NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English Honeydew Chapter 3 Glimpses of the Past PDF are available for free on our website that helps you a better understanding of the chapter. These NCERT solutions have been provided after a detailed analysis of the latest syllabus issued by CBSE. Students of Class 8th can study the answers provided here to score well in their school exams.
CBSE Class 8 English Glimpses of the Past Textbook Questions and Answers
Comprehension Check (Page 45)
Question 1: Look at picture 1 and recall the opening lines of the original song in Hindi. Who is the singer? Who else do you see in this picture?
Answer: The opening lines of the original song in Hindi are –
“Aye mere watan ke logon, tum khub laga lo naara
yeh shubh din hai ham sab ka, lehralo tiranga pyaara
par mat bhulo seema par, veeron ne hai praan ganvaaye
kuchh yaad unhe bhee kar lo – (2)
jo laut ke ghar naa aaye – (2)
This beautiful heart-touching track was sung by Lata Mangeshkar.
In the picture, we see great leaders of India namely – Lal Bahadur Shastri, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bahadur Shah Zafar, Lala Lajpat Rai, Bhagat Singh, Mahatma Gandhi and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.
Question 2: In picture 2 what do you understand by the Company’s ‘superior weapons?
Answer: The East India Company’s “superior weapons” refers to the arms and ammunition such as guns and cannons, wit, strong rules and regulations and diplomacy of the British rulers.
Question 3: Who is an artisan? Why do you think the artisans suffered? (Picture 3)
Answer: An artisan is a person who is skilled in an applied art; a craftsperson. The expert artisans of India worked so well that there was no parallel to their creation. So British goods could not be sold in the country as long as they produced goods. To make them incapable of doing their work, the British cut their thumbs.
Question 4: Which picture, according to you, reveals the first sparks of the fire of revolt?
Answer: Picture 7 reveals the first spark of the fire of revolt.
Working with the Text
Answer the following questions.
Question 1: Do you think the Indian princes were short-sighted in their approach to the events of 1757?
Answer: Yes, the Indian princes were short-sighted in their approach. They fought against each other with the help of the British. Thus the British became the virtual rulers.
Question 2: How did the East India Company subdue the Indian Princes?
Answer: The Indian princes were constantly at war with each other. They called the English merchants to help them in their fights. The people had no peace due to such constant fights. The rivalries helped the East India Company subdue the Indian princes one by one.
Question 3: Quote the words used by Ram Mohan Roy to say that every religion teaches the same principles.
Answer: Ram Mohan Roy quoted to his wife Uma that “Cows are of different colours, but the colour of their milk is the same. Different teachers have different opinions but the essence of every religion is the same.”
Question 4: In what ways did the British officers exploit Indians?
Answer: The British rulers passed a resolution under which an Indian could be sent to jail without trial in a court. The goods manufactured in England were exempted from custom duty. The officers prospered on the company’s loot and their private business flourished.
Question 5: Name these people.
(i) The ruler who fought pitched battles against the British and died fighting.
(ii) The person who wanted to reform the society.
(iii) The person who recommended the introduction of English education in India.
(iv) Two popular leaders who led the revolt (Choices may vary.)
Answer:
(i) Tipu Sultan
(ii) Raja Ram Mohan Roy
(iii) Lord Macaulay
(iv) Nana Saheb Peshwa and Kunwar Singh
Question 6: Mention the following.
(i) Two examples of social practices prevailing then.
(ii) Two oppressive policies of the British.
(iii) Two ways in which common people suffered.
(iv) Four reasons for the discontent that led to the 1857 War of Independence.
Answer:
(i) Untouchability and child marriage.
(ii) (a) The British passed a resolution under which an Indian could be jailed with-out trial in a court.
(b) The British supported the British industry. To do so they made imports to India tax-free. Consequently Indian industry began to die.
(iii) (a) The British did not care about the needs of Indians.
(b) The farmers were heavily taxed and the thumbs of the artisans were cut.
(iv) (a) Santhals had lost their lands. They became desperate. They revolted and killed the British and their supporters alike.
(b) The white soldiers got huge pay. The Indian soldier was lowly paid. This created discontentment among the soldiers.
(c) Hazrat Mahal of Lucknow was bitter. She had lost her kingdom.
(d) Many landlords were sore. They had lost their lands because of the Britishers’ policies.
Working with Language
Question 1. Change the following sentences into indirect speech.
(i) First man: We must educate our brothers.
Second man: And try to improve their material conditions.
Third man: For that we must convey our grievances to the British Parliament.
The first man said that__________________________________________________
The second man added that they __________________________________________
The third man suggested that_____________________________________________
Answer:
(i) The first man said that they must educate their brothers.
The second man added that they should try to improve their material conditions.
The third man suggested that they must convey their grievances to the British Parliament.
(ii) First soldier: The white soldier gets huge pay, mansions and servants.
Second soldier: We get a pittance and slow promotions.
Third soldier: Who are the British to abolish our customs?
The first soldier said that________________________________________________
The second soldier remarked that___________________________________________
The third soldier asked___________________________________________________
Answer:
The first soldier said that the white soldier got huge pay, mansions and servants.
The second soldier remarked that they got a pittance and slow, promotions.
The third soldier asked who the British were to abolish their customs.