D.N. Kundra Textbook Solutions British Policies and Impacts - History Class

History - Chapter 6British Policies and ImpactsClass 8 - DN Kundra History & Civics SolutionsObjective Type QuestionsQuestion 1

Read the two statements given below about the Ryotwari system. Select the option that shows the correct relationship between (A) and (R).

• Assertion (A): This land revenue policy was made with the ryots or cultivators.
• Reason (R): Lord Cornwallis introduced this system in 1793 in Bengal and Bihar.

1. (R) contradicts (A)
2. (R) is the reason for (A)
3. (A) is true but (R) is false
4. (A) and (R) are independent of each other

Ans: (A) is true but (R) is false

Explanation:
(i) Assertion: The Ryotwari system involved direct settlements with the actual cultivators or ryots, so (A) is correct.
(ii) Reason: The statement that Lord Cornwallis introduced the Ryotwari system in 1793 is incorrect.
(iii) Justification: The Ryotwari system was introduced later, by British officials such as Alexander Reed and Thomas Munro (around the early 19th century), who recommended settlements directly with cultivators. Lord Cornwallis is associated with the Permanent Settlement of 1793, not the Ryotwari system.

Identify the achievements of Dadabhai Naoroji.

• P: He was the founding President of the Indian National Congress.
• Q: He introduced the Wood's Despatch.
• R: "Drain of Wealth" theory was developed by him.
• S: He wrote a book "Poverty and un-British Rule in India."

1. P and Q
2. R and S
3. P and R
4. Q and S

Ans: (b)

Explanation: Dadabhai Naoroji developed the Drain of Wealth theory (R) and wrote Poverty and Un-British Rule in India (S), which explained how wealth was transferred from India to Britain. Statements P and Q are incorrect: he was not the founding President of the Indian National Congress, and he did not introduce the Wood's Despatch.

Identify the ODD ONE out of the following main features of the Wood's Despatch?

1. Teaching of Western Education.
2. Establishment of University of Calcutta, Bombay and Madras.
3. Opening of the Indian Institute of Technology at Kanpur.
4. Emphasised the importance of vocational instruction.

Ans: (c)

Explanation: The Wood's Despatch (1854) promoted western education, the setting up of universities in Calcutta, Bombay and Madras, and vocational instruction. The opening of the Indian Institute of Technology at Kanpur is a modern development and not related to the Wood's Despatch.

Anshu is preparing a project on the "Effects of Western Education in India". Which of the following educationists he is MOST LIKELY to highlight?

1. Thomas Macaulay
2. John Elliot Bethune
3. M.E. Saddler
4. John Simon

Ans: (a)

Explanation: Thomas Macaulay's Minute on Indian education played a central role in promoting Western education in India and introducing English as the medium for higher instruction. For a project on the effects of Western education, Macaulay is the most relevant figure among the options.

Which of the following aspects is being depicted by the given picture?

1. Vocational education system of India.
2. Technical education system of India.
3. Modern education system of India.
4. Traditional education system of India.

Ans: (d)

Explanation: The picture represents the traditional education system of India. Traditional systems emphasised teaching by a guru in a simple setting, with instruction in local languages and traditional subjects. This contrasts with the modern, western-style institutions introduced later.

Sonia is preparing a speech on the land revenue system under British rule. Which of the following person's contribution she must mention in her speech?

1. Lord Cornwallis
2. Alexander Reed
3. Thomas Munro
4. All of these

Ans: (d)

Explanation: All three persons made important contributions to British land revenue systems. Lord Cornwallis is associated with the Permanent Settlement, while Alexander Reed and Thomas Munro are linked with the Ryotwari system and its settlements with cultivators.

Consider the statements given below and choose the correct answer.

• Statement I: The three universities of Calcutta, Madras and Bombay came into existence in 1857.
• Statement II: The Charter Act of 1833 sanctioned an amount of five lakh rupees for the education of Indians.

1. Statement (I) is correct and statement (II) is incorrect.
2. Statement (I) is incorrect and statement (II) is correct.
3. Both statements (I) and (II) are incorrect.
4. Both statements (I) and (II) are correct.

Ans: (a)

Explanation: Statement I is correct: the universities of Calcutta, Bombay and Madras were established in 1857. Statement II is incorrect: the Charter Act of 1833 did not sanction five lakh rupees specifically for education; earlier acts and later policies affected educational funding, but the claim about a five lakh rupees sanction in 1833 is not correct.

Which among the following statements is incorrect?

1. The educated Indians realised the exploitative nature of British rule.
2. India's national movement was led by people who had access to western education.
3. English became the link language between people living in different parts of India under British rule.
4. The spread of English education discouraged Indians to reform their social and religious institutions.

Ans: (d)

Explanation: The statement is incorrect because the spread of English education actually encouraged many Indians to question and reform social and religious practices. Educated Indians such as Raja Ram Mohan Roy and others used western ideas to support social reform rather than discourage it.

If a Zamindar failed to pay his dues, the land was confiscated under the

1. Permanent Settlement
2. Ryotwari System
3. Mahalwari System
4. Ijaradari System

Ans: (a)

Explanation: Under the Permanent Settlement (introduced by Lord Cornwallis), zamindars were recognised as hereditary landholders who had to pay fixed revenue to the Company. If a zamindar failed to pay the dues, the land could be confiscated.

Identify the land revenue system under British rule on the given clues.

• It was introduced by British officials Alexander Reed and Thomas Munro.
• This settlement was made with the cultivators directly.

1. Permanent settlement
2. Ryotwari system
3. Mahalwari system
4. Ijaradari system

Ans: (b)

Explanation: The clues describe the Ryotwari system, which involved making settlements directly with the cultivators (ryots) and is associated with officials such as Alexander Reed and Thomas Munro.

Fill in the blanks.

1. The British domination of India brought many changes in the economic, social, and political life of India.
2. The Indian villages were self-sufficient communities before the coming of the British.
3. The British charged revenue in cash instead of kind.
4. The three kinds of land settlements made by the British were the Permanent Settlement, the Ryotwari System, and the Mahalwari System.
5. A new class of landholders called Zamindars came into existence after the introduction of the Permanent Settlement.

Match Column A with Column B.

Answer:

State whether the following statements are True or False.

1. The important centres for Indian goods were Dhaka, Benaras, Lucknow, Multan, Ahmedabad, etc.
2. Lord Cornwallis introduced the Permanent Settlement in India.
3. The English took great interest in Indian culture and promoted it.
4. The English took interest in the education of Indians only because they needed low paid, English speaking clerks.
5. The Company promoted technical education.

Ans:

1. Ans: True
   Explanation: Cities such as Dhaka, Benaras, Lucknow, Multan and Ahmedabad were important centres for Indian crafts and goods, particularly textiles and other handicrafts.
2. Ans: True
   Explanation: Lord Cornwallis introduced the Permanent Settlement (1793) in Bengal, which fixed revenue payable by zamindars and recognised their role as landholders.
3. Ans: False
   Explanation: The English generally took little interest in promoting Indian culture; instead they promoted Western ideas and institutions, which often displaced traditional practices.
4. Ans: True
   Explanation: A practical reason for the spread of Western education was to produce low-paid, English-speaking clerks to serve in the Company's administration.
5. Ans: True
   Explanation: The Company and later British policy supported technical and vocational education to train people for administrative and technical jobs, especially after recommendations like those in Wood's Despatch.

Why did India's foreign trade decline during the British rule?

Ans:

• Competition from British goods: Cheaper British-made cloth flooded Indian markets, and Indian artisans could not compete with the low-priced imports, causing traditional industries to collapse.
• Unfavourable trade policies: British policies often imposed duties on Indian exports while allowing British goods to enter India easily, making Indian products less competitive abroad.
• Focus on raw materials: India was turned into a supplier of raw materials for British factories, while finished British goods were sold in India, reducing India's manufactured exports.
• Transport changes: Railways and improved transport carried British goods to Indian markets and helped move raw materials out, which further harmed Indian trade and industries.

Why did the English East India Company feel the need for educational reforms?

Ans: The Company wanted educated Indians who could communicate in English and assist in administration. Educated Indians could serve as low-paid clerks and intermediaries, reducing administrative costs and helping the British govern more efficiently while creating a class loyal to their rule.

What were the main objectives of British education in India? Mention the steps recommended to implement the policy.

Ans:

• Main objectives: To teach Western knowledge (arts, science and literature) using English for higher education; to use vernacular languages to reach the masses; and to promote vocational and technical education.
• Steps recommended:
• Establish vernacular primary schools in villages and Anglo-Vernacular high schools and colleges at the district level.
• Provide grants-in-aid to encourage private institutions that met standards and employed trained teachers.
• Create a Department of Public Instruction in each province to monitor education and submit annual reports.
• Set up universities (Calcutta, Bombay and Madras) modelled on the University of London to conduct examinations and grant degrees.
• Establish teacher-training institutions to improve teaching quality and give support for women's education.

Describe the recommendations in Wood's Despatch and their effects.

Ans:

• Western education: Spread European knowledge in arts, science and literature with English as the medium for higher studies.
• Vernacular languages: Use local languages for primary education to reach more people.
• Educational infrastructure: Set up vernacular primary schools, Anglo-Vernacular high schools and colleges at the district level.
• Grants-in-aid: Support private institutions with conditional grants to raise standards.
• Department of Public Instruction: Appoint directors in provinces to monitor progress and report annually.
• Universities: Establish universities in Calcutta, Bombay and Madras to conduct exams and award degrees.
• Vocational education and teacher training: Emphasise technical and vocational training and create teacher-training institutions.
• Women's education: Encourage and provide support for education of women.

These recommendations expanded access to Western-style education, created an institutional framework for schooling, encouraged private participation under supervision, and led to the formal establishment of three universities in 1857.

Discuss various aspects of the drain of wealth.

Ans:

• Economic transfer: The \"drain of wealth\" describes how money and resources were transferred from India to Britain through remittances, profits, and revenue collection, without equivalent returns to India.
• Start and growth: The process began after the Battle of Plassey (1757) and grew after the British gained the Diwani of Bengal (1765), which gave them control over revenue.
• Scale: By the late 18th century a significant portion of India's national income was diverted abroad, contributing to economic stagnation at home.
• Impact: Traditional industries declined, India exported raw materials and imported finished goods, and the economic benefits of colonisation flowed to Britain while India remained impoverished.

1. Identify the personality.
2. What do you understand by 'Drain of wealth'?
3. Mention the book written by him.

Ans:

1. The personality shown in the given picture is Dadabhai Naoroji, an Indian nationalist and economist.
2. The Drain of wealth refers to the transfer of India's wealth to Britain during colonial rule, through mechanisms such as remittances, trade profits and revenue transfers, with little or no benefit returned to India.
3. The book written by him is Poverty and Un-British Rule in India, in which he explained the economic exploitation of India under British rule.

Traders to Rulers

The Great Uprising of 1857

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