NCERT Political Science (Civics) Class 10 Belgium and Sri Lanka

NCERT Civics Class 10 Chapter 1 Notes | Belgium and Sri Lanka

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NCERT Political Science (Civics) Class 10 | Belgium and Sri Lanka

Topic & sub-topics covered: Belgium and Sri Lanka and MCQs Questions: Power-sharing (All single detail notes are exam-oriented).

We have discussed in-depth and exam-oriented pointers that can be asked in the board exam of class 10th about “Belgium and Sri Lanka” from the NCERT Political Science (Civics) notes for class 10th chapter 1 “Power-sharing“.

Download the NCERT Political Science (Civics) for Class 10 Chapter 1 Power-sharing PDF Notes

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This chapter explains the concept of power-sharing in a democracy, its necessity, and various forms through real-life examples from countries like Belgium and Sri Lanka, Majoritarianism in Sri Lanka, Accommodation in Belgium, Khalil’s Dilemma, and Forms of Power-sharing.

Visit the E-book NCERT to download the NCERT Political Science (Civics) for Class 10 Chapter 1 Power-sharing PDF Notes. Prepare for your board & school exam preparation with our notes that will help you to understand the concepts and boost your understanding and mark in exams.

Overview of Belgium and Sri Lanka

NCERT Civics Class 10 Chapter 1 Notes Belgium and Sri Lanka
Source: NCERT Book

1. Resuming the Tour of Democracy:

  • Continuation from the previous year’s exploration of democracy.
  • Focus on the concept of power-sharing in a democratic system.

2. Core Idea of Democracy:

  • In a democracy, all power does not rest with a single organ of government.
  • There is an intelligent sharing of power among the legislature, executive, and judiciary.

3. Focus of the Chapter:

  • Examines how democracies handle demands for power-sharing.
  • Discusses examples from Belgium and Sri Lanka to illustrate power-sharing challenges and solutions.

4. Purpose of the Stories:

  • Stories from Belgium and Sri Lanka provide insights into:
  • The importance of power-sharing in democracy.
  • General conclusions about its necessity.

5. Preview of Upcoming Content:

  • Introduces various forms of power-sharing.
  • Sets the stage for a detailed discussion in the subsequent two chapters.

Belgium and Sri Lanka

Belgium

1. Geographical Details:

  • Belgium is a small country in Europe, smaller in area than the state of Haryana.
  • Shares borders with France, the Netherlands, Germany, and Luxembourg.
  • Population: Slightly over one crore, about half the population of Haryana.

2. Ethnic Composition:

  • 59% live in the Flemish region and speak Dutch.
  • 40% live in the Wallonia region and talk to French.
  • 1% talk to German.
  • In Brussels:
    a. 80% speak French.
    b. 20% speak Dutch.

3. Community Tensions:

  • The French-speaking minority was rich and powerful.
  • The Dutch-speaking majority resented their delayed access to economic development and education.
  • Tensions arose in the 1950s and 1960s, especially in Brussels, where:
    a. Dutch-speaking people comprised the majority of the country but were a minority in the capital.

Sri Lanka

1. Geographical Details:

  • Island nation near Tamil Nadu.
  • Population: Approximately two crore, similar to Haryana.

2. Ethnic Composition:

  • Major social groups:
    a. Sinhala-speakers: 74%.
    b. Tamil-speakers: 18%.
  • Tamil sub-groups:
    a. Sri Lankan Tamils: 13%, native to the country.
    b. Indian Tamils: Descendants of plantation workers brought during the colonial period.
    c. Sri Lankan Tamils are concentrated in the north and east.
  • Religious composition:
    a. Most Sinhalas are Buddhists.
    b. Most Tamils are Hindus or Muslims.
    c. 7% Christians (both Tamil and Sinhala).

Comparative Analysis: Belgium vs. Sri Lanka

1. Potential Conflict in Belgium:

  • The Dutch-speaking majority could impose its will on the French and German-speaking minorities.
  • Conflict could escalate, leading to the partition of Belgium, especially over Brussels.

2. Potential Conflict in Sri Lanka:

  • The Sinhala majority enjoyed greater dominance and could impose its will on the Tamil-speaking minority.
  • Such imposition could fuel inter-ethnic conflicts.

3. Additional Key Concept:

  • Ethnic Definition:
    a. A social division based on shared culture.
    b. Members of an ethnic group believe in common descent due to similarities in physical type, culture, or both.
    c. Religion or nationality may not necessarily align with ethnicity.

Next & Previous Topics of NCERT/CBSE Political Science (Civics) Class 10 Chapter 1: Power-sharing

Topics No.Topics Name
1Belgium and Sri Lanka
2Majoritarianism in Sri Lanka
3Accommodation in Belgium
4Khalil’s Dilemma
5Forms of Power-sharing

MCQ’s on NCERT Civics Class 10 Chapter 1 Tpoic – Belgium and Sri Lanka

Here are top exam oriented mcq’s type questions that you should prepare for your CBSE or state board exams:

Question 1. What is the geographical location of Belgium?

a) In North America
b) In Asia
c) In Europe
d) In Africa

Answer: c) In Europe

Question 2. Belgium shares its borders with which countries?

a) France, Germany, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands
b) France, Spain, Italy, and Portugal
c) Germany, Poland, Austria, and Switzerland
d) Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland

Answer: a) France, Germany, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands

Question 3. The population of Belgium is slightly over:

a) Two crore
b) One crore
c) Five crores
d) Ten lakh

Answer: b) One crore

Question 4. What percentage of Belgium’s population lives in the Flemish region and speaks Dutch?

a) 40%
b) 59%
c) 1%
d) 80%

Answer: b) 59%

Question 5. In Belgium, what is the ethnic composition of Brussels?

a) 20% French-speaking, 80% Dutch-speaking
b) 50% Dutch-speaking, 50% French-speaking
c) 80% French-speaking, 20% Dutch-speaking
d) 100% German-speaking

Answer: c) 80% French-speaking, 20% Dutch-speaking

Question 6. What was the primary cause of tensions in Belgium during the 1950s and 1960s?

a) Economic decline in the Flemish region
b) Delay in economic development and education for the Dutch-speaking majority
c) Religious differences between Catholics and Protestants
d) Border disputes with neighbouring countries

Answer: b) Delay in economic development and education for the Dutch-speaking majority

Question 7. Where is Sri Lanka located geographically?

a) Near Tamil Nadu, India
b) Near Myanmar, Southeast Asia
c) Near the Maldives, Indian Ocean
d) Near Pakistan, South Asia

Answer: a) Near Tamil Nadu, India

Question 8. What is the approximate population of Sri Lanka?

a) One crore
b) Two crore
c) Five crore
d) Ten crore

Answer: b) Two crore

Question 9. What percentage of Sri Lanka’s population is Sinhala-speaking?

a) 18%
b) 74%
c) 13%
d) 7%

Answer: b) 74%

Question 10. The Tamil-speaking population in Sri Lanka can be categorized as:

a) Sinhala Tamils and Buddhist Tamils
b) Sri Lankan Tamils and Indian Tamils
c) Northern Tamils and Southern Tamils
d) Hindu Tamils and Muslim Tamils

Answer: b) Sri Lankan Tamils and Indian Tamils

Question 11. What percentage of Sri Lanka’s population comprises Christians (both Tamil and Sinhala)?

a) 18%
b) 7%
c) 13%
d) 74%

Answer: b) 7%

Question 12. Most Sinhalas in Sri Lanka follow which religion?

a) Hinduism
b) Buddhism
c) Islam
d) Christianity

Answer: b) Buddhism

Question 13. Which group is primarily concentrated in the northern and eastern parts of Sri Lanka?

a) Sinhala Buddhists
b) Indian Tamils
c) Sri Lankan Tamils
d) Muslim Tamils

Answer: c) Sri Lankan Tamils

Question 14. What was the potential conflict in Belgium?

a) The dominance of the French-speaking community
b) The dominance of the Dutch-speaking community
c) Inter-religious disputes
d) Ethnic conflicts among Tamils and Sinhalas

Answer: b) The dominance of the Dutch-speaking community

Question 15. In Sri Lanka, inter-ethnic conflict arose due to:

a) Equal political representation of Tamils and Sinhalas
b) The dominance of the Sinhala majority over Tamils
c) Border disputes with India
d) Economic struggles between Sri Lankan Tamils and Indian Tamils

Answer: b) The dominance of the Sinhala majority over Tamils

Question 16. What is the definition of ethnicity according to the content?

a) A social division based on religion
b) A social division based on nationality
c) A social division based on shared culture and belief in common descent
d) A social division based on language only

Answer: c) A social division based on shared culture and belief in common descent

Question 17. What could have been the result of unresolved tensions in Belgium?

a) Partition of Belgium, especially over Brussels
b) An alliance with neighbouring countries
c) Civil war between Dutch-speaking and French-speaking regions
d) Complete dominance of German-speaking communities

Answer: a) Partition of Belgium, especially over Brussels

Question 18. In Sri Lanka, the Tamil-speaking community primarily consisted of:

a) Buddhists
b) Hindus and Muslims
c) Christians
d) Jews

Answer: b) Hindus and Muslims

Question 19. What distinguishes Sri Lankan Tamils from Indian Tamils in Sri Lanka?

a) Sri Lankan Tamils are descendants of plantation workers.
b) Sri Lankan Tamils are native to the country, while Indian Tamils were brought during the colonial period.
c) Indian Tamils primarily reside in the north, while Sri Lankan Tamils reside in the south.
d) Indian Tamils are part of the Sinhala community.

Answer: b) Sri Lankan Tamils are native to the country, while Indian Tamils were brought during the colonial period.

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