Class 8 Glimpses of the Past NCERT Questions and Answers

Class 8 Glimpses of the Past

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 Hindi Song are “Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon, Tum Khub Laga lo Naara: Ye Shubh Din Hai Hum Sab Ka Lehralo Tiranga Pyara, Par Mat Bhulo Seema Par Veron Ne Hain Pran Gawayen.” It was sung by Lata Mangeskar. We see Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, Lai Bahadur Shastri and Mrs Indira Gandhi in this picture.

Class 8 Glimpses of the Past

Question 2: In picture 2 what do you understand by the Company’s ‘superior weapons?

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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 craftsman, skilled in some trade. They suffered because the goods that they produced lost demand in the Indian market.

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.

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.

Class 8 Glimpses of the Past

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: According to Ram Mohan Roy, “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) Kunwar Singh
(ii) Ram Mohan Roy
(iii) Macaulay
(iv) Maulvi Ahmedulla of Faizabad and Peshwa Nana Saheb

Class 8 Glimpses of the Past

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) The British masters allowed imports in India tax free. They ruined Indian cottage industries.

(iii) The farmers were taxed heavily and the thumbs of skilled workers were cut.

(iv) (a) Santhals who lost their land became desperate and they revolted.
(b) The sepoys in the English army were paid much less than white soldiers. So they were discontented and angry.
(c) The Brahmins were furious when they came to know that the bullets they had to bite, contained cow fat and pig-fat.
(d) Many landlords were sore because the British policies deprived them of their land and estate.

Class 8 Glimpses of the Past

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