India Under East India Company - 2 Class 5 Worksheet SST

Q1: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

(i) Who was the first Prime Minister of India?
(a) Jawaharlal Nehru
(b) Mahatma Gandhi
(c) Subhas Chandra Bose
(d) Sardar Patel
Ans: (a)
Jawaharlal Nehru became the first Prime Minister of India after its independence.
(ii) The Indian National Congress aimed to achieve India's independence through:
(a) Violent uprisings
(b) Peaceful negotiations
(c) Religious conversions
(d) Cultural exchanges
Ans: (b)
The Indian National Congress primarily used peaceful means to achieve India's independence.

(iii) The Taj Mahal is located in which Indian city?
(a) Delhi
(b) Agra
(c) Jaipur
(d) Mumbai
Ans: (b)
The Taj Mahal is located in the city of Agra.

(iv) The "Quit India Movement" was launched in which year?
(a) 1942
(b) 1920
(c) 1930
(d) 1947
Ans: (a)
The Quit India Movement was launched in 1942 as a civil disobedience movement against British rule.

(v) The Great Bengal Famine of 1943 was caused by:
(a) Natural disasters
(b) British trade policies
(c) Crop failure
(d) Invasion by neighboring countries
Ans: (b)
The Great Bengal Famine of 1943 was exacerbated by British policies that prioritized wartime needs over food distribution.

Q2: Fill in the Blanks

(i) The British East India Company arrived in India in __________.
(ii) The Indian National Congress was founded in __________.
(iii) The Sepoy Mutiny of 1857 was also known as the __________.
(iv) The capital of British India was __________.
(v) The famous leader who used nonviolent resistance against British rule was __________.
(vi) The Jallianwala Bagh massacre happened in the city of __________.
(vii) The Salt March was a significant event in India's struggle for __________.
(viii) The first war of independence against British rule took place in the year __________.
(ix) The Indian National Movement gained momentum during the leadership of __________.
(x) The partition of India led to the creation of two nations: India and __________.
Ans:
(i) 1600
(ii) 1885
(iii) First War of Independence
(iv) Calcutta (later moved to Delhi)
(v) Mahatma Gandhi
(vi) Amritsar
(vii) Independence (freedom from British rule)
(viii) 1857
(ix) Mahatma Gandhi
(x) Pakistan

Q3: True and False

(i) The Sepoy Mutiny of 1857 was entirely successful in overthrowing British rule.
(ii) The Indian National Congress was established to seek better representation in the British Parliament. (False)
(iii) The Salt March was a peaceful protest led by Mahatma Gandhi against the British salt tax.
(iv) The British East India Company initially came to India for trading purposes only.
(v) The capital of British India was Mumbai throughout the colonial period.
Ans:
(i) False - The Sepoy Mutiny of 1857 was not entirely successful and did not manage to overthrow British rule.
(ii) False - The Indian National Congress was established to work towards a greater share in governance and civil rights, not representation in the British Parliament.
(iii) True - The Salt March led by Mahatma Gandhi was a nonviolent protest against the British monopoly on salt production and taxation.
(iv) True - The British East India Company initially came to India for trade but eventually established political control over many parts of the country.
(v) False - The capital of British India was Calcutta until 1911 when it was shifted to Delhi.

Q4: Short Answer Questions

(i) Describe the main objective of the Indian National Congress during the colonial period.
Ans: The main objective of the Indian National Congress during the colonial period was to attain a larger role in the governance of India, greater representation of Indians in administrative matters, and eventual independence from British rule.

(ii) What was the significance of the Salt March in India's fight for independence?
Ans: The Salt March, also known as the Dandi March, was a symbolic act of civil disobedience led by Mahatma Gandhi against the British salt tax. Gandhi and a group of followers walked to the Arabian Sea to make salt, defying the British monopoly on salt production and sales.

(iii) Explain the term "Civil Disobedience" as used during India's struggle for freedom.
Ans: Civil disobedience refers to the deliberate refusal to obey certain laws or commands as a form of protest, typically without resorting to violence. It was a key strategy employed by Mahatma Gandhi and his followers during the Indian independence movement to challenge British rule and unjust laws.

(iv) Why is the year 1947 important in the history of India?
Ans: The year 1947 is significant in Indian history because it marks the end of British colonial rule and the partition of India into two independent nations: India and Pakistan. This partition led to widespread migration and communal violence.

(v) Briefly describe the impact of colonialism on India's economy.
Ans: Colonialism had a significant impact on India's economy. The British colonial authorities exploited India's resources for their own benefit, leading to the deindustrialization of certain sectors and the decline of traditional industries. India's economy became oriented towards serving British interests, resulting in economic inequality and underdevelopment.