Glimpses of the Past Class 8 Worksheet English Honeydew Chapter 3

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

Q1: What was the primary motive of the English East India Company's presence in India?
(a) They came to India for trade and extended their power through diplomacy.
(b) They fought against Indian freedom fighters in the first war of Independence.
(c) They sought the help of Indian princes to defeat each other.
(d) They restored peace in the country and stopped looting.
Ans: (a)
The text mentions that the English East India Company initially came to India for trade but extended its power through superior weapons of diplomacy.

Q2: Why were Indian princes easily defeated by the English East India Company?
(a) Lack of military strength
(b) Short-sightedness and division among Indian princes
(c) English's superior weapons of diplomacy
(d) All of the above
Ans: (d)
The Indian princes were easily defeated due to a combination of factors, including lack of military strength, short-sightedness, and division among them. The English used their superior weapons of diplomacy.

Q3: Who was a far-sighted ruler mentioned in the text who fought against the British till his death?
(a) Raja Ram Mohan Roy
(b) Tipu Sultan of Mysore
(c) Lata Mangeshkar
(d) None of the above
Ans: (b)
The text notes that Tipu Sultan of Mysore was a far-sighted ruler who fought against the British until he died.

Q4: How did some Indians react to the conquests made by the English Company?
(a) They thanked God and the British for restoring peace.
(b) They expressed gratitude for the Company defeating Indian princes.
(c) They criticized the English for killing or dethroning their kings.
(d) All of the above
Ans: (d)
Some Indians reacted positively, thanking God and the British for restoring peace. Others felt unhappy, criticizing the killing or dethroning of their kings.

Q5: According to the text, why did some Indians feel unhappy under the rule of the white man?
(a) They disliked the English merchants.
(b) They believed Indian kings, despite being bad, were still Indians.
(c) The English rulers imposed heavy taxes and destroyed Indian industries.
(d) All of the above
Ans: (c)
The text highlights the negative impact of English rule, including heavy taxes on farmers and the destruction of Indian cottage industries.

Fill in the blanks

Q1: The English East India Company aimed to make quick __________ in India.
Ans: profits
 The English East India Company aimed to make quick profits in India, as mentioned in the text.

Q2: Raja Ram Mohan Roy called upon people to feel proud of their ancient __________.
Ans: culture
Raja Ram Mohan Roy called upon people to feel proud of their ancient culture, as stated in the text.

Q3: The English imposed heavy taxes on farmers and destroyed Indian __________ industries.
Ans: cottage
The English imposed heavy taxes on farmers and destroyed Indian cottage industries, contributing to the decline of local businesses.

Q4: Raja Ram Mohan Roy understood the importance of __________ and modern knowledge.
Ans: science
Raja Ram Mohan Roy understood the importance of science and modern knowledge in the development of society.

Q5: Raja Ram Mohan Roy went to England to understand what made the British so __________.
Ans: powerful
Raja Ram Mohan Roy went to England to see what made the British so powerful, as mentioned in the text.

Short Answer Type Questions

Q1: Explain the impact of the constant fights among Indian states on the English East India Company's expansion.
Ans: The constant fights among Indian states weakened them, making it easier for the English East India Company to extend its power. The division and short-sightedness among Indian princes allowed the Company to defeat and subdue them one by one.

Q2: Discuss the role of Raja Ram Mohan Roy as a social reformer and his efforts to bring about change.
Ans: Raja Ram Mohan Roy was a learned social reformer who called upon people to feel proud of their ancient culture, rid society of superstitions, and emphasized the importance of science. He faced challenges in spreading his ideas, including the British stopping his newspapers in 1823.

Q3: How did the English East India Company affect Indian artisans and their businesses?
Ans: The English East India Company imposed heavy taxes on farmers and destroyed Indian cottage industries to sell goods manufactured in England. This ruined Indian artisans and their businesses, impacting the livelihoods of many.

Q4: Why did some Indians feel unhappy under the rule of the white man, despite the end of constant fights among Indian states?
Ans: Despite the end of constant fights among Indian states, some Indians felt unhappy under the rule of the white man. They complained about the killing or dethroning of their kings and the imposition of heavy taxes. The English rulers were seen as oppressors, and some Indians felt they had become slaves under their rule.

Q5: What were the challenges faced by Raja Ram Mohan Roy in spreading his ideas, including the establishment of newspapers?
Ans: Raja Ram Mohan Roy faced challenges in spreading his ideas, including the British stopping his newspapers in 1823. Despite these obstacles, he continued his efforts to bring about social reforms and even traveled to England to understand the source of British power, adopting a middle path in his approach.

Long Answer Type Questions

Q1: How did the British affect Indian Industries?
Ans: As soon as the British entered India, they started their methodologies. The East India Company’s laws such as the goods that are manufactured in England would not have any import duties when brought to India, started crippling Indian Industries. The East India Company had better equipment and the manpower of the Indian industries was no more helping them.

Q2: Who was Ram Mohan Roy?
Ans: Ram Mohan Roy was a learned man from Bengal that understood what was wrong with the country. He believed that knowledge should be practical and scientific. He went to England to know how the British were so powerful. There he advised them that if you want to rule Indians, you must know your responsibility towards them.

Q3: How the British oppressed the Indians?
Ans: The British continued to oppress India in any way possible. They passed Regulation III in 1818 that allowed the British to imprison Indians without any trial in a court.

Q4: What did Macaulay advise in 1835?
Ans: In 1835, an Englishman Macaulay advised that all Indians should be taught the English language and other subjects in English only as in India education was taught in Persian and Sanskrit.

Q5: What did English education produce?
Ans: English education produced Indians as clerks. The British hired them for petty jobs. But, as an advantage, English education also produced a new generation of intellectuals that believed in educating others and asking people to improve their material conditions. They knew that to bring the change they must convey their concerns with the British Parliament.

Q6: What were the strategies used by the British East India Company to rule India?
Ans: The British came to India to spread their trade. Their main agenda was to make a profit. But for that they required political and ruling power over Indians to continue on their trade. Heavy taxes on peasants were imposed. Demand and value of Indian goods decreased rapidly as the market was flooded with imported English goods. The imported goods were exempted from import duties. The trading and skills of Indian companies were ruined. And rivalry among the rulers helped the British to dethrone those who did not obey them.

Q7: How did the hatred towards the white man grow into armed revolt?
Ans: The white rulers implemented all the mean and fetid tactics to take over the princely states. By 1856, they conquered entire India. Indian princes became did what the Company asked. They became puppets of the British. Indians were forced to adopt the Christian religion. Indian soldiers were not paid as much as the British soldiers. They were paid less. This grew hatred towards the white man which led to armed revolt.

Q8: What changes were seen during the years 1855-57?
Ans: During the years 1855-57, many changes happened in the province of India. In 1855, a Santhal revolution rose in Bengal. Main reason behind was loss of land by the Santhal and this event led to the massacre of a number of European and their local supporters. Sepoy Mangal Pandey attacked the adjutant of his regiment and was executed. Other sepoys were stripped of their uniforms and humiliated and put in prison as they revolted. The Indians who supported the revolt visited village after village sending chapattis asking the common people for their service towards their emperor. The masses provided shelter and help to all the patriots.

Q9: What was the Fight for Freedom (1857)?
Ans: The 1857 mutiny was the first Fight for Freedom. Rebels like Begum Hazrat Mahal of Lucknow have joined the upsurge against the foreigner. Leaders like Maulvi Ahmedulia of Faizabad started a revolt with his people in Bareilly, Kanpur, and Allahabad. Azimulla Khan asked Tatya Tope to elect Peshwa Nana Saheb as their leader in the War of Independence and the kings and princes fought battles all over North Indian with the British.

Q10: Write the central idea and the summary of the poem “Macavity: The Mystery Cat”.
Ans: The poem is on a cat named Macavity. He is also known as the Hidden Paw. The cat is a mastermind that commits great crimes. He disobeys the law and the police of Scotland Yard are helpless as they could not track him down. It is so fast that Flying Squads chase it yet get nothing. Macavity does not only break the laws made by humans but also laws of nature. He can float in the air without requiring any support. He is tall and thin. He is considered as an incarnation of the evil in the poem.