ICSE Solutions for Class 8 History and Civics – Traders to Rulers (I)
I. Fill in the blanks:
1. Elizabeth 1 was the Queen of England.
2. The French company set up its headquarters at Pondicherry.
3. A group of English merchants formed the English East India Company.
4. The first Englishman to meet Emperor Jahangir was Sir Thomas Roe.
5. In 1668 the English East India Company acquired Bombay due to a marriage.|
6. The wars between the English and the French companies in India are known as Carnatic War.
II. Match the Contents of Column A Column B
Answer:
Column A Column B
III. State the following Statements are True or False:
1. Calcutta (now Kolkata) was the centre of the English East India Company’s power in India for many years.
True.
2. A Charter is a formal deed by the ruler of a country guaranteeing certain rights to the subjects or a company.
True.
3. The English prestige rose after the First Carnatic War.
Ans.Mir Qasim from the very beginning had very cordial relations with the English.
False.
4. Mir Jafar hatched a conspiracy with the English against Siraj-ud-daulah.
True.
5. Clive rose to fame after his success in the Second Carnatic War.
True.
6. The Battle of Buxar led to the foundation of British empire in India.
True.
IV. Answer the following questions:
Question 1.
What were ‘factories’ and who were called factors?
Answer:
Factories meant trading centres. The staff or officials of the company were called factors.
Question 2.
When and how was the English East India Company formed?
Answer:
It was formed by a group of English merchants. The company received a charter from queen Elizabeth I of England on December 31, 1600. Sir Thomas Roe got a farman from Jahangir in 1615 to establish a factory at Surat. The English traders from the very beginning tried to combine trade with diplomacy. The English set up factories at Surat, Agra Ahmedabad, Broach, Hooghly, Mqsulipatnam and Madras.
Question 3.
What were the main reasons for Anglo-French rivalry in India?
Answer:
The French cherished the ambition of French Empire in India. But this ambition was challenged by the English. This led to Anglo-French rivalry and the three Carnatic Wars.The French were defeated and the English became Supreme in the South. From this base the English conquered the rest of India.
Question 4.
What were the causes of Conflict between Siraj-ud-daulah and the English?
Answer:
The English built factories at Kassimbazar, Patna and in Bengal. In 1756 Siraj-ud-daulah came to power. The company had started to fortify their settlements in Bengal. Siraj did not like it. Siraj attacked and occupied the Fort William in Calcutta in 1756. The British defended under Clive and Nawab was forced to come to terms. Nawab had to vacate Calcutta and also pay indemnity to the British. Clive hatched a Conspiracy against the Nawab. The forces of the Nawab and the British East India Company fought on the field of Plassey in 1757. The Nawab was defeated, captured and killed.
Question 5.
Why did Mir Jafar enter into a conflict with English East India Company?
Answer:
After the Battle of Plassey the English East India Company became the real power. The company made demands which Mir Jaffar was unable to meet. Gradually, the Nawab’s treasury became empty. The company also started interfering in the day to day administration. Mir Jaffar was not happy with the company. The company deposed Mir Jaffar and made Mir Qasim, his son-in-law, the new Nawab of Bengal.
Question 6.
How did Mir Qasim become the Nawab of Bengal?
Answer:
The company deposed Mir Jaffar and made his son-in-law, Mir Qasim, the new Nawab of Bengal. From the beginning the relations between the two were not cordial. Qasim objected to the misuese of trade regulations.
Question 7.
Describe the circumstances that led to the Battle of Buxar.
Answer:
Mir Qasim objected to the misuse cf trade regulations. The abuse of duty free inland trade adversely affected the revenue which was the only income of the Nawab. Mir Qasim took other measures for consolidation of his administration, (a) training his army on European lines (b) transfer of treasury from Murshidabad to Munghyr. The British did not like these administrative steps. Under these circumstances, Nawab Mir Qasim challenged the company and a war broke out between them. The Nawab was defeated and fled to Awadh. He formed an alliance with Shuja-ud-daulah, the Nawab of Awadh and Shah Alam, the Mughal Emperor. The three forces met the British at Buxar on October 22, 1764. This battle is known as Battle of Buxar. The British emerged victorious. They made Mir Jaffar the Nawab of Bengal, the second time. The defeat in the battle of Buxar finally sealed the fate of Indian rulers and made the English the supreme power in India.
Question 8.
What were the results and significance of the Battle of Buxar?
Answer:
The Treaty of Allahabad was signed in 1765. According to its term the Nawab surrendered the districts of Allahabad and Kara to the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam. The Nawab agreed to pay 50 lakh rupees to the company. The Mughal Emperor granted the Diwani of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa to the British. In return the company agreed to pay T 26 lakhs annually to him. The company for the first time got involved in the direct administration of Bengal.
V. Picture Study –
This is a picture of a fort built by the British.
Question 1.
Identify the building.
Answer:
The picture is of Fort William, Calcutta.
Question 2.
When did the British purchase the three villages to develop into a city? Also name the villages and the city.
Answer:
In AD 1680 the British purchased three villages of Sutanati, Govindpur and Calicata. These villages were developed to form the city of Calcutta (now Kolkata).
Question 3.
Write a short note on establishment of British factories in India.
Answer:
Sir Thomas Roe in 1615 got a farman from Jahangir which allowed the British to set up a factor} at Surat. The English set up factories at Surat, Agra, Ahmedabad Broach, Hooghly, Masulipatam and Madras. They opened their first factory in the South at Masulipatam in A.D. 1639. In AD 1640 they established a factory at Hooghly.
A. Fill in the blanks:
1. Balaji Vishwanath laid the foundation of the Hereditary Dynastic rule of the Peshwas.
2. Lucknow was the cultural capital of Awadh.
3. Mysore, under the leadership of Hyder Ali became the most formidable adversary of the English East India Company in the south.
4. Guru Govind Singh ji, the tenth Sikh guru, organized a military brotherhood of Sikhs called Khalsa.
5. 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 ease-loving and a weak Maratha/Sikh/Rajput
Ans. Shahu was ease-loving and a weak Maratha ruler.
3. The Maratha empire reached the heights of its power am glory during the reign of Balaji Vishwanath/Baji Rao I/Balaj Baji Rao.
Ans. The Maratha empire reached the heights of its power and glor during the reign of Balaji Vishwanath.
4. Shuja-ud-Daulah 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 ol the Deccan, Nizam-ul-Mulk Asaf Jah.
D. State whether the following are true or false:
1. Bengal was one of the poorest provinces of the Mughal empire.
False.
Correct:- Bengal was the richest povinces of the Mughal empire.
2. The most capable among the successors of Murshid Quli Khan was Alivardi Khan.
True.
3. Lucknow was the cultural centre of Bengal. .
False.
Correct : Lucknow was the cultural centre of Awadh.
4. The most powerful kingdom in the south was Mysore.
True
5. 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 Lucknow?
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 the 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
1. Baji Rao I and
2. Balaji Baji Rao.
(c) 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 loyalty. 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)
1. 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.
2. 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)
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 a regional power, discuss the following:
(a) 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 foreign-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 their 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 the 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 kingdoms, 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 neighboring 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 from the Khyber Pass in the north to Sindh in the south.
Question 1.
Identify the person in the picture.
Answer:
Ranjit Singh.
Question 2.
Name the kingdom founded by him.
Answer:
Punjab.
Question 3.
What did he do to expand his kingdom?
Answer:
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.
Question 4.
Name the treaty signed between him and the English East India Company.
Answer:
Treaty of Amritsar.
Question 5.
What effect did this treaty have on his policy of expansion?
Answer:
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.
I. Fill in the blanks:
1. Elizabeth 1 was the Queen of England.
2. The French company set up its headquarters at Pondicherry.
3. A group of English merchants formed the English East India Company.
4. The first Englishman to meet Emperor Jahangir was Sir Thomas Roe.
5. In 1668 the English East India Company acquired Bombay due to a marriage.|
II. Match the Contents of Column A Column B
Answer:
Column A Column B
III. State the following Statements are True or False:
1. Calcutta (now Kolkata) was the centre of the English East India Company’s power in India for many years.
True.
2. A Charter is a formal deed by the ruler of a country guaranteeing certain rights to the subjects or a company.
True.
3. The English prestige rose after the First Carnatic War.
Ans.Mir Qasim from the very beginning had very cordial relations with the English.
False.
4. Mir Jafar hatched a conspiracy with the English against Siraj-ud-daulah.
True.
5. Clive rose to fame after his success in the Second Carnatic War.
True.
6. The Battle of Buxar led to the foundation of British empire in India.
True.
IV. Answer the following questions:
Question 1.
What were ‘factories’ and who were called factors?
Answer:
Factories meant trading centres. The staff or officials of the company were called factors.
Question 2.
When and how was the English East India Company formed?
Answer:
It was formed by a group of English merchants. The company received a charter from queen Elizabeth I of England on December 31, 1600. Sir Thomas Roe got a farman from Jahangir in 1615 to establish a factory at Surat. The English traders from the very beginning tried to combine trade with diplomacy. The English set up factories at Surat, Agra Ahmedabad, Broach, Hooghly, Mqsulipatnam and Madras.
Question 3.
What were the main reasons for Anglo-French rivalry in India?
Answer:
The French cherished the ambition of French Empire in India. But this ambition was challenged by the English. This led to Anglo-French rivalry and the three Carnatic Wars.The French were defeated and the English became Supreme in the South. From this base the English conquered the rest of India.
Question 4.
What were the causes of Conflict between Siraj-ud-daulah and the English?
Answer:
The English built factories at Kassimbazar, Patna and in Bengal. In 1756 Siraj-ud-daulah came to power. The company had started to fortify their settlements in Bengal. Siraj did not like it. Siraj attacked and occupied the Fort William in Calcutta in 1756. The British defended under Clive and Nawab was forced to come to terms. Nawab had to vacate Calcutta and also pay indemnity to the British. Clive hatched a Conspiracy against the Nawab. The forces of the Nawab and the British East India Company fought on the field of Plassey in 1757. The Nawab was defeated, captured and killed.
Question 5.
Why did Mir Jafar enter into a conflict with English East India Company?
Answer:
After the Battle of Plassey the English East India Company became the real power. The company made demands which Mir Jaffar was unable to meet. Gradually, the Nawab’s treasury became empty. The company also started interfering in the day to day administration. Mir Jaffar was not happy with the company. The company deposed Mir Jaffar and made Mir Qasim, his son-in-law, the new Nawab of Bengal.
Question 6.
How did Mir Qasim become the Nawab of Bengal?
Answer:
The company deposed Mir Jaffar and made his son-in-law, Mir Qasim, the new Nawab of Bengal. From the beginning the relations between the two were not cordial. Qasim objected to the misuese of trade regulations.
Question 7.
Describe the circumstances that led to the Battle of Buxar.
Answer:
Mir Qasim objected to the misuse cf trade regulations. The abuse of duty free inland trade adversely affected the revenue which was the only income of the Nawab. Mir Qasim took other measures for consolidation of his administration, (a) training his army on European lines (b) transfer of treasury from Murshidabad to Munghyr. The British did not like these administrative steps. Under these circumstances, Nawab Mir Qasim challenged the company and a war broke out between them. The Nawab was defeated and fled to Awadh. He formed an alliance with Shuja-ud-daulah, the Nawab of Awadh and Shah Alam, the Mughal Emperor. The three forces met the British at Buxar on October 22, 1764. This battle is known as Battle of Buxar. The British emerged victorious. They made Mir Jaffar the Nawab of Bengal, the second time. The defeat in the battle of Buxar finally sealed the fate of Indian rulers and made the English the supreme power in India.
Question 8.
What were the results and significance of the Battle of Buxar?
Answer:
The Treaty of Allahabad was signed in 1765. According to its term the Nawab surrendered the districts of Allahabad and Kara to the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam. The Nawab agreed to pay 50 lakh rupees to the company. The Mughal Emperor granted the Diwani of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa to the British. In return the company agreed to pay T 26 lakhs annually to him. The company for the first time got involved in the direct administration of Bengal.
V. Picture Study –
This is a picture of a fort built by the British.
Question 1.
Identify the building.
Answer:
The picture is of Fort William, Calcutta.
Question 2.
When did the British purchase the three villages to develop into a city? Also name the villages and the city.
Answer:
In AD 1680 the British purchased three villages of Sutanati, Govindpur and Calicata. These villages were developed to form the city of Calcutta (now Kolkata).
Question 3.
Write a short note on establishment of British factories in India.
Answer:
Sir Thomas Roe in 1615 got a farman from Jahangir which allowed the British to set up a factor} at Surat. The English set up factories at Surat, Agra, Ahmedabad Broach, Hooghly, Masulipatam and Madras. They opened their first factory in the South at Masulipatam in A.D. 1639. In AD 1640 they established a factory at Hooghly.
Additional Questions
EXERCISES
A. Fill in the blanks:
1. Balaji Vishwanath laid the foundation of the Hereditary Dynastic rule of the Peshwas.
2. Lucknow was the cultural capital of Awadh.
3. Mysore, under the leadership of Hyder Ali became the most formidable adversary of the English East India Company in the south.
4. Guru Govind Singh ji, the tenth Sikh guru, organized a military brotherhood of Sikhs called Khalsa.
5. The Sikhs were organized into a loose confederacy of 12 misls or groups.
B. Match the following:
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 ease-loving and a weak Maratha/Sikh/Rajput
Ans. Shahu was ease-loving and a weak Maratha ruler.
3. The Maratha empire reached the heights of its power am glory during the reign of Balaji Vishwanath/Baji Rao I/Balaj Baji Rao.
Ans. The Maratha empire reached the heights of its power and glor during the reign of Balaji Vishwanath.
4. Shuja-ud-Daulah 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 ol the Deccan, Nizam-ul-Mulk Asaf Jah.
D. State whether the following are true or false:
1. Bengal was one of the poorest provinces of the Mughal empire.
False.
Correct:- Bengal was the richest povinces of the Mughal empire.
2. The most capable among the successors of Murshid Quli Khan was Alivardi Khan.
True.
3. Lucknow was the cultural centre of Bengal. .
False.
Correct : Lucknow was the cultural centre of Awadh.
4. The most powerful kingdom in the south was Mysore.
True
5. 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 Lucknow?
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 the 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
1. Baji Rao I and
2. Balaji Baji Rao.
(c) 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 loyalty. 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)
1. 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.
2. 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)
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 a regional power, discuss the following:
(a) 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 foreign-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 their 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 the 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 kingdoms, 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 neighboring 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 from the Khyber Pass in the north to Sindh in the south.
Question 1.
Identify the person in the picture.
Answer:
Ranjit Singh.
Question 2.
Name the kingdom founded by him.
Answer:
Punjab.
Question 3.
What did he do to expand his kingdom?
Answer:
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.
Question 4.
Name the treaty signed between him and the English East India Company.
Answer:
Treaty of Amritsar.
Question 5.
What effect did this treaty have on his policy of expansion?
Answer:
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.
ICSE Solutions for Class 8 History and Civics - Traders to Rulers (I)