NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Social Science History Chapter 2 From Trade to Territory contain solutions to the exercises given in the History book Our Pasts -III. These answers have been explained in a manner that you will easily understand all the concepts and get your doubts cleared without even seeking anyone’s assistance. You can read and download all the questions and answers in PDF format.
Class 8 History Chapter 2 From Trade to Territory Questions and Answers
Question 1: Match the following:
| Diwani | Tipu Sultan |
| “Tigre of Mysore” | right to collect land revenue |
| faujdari Adalat | Sepoy |
| Rani Channamma | Criminal court |
| sipahi | led an anti-British movement |
Answer:
| Diwani | right to collect land revenue |
| “Tigre of Mysore” | Tipu Sultan |
| faujdari Adalat | Criminal court |
| Rani Channamma | led an anti-British movement |
| sipahi | Sepoy |
Question 2: Fill in the blanks:
(a) The British conquest of Bengal began with the Battle of ______
Answer: Plassey
(b) Haidar Ali and Tipu Sultan were the rulers of ________
Answer: Mysore
(c) Dalhousie implemented the Doctrine of ________
Answer: Lapse
(d) Maratha kingdoms were located mainly in the _______ part of India.
Answer: South-Western
Question 3: State whether true or false:
(a) The Mughal empire became stronger in the eighteenth century.
Answer: False
(b) TheEnglishEastIndiaCompanywastheonlyEuropeancompanythattradedwith India.
Answer: False
(c) Maharaja Ranjit Singh wasthe ruler of Punjab.
Answer: True
(d) The British did not introduce administrative changes in the territories they conquered.
Answer: False
Question 4: What attracted European trading companies to India?
Answer: European trading companies were attracted to India primarily due to its rich resources and commodities that were highly valued in Europe. The fine qualities of cotton and silk produced in India, along with spices like pepper, cloves, cardamom, and cinnamon, had a significant market in Europe. These commodities could be bought at a cheap price in India and sold at higher prices in Europe. It enabled the trading companies to make substantial profits. Hence, European trading companies were attracted to India.
Question 5: What were the areas of conflict between the Bengal Nawabs and the East India Company?
Answer: The areas of conflict between the Bengal Nawabs and the East India Company were:
- Nawabs denied concessions to the East India Company on many occasions.
- Nawabs also demanded large tributes from the company.
- Nawabs stopped the company from extending its fortifications.
- The company refused to pay taxes.
- The company officials wrote disrespectful letters to nawabs and humiliated them.
Question 6: How did the assumption of Diwani benefit the East India Company?
Answer: The assumption of Diwani granted the East India Company the right to collect revenue from the provinces of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa in 1765. This was a significant turning point for the Company for several reasons:
- It allowed the Company to use the vast revenue resources of Bengal.
- With the revenue from Diwani, the Company could finance its trade of Indian goods without draining British resources.
- Diwani allowed the Company to exert greater economic control over the regions.
- The company used its political power to monopolize trade & dictate terms. They could impose their own prices that had no relation to the costs of production.
- The company used revenue of Bengal to finance exports of Indian goods.
Question 7: Explain the system of “subsidiary alliance”.
Answer: The “subsidiary alliance” was a strategy used by the East India Company to control Indian states. It made states keep their kings but follow the Company’s rules for defense and foreign affairs. States had to pay for British troops or give land in return. They couldn’t make deals with others without the Company’s okay. The Company also placed its own officials in these states to keep an eye on things. This way, the Company grew its power without taking over directly.
Question 8: In what way was the administration of the Company different from that of Indian rulers?
Answer:
| Company Administration | Indian Rulers Administration |
| The company divided the territories into presidencies | Indian rulers divided the territories into district, pargana, tehsil and parishad |
| Governor ruled the administrative units | Zamindar or Peasants were responsible for their units |
| Governor-General was the head of the state | King or Nawab was the head of the state |
| The introduction of several acts: Regulating Act, Indian Council Acts, Montague-Chelmsford Reforms | Indian rulers brought no such acts but used to rule with their farmans. |
Question 9: Describe the changes that occurred in the composition of the Company’s army.
Answer: The changes that occurred in the composition of the Company’s army were as follows:
The composition of the East India Company’s army evolved significantly over time. Initially, it relied on mercenaries and local forces. But gradually, it formed its own army mainly composed of Indian soldiers known as sepoys. They were trained and commanded by British officers. After the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857, the Company increased the number of European officers to ensure loyalty and improve command structures. The army adopted European military tactics, including modern training and weapons. It also started recruiting soldiers from various regions to prevent unified revolts. These changes made the Company’s army a disciplined and effective force capable of managing India’s vast territories.