Class 8th History Lesson-5 Traders to Rulers Exercise A. Answer the following questions: Q1. Mention three internal situations that enabled the British to establish an Empire in India. A1. The internal situations that enabled the British to establish an Empire in India were: (i) Decline of Central authority. (ii) Lack of unity and constant rivalries. (iii) Foreign invasions. (iv) Lack of good defence force. (v) Groupism and factionalism. Q2. How did industrialisation and the need for new markets encourage the British to conquer India. A2. (i)Industrialisation and Capitalism created huge demand for cheap raw material. (ii)The British also required new markets for selling finished goods. (iii)The countries of Asia and Africa became centres of attraction as they had natural resources and large population but no factories. Q3.(a) List the main traded commodities of the British East India Company. A3.(a) The main traded commodities of the British East India Company were spices, silk, indigo and cloth. Q3.(b) What was the nature of the French East India Company? A3.(b) (i)The French East India Company was largely a government controlled business venture. (ii)It depended on the French government for funding. Q4. Mention any three actions that the trading companies took to carry out trade and secure their markets. A4. The three actions that the trading companies took to carry out trade and secure their markets were: (i) The countries used armed forces to carry out trade. (ii) They destroyed ships and blocked routes. (iii) They prevented rival ships from moving in with supplies of goods. Q5. What were the outcomes of the First, Second and third Carnatic Wars? A5.The outcomes of: (i)The First Carnatic War-The peace between France and England was declared and Madras was returned to the British. (ii)Second Carnatic War- The French government initiated peace talks and recalled Dupleix. (iii)Third Carnatic War- The British won the Carnatic Wars because they got all kinds of support from the British government and they also enjoyed autonomy. Q6. What caused the conflict between the company and the Nawabs of Bengal? A6.The main causes of the conflict between the Company and the Nawabs of Bengal were : Alivardi Khan laid down certain conditions for the Company. These conditions were- (i)The officials of the Company who were engaged in private trade shall pay custom duties or the privilege of duty-free trade will be withdrawn alltogether. (ii)The Company shall not extend the fortification of its settlement. (iii)The Nawabs forbid the Company from minting coins. (iv)The company shall pay a large amount of tribute for trade concessions. Q7. With reference to the Battle of Plassey, answer the following questions: (a) When was it fought? A7.(a) The Battle of Plassey was fought on June 23, 1757. (b)Why was it fought? A7.(b) The Battle of Plassey was fought because: (i) The Company did not follow the orders of Nawab of Bengal. (ii) The English East India Company interfered in the internal affairs of Bengal. (iii) The Company failed to pay revenue dues. (c)Name the armies involved in the battle. A7.(c) The armies of Nawab of Bengal, Siraj- ud- Daulah and English East India Company were involved in the battle. (d)What was its outcome? A7.(d) The Battle of Plassey transformed a mere trading company(The British East India Company) into a political power. Q8. Explain the following terms briefly: (a) Subsidiary Alliance Ans: Subsidiary Alliance was introduced by Lord Wellesley. According to alliance, the Indian rulers could seek the British protection but had to give up their native troops. (b) Policy of Paramountcy Ans: Lord Hastings introduced the policy of paramountcy. Under this policy, the British claimed that the authority of the Company was supreme. (c) Doctrine of Lapse Ans: Doctrine of Lapse was introduced by Lord Dalhousie. According to this policy, if any Indian ruler died without leaving a natural male heir to the throne, then the British would annex his kingdom. Q9. With reference to the Three Anglo- Maratha Wars answer the following: (a) What were the causes of the war? A9.(a)The main causes of the war were: (i)Lack of unity among the Maratha chiefs. (ii)Inference of the British in the internal affairs of the Marathas. (b) Mention the significant events of the wars. A9.(b) The significant events of the wars were: (i)In the 1st Anglo-Maratha war,Treaty of Salbai was signed between the Marathas and the British. (ii)In the 2nd Anglo-Maratha war,The Marathas had to accept subsidiary Alliance. (iii)In the 3rd Anglo-Maratha war, the office of the Peshwa was abolished. Baji Rao II was deposed and pensioned off to Bithur near Kanpur. (c) What was the outcome of the wars? A9.(c) All the Maratha kingdoms as well as their territories were annexed by the British and they were not allowed to maintain an army. Ex.B Give reasons for the following: 1. Bengal suffered an enormous loss of revenue in the early 17th century. Ans: Bengal suffered and enormous loss of revenue in 17th century because: (i) In 1717,the Company got the right to import and export goods without paying the customs duty from Mughal emperor Farrukhsiyar. (ii)The company’s employees misused this right and carried illegal private trade for which they didn’t pay trade duties. 2. The Battle of Buxar was fought between the Company and Mir Qasim. Ans: The Battle of Buxar was fought between company and Mir Qasim because: (i)He dismissed court officials who favoured the British. (ii)He hired European experts to train his army. (iii)He placed limits on the trade privileges of the company.