Class 8 English Chapter 3 Question Answers - Glimpses of the Past

Q1: How did India turn socially superstitious? Discuss untouchability and child marriage?
Ans: Certain religious leaders propagated superstitious beliefs in India, including concepts like untouchability and child marriage. These beliefs were based on misinformation, such as the notion that traveling across the seas would lead to the loss of religion. These beliefs reinforced social stigmas like untouchability, which discriminated based on caste, and practices like child marriage, which led to marriages at young ages.

Q2: How did the British subdue Indian princes?
Ans: The British capitalized on the divisions among Indian princes by forming alliances with some and using their forces to defeat others. The rivalry between these Indian rulers allowed the British to gradually subdue and conquer them, weakening their individual power and authority.

Q3: How did the British destroy the farmers and businessmen?
Ans: The British imposed heavy taxes on Indian farmers, compelling many to abandon their lands. They also exploited farmers by taking their crops and imprisoning those who couldn't pay taxes. The British implemented policies that favored English goods over Indian products, leading to the downfall of Indian industries and artisans. This, in turn, contributed to famine and economic hardships.

Q4: Tell us about Regulation III. How were the British officers making profit?
Ans: Regulation III was a British policy that allowed imprisonment of Indians without proper trial. British officers exploited this law to arrest Indians arbitrarily, often for profit or personal gain. These officers received substantial salaries and also profited from private business ventures, exacerbating the exploitation of the Indian population.

Q5: What attracted Raja Ram Mohan Roy? What did he tell the British in England? Why did he go to England?
Ans: Raja Ram Mohan Roy was drawn to science and technology and was impressed by modern knowledge. In England, he told the British that he acknowledged their rule, but they should also recognize their responsibilities towards the Indian subjects. He went to England to understand the factors contributing to British power and influence.

Q6: What were the different opinions of the Indians about the British rule in India?
Ans: Different Indian perspectives existed regarding British rule. Some Indians viewed the British as bringers of peace and order, even considering them as agents of divine will. However, others were discontented, feeling that the British rule led to the downfall of native kingdoms and the subjugation of the Indian population.

Q7: How did the British East India Company extend its power in India?
Ans: The Indian princes were not united and engaged in internal conflicts. Exploiting this division, some Indian rulers sought British assistance to gain an advantage over their rivals. The British ultimately defeated various Indian kingdoms through these alliances and rivalries, leading to an extension of their power.

Q8: How were the Indian princes short-sighted?
Ans: The lack of unity among Indian princes during that time allowed the British to exploit their conflicts. Constant infighting among these rulers prevented them from presenting a united front against the British intrusion. While some rulers like Tipu Sultan resisted bravely, many others engaged in short-sighted power struggles that played into the hands of the British.

Q9: How did the British destroy the cotton weavers of India?
Ans: The British undermined the Indian cotton textile industry by not paying workers adequately and imposing heavy taxes on Indian textile exports. Simultaneously, they imposed minimal tariffs on British textiles imported to India. These factors led to a decline in demand for Indian textiles, causing significant harm to the livelihoods of Indian cotton weavers.

Q10: How did Raja Ram Mohan Roy understand what was wrong with the country? What did he tell his wife Uma?
Ans: Raja Ram Mohan Roy, a knowledgeable figure from Bengal, recognized the issues plaguing the country, including superstitions. He shared a metaphor with his wife Uma, comparing the diverse colors of cows to the various teachings of different teachers, emphasizing that the essence of religion remained the same despite these differences.