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NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Social Science

History Chapter 2 – Socialism In Europe and the Russian Revolution

1. What were the social, economic and political conditions in Russia before 1905?

Ans: Before 1905, Russia's social, economic, and political situation was backward:

(i) Social Conditions: Agriculturists made up 85 % of Russia's population. Industry existed,

although it was uncommon for the majority of it to be privately owned. Workers were
classified based on their profession. They primarily moved to cities in search of factory work.
The peasantry was passionately devout, yet they were unconcerned about the nobility. They
believed that land should be split between them.

(ii) Economic Condition: Russia was going through a difficult economic moment. Prices of
basic goods rise while real earnings fall by 20%, resulting in the well-known St. Petersburg
strike.

The 1905 Revolution began with this strike, which sparked a chain of events. There were
strikes all around the country during this revolution, universities shut down, and numerous
professionals and workers formed the Union of Unions, seeking the formation of a constituent
assembly.

(iii) Political Condition: Before 1914, political parties were unlawful. In 1898, socialists who
admired Marx's ideas created the Russian Social Democratic Workers Party. This party was
split into two sections in 1903: Mensheviks and Bolsheviks. Lenin, who is recognised as the
greatest theorist on socialism after Marx, led the Bolsheviks, who were in the majority.

2. In what ways was the working population in Russia different from other countries in
Europe, before 1917?

Ans: Before 1917, Russia's working population differed from that of other European countries
because not all Russian workers travelled from the countryside to work in the factories. Some
of them remained in the villages and commuted to work in the towns daily. They were a

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socially and professionally separated group, which was reflected in their attire and
demeanour. Because their trade required more training and skill, metal workers were
considered “aristocrats” of the working class. Despite this, the working class remained united
behind a single cause: strikes against poor working conditions and employer tyranny.

3. Why did the Tsarist autocracy collapse in 1917?

Ans: After dismissing the first two Dumas, the Tsar filled the parliament with conservatives.
The Tsar made decisions without consulting the Duma during the First World War. The war's
large-scale fatalities of Russian soldiers alienated the people even more from the Tsar. The
retreating Russian soldiers set fire to farmland and buildings, resulting in a severe food scarcity
in Russia. All of these factors contributed to the Tsarist autocracy's demise in 1917.

4. Make two lists: one with the main events and the effects of the February Revolution
and the other with the main events and effects of the October Revolution. Write a
paragraph on who was involved in each, who were the leaders and what was the impact
of each on Soviet history.

Ans:

February Revolution: Events

(i) On the 22nd of February 1917, women led the procession, and a factory was locked out.

(ii) The Duma was suspended by the government on February 25th.

(iii) On the 26th and 27th of February, workers went on strike, which was shortly followed by
the military.

(iv) On March 2nd, the Tsar abdicated and Soviet and Duma’s leaders formed a transitional
administration.

Effect: There was no political party at the forefront of the February Revolution. The people
themselves were in charge. Petrograd had deposed the monarchy and so earned a prominent

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position in Soviet history. The number of trade unions expanded. The Tsar's dictatorial rule
came to an end. Public meeting and Association restrictions were eliminated.

October Revolution: Events

(i) In April 1917, Bolshevik leader Vladimir Lenin returned to Russia.

(ii) In July, the Bolsheviks staged a demonstration against the provisional government.

(iii) Between July and September, peasants took land from wealthy landowners.

(iv) On October 16, 1917, Lenin persuaded the Petrograd Soviet and the Bolshevik party to
agree to a socialist takeover of power.

(v) On October 24, a Bolshevik revolt took place in Petrograd.

Effect: The October Revolution was principally spearheaded by Lenin and his subordinate
Trotskii, with the masses rallying behind them. It was the start of Lenin's reign over the Soviet
Union, with the Bolsheviks under his command. The fall of the interim government was the
most significant result of the October revolution. Russia had embraced socialism.

5. What were the main changes brought about by the Bolsheviks immediately after the
October Revolution?

Ans: The following are the major changes brought about by the Bolsheviks shortly following
the October Revolution:

(i) Nationalization of banks and industries.

(ii) The nobility's land was proclaimed social property, allowing peasants to seize it.

(iii) Houses in metropolitan areas were divided into sections based on family needs.

(iv) New clothes for the army and authorities were designed, and old aristocratic titles were
abolished.

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6. Write a few lines to show what you know about:

Kulaks; the Duma; women workers between 1900 and 1930; the Liberals; Stalin’s
collectivisation programme.

Ans:

Kulaks: It's a Russian word for wealthy peasants who, according to Stalin, were stockpiling
food to increase their profits. By 1927-28, grain supplies in Soviet Russia's towns were in short
supply. Part of the blame was attributed to the Kulaks. To construct modern farms and
administer them on an industrial scale, the Communist Party, led by Stalin, believed it was
also vital to exterminate Kulaks.

The Duma: The Tsar permitted the formation of an elected consultative parliament in Russia
during the 1905 Revolution. The Duma was the name of Russia's elected consultative
parliament.

Women Workers Between 1900 and 1930: By 1914, women accounted for 31% of factory
workers, but they were paid between half and three-quarters of the wages paid to males.
Women employees, on the other hand, were the ones who led the road to strikes during the
February Revolution.

The Liberals: Stalin believed that agricultural collectivization would improve Russia's grain
supplies. In 1929, he began the process of collectivization. All peasants were obliged to work
in communal farms (kolhoz). The majority of the land and implements were transferred to the
collective farm's ownership. Many peasants resisted such initiatives by destroying animals as
a form of protest. Collectivization did not produce the intended outcomes, and the food supply
crisis worsened in the years that followed.

Stalin’s Collectivisation Programme: They advocated for a country that was tolerant of all
religions and would defend individual liberties from the government. Despite their desire for
an elected parliamentary system of government, the liberals believed that the ability to vote
should only be granted to men, and only to those who owned property.

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 NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Social Science

Civics Chapter 1 – What is Democracy? Why Democracy?

1. Here is some information about the four countries. Based on this information, how
would you classify each of these countries? Write ‘democratic’, ‘undemocratic’ or ‘not
sure’ against each of these.

a) Country A: People who do not accept the country’s official religion do not have a right
to vote.

Ans: Undemocratic

b) Country B: The same party has been winning elections for the last twenty years.

Ans: Not sure

c) Country C: The ruling party has lost in the last three elections.

Ans: Democratic

d) Country D: There is no independent election commission.

Ans: Undemocratic

2. Here is some information about the four countries. Based on this information, how
would you classify each of these countries? Write ‘democratic’, ‘undemocratic’ or ‘not
sure’ against each of these.

a) Country P: The parliament cannot pass a law about the army without the consent of
the Chief of Army.

Ans: Undemocratic

b) Country Q: The parliament cannot pass a law reducing the powers of the judiciary.

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Ans: Democratic

c) Country R: The country’s leaders cannot sign any treaty with another country without
taking permission from its neighbouring country.

Ans: Undemocratic

d) Country S: All the major economic decisions about the country are taken by officials
of the central bank which the ministers cannot change.

Ans: Undemocratic

3. Which of these is not a good argument in favour of democracy? Why?

(a) People feel free and equal in a democracy.

(b) Democracies resolve conflict in a better way than others.

(c) Democratic government is more accountable to the people.

(d) Democracies are more prosperous than others.

Ans: Option (d)

Democracies are more prosperous than others, is not the right argument in favour of democracy
because there are many countries like Sri Lanka, and India which opted for democracy but
were not so prosperous whereas countries which have communist and monarchy rules such as
China and Saudi Arab respectively are said to be more prosperous. The prosperity of any
country does not depend upon the form of the government but the kind of its policies, natural
resources availability etc.

4. Each of these statements contains a democratic and an undemocratic element. Write

out the two separately for each statement.

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a) A minister said that some laws have to be passed by the parliament in order to conform
to the regulations decided by the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

Ans: A minister said that some laws have to be passed by the parliament – The democratic
element.

the regulations decided by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) – Undemocratic element.

b) The Election Commission ordered re-polling in a constituency where large-scale

rigging was reported.

Ans: The Election Commission ordered re-polling in a constituency – Democratic element

large-scale rigging was reported – Undemocratic element.

c) Women’s representation in the parliament has barely reached 10 per cent. This led
women’s organisations to demand one-third seats for women.

Ans: This led women’s organisations to demand one-third seats for women. – Democratic
element.

Women’s representation in the parliament has barely reached 10 percent. – Undemocratic

element

5. Which of these is not a valid reason for arguing that there is a lesser possibility of
famine in a democratic country?

(a) Opposition parties can draw attention to hunger and starvation.

(b) Free press can report suffering from famine in different parts of the country.

(c) The government fears its defeat in the next elections.

(d) People are free to believe in and practise any religion.

Ans: Option (d) is not a valid reason for arguing that there is a lesser possibility of famine in
a democratic country, because believing as well as practising a religion is not related to
preventing famine in a democratic country.

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6. There are 40 villages in a district where the government has made no provision for
drinking water. These villagers met and considered many methods of forcing the
government to respond to their needs.

Which of these is not a democratic method?

(a) Filing a case in the courts claiming that water is part of the right to life.

(b) Boycotting the next elections to give a message to all parties.

(c) Organising public meetings against the government's policies.

(d) Paying money to government officials to get water.

Ans: Option (d), which advocates paying the government officials money, is an undemocratic
method.

7. Write a response to the following arguments against democracy:

a) Army is the most disciplined and corruption-free organisation in the country.

Therefore, the army should rule the country.

b) Rule of the majority means the rule of ignorant people. What we need is the rule of
the wise, even if they are in small numbers.

c) If we want religious leaders to guide us in spiritual matters, why not invite them to
guide us in politics as well. The country should be ruled by religious leaders.

Ans: A democracy is a government, whose representatives are elected by the citizens of the
country for themselves. Army is an important part of any country, whose primary role is to
protect the people of the country. But they are not elected by the citizens of the country, so
they are unable to form a democratic government.

As people are quite intelligent to some extent, so the second statement is false.

If we bring religion into politics, then it will create serious conflicts among the citizens of the
country. Hence, the third statement is also false.

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8. Are the following statements in keeping with democracy as a value? Why?

a) Father to daughter: I don’t want to hear your opinion about your marriage. In our
family children marry where the parents tell them to.

Ans: This statement of father is undemocratic because every adult has the right to choose their
life partner. The father does not have the right to impose their choice on daughter.

b) Teacher to student: Don’t disturb my concentration by asking me questions in the

classroom.

Ans: This statement also is not under democratic setup. The student has the right to ask
questions. This is undemocratic if his right is denied.

c) Employee to the officer: Our working hours must be reduced according to the law.

Ans: The third statement is democratic because it is asking for a rule of law which would be
in the favour and beneficial of the employee.

9. Consider the following facts about a country and decide if you would call it a
democracy. Give reasons to support your decision

a) All the citizens of the country have the right to vote. Elections are held regularly.

Ans: This is democracy as only a democratic setup allows the right to vote and also election
at a regular time period.

b) The country took loans from international agencies. One of the conditions for giving
a loan was that the government would reduce its expenses on education and health.

Ans: A democratic country has to look after the welfare of its people. The condition of
reducing expenses on health and education is against the welfare of the people.

c) People speak more than seven languages but education is available only in one
language, the language spoken by 52 percent of people in that country.

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Ans: In democracy, education is available in all languages as its basic right. Official language
can be the language of the majority of people.

d) Several organisations have given a call for peaceful demonstrations and nation-wide
strikes in the country to oppose these policies. Government has arrested these leaders.

Ans: Democracy, provides the right to express, to the citizens of the country to express their
opinion in a peaceful manner. It is undemocratic behaviour.

e) The government owns the radio and television in the country. All the newspapers have
to get permission from the government to publish any news about the government's
policies and protests.

Ans: This is undemocratic because in democracy freedom of press and media is given. If the
government owns radio and television then it will be a freedom of press violation.

10. In 2004 a report published in USA pointed to the increasing inequalities in that
country. Inequalities in income reflected in the participation of people in democracy. It
also shaped their abilities to influence the decisions taken by the government. The report
highlighted that:

 If an average Black family earns 100 then the income of average White family is
162. A White family has twelve times more wealth than the average Black family.

 In a President’s election ‘nearly 9 out of 10 individuals in families with income

over 75,000 have voted. These people are the top 20% of the population in terms
of their income. On the other hand only 5 people out of 10 from families with
income less than 15,000 have voted. They are the bottom 20% of the population in
terms of their income. About 95% contribution to the political parties comes from
the rich. This gives them opportunity to express their opinions and concerns,
which is not available to most citizens.

 As poor sections participate less in politics, the government does not listen to their
concerns – coming out of poverty, getting job, education, health care and housing
for them. Politicians hear most regularly about the concerns of business persons
and the rich.

Class IX Social Science

Write an essay on ‘Democracy and Poverty’ using the information given in this report
but using examples from India.

Ans:

Democracy and Poverty: An Analysis with Indian Examples

Democracy, often lauded as the epitome of governance that champions equality, has
paradoxically coexisted with poverty and inequality in many regions, including the United
States and India. The 2004 report from the USA highlighted glaring disparities in income and
political participation, reflecting broader systemic issues that can be observed in other
democracies like India.

Income Inequality and Political Participation

In India, as in the USA, income inequality significantly influences political participation. The
wealthy, with greater resources, have better access to education and information, enabling
them to engage more effectively in the political process. Conversely, the poor, struggling to
meet basic needs, often find political participation a distant priority.

For instance, in the 2019 general elections in India, voter turnout was notably higher in urban
areas compared to rural ones. Urban regions, typically more affluent, had better voter
mobilization and awareness campaigns, while rural areas, often marred by poverty, saw lower
engagement. This mirrors the disparity seen in the USA, where higher-income families
participate more actively in elections compared to their lower-income counterparts.

Influence of Wealth on Political Power

Wealth significantly shapes political power, as seen in the USA where 95% of political
contributions come from the rich. In India, political funding also skews heavily towards
wealthy individuals and corporate entities. This financial clout translates into greater influence
over political agendas and policy decisions. For example, during the 2019 elections, political
parties in India received substantial donations from corporate donors, which in turn could
influence policy decisions in favor of these donors post-elections.

Marginalization of the Poor

The poor often find themselves marginalized in the political discourse. In India, this
marginalization is evident in the lack of attention to issues such as poverty alleviation,

Class IX Social Science

employment, education, healthcare, and housing. Political campaigns and government policies
frequently prioritize the interests of businesspersons and the affluent, whose voices are heard
more regularly and forcefully.

For example, despite various government schemes aimed at poverty reduction, the
implementation and effectiveness of these programs remain questionable. The lack of robust
healthcare infrastructure in rural areas and the slow progress in educational reforms highlight
the government's inadequate attention to the needs of the poor. This neglect can be attributed
to the poor's limited political influence, a direct consequence of their lower participation in the
political process.

Conclusion

The interplay between democracy and poverty in India underscores a critical paradox: while
democracy promises equal representation, the reality often sees the affluent wielding
disproportionate influence. The poor, grappling with daily survival, participate less in politics,
resulting in their concerns being sidelined. Addressing this requires concerted efforts to
enhance political awareness and participation among the poor and to ensure that policies
genuinely reflect the needs of all citizens, not just the wealthy few.

By examining the dynamics of income inequality and political participation, both in the USA
and India, it becomes evident that true democratic governance must strive to bridge these gaps,
ensuring that democracy fulfils its promise of equality and justice for all.

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 NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Social Science

Geography Chapter 2 – Physical Features of India

1. Choose the right answer from the four alternatives given below.

(i). A landmass bounded by sea on three sides is referred to as

a. Coast

b. Island

c. Peninsula

d. None of the above

Ans. (c) Peninsula

(ii). Mountain ranges in the eastern part of India forming its boundary with Myanmar
are collectively called as

a. Himachal

b. Uttarakhand

c. Purvachal

d. none of the above

Ans. (c) Purvachal

(iii). The western coastal strip, south of Goa is referred to as

a. Coromandel

b. Konkan

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c. Kannad

d. Northern Circars

Ans. (b) Kannad

(iv). The highest peak in the Eastern Ghats is

a. Anai Mudi

b. Kanchenjunga

c. Mahendragiri

d. Khasi

Ans: (c) Mahendragiri

2. Answer the following questions briefly.

(i). What is bhabar?

Ans: Bhabar is a narrow belt containing pebbles instead of silt along the banks of the upper
Himalayan rivers from the Indus River to the Teesta River.

(ii). Name the three major divisions of the Himalayas from north to south.

Ans: The three major divisions of the Himalayas are:

1. The Great or the Inner Himalayas or the Himadri

2. The Middle Himalayas or the Himachal

3. The Outer Himalayas or the Shivaliks

(iii). Which plateau lies between the Aravali and the Vindhyan ranges?

Ans. The Malwa plateau lies between the Aravali and the Vindhyan Ranges.

Class IX Social Science

(iv). Name the island group of India having coral origin.

Ans. Lakshadweep Islands is the island group of India which has a coral origin.

3. Distinguish between:

(i). Bhangar and Khadar

Ans: The difference between Bhangar and Khadar soils are:

Bhangar Khadar

It is old alluvial soil. It is the new alluvium.

It is found in northern plains. It is found in flood plains.

It has a terrace-like feature and is less fertile. It is more fertile than the Bhangar.

(ii). Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats

Ans. The difference between the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats are:

The Western Ghats The Eastern Ghats

These ghats are found on the

They lie on the eastern side of the Deccan Plateau.
western side of the Deccan Plateau.

Class IX Social Science

 They are higher and their average
They are lower as compared to the Western Ghats
elevation is from 900 metres to
and their average elevation is about 600 meters.
1600 meters.

They are a continuous chain of These mountain ranges are not continuous and are
mountains and can be crossed only broken by the rivers which flow into Bay of Bengal
through passes. from the Western Ghats.

Major Rivers originate from these Major rivers like Godavari, Krishna and Kaveri flow
ranges. through them.

4. Which are the major physiographic divisions of India? Contrast the relief of the
Himalayan region with that of the Peninsular plateau.

Ans: The major physiographic divisions of India are:

 The Himalayan Mountains

 The Northern Plains

 The Peninsular Plateau

 The Indian Desert

 The Coastal Plains

 The Islands

Class IX Social Science

5. Give an account of the Northern Plains of India.

Ans: The Northern Plains are formed by the deposition of the fertile alluvium that was
deposited by the rivers originating in the Himalayas. They stretch from the south of the
northern mountains to the north of the peninsular plateau and towards the east of the Indian
desert. It is divided into three parts, i.e. Punjab Plains, Ganga Plains and the Brahmaputra
Plains. The Northern plains cover approximately 3000 kilometers and there are several rivers
that drain this region such as Sutlej, Ravi, Beas, Ganga, Yamuna, Ghagra, Gandak, Kosi,
Chambal, Betwa, Son, etc.

The North Indian Plains are divided into four different zones:

1. Bhabhar

2. Tarai

3. Bangar

4. Khadar

6. Write short notes on the

following.(i). The Indian Desert

Ans: The Great Indian Desert is also known as the Thar Desert and is located in Rajasthan,
India and also in Punjab and Sindh in Pakistan. A part of the desert is also located in the states
of Gujarat and Haryana.

The Thar desert is a very dry region in between the countries of India and Pakistan and is
highly scarce in water availability and the only water sources are the natural and man-made
ponds across the region. Due to this reason, the people generally live a nomadic life, which
involves their constant movement from place to place. The Luni River is an important river in
the Thar desert, and it drains a large area of the desert. The other major river is Ghaggar which
flows in the northern and eastern part of the desert.

Class IX Social Science

(ii). The Central Highlands

Ans: The parts of the peninsular plateau which are found in the north of the River Narmada
and generally covers a major portion of the Malwa plateau is known as the Central Highlands.
The rivers which drain this region flow from southwest to northeast, due to their slope. The
Central Highlands are wider in the western side but narrow down towards the east. In Madhya
Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, they are known as Bundelkhand and Baghelkhad.
The Chotanagpur plateau is in the extreme east of the Central Highlands with the the Damodar
River flowing through it.

(iii). The Island groups of India

Ans: There are two island groups controlled by India. They are located in the Arabian Sea
(Lakshadweep Islands) and the Bay of Bengal (Andaman and Nicobar Islands). These islands
are located off the Malabar coast of India. The capital city of Lakshadweep Islands is Kavaratti
and is the smallest Union territory by area and the second smallest by population. The Islands
of Lakshadweep provide India a strategic base in the Arabian Sea and India is able to reach
out to the Maldives and other regions in the Indian Ocean in crucial times.

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are a group of 572 islands. The Nicobar Islands extend
close to the Sumatra islands which make the reach of India to Southeast Asian nations very
easy, The Indian Navy also maintains a base in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands which helps
it to control the vessels passing through the strait of Malacca. The Andaman and Nicobar
Islands also have the North Sentinel Island which has the most primitive people from the
human race and are untouched by civilization and they are known as the Sentinelese people.

Map Skills:

On an outline map of India show the following.

(i). Mountain and hill ranges – the Karakoram, the Zaskar, the Patkai Bum, the Jaintia,
the Vindhya range, the Aravali, and the Cardamom hills.

(ii). Peaks – K2, Kanchenjunga, Nanga Parbat and the Anai Mudi.

(iii). Plateaus, Chotanagpur and Malwa

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(iv). The Indian Desert, Western Ghats, Lakshadweep Islands

Ans:

Map

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