Exercise Solutions Available
Step-by-step answers for all textbook questions in this chapter
History Terms
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Primary Source | Original, first-hand record from the time period (inscriptions, coins, manuscripts) |
| Secondary Source | Account written later using primary sources (textbooks, biographies) |
| Epigraphy | Study of inscriptions carved on stone or metal |
| Numismatics | Study of coins |
| Archaeology | Study of past human culture through material remains |
| Chronicle | Historical account arranged in chronological order |
| Sepoy | Indian soldier in the British East India Company army |
| Satyagraha | Gandhi's non-violent resistance movement — truth-force |
| Swaraj | Self-rule; Indian independence from British rule |
| Boycott | Refusing to use, buy, or participate in something as protest |
| Non-Cooperation | Gandhi's movement to withdraw cooperation from British (1920) |
| Civil Disobedience | Peaceful refusal to obey unjust laws (Salt March, 1930) |
| Mansabdari | Mughal rank system for civil and military officials |
| Din-i-Ilahi | Akbar's attempt to blend elements of different religions |
| Brahmo Samaj | Raja Ram Mohan Roy's reform movement (1828); opposed idol worship and sati |
| Arya Samaj | Swami Dayananda's movement; "Back to the Vedas" (1875) |
| Ramakrishna Mission | Service organisation founded by Swami Vivekananda (1897) |
| Sati | Outlawed practice of widow self-immolation; banned in 1829 |
Geography Terms
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Atmosphere | Thick blanket of gases surrounding Earth held by gravity |
| Troposphere | Lowest layer of atmosphere (0–12 km); all weather occurs here |
| Stratosphere | Second layer (12–50 km); contains ozone layer |
| Insolation | Incoming solar radiation received by Earth |
| Normal Lapse Rate | Temperature decrease of 6.5°C for every 1000 m rise in altitude |
| Monsoon | Seasonal reversal of wind direction; from Arabic "Mausim" |
| Humidity | Amount of water vapour in the atmosphere |
| Precipitation | Water falling from clouds (rain, snow, sleet, hail) |
| Hydrological Cycle | Continuous movement of water through evaporation, condensation, precipitation |
| Aquifer | Underground layer of rock that holds groundwater |
| Sustainable Development | Meeting present needs without compromising future generations' needs |
| Renewable Resource | Resource that can be replenished naturally (solar, wind, water) |
| Non-renewable Resource | Resource that cannot be replaced once used (coal, oil, minerals) |
| Ubiquitous Resource | Resource found everywhere (air, sunlight) |
| Localised Resource | Resource found only in specific places (coal deposits, gold mines) |
Civics and Economics Terms
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Preamble | Introduction to the Constitution; declares India's goals and values |
| Secular | No state religion; all religions treated equally |
| Fundamental Rights | Basic rights guaranteed by Constitution; enforceable by courts |
| DPSP | Directive Principles of State Policy; guides government policy; not enforceable |
| Lok Sabha | Lower House of Parliament; 543 elected members; 5-year term |
| Rajya Sabha | Upper House of Parliament; 245 members; permanent house |
| Governor | Constitutional head of a state; appointed by President |
| Food Security | Access to sufficient, safe, nutritious food for all people at all times |
| PDS | Public Distribution System; subsidised food through ration shops |
| FCI | Food Corporation of India; procures and stores grains |
| GDP | Gross Domestic Product; total value of goods/services produced in a country |
| Primary Sector | Economic sector that uses natural resources directly (farming, fishing) |
| Tertiary Sector | Service sector (education, health, banking, transport) |
| Organised Sector | Registered enterprises with formal employment and social security |
| Unorganised Sector | Small, unregistered enterprises with informal, unprotected employment |
| Mandatory Sign | Circular road sign with red border; must be obeyed |
| Cautionary Sign | Triangular road sign with red border; warns of danger |
Frequently Asked Questions
Read each term and its meaning. Then cover the meaning and test yourself. Write any terms you cannot recall into your mistake notebook and revise them daily for one week.