prime Minister, the first non-Congress Prime Minister.
1971 Bangladesh; 1974 Pokharan; 1975-77 Emergency; 1977 Janata Party.
The Emergency was not an invasion or war; it was a state declared under a provision of the Constitution.
Memory clue: 71-74-75-77: Bangla-Pokharan-Emergency-Janata. Memory clue: “Ban-Pok-Eme-Jan”.
Spot the difference
| Event | Year | Result |
|---|---|---|
| India-Pak war | 1971 | Bangladesh created |
| Pokharan test | 1974 | Atomic energy for peace |
| Emergency | 1975-77 | Rights suspended; then election |
Practice questions
- 1Which country was created from the 1971 war?
- 2When was the first nuclear test at Pokharan held?
- 3How did Sikkim become a full state of India?
- 4State the period of the Emergency.
- 5How was the Janata Party formed?
- 6Write briefly what happened before and after the Emergency.
- 7What burden fell on India before the 1971 war?
- 8Write four important events of the 1970s in order.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1Bangladesh.
- 2In 1974.
- 3In 1975 Sikkim’s people voted to join India.
- 41975 to 1977.
- 5Many opposition parties came together against the background of the Emergency.
- 6Before: the court verdict of 12 June 1975; after: the Janata Party won the 1977 election and Morarji Desai became PM.
- 7Millions of refugees had come to India.
- 81971 Bangladesh; 1974 Pokharan; 1975 Sikkim and Emergency; 1977 Janata Party.
1980 to 1999: Political events
If the class teacher keeps changing the class takes time to settle. In the same way from 1980 to the 1990s prime ministers changed often and coalition governments came.
In this period Rajiv Gandhi, V. P. Singh, Chandra Shekhar, Narasimha Rao and Vajpayee became prime ministers. After 1989 the time of coalition governments of many parties began.
Key idea 1 : The 1980s — In this decade there was unrest in Punjab and in 1984 Indira Gandhi was assassinated. Then Rajiv Gandhi became Prime Minister. He tried reforms in economy and science-technology, and tried to find a solution to the Tamil issue in Sri Lanka. In north-east India the ULFA movement in Assam was also going on.
Key idea 2 : 1989 to 1991 — In the 1989 election Congress lost. Many parties together formed the Janata Dal and V. P. Singh became Prime Minister; the policy of reservation for backward classes is considered his important contribution. In 1990 Chandra Shekhar became Prime Minister. In 1991, during the election campaign, Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated.
Key idea 3 : 1991 to 1999 — From 1991 the government of P. V. Narasimha Rao started economic changes. From 1996 to 1999 no party got a clear majority in the Lok Sabha; Vajpayee, Deve Gowda and Gujral became prime ministers. In 1999 the National Democratic Alliance government came and Vajpayee became Prime Minister again. Nuclear tests were held in 1998 and the Kargil war in 1999.
- Easy : Who became Prime Minister after 1984? — Rajiv Gandhi.
- Medium : Who was the Janata Dal Prime Minister? — V. P. Singh.
- Exam-type : In which year was the Kargil war? — 1999.
In the figure: Timeline from 1980 to 1999.
What happened before the Kargil war? After the May 1998 nuclear tests Vajpayee and Nawaz Sharif met in Colombo in July 1998 but talks did not move ahead. Then advisers of both sides came up with the idea of a bus service. On 19-20 February 1999 Vajpayee travelled to Lahore on the first run of the Delhi-Lahore bus and on 21 February he signed the Lahore Declaration.
What happened after the Kargil war? Only a few weeks later, in May 1999, the Indian Army had to fight to push back intruders who had crossed the Line of Control in the Kargil area. In July 1999 the Pakistani forces pulled back and 26 July is observed in India as ‘Kargil Vijay Diwas’.
1984 Rajiv; 1989 V.P.; 1991 Rao; 1998 nuclear tests; 1999 Kargil.
A coalition government is not a government of one party; it is formed by many parties together.
Memory clue: 84-89-91-98-99: Rajiv-V.P.-Rao-atom-Kargil. Memory clue: “Ra-Vi-Ra-A-Ka”.
Spot the difference
| Prime Minister | Period | Known for |
|---|---|---|
| Rajiv Gandhi | 1984-89 | Science-technology reforms |
| V. P. Singh | 1989-90 | Reservation policy for backward classes |
| Narasimha Rao | 1991-96 | Economic reforms |
1980 to 1999: Political events
In the app you can move this figure with your finger.
Open in the appPractice questions
- 1Who became Prime Minister in 1984?
- 2How was the Janata Dal formed?
- 3What is considered V. P. Singh’s important contribution?
- 4Because of what difficulty did governments change from 1996 to 1999?
- 5What happened before and after the Kargil war?
- 6What is a coalition government?
- 7Why is the year 1991 important?
- 8Write the names of five prime ministers from 1980 to 1999 in order.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1Rajiv Gandhi.
- 2Many political parties came together.
- 3Reservation policy for backward classes.
- 4No party had a clear majority in the Lok Sabha.
- 5Before: the Lahore bus and declaration (February 1999); after: the Kargil war of May-July 1999.
- 6A government formed by many parties together.
- 7Soviet Russia broke up, the Cold War ended and economic reforms began in India.
- 8Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, V. P. Singh, Narasimha Rao, Vajpayee.
Economy, science and social change
When new technology comes into the house, habits change. In the same way after 1991 the economy, science and social life of the country changed fast.
Economic liberalisation means policies from 1991 that reduced government controls on industry and trade. These changes are also called globalisation.
Key idea 1 : Planning and liberalisation — After independence the Planning Commission was set up to achieve modernity and self-reliance through industries and social justice through planning. From 1991 the Narasimha Rao government began economic liberalisation; foreign investment increased and information technology opened job opportunities.
Key idea 2 : Green and White revolutions — Dr M. S. Swaminathan raised foodgrain production through new scientific farming techniques; he is called the father of the Green Revolution. The cooperative dairy movement of Dr Verghese Kurien raised milk production; it is called the White Revolution.
Key idea 3 : Social changes — In 1985 the Department of Women and Child Development was created. As per the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments seats for women were reserved in local self-government bodies. The Mandal Commission was set up in 1978 and the Prevention of Atrocities Act was passed in 1989.
- Easy : Who is the father of the Green Revolution? — Dr M. S. Swaminathan.
- Medium : White Revolution is related to what? — Milk production.
- Exam-type : When was the Department of Women and Child Development created? — In 1985.
In the figure: Four areas of change after 1991.
What happened before the 1991 economic reforms? In 1991 India’s foreign exchange reserves were enough only for a few weeks of imports. In May 1991 about 20 tonnes of gold went to a Swiss bank and in July 1991 the Reserve Bank pledged about 47 tonnes of gold with the Bank of England and the Bank of Japan to raise loans.
What happened after the 1991 economic reforms? On 24 July 1991 Finance Minister Dr Manmohan Singh presented the budget; it reduced import licence controls and encouraged exports. A new industrial policy was announced the same day. Later India repaid the loans and recovered the pledged gold.
1991 = gold pledge + 24 July budget = liberalisation.
Liberalisation does not mean ending planning; it means reducing government controls.
Memory clue: Liberalisation = loosened controls. Memory clue: “Green = grain, White = milk”.
Spot the difference
| Revolution | Field | Key person |
|---|---|---|
| Green | Foodgrains | Dr Swaminathan |
| White | Milk | Dr Verghese Kurien |
Practice questions
- 1What is economic liberalisation?
- 2Why was the Planning Commission set up?
- 3Who is the father of the Green Revolution?
- 4What is the White Revolution?
- 5State what happened before and after the 1991 reforms.
- 6What is the social importance of the 73rd and 74th Amendments?
- 7What changes are seen in India due to globalisation? Name two.
- 8What are the characteristics of the Indian economy?
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1Policies reducing government controls on industry and trade.
- 2To coordinate development through planning.
- 3Dr M. S. Swaminathan.
- 4Raising milk production through the cooperative movement.
- 5Before: shortage of foreign exchange and gold pledge; after: the 24 July 1991 budget and liberalisation.
- 6Women got reserved seats in local bodies and participation increased.
- 7Foreign investment increased and jobs rose in information technology.
- 8Modernisation, economic self-reliance and social justice.