Q1: Who was the first European to discover the sea route to India in 1498? (a) Christopher Columbus (b) Vasco da Gama (c) Ferdinand Magellan (d) James Cook
Solution:
Ans: (b) Explanation: Vasco da Gama, a Portuguese explorer, was the first European to discover the sea route to India in 1498, initiating European trade with India.
Q2: When was the British East India Company formed? (a) December 31, 1600 (b) August 15, 1612 (c) January 1, 1664 (d) July 4, 1757
Solution:
Ans: (a) Explanation: The British East India Company was formed on December 31, 1600, with a Royal Charter from Queen Elizabeth I granting exclusive trading rights.
Q3: Which battle in 1757 marked the beginning of British political dominance in India? (a) Battle of Buxar (b) Battle of Plassey (c) Battle of Wandiwash (d) Battle of Panipat
Solution:
Ans: (b) Explanation: The Battle of Plassey fought in 1757 between Siraj-ud-Daulah and the British led by Robert Clive marked the start of British political dominance.
Q4: Who introduced the Doctrine of Lapse policy? (a) Lord Wellesley (b) Lord Cornwallis (c) Lord Dalhousie (d) Warren Hastings
Solution:
Ans: (c) Explanation: Lord Dalhousie introduced the Doctrine of Lapse during 1848-1856, which annexed kingdoms whose rulers died without a male heir to British territory.
Q5: Which treaty granted the British diwani rights over Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha? (a) Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle (b) Treaty of Paris (c) Treaty of Allahabad (d) Treaty of Salbai
Solution:
Ans: (c) Explanation: The Treaty of Allahabad in 1765, signed after the Battle of Buxar, granted the British diwani rights to collect revenue in Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha.
Fill in the Blanks
Q1: Job Charnock is credited with founding the city of _____.
Solution:
Ans: Kolkata
Q2: The first Indian to clear the ICS exam was _____.
Solution:
Ans: Satyendranath Tagore
Q3: The French East India Company was established in the year _____.
Solution:
Ans: 1664
Q4: Tipu Sultan died in 1799 during the Battle of _____.
Solution:
Ans: Seringapatam
Q5: The _____ was introduced by Lord Cornwallis in 1793.
Solution:
Ans: Indian Civil Service
True or False
Q1: The Portuguese were the first Europeans to arrive in India.
Solution:
Ans: True Explanation: The Portuguese were indeed the first Europeans to arrive in India, with Vasco da Gama discovering the sea route in 1498.
Q2: The British East India Company was granted a Royal Charter by King James I.
Solution:
Ans: False Explanation: The British East India Company received its Royal Charter from Queen Elizabeth I on December 31, 1600, not from King James I.
Q3: Mir Jafar's participation was crucial to the British victory at the Battle of Plassey.
Solution:
Ans: False Explanation: Mir Jafar's non-participation in the battle, not his participation, was key to the British victory at the Battle of Plassey in 1757.
Q4: Punjab was annexed by the British in 1849 under Lord Dalhousie.
Solution:
Ans: True Explanation: After the Anglo-Sikh Wars, Punjab was indeed annexed by the British in 1849 during Lord Dalhousie's administration following Sikh defeats.
Q5: Warren Hastings was the first Governor General of British India.
Solution:
Ans: True Explanation: Warren Hastings served as the first Governor General of British India from 1773 to 1785, establishing foundational administrative structures.
Match the Following
Column A
Column B
1. Battle of Plassey
A. Eliminated French as major rivals
2. Battle of Buxar
B. Annexed kingdoms without male heirs
3. Third Carnatic War
C. Forced rulers to maintain British troops
4. Subsidiary Alliance
D. Granted diwani rights to British
5. Doctrine of Lapse
E. Started British political dominance
Solution:
Ans:
1 - E: The Battle of Plassey in 1757 marked the beginning of British political dominance in India after defeating Siraj-ud-Daulah.
2 - D: The Battle of Buxar in 1764 led to the Treaty of Allahabad granting diwani rights over Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha.
3 - A: The Third Carnatic War ended in 1763 with British victory, eliminating the French as a major rival power in India.
4 - C: The Subsidiary Alliance introduced by Lord Wellesley forced native rulers to maintain British troops at their own cost and expense.
5 - B: The Doctrine of Lapse enacted by Lord Dalhousie annexed kingdoms whose rulers died without a natural male heir to British territory.
Short Answer Questions
Q1: What were the main trading goods that European traders dealt with in India?
Solution:
Ans: European traders in India dealt with various valuable commodities including cotton, silk, and several spices such as cloves, cardamom, pepper, and cinnamon. They also traded in saltpetre. These goods were highly profitable and sought after in European markets, making India an attractive trading destination for Portuguese, Dutch, English, French, and Danish traders.
Q2: Explain how the British gained control over Bengal after the Battle of Plassey.
Solution:
Ans: After the Battle of Plassey in 1757, the British gained significant control over Bengal. They made Mir Jafar the new Nawab, who granted them duty-free trade privileges and revenue rights over twenty-four parganas in Bengal. This victory marked the beginning of British political dominance, transforming them from traders into a major political power in India.
Q3: What was the Subsidiary Alliance policy and how did it help the British?
Solution:
Ans: The Subsidiary Alliance, introduced by Lord Wellesley between 1798-1805, required native rulers to maintain British troops at their own cost and cede territory if they couldn't pay. Rulers couldn't keep their own armies, had to expel non-British foreigners, needed British permission for alliances, and hosted a British Resident. This policy helped the British expand control over states.
Q4: Describe the significance of the Battle of Buxar in 1764.
Solution:
Ans: The Battle of Buxar in 1764 was fought between the British and an alliance of Mir Qasim, Shuja-ud-Daulah, and Shah Alam II. The British victory led to the Treaty of Allahabad in 1765, granting them diwani rights to collect revenue in Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha. This made the British the undisputed masters of Bengal.
Q5: What were the main features of the Cornwallis Code of 1793?
Solution:
Ans: The Cornwallis Code of 1793 reorganized administration and judiciary to reduce corruption. It divided civil servants into revenue, judicial, and commercial branches. It introduced the Rule of Law but maintained separate courts for Europeans and Indians. The code aimed at establishing systematic governance but discriminated between British and Indian subjects in judicial matters.
The document Worksheet with Solutions: The Establishment of Company Power is a part of the Class 8 Course History Class 8 ICSE.
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