The question asks about the number of major languages recognized by the Indian Constitution in 1950. This is a factual question related to the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution at its commencement.
C) 14. At the commencement of the Constitution in 1950, the Eighth Schedule recognized 14 major languages.
The question asks for the number of mother tongues listed in India in the year 1961. This is a factual question related to the linguistic survey conducted during the Census of India.
A) 1549 — The 1961 Census of India recorded 1,549 mother tongues. This is a historically significant number often cited in discussions about India's linguistic diversity.
The question asks for the percentage of the tribal population in India in the year 1961. This requires knowledge of historical demographic data related to Scheduled Tribes in India, typically found in census reports or social studies.
Correct Option: D) 6
The question asks to fill in the blank with the most appropriate word that completes the idea that a strong national identity and the preservation of India's rich _____ were seen as simultaneous processes. This requires understanding the historical context of nation-building in India and the values emphasized during that period.
B) Diversity — India's strength and identity have often been articulated through the concept of 'unity in diversity'. The nation-building process aimed not to homogenize but to integrate its varied cultures, languages, and traditions into a cohesive national identity. Therefore, the preservation of its rich diversity was seen as a simultaneous and essential process alongside the emergence of a strong national identity.
The question asks to identify the year in which the constitutional structure was established that balanced the demands of diversity and the requirements of unity in India. This refers to the adoption and commencement of the Indian Constitution.
Correct Option: C) 1950. The constitutional structure, which effectively balanced diversity and unity, was established with the commencement of the Indian Constitution on January 26, 1950.
The question asks to identify what Asoka Mehta referred to as the "great unifier of the nation." This is a direct recall question related to Indian political thought and history, specifically concerning the role of democratic institutions.
Correct Option: A) Asoka Mehta, a significant figure in Indian politics, emphasized the role of democratic institutions in nation-building. The Parliament, as the highest legislative body representing the entire nation, serves as a platform where diverse regional, linguistic, and cultural groups come together to deliberate and make laws for the common good. This function makes it a powerful symbol and instrument of national unity, aligning with Mehta's statement that it acted as the great unifier of the nation.