NCERT Solutions for Class 8 History: Chapter 2 – From Trade to Territory: The Company Establishes Power

From Trade to Territory: The Company Establishes Power – Class 8 NCERT Solution is all about the East India Company’s transformation from a trade corporation to a territorial powerhouse. These NCERT Solutions are prepared by our Top Social Science Experts to take care of all Important Topics that might be asked in the upcoming examination 2024-2025. So, Students can refer to these solutions for their final Examination preparation.

This Class 8 Social Science Chapter 1 From Trade to Territory: The Company Establishes Power NCERT Solutions are carefully developed using easy-to-understand language while adhering to the guidelines for solving NCERT Solutions for Class 8. Working through these solutions can be highly beneficial for students in their board exams, as well as in preparing for future competitive Exams.

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NCERT Solutions Class 8 History Chapter 2 – From Trade to Territory: The Company Establishes Power

Exercise Pages No. 24-25

Q1. Match the following:

Diwani	Tipu Sultan
‘Tiger of Mysore’	Right to collect land revenue
Faujdari Adalat	Sepoy
Rani Channamma	Criminal court
Sipahi	Led an anti-British movement in Kitoor

Answer:

Diwani	Right to collect land revenue
‘Tiger of Mysore’	Tipu Sultan
Faujdari Adalat	Criminal court
Rani Channamma	Led an anti-British movement in Kitoor
Sipahi	Sepoy

Q2. Fill in the blanks:

(a) The British conquest of Bengal began with the Battle of ___________.

(b) Haidar Ali and Tipu Sultan were the rulers of ___________.

(c) Dalhousie implemented the Doctrine of ___________.

(d) Maratha kingdoms were located mainly in the ___________ part of India.

Answer:

(a) The British conquest of Bengal began with the Battle of Plassey.

(b) Haidar Ali and Tipu Sultan were the rulers of Mysore.

(c) Dalhousie implemented the Doctrine of Lapse.

(d) Maratha kingdoms were located mainly in the South-western part of India.

Q3. State whether true or false:

(a) The Mughal empire became stronger in the eighteenth century.

(b) The English East India Company was the only European company that traded with India.

(c) Maharaja Ranjit Singh was the ruler of Punjab.

(d) The British did not introduce administrative changes in the territories they conquered.

Answer:

a) False

b) False

c) True

d) False

Q4. What attracted European trading companies to India?

Answer:

European traders were attracted to India because of its plentiful resources, such as spices and textiles, which offered profitable trade opportunities. India became a gateway to other Asian markets, allowing access to profitable trading routes. To boost revenues, European corporations tried to establish trade monopolies. Competition among European nations promoted the ambition to control Indian trade and gain territorial dominance. Overall, European trading corporations were attracted to India because of its wealth, geographical location, and potential for commerce and political influence.

Q5. What were the areas of conflict between the Bengal nawabs and the East India Company?

Answer:

The conflict between the Bengal Nawabs and the East India Company focused on economic, political, and military issues:

• Economic Grievances: The East India Company engaged in exploitative economic practices, including the imposition of heavy taxes, unfair trade regulations, and monopolistic control over Indian goods. This led to conflicts among the Bengal nawabs and local merchants who suffered from economic exploitation.
• Revenue Collection: The Company’s manipulation of revenue collection systems often clashed with the interests of the Bengal nawabs. The Company’s emphasis on income collection rights in particular districts challenged the nawabs’ traditional authority, causing problems.
• Military Intrusion: The Company’s increasing military presence and fortification of its trading posts in Bengal threatened the authority of the nawabs. This militarization was received as a challenge to the nawabs’ sovereignty and control over their territories.
• Political Interference: The East India Company’s political interference, which included the installation of puppet rulers and manipulation of local politics for its interests, caused tension with the Bengal Nawabs, who viewed their power as under threat.
• Battle of Plassey: Tensions peaked during the Battle of Plassey in 1757, when Robert Clive’s East India Company defeated the army of Bengal’s Nawab, Siraj-ud-Daulah. This fight intensified tensions between the Company and the Nawabs and signaled the start of British political domination in Bengal.

Q6. How did the assumption of Diwani benefit the East India Company?

Answer:

The assumption of Diwani, or revenue collection rights, benefited the East India Company by providing:

• Economic control and substantial revenue from Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa.
• Efficient revenue collection, maximizing profits for the Company.
• Political influence, allowing manipulation of local politics and installation of puppet rulers.
• Funds for trade expansion and infrastructure development.
• Transition from a trading entity to a colonial power, laying the foundation for British colonial rule in India.

Q7. Explain the system of “subsidiary alliance”.

Answer:

The system of “subsidiary alliance” was a strategy employed by the British East India Company to extend its control over Indian princely states during the 18th and 19th centuries. Under this system:

• The British would offer protection to a princely state against external threats, but in return, the state had to accept British intervention in its internal affairs.
• As part of the alliance, the princely state was required to station British troops within its borders. Although these troops were supposedly there to defend, they also functioned as a means of British control and influence.
• The princely state had to disarm its own army or maintain only a token force. Additionally, the state had to pay for the maintenance of the British troops stationed within its territory.
• Additionally, the princely state’s foreign policy was taken over by the British, thereby conquering it to their interests in trade and diplomacy.
• While the princely state retained its nominal sovereignty, the reality was that it became heavily dependent on the British, effectively losing much of its autonomy in decision-making.

Q8. In what way was the administration of the Company different from that of Indian rulers?

Answer:

The following are the ways in which the company’s administration differs from those of the Indian rulers:

Aspect of Administration	Company Rule	Indian Rulers
Governance Structure	Centralized under British control, with power vested in Company officials and administrator.	Decentralized, with power typically vested in monarchs or local rulers.
Legal System	British legal system imposed, with English common law serving as the basis for governance and justice.	Varied legal systems across different regions, often influenced by religious or customary laws, such as Islamic law (Sharia) or Hindu law (Dharma Shastra).
Revenue Collection	Systematic revenue collection implemented, with emphasis on land revenue and taxation, often through Zamindari or Ryotwari systems.	Revenue collection varied, with traditional systems such as land grants, taxes on agricultural produce, and tributes to the ruler.
Military Structure	Professional British military employed for security and expansion purposes, often with local recruits serving under British officers.	Varied military structures, including standing armies, mercenary forces, and feudal levies, typically led by local commanders or nobility.
Administrative Language	English language used for official communication and administration, with British officials occupying key administrative positions.	Local languages used for administration, with Persian often serving as the administrative language in Mughal and regional courts.
Bureaucratic Hierarchy	Hierarchical bureaucracy established, with British officials occupying top positions and Indian clerks and administrators serving in subordinate roles.	Hierarchical administration, often with a courtly bureaucracy comprising ministers, officials, and advisers appointed by the ruler.
Economic Policies	Emphasis on commercial interests and trade, with policies favoring British economic dominance and exploitation of Indian resources.	Economic policies varied, with emphasis on agriculture, trade, and patronage of artisans, often reflecting regional economic structures and priorities.

Q9. Describe the changes that occurred in the composition of the Company’s army.

Answer:

The composition of the East India Company’s army underwent major changes over time:

Early Period (17th-18th centuries)

• Initially, the Company’s army consisted mainly of European mercenaries, supplemented by Indian auxiliaries recruited locally.
• European soldiers formed the core of the Company’s military forces, while Indian soldiers were primarily employed as sepoys, infantrymen trained in European military tactics and weaponry.

Transition Period (18th century)

• The Company increasingly relied on the recruitment of Indian sepoys due to factors such as cost-effectiveness, local knowledge, and manpower availability.
• The Sepoy Army gradually became the backbone of the Company’s military power.

Sepoy Mutiny and Post-Mutiny Era (19th century)

• Following the mutiny, the British Crown assumed direct control over India, leading to the establishment of the British Indian Army.
• The British Indian Army maintained a mixed composition of British and Indian soldiers, with Indian soldiers continuing to play a significant role.

Expansion and Modernization (Late 19th to Early 20th centuries)

• The British Indian Army expanded significantly in size and scope, becoming one of the largest military forces globally.
• The army underwent modernization efforts, adopting new technologies, tactics, and organizational structures to meet the challenges of colonial rule and global conflicts.

Q10. After the British conquest of Bengal, Calcutta grew from a small village to a big city. Find out about the culture, architecture and the life of Europeans and Indians of the city during the colonial period.

Answer:

The growth of Calcutta from a small village to a prominent city during the colonial period brought about major changes in its culture, architecture, and the lives of both Europeans and Indians:

Culture

• Calcutta became a melting pot of cultures, with influences from British, Indian, and other European cultures blending together.
• The city’s cultural scene flourished, with theaters, clubs, and cultural institutions catering to both European and Indian residents. European cultural events such as balls, operas, and social gatherings became prominent features of Calcutta’s social life.

Architecture

• European-style buildings with neoclassical, Gothic, and Victorian architectural elements were constructed to serve administrative, commercial, and residential purposes.
• Indian influences were also evident in the architecture, with traditional Bengali buildings, temples, and mosques coexisting alongside colonial structures.

Life of Europeans

• European residents in Calcutta lived in exclusive neighborhoods such as Chowringhee and Park Street, characterized by spacious bungalows, manicured gardens, and wide boulevards.
• Europeans enjoyed a privileged lifestyle with access to clubs, recreational facilities, and social events catering to their needs and interests.

Life of Indians

• Indian merchants, professionals, and artisans played crucial roles in the city’s economy, contributing to its trade, commerce, and cultural life.
• Indian cultural institutions, including theaters, music halls, and educational institutions, thrived alongside European ones, shaping the city’s cultural landscape.

Q11. Collect pictures, stories, poems and information about any of the following – the Rani of Jhansi, Mahadji Sindhia, Haidar Ali, Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Lord Dalhousie or any other contemporary ruler of your region.

Answer:

Rani of Jhansi (Rani Lakshmibai)

• Rani Lakshmibai was the queen of the princely state of Jhansi in North India.
• She played a significant role in the Indian Rebellion of 1857 against British rule.
• Known for her bravery and leadership, she fought valiantly against British forces in defense of her kingdom.

Mahadji Sindhia (Maharaja Mahadji Shinde)

• Mahadji Sindhia was a Maratha ruler who served as the ruler of the Gwalior state in Central India.
• He played an important role in Maratha politics and military campaigns during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
• Mahadji Sindhia was known for his military prowess, diplomatic skills, and efforts to consolidate Maratha power.

FAQs on NCERT Solutions Class 8 Social Science Chapter 2 – From Trade to Territory: The Company Establishes Power

What is the focus of Chapter 2 in Class 8 Social Science?

Chapter 2 focuses on the transition of the East India Company from a trading entity to a political power in India.

What key events are covered in this chapter?

The chapter covers significant events such as the Battle of Plassey, the Treaty of Allahabad, and the establishment of British political dominance in India.

How did the Battle of Plassey contribute to the Company’s power?

The Battle of Plassey in 1757 marked the beginning of British political dominance in Bengal and created the way for the Company to expand its control over other regions.

What role did alliances play in the Company’s territorial expansion?

The Company formed alliances with local rulers and exploited internal conflicts to expand its territorial control, as illustrated in the chapter.

What impact did the Company’s policies have on Indian society?

During this period, Indian society was greatly impacted by the Company’s activities, which resulted in social unrest, political instability, and economic exploitation.