Glimpses of the Past

Easy (15)

1. The British East India Company extended its power in 18th century India with its superior __________.

   Why: The British used their advanced weapons to gain control.

2. Who was known as the brave ruler of Mysore who fought the British till he died fighting?
   • Rajah
   • Tipu (correct)
   • Bahadur Shah
   • Kunwar Singh

   Why: Tipu of Mysore bravely fought the British until his death.

3. Religious leaders in India preached against untouchability and child marriage during the British rule.

   Why: Religious leaders preached ideas like untouchability and child marriage, not against them.

4. The British wanted quick profits and forced farmers to abandon their fields due to heavy __________.

   Why: Heavy taxes imposed by the British led farmers to abandon their fields.

5. Ram Mohan Roy believed that ancient Indian culture was not great and needed complete replacement.

   Why: Ram Mohan Roy believed ancient Indian culture was great but needed reform.

6. In which year did the British stop newspapers started by Ram Mohan Roy?
   • 1818
   • 1823 (correct)
   • 1829
   • 1835

   Why: The suspicious British stopped Ram Mohan Roy's newspapers in 1823.

7. Regulation III, passed in 1818, allowed an Indian to be jailed without a __________ in court.

   Why: Regulation III permitted jailing Indians without trial, a form of oppression.

8. By 1829, Britain was exporting British goods worth seven crore rupees to India.

   Why: This statement is true, indicating the economic exploitation by Britain.

9. Who suggested that natives should be taught through the English language in 1835?
   • Ram Mohan Roy
   • Governor-General Bentinck
   • Macaulay (correct)
   • Tipu Sultan

   Why: Macaulay was the Englishman who proposed English education in India.

10. By which year had the British conquered the whole of India?
    • 1765
    • 1835
    • 1856 (correct)
    • 1857

    Why: The British had conquered almost all of India by 1856.

11. The Santhals, who had lost their lands under new land rules, rose in rebellion in __________.

    Why: The Santhal rebellion occurred in 1855 due to land loss.

12. Sepoy Mangal Pande attacked the adjutant of his regiment and was executed.

    Why: This statement is true, marking a significant event before the 1857 revolt.

13. What was circulated among Indian soldiers to signal a call for rebellion?
    • Letters
    • Lotus flowers (correct)
    • Flags
    • Swords

    Why: Lotus flowers were circulated among soldiers as a symbol of revolt.

14. The rebellion of 1857 started with a violent outbreak at __________.

    Why: Meerut was the starting point of the violent outbreak in 1857.

15. Who was the eighty-year-old leader from Bihar who received a bullet in his wrist during the fight for freedom?
    • Maulvi Ahmedulla
    • Tatya Tope
    • Kunwar Singh (correct)
    • Nana Saheb

    Why: Kunwar Singh of Bihar, at eighty, was a prominent figure in the revolt.

Medium (15)

1. Match the following leaders with their respective regions during the 1857 Revolt:

   Why: Begum Hazrat Mahal from Lucknow, Maulvi Ahmedulla from Faizabad, Kunwar Singh from Bihar, and Nana Saheb as Peshwa leader.

2. What was the main reason for Indian princes being 'short-sighted' in their approach to the British?
   • They were too busy with trade.
   • They sought British help to defeat rival Indian princes. (correct)
   • They believed the British were sent by God.
   • They were unaware of British military strength.

   Why: Indian princes often sought British aid against rivals, which ultimately helped the Company.

3. The British policies ruined Indian industries and expert __________.

   Why: British policies devastated Indian artisans and their businesses.

4. Arrange the following events in chronological order:

   Why: The sequence is Company power (18th century), Ram Mohan Roy (1772-1833), Macaulay's suggestion (1835), Santhal rebellion (1855).

5. What was the primary impact of the East India Company's laws on Indian industries?
   • They encouraged local manufacturing.
   • They crippled Indian industries by removing import duties on British goods. (correct)
   • They provided subsidies to Indian artisans.
   • They led to increased exports of Indian goods.

   Why: British policies favored their own goods, crippling Indian industries.

6. Ram Mohan Roy believed that the essence of every religion is the __________.

   Why: Ram Mohan Roy emphasized the universal essence of religions.

7. Match the following British policies/actions with their consequences:

   Why: Each policy had a distinct negative impact on Indian society and economy.

8. What was the primary concern of the new generation of intellectuals produced by English education?
   • To join the British army.
   • To improve material conditions and convey grievances to the British Parliament. (correct)
   • To convert more people to Christianity.
   • To establish new trading companies.

   Why: Intellectuals aimed to educate others and address grievances to the British Parliament.

9. The British prospered on the Company’s loot while Indian industries began to __________.

   Why: Indian industries declined as the British profited from exploitation.

10. Arrange the following events leading to the Revolt of 1857 in chronological order:

    Why: The sequence of events leading to the revolt includes the Santhal rebellion, sepoy dissatisfaction, Mangal Pande's act, and the circulation of symbols.

11. What was the immediate cause of the violent outbreak at Meerut in 1857?
    • Heavy taxes on peasants.
    • The greased cartridges rumour. (correct)
    • Loss of land by landlords.
    • British officers drawing big salaries.

    Why: The greased cartridges rumour directly sparked the Meerut outbreak.

12. The phrase 'The bones of cotton weavers are bleaching the plains of India' signifies the __________ of Indian weavers.

    Why: This phrase describes the widespread destruction of the Indian weaving industry.

13. Match the following historical figures with their contributions/roles:

    Why: Each figure played a distinct role in the historical period described.

14. What was the significance of circulating chapaties from village to village before the 1857 revolt?
    • It was a traditional food distribution method.
    • It was a secret message to tell people their emperor would want their services. (correct)
    • It was a symbol of peace and unity.
    • It was a way to collect taxes from villagers.

    Why: Chapaties were a covert signal for villagers to prepare for rebellion.

15. How did the rivalries among Indian princes help the East India Company?
    • It led to the formation of a strong Indian alliance against the Company.
    • It allowed the Company to easily subdue Indian princes one by one. (correct)
    • It forced the Company to withdraw from India.
    • It resulted in the Company paying higher tribute to Indian rulers.

    Why: The Company exploited internal rivalries to conquer Indian states individually.

Hard (10)

1. Assertion (A): Ram Mohan Roy was attracted by science and modern knowledge. Reason (R): He believed that knowledge should be practical and scientific.

   Why: Ram Mohan Roy's attraction to science stemmed from his belief in practical and scientific knowledge.

2. Assertion (A): The British policies ruined the expert Indian artisans and their business. Reason (R): The British imposed heavy import duties on goods manufactured in England when brought into India.

   Why: British policies ruined artisans, but they removed, not imposed, import duties on their own goods.

3. Assertion (A): Many landlords had lost their lands because of the British policies. Reason (R): They were sore and joined the rebellion against the British.

   Why: Landlords, having lost land due to British policies, joined the rebellion out of resentment.

4. Which of the following statements accurately describe the conditions of Indians under British rule between 1822 and 1836?
   • Fifteen lakh Indians died of starvation due to famines. (correct)
   • The East India Company introduced policies to boost Indian industries.
   • Farmers were forced to abandon their fields due to heavy taxes. (correct)
   • The British actively worked to abolish untouchability and child marriage.

   Why: Famines and heavy taxes caused immense suffering, while British policies harmed industries and social reforms were not their priority.

5. Consider the grievances of the sepoys in the East India Company's army. Which of the following statements correctly reflect their dissatisfaction?
   • They received much lower pay and slower promotions compared to white soldiers. (correct)
   • They were forced to cross the sea, which was against their religious beliefs. (correct)
   • They were given luxurious mansions and many servants.
   • They were always consulted on matters of customs and traditions.

   Why: Sepoys resented low pay, slow promotions, and forced sea travel against their religion.

6. Examine the map showing the expansion of British area in India by 1856. What does this map primarily indicate about British control?
   • The British controlled only coastal regions.
   • The British had conquered almost the entire Indian subcontinent. (correct)
   • Indian princely states still held significant power over large areas.
   • The British presence was limited to a few trading posts.

   Why: By 1856, the map shows the British had established control over nearly all of India.

7. Based on the information about Ram Mohan Roy, what was his approach to dealing with the British as rulers?
   • He advocated for immediate armed rebellion against them.
   • He accepted them as rulers but reminded them of their responsibilities to subjects. (correct)
   • He completely rejected their rule and refused any interaction.
   • He sought to become a British official and work within their system.

   Why: Ram Mohan Roy engaged with the British, acknowledging their rule but emphasizing their duties.

8. What can be inferred about the general sentiment of the Indian people towards the British East India Company's rule, particularly after 1765?
   • Most people welcomed the British as bringers of peace and stability.
   • There was a growing sense of resentment and feeling of being enslaved by foreigners. (correct)
   • Indians were largely indifferent to the Company's expansion.
   • Many believed their destiny was linked with the British and fully supported them.

   Why: Many Indians felt enslaved and resented the British, despite some initial views of peace.

9. Observe the map of India in 1765. Which of the following statements accurately describes the distribution of British Territory and Indian Princes' territories at that time?
   • British Territory covered the majority of the Indian subcontinent.
   • Indian Princes' territories still occupied a significant portion of India. (correct)
   • The British only had control over the region of Bengal.
   • There were no independent Indian princely states left.

   Why: In 1765, Indian princely states still held vast areas, with British territory concentrated in certain regions.

10. Which of the following were significant factors contributing to the widespread discontent that led to the 1857 War of Independence?
    • Oppressive policies like jailing without trial and heavy taxes. (correct)
    • Economic ruin of Indian industries and artisans. (correct)
    • British respect for Indian customs and religious practices.
    • Equal pay and promotion opportunities for Indian and British soldiers.

    Why: Oppressive policies, economic ruin, and disrespect for customs fueled the discontent.