The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Solutions – Expansion of British Power in India

The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Solutions – Expansion of British Power in India

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The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Answers

Trail HistoryCivics Focus on HistoryCivics GeographyBiologyChemistryPhysicsMaths

EXERCISES

A. Fill the in the blanks:

  1. The five centres of Maratha power were:
    Answer:
    The five centres of Maratha power were:

    • The Sindhias of Gwalior
    • The Holkars of Indore
    • The Bhonsle family of Nagpur
    • The Gaekwad family of Baroda
      The Peshwa of Poona (Pune)
  2. The Govemors-General during the First and Second Anglo- Maratha Wars were Warren Hastings and Lord Wellesley, respectively.
  3. The Second Anglo-Maratha War was a severe blow to the Sindhia and Bhonsle of the Marathas.
  4. Lord Dalhousie adopted three methods to make the British the paramount power in India.
  5. Jhansi was annexed by Dalhousie on the basis of the Doctrine of Lapse.
  6. Dalhousie annexed Awadh on the grounds of Maladministration or Misgovernment.

B. Match the following:
The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Solutions - Expansion of British Power in India 1
Answer:
The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Solutions - Expansion of British Power in India 2

C. Choose the correct answer:

1. The First Anglo-Maratha War was fought during the Governor-Generalship of Lord Cornwallis/Lord Wellesley/ Warren Hastings.
Ans. The First Anglo-Maratha War was fought during the Governor- Generalship of Warren Hastings.

2. The Maratha chiefs were united under the leadership of Nana Phadnavis/Baji Rao ll/Madhav Rao II during the First Anglo-Maratha War.
Ans. The Maratha chiefs were united under the leadership of NanaPhadnavis during the First Anglo-Maratha War.

3. After the Third Anglo-Maratha War the British placed a descendant of Shivaji on the throne of Nagpur/Satara/Jhansi.
Ans. After the Third Anglo-Maratha War the British placed a descendant of Shivaji on the throne of Satara.

4. Punjab was annexed by Lord Minto/Lord Dalhousie/Lord Wellesley in 1849.
Ans. Punjab was annexed by Lord Dalhousie in 1849.

5. The widespread resentment against annexations expressed itself in the Revolt of 1849/1861/1857.
Ans. The widespread resentment against annexations expressed itself in the Revolt of 1857.

D. State whether the following are true or false:

  1. 1. After Hyder Ali’s death, his son Tipu Sultan continued the Anglo-Maratha Wars.
    True.
  2. The Subsidiary Alliance system was used by the British to bring Indian rulers under British control without any war.
     True.
  3. The Subsidiary Alliance proved very advantageous for the Indians.
    False.
    Correct : The Subsidiary Alliance proved very advantageous for the British.
  4. The adopted son of Peshwa Baji Rao II was denied the pension that his father used to get from the British.
    True.
  5. By 1856, the English East India Company had brought the whole of India under its control.
    True.

E. Answer the following questions in one or two words/ sentences:

Question 1.
What was the main objective of the Subsidiary Alliance system?
Answer:
The subsidiary Alliance system was a method perfected by Lord Wellesley to subjugate Indian powers without the cost and bother/ trouble of war.
Any Indian ruler whose security was threatened was encouraged to seek help from and enter into an alliance with the British, who promised to protect the ruler from external attacks and internal revolts. The Indian ruler had to accept certain terms and conditions.

Question 2.
What happened when the administration of a subsidiary state collapsed?
Answer:
When the administration collapsed, the British used it as an excuse for annexing the kingdom on grounds of misgovernment.

Question 3.
Why did Peshwa Baji Rao II sign the Subsidiary Alliance?
Answer:
In 1802, Peshwa baji Rao II, supported by Sindhia, was defeated by Holkar. Baji Rao II fled to Bassein where he signed the Subsidiary Treaty as a price for British protection and support. He was escorted back to Poona by British soldiers.

Question 4.
Why was Wellesley recalled from India during the Second Anglo-Maratha War?
Answer:
Wellesley was recalled from India because the government in England was unhappy with the enormous expenditure involved in Wellesley’s policy of wars and expansion.

Question 5.
How did the Subsidiary Alliance impact the (a) economy (b) administration in Awadh?
Answer:
(a)
Awadh had signed a Subsidiary Alliance with Wellesley. He had to protect the nawab from external invasions and internal rebellions. It made the nawabs complacent and unconcerned about the affairs of the state. The payement of annual subsidies to the Company exhausted the state treasury.
(b)
When the administration was on the verge of collapse, Dalhousie struck. He brought charges of misgovernment or maladministration against the nawab. On those grounds he deposed the nawab and annexed Awadh in 1856.

F. Answer the following questions briefly:

Question 1.
With reference to the Subsidiary Alliance System perfected by Lord Wellesley, answer the following:
(a) Why did Indian rulers sign the Subsidiary Alliance? State two important military terms and conditions imposed on the Indian rulers by this treaty.
(b) The Subsidiary Alliance proved very beneficial for the British. Explain.
(c) Discuss the disastrous effects of the Subsidiary Alliance on the Indian states.
Answer:
(a)
Indian ruler whose security was threatened was encouraged to seek help from and enter into an alliance with the British, who promised to protect the ruler from external attacks and internal revolts. The Indian rulers had to accept certain terms and condition in return for British protection under the Subsidiary Alliance like:

  1.  British troops would be permanently placed in the territory of the Subsidiary state.
  2. The ruler would have to pay for the maintenance of the troops.
  3.  He could not employ any europeans in his service or dismiss those who were already there.
  4. He could not form an alliance with any other power or declare war against any power without the permission of the British.
  5. He would acknowledge the British Company as the paramount power.

(b)
The Subsidiary Alliance proved very advantageous for the British like.

  1. The British maintained large armies at the expense of the Indian rulers.
  2. The British acquired valuable territories as subsidiary payment. This led to the expansion of the British empire in India and an increase in its resources.
  3. The influence of European rivals, especially the French, was excluded from the courts of the Indian rulers.
  4. The British controlled the foreign policy of the Subsidiary states.

(c)
The Subsidiary Alliance System had great effect on the subsidiary state like:

  1. British troops would be permanently placed in the territory of the Subsidiary state.
  2. The ruler would have to pay for the maintenance of the troops.
  3. He could not employ any Europeans in his service or dismiss those who were already there.
  4. He could not form an alliance with any other power or declare war against any power without the permission of the British.
  5. He would acknowledge the British Company as the paramount power. ses or dastaks for the free movement of their goods.

Question 2.
Dalhousie was a great expansionist and adopted a number of methods to build an all-India empire. In this context, answer the following questions:
(a) Mention the various methods adopted by Dalhousie and the territories annexed on the basis of these methods.
(b) Under what circumstances did a subordinate state automatically ‘lapse’ and pass into the hands of the British? How did the rulers react to this policy?
(c) Why did Nana Saheb become one of the leaders of the Revolt of 1857?
Answer:
(a)
Dalhousie adopted a number of methods to give the final touches to the work of empire-building in India. The methods he adopted were:

  1. War-Punjab.
  2. Doctrine of Lapse-Satara, Jhansi and Nagpur.
  3. Annexation on grounds of maladministration-Awadh.

(b)
Lord Dalhousie brought several subordinate states under the direct rule of the Company by annexing them on the basis of the Doctrine of Lapse. According to the Doctrine of Lapse, all subordinate states (subsidiary states and states created by the British) where the rulers died without a natural male heir would automatically ‘lapse’, i.e., pass into the hands of the British. Rulers without heirs could not adopt sons, according to the age-old Hindu and Islamic traditions, without the permission of the Company.
(c)
Nana Saheb, the adopted son of Peshwa Baji Rao II, inherited his father’s personal property but was not given the pension that had been paid to his father. Nana Saheb became one of the important leaders of the Revolt of 1857.

Question 3.
With reference to the annexation of Awadh discuss:
(a) The effects of the Subsidiary Alliance on the administration in Awadh
(b) The political scenario in India by 1856
(c) Any three factors responsible for the success of the British over their Indian rivals
Answer:
(a)
Awadh had signed Subsidiary Alliance with Wellesley. He had to protect the nawab from external invasions and internal rebellions. It made the nawabs complacent and unconcerned about the affairs of the state. The payement of annual subsidies to the Company exhausted the state treasury. When the administration was on the verge of collapse, Dalhousie struck. He brought charges of misgovernment or maladministration against the nawab. On these grounds he deposed the nawab and annexed Awadh in 1856.
(b)
By 1856 the English East India Company had brought the whole of India under its control of the British. The British had eliminated all their rivals and established themselves as the paramount power in India.
(c)
The factors responsible for the success of the British are:

  1. Lack of unity among Indian rulers.
  2. Lack of organized and efficient administration in Indian states.
  3. Superior military resources of the company.
  4. Superior economic resources of the company.
  5. Naval supremacy of the British.

G Picture study:
The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Solutions - Expansion of British Power in India 3
1. Name the Governor Genera!.
Ans. Lord Dalhousie

2. What was the method adopted by him to subjugate the Indian territories ?
Ans. Governor General Dalhousie was a great imperialist who annexed several states on the basis of the Doctrine of Lapse.

3. Mention the terms and conditions under this method.
Ans. According to the Doctrine of Lapse, all subordinate states (subsidiary states and states created by the British) where the rulers died without a natural male heir would automatically ‘lapse’, i.e. pass into the hands of the British. Rulers without heirs could not adopt sons, according to the age-old Hindu and Islamic traditions, without the permission of the Company.

4. Did this method have any advantage for the Indian rulers? Why ?
Ans. The annexation of these states caused widespread resentment among the Indian rulers and became a potent factor responsible for the outbreak of the Revolt of 1857

 

The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Solutions – Rise of British Power in Bengal

The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Solutions – Rise of British Power in Bengal

ICSE SolutionsSelina ICSE SolutionsML Aggarwal Solutions

The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Answers

Trail HistoryCivics Focus on HistoryCivics GeographyBiologyChemistryPhysicsMaths

EXERCISES

A. Fill the in the blanks:

  1. Madras, Bombay and Calcutta became the headquarters of the British settlements in the southern, western and eastern regions, respectively.
  2. In 1717, the Mughal emperor granted the United East India Company the right to carry on duty-free trade in Bengal, Bihar and Orissa.
  3. The French East India Company was established in 1664 C.E.
  4. The British and the French fought the Carnatic Wars in India to establish their monopoly in trade.
  5. Bengal in the 18th century was the richest and the most fertile province in India.
  6. In 1757 Robert Clive recovered Calcutta which had been captured by Siraj-ud-Daulah in 1756.
  7. Mir Jafar was deposed because he was unable to meet the demands of the British.
  8. In 1765, Awadh was returned to Shuja-ud-Daulah but Kora and Allahabad were taken away and given to Shah Alam II.
  9. Shah Alam II granted the Company the Diwani of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa in 1765.
  10. Warren Hastings deposed and pensioned off the Nawab of Bengal and brought Bengal under the direct, and complete control of the Company.

B. Match the following:
The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Solutions - Rise of British Power in Bengal 1
Answer:
The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Solutions - Rise of British Power in Bengal 2

C. Choose the correct answer:

1. The English East India Company was established in the year 1600/1700/1800 CE.
Ans. The English East India Company was established in the year 1600.

2. The English East India Company set up its first factory in Surat/Agra/Broach.
Ans. The English East India Company set up its first factory in Surat.

3. The largest and the most prosperous European settlement in Bengal was the British settlement at Calcutta/Burdwan/ Murshidabad.
Ans. The largest and the most prosperous European settlement in Bengal was the British settlement at Calcutta.

4. Alivardi Khan was succeeded by Mir Qasim/Siraj-ud- Daulah/Shuja-ud-Daula.
Ans. Alivardi Khan was succeeded by Siraj-ud-Daulah.

5. Robert Clive hatched a plot with Mir Jafar/Mir Qasim/ Alivardi Khan to replace Siraj-ud-Daulah.
Ans. Robert Clive hatched a plot with Mir Jafar to replace Siraj- ud-Daulah.

6. The Battle of Plassey was fought in 1757/1764/1772.
Ans. The Battle of Plassey was fought in 1757.

7. The Dual Government in Bengal was introduced by Robert Clive/Warren Hastings/Lord Cornwallis.
Ans. The Dual Government in Bengal was introduced by Robert Clive.

D. State whether the following are true or false:

  1. The-Carnatic Wars were fought between the British and the French.
     True.
  2. The employees of the Company were entitled to both private trade as well as duty-free trade.
     False.
    Correct: The employees of the Company were permitted to carry on private trade but they were not entitled to the Company’s privilege of duty-free trade.
  3. The English East India Company was given the right to issue passes or dastaks for the free movement of their goods.
    True.
  4. The British army was defeated in the Battle of Buxar.
    False.
    Correct : The British army won in the Battle of Buxar.
  5. The Treaty of Allahabad was signed between the British Company and Mir Qasim.
    False.
    Correct: The Treaty of Allahabad was signed between the British and Shuja-ud-Daulah.
  6. Warren Hastings laid the foundation of an organized system of government in Bengal.
    True.

E.Answer the following questions in one or two words/ sentences:

Question 1.
Who granted the English East India Company the exclusive right to trade with the East ?
Answer:
The Queen of England, Elizabeth I, granted the Company the exclusive right to trade with the East.

Question 2.
Name the British trading settlements in (a) Madras (b) Calcutta.
Answer:
(a) Madras was given to the British by a local ruler. They established a trading settlement which they fortified and named Fort St. George.

(b) Calcutta In 1690 CE, a British trading settlement was established and fortified in Calcutta. It was named Fort William.

Question 3.
What important right did the Mughal emperor Farrukhsiyar grant the English East India Company ?
Answer:
In 1717, the Mughal Emperor, Farrukhsiyar, granted the Company the right to carry on duty-free trade in Bengal, Bihar and Orissa (now Odisha). The Company made enormous profits.

Question 4.
Why were European traders attracted to the Bengal province in the 18th century?
Answer:
Bengal was the richest and the most fertile province in India at that time. It was known as the paradise of the earth and this province attracted traders from many European countries.

Question 5.
What privileges did the farman of 1717 confer on the English East India Company?
Answer:
By the ‘Farman” of 1717, the English East India company was granted the right to carry on duty-free trade in Bengal. They were allowed to export and import goods from and to Bengal without paying any taxes to the government. They were given the right to issue passes or dastaks for the free movement of their goods.

Question 6.
Why did the farman of 1717 become a bone of contention between the nawabs of Bengal and the British Company?
Answer:
The Nawabs of Bengal wanted British company to pay taxes on trade like the Indians. But the Britishers refused to do so. This created conflict between both the parties and resulted in wars between both of them.

Question 7.
Why did the British fortify their trade settlement in Calcutta?
Answer:
Siraj-ud-Daulah ordered the British to pay taxes to him like all other Indian merchants. The British refused to do so. This angered the young nawab. In anticipation of a war with the French, who had a trading settlement in Chandemagore, the British began to fortify Calcutta.

Question 8.
Why did Siraj-ud-Daulah attack Calcutta in 1756?
Answer:
When the Britishers tried to fortify Calcutta, Siraj-ud-Daulah ordered both the British and the French to dismantle their fortifcations and not to fight private wars on his territory. The French agreed but the British refused. This enraged the Nawab and he attacked Calcutta’with a large army and captured Fort William.

Question 9.
What important trading right was granted to the English East India Company after their victory in the Battle of Plassey?
Answer:

  1. The English East India Company was granted die undisputed right to free trade in Bengal, Bihar and Orissa.
  2. The Company was given die zamindari of the 24 Parganas.

Question 10.
State the political significance of the Battle of Buxar.
Answer:

  1. It gave them political influence and control over Awadh and  the Mughal emperor.
  2. It laid the foundation of British rule in India.

Question 11.
Name the Indian signatories of the Treaty of Allahabad.
Answer:
Shuja-ud-Daulah and Shah Alam II.

Question 12.
In which year was the Dual Government abolished and by  whom?
Answer:
In 1772, Warren Hastings abolished die Dual Government

F. Answer the following questions briefly:
Question 1.
The Battle of Plassey was a major turning point in the history of India. In this  context answer the following questions:
(a) Give an account of the events leading  from the conspiracy to replace Siraj-ud-Daulah to his eventual defeat in the Battle of Plassey.
(b) State the results of the Battle of Plassey.
(c) Why is this battle considered a major turning point in the history of India?
Answer:
(a) A major part of the nawab’s army under the command of Mir Jafar did not take any part in die battle. Realizing that he had been betrayed, the nawab fled from the battlefield .He was captured and put to death.
(b) Results of Battle of Plasey:

  1. The English East India company was granted the undisputed right to free trade in Bengal, Bihar and Orissa.
  2. The Company was given the zamindari of the 24 parganas.
  3. Mir Jafar paid the Company and its officials over 300 lakh rupees.

(c) The Battle of Plassey was a major turning point in the history of India.

  1. It paved the way for the establishment of British rule in Bengal and, eventually, the rest of India.
  2. It transformed a trading company into a political power.
  3. It provided the British the vast resources of Bengal, which helped them to win the Third camatic war and other expeditions in India.

Question 2.
Mir Qasim was a competent ruler, determined to free himself from foreign control. In this context answer the following:
(a) What steps did Mir Qasim take to strengthen his position? Why did he abolish all duties on internal trade?
(b) Trace the events from the outbreak of war (1763) between Mir Qasim and the British up to the Battle of Buxar in 1764.
(c) Explain the importance of the Battle of Buxar.
Answer:
(a)
To strengthen his position, Mir Qasim improved the financial position of Bengal and raised a modem, disciplined and well-equipped army trained by the Europeans. The employers of the company misused their trade privileges.
They sold their duty-free trade points to Indian merchants who also used them to carry on duty-free trade. This  deprived the Nawab fo large revenues. To put an end to the corrupt practices of the British, Mir Qasim abolished all duties on internal trade.
(b)
The employees of the Company misused their trade privileges. They sold their duty-free trade permits to Indian merchants who also used them to carry on duty-free trade.This deprived the nawab of large revenues and was unfair to those local merchants who had to pay heavy duties. ” To put an end to the corrupt practices of the British, Mir Qasim abolished all duties on internal trade. This made the British furious. They refused to accept an equal status with j the Indian merchants.
In 1763, war broke out between Mir Qasim and the British. The nawab was defeated. Mir Jafar was reinstated on the throne.
Mir Qasim was determined to recover his throne. He escaped to Awadh, where he formed an alliance with Shuja-ud-Daulah, the nawab of Awadh, and the Mughal emperor, Shah Alam II.
The combined forces of the three allies clashed with the Company’s troops at Buxar in 1764, and were decisively defeated by the British.
 (c)

  1.  The victory of the British in the Battle of Buxar firmly established them as masters of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa.
  2. It gave them political influence and control over Awadh and the Mughal emperor.
  3.  It laid the foundation of British rule in India.
  4. At this time, Robert Clive returned to India as the governor of Bengal.

Question 3.
With reference to the Treaty of Allahabad and its impact,  answer the following:
(a) Mention the terms of agreement between Robert Clive and Shuja-ud-Daulah in this treaty.
(b) Explain how the treaty between Robert Clive and the Mughal emperor Shah Alam II legalized the English East India’s Company’s control over Bengal.
(c) Give an account of the events that followed the death of Mir Jafar, leading to the establishment of the Company as the real ruler of Bengal.
Answer:
(a)

  1. Awadh was returned to Shuja-ud-Daulah. However, the two districts of Kora and Allahabad were taken away from the Nawab.
  2. The nawab of Awadh had to pay a war indemnity of 50 lakh rupees to the Company.
  3. The British agreed to defend the nawab of Awadh against his enemies. The nawab would have to pay for the cost of the British troops. Awadh became a buffer state between the British possessions in Bengal and the Marathas.

(b)
The British gave Shah Alam II the districts of Kora and Allahabad and an annual pension of 26 lakh rupees. In return, the emperor (the nominal head of the Mughal empire) granted the Company the Diwani of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa, e., the right to collect revenue from these provinces and judge civil cases. The Company’s control over Bengal was made legal.
(c)
After Mir Jafar’s death in 1765, his son was made the nawab of Bengal. He had to sign a treaty with Clive, according to which he had to disband most of his army.
He also had to transfer the ‘Nizamat’ powers (general administration and criminal justice) to a deputy nawab appointed by the British. The deputy nawab could not be dismissed by the nawab. The nawab was given an allowance of 53 lakh rupees which was subsequently reduced. Thus, the English East India Company became the real ruler of Bengal from 1765.

Question 4.
With reference to the establishment of Dual Government in Bengal (1765-72) answer the following:
(a) Why was the government introduced in Bengal by Robert Clive referred to as ‘Dual Government’?
(b) What were the advantages and disadvantages of this system for the Company and the nawab respectively?
(c) The evils of the Dual Government led to the collapse  of the administration and the economy. Explain.
Answer:
(a)
Robert Clive introduced Dual Government in Bengal in 1765.Bengal now had two masters-the nawab and the Company .The Nawab was responsible for general administration, maintenance of law and order and justice {i.e., criminal cases). The Company had military power and the right to collect and use the revenue of Bengal. This arrangement was known as Dual Government.
(b)
The Company enjoyed power without any responsibilities.The nawab, on the other hand, was burdened with the responsibility of administration without the resources necessary for running it efficiently i.e., responsibility without power.
The revenue was collected by Indian officials appointed by the Company. The greed, corruption and oppression of these officials reduced the peasants to conditions of utter misery. The Company took no interest in the welfare of the people.
(c)
The conditions of the people worsened when Bengal was hit by a terrible famine in which one third of the population perished. Nobody cared, neither the Company nor the nawab, who in any case had neither the authority nor the resources to lessen the miseries of the people. The Company, through its power to nominate the deputy nawab, only interfered in the general administration without assuming any responsibility.The evils of the Dual Government began to manifest themselves. The administration and economy collapsed. In 1772, the Court of Directors of the Company appointed Warren Hastings as the Governor of Bengal. In 1773, by the Regulating Act, he was made the Governor General of British territories in India. The Governor General was now the most important functionary of the East India Company.

G Picture Study.

This picture portrays a momentous event in 1765, involving a British Governor and a Mughal emperor wherein the Mughal emperor is conveying the grant of the Diwani to ; the governor.
The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Solutions - Rise of British Power in Bengal 3

1. Identify the Mughal emperor and the British governor.
Ans. Mughal Emperor – Shuja-ud-Daulah, British Governor – Robert Clive

2. What is the significance of this grant of the Diwani?
Ans. The significance of granting the company the Diwani i.e. the right to collect revenue from these provinces and judge civil cases.

3. Give a brief account of the battle that preceded this event. When did it take place?
Ans. Battle of Buxar in 1764.

4. What is the importance of this battle?
Ans. Mir Qasim was defeated and Mir Jafar was reinstated on the throne.

OTHER IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

Question 1.
What plot did Robert Clive hatch to remove Siraj-ud- Daulah?
Answer:
Robert Clive hatched a plot with some of the influential men in the Nawabs court to overthrow Siraj-ud-Daulah. He signed a secret treaty with Mir Jafar Commander-in-chief of the Nawab’s forces to make him Nawab of Bengal in return of large amount of money. The British then presented in front of Siraj-ud-Daulah a set of impossible demands. This led to war between both the parties.

Question 2.
Why did Siraj-ud-Daulah lose the Battle of Plassey?
Answer:
Siraj-ud-Daulah and Robert Clive marched with their forces to Plassey. But a major part of the Nawab’s army under the command of Mir Jafar did not take any part in the battle. Realizing that he had been betrayed, Siraj-ud-Daulah fled away from the battlefield.

Question 3.
The battle of Plassey is a turning point in the history of India. Explain.
Answer:
The Battle of Plassey was a major turning point in the history of India.

  1. It paved the way for the establishment of British rule in Bengal and, eventually, the rest of India.
  2. It transformed a trading company into a political power.
  3. It provided the British the vast resources of Bengal, which helped them to win the Third Carnatic war and other expeditions in India.

Question 4.
When and between whom was the Battle of Buxar fought?
Answer:
The Battle of Buxar was fought in 1764. It was fought between British on one hand and Mir Qasim, ruler of Bengal, Shuja-ud- Daulah Nawab of Awadh and Mughal Emperor shah Alam II with an alliance on the other.

Question 5.
What was the result of the British victory in the Battle of Buxar?
Answer:
Results of the British victory in the Battle of Buxar :-

  1. The British company was granted the undisputed right free trade in Bengal, Bihar and Orissa.
  2. The company was given the Zamindari of the 24 parganas.
  3. Mir Jafar paid the company and its officials over 300 lakh

Question 6.
In 1765 the British signed treaties with
(1) The Nawab of Awadh
(2) The Mughal emperor and
(3) The Nawab of Bengal. In this context mention any two important terms of each of these treaties.
Answer:
Important terms of the treaty:
With the Nawab of Awadh:

  1. Awadh was returned to Shiya-ud-Daulah but he had to give two districts of Kora and Allahabad.
  2. The Nawab of Awadh had to pay a war indemnity of 50 lakh rupees to the company with the Mughal emperor.
  3. The British gave Shah Alam II, the districts of Kora and Allahabad and an annual pension of 26 lakh rupees.
  4. In return the emperor granted the company the Diwani of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa.

With the Nawab of Bengal:

  1. The Nawab had to disband most of his army.
  2. He also had to transfer the ‘Nizamat’ powers to a deputy Nawab appointed by the British.

Question 7.
What were the drawbacks of the Dual Government? Who abolished it?
Answer:
In Dual government the company enjoyed power without any responsibilities. The Nawab on the other hand, was burdened with the responsibility of administration without the resources necessary. These were the drawbacks of this form of government.

 

The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Solutions – Rise of Independent Regional Powers

The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Solutions – Rise of Independent Regional Powers

ICSE SolutionsSelina ICSE SolutionsML Aggarwal Solutions

The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Answers

Trail HistoryCivics Focus on HistoryCivics GeographyBiologyChemistryPhysicsMaths

EXERCISES

A. Fill in the blanks:

  1. Balaji Vishwanath laid the foundation of the Hereditary Dynastic rule of the Peshwas.
  2. Lucknow was the 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:
The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Solutions - Rise of Independent Regional Powers 1
Answer:
The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Solutions - Rise of Independent Regional Powers 2

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 an ease-loving and weak Maratha/Sikh/Rajput
Ans. Shahu was an ease-loving and weak Maratha ruler.

3. The Maratha empire reached the heights of its power and glory during the reign of Balaji Vishwanath/Baji Rao I/Balaji Baji Rao.
Ans. The Maratha empire reached the heights of its power and glory during the reign of Balaji Vishwanath.

4. Shuja-ud-DauIah 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 of 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 provinces 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 center 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 Lucknogf?
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 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) How 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 Joyalty. 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)
A 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 regional power, discuss the following:
(a) The 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 fdreign-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 (heir 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 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 kingdomes, 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 neighbouring 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 the Khyber Pass in the north to Sindh in the south.

The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Solutions - Rise of Independent Regional Powers 3

1. Identify the person in the picture.
Ans. Ranjit Singh.

2. Name the kingdom founded by him.
Ans. Punjab.

3. What did he do to expand his kingdom?
Ans. 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.

4. Name the treaty signed between him and the English East India Company.
Ans. Treaty of Amritsar.

5. What effect did this treaty have on his policy of expansion?
Ans. 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.

OTHER IMPORTANT QUESTIONS
Question 1.
Name the four prominent Maratha families in the Maratha confederacy.
Answer:

  1. Bhonsle
  2. Holkar
  3. Sindhia
  4. Gaekwad

Question 2.
The conquest of Punjab was a turning point in the history of the Maratha empire. Explain.
Answer:
The conquest of Punjab brought the Maratha’s into direct conflict with the Afghan general, Ahmad Shah Abdali. A major struggle for mastery over North India began. The Maratha army was decisively defeated by Ahmad Shah Abdali at Panipat land. Their dream to replace the Mughal empire in North India was also scattered.

Question 3.
Why did Bengal become a happy hunting ground for the English East India Company?
Answer:
The Nawabs of Bengal failed to understand the true nature and ulimate motives of the British trading company. They felt that a trading company could never challenge their authority. No efforts were made to reorganize and strengthen the army. Corruption was much and even high ranking officials were susceptible to bribes. These weakneses made Bengal a happy hunting ground for the English East India Company.

Question 4.
How did Hyder Ali become the ruler of Mysore?
Answer:
Hyder Ali was a man of exceptional qualities and abilities. He rose from the rank of an ordinary soldier in the Mysore army to the position of commander by his efficiency and determination. In 1761 he overthrew the government and established his authority over the Mysore state.

Question 5.
Mention two important terms of the Treaty of Amritsar (1809).
Answer:
Two important terms of the Treaty of Amritsar were:

  1. By this treaty Maharaja Ranjit singh accepted the Sutlez River as the boundary between the Sikh kingdom and British territories.
  2. The British promised not to interfere in the affairs of the sikh kingdom.

The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Solutions – Decline of the Mughal Empire

The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Solutions – Decline of the Mughal Empire

ICSE SolutionsSelina ICSE SolutionsML Aggarwal Solutions

The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Answers

Trail HistoryCivics Focus on HistoryCivics GeographyBiologyChemistryPhysicsMaths

EXERCISES

A. Fill in the blanks:

  1. During the first half of the 18th century, the great Mughal empire decayed and disintegrated.
  2. The Mughal emperors who ruled India after the death of Aurangzeb are known as the later Mughals.
  3. There were four groups of nobles in the Mughal court.
  4. Nadir Shah looted and plundered Delhi He carried away immense treasures including the priceless Ko/tinoor and the Peacock Throne.
    Ahmad ShahAbdali, the ruler of Afghanistan, repeatedly attacked the Mughal empire.
  5. The last Mughal Emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar, was defeated in the Revolt of 1857 and exiled to Rangoon by the British.

B. Match the following:
The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Solutions - Decline of the Mughal Empire 1
      2.       Akbar                                      (b) financial crisis
The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Solutions - Decline of the Mughal Empire 2

Answer:
The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Solutions - Decline of the Mughal Empire 3

C. Choose the correct answer:

1. Aurangzeb/Akbar/Shah Jahan followed a policy of religious intolerance.
Ans. Aurangzeb followed a policy of religious intolerance.

2. The military campaign in the Deccan led by Shah Jahan/ Aurangzeb/Akbar ruined the Mughal empire financially.
Ans. The military campaign in the Deccan led by Aurangzeb ruined the Mughal empire financially.

3. The invasions of Ahmad Shah Abdali, the ruler of Afghanistan/Persia/Iraq shattered the power and prestige of the Mughal empire.
Ans. The invasions of Ahmad Shah Abdali, the ruler of Afghanistan shattered the power and prestige of the Mughal empire.

4. The Mughal empire lasted for over 3/5/6
Ans. The Mughal empire lasted for over 3 centuries.

5. The British ruled over India for a 100 years/nearly 200 years/ 300 years.
Ans. The British ruled over India for nearly 200 years.

D. State whether the following are true or false.

  1. Bahadur Shah ascended the throne after the death of Aurangzeb.
    True.
  2. The Mughal court was united and stable.
    False
    Correct:The Mughal court was divided and unstable.
  3. The Mughal officers were given jagirs as payments for their services.
    True.
  4. The Mughal rulers did not have a navy.
    True.
  5. The successors of Aurangzeb were very strong and efficient.
    False.
    Correct: The successors of Aurangzeb were very weak and unefficient.

E. Answer the following questions in one or two words/ sentences:

Question 1.
When did the transition from the Medieval to the Modern Period begin in India?
Answer:
The transition from the Medieval to the Modem Period began with the decline of the Mughal empire in the first half of the 18th century.

Question 2.
Name the first and the last emperors in the line of the Later Mughals.
Answer:
Bahadur Shah first in the line of emperors referred to as the Later Mughals. Bahadur Shah Zafar last emperor in the line of the Later Mughals.

Question 3.
Name any two rival groups of nobles in the Mughal court.
Answer:

  1. The Iranis hailed from Persia,
  2. Turanis hailed from Transoxiana.

Question 4.
Mention any two reasons for the failure of the mansabdari system.
Answer:
Mansabdars had to maintain a fixed number of troops. They were given jagirs as the payment for doing so. Later, an increase in the number of man sabs and a shortage of jagirs led to corruption and inefficiency in the system.

Question 5.
What was the economic impact of the Mughal wars of succession?
Answer:
After the death of a Mughal ruler, generally there were wars of succession among rival claimants to the throne. These wars proved very costly and destructive. They drained the resources of the empire and made it in stable and weak.

Question 6.
How did Aurangzeb’s religious policy affect the relationship between the Mughals and the Rajputs?
Answer:
Aurangzeb’s policy of religious intolerance shook the foundations of the empire and resulted in the following:

  1. The costly, long-drawn and ruinous Deccan campaign.
  2. Numerous wars with the Sikhs, the Marathas, the Jats and the Rajputs.
  3. Loss of support of the loyal Rajputs who had earlier contributed greatly to the stability of the Mughal empire but now became its bitter foes.7.

Question 7.
What led to the drain on the royal treasury during Shah Jahan’s reign?
Answer:
The enormous sums of money spent by Shah Jahan on magnificent monuments like the Taj Mahal had drained the royal treasury.

Question 8.
Which Mughal emperor assumed leadership of the Revolt of 1857? What happened to him after the Revolt?
Answer:
Bahadur Shah Zafar, the last of the Mughals, assumed leadership of the rebels in the Revolt of 1857 against the British. He was defeated and exiled to Rangoon where he died. The Mughal empire came to an inglorious end.

F.Answer the following questions briefly.

Question 1.
Several factors were responsible for the decline of the Mughal empire. In this context answer the following questions:
(a) How did court politics undermine the authority and prestige of the Mughal empire?
(b) To what extent was the jagirdari crisis responsible for a further decline of the power of the emperor?
(c) How did the wars of succession destabilize the Mughal empire?
Answer:
(a)
There were four groups of nobles in the Mughal court- Iranis, Turanis, Afghans and Hindustanis. The Iranis hailed from Persia, the Turanis hailed from Transoxiana, and the Afghans came from the mountainous border regions across the river Indus. The Mughal court was a house sharply divided from within. This resulted in a constant struggle for power among these groups. Their mutual jealousies and rivalries caused great harm to the Mughal administration and undermined the prestige and authority of the Mughal emperor.
(b)
The Mughal officers were given jagirs as payment for their services. Towards the end of the 17th century, there were very few jagirs left. To satisfy the demands of the newly recruited officers, crown lands were converted to jagir lands and given to the nobles. This led to a loss of revenue for the royal treasury and a further decline in the power of the emperor.
(c)
After the death of a Mughal ruler, generally there were wars of succession among rival claimants to the throne. These wars proved very costly and destructive. They drained the resources of the empire and made it instable and weak.

Question 2.
With reference to the decline and disintegration of the Mughal empire discuss the following:
(a) The breakdown of the mansabdari system
(b) The weaknesses of the Mughal army
(c) Aurangzeb’s religious policy
Answer:
(a)
Under this system, mansabdars had to maintain a fixed number of troops. They were given jagirs as the payment for doing so. Later, an increase, in the number of mansabs and a shortage of jagirs led to corruption and inefficiency in the system.
(b)
The Mughal army also failed to keep pace with the time. The Mughal rulers did not have a navy and made no efforts to establish one. Their equipment and techniques of warfare were obsolete and ineffective. Nothing was done to reform, modernize and strengthen the army.
(c)
His policy of religious intolerance shook the foundations of the empire and resulted in the following:

  1. The costly, long-drawn and ruinous Deccan campaign.
  2. Numerous wars with the Sikhs, the Marathas, the Jats and the Rajputs.
  3. Loss of support of the loyal Rajputs who had earlier contributed greatly to the stability of the Mughal empire but now became its bitter foes.

Question 3.
To what extent were the following factors responsible for the eventual collapse of the Mughal empire?
(a) Economic bankruptcy (b) Foreign invasions (c) Weak successors
Answer:
(a) Economic bankruptcy:
A major cause of the disintegration of the Mughal empire was its economic bankruptcy. The enormous sums of money spent by Shah jahan on magnificent monuments like the Taj Mahal had drained the royal treasury. Aurangzeb’s Deccan campaign was a financial disaster that ruined the empire and made its collapse inevitable.
(b) Foreign invasions:
The invasions of Nadir Shah, the ruler of Persia (Iran), and Ahmad Shah Abdali, the ruler of Afghanistan, shattered the power and prestige of the Mughals. Nadir Shah looted and plundered Delhi and carried away valuable treasures, including the priceless Kohinoor Diamond and the Peacock Throne. Ahmad Shad Abdali plundered northern India repeatedly.
(c) Weak successors:
Aurangzeb ruled over a vast empire which he controlled with an iron hand. His successors were pleasure-loving, weak and inefficient. They were puppets in the hands of powerful, ambitious nobles who controlled the administration. The provincial governors took advantage of the weak government at the center and set up independent kingdoms in the Mughal provinces. This led to the break-up and collapse of the empire.

G. Picture Study:
This is a portrait of the last of the Later Mughals.
The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Solutions - Decline of the Mughal Empire 4
1.Identify the Mughal emperor represented in this picture.
Ans. Bahadur Shah Zafar.

2. What part did he play in the Revolt of 1857?
Ans. Role of Bahadur Shah Zafar in the Revolt of 1857:
As the Indian rebellion of 1857 spread, sepoy regiments seized Delhi. Seeking a figure that could unite all Indians, Hindu and Muslim alike, Most rebelling Indian kings and the Indian regiments accepted Zafar as the Emperor of India. Under whom the smaller Indian kingdom would unite until the British were defeated. Zafar was the least threatening and least ambitious of monarchs, and the legacy of the Mughal Empire was more acceptable a uniting force to most allied kings than the domination of any other Indian kingdom.

3.What happened to the Mughal empire after his death?
Ans. The Mughal Empire came to an inglorious end.

4. Mention any four reasons for the decline of the Mughal empire Explain any two reasons.
Answer:
(a) Politics in the Mughal court
(b) Weak Military organization and Administration
(c) Aurangzeb’s Bankruptcy
(d) Foreign Invasions
(a) Politics in the Mughal court:
There were four groups of nobles in the Mughal court Iranis, Turanis, Afghans and Hindustanis. The Iranis hailed from Persia, the Turanis hailed from Transoxiana, and Afghans came from the mountainous border regions across the Indus. The Mughal court was a house sharply divided from within. This resulted in a constant struggle for power among these groups. Their mutual jealousies and rivalries caused great harm to the Mughal administration and undermined the prestige and authority of the Mughal Emperor.

(b) Economic Bankruptcy: A major cause of the disintegration of the Mughal Empire was its economic bankruptcy. The enormous sums of money spent by Shah Jahan on magnificent monuments like the Taj Mahal had drained the royal treasury. Aurangzeb’s Deccan campaign was a financial disaster that ruined the empire and made its collapse inevitable.

OTHER IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

Question 1.
How did party politics undermine the authority and prestige of the Mughal empire?
Answer:
The Mughal court had four groups of nobles i.e Iranis, Turanis, Afghans and Hindustanis. Due to these groups the Mughal court was sharply divided from within. This resulted in a constant struggle for power, mutual jealousies and rivalries between these groups, led to undermine the authority and prestige of the mughal empire.

Question 2.
How did jagirdari crisis lead to a further decline of the emperor’s power?
Answer:
During that time, Mughal rulers used to give jagirs to their officers as payment for their services. Due to this, very few jagirs were left. To satisfy the demands of the newly recruited officers, crown lands were converted to jagir lands and given to the nobles. This led to a loss of revenue from the royal treasury and a further decline in the power of the emperor.

Question 3.
What weaknesses in the Mughal army led to the loss of military strength towards the end of the 17th century?
Answer:
The Mughal army at that time was reorganized system. Under this system mansabs had to maintain a fixed number of troops. For this they were given jagirs as payment. An increase in the number of mansabs and a shortage of jagirs led to corruption,inefficiency in the system and decline in the military strength.Further the army was not able to keep pace with the times.Their equipment and techniques of warfare were out of date and ineffective. No efforts were done to reform, modernize and strengthen the army. This all resulted in weakening of the Mughal army.

Question 4.
To what extent were Aurangzeb responsible for the decline of the Mughal empire?
Answer:
Aurangzeb was not a successful emperor. He did not realize the importance of religious tolerance and the support and unity of the people for the progress of empire. His policy towards the Sikhs the Marathas the Jats and the Rajputs lossed their support. His Deccan campaign also proved failure and drained wealth of the kingdom too. This all resulted in decline of the Mughals.

Question 5.
To what extent were Aurangzeb’s successors responsible of the disintegration of the Mughal empire?
Answer:
Successors of Aurangzeb were pleasure-loving weak and inefficient. They were puppets in the hands of powerful, ambitious nobles who controlled the administration. The nobles took advantage of the weak government at the center and set up their own independent kingdoms in the Mughal provinces. This led to die breakup and collapse of the empire.

 

The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Solutions – The American Civil War

The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Solutions – The American Civil War

ICSE SolutionsSelina ICSE SolutionsML Aggarwal Solutions

The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Answers

Trail HistoryCivics Focus on HistoryCivics GeographyBiologyChemistryPhysicsMaths

A. Fill in the blanks:

  1. In the first half of the 19th century the only available source of labour in the United States of America was slaves.
  2. The issue of slavery posed a serious threat to the integrity of the American nation.
  3. The famous book, Unde Tom’s Cabin was written by Harriet Beecher Stowe.
  4. Abraham Lincoln, who became the president of the United States of America in 1860 was determined to save the slaves at all costs.
  5. The American Civil War was fought on the issue of secession

B. Match the following:
The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Solutions - The American Civil War 1
Answer:

The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Solutions - The American Civil War 2

C. Choose the correct answer:

1. The anti-slavery movement began in the northern/southern/ eastern states of the United States of America.
Ans: The anti-slavery movement began in the northern states of the United States of America.

2. The book Uncle Tom’s Cabin exposed the horrors of slavery/ war/famlne.
Ans: The book Uncle Tom’s Cabin exposed the horrors of slavery.

3. Jefferson Davis/Abraham Lincoln/Stonewall Jackson was appointed President of the Confederate States of America.
Ans: Jefferson Davis was appointed President of the Confederate States of America.

4. Abraham Lincoln/Jefferson Davis/Ulysses Grant abolished slavery in America.
Ans. Abraham Lincoln abolished slavery in America.

5. The northern/southern/eastern states decided to break away from the Union and form a Confederacy of their own.
Ans. The southern states decided to break away from the Union and form a Confederacy of their own.

D. State whether the following are true or false:

  1. The southern states of America began an anti-slavery movement.
    False.
    Correct: The north states of America began an anti-­slavery movement.
  1. Abraham Lincoln became the 14th president of the United States in 1860.
    False.
    Correct: Abraham Lincoln became the 16th president of the United States in 1860.
  1. The Civil War was fought over the issue of slavery.
    False.
    Correct: It was fought because the southern states had left the Union, i.e., on the issue of secession.
  1. The American Civil War (1861-65) was one of the most bitter wars in the history of mankind
    True.
  1. After the American Civil War Lincoln made plans to repair the damages of the war and heal the wounds of the South.
    True.

E. Answer the following questions in one or two words/ sentences:

Question 1.
What were the two major developments that took place in the United States of America in the first half of the 19th century?
Answer:
The two major developments that took place during this period were:

  1. The great westward expansion and
  2. Industrial growth and development.

Question 2.
Why was raw cotton from the southern states in America sent to Lancashire in England?
Answer:
Cotton was shipped to the cotton mills in Lancashire in England, where the Industrial Revolution had created a huge demand for raw material.

Question 3.
Why were slaves considered a ‘necessity’ in the southern states of America?
Answer:
The southern states claimed that they needed slaves for their cotton and sugar plantations. Thus, slaves who provided cheap labour were considered a ‘necessity’ in the predominantly agricultural southern states.

Question 4.
Why is Abraham Lincoln described as the ‘Great Emancipator’?
Answer:
Lincoln was determined to save the Union at all costs-at the cost of war, if necessary. Civil war broke out in 1861. In 1863,Lincoln-abolished slavery in the South. He remains enshrined in the hearts of free people as the ‘Great Emancipator’.

Question 5.
Why did Lincoln declare war on the southern Confederacy?
Answer:
Abraham Lincoln was determined to save the Union at all costs so he declared war on the southern confederacy.

Question 6.
Why was the southern Confederacy defeated?
Answer:
North with its superior resources wore down the Confederacy. Lee surrendered to the Union general, Ulysses Grant, in April 1865. The Civil War came to an end.

Question 7.
What fact was permanently established as a result of the Civil War?
Answer:
It had established the fact that the American federation was an indestructible Union of States and no state had the right to secede.

Question 8.
Why had the Civil War impoverished the southerners?
Answer:
The war had been fought mainly in the South, and had resulted in the impoverishment of the southerners.

F. Answer the following questions briefly:

Question 1.
One of the great changes that took place in the United States of America in the first half of the 19th century was industrial growth and development. In this context, discuss:
(a) The serious problems arising from the cotton-growing industry in the southern states
(b) The anti-slavery movement leading to the growing tensions between the slave states and the abolition states
(c) The impact of Harriet Beecher Stowe’s famous book on the north-south conflict.
Answer:
(a)
The cotton-growing industry gave rise to serious problems in the United States. As the plantations increased, so did the demand for labour. The only available source of labour in those days was the slaves brought in from Africa and living in America. The issue of slavery would eventually turn into an explosive problem that would threaten the very existence of the American Union.
(b)
An anti-slavery movement began in the northern states of America.
The industrialized northern states did not need slave labour in their industries and, on the whole did not approve of slavery. The southern states on the other hand claimed that they needed slaves for their cotton and sugar plantations.
Thus, slaves who provided cheap labour were considered a ‘necessity’ in the predominantly agricultural southern states.
The southerners were often needlessly cruel and harsh in their treatment of slaves. This outraged many northerners and the tension between the slave states of the South and the abolition states of the North began to grow.
(c)
Harriet Beecher Stowe published her famous book, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, which highlighted and exposed the horrors of slavery and the miseries of the slaves. This book had a profound influence on the northern states and their antislavery campaign began to gather momentum. The southern states threatened to secede or break away from the Union and form a confederacy of their own.

Question 2.
Abraham Lincoln became the president of the United States during a very critical phase of American history. In this context discuss:
(a) Lincoln’s views on slavery
(b) The Gettysburg address in 1863
(c) The secession of the southern states and its consequences
Answer:
(a)
Lincoln’s views on slavery were well known. He thoroughly despised slavery, which he believed was a vicious and brutal system. He was uncompromisingly opposed to slavery. Human bondage was a negation and gross violation of democracy.
(b)
In the famous Gettysburg address in 1863, Lincoln justified the abolition of slavery on grounds of the cherished principles of liberty and equality of the founding father of the United States of America. ‘Four score and seven years ago,’ he declared, ‘our fathers brought forth upon this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. . .It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us. . .that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
(c)
The southern states seceded from the Union and formed the Confederate States of America. Jefferson Davis was appointed the President of the Confederacy.Lincoln was determined to save the Union at all costs-at the cost of war, if necessary. Civil war broke out in 1861.
The southerners fought with determination and courage. They had brilliant generals like Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson, under whose leadership they initially won a number of victories.

Gradually, however, the North with its superior resources wore down the Confederacy. Lee surrendered to the Union general, Ulysses Grant, in April 1865. The Civil War came to an end. It had established the fact that the American federation was an indestructible Union of States and no state had the right to secede. The war had been fought mainly in the South, and had resulted in the impoverishment of the southerners.

Question 3.
With reference to the American Civil War answer the following questions:
(a) Explain briefly the nature and fundamental cause of the Civil War.
(b) Give a brief account of the course of the Civil War.
(c) State the positive and negative results of the war.
Answer:
(a)
The American Civil War (1861-65) was one of the most bitter civil wars in history; nearly 7 lakh people lost their lives. The Civil War, however, was not fought over the issue of slavery. It was fought because the southern states had left the Union, i.e., on the issue of secession. According to Lincoln, no state had the right to secede from the Union. Therefore, the Confederacy had to be defeated and the Union restored.
(b)
Initially the Southern States became successful in the battle field under the president ship of Jefferson Davis, but afterwards Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, for all slaves, so the South was deprived of the help of the slave population. Soon the Northern forces captured New Orleans followed by Vicksburg. So the Confederate States were cut into two parts and the Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863, proved a great blow to the Southern States and in 1865, General Lee was forced to surrender at Appomattox Court House. The Civil War came to an end in 1865 with the victory of the Northerns due to more wealth and resources along with the powerful Federal Navy.
(c)
Civil War of America caused a great loss of Men and Money, so remarkable changes occurred in the history of America. Now the phase of rapid economic growth started both in the North and South. Both industries and scientific farming were started for solid material development. Development of roads and railways, settlement of Tariff policy, foundation of banking system, abolition of slavery and the national unity, etc. are the who some results and America became an active participant in international affairs. Democracy and Federalism became the main features of the destiny of America.

G. Picture study:

This is a portrait of the 16th president of the United States of America.
The Trail History and Civics for Class 8 ICSE Solutions - The American Civil War 3

1. Name the president.
Ans. Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States of America.

2. Discuss his views on the institution of slavery.
Ans. Linclon thoroughly despised slavery which he believed was a vicious and brutal system. He was uncompromisingly opposed to slavery.

3. How did he define democracy?
Ans. Lincoln defined democracy as “Government of the people, by the people and for the people.

4. Why did he declare war on the southern states?
Ans. He declared War on the southern states because these states had left the union i.e., On the issue of secession. According to Lincoln, no state had the right to secede from the Union. Therefore, the confederacy had to be defeated and the union restored.

OTHER IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

Question 1.
Briefly explain the differences between the northern and southern states of the America Union.
Answer:
Difference between northern and southern states:

  1. The northern states developed as manufacturing and shipping centers. Whereas the southern states developed great plantation industries, the most important being the cotton­ growing industry.
  2. The industrialized northern states did not need slave labour  in their industries and on the whole did not approve of slavery whole as the southern states on the other hand I  claimed that they needed slaves for their cotton and sugar plantations.

Question 2.
What role did the novel, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, play in the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861?
Answer:
This book had a profound influence on the northern states and their anti slavery campaign began to gather momentum. Due to this the southern sates break away from the union and formed conlederacy of their own. Which become the main cause of the civil war.

Question 3.
Why did the southern states decide to break away from the American Union?
Answer:
Due to northern states anti slavery campaigns against them, the sourthern states break away from the American Union.

Question 4.
Why did Lincoln abolish slavery?
Answer:
Lincoln abolish slavery because he believed slavery was a vicious and brutal system and he cherished principles of liberty and equality which were given by the founding fathers of the united states of Amercia.

Question 5.
What was the most important outcome of the American Civil War?
Answer:
The most important outcome of the American civil war was that slavery was abolished.