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

Q1: What do you mean by puppet?
Ans: Puppet literally means a toy that you can move with strings. The term is used disapprovingly to refer to a person who is controlled by someone else.

Q2: List the Kingdoms which were annexed on the basis of ‘Doctrine of Lapse’.
Ans: The following kingdoms were annexed under the Doctrine of Lapse:

• Satara (1848)
• Sambalpur (1850)
• Udaipur (1852)
• Nagpur (1853)
• Jhansi (1854)

Q3: Who were called ‘nabobs’?
Ans: Company officials who managed to return Britain with wealth led flashy lives and flaunted their riches. They were called “nabobs” – an anglicised version of the Indian word nawab.

Q4: What did it mean to be nawabs?
Ans: Being nawabs meant that the East India Company gained significant power and authority. Additionally:

• Company officials began to envision a lifestyle similar to that of the nawabs.
• After the Battle of Plassey, actual nawabs were compelled to provide land and money to Company officials.
• Robert Clive, for instance, amassed a fortune during his time in India.
• Despite their wealth, Company officials were often viewed as social climbers and faced ridicule in British society.

Q5: Why the company had to buy most of the goods in India with gold and silver imported from Britain?
Ans: The company had to purchase most of the goods in India using gold and silver imported from Britain for the following reasons:

• At that time, Britain lacked goods to sell in India.
• This situation forced the company to rely on precious metals for trade.

Q6: How did the appointment of residents in Indian states help the company?
Ans: The appointment of Residents by the Company allowed officials to:

• Interfere in the internal affairs of Indian states.
• Influence decisions on successors to thrones.
• Control appointments to administrative posts.
• Sometimes force states into a subsidiary alliance.

This interference helped the Company extend its power and influence across India.

Q7: Why was Warren Hastings impeached?
Ans: Warren Hastings faced impeachment after returning to England in 1785. The key reasons include:

• Edmund Burke accused him of being personally responsible for the mismanagement of Bengal.
• This accusation initiated a lengthy impeachment proceeding in the British Parliament.
• The process lasted for seven years.

Q8: What was the main reason for the defeat of Sirajuddaulah at Plassey?
Ans: One of the main reasons for the defeat of Sirajuddaulah at the Battle of Plassey was the betrayal by his own forces. Key points include:

• The forces led by Mir Jafar, a commander under Sirajuddaulah, did not engage in the battle.
• Clive secured Mir Jafar's support by promising to make him the nawab after defeating Sirajuddaulah.

This internal conflict significantly weakened Sirajuddaulah's position, leading to his eventual defeat.

Q9: Explain the following terms: Qazi, Mufti and Impeachment
Ans: Qazi – A judge
Mufti – A jurist of the Muslim community responsible for expounding the law that the qazi would administer.
Impeachment – A trial by the House of Lords in England for charges of misconduct brought against a person in the House of Commons.

Q10: Name the Mughal emperor seen as the natural leader during the revolt of 1857.
Ans: Bahadur Shah Zafar, the last Mughal emperor, was viewed as the natural leader during the revolt of 1857 against British rule. Key points include:

• He was the symbolic figurehead of the rebellion.
• The revolt aimed to resist British control and restore Indian sovereignty.
• After the uprising was suppressed, Zafar was exiled, and his sons were executed.

Q11: What were the grievances of the Company regarding the Nawabs of Bengal?
Ans: The Company expressed several grievances regarding the Nawabs of Bengal:

• The unjust demands of local officials were harming the Company's trade.
• They believed that trade could only thrive if duty payments were eliminated.
• The Company sought to expand its settlements and rebuild its forts to enhance trade.
• Conflicts over these issues eventually led to the Battle of Plassey.

Q12: How Plassey got its name?
Ans: Plassey is an anglicised pronunciation of Palashi and the place derived its name from the palash tree known for its beautiful red flowers that yield gulal, the powder used in the festival of Holi.

Q13: What was the result of the second Anglo-Maratha war?
Ans: The Second Anglo-Maratha War (1803-05) was fought on multiple fronts. The key outcomes included:

• The British gained control of Orissa.
• They acquired territories north of the Yamuna River, including Agra and Delhi.

This conflict significantly weakened the Maratha power in India.

Q14: Who was Rayanna and what was his role in anti-British resistance movement?
Ans: Rayanna was a poor chowkidar from Sangoli in Kitoor, who played a significant role in the anti-British resistance movement. His contributions included:

• Leading a local resistance against British rule.
• Gaining popular support to destroy numerous British camps and records.
• Being captured and executed by the British in 1830.

Q15: What attracted European trading companies to India?
Ans: European trading companies were drawn to India due to several key factors:

• Rich Resources: India was known for its high-quality cotton and silk, which were in great demand in Europe.
• Spices: The country produced valuable spices like pepper, cloves, and cinnamon, further attracting traders.
• Market Competition: Intense competition among European companies led to higher prices, pushing them to secure exclusive trading rights.
• Strategic Location: India's position along trade routes made it a vital hub for maritime trade.

These factors combined made India an attractive destination for European trading ventures.

Q16: What caused huge loss of revenue in Bengal?
Ans: Aurangzeb’s farman granted the Company exclusive rights to trade without paying duties. However, Company officials engaged in private trade were expected to pay these duties but refused to do so. This refusal resulted in:

• A significant loss of revenue for Bengal.
• Undermining the financial stability of the region.

The situation led to growing tensions between the Company and local authorities.

Q17: What was the result of Rani Channamma’s anti-British resistance movement?
Ans: The new policy of paramountcy was met with resistance. When the British attempted to annex the small state of Kitoor (now in Karnataka), Rani Channamma led an anti-British movement.

• She took up arms against British rule.
• Rani Channamma was arrested in 1824.
• She died in prison in 1829.

After her arrest, a local leader named Rayanna continued the fight, gaining popular support and destroying British camps until he was captured and executed in 1830.