Class 8 History Chapter 1 Question Answers - Our Pasts III (Part - I)

Q1: What was the prime objective of East India Company?
Ans: Its prime objective was the expansion of trade.

Q2: What was the earliest name of the present day Kolkata?
Ans: Kalikata

Q3: Why could Delhi no longer function as an effective centre?
Ans: As powerful regional kingdoms emerged in various parts of India, Delhi could no longer function as an effective centre.

Q4: Who was the last of the powerful Mughal rulers?
Ans: Aurangzeb was the last of the powerful Mughal rulers.

Q5: Whom did the Company install in place of Mir Jafar and why?
Ans: When Mir Jafar protested, the Company deposed him and installed Mir Qasim in his place.

Q6: Who arrested Bahadur Shah Zafar and his sons?
Ans: Bahadur Shah Zafar and his sons were arrested by Captain Hodson.

Q7: What was farman?
Ans: Farman was a royal order.

Q8: What led to intense conflict between the British and local rulers?
Ans: Fortification of settlements and efforts to carry on profitable trade led to intense conflict between the British and local rulers.

Q9: Who was made the Nawab of Bengal after the Battle of Plassey?
Ans: Mir Jafar was made the Nawab of Bengal after the Battle of Plassey.

Q10: Who discovered the sea route to India?
Ans: Vasco da Gama, a Portuguese explorer, had discovered the sea route to India in 1498.

Q11: When did the company take over Awadh?
Ans: The Company took over Awadh in 1856.

Q12: Who led the Company’s army against Sirajuddaulah at Plassey?
Ans: Robert Clive led the Company’s army against Sirajuddaulah at Plassey.

Q13: Who was called the tiger of Mysore?
Ans: Tipu Sultan was called the tiger of Mysore.

Q14: Name Sirajuddaulah’s commander who never fought the Battle of Plassey.
Ans: Mir Jafar, one of Sirajuddaulah’s commanders, never fought the Battle of Plassey.

Q15: Who was assassinated after the Battle of Plassey?
Ans: After the defeat at Plassey, Sirajuddaulah was assassinated.

Q16: Who initiated the policy of paramountcy?
Ans: Lord Hastings (Governor-General from 1813 to 1823) initiated a new policy of “paramountcy”.

Q17: Which governor general was impeached by the British Parliament?
Ans: Warren Hastings was impeached by the British Parliament.

Q18: Who was the ruler of England in 1600?
Ans: Queen Elizabeth I was the ruler of England in 1600.

Q19: Name the two rulers under whose leadership Mysore became powerful.
Ans: Haidar Ali and his famous son Tipu Sultan were the two rulers under whose leadership Mysore became powerful.

Q20: What constituted the Mughal army?
Ans: The Mughal army was mainly composed of cavalry (sawars: trained soldiers on horseback) and infantry, that is, paidal (foot) soldiers.