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The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Solutions – Indian Renaissance — Social and Religious Reformers in India

August 11, 2022June 27, 2018 by Kalyan

The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Solutions – Indian Renaissance — Social and Religious Reformers in India

ICSE Solutions Selina ICSE Solutions ML Aggarwal Solutions

The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Answers

Trail HistoryCivics Focus on HistoryCivics Geography Biology Chemistry Physics Maths

EXERCISES

A. Fill in the blanks:

Sati was banned by Lord William Bentinck with the support of progressive Indians like Brahmo samaj.
The first Indian school for girl was established in Calcutta in 1849 by Drink water Bethune with the support of Vidyasagar.
Vidyasagar was a great champion of widow remarriage, which was legalized by Lord Dalhousie.
The most ardent follower of Ramakrishna Paramahansa was Narendranath Datta, later known as Swami Vivekananda.
Annie Besant started the Home Rule Movement in India
The Prarthana Samaj was founded by R. G Bhandarkar and Mahadev Govind Ranade.

B. Match the following:

Answer:

C. Choose the correct answer:

1. Swami Dayanand/lshwar Chandra Vidyasagar/Raja Ram Mohan Roy founded the Arya Samaj in 1875.
Ans. Swami Dayanand founded the Arya Samaj in 1875.

2. Veeresalingam/Sri Narayan Guru/R. G Bhandarkar was referred to as the ‘Vidyasagar of South India’.
Ans. Veeresalingam was referred to as the ‘Vidyasagar of South India’.

3. Dadabhai Naoroji/Mahadev Govind Ranade/Syed Ahmed Khan was an outstanding social reformer in Parsee society.
Ans. Dadabhai Naoroji was an outstanding social reformer in Parsee society.

4. Swami Dayanand/Syed Ahmed Khan/Dadabhai Naoroji founded the Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College at Aligarh in 1875.
Ans. Syed Ahmed Khan founded the Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College at Aligarh in 1875.

5. The Sikh reformers launched the A kali Movement/Aligarh Movement/Arya Samaj against the corrupt management of the gurudwaras.
Ans. The Sikh reformers launched the A kali Movement against the corrupt management of the gurudwaras.

D. State whether the following are true or false:

Raja Ram Mohan Roy propagated widow remarriage.
True.
Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar supported Lord William Bentinck in banning sati.
False
Correct : Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar supported Lord William Bentinck on Hindu widow Remarriage Act.
Dayanand Saraswati believed that the Vedas were the fountainhead of all knowledge and truth.
True.
Ramakrishna Paramahansa was a priest in the temple of Goddess Lakshmi at Calcutta.
True.
Swami Vivekananda believed that the regeneration of the society is the responsibility of every Indian.
True.
Jyotiba Phule was a social reformer in Maharashtra.
True.

E. Answer the following questions in one or two words/ sentences:

Question 1.
Mention any two evil social practices against which the Brahmo Samaj launched a relentless struggle.
Answer:
The Brahmo Samaj launched a relentless struggle against the following evil social practices:

Sati Practice
Caste distinctions and untouchability
Child Marriage
Poloygamy

Question 2.
What effect would social regeneration that took place in the 19th century have on India’s future?
Answer:
Due to social regeneration there was rise of nationalism and the growth of the national movement.

Question 3.
Who established the Ramakrishna Mission and why?
Answer:
Ramakrishna Mission was founded by Swami Vivekananda to propagate the teachings and ideals of Rama krishana Paramahansa.
The main ideas of this Mission are:

Selfless social service
Spread of education.
Removal of ignorance
Social inequalities

Question 4.
Mention any two social reforms advocated by Syed Ahmed Khan.
Answer:
To introduce.social reforms Syed Ahmed Khan focused on the bafckward condition of the women. He advocated the removal of education for women and opposed polygamy.

Question 5.
Why was the Singh Sabha set up in Punjab ?
Answer:
The Singh Sabha was set up in Amritsar and Lahore for religious and social reforms among the Sikhs.

F. Answer the following questions briefly:
Question 1.
The central figure of the Indian Renaissance was Raja Ram Mohan Roy-the pioneer of the Modern Age in India. In this context answer the following questions:

(a) Discuss briefly Raja Ram Mohan’s views and ideas on religious reform of Hindu society.
(b) What was the programme of the Brahmo Samaj?
(c) Explain Raja Ram Mohan’s views on education.
Answer:
(a)
To reform society, it was important to first reform religion. He propagated the following religious ideas based on rationalism and the philosophy of the Vedas.

There is only one God who is the creator and preserver of the universe.
All men are children of the one god of all human beings and therefore equal.
It was not necessary to worship idols and perform rituals and sacrifices. God could be reached through prayer and devotion.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy condemned the domination of the priests who were responsible for misleading the people and perpetuating ritualism and socio-religious practices like sati.
He published Bengali translations of the Vedas and the Upanishads to prove that all the ancient religious texts preached monotheism.
(b)
The Brahmo Samaj launched a relentless struggle against the following evil social practices:

Sati Practice
Caste distinctions and untouchability
Child Marriage
Poloygamy

The Brahmo Samaj supported:

Education of women
Widow remarriage

(c)
Raja Mohan Roy was a great champion of Modem Western education. He believed it would serve as an instrument for the spread of progressive ideas and accelerate the pace of social change. He believed that the salvation of India lay in adopting western principles of reason and humanism and acquiring the knowledge of Modem science.

Question 2.
With reference to Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, an outstanding social and religious reformer, discuss his contribution in the following fields:
(a) Education in Sanskrit College
(b) Women’s education
(c) Widow remarriage
Answer:
(a)
Education in Sanskrit College:
Vidyasagar denounced caste discrimination and as the principal of the Sanskrit College he admitted non-brahmana students. He was strongly opposed to the monopoly of the brahmanas on the study of Sanskrit and the ancient Vedic texts.
(b)
Women’s education:
Vidyasagar was a staunch supporter of women’s education and helped Drink water Bethune to establish the first Indian school for girl in Calcutta in 1849. As inspector of school he opened thirty five schools for girls.
(c)
Widow remarriage:
The great misery and sufferings of the Hindu widows in Bengal pained him deeply. He started a bold movement advocating the remarriage of widows. His efforts bore fruit. Lord Dalhousie passed the widow Remarriage Act in 1856. The first legal Hindu Widow remarriage was celebrated in Calcutta in December 1857, with the support of Vidyasagar.

Question 3.
Many great humanists and social reformers propagated their ideas in an effort to arrest the stagnation of Indian society. In this context, discuss:
(a) The Arya Samaj
(b) Vivekananda’s belief and achievements
(c) The Prarthana Samaj
Answer:
(a) Swami Dayanand founded a society known as Arya Samaj in 1875.
The Social reforms advocated by Arya Samaj are on the following practices

Caste system and untouchability
Child marriage

The Samaj supported and encouraged

Education for Women
Widow remarriage

(b)
Swamiji proclaimed the essential unity of all religions and emphasized the importance of religious tolerance, brotherhood, peace and harmony among Indians. He condenmed the caste system social and economic inequalities, superstitions and ritualism and urged Indians to act responsibly
(c)
It was founded in Bombay Under the supervision of R.G. Bhandarkar and Mahadev Govind Ranade. It worked on the same lines as the Brahmo Samaj and worked for the abolition of caste system, polygamy, child marriage.

Question 4.
Write short notes on the following:
(a) Ram Mohan Roy’s achievements in the field of education
(b) Jyotiba Phule
(c) Reforms among Parsees
Answer:
(a)
Raja Mohan Roy opened an English medium school which combined traditional Indian learning with Western knowledge. He assisted David Hare, a Scottish watchmaker,to establish the Hindu College in Calcutta. He also founded the Vedanta College which offered courses of study in Indian learning and Western sciences.
(b)
Jyotirao Govindrao Phule and his wife, Savitribai Phule, were dedicated social reformers in Maharashtra. Jyotirao was popularly known as Mahatma Phule. He challenged the superiority of the brahmanas and the authority of the scriptures. He took up the cause of the low-caste members of society. He organized Satyashodhak Samaj in 1873 to mobilize the low-caste members and oppressed sections of society in a movement for equality. He also pressed for the education of girls.
(c)
In reform movement among the Parsees an association was set up and it started a movement against religious orthodoxy. Modem ideas and changes were introduced to elevate the position of the Parsee women. Education of woman, raising the marriageable age of girls and widow remarriage were some of the major concerns of the reforms.

Question 5.
With reference to the reform movements in various parts of India, discuss:
(a) Reform movement in South India
(b) The Aligarh Movement
(c) Reforms among the Sikhs
Answer:
(a)
Veeresalingam, a prominent social reformer in South India,was deeply disturbed by the deplorable condition of Women in general and widow remarriage and education for women in particular. Sri Narayan Gum carried on a lifelong struggle against the caste system. His crusade was based on the principle of one caste, one religion, one god for mankind.
(b)
Sir Syed Ahmed Khan started a reform movement called the Aligarh Movement. He had a significant role in awakening the Muslims to the need to change with the times. He believed that only through Western education and knowledge of English, the Muslim community could progress and scientific temper be developed. His greatest achievement was the foundation of Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College at Aligarh in 1875. This College later on grew into the Aligarh Muslim University.
(c)
The Singh Sabha was set up in Amritsar and Lahore for the religious and social reforms among Sikhs. It set up the Khalsa college in Amritsar and opened many schools and promoted the Gurumukhi script and Punjabi literature.

G Picture Study
This is the painting of the Indian social reformer considered to be the ‘Father of Indian Renaissance.’

1. Name the person portrayed in the picture.
Ans. Raja Ram Mohan Roy

2. What were his views on religion?
Ans. A comparative study of the Vedas, the Koran and the Bible (the old Testament and New Testament) convinced Raja Ram Mohan Roy about the basic unity in the fundamental truths of all religions. According to him religion was central to an individual’s life. Every aspect of social life revolved around religious beliefs. He propagated the religious ideas based on the philosophy of the Vedas.

There is only one God who is the creater and preserver of the universe/monotheism)
All men are children of the ‘one God of all human beings’ and therefore equal (brotherhood of man)
It was not necessary to worship, idols and perform rituals and sacrifices. God could be reached through prayer and devotion.

3. Name the society established by him in 1828.
Ans. Raja Ram Mohan Roy founded a society called the Sabha Brahmo (1828) which later became Brahmo Samaj.

4. Mention the social practices against which this society launched a relentless struggle.
Ans. Brahmo Samaj launched a relentless struggle against the following social practices Sati. Caste distinctions and untouchability. Child marriage Polygamy

5. Mention two important social reforms supported by this society.
Ans. Education of Women, Widow Remarriage.

OTHER IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

Question 1.
How did Ram Mohan Roy’s propagate his ideas?
Answer:
Ram Mohan Roy did not however believe in blindly aping the — west, north did he believe in blindly relying on India’s own past. The ideal situation would be to balance the best of the East and the West and reconstruct society accordingly.

The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Solutions – The Revolt of 1857

August 11, 2022June 27, 2018 by Kalyan

The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Solutions – The Revolt of 1857

ICSE Solutions Selina ICSE Solutions ML Aggarwal Solutions

The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Answers

Trail HistoryCivics Focus on HistoryCivics Geography Biology Chemistry Physics Maths

Exercises

A. Fill in the blanks:

Dalhousie annexed the states of Satara, Nagpur, and Jhansi on the basis of the Doctrine of Lapse.
Prior to the outbreak of the Revolt, Bahadur Shah Zafar lived in Delhi as a Pensioner of the British.
The Revolt of 1857 started as a Mutiny of the sepoys.
The immediate cause of the Revolt was the issue of the greased cartridges.
The Revolt ended the rule of the English East India Company.

B. Match the following:

Answer:

C. Choose the correct answer:

1. When Awadh/Nagpur/Jhansi was annexed, the estates of the zamindars and talukdars were confiscated by the British.
Ans. When Awadh was annexed, the estates of the zamindars and talukdars were confiscated by the British.

2. The rumour regarding greased cartidges started in Madras/ Calcutta/Delhi
Ans. The rumour regarding greased cartidges started in Calcutta.

3. Mangal Pandey was a sepoy at Barrackpore/Nagpur/Satara, who refused to use the greased cartidges in 1857.
Ans. Mangal Pandey was a sepoy at Barrackpore, who refused to use the greased cartidges in 1857.

4. The Revolt in Lucknow/Meerut/Kanpur was led by Nana Saheb.
Ans. The Revolt in Kanpur was led by Nana Saheb.

5. Nana Saheb/Hazrat Mahal/Rani Lakshmibai led the Revolt in Lucknow.
Ans. Hazrat Mahal led the Revolt in Lucknow.

D. State whether the following are true or false:

Indian rulers were quite satisfied with Lord Dalhousie’s expansionist policies.
False.
Correct: Indian rulers were dissatisfied with Lord Dalhousies expansionist policies.
Peasants benefited from the land revenue system of the British.
False.
Correct : Peasants were not benefited from the land revenue system of the British.
Social reforms such as the abolition of sati and female infanticide, and the Widow Remarriage Act caused deep resentment among the orthodox sections of society.
True.
The Doctrine of Lapse was abolished after the Revolt
True.
The Revolt of 1857 had come as a shock to the British.
True.

E. Answer the following questions in one or two words/ sentences:

Question 1.
Why did Rani of Jhansi become a staunch enemy of the British?
Answer:
Dalhousie annexed die states of Satara, Nagpur and Jhansi by applying die Doctrine of Lapse. The annexation transformed the courageous Rani of Jhansi into a staunch enemy of the British.

Question 2.
Why did Nana Saheb fight against the British during the Revolt of 1857?
Answer:
Nana Saheb, the adopted son of Peshwa Baji Rao II (a pensioner of die British), was denied a pension after his father’s death.
Nana Saheb became one of the leaders of the Revolt.

Question 3.
Why did the zamindars and talukdars became sworn enemies of the British?
Answer:
When Awadh was annexed, the estates of the zamindars and talukdars were confiscated by the British. They became sworn enemies of British rule.

Question 4.
What happened to the nawab’s army when Awadh was annexed?
Answer:
After die annexation of Awadh, the nawab’s army was disbanded.

The soldiers lost their means of livelihood and their bitterness against the British increased.

Question 5.
When and where did the Revolt of 1857 begin?
Answer:
May 10, 1857 was a Sunday. The British officers at the Meerut cantonment in North India were preparing to attend church, while many other British soldiers were off duty.

Question 6.
Mention any two main centers of Revolt
Answer:
The important centers of the Revolt were Meerut, Delhi, Kanpur,Lucknow and Jhansi.

Question 7.
What step was taken by the British to reorganize the army after the Revolt?
Answer:
The army was reorganized and strengthened. The number of British soldiers was increased and the artillery placed exclusively under their control.

Question 8.
Mention any two important results of the Revolt
Answer:
Results of the Revolt 1857

The rule of the English East India Company came to an end.
Treaties with Indian states would be honoured.
The British government would not interfere in the social and religious customs of the people.

F. Answer the following questions briefly:
Question 1.
In the context of the Revolt of 1857, answer the following questions:
(a) Mention any three political causes of the Revolt
(b) Mention any three economic factors that led to the outbreak of the great Revolt
(c) Explain briefly any four social and religious causes that led to the Revolt of 1857.
Answer:
(a) Political Causes:

Dalhousie annexed the states of Sataia, Nagpur and Jhansi by applying the Doctrine of Lapse. The annexation transformed the courageous Rani into a staunch enemy of the British.
Nana Saheb, the adopted son of Peshwa Baji Rao II (pensioner of the British), was denied a pension after his father’s death. Nana Saheb became one of the leaders of the Revolt.
Bahadur Shah Zafar, the Mughal Emperor, lived in Delhi as a pensioner of the British. Dalhousie announced that Bahadur’s successor would not be allowed to stay on in the historic Red Fort. He would have to move to a place near the Qutb Minar, on the outskirts of Delhi. This was a great blow to the dignity of the Mughal emperor and deeply hurt the sentiments of the Muslims.
The annexation of Awadh, on grounds of maladministration, outraged the people of India, in general, and Awadh, in particular. Awadh had always been a friendly, faithful and subordinate ally. The Nawab of Awadh was exiled to Calcutta.
The British showed no respect for the treaties they had signed with the Indians. Treaties were broken whenever it suited them to do so. This created a sense of fear and insecurity among the rulers of subordinate states. The axe could fall on them anywhere, at any time.

(b) Economic Causes:

The land revenue system, introduced by the British, caused great hardship and misery among the peasants. Under the zamindari system, for instance, the peasants were oppressed by the Zamindars and exploited by the moneylenders. If the cultivators failed to pay the land revenue to the Zamindars or return the loans to the moneylenders on time, they were often flogged, tortured or jailed. The impoverishment of the peasantry led to numerous famines.
Landlords also suffered from a sense of insecurity. Thousands of jagirs were confiscated by Bentinck and Dalhousie when they were unable to produce written title deeds of ownership.
The interests of the Indian economy was sacrificed for the interests of British trade and industry. This led to the utter collapse of traditional handicraft industries. Indian artisans and crafts persons were ruined.
The annexation of Indian states was followed by large- scale unemployment and economic distress. When Awadh was annexed, the administration was replaced by Company Administration. As such, hundreds of court officials and their subordinates lost their means of livelihood.

(c) Social and Religious Causes:

Social reforms such as the abolition of sati, and female infanticide, the Widow Remarriage Act and the introduction of women ‘s education caused deep resentment among the orthodox sections of society.
The efforts of the missionaries to convert people to 92 Christianity caused great alarm. Some of the missionaries ridiculed the religious beliefs and practices of the Hindus and Muslims in their effort to convert people to their faith. This hurt the religious sentiments of the people.
The introduction of Western education undermined the position and importance of the Pundits and Maulvis and was seen as an attack on ancient traditions and values. The office of the Inspector of Schools in Patna was referred to as the ‘shaitane daftar’.
The introduction of the railways and posts and telegraphs aroused grave doubts and fears, especially among the simple, backward villagers. They thought that the telegraph system was a form of Western magic. They grew fearful of the intentions of the British.
The British judicial system introduced the principle of equality. This was regarded as a threat to the existing caste norms and privileges of the upper classes.
The British looked down upon the Indians and followed a policy of racial discrimination. They made no effort to interact socially with the Indians. They were convinced of the superiority of the European race and treated the Indians with great contempt.

Question 2.
In the context of the military causes of the Revolt of 1857.answer the following questions:
(a) Mention any three grievances that the sepoys had against their British masters.
(b) How did the Act passed in 1856 by the British hurt the sentiments of the Hindu sepoys?
(c) Explain the immediate cause of the great Revolt?
Answer:
(a) The sepoys had numerous grievances against the British- masters:

The sepoys had helped the British to establish their empire in India but they were neither appreciated nor rewarded for their efforts. On the contrary, they were treated with great contempt by the British officers.
There was grave discrimination between the Indian sepoy and his British counterpart. A capable and dedicated sepoy could not rise above the post of subedar.
In 1856, an Act was passed which made it compulsory for all new recruits to serve overseas if required. This hurt the sentiments of the Hindus because they believed that overseas travel would lead to a loss of caste. The sepoys interpreted the regulation as another attack on their caste and religion.
After the annexation of Awadh, the Nawab’s army was disbanded. The soldiers lost their means of livelihood and their bitterness against the British increased.
The Indian soldiers greatly outnumbered the British soldiers. In 1856, the number of sepoys in the British army was more than five times that of the British soldiers. This emboldened the sepoys to take up arms against their foreign masters.

(b)
In 1856, an Act was passed which made it compulsory for all new recruits to serve overseas if required. This hurt the sentiments of the Hindus because they believed that overseas travel would lead to a loss of caste. The sepoys interpreted the regulation as another attack on their caste and religion:
(c)
In January 1857, a rumour started at the Dum Dum cantonment (in Calcutta) that the cartridges, which the British had introduced, were greased with cow fat and pig lard. The rumour spread like wildfire among the Hindu and Muslim sepoys. They were convinced that the government was deliberately trying to defile their religion. A wave of indignation and anger swept through all the military stations. On 29 march 1857 Mangal Pandey, a sepoy at Barrackpore refused to use the cartridge and attacked his senior officers. He was hanged to death.

Question 3.
In the context of the Revolt of 1857, briefly discuss:

The decline of the Mughal dynasty
Any four results of the Revolt of 1857
Nature of the Revolt of 1857

Answer:
(a)
On 11 May 1857, Bahadur Shah Zafar was persuaded to accept the leadership of the Revolt. He was proclaimed the emperor of Hindustan. There was jubilation all around. The restoration of the Mughal empire was proclaimed with the booming of guns.
The success of the Revolt proved to be short lived. British reinforcements arrived from Punjab, and Delhi was recovered in September 1857.
Bahadur Shah Zafar was taken prisoner, tried and exiled to Rangoon. The royal princes (two sons and one grandson of Bahadur Shah Zafar) were shot and and their bodies displayed on the streets. The once great dynasty of the Mughals finally came to an end.
(b)
Results of the Revolt 1857

The rule of the English East India Company came to an end.
India came under the direct rule of the British Parliament and the Queen of England.
Queen Victoria issued a Proclamation promising to look after the welfare of the Indian people.
Treaties with Indian states would be honoured.
A general pardon was granted to all the rebels, except those who had killed British subjects.
The British government would not interfere in the social and religious customs of the people.
Indians would be given opportunities to be associated with the administration. High posts in government services would be given on the basis of merit, not race.
The army was reorganized and strengthened. The number of British soldiers was increased and the artillery placed exclusively under their control.

(c)
Nature of the Revolt of 1857

The Revolt was the outcome of the accumulated grievances of different sections of people and not the sepoys alone.
Those who joined the Revolt had different reasons and different motives but they were all united in their hatred of British rule and their determination to overthrow it.
It had wide popular support of various sections of society.
The struggle created a strong bonding and a sense of unity between the Hindus and the Muslims. They, fought shoulder to shoulder, as single brethren against a common enemy.
Of the estimated 1,50,000 people killed in the Revolt, 1,00,000 were civilians.

G Picture study:
This is the picture of the queen who led the Revolt in Central India.

1. Identify the queen.
Ans. Rani Laxmi Bai

2. Name the city where she led the Revolt.
Ans. Jhansi

3. What were the economic causes of the Revolt of 1857?
Ans. Refer Answer F-l (b) above

4.What was the major outcome of the Revolt of 1857?
Ans. Refer Answer F-3 (b) above

The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Solutions – British Policies and Their Impacts

August 11, 2022June 26, 2018 by Kalyan

The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Solutions – British Policies and Their Impacts

ICSE Solutions Selina ICSE Solutions ML Aggarwal Solutions

The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Answers

Trail HistoryCivics Focus on HistoryCivics Geography Biology Chemistry Physics Maths

EXERCISES

A. Fill in the blanks:

The Bengal famine of 1770 was one of the most terrible famines in human history.
A large share of revenue collected by the Company in India had to be paid to the British government as home charges.
Under the Mahalwari system the revenue settlement was made with the village as a whole.
To eliminate competition from India’s traditional industries the British transformed India into a supplier of raw material and a market for british products.
Before the advent of the British the Indian craftspeople operated at two levels—the rural and the urban levels.
Before the advent of the British the Indian textile industry was the finest and the largest in the world.
After the Battle of Plassey the Company used its political power to destroy the Indian handicraft industry and promote British industries.
With the spread of the Industrial Revolution in England, Indian markets were flooded with cheap, machine made textiles of British mills.
By 1850, India became a major importer of english textiles.
Lord Dalhousie introduced the railway system in India in 1853.
The Grand Trunk Road from Calcutta to Peshawar was reconstructed by the British in the 19th century.

B. Match the following:

The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Solutions - British Policies and Their Impacts 1
Answer:

communication
development

C. Choose the correct answer:

1. The Treaty of Allahabad/Madras/Benaras granted the English East India Company the right to collect revenue from Bihar, Bengal and Orissa.
Ans. The Treaty of Allahabad granted the English East India Company the right to collect revenue from Bihar, Bengal and Orissa.

2.To remove the defect of the revenue system Lord Cornwallis introduced the Permanent settlement/Ryotwari system/ Mahalwari system in 1793.
Ans. To remove the defect of the revenue system Lord Cornwallis introduced the Permanent settlement in 1793.

3. The Ryotwari system of revenue collection was introduced in Madras/Calcutta/Bombay presidency.
Ans. The Ryotwari system of revenue collection was introduced in Madras presidency.

4. The Charter Act of 1813, directed the Company to spend 1/ 10/15 lakh rupees on the education of Indians.
Ans. The Charter Act of 1813, directed the Company to spend 1 lakh rupees on the education of Indians.

5. The first railway line was from Bombay to Poona/Thana/ Calcutta.
Ans. The first railway line was from Bombay to Thana.

D. State whether the following are true or false:

Before the advent of the British more than 95 per cent of Indians lived in villages.
True.
The Indian peasants were satisfied with the Company’s revenue collection methods.
False.
The Permanent Settlement assured the Company a fixed revenue at a fixed time even during natural calamities.
True.
Lord Macaulay insisted that Western education should be imparted through the medium of vernacular languages.
False.
Correct: Lord Macaulay insisted that Western education should be imparted through the medium of the English.
The development of transport and communication systems did not benefit Indians in any way.
False.
Correct : The development of transport and communication systems benefit Indians in unexpected ways.

E. Answer the following questions in one or two words/ sentences:

Question 1.
Why did the Indian peasants begin to grow cash crops ?
Answer:
Since revenue payments had to be paid in cash, the peasants began to grow cash crops like jute, cotton, sugarcane etc., which could be sold for ready cash in the markets.

Question 2.
How did the Company utilize the revenues from Bengal ?
Answer:
The revenue from Bengal was used to cover as salaries of officials and to finance the trading activities of the company. Raw materials for England’s growing industries were bought with the revenues collected from Bengal.

Question 3.
What were the drawbacks of Warren Hastings’s five-year revenue settlement ?
Answer:
The new zamindars, unsure of retaining the contract at the next auction, had no permanent interest in the land and did nothing to improve it. The peasants were fleeced to meet the revenue targets.

Question 4.
What was the significance of the Charter Act of 1813 in the context of British educational policy in India?
Answer:
The Charter Act of 1813 directed the Company to spend 1 lakh rupees on the education of Indians. This was the first step taken by the British rulers towards the encouragement of the study of literature and science in India. The Charter Act, however, did not lay down any specific guidelines.

Question 5.
In what way would westernized Indians help to promote the interests of British manufacturers?
Answer:

The British system of education produced English-speaking Indian graduates who helped their British masters to run the empire.
It also created a class of Indians who were Westernized to the extent that they rejected Indian culture and patronized anything and everything that was British including British goods.

Question 6.
How did knowledge of contemporary nationalist movements in Europe inspire the Indians?
Answer:
Knowledge of contemporary nationalist movements in Europe fired the Indians with an intense desire to build a new India progressive, strong, prosperous and united.

Question 7.
Mention any two positive effects of the introduction of English in the Indian educational system.
Answer:
Western education, however, impacted Indian society in a way the British could never have imagined.

It aroused in them an awareness of the evil effects of foreign rule.
The teachings of modem European philosophers instilled in them an admiration for democratic institutions.

Question 8.
Which section of Indians gained from the British commercial policies ?
Answer:
Indian Steel, Urban Centers specialized in gold and silver ornaments, cooper, brass ware, and crafts people.

Question 9.
How would the improved transport and communication system benefit the Indian later ?
Answer:
The transport and communication system, however, would ultimately benefit Indians in unexpected ways. Besides stimulating trade and commerce it would bring the people of India closer to one another and infuse in them a sense of unity and nationalism—a development that would have far-reaching effects on India’s future.

F. Answer the following questions briefly:
Question 1.
In the context of Permanent Settlement of Bengal answer the following:
(a) Explain the special features of the Permanent Settlement
(b) What are its advantages ?
(c) Briefly describe its disavantages
Answer:
(a) The system had two special features:

Permanent ownership of land

The zamindars, collectors of land revenue, were made permanent legal owners of the land from which they collected the land tax. The tax collector became the landlord.
The zamindar’s ownership rights became hereditary and he was given the freedom to sell or mortgage his land.
The cultivators of the land became the tenants of the zamindar and lost their ancestral rights. They had to pay a rent to the zamindar who could increase the rent as and when they wanted to.

Fixed Revenue

The land revenue was fixed on a permanent basis. The Company could not make any further demands on the zamindars.
The zamindar had to pay the land revenue once a year on a specific date. If he failed to pay on time, his lands were confiscated and sold.

(b) Advantages

The Company was assured of a fixed revenue at a fixed time even during natural calamities.
The collection of revenue was simpler and cheaper. The zamindars replaced hundreds of paid tax officials.
The British won the support and loyalty of the powerful and priviledged class of zamindars that they had created.
As permanent owners of the lands, the zamindars took several steps to increase agricultural production whose benefits they would enjoy.

(c) Disadvantages

The cultivators were left at the mercy of the zamindar, who exploited and oppressed them, increased their rents and evicted them from the land when they unable to pay the high rents. This led to widespread poverty and misery of the cultivators.
Since the revenue was fixed, the government would not get a share of increasing returns form the land.
This system gave rise to a class of absentee landlords. These zamindars preferred to live in cities and towns and sublet then- land to tenants at high rates. These tenants in turn sublet it to other tenants. As this process continued, the rent rates increased with each successive layer. The entire burden of paying the enhanced rates had to be borne by the actual cultivator—the last tenant.

Question 2.
With reference to Ryotwari and Mahalwari systems answer the following:
(a) Explain the features of the Ryotwari system.
(b) What were the features of the Ryotwari system.
(c) What were the fundamental changes introduced by these systems in the traditional land system of the country ?
Answer:
(a)
The features of Ryotwari system were:

The cultivator (ryot) was recognized as the owner of his land as long as he paid the land revenue.
The revenue was paid directly by the cultivator to the revenue officials.
The revenue was fixed for 30 years after which it could be revised.
Collection of revenue was rigid. There was no remission of revenue even when the crops failed.

(b)
‘Mahal’ means a group of villages. Under this system land was collectively owned by the villagers. The revenue settlement was made with the village as a whole. The talukdar or head of the mahal collected the revenue and handed it over to the British collectors.
(c)
The Zamindari and Ryotwari systems introduced fundamental changes in the traditional land systems of the country. Land became a commodity — a new form of property — which could be bought, sold and mortgaged as and when the need arose. The stability and continuity of the Indian villages were shaken and the traditional structure of rural society began to disintegrate.

Question 3.
The first century of British rule resulted in the decay and destruction of traditional India trade and industry. Explain this statement with reference to the following:
(a) Political powers of the Company
(b) Collapse of ruling dynasties and ruling courts
(c) Decline of modern India industries.
Answer:
(a)
After the Battle of Plassey in 1757, the company used its political power to destroy the Indian handicraft industry and promote British industries. The Indian weavers were forced to sell their products to the Company at very low prices. To add to their miseries, they were compelled to buy interior raw cotton at high prices from the Company officials who bought it from the Indian farmers at low rates.
(b)
With the establishment and expansion of the British empire in India, the royal courts and the nobility of the ruling dynasties, (including the Mughals) collapsed one by one. The craftspersons and artisans were deprived of royal patronage and Indian handicrafts suffered a severe setback.
(c)
The British government also obstructed the growth of modem Indian industries to keep the country underdeveloped and economically backward. Almost everything of daily use like needles, pins, sewing machines, thread, soaps, biscuits, cycles, medicines, paper, etc. were imported from England.

Question 4.
The Charter Act of 1813 passed by the British Parliament was the first major step to introduce changes in the Indian system of education. In this context discuss:
(a) The general directives issued to the Company in the Charter Act of 1813 and its inherent weakness
(b) The Great Debate over the content and medium of education
(c) The introduction and spread of Western education
Answer:
(a)
The Charter Act of 1813 directed the Company to spend 1 lakh rupees on the education of Indians. This was the first step taken by the British rulers towards the encouragement of the study of literature and science in India. The Charter Act, however, did not lay down any specific guidelines. The money sanctioned for the education project lay untouched for 2 decades while a great controversy raged over the content and medium of education.
(b)
One group favoured the promotion of traditional Indian learning through the medium of classical (Sanskrit and Persian) and regional language. This group was known as the Orientalists. The other group led by Lord Macaulay (Law Member of the Governor General’s Council) insisted that Western education should be introduced and imparted.
(c)
The government began to set up English medium schools and colleges for the education of a limited number of Indians. In 1844, English became the official language and the government announced that Indians educated in British schools would be given jobs in government services. This helped the spread of English education in India.

Question 5.
The Wood’s Despatch introduced further changes in the Indian educational system. With reference to the above statement, answer the following questions:
(a) What was the purpose behind the introduction of Western education in India?
(b) How did the introduction of Western education benefit the British?
(c) Explain how (1) Western education and (2) the English language led to the rise of a spirit of nationalism among the Indians.
Answer:
(a) The purpose behind the introduction of Western education in India.

The primary motive of the British government was to create a class of persons, Indian in blood and colour, but British in taste, opinions, morals and intellect. The class of Indians could be employed, on low salaries, as clerks in the Civil Service.
This would greatly reduce the heavy expenditure involved in running the administration. Employing the
British in these posts was very expensive and difficult.
Westernized Indians, it was hoped, would create a demand for British goods and promote the interests of British manufacturers.
Western education would inculcate in the Indians a sense of admiration and respect for British rule. This would strengthen the foundations of the British empire in India.

(b) The introduction and spread of Western education in India benefited the British like:

The British system of education produced English speaking Indian graduates who helped their British masters to run the empire.
It also created a class of Indians who were Westernized to the extent that they rejected Indian culture and patronized anything and everything that was British including British goods.

(c) Western education, however, impacted Indian society in a way the British could never have imagined.

It aroused in them an awareness of the evil effects of foreign rule.
The teachings of modern European philosophers instilled in them an admiration for democratic institutions.

Question 6.
With reference to the transport and communication system in India, answer the following questions:
(a) Why and how did the British develop proper transport and communication facilities in India?
(b) How did the railways serve the interests of the British?
(c) Explain how the improved transport and communication system proved beneficial for Indians.
Answer:
(a)
The transport and communication system in India in the 18th century was very backward. The British realized the importance of developing proper
(b)
The railways ensured quick transfer of troops and ammunition during revolts and other disturbances and the easy transportation of raw materials and manufactured goods.
(c)
The transport and communication system, however, would ultimately benefit Indians in unexpected ways. Besides stimulating trade and commerce it would bring the people of India closer to one another and infuse in them a sense of unity and nationalism. A development that would have far-reaching effects on India’s independence
The improved communication system established by the British benefited the Indians in unexpected ways. Besides stimulating trade and commerce it brought the people of India closer to one another and infused in them a sense of unity and nationalism which had far-reaching effects on Indian’s future.

G Picture Study:
This is the picture of an Indian nationalist.
The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Solutions - British Policies and Their Impacts 3
1. Identify the person.
Ans. Dadabhai Naoroji.

2. What did he think about the British rule in India ?
Ans. Dadabhai Naoroji one of the early nationalist of India, described British rule as an ‘everlasting….foreign invasion that was utterly though gradually destroying the country’.

3. Explain any three ways in which he felt that the Indian economy was being exploited by the British.
Ans.

A greater part of the salaries of British officials and employees of the Company (paid out of Indian revenues) was deposited in England as savings.
Material resources like cotton, jute, indigo, tea, coffee, etc. were transported to England.
Goods purchased in India with revenues drawn from the country were sent to England.
Huge sums of money which the officials received as bribes and gifts were sent out of the country.

OTHER IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

Question 1.
When the Charter Act of 1813 was passed a great controversy arose on the issue of education.
(1) What was the controversy about?
(2) How was it resolved?
Answer:

The controversy was that one group favoured the promotion of traditional Indian learning through the medium of classical and regional languages like Sanskrit and Persian. This group was known as the Orientalists. The other group insisted that Western education should be introduced and imparted through the medium of English. This group was called Anglicists.
In 1835 the government passed a resolution outlining its New Eduaction Policy. The government would utilize its educational funds on teaching Western science and literature through the medium of the English language.

Question 2.
The impact of Western ideas and education gave birth to a new awakening. Explain.
Answer:
The Impact of Western ideas and education gave birth to a new awakening like:

It aroused in them an awareness of the evil effects of foreign rule.
The teachings of modem European philosophers instilled in them an admiration for democratic institutions.
Knowledge of contemporary nationalist movements in Europe fired the Indians with an intense desire to build a new India progressive, strong, prosperous and united

The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Solutions – Expansion of British Power in India

August 11, 2022June 26, 2018 by Kalyan

The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Solutions – Expansion of British Power in India

ICSE Solutions Selina ICSE Solutions ML Aggarwal Solutions

The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Answers

Trail HistoryCivics Focus on HistoryCivics Geography Biology Chemistry Physics Maths

EXERCISES

A. Fill the in the blanks:

The five centres of Maratha power were:
Answer:
The five centres of Maratha power were:
- The Sindhias of Gwalior
- The Holkars of Indore
- The Bhonsle family of Nagpur
- The Gaekwad family of Baroda
  The Peshwa of Poona (Pune)
The Govemors-General during the First and Second Anglo- Maratha Wars were Warren Hastings and Lord Wellesley, respectively.
The Second Anglo-Maratha War was a severe blow to the Sindhia and Bhonsle of the Marathas.
Lord Dalhousie adopted three methods to make the British the paramount power in India.
Jhansi was annexed by Dalhousie on the basis of the Doctrine of Lapse.
Dalhousie annexed Awadh on the grounds of Maladministration or Misgovernment.

B. Match the following:

Answer:

C. Choose the correct answer:

1. The First Anglo-Maratha War was fought during the Governor-Generalship of Lord Cornwallis/Lord Wellesley/ Warren Hastings.
Ans. The First Anglo-Maratha War was fought during the Governor- Generalship of Warren Hastings.

2. The Maratha chiefs were united under the leadership of Nana Phadnavis/Baji Rao ll/Madhav Rao II during the First Anglo-Maratha War.
Ans. The Maratha chiefs were united under the leadership of NanaPhadnavis during the First Anglo-Maratha War.

3. After the Third Anglo-Maratha War the British placed a descendant of Shivaji on the throne of Nagpur/Satara/Jhansi.
Ans. After the Third Anglo-Maratha War the British placed a descendant of Shivaji on the throne of Satara.

4. Punjab was annexed by Lord Minto/Lord Dalhousie/Lord Wellesley in 1849.
Ans. Punjab was annexed by Lord Dalhousie in 1849.

5. The widespread resentment against annexations expressed itself in the Revolt of 1849/1861/1857.
Ans. The widespread resentment against annexations expressed itself in the Revolt of 1857.

D. State whether the following are true or false:

1. After Hyder Ali’s death, his son Tipu Sultan continued the Anglo-Maratha Wars.
True.
The Subsidiary Alliance system was used by the British to bring Indian rulers under British control without any war.
True.
The Subsidiary Alliance proved very advantageous for the Indians.
False.
Correct : The Subsidiary Alliance proved very advantageous for the British.
The adopted son of Peshwa Baji Rao II was denied the pension that his father used to get from the British.
True.
By 1856, the English East India Company had brought the whole of India under its control.
True.

E. Answer the following questions in one or two words/ sentences:

Question 1.
What was the main objective of the Subsidiary Alliance system?
Answer:
The subsidiary Alliance system was a method perfected by Lord Wellesley to subjugate Indian powers without the cost and bother/ trouble of war.
Any Indian ruler whose security was threatened was encouraged to seek help from and enter into an alliance with the British, who promised to protect the ruler from external attacks and internal revolts. The Indian ruler had to accept certain terms and conditions.

Question 2.
What happened when the administration of a subsidiary state collapsed?
Answer:
When the administration collapsed, the British used it as an excuse for annexing the kingdom on grounds of misgovernment.

Question 3.
Why did Peshwa Baji Rao II sign the Subsidiary Alliance?
Answer:
In 1802, Peshwa baji Rao II, supported by Sindhia, was defeated by Holkar. Baji Rao II fled to Bassein where he signed the Subsidiary Treaty as a price for British protection and support. He was escorted back to Poona by British soldiers.

Question 4.
Why was Wellesley recalled from India during the Second Anglo-Maratha War?
Answer:
Wellesley was recalled from India because the government in England was unhappy with the enormous expenditure involved in Wellesley’s policy of wars and expansion.

Question 5.
How did the Subsidiary Alliance impact the (a) economy (b) administration in Awadh?
Answer:
(a)
Awadh had signed a Subsidiary Alliance with Wellesley. He had to protect the nawab from external invasions and internal rebellions. It made the nawabs complacent and unconcerned about the affairs of the state. The payement of annual subsidies to the Company exhausted the state treasury.
(b)
When the administration was on the verge of collapse, Dalhousie struck. He brought charges of misgovernment or maladministration against the nawab. On those grounds he deposed the nawab and annexed Awadh in 1856.

F. Answer the following questions briefly:

Question 1.
With reference to the Subsidiary Alliance System perfected by Lord Wellesley, answer the following:
(a) Why did Indian rulers sign the Subsidiary Alliance? State two important military terms and conditions imposed on the Indian rulers by this treaty.
(b) The Subsidiary Alliance proved very beneficial for the British. Explain.
(c) Discuss the disastrous effects of the Subsidiary Alliance on the Indian states.
Answer:
(a)
Indian ruler whose security was threatened was encouraged to seek help from and enter into an alliance with the British, who promised to protect the ruler from external attacks and internal revolts. The Indian rulers had to accept certain terms and condition in return for British protection under the Subsidiary Alliance like:

British troops would be permanently placed in the territory of the Subsidiary state.
The ruler would have to pay for the maintenance of the troops.
He could not employ any europeans in his service or dismiss those who were already there.
He could not form an alliance with any other power or declare war against any power without the permission of the British.
He would acknowledge the British Company as the paramount power.

(b)
The Subsidiary Alliance proved very advantageous for the British like.

The British maintained large armies at the expense of the Indian rulers.
The British acquired valuable territories as subsidiary payment. This led to the expansion of the British empire in India and an increase in its resources.
The influence of European rivals, especially the French, was excluded from the courts of the Indian rulers.
The British controlled the foreign policy of the Subsidiary states.

(c)
The Subsidiary Alliance System had great effect on the subsidiary state like:

British troops would be permanently placed in the territory of the Subsidiary state.
The ruler would have to pay for the maintenance of the troops.
He could not employ any Europeans in his service or dismiss those who were already there.
He could not form an alliance with any other power or declare war against any power without the permission of the British.
He would acknowledge the British Company as the paramount power. ses or dastaks for the free movement of their goods.

Question 2.
Dalhousie was a great expansionist and adopted a number of methods to build an all-India empire. In this context, answer the following questions:
(a) Mention the various methods adopted by Dalhousie and the territories annexed on the basis of these methods.
(b) Under what circumstances did a subordinate state automatically ‘lapse’ and pass into the hands of the British? How did the rulers react to this policy?
(c) Why did Nana Saheb become one of the leaders of the Revolt of 1857?
Answer:
(a)
Dalhousie adopted a number of methods to give the final touches to the work of empire-building in India. The methods he adopted were:

War-Punjab.
Doctrine of Lapse-Satara, Jhansi and Nagpur.
Annexation on grounds of maladministration-Awadh.

(b)
Lord Dalhousie brought several subordinate states under the direct rule of the Company by annexing them on the basis of the Doctrine of Lapse. According to the Doctrine of Lapse, all subordinate states (subsidiary states and states created by the British) where the rulers died without a natural male heir would automatically ‘lapse’, i.e., pass into the hands of the British. Rulers without heirs could not adopt sons, according to the age-old Hindu and Islamic traditions, without the permission of the Company.
(c)
Nana Saheb, the adopted son of Peshwa Baji Rao II, inherited his father’s personal property but was not given the pension that had been paid to his father. Nana Saheb became one of the important leaders of the Revolt of 1857.

Question 3.
With reference to the annexation of Awadh discuss:
(a) The effects of the Subsidiary Alliance on the administration in Awadh
(b) The political scenario in India by 1856
(c) Any three factors responsible for the success of the British over their Indian rivals
Answer:
(a)
Awadh had signed Subsidiary Alliance with Wellesley. He had to protect the nawab from external invasions and internal rebellions. It made the nawabs complacent and unconcerned about the affairs of the state. The payement of annual subsidies to the Company exhausted the state treasury. When the administration was on the verge of collapse, Dalhousie struck. He brought charges of misgovernment or maladministration against the nawab. On these grounds he deposed the nawab and annexed Awadh in 1856.
(b)
By 1856 the English East India Company had brought the whole of India under its control of the British. The British had eliminated all their rivals and established themselves as the paramount power in India.
(c)
The factors responsible for the success of the British are:

Lack of unity among Indian rulers.
Lack of organized and efficient administration in Indian states.
Superior military resources of the company.
Superior economic resources of the company.
Naval supremacy of the British.

G Picture study:

1. Name the Governor Genera!.
Ans. Lord Dalhousie

2. What was the method adopted by him to subjugate the Indian territories ?
Ans. Governor General Dalhousie was a great imperialist who annexed several states on the basis of the Doctrine of Lapse.

3. Mention the terms and conditions under this method.
Ans. According to the Doctrine of Lapse, all subordinate states (subsidiary states and states created by the British) where the rulers died without a natural male heir would automatically ‘lapse’, i.e. pass into the hands of the British. Rulers without heirs could not adopt sons, according to the age-old Hindu and Islamic traditions, without the permission of the Company.

4. Did this method have any advantage for the Indian rulers? Why ?
Ans. The annexation of these states caused widespread resentment among the Indian rulers and became a potent factor responsible for the outbreak of the Revolt of 1857

The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Solutions – Rise of British Power in Bengal

August 11, 2022June 26, 2018 by Kalyan

The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Solutions – Rise of British Power in Bengal

ICSE Solutions Selina ICSE Solutions ML Aggarwal Solutions

The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Answers

Trail HistoryCivics Focus on HistoryCivics Geography Biology Chemistry Physics Maths

EXERCISES

A. Fill the in the blanks:

Madras, Bombay and Calcutta became the headquarters of the British settlements in the southern, western and eastern regions, respectively.
In 1717, the Mughal emperor granted the United East India Company the right to carry on duty-free trade in Bengal, Bihar and Orissa.
The French East India Company was established in 1664 C.E.
The British and the French fought the Carnatic Wars in India to establish their monopoly in trade.
Bengal in the 18th century was the richest and the most fertile province in India.
In 1757 Robert Clive recovered Calcutta which had been captured by Siraj-ud-Daulah in 1756.
Mir Jafar was deposed because he was unable to meet the demands of the British.
In 1765, Awadh was returned to Shuja-ud-Daulah but Kora and Allahabad were taken away and given to Shah Alam II.
Shah Alam II granted the Company the Diwani of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa in 1765.
Warren Hastings deposed and pensioned off the Nawab of Bengal and brought Bengal under the direct, and complete control of the Company.

B. Match the following:

Answer:

C. Choose the correct answer:

1. The English East India Company was established in the year 1600/1700/1800 CE.
Ans. The English East India Company was established in the year 1600.

2. The English East India Company set up its first factory in Surat/Agra/Broach.
Ans. The English East India Company set up its first factory in Surat.

3. The largest and the most prosperous European settlement in Bengal was the British settlement at Calcutta/Burdwan/ Murshidabad.
Ans. The largest and the most prosperous European settlement in Bengal was the British settlement at Calcutta.

4. Alivardi Khan was succeeded by Mir Qasim/Siraj-ud- Daulah/Shuja-ud-Daula.
Ans. Alivardi Khan was succeeded by Siraj-ud-Daulah.

5. Robert Clive hatched a plot with Mir Jafar/Mir Qasim/ Alivardi Khan to replace Siraj-ud-Daulah.
Ans. Robert Clive hatched a plot with Mir Jafar to replace Siraj- ud-Daulah.

6. The Battle of Plassey was fought in 1757/1764/1772.
Ans. The Battle of Plassey was fought in 1757.

7. The Dual Government in Bengal was introduced by Robert Clive/Warren Hastings/Lord Cornwallis.
Ans. The Dual Government in Bengal was introduced by Robert Clive.

D. State whether the following are true or false:

The-Carnatic Wars were fought between the British and the French.
True.
The employees of the Company were entitled to both private trade as well as duty-free trade.
False.
Correct: The employees of the Company were permitted to carry on private trade but they were not entitled to the Company’s privilege of duty-free trade.
The English East India Company was given the right to issue passes or dastaks for the free movement of their goods.
True.
The British army was defeated in the Battle of Buxar.
False.
Correct : The British army won in the Battle of Buxar.
The Treaty of Allahabad was signed between the British Company and Mir Qasim.
False.
Correct: The Treaty of Allahabad was signed between the British and Shuja-ud-Daulah.
Warren Hastings laid the foundation of an organized system of government in Bengal.
True.

E.Answer the following questions in one or two words/ sentences:

Question 1.
Who granted the English East India Company the exclusive right to trade with the East ?
Answer:
The Queen of England, Elizabeth I, granted the Company the exclusive right to trade with the East.

Question 2.
Name the British trading settlements in (a) Madras (b) Calcutta.
Answer:
(a) Madras was given to the British by a local ruler. They established a trading settlement which they fortified and named Fort St. George.

(b) Calcutta In 1690 CE, a British trading settlement was established and fortified in Calcutta. It was named Fort William.

Question 3.
What important right did the Mughal emperor Farrukhsiyar grant the English East India Company ?
Answer:
In 1717, the Mughal Emperor, Farrukhsiyar, granted the Company the right to carry on duty-free trade in Bengal, Bihar and Orissa (now Odisha). The Company made enormous profits.

Question 4.
Why were European traders attracted to the Bengal province in the 18th century?
Answer:
Bengal was the richest and the most fertile province in India at that time. It was known as the paradise of the earth and this province attracted traders from many European countries.

Question 5.
What privileges did the farman of 1717 confer on the English East India Company?
Answer:
By the ‘Farman” of 1717, the English East India company was granted the right to carry on duty-free trade in Bengal. They were allowed to export and import goods from and to Bengal without paying any taxes to the government. They were given the right to issue passes or dastaks for the free movement of their goods.

Question 6.
Why did the farman of 1717 become a bone of contention between the nawabs of Bengal and the British Company?
Answer:
The Nawabs of Bengal wanted British company to pay taxes on trade like the Indians. But the Britishers refused to do so. This created conflict between both the parties and resulted in wars between both of them.

Question 7.
Why did the British fortify their trade settlement in Calcutta?
Answer:
Siraj-ud-Daulah ordered the British to pay taxes to him like all other Indian merchants. The British refused to do so. This angered the young nawab. In anticipation of a war with the French, who had a trading settlement in Chandemagore, the British began to fortify Calcutta.

Question 8.
Why did Siraj-ud-Daulah attack Calcutta in 1756?
Answer:
When the Britishers tried to fortify Calcutta, Siraj-ud-Daulah ordered both the British and the French to dismantle their fortifcations and not to fight private wars on his territory. The French agreed but the British refused. This enraged the Nawab and he attacked Calcutta’with a large army and captured Fort William.

Question 9.
What important trading right was granted to the English East India Company after their victory in the Battle of Plassey?
Answer:

The English East India Company was granted die undisputed right to free trade in Bengal, Bihar and Orissa.
The Company was given die zamindari of the 24 Parganas.

Question 10.
State the political significance of the Battle of Buxar.
Answer:

It gave them political influence and control over Awadh and the Mughal emperor.
It laid the foundation of British rule in India.

Question 11.
Name the Indian signatories of the Treaty of Allahabad.
Answer:
Shuja-ud-Daulah and Shah Alam II.

Question 12.
In which year was the Dual Government abolished and by whom?
Answer:
In 1772, Warren Hastings abolished die Dual Government

F. Answer the following questions briefly:
Question 1.
The Battle of Plassey was a major turning point in the history of India. In this context answer the following questions:
(a) Give an account of the events leading from the conspiracy to replace Siraj-ud-Daulah to his eventual defeat in the Battle of Plassey.
(b) State the results of the Battle of Plassey.
(c) Why is this battle considered a major turning point in the history of India?
Answer:
(a) A major part of the nawab’s army under the command of Mir Jafar did not take any part in die battle. Realizing that he had been betrayed, the nawab fled from the battlefield .He was captured and put to death.
(b) Results of Battle of Plasey:

The English East India company was granted the undisputed right to free trade in Bengal, Bihar and Orissa.
The Company was given the zamindari of the 24 parganas.
Mir Jafar paid the Company and its officials over 300 lakh rupees.

(c) The Battle of Plassey was a major turning point in the history of India.

It paved the way for the establishment of British rule in Bengal and, eventually, the rest of India.
It transformed a trading company into a political power.
It provided the British the vast resources of Bengal, which helped them to win the Third camatic war and other expeditions in India.

Question 2.
Mir Qasim was a competent ruler, determined to free himself from foreign control. In this context answer the following:
(a) What steps did Mir Qasim take to strengthen his position? Why did he abolish all duties on internal trade?
(b) Trace the events from the outbreak of war (1763) between Mir Qasim and the British up to the Battle of Buxar in 1764.
(c) Explain the importance of the Battle of Buxar.
Answer:
(a)
To strengthen his position, Mir Qasim improved the financial position of Bengal and raised a modem, disciplined and well-equipped army trained by the Europeans. The employers of the company misused their trade privileges.
They sold their duty-free trade points to Indian merchants who also used them to carry on duty-free trade. This deprived the Nawab fo large revenues. To put an end to the corrupt practices of the British, Mir Qasim abolished all duties on internal trade.
(b)
The employees of the Company misused their trade privileges. They sold their duty-free trade permits to Indian merchants who also used them to carry on duty-free trade.This deprived the nawab of large revenues and was unfair to those local merchants who had to pay heavy duties. ” To put an end to the corrupt practices of the British, Mir Qasim abolished all duties on internal trade. This made the British furious. They refused to accept an equal status with j the Indian merchants.
In 1763, war broke out between Mir Qasim and the British. The nawab was defeated. Mir Jafar was reinstated on the throne.
Mir Qasim was determined to recover his throne. He escaped to Awadh, where he formed an alliance with Shuja-ud-Daulah, the nawab of Awadh, and the Mughal emperor, Shah Alam II.
The combined forces of the three allies clashed with the Company’s troops at Buxar in 1764, and were decisively defeated by the British.
(c)

The victory of the British in the Battle of Buxar firmly established them as masters of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa.
It gave them political influence and control over Awadh and the Mughal emperor.
It laid the foundation of British rule in India.
At this time, Robert Clive returned to India as the governor of Bengal.

Question 3.
With reference to the Treaty of Allahabad and its impact, answer the following:
(a) Mention the terms of agreement between Robert Clive and Shuja-ud-Daulah in this treaty.
(b) Explain how the treaty between Robert Clive and the Mughal emperor Shah Alam II legalized the English East India’s Company’s control over Bengal.
(c) Give an account of the events that followed the death of Mir Jafar, leading to the establishment of the Company as the real ruler of Bengal.
Answer:
(a)

Awadh was returned to Shuja-ud-Daulah. However, the two districts of Kora and Allahabad were taken away from the Nawab.
The nawab of Awadh had to pay a war indemnity of 50 lakh rupees to the Company.
The British agreed to defend the nawab of Awadh against his enemies. The nawab would have to pay for the cost of the British troops. Awadh became a buffer state between the British possessions in Bengal and the Marathas.

(b)
The British gave Shah Alam II the districts of Kora and Allahabad and an annual pension of 26 lakh rupees. In return, the emperor (the nominal head of the Mughal empire) granted the Company the Diwani of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa, e., the right to collect revenue from these provinces and judge civil cases. The Company’s control over Bengal was made legal.
(c)
After Mir Jafar’s death in 1765, his son was made the nawab of Bengal. He had to sign a treaty with Clive, according to which he had to disband most of his army.
He also had to transfer the ‘Nizamat’ powers (general administration and criminal justice) to a deputy nawab appointed by the British. The deputy nawab could not be dismissed by the nawab. The nawab was given an allowance of 53 lakh rupees which was subsequently reduced. Thus, the English East India Company became the real ruler of Bengal from 1765.

Question 4.
With reference to the establishment of Dual Government in Bengal (1765-72) answer the following:
(a) Why was the government introduced in Bengal by Robert Clive referred to as ‘Dual Government’?
(b) What were the advantages and disadvantages of this system for the Company and the nawab respectively?
(c) The evils of the Dual Government led to the collapse of the administration and the economy. Explain.
Answer:
(a)
Robert Clive introduced Dual Government in Bengal in 1765.Bengal now had two masters-the nawab and the Company .The Nawab was responsible for general administration, maintenance of law and order and justice {i.e., criminal cases). The Company had military power and the right to collect and use the revenue of Bengal. This arrangement was known as Dual Government.
(b)
The Company enjoyed power without any responsibilities.The nawab, on the other hand, was burdened with the responsibility of administration without the resources necessary for running it efficiently i.e., responsibility without power.
The revenue was collected by Indian officials appointed by the Company. The greed, corruption and oppression of these officials reduced the peasants to conditions of utter misery. The Company took no interest in the welfare of the people.
(c)
The conditions of the people worsened when Bengal was hit by a terrible famine in which one third of the population perished. Nobody cared, neither the Company nor the nawab, who in any case had neither the authority nor the resources to lessen the miseries of the people. The Company, through its power to nominate the deputy nawab, only interfered in the general administration without assuming any responsibility.The evils of the Dual Government began to manifest themselves. The administration and economy collapsed. In 1772, the Court of Directors of the Company appointed Warren Hastings as the Governor of Bengal. In 1773, by the Regulating Act, he was made the Governor General of British territories in India. The Governor General was now the most important functionary of the East India Company.

G Picture Study.

This picture portrays a momentous event in 1765, involving a British Governor and a Mughal emperor wherein the Mughal emperor is conveying the grant of the Diwani to ; the governor.

1. Identify the Mughal emperor and the British governor.
Ans. Mughal Emperor – Shuja-ud-Daulah, British Governor – Robert Clive

2. What is the significance of this grant of the Diwani?
Ans. The significance of granting the company the Diwani i.e. the right to collect revenue from these provinces and judge civil cases.

3. Give a brief account of the battle that preceded this event. When did it take place?
Ans. Battle of Buxar in 1764.

4. What is the importance of this battle?
Ans. Mir Qasim was defeated and Mir Jafar was reinstated on the throne.

OTHER IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

Question 1.
What plot did Robert Clive hatch to remove Siraj-ud- Daulah?
Answer:
Robert Clive hatched a plot with some of the influential men in the Nawabs court to overthrow Siraj-ud-Daulah. He signed a secret treaty with Mir Jafar Commander-in-chief of the Nawab’s forces to make him Nawab of Bengal in return of large amount of money. The British then presented in front of Siraj-ud-Daulah a set of impossible demands. This led to war between both the parties.

Question 2.
Why did Siraj-ud-Daulah lose the Battle of Plassey?
Answer:
Siraj-ud-Daulah and Robert Clive marched with their forces to Plassey. But a major part of the Nawab’s army under the command of Mir Jafar did not take any part in the battle. Realizing that he had been betrayed, Siraj-ud-Daulah fled away from the battlefield.

Question 3.
The battle of Plassey is a turning point in the history of India. Explain.
Answer:
The Battle of Plassey was a major turning point in the history of India.

It paved the way for the establishment of British rule in Bengal and, eventually, the rest of India.
It transformed a trading company into a political power.
It provided the British the vast resources of Bengal, which helped them to win the Third Carnatic war and other expeditions in India.

Question 4.
When and between whom was the Battle of Buxar fought?
Answer:
The Battle of Buxar was fought in 1764. It was fought between British on one hand and Mir Qasim, ruler of Bengal, Shuja-ud- Daulah Nawab of Awadh and Mughal Emperor shah Alam II with an alliance on the other.

Question 5.
What was the result of the British victory in the Battle of Buxar?
Answer:
Results of the British victory in the Battle of Buxar :-

The British company was granted the undisputed right free trade in Bengal, Bihar and Orissa.
The company was given the Zamindari of the 24 parganas.
Mir Jafar paid the company and its officials over 300 lakh

Question 6.
In 1765 the British signed treaties with
(1) The Nawab of Awadh
(2) The Mughal emperor and
(3) The Nawab of Bengal. In this context mention any two important terms of each of these treaties.
Answer:
Important terms of the treaty:
With the Nawab of Awadh:

Awadh was returned to Shiya-ud-Daulah but he had to give two districts of Kora and Allahabad.
The Nawab of Awadh had to pay a war indemnity of 50 lakh rupees to the company with the Mughal emperor.
The British gave Shah Alam II, the districts of Kora and Allahabad and an annual pension of 26 lakh rupees.
In return the emperor granted the company the Diwani of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa.

With the Nawab of Bengal:

The Nawab had to disband most of his army.
He also had to transfer the ‘Nizamat’ powers to a deputy Nawab appointed by the British.

Question 7.
What were the drawbacks of the Dual Government? Who abolished it?
Answer:
In Dual government the company enjoyed power without any responsibilities. The Nawab on the other hand, was burdened with the responsibility of administration without the resources necessary. These were the drawbacks of this form of government.

The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Solutions – Rise of Independent Regional Powers

August 11, 2022June 26, 2018 by Kalyan

The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Solutions – Rise of Independent Regional Powers

ICSE Solutions Selina ICSE Solutions ML Aggarwal Solutions

The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Answers

Trail HistoryCivics Focus on HistoryCivics Geography Biology Chemistry Physics Maths

EXERCISES

A. Fill in the blanks:

Balaji Vishwanath laid the foundation of the Hereditary Dynastic rule of the Peshwas.
Lucknow was the capital of Awadh.
Mysore, under the leadership of Hyder Ali became the most formidable adversary of the English East India Company in the south.
Guru Govind Singh ji, the tenth Sikh guru, organized a military brotherhood of Sikhs called Khalsa.
The Sikhs were organized into a loose confederacy of 12 misls or groups.

B. Match the following:

Answer:

C. Choose the correct answer:

1. The Marathas/Sikhs/Rajputs had the power and potential to establish an all-India empire after the collapse of the Mughal empire.
Ans. The Marathas had the power and potential to establish an all- India empire after the collapse of the Mughal empire.

2. Shahu was an ease-loving and weak Maratha/Sikh/Rajput
Ans. Shahu was an ease-loving and weak Maratha ruler.

3. The Maratha empire reached the heights of its power and glory during the reign of Balaji Vishwanath/Baji Rao I/Balaji Baji Rao.
Ans. The Maratha empire reached the heights of its power and glory during the reign of Balaji Vishwanath.

4. Shuja-ud-DauIah was the nawab of Hyderabad/Awadh/Bengal.
Ans. Shuja-ud-Daulah was the nawab of Awadh.

5. The state of Hyderabad/Awadh/Mysore was founded by the Mughal viceroy of the Deccan, Nizam-ul-Mulk Asaf Jah.
Ans. The state of Hyderabad was founded by the Mughal viceroy of the Deccan, Nizam-ul-Mulk Asaf Jah.

D. State whether the following are true or false:

Bengal was one of the poorest provinces of the Mughal empire.
False.
Correct: Bengal was the richest provinces of the Mughal empire.
The most capable among the successors of Murshid Quli Khan was Alivardi Khan.
True.
Lucknow was the cultural centre of Bengal.
False.
Correct : Lucknow was the cultural center of Awadh.
The most powerful kingdom in the south was Mysore.
True.
Ranjit Singh became the master of Punjab by the end of the 18th century.
True.

E. Answer the following questions in one or two words/ sentences:

Question 1.
What followed the disintegration of the Mughal empire?
Answer:
The disintegration of the Mughal empire led to the rise of number of independent and semi-independent regional powers such as Bengal, Awadh, Hyderabad, Maratha, Mysore and Sikh kingdoms.

Question 2.
What is the significance of the Third Battle of Panipat?
Answer:
The Maratha army was decisively defeated by Ahmad Shah Abdali at the Third Battle of Panipat in 1761. The Maratha ambition of replacing the Mughal empire lay scattered on the plains of Panipat. The Afghans, too, failed to capitalize on their victory. The conditions were ideal for the entry of another powerful contender for superemacy – the English East India Company.

Question 3.
What advantage did Murshid Quli Khan take of the decline in the power of the Mughal empire?
Answer:
The Governor of Bengal, Murshid Quli Khan, took advantage of the situation to free himself from imperial control. Although he continued to pay annual tribute to the Mughal empire, he began to rule Bengal independently.

Question 4.
How did political and economic stability in Awadh impact cultural development in Lucknogf?
Answer:
The Nawabs of Awadh were intelligent, efficient and order, introduced revenue reforms and strengthened their army. The prolonged period of peace and economic prosperity stimulated the growth of a refined and distinct Lucknavi culture. Lucknow, the capital city, blossomed into a centre for creative and performing arts, literature and architecture.

Question 5.
How did political instability in the Carnatic benefit the European trading companies?
Answer:
Carnatic, however, freed himself from the Nizam’s control and established hereditary rule in his state. This led to wars of succession and political instability in the Carnatic, providing the European trading companies opportunities to interfere in its internal affairs and make territorial, commercial and financial gains.

Question 6.
Name any two principal Rajupt states that took advantage of the declining power of the Mughals and asserted their independence.
Answer:
The principal Rajput states like Jaipur (Amber), Jodhpur (Marwar) and Udaipur (Mewar) took advantage of the declining power of the Mughals and asserted their independence.

Question 7.
What made the Rajputs vulnerable to the selfish designs of the English East India Company?
Answer:
The court intrigues, conspiracies, treachery and corruption of the Mughal courts were replayed in the courts of the Rajput rulers. This sapped their energies and made them vulnerable to the selfish designs of the English East India Company.

Question 8.
Name the signatories of the Treaty of Amritsar.
Answer:
Ranjit Singh signed a treaty of ‘perpetual friendship’ with Lord Minto.

F. Answer the following questions briefly:

Question 1.
The second phase of Maratha history was a period of dominance of the peshwas. In this context answer the following questions:
(a) State the circumstances that led of the growth of peshwa dominance in the Maratha kingdom.
(b) Discuss the achievements of

Baji Rao I and
Balaji Baji Rao.

(c) How was the Maratha confederacy established?
Answer:
(a)
The Maratha kingdom was captured by Shahu the grandson of Shivaji with the help of Balaji Vishwanath. Shahu appointed Balaji Vishwanath as Pesha for his services and Joyalty. Shahu himself was a ease loving and weak ruler which resulted in reducing his position as only ceremonial head of the Maratha kingdom. While real power and authority was exercised by the Peshwa, which led to the growth of Peshwa dominance in the Maratha kingdom.
(b)

Baji Rao I was a military genius. Under his bold and dynamic leadership, the Maratha kingdom was transformed into the Maratha empire after a series of brilliant campaigns against the Mughals and other rivals.
Balaji Baji Rao followed the policy of expansion. During his reign the Maratha empire reached the heights of its power and glory. In the north, the Marathas became the power behind the Mughal throne.

(c)
A major development at this time was the rise of the prominent Maratha families-the Sindhias, the Bhonsles, the Holkars and the Gaekwards. The peshwa divided the erstwhile Mughal provinces into ‘spheres of influence’ and placed them under the chiefs of these Maratha families. These chiefs enjoyed maximum autonomy within their respective regions. The peshwa was the official head of this loose union of Maratha chiefs which is referred to as the Maratha confederacy.

Question 2.
With reference to the rise and growth of Bengal as regional power, discuss the following:
(a) The achievements of Murshid Quli Khan
(b) The rule of Alivardi Khan
(c) The failures of the nawabs of Bengal
Answer:
(a)
Murshid Quli Khan was an excellent administrator and a man of exceptional abilities. He freed Bengal from external and internal dangers and established stability, peace and prosperity in the state.
(b)
Alivardi Khan recognized the importance of promoting trade and encouraged merchants-Indian as well as fdreign-to carry on trde in Bengal. He, however, did not allow the French and British merchants to fortify their factories in Chandemagore (now Chandannagar) and Culcutta (now Kolkata), respectively.
(c)
The nawabs of Bengal, however, failed to understand the true nature and ulterior motives of the British trading company. They believed that a trading company could never challenge (heir authority. No efforts were made to reorganize and strengthen the army. Corruption was rampant and even high-ranking officials were susceptible to bribes. These weaknesses made Bengal a happy hunting ground for the aggressive and imperialistic ambitions of the British.

Question 3.
The collapse of the Vijayanagar kingdom was followed by emergence of the powerful kingdom of Mysore. In this context discuss the following:
(a) The collapse of the Vijayanagar empire
(b) The achievements of Hyder Ali
(c) The contribution of Tipu Sultan
Answer:
(a)
The collapse of the powerful Vijayanagar empire in the 17th century gave rise to a number of independent kingdomes, constantly at war with one another. The most important of these was the kingdom of Mysore which had somehow managed to preserve its independence despite repeated attacks by neighbouring kingdoms. In the middle of the 18th century, Mysore, under the leadership of Hyder Ali, emerged as one of the most powerful kingdoms in the south.
(b)
In 1761 Hyder Ali overthrew the government and established his authority over the Mysore state. Under his rule, Mysore became a prosperous and powerful state and a formidable adversary of the English East India Company in the south.
(c)
Tipu Sultan proved to be a worthy successor. He introduced many reforms to overhaul and reorganize the administrative machinery. He modernized the army and strengthened the economy by encouraging agriculture and modem trade and industry.

Question 4.
With reference to the rise of independent Rajput states and the establishment of the Sikh kingdom, answer the following questions:
(a) Why did the resurgent Rajputs fail to establish an empire in India?
(b) To what extent was Guru Gobind Singh responsible for the transformation of the peace-loving Sikhs into a martial race?
(c) Discuss the achievements of Ranjit Singh.
Answer:
(a)
The Rajputs fail to establish an empire in India because they were busy in looking for their individual goals and interests which were often divergent and conflicting. They made no efforts to establish a Rajput empire, instead they were busy in finishing their energies in petty quarrels. The Rajput courts like the Mughal one’s were busy in conspiracies and corruption, which led to their failure.
(b)
Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth and last Sikh guru, organized a military brotherhood of Sikhs called the Khalsa. He instilled in the peace-loving Sikhs a martial spirit that would help them to carry on their struggle against the persecution of the Mughals.
(C)
Ranjit Singh, chief of one of the misls, was a bom leader. He brought all the Sikh chiefs to the west of the Satluj under his control and made himself master of Punjab by the end of the 18th century.

G Picture study:

This is picture of the founder of the kingdom that extended the Khyber Pass in the north to Sindh in the south.

The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Solutions - Rise of Independent Regional Powers 3

1. Identify the person in the picture.
Ans. Ranjit Singh.

2. Name the kingdom founded by him.
Ans. Punjab.

3. What did he do to expand his kingdom?
Ans. He brought all the Sikh chiefs, west of the Sutlej, under his control and made himself master of Punjab by the end of 18th century.

4. Name the treaty signed between him and the English East India Company.
Ans. Treaty of Amritsar.

5. What effect did this treaty have on his policy of expansion?
Ans. Due to his expansionist policy, he became master of a powerful kingdom which extended from the Khyber Pass in the North to Sind in the South.

OTHER IMPORTANT QUESTIONS
Question 1.
Name the four prominent Maratha families in the Maratha confederacy.
Answer:

Bhonsle
Holkar
Sindhia
Gaekwad

Question 2.
The conquest of Punjab was a turning point in the history of the Maratha empire. Explain.
Answer:
The conquest of Punjab brought the Maratha’s into direct conflict with the Afghan general, Ahmad Shah Abdali. A major struggle for mastery over North India began. The Maratha army was decisively defeated by Ahmad Shah Abdali at Panipat land. Their dream to replace the Mughal empire in North India was also scattered.

Question 3.
Why did Bengal become a happy hunting ground for the English East India Company?
Answer:
The Nawabs of Bengal failed to understand the true nature and ulimate motives of the British trading company. They felt that a trading company could never challenge their authority. No efforts were made to reorganize and strengthen the army. Corruption was much and even high ranking officials were susceptible to bribes. These weakneses made Bengal a happy hunting ground for the English East India Company.

Question 4.
How did Hyder Ali become the ruler of Mysore?
Answer:
Hyder Ali was a man of exceptional qualities and abilities. He rose from the rank of an ordinary soldier in the Mysore army to the position of commander by his efficiency and determination. In 1761 he overthrew the government and established his authority over the Mysore state.

Question 5.
Mention two important terms of the Treaty of Amritsar (1809).
Answer:
Two important terms of the Treaty of Amritsar were:

By this treaty Maharaja Ranjit singh accepted the Sutlez River as the boundary between the Sikh kingdom and British territories.
The British promised not to interfere in the affairs of the sikh kingdom.

The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Solutions – Decline of the Mughal Empire

August 11, 2022June 26, 2018 by Kalyan

The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Solutions – Decline of the Mughal Empire

ICSE Solutions Selina ICSE Solutions ML Aggarwal Solutions

The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Answers

Trail HistoryCivics Focus on HistoryCivics Geography Biology Chemistry Physics Maths

EXERCISES

A. Fill in the blanks:

During the first half of the 18th century, the great Mughal empire decayed and disintegrated.
The Mughal emperors who ruled India after the death of Aurangzeb are known as the later Mughals.
There were four groups of nobles in the Mughal court.
Nadir Shah looted and plundered Delhi He carried away immense treasures including the priceless Ko/tinoor and the Peacock Throne.
Ahmad ShahAbdali, the ruler of Afghanistan, repeatedly attacked the Mughal empire.
The last Mughal Emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar, was defeated in the Revolt of 1857 and exiled to Rangoon by the British.

B. Match the following:

2. Akbar (b) financial crisis

Answer:

C. Choose the correct answer:

1. Aurangzeb/Akbar/Shah Jahan followed a policy of religious intolerance.
Ans. Aurangzeb followed a policy of religious intolerance.

2. The military campaign in the Deccan led by Shah Jahan/ Aurangzeb/Akbar ruined the Mughal empire financially.
Ans. The military campaign in the Deccan led by Aurangzeb ruined the Mughal empire financially.

3. The invasions of Ahmad Shah Abdali, the ruler of Afghanistan/Persia/Iraq shattered the power and prestige of the Mughal empire.
Ans. The invasions of Ahmad Shah Abdali, the ruler of Afghanistan shattered the power and prestige of the Mughal empire.

4. The Mughal empire lasted for over 3/5/6
Ans. The Mughal empire lasted for over 3 centuries.

5. The British ruled over India for a 100 years/nearly 200 years/ 300 years.
Ans. The British ruled over India for nearly 200 years.

D. State whether the following are true or false.

Bahadur Shah ascended the throne after the death of Aurangzeb.
True.
The Mughal court was united and stable.
False
Correct:The Mughal court was divided and unstable.
The Mughal officers were given jagirs as payments for their services.
True.
The Mughal rulers did not have a navy.
True.
The successors of Aurangzeb were very strong and efficient.
False.
Correct: The successors of Aurangzeb were very weak and unefficient.

E. Answer the following questions in one or two words/ sentences:

Question 1.
When did the transition from the Medieval to the Modern Period begin in India?
Answer:
The transition from the Medieval to the Modem Period began with the decline of the Mughal empire in the first half of the 18th century.

Question 2.
Name the first and the last emperors in the line of the Later Mughals.
Answer:
Bahadur Shah first in the line of emperors referred to as the Later Mughals. Bahadur Shah Zafar last emperor in the line of the Later Mughals.

Question 3.
Name any two rival groups of nobles in the Mughal court.
Answer:

The Iranis hailed from Persia,
Turanis hailed from Transoxiana.

Question 4.
Mention any two reasons for the failure of the mansabdari system.
Answer:
Mansabdars had to maintain a fixed number of troops. They were given jagirs as the payment for doing so. Later, an increase in the number of man sabs and a shortage of jagirs led to corruption and inefficiency in the system.

Question 5.
What was the economic impact of the Mughal wars of succession?
Answer:
After the death of a Mughal ruler, generally there were wars of succession among rival claimants to the throne. These wars proved very costly and destructive. They drained the resources of the empire and made it in stable and weak.

Question 6.
How did Aurangzeb’s religious policy affect the relationship between the Mughals and the Rajputs?
Answer:
Aurangzeb’s policy of religious intolerance shook the foundations of the empire and resulted in the following:

The costly, long-drawn and ruinous Deccan campaign.
Numerous wars with the Sikhs, the Marathas, the Jats and the Rajputs.
Loss of support of the loyal Rajputs who had earlier contributed greatly to the stability of the Mughal empire but now became its bitter foes.7.

Question 7.
What led to the drain on the royal treasury during Shah Jahan’s reign?
Answer:
The enormous sums of money spent by Shah Jahan on magnificent monuments like the Taj Mahal had drained the royal treasury.

Question 8.
Which Mughal emperor assumed leadership of the Revolt of 1857? What happened to him after the Revolt?
Answer:
Bahadur Shah Zafar, the last of the Mughals, assumed leadership of the rebels in the Revolt of 1857 against the British. He was defeated and exiled to Rangoon where he died. The Mughal empire came to an inglorious end.

F.Answer the following questions briefly.

Question 1.
Several factors were responsible for the decline of the Mughal empire. In this context answer the following questions:
(a) How did court politics undermine the authority and prestige of the Mughal empire?
(b) To what extent was the jagirdari crisis responsible for a further decline of the power of the emperor?
(c) How did the wars of succession destabilize the Mughal empire?
Answer:
(a)
There were four groups of nobles in the Mughal court- Iranis, Turanis, Afghans and Hindustanis. The Iranis hailed from Persia, the Turanis hailed from Transoxiana, and the Afghans came from the mountainous border regions across the river Indus. The Mughal court was a house sharply divided from within. This resulted in a constant struggle for power among these groups. Their mutual jealousies and rivalries caused great harm to the Mughal administration and undermined the prestige and authority of the Mughal emperor.
(b)
The Mughal officers were given jagirs as payment for their services. Towards the end of the 17th century, there were very few jagirs left. To satisfy the demands of the newly recruited officers, crown lands were converted to jagir lands and given to the nobles. This led to a loss of revenue for the royal treasury and a further decline in the power of the emperor.
(c)
After the death of a Mughal ruler, generally there were wars of succession among rival claimants to the throne. These wars proved very costly and destructive. They drained the resources of the empire and made it instable and weak.

Question 2.
With reference to the decline and disintegration of the Mughal empire discuss the following:
(a) The breakdown of the mansabdari system
(b) The weaknesses of the Mughal army
(c) Aurangzeb’s religious policy
Answer:
(a)
Under this system, mansabdars had to maintain a fixed number of troops. They were given jagirs as the payment for doing so. Later, an increase, in the number of mansabs and a shortage of jagirs led to corruption and inefficiency in the system.
(b)
The Mughal army also failed to keep pace with the time. The Mughal rulers did not have a navy and made no efforts to establish one. Their equipment and techniques of warfare were obsolete and ineffective. Nothing was done to reform, modernize and strengthen the army.
(c)
His policy of religious intolerance shook the foundations of the empire and resulted in the following:

The costly, long-drawn and ruinous Deccan campaign.
Numerous wars with the Sikhs, the Marathas, the Jats and the Rajputs.
Loss of support of the loyal Rajputs who had earlier contributed greatly to the stability of the Mughal empire but now became its bitter foes.

Question 3.
To what extent were the following factors responsible for the eventual collapse of the Mughal empire?
(a) Economic bankruptcy (b) Foreign invasions (c) Weak successors
Answer:
(a) Economic bankruptcy:
A major cause of the disintegration of the Mughal empire was its economic bankruptcy. The enormous sums of money spent by Shah jahan on magnificent monuments like the Taj Mahal had drained the royal treasury. Aurangzeb’s Deccan campaign was a financial disaster that ruined the empire and made its collapse inevitable.
(b) Foreign invasions:
The invasions of Nadir Shah, the ruler of Persia (Iran), and Ahmad Shah Abdali, the ruler of Afghanistan, shattered the power and prestige of the Mughals. Nadir Shah looted and plundered Delhi and carried away valuable treasures, including the priceless Kohinoor Diamond and the Peacock Throne. Ahmad Shad Abdali plundered northern India repeatedly.
(c) Weak successors:
Aurangzeb ruled over a vast empire which he controlled with an iron hand. His successors were pleasure-loving, weak and inefficient. They were puppets in the hands of powerful, ambitious nobles who controlled the administration. The provincial governors took advantage of the weak government at the center and set up independent kingdoms in the Mughal provinces. This led to the break-up and collapse of the empire.

G. Picture Study:
This is a portrait of the last of the Later Mughals.

1.Identify the Mughal emperor represented in this picture.
Ans. Bahadur Shah Zafar.

2. What part did he play in the Revolt of 1857?
Ans. Role of Bahadur Shah Zafar in the Revolt of 1857:
As the Indian rebellion of 1857 spread, sepoy regiments seized Delhi. Seeking a figure that could unite all Indians, Hindu and Muslim alike, Most rebelling Indian kings and the Indian regiments accepted Zafar as the Emperor of India. Under whom the smaller Indian kingdom would unite until the British were defeated. Zafar was the least threatening and least ambitious of monarchs, and the legacy of the Mughal Empire was more acceptable a uniting force to most allied kings than the domination of any other Indian kingdom.

3.What happened to the Mughal empire after his death?
Ans. The Mughal Empire came to an inglorious end.

4. Mention any four reasons for the decline of the Mughal empire Explain any two reasons.
Answer:
(a) Politics in the Mughal court
(b) Weak Military organization and Administration
(c) Aurangzeb’s Bankruptcy
(d) Foreign Invasions
(a) Politics in the Mughal court:
There were four groups of nobles in the Mughal court Iranis, Turanis, Afghans and Hindustanis. The Iranis hailed from Persia, the Turanis hailed from Transoxiana, and Afghans came from the mountainous border regions across the Indus. The Mughal court was a house sharply divided from within. This resulted in a constant struggle for power among these groups. Their mutual jealousies and rivalries caused great harm to the Mughal administration and undermined the prestige and authority of the Mughal Emperor.

(b) Economic Bankruptcy: A major cause of the disintegration of the Mughal Empire was its economic bankruptcy. The enormous sums of money spent by Shah Jahan on magnificent monuments like the Taj Mahal had drained the royal treasury. Aurangzeb’s Deccan campaign was a financial disaster that ruined the empire and made its collapse inevitable.

OTHER IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

Question 1.
How did party politics undermine the authority and prestige of the Mughal empire?
Answer:
The Mughal court had four groups of nobles i.e Iranis, Turanis, Afghans and Hindustanis. Due to these groups the Mughal court was sharply divided from within. This resulted in a constant struggle for power, mutual jealousies and rivalries between these groups, led to undermine the authority and prestige of the mughal empire.

Question 2.
How did jagirdari crisis lead to a further decline of the emperor’s power?
Answer:
During that time, Mughal rulers used to give jagirs to their officers as payment for their services. Due to this, very few jagirs were left. To satisfy the demands of the newly recruited officers, crown lands were converted to jagir lands and given to the nobles. This led to a loss of revenue from the royal treasury and a further decline in the power of the emperor.

Question 3.
What weaknesses in the Mughal army led to the loss of military strength towards the end of the 17th century?
Answer:
The Mughal army at that time was reorganized system. Under this system mansabs had to maintain a fixed number of troops. For this they were given jagirs as payment. An increase in the number of mansabs and a shortage of jagirs led to corruption,inefficiency in the system and decline in the military strength.Further the army was not able to keep pace with the times.Their equipment and techniques of warfare were out of date and ineffective. No efforts were done to reform, modernize and strengthen the army. This all resulted in weakening of the Mughal army.

Question 4.
To what extent were Aurangzeb responsible for the decline of the Mughal empire?
Answer:
Aurangzeb was not a successful emperor. He did not realize the importance of religious tolerance and the support and unity of the people for the progress of empire. His policy towards the Sikhs the Marathas the Jats and the Rajputs lossed their support. His Deccan campaign also proved failure and drained wealth of the kingdom too. This all resulted in decline of the Mughals.

Question 5.
To what extent were Aurangzeb’s successors responsible of the disintegration of the Mughal empire?
Answer:
Successors of Aurangzeb were pleasure-loving weak and inefficient. They were puppets in the hands of powerful, ambitious nobles who controlled the administration. The nobles took advantage of the weak government at the center and set up their own independent kingdoms in the Mughal provinces. This led to die breakup and collapse of the empire.

The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Solutions – The American Civil War

August 11, 2022June 26, 2018 by Kalyan

The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Solutions – The American Civil War

ICSE Solutions Selina ICSE Solutions ML Aggarwal Solutions

The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Answers

Trail HistoryCivics Focus on HistoryCivics Geography Biology Chemistry Physics Maths

A. Fill in the blanks:

In the first half of the 19th century the only available source of labour in the United States of America was slaves.
The issue of slavery posed a serious threat to the integrity of the American nation.
The famous book, Unde Tom’s Cabin was written by Harriet Beecher Stowe.
Abraham Lincoln, who became the president of the United States of America in 1860 was determined to save the slaves at all costs.
The American Civil War was fought on the issue of secession

B. Match the following:

Answer:

C. Choose the correct answer:

1. The anti-slavery movement began in the northern/southern/ eastern states of the United States of America.
Ans: The anti-slavery movement began in the northern states of the United States of America.

2. The book Uncle Tom’s Cabin exposed the horrors of slavery/ war/famlne.
Ans: The book Uncle Tom’s Cabin exposed the horrors of slavery.

3. Jefferson Davis/Abraham Lincoln/Stonewall Jackson was appointed President of the Confederate States of America.
Ans: Jefferson Davis was appointed President of the Confederate States of America.

4. Abraham Lincoln/Jefferson Davis/Ulysses Grant abolished slavery in America.
Ans. Abraham Lincoln abolished slavery in America.

5. The northern/southern/eastern states decided to break away from the Union and form a Confederacy of their own.
Ans. The southern states decided to break away from the Union and form a Confederacy of their own.

D. State whether the following are true or false:

The southern states of America began an anti-slavery movement.
False.
Correct: The north states of America began an anti-slavery movement.

Abraham Lincoln became the 14th president of the United States in 1860.
False.
Correct: Abraham Lincoln became the 16th president of the United States in 1860.

The Civil War was fought over the issue of slavery.
False.
Correct: It was fought because the southern states had left the Union, i.e., on the issue of secession.

The American Civil War (1861-65) was one of the most bitter wars in the history of mankind
True.

After the American Civil War Lincoln made plans to repair the damages of the war and heal the wounds of the South.
True.

E. Answer the following questions in one or two words/ sentences:

Question 1.
What were the two major developments that took place in the United States of America in the first half of the 19th century?
Answer:
The two major developments that took place during this period were:

The great westward expansion and
Industrial growth and development.

Question 2.
Why was raw cotton from the southern states in America sent to Lancashire in England?
Answer:
Cotton was shipped to the cotton mills in Lancashire in England, where the Industrial Revolution had created a huge demand for raw material.

Question 3.
Why were slaves considered a ‘necessity’ in the southern states of America?
Answer:
The southern states claimed that they needed slaves for their cotton and sugar plantations. Thus, slaves who provided cheap labour were considered a ‘necessity’ in the predominantly agricultural southern states.

Question 4.
Why is Abraham Lincoln described as the ‘Great Emancipator’?
Answer:
Lincoln was determined to save the Union at all costs-at the cost of war, if necessary. Civil war broke out in 1861. In 1863,Lincoln-abolished slavery in the South. He remains enshrined in the hearts of free people as the ‘Great Emancipator’.

Question 5.
Why did Lincoln declare war on the southern Confederacy?
Answer:
Abraham Lincoln was determined to save the Union at all costs so he declared war on the southern confederacy.

Question 6.
Why was the southern Confederacy defeated?
Answer:
North with its superior resources wore down the Confederacy. Lee surrendered to the Union general, Ulysses Grant, in April 1865. The Civil War came to an end.

Question 7.
What fact was permanently established as a result of the Civil War?
Answer:
It had established the fact that the American federation was an indestructible Union of States and no state had the right to secede.

Question 8.
Why had the Civil War impoverished the southerners?
Answer:
The war had been fought mainly in the South, and had resulted in the impoverishment of the southerners.

F. Answer the following questions briefly:

Question 1.
One of the great changes that took place in the United States of America in the first half of the 19th century was industrial growth and development. In this context, discuss:
(a) The serious problems arising from the cotton-growing industry in the southern states
(b) The anti-slavery movement leading to the growing tensions between the slave states and the abolition states
(c) The impact of Harriet Beecher Stowe’s famous book on the north-south conflict.
Answer:
(a)
The cotton-growing industry gave rise to serious problems in the United States. As the plantations increased, so did the demand for labour. The only available source of labour in those days was the slaves brought in from Africa and living in America. The issue of slavery would eventually turn into an explosive problem that would threaten the very existence of the American Union.
(b)
An anti-slavery movement began in the northern states of America.
The industrialized northern states did not need slave labour in their industries and, on the whole did not approve of slavery. The southern states on the other hand claimed that they needed slaves for their cotton and sugar plantations.
Thus, slaves who provided cheap labour were considered a ‘necessity’ in the predominantly agricultural southern states.
The southerners were often needlessly cruel and harsh in their treatment of slaves. This outraged many northerners and the tension between the slave states of the South and the abolition states of the North began to grow.
(c)
Harriet Beecher Stowe published her famous book, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, which highlighted and exposed the horrors of slavery and the miseries of the slaves. This book had a profound influence on the northern states and their antislavery campaign began to gather momentum. The southern states threatened to secede or break away from the Union and form a confederacy of their own.

Question 2.
Abraham Lincoln became the president of the United States during a very critical phase of American history. In this context discuss:
(a) Lincoln’s views on slavery
(b) The Gettysburg address in 1863
(c) The secession of the southern states and its consequences
Answer:
(a)
Lincoln’s views on slavery were well known. He thoroughly despised slavery, which he believed was a vicious and brutal system. He was uncompromisingly opposed to slavery. Human bondage was a negation and gross violation of democracy.
(b)
In the famous Gettysburg address in 1863, Lincoln justified the abolition of slavery on grounds of the cherished principles of liberty and equality of the founding father of the United States of America. ‘Four score and seven years ago,’ he declared, ‘our fathers brought forth upon this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. . .It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us. . .that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
(c)
The southern states seceded from the Union and formed the Confederate States of America. Jefferson Davis was appointed the President of the Confederacy.Lincoln was determined to save the Union at all costs-at the cost of war, if necessary. Civil war broke out in 1861.
The southerners fought with determination and courage. They had brilliant generals like Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson, under whose leadership they initially won a number of victories.

Gradually, however, the North with its superior resources wore down the Confederacy. Lee surrendered to the Union general, Ulysses Grant, in April 1865. The Civil War came to an end. It had established the fact that the American federation was an indestructible Union of States and no state had the right to secede. The war had been fought mainly in the South, and had resulted in the impoverishment of the southerners.

Question 3.
With reference to the American Civil War answer the following questions:
(a) Explain briefly the nature and fundamental cause of the Civil War.
(b) Give a brief account of the course of the Civil War.
(c) State the positive and negative results of the war.
Answer:
(a)
The American Civil War (1861-65) was one of the most bitter civil wars in history; nearly 7 lakh people lost their lives. The Civil War, however, was not fought over the issue of slavery. It was fought because the southern states had left the Union, i.e., on the issue of secession. According to Lincoln, no state had the right to secede from the Union. Therefore, the Confederacy had to be defeated and the Union restored.
(b)
Initially the Southern States became successful in the battle field under the president ship of Jefferson Davis, but afterwards Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, for all slaves, so the South was deprived of the help of the slave population. Soon the Northern forces captured New Orleans followed by Vicksburg. So the Confederate States were cut into two parts and the Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863, proved a great blow to the Southern States and in 1865, General Lee was forced to surrender at Appomattox Court House. The Civil War came to an end in 1865 with the victory of the Northerns due to more wealth and resources along with the powerful Federal Navy.
(c)
Civil War of America caused a great loss of Men and Money, so remarkable changes occurred in the history of America. Now the phase of rapid economic growth started both in the North and South. Both industries and scientific farming were started for solid material development. Development of roads and railways, settlement of Tariff policy, foundation of banking system, abolition of slavery and the national unity, etc. are the who some results and America became an active participant in international affairs. Democracy and Federalism became the main features of the destiny of America.

G. Picture study:

This is a portrait of the 16th president of the United States of America.

1. Name the president.
Ans. Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States of America.

2. Discuss his views on the institution of slavery.
Ans. Linclon thoroughly despised slavery which he believed was a vicious and brutal system. He was uncompromisingly opposed to slavery.

3. How did he define democracy?
Ans. Lincoln defined democracy as “Government of the people, by the people and for the people.

4. Why did he declare war on the southern states?
Ans. He declared War on the southern states because these states had left the union i.e., On the issue of secession. According to Lincoln, no state had the right to secede from the Union. Therefore, the confederacy had to be defeated and the union restored.

OTHER IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

Question 1.
Briefly explain the differences between the northern and southern states of the America Union.
Answer:
Difference between northern and southern states:

The northern states developed as manufacturing and shipping centers. Whereas the southern states developed great plantation industries, the most important being the cotton growing industry.
The industrialized northern states did not need slave labour in their industries and on the whole did not approve of slavery whole as the southern states on the other hand I claimed that they needed slaves for their cotton and sugar plantations.

Question 2.
What role did the novel, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, play in the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861?
Answer:
This book had a profound influence on the northern states and their anti slavery campaign began to gather momentum. Due to this the southern sates break away from the union and formed conlederacy of their own. Which become the main cause of the civil war.

Question 3.
Why did the southern states decide to break away from the American Union?
Answer:
Due to northern states anti slavery campaigns against them, the sourthern states break away from the American Union.

Question 4.
Why did Lincoln abolish slavery?
Answer:
Lincoln abolish slavery because he believed slavery was a vicious and brutal system and he cherished principles of liberty and equality which were given by the founding fathers of the united states of Amercia.

Question 5.
What was the most important outcome of the American Civil War?
Answer:
The most important outcome of the American civil war was that slavery was abolished.

The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Solutions – The Age of Revolution

August 11, 2022June 25, 2018 by Kalyan

The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Solutions – The Age of Revolution

ICSE Solutions Selina ICSE Solutions ML Aggarwal Solutions

The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Answers

Trail HistoryCivics Focus on HistoryCivics Geography Biology Chemistry Physics Maths

A. Fill in the blanks:

The American War of Independence was the first Organized political revolution in the history of the world.
The discovery of the American continent was followed by the establishment of Permanent European settlements in the 16th century.
The colonists argued that the British Parliament had no right to tax the colonists because they had no representatives in the parliament
George Washington was chosen as the commander of the American troops in the war against the British.
In 1776, the representatives of the colonists met at Philadelphia and adopted a Declaration of Independence.
In about 200 years, the United States of America transformed itself into the most powerful country of the world.
The Constitution of the United States has served as a model and an inspiration to several countries;
French society was divided into three main classes, namely the first, the second and the Third Estate
The revolutionary writings of political philosophers like Voltaire, Rousseau and Montesquieu greatly influenced the middle-class intellectuals in France.
The French administration was Corrupt and inefficient.

B. Match the following:

Answer:

C. Choose the correct answer:

1. By the mid-18th century 11/13/19 British colonies had been established on the east coast of North America.
Ans. By the mid-18th century 13 British colonies had been established on the east coast of North America.

2. 4 July/14 July/17 June is celebrated as American Independence Day.
Ans. 4 July is celebrated as American Independence Day.

3. The Second Estate consisted of the clergy/peasants/nobles.
Ans. The Second Estate consisted of the nobles.

4. Marie Antoinette was the queen of England/France/Austria.
Ans. Marie Antoinette was the queen of England

5. 14 July/4 July/20 June is celebrated as a national holiday in France.
Ans. 14 July is celebrated as a national holiday in France.

D. State whether the following are true or false:

By the middle of the 18th century eleven British colonies had been established along the east coast of North America.
False.
Correct: By the middle of the 18th century 13 British colonies had been established along the east coast of North America.
The American colonists were rigid and conservative.
False.
Correct: The American colonists were simple and liberal.
The American revolutionaries were greatly impressed by the ideas of European philosophers.
True.
George Washington was the first elected President of the United States of America.
True.
The French Revolution laid the foundation of a democratic government.
True.

E. Answer the following questions in one or two words/ sentences:

Question 1.
Which particular incident sparked off the American War of independence? What is the importance of this event?
Answer:
The American War of Independence, was sparked off by an incident known as the Boston Tea Party.In 1773, a group of colonists, disguised as Red Indians, raided .British ships in Boston harbour and threw 340 crates of tea into the sea. This incident was a protest against the new taxes including a tax on tea, imposed on the colonies .The importance of this act was that it was an act of open defiance of the colonists against British authority.

Question 2.
Name any two European philosophers whose ideas inspired and influenced the American revolutionaries.
Answer:
The American revolutionaries were greatly influenced by the ideas of European philosophers Locke, Voltaire and Rousseau who inspired them to fight for liberty.

Question 3.
What is the significance of the 4th of July in American history?
Answer:
The 4th July is celebrated as the American Independence Day.

Question 4.
Mention two characteristic features of the French monarchy.
Answer:
The French king was an autocrat. He enjoyed absolute powers and his will was law. There was no check on his powers by any parliament. He ruled by Divine Right and was answerable to God and not to the people.

Question 5.
In what way did the American Revolution influence the Indian Constitution?
Answer:
The Constitution of the United States of America has served as a model and an inspiration to several countries including India. The framers of the Indian Constitution adopted various features like the federal form of government, the incorporation of Fundamental Rights like the American Bill of Rights and the system of checks and balances.

Question 6.
Why is the French Revolution of 1789 considered a turning point in human history?
Answer:
The French Revolution of 1789 was a milestone and a major turning point in human history. It revolutionized the social, economic and political fabric, not only of France but of all Europe and subsequently of almost the entire world.

Question 7.
Mention the role of the political philosophers in the overthrow of the French monarchy.
Answer:
The revolutionary writings and ideals of great political philosophers like Voltaire, Rousseau and Montesquieu created an intellectual ferment in France. The middle class was greatly inspired by the revolutionary ideas.Through their writings, the philosophers exposed the evils of French society and government and inspired the people to revolt and fight for their rights.

Question 8.
What effect did the American Revolution have on the French people?
Answer:
The French generals and soldiers, who had fought in the American Revolution, returned to France with revolutionary ideas and inspired the people to fight against their unjust, despotic government. The American Revolution enthused the French people and encouraged them to rebel.

F. Answer the following questions briefly:

1. The American War of Independence was the first organized political revolution in the history of the world. In this context answer the following questions:
(a) How was an American colony governed? Why were the colonists resentful?
(b) How did the American colonists differ from the British?
(c) Why did the American colonists refuse to pay taxes imposed by the British Parliament in London? Give an account of the Boston Tea Party incident.
Answer:
(a)
Each American colony had its own Assembly elected by the people of the colony but the governor of the colony was appointed by the British government. The Governor was not responsible to the Assembly. He governed the colony in the interest of England, the mother country, and not the colonists. This caused great resentment among the American settlers who worked very hard but could not enjoy the fruits of their labour.
(b)
Socially and culturally, the American colonists were different from the British. The colonist were simple and liberal, unlike the British puritans who were rigid and conservative. The American colonists had a distinct identity i.e an American identity that aspired for freedom to grow and develop as a separate independent nation.
(c)
The American colonists refused to pay taxes as they argued that the British Parliament had no right to tax the colonists since they had no representatives in the Parliament.In 1773, a group of colonists, disguised as Red Indians, raided British ships in Boston harbour and threw 340 crates of tea into the sea. This incident was a protest against the new taxes including a tax on tea, imposed on the colonies. . The importance of this act was that it was an act of open defiance of the colonists against British authority.

Question 2.
The British monarch, King George III, refused to withdraw the unjust and oppressive Acts imposed on the colonists and declared war on them. In this context discuss:
(a) The revolutionary principles and ideas in the Declaration of Independence in 1776
(b) The terms and long-term impact of the Treaty of Paris
(c) The important features of the newly established United States of America
Answer:
(a)
The Declaration of Independence, 1776 clearly stated that the American colonists had the right to free themselves from the oppressive and explorative British government and form their own government. This declaration proclaimed that all men are born equal and are endowed with certain rights such as the right to life and liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
(b)
According to the Treaty of Paris signed in 1783 between the British government and the colonists, British government recognized the independence of the thirteen colonies which came to be known as the United States of America.
(c)
Features of the newly established United States of America are as:

A written constitution was framed and a federal, democratic, republican government was set up.
The new government guaranteed to all its citizens the rights to freedom of speech, press, religion and justice under the law.
The country would be ruled by an elected President who would govern according to the laws written down in the Constitution.

Question 3.
The French Revolution of 1789 was a milestone and a major turning point in human history. In this context discuss the following causes:
(a) An unjust, unequal social order of the Ancient Regime
(b) The growing power of the middle class
(c) An inefficient, corrupt administration
Answer:
(a)
An unequal, unjust social order: French society was essentially feudal in nature. It was divided into three main classes, called Estates:

The First Estate consisted of the clergy (church officials).
The Second Estate consisted of the nobles and their families.
The Third Estate was composed of 95 per cent of the population. It included the peasants, artisans, workers and the middle class (consisting of merchants, manufacturers and professionals such as lawyers, doctors, teachers, etc.)

The First and Second Estates enjoyed numerous privileges. They owned practically all the land in France but did not have to pay any taxes. They were very wealthy and led comfortable and luxurious lives.
The Third Estate, on the other hand, shouldered the entire burden of taxation but was not entitled to any of the privileges enjoyed by the clergy and the nobles. Taxes were imposed on everything, including basic necessities like salt. Life was very hard, especially for the poor peasants who had to pay additional taxes to their feudal lords.
(b)
Middle class had acquired great wealth and become economically powerful in the 18th century. However, they were denied of social equality and political rights. This caused great resentment among them. They used their economic power to overthrow the Ancient Regime.
(c)
The administration was corrupt and inefficient. The officials were selfish and unconcerned about the welfare of the people.
King Louis XVI was pleasure-loving and extravagant. He was completely ignorant of and indifferent to the sufferings of the common people and was greatly influenced by his beautiful and ambitious wife, Marie Antoinette. Together they squandered money on festivities and pleasures and emptied the royal treasury.

Question 4.
With reference to the French Revolution, discuss the following:
(a) The Tennis Court Oath
(b) The storming of the Bastille
(c) The adoption of the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen and its fundamental principles
Answer:
(a)
On 20, June 1789, the members of the Third Estate met at a tennis court and took an oath not to separate until a new constitution was drawn up for France. This is known as the Tennis Court Oath.
(b)
The storming of the Bastille symbolized the victory of the people of France and the fall of monarchy. It marked the beginning of the revolution. 14 July is celebrated as a national holiday in France.
(c)
The newly formed National Assembly, consisting of the representatives of the Third Estate, took over the control of the affairs of France. It adopted the famous Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen-a landmark in the history of human progress. By 1791, a new Constitution was drawn up for France.

Question 5.
With reference to the consequences of the French Revolution, answer the following:
(a) Mention any four revolutionary changes that took place in France after the Revolution of 1789.
(b) What effect did the French Revolution have on the rest of Europe?
(c) What impact did the French revolutionary principles have on political developments in India in the middle of the 19th century?
Answer:
(a)
Revolutionary changes that took place in France after the Revolution of 1789 are:

This Revolution marked the end of absolute monarchy and paved the way for the establishment of a republic.
The revolution laid the foundation of a democratic government.
Feudalism and serfdom were abolished and the power of the Church was brought under the control of the government.
Liberty. Equality. Fraternity become the guiding principle of the French republic.

(b)
The revolutionary ideas of the French Revolution spread to all European countries. The slogans of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity become the guiding principles all over the world. Oppressed people in Europe rose in revolt against their tyrannical, hereditary rulers and established new social and political system. It inspired the spirit of nationalism among people.
(c)
The Revolutionary principles of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity had an impact on India as well. Indian nationalists imbibed these principles and developed a democratic and nationalist outlook. A National movement for freedom was launched, culminating in India’s independence from British rule in 1947.

G Picture Study.

This picture depicts a very important event in world history wherein a great mob is shown attacking a state prison.

1. Name the event.
Ans. On 14 July 1789, a great mob attacked Bastille the state prison for political prisoners and a much hated symbol of the Ancient Regime. The prisoners were released and they joined the revolutionaries.

2. In which country did it take place and when?
Ans. The country was France and it take place on 14 July 1789.

3. What is the significance of this event?
Ans. The Prisoners were released and joined the revolutionaries. It also symbolized the Victory of people of France and the fall of monarchy.

4. Give a brief account of the developments that followed this event.
Ans. This incident marked the beginning of the revolutions. The newly formed National Assembly consisting of the representatives of the Third Estate, took over the Control of the affairs of France. It adopted the famous Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizens- a landmark in the history of human progress. By 1791, a new constitution was drawn up for France.

OTHER IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

Question 1.
Into how many classes was French society divided? What did each class consist of?
Answer:
The French society was divided into three main classes, called Estates.

The First Estate consisting of the clergy.
The Second Estate consisting of the nobles and their
The Third Estate was composed of 95 percent of the It included the peasants, artisans, workers and the middle class.

Question 2.
Briefly discuss the inequalities and injustices in French society.
Answer:
The First and Second Estates enjoyed numerous privileges. They owned practically all the land in France but did not have to pay and taxes. They were very wealthy and led comfortable and luxurious lives.

The Third Estate, on the other hand, shouldered the entire burden of taxation but was not entitled to any of the privileges enjoyed by the clergy and the nobles. Taxes were imposed on everything including basic necessities like salt Life was very hard, especially for the poor peasants.

Question 3.
Examine the drawbacks of the French monarch and the French administration which angered the French intellectuals and eventually led to the Revolution of 1789.
Answer:
The administration was corrupt and inefficient The officials were selfish and unconcerned about the welfare of the people.

King Louis XIV was pleasure-loving and extravagant. He was completely ignorant of and indifferent to die sufferings of the common people.

The economic bankruptcy was further aggravated by French involvement in useless wars against England. These all circumstances led to Revolution of 1789.

Question 4.
Why is 14 July celebrated as a national holiday in France?
Answer:
In 14 July 1789 a great mob attacked Bastille, die state prison for political prisoners were released and they joined the revolutionaries. So this incident was symbolized the victory of the people of France and the fall of monarchy. So 14 July is celebrated as a national holiday in Frances.

Question 5.
What important principles did the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen establish?
Answer:
The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen was established on the following principles.

All men are born free and have equal rights. Everyone is equal in the eyes of law.
Every citizen is entitled to freedom of speech and expression, religion and a fair trial.

The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Solutions – The industrial Revolution and the Rise of Imperialism

August 11, 2022June 25, 2018 by Kalyan

The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Solutions – The industrial Revolution and the Rise of Imperialism

ICSE Solutions Selina ICSE Solutions ML Aggarwal Solutions

The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Answers

Trail HistoryCivics Focus on HistoryCivics Geography Biology Chemistry Physics Maths

A. Fill in the blanks:

Surplus capital and stable government are the two basic resources essential for industrial growth.
Colonies were used as suppliers of cheap raw material and ready markers for finished products.
Socialism was a reaction to the evils of capitalism.
Women and small children were employed in large numbers in dangerous coal mines.
Between the 16th and 18th centuries, the Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese, French and the English established colonies in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

B. Match the following:

The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Solutions - The industrial Revolution and the Rise of Imperialism 2
Answer:

C. Choose the correct answer:

Question 1.
The main occupation of the Europeans in the Medieval Age was agriculture/mining/fishing.
Answer:
The main occupation of the Europeans in the Medieval Age was agriculture.

Question 2.
James Watt invented the Steam Engine/Safety Lamp/Power Loom.
Answer:
James Watt invented the Steam Engine.

Question 3.
The first Asian country to become industrialized was…… Japan/India/China.
Answer:
The first Asian country to become industrialized was Japan.

Question 4.
The capitalists/landlords/workers organized themselves as trade unions to fight for their rights.
Answer:
The workers organized themselves as trade unions to fight for their rights.

Question 5.
The victory of the British over the French/Dutch/Spanish in the Carnatic Wars shattered French/Dutch/Spanish dreams of colonizing India.
Answer:
The victory of the British over the French in the Carnatic Wars shattered French dreams of colonizing India.

D. State whether the following are true or false:

Manual labour was replaced by the machines during the Industrial Revolution.
True.
Small-scale production flourished during the Industrial Revolution.
True.
Capitalists were the have-nots.
False.
Correct: Workers were the have-nots.
There was a wide gulf between the capitalists and the workers.
True.
Capitalism is a set of economic theories based on the belief that the government should control the main industries.
False.
Correct: Socialism is a set of economic theories based on the belief that the government should control the main industries.

E. Answer the following questions in one or two words/ sentences:
Question 1.
Explain the term ‘domestic system.
Answer:
Domestic system was the system of the production of goods by crafts persons and artisans at home with the help of their family members using simple tools. The merchants supplied raw materials to the artisans and sold the finished products.

Question 2.
Define the term ‘Industrial Revolution’.
Answer:
By the middle of the 18th century a series of remarkable inventions led to an economic revolution in England known as the Industrial Revolution. It transformed the entire economy and society of 18th century England and other countries subsequently.
This great and radical transformation in industry which fundamentally altered all the methods, techniques and organization of production and distribution is known as the Industrial Revolution.

Question 3.
What is meant by colonialism ?
Answer:
Colonialism is a policy by which one nation acquires control over another country, either partly or wholly. The conquered country becomes the colony of the conquering nation, known as the colonial power.

Question 4.
Give one example of each of the following:
(a) a colony
(b) a colonial power.
Answer:
(a) India
(b) Great British

Question 5.
What do you understand by imperialism ?
Answer:
Imperialism implies systematic extraction of raw materials, captive markets, shifting of industrial development, control over financial institutions.

F. Answer the following questions briefly:
1. In the context of the Industrial Revolution answer the following questions:

Question 1(a).
Mention the three important features of the Industrial Revolution.
Answer:
The main features of the Industrial Revolution were as follows:

The domestic system of production was replaced by the factory system.
Manual labour was replaced by machines.
Small-scale production gave way to large-scale production.

Question 1(b).
Give any four important reasons to explain why the Industrial Revolution started in England.
Answer:
The important reasons that explain why the Industrial Revolution started in England were:

Surplus Capital – Economic growth and an increased overseas trade led to an accumulation of enormous wealth in England. This surplus capital was used in the development of new industries and setting up of new factories.
Stable Government – Political stability in England provided conditions that were favourable for economic growth.
Agricultural Revolution – There was an agricultural revolution that preceded the Industrial Revolution. This was due to consolidation of land holdings through the enclosures and improvement in agricultural methods, such as, alternating between fallow and tillage land, which increased England’s agricultural output.
Availability of Cheap Labour – The mechanization of agriculture led to large scale unemployment of fanners who migrated to towns and cities in search of jobs, and were ready to work in factories at low wages.
The Enclosure Movement had led to the takeover of land by rich landlords and so the takeover of land by rich landlords and so the small landless fanners also migrated to towns and cities in search of emploment in factories. The provided a readily available pool of cheap labour.
Availability of Coal and Iron – Coal and iron — the two essential resources necessary for the growth of industries were available in abundance in northern England. Many industrial towns and cities were located in this region.

Question 1(c).
Briefly discuss the spread of the Industrial Revolution.
Answer:
The Industrial Revolution that began in England was not a single event but a continuing process which went through different phases and spread to different countries at different times.

Mechanized industries were introduced in France, Germany, USA and Japan. Germany made rapid progress after its unification (1870) and became one of the leading industrial nations in Europe. Britain gradually lost its lead by the end of the 19th century.

The USA also surged ahead of Britain and made major progress in the iron and steel industry. It soon became one of the leading industrial nations of the world. Industrialization in Russia was If very slow but picked up after the Russian Revolution (1917).Japan was the first Asian country to become industrialized.

2.In the context of the economic impact of the Industrial Revolution, answer the following questions:

Question 2(a).
What effect did the Industrial Revolution have on the domestic system of production ?
Answer:
The Industrial Revolution led to the destruction of the domestic system of production. Workers went to work in factories and machine-made goods were manufactured on a large scale. The work was divided between people according to their ability and capability.

Question 2(b).
How did it create a wide gap between the rich and the poor?
Answer:
The Industrial Revolution led to the concentration of wealth in the hands of the capitalists—a few rich people who owned the means of production (capital). The vast majority of workers were employed by the capitalists in their factories and worked ‘ under them for wages. The workers were exploited by the capitalists and lived in poverty and misery. There was a wide gulf between the rich capitalists and the poor workers. The capitalists were thus the haves, while the workers were the have-nots.

Question 2(c).
What effects did it have on trade and commerce ?
Answer:
Industrial Revolution led to large scale productions which led to the expansion of trade and commerce. Surplus goods were sold to other countries. Increasing profits made the industrialized nations rich and prosperous. Trade also expanded because steamships were being used, which were superior to the earlier ships.
As production increased further, these nations began to look for new markets for the sale of finished products. This in turn led to competition among the European nations to acquire colonies in distant lands. These colonies would be used not only as ready markets for manufactured goods but also as constant suppliers of raw material for the industries.

Question 3.
With reference to the following points explain the social effects of the Industrial Revolution:
(a) Social inequality (b)Harsh living conditions of workers (c) Exploitation of workers.
Answer:
(a)
Social inequality — The economic disparity between the rich capitalists and the poor workers led to gross social inequalities. There was a wide gulf between the social status of the capitalists and the workers.
(b)
Harsh living conditions of workers — The Industrial Revolution led to the migration of people from the villages to the industrial towns in search of jobs. Cities grew rapidly and without any proper planning. As the population grew, the cities became overcrowded and people were forced to live in crowded homes in squalid surroundings and without proper sanitation facilities. A large number of slums sprang up. Black smoke filled the air and in the absence of basic amenities, the health of the workers broke down. Disease and epidemics took a heavy toll of human lives.
(c)
Exploitation of workers — Workers had no job security and they could be dismissed at any time. They worked on very low wages and under extremely harsh conditions. The capitalists exploited the workers by forcing them to work for almost sixteen hours a day, without a break. They were not allowed to go on strike.Women and small children were employed in large numbers in deep and dangerous coal mines. They worked from dawn to dusk on extremely low wages. No compensation was paid to workers for injury or death due to accident in mines and factories. The extremely stressful working and living conditions led to a decline of moral values among the workers. Life became a struggle for survival, community bonds broke down and people tried to forget their miseries by drinking and gambling.

Question 4.
With reference to the Industrial Revolution explain the following:
(a) The basic features of socialism
(b) The growth of trade unions
(c) The rise of imperialism
Answer:
(a)
Socialism was a reaction to the evils of capitalism. Socialism is a system under which there is no private ownership of capital. People in a socialist set-up would not be divided into rich and poor classes. The means of production (capital) is owned by society as a whole and everybody would work and share equally the profits, i.e., the fruits of their labour. Thus, exploitation would be wiped out and a classless society based on economic and social equality would be established.
(b)
The ruthless exploitation of the workers by the capitalists led to protests by the workers. The united and organized themselves into Trade unions to fight for their rights and better working conditions. The trade unions faced strong resistance from the employers. In many countries, the clash between the trade unions and the capitalists led to bloodshed.
The struggle of the trade unions was long and arduous. The vast majority of workers did not have the right to vote.
The determination and efforts of the trade unions eventually bore fruit. The government passed several factory laws to improve the conditions of the workers and grant them certain rights.
(c)
The Industrial Revolution led to a scramble for overseas possessions. This led to a wave of colonial expansion in the 19th century. There was a movement to acquire more colonies and expand empires. Imperialism implies systematic extraction of raw materials, captive markets, shifting of industrial development, control over financial institutions.

G Picture Study:

This is a picture of a machine invented during the Industrial Revolution

(a) Identify the machine in the picture.
Ans. Steam Engine.

(b) Who invented it ?
Ans. James watt.

(d) Mention any four impacts of the Industrial Revolution ?
Answer:
The Impacts of the Industrial revolution were:

Increase in Agriculture production — The Industrial revolution saw improvements in the agricultural processes. The grain yields in England rose by 50%. The Improved yield was the result of several factors such as improved techniques and better quality seeds.
Growth in population — Between 1800 to 1851, the population of britian grew by almost hundred percent. However, the population of new Industrial cities grew even more.
Emergence of Factory System — The Industrial Revolution led to the destruction of the domestic system of production. Workers went to work in factories and machine-made goods were manufactured on a large scale. The work was divided between people according to their ability and capability.
Large scale production — The emergence of the factory system and the use of machines greatly increased the productivity of good. The use of machines and increased production led to the decrease in the production cost as well as standardisation of the quality of the materials produced

The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Solutions – The Beginning of the Modern World

August 11, 2022June 25, 2018 by Kalyan

The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Solutions – The Beginning of the Modern World

ICSE Solutions Selina ICSE Solutions ML Aggarwal Solutions

The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Answers

Trail HistoryCivics Focus on HistoryCivics Geography Biology Chemistry Physics Maths

A. Fill in the blanks:

The Modern Age in India began with the conquest of India by the British.
India was ruled by the British for nearly 200 years.
The two kinds of source material for the Modem period are primary sources and secondary sources.
The Renaissance ushered in revolutionary changes in Europe and marked the transition from the Medieval Age to the Modern Age.
The four characteristic features of the Renaissance period are advent of new and powerful ideas of Humanism, rationalism, scientific spirit and spirit of inquiry.

B. Match the Following:

The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Solutions - The Beginning of the Modern World 2
Answer:

C. Choose the correct answer:

1. In India the Modern Period is generally regarded as having begun in the mid-15th/mid-18th/mid-16th century.
Ans. In India the Modem Period is generally regarded as having begun in the mid-18th century.

2. The primary sources for the study of the Modern Period are preserved in archives/banks/ factories.
Ans. The primary sources for the study of the Modem Period are preserved in archives.

3. The wealthy merchants and the professional class consisting of doctors, lawyers, teachers etc., formed the upper class/ middle class/lower class.
Ans.The wealthy merchants and the professional class consisting of doctors, lawyers, teachers etc., formed the middle class.

4. The invention of the printing press/telegraph/telephone helped to spread the ideas of the Renaissance thinkers far and wide.
Ans. The invention of the printing press helped to spread the ideas of the Renaissance thinkers far and wide.

5.Martin Luther was an Italian/a German/a French Christian monk.
Ans. Martin Luther was a German Christian monk

D. State whether the following are true or false:

The source material of the Modern period is of two kinds— primary and secondary.
True
Primary sources of history includes books, reviews, reports and articles.
False. Secondary sources of history includes books, reviews, reports and articles.
Renaissance scholars shifted the focus from divine affairs to human affairs.
True.
The voyages of discoveries led to a decline of trade and commerce.
False.
The Reformation was also known as the Protestant Movement.
True

E. Answer the following questions in one or two words/ sentences

Question 1.
The history of most nations can be divided into a number of periods. Name them.
Answer:
History in most countries is classified into three periods—ancient, medieval and modem. Each period has some characteristics— political, economic, religious and social — that sets it apart from other period.

Question 2.
What distinguishes one historical period from another ?
Answer:
Historical periods differ from country to country depending on the stage of development of that region.

Question 3.
In what way is the classification of historical periods useful to us ?
Answer:
The classification of historical periods helps to bring a sense of order and continuity to the bewildering array of historical processes that have taken place over centuries of evolution.

Question 4.
When did the Modern Period begin in (a) Europe (b) India?
Answer:
Europe the Modem Age started in 15th century. In India the Modem Period is generally regarded as having begun in the mid- 18th century.

Question 5.
Mention any four characteristic features of the Modern Period?
Answer:
The characteristic features of the Modern Period are: urbanization, technological advancement, democratic institutions, fundamental civil liberties, rationalism and humanism and industrialization.

Question 6.
Mention any two (a) primary and (b) secondary source materials of the Modern Period.
Answer:
(a)
Many of these primary sources have been preserved in archives and museums.
They include:

Original documents like British official records
Literary works like accounts of European residents, visitors and Indian officials, novels, plays, short stories and poems by British and Indian authors of this period
Historical works by contemporary historians
Artistic works like paintings, sketches engravings and drawings
Photographs, audio cassettes, films and videotapes of incidents and interviews of important personalities
Newspapers in both English and in Indian languages
Archaeological remains like monuments and artifacts

(b)
Oral history

Secondary Sources include books, reviews, reports and articles written by historians and scholars who study and research primary source material, interpret evidence and arrive at conclusions.

Question 7.
Why is it important to study developments in Europe to understand the history of modern India ?
Answer:
Since the Modern Age in India began with the advent of the British rule, the roots of the transition from the Medieval Period must be traced to Europe. To understand the impact of British rule on Indian history, it is imperative to understand the changes that were taking place in Europe.

Question 8.
What is the meaning of Renaissance ?
Answer:
A great movement of change and discovery spread across Europe which radically altered the pattern of peoples lives and thinking. This movement, representing a new spirit in every field of life, is referred to as the Renaissance. It is a French word that means ‘rebirth’ or ‘revival’.

Question 9.
What is meant by Reformation ?
Answer:
Reformation was a protest movement against the evil and authoritarian practices of the Catholic Church with a view to reform the Catholic Church.

Question 10.
What do you understand by nation states ?
Answer:
Nation States refers to the rise of strong and independent countries, in 14th century Europe, that had a common territory, with a well-defined boundary, and whose people were bound by common ties of culture, history, language and territory. The people of these nation states were also lived united under one government/ruler.

F. Answer the following questions briefly:

1. The capture of Constantinople by the Ottoman Turks led to the beginnings of Renaissance in Europe. With reference to this statement answer the following questions:

Question 1(a).
How did it lead to the revival of classical Greek and Roman learning in Europe ?
Answer:
A large number of Greek scholars fled from Constantinople, (a great center of classical Greek and Roman learning) to Italy with rare manuscripts. These scholars were patronized and encouraged by the rulers, scholars and the rich Italian merchants of Rome, Florence, Milan and Venice. Libraries were set up and universities were established to promote classical and modem learning.

Question 1(b).
What effect did it have on the outlook and attitudes of the people of Europe ?
Answer:
The Renaissance, or the revival of classical Graeco-Roman learning, inspired and encouraged people to question and challenge long established ideas and institutions that had been imposed on them by the church and their kings. They refused to blindly accept the dictates of their milers and the Church. They demanded to know the truth based on logic and reason and rejected everything that did not satisfy the yardstick of reason. This new spirit of rationalism led to the rise of scientific temper and the spirit of inquiry. This scientific temper and the desire to inquire or seek the truth led to new and varied developments in the fields of art, architecture, sculpture, painting, literature, science and technology.

Question 1(c).
What effect did it have on trade ?
Answer:
The Renaissance fostered a spirit of exploration and discovery’ which led to a steady growth of trade and commerce. A new class of rich merchants emerged in society. These merchants accumulated enormous wealth and helped their rulers to build prosperous, strong and stable states. The king’s dependence on feudal lands gradually declined.

Question 2.
With reference to the causes of the Reformation, how did the following contribute to the movement:
(a) Renaissance
(b) Evil practices of the Roman catholic Church
(c) Rise of strong and powerful rulers
Answer:
(a)
The Renaissance had radically altered the pattern of thinking and outlook of the people. It had set in motion the advent of new and powerful ideas of humanism, rationalism, scientific spirit and the spirit of Inquiry. These revolutionary ideas unleashed unstoppable forces that completely charged the way people thought and behaved. It was like the awakening of a sleeping giant.
People had finally found truthful and rational answers to their questions and discovered the real truth about themselves and their environment. Everything based on blind faith was questioned. The teachings of the Church were rejected and its authority challenged.
Even, the invention of the printing press helped to spread the ideas of the Renaissance thinkers quickly and far and wide.

(b)
With the passage of time the clergy, with some exceptions, began to lead immoral lives of luxury, wealth and comfort. The monasteries owned nearly one-third of the landed property in Europe. Religious duties and services to mankind were largely ignored or forgotten.
The Roman Church levied various taxes such as ‘tithe’ and ‘Peter’s Pence’ on all European Christians under their control. High fees were charged for conducting religious services. Bribery and corruption became common. Church offices were sold, bringing many unworthy people into the Church.

The Church also started the practice of selling “indulgences’ to those who had committed sins. It was like a certificate of pardon by God for their sins and a ‘passport to heaven” without having to undergo any penance.

With the decline of feudalism in Europe ,strong rule’s emerged. They defied the authority of the Pope and refused to let him interfere in their administrative affairs. They resented the papa! taxes and the drain of their wealth to Rome m the form of papa! taxes.

(G Picture study):
This is a portrait of the German monk who opposed certain activities of the Catholic Church.
The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Solutions - The Beginning of the Modern World 4
(a) Identify the person in the picture.
Ans. Marlin Luther.

(b) With which great religious movement is his name associated?
Ans. Reformation movement.

(c) Where was he born and in which country did he lead his movement ?
Ans. Martin Luther was a German Christian monk and preacher at the University town of Witten burg.

(d) Mention any four effects of the movement started by him
Ans.

The church was split up permanently.
Civil wars broke out in many countries between the Catholics and the Protestants.
Religious intolerance, hatred and persecution of Protestants in Catholic countries and Catholics in Protestant countries became the order of the day, and led to many wars in Europe.
Religious persecution of the Protestants in England was a major reason for their migration to and colonization of North America (New England). By the end of the 18th century the colonists would establish the United States of America.