The Colonial Era in India - Class 8 Social Science Notes

2-MARK QUESTIONS

1. Why did European powers come to India in the 15th–17th centuries?
Ans:

• They were attracted by India’s wealth — especially spices, textiles, precious stones, and strong trade networks.
• They also wanted new trade routes, natural resources, and political influence over rich territories.

2. What was the Doctrine of Lapse?
Ans:

• A British annexation policy that allowed takeover of Indian states where rulers died without a natural male heir.
• It ignored the Indian custom of adoption.

3. What is meant by ‘Divide and Rule’?
Ans:

• A strategy where the British encouraged conflicts between Indian rulers, religious groups, and political rivals.
• It helped them gain control without large wars.

4. Name two economic reasons for British colonisation of India.
Ans:

• To access raw materials like cotton, indigo, tea, opium, etc.
• To use India as a large market to sell British manufactured goods.

5. What was the immediate cause of the Great Famine of 1770 in Bengal?
Ans:

• Two years of crop failure combined with harsh, inflexible British revenue demands.
• The Company increased land tax even during famine, worsening starvation.

6. Why were the traditional Indian textile industries destroyed?
Ans:

• Heavy import duties were placed on Indian textiles in Britain, while British goods entered India cheaply.
• Indian weavers lost markets and were forced into poverty.

7. Who were the leaders of the Santhal Rebellion? What was their demand?
Ans:

• Sidhu and Kanhu Murmu.
• They wanted to end exploitation by moneylenders, landlords, and British officials.

3-MARK QUESTIONS

1. Discuss the reasons for the rise of European colonialism.
Ans:

• Political rivalry among European nations for global dominance.
• Need for raw materials, wealth, and new markets.
• Desire to spread Christianity and European culture.
• Curiosity and scientific exploration of new lands.

2. How did the East India Company change from a trading body to a political power?
Ans:

• Established coastal trading posts (Surat, Madras, Calcutta).
• Interfered in Indian succession disputes and internal conflicts.
• Used “divide and rule” to support rival rulers.
• Won key battles like Plassey (1757) and Buxar (1764) to gain Diwani rights.

3. Explain how British revenue policies caused famines.
Ans:

• High fixed taxes paid in cash, even when harvest failed.
• No relief during droughts or crop failures.
• Food grains exported to Britain during famine years.
• Free-market policy prevented government price control.

4. What were the main causes of the Great Rebellion of 1857?
Ans:

• Religious causes: Cartridge rumour of pig/cow fat.
• Political causes: Annexations via Doctrine of Lapse.
• Economic causes: Heavy taxation, land loss, peasant distress.
• Military causes: Racial discrimination and poor conditions of sepoys.

5. How did colonial education transform Indian society?
Ans:

• Traditional schools like pathshalas and madrasas declined.
• English became the language of administration and prestige.
• Created a new Indian middle class loyal to British rules.
• Distance grew between English-educated elite and common people.

6. Describe the main features of tribal uprisings under the British.
Ans:

• Tribals were displaced from forests due to British forest laws.
• Heavy taxes and debts forced them into bonded labour.
• Leaders like Sidhu–Kanhu (Santhal) and Birsa Munda led revolts.
• British responded with harsh suppression.

7. Why is India called the “Jewel in the Crown” of the British Empire?
Ans:

• Provided enormous wealth: raw materials, taxes, manpower.
• Strategic location connecting Europe and Asia.
• Largest colony in terms of population and resource extraction.

5-MARK QUESTIONS

1. Describe the devastating impact of British colonialism on India’s economy.
Ans:

• Drain of wealth: Billions of pounds taken to Britain; Utsa Patnaik estimates $45 trillion drain.
• Destruction of industry: Heavy import duties in Britain ruined Indian textiles; weavers became farmers.
• Forced commercialisation: Indigo, opium, cotton grown for British profit.
• Famines: Harsh revenue demands caused over 50–100 million deaths during British rule.
• Infrastructure burden: Railways, telegraphs built with Indian taxes but served British trade and military needs.

The result was India’s fall from a major global economy to one of the poorest nations at Independence.
2. Explain the causes, spread, and failure of the Great Rebellion of 1857.
Ans:
Causes:

• Religious insult from greased cartridges.
• Political annexations (Jhansi, Awadh).
• Economic distress and famine.
• Racial discrimination in the army.

Spread:

• Started in Meerut → Delhi → Kanpur → Lucknow → Jhansi → Central India.
• Leaders included Rani Lakshmibai, Nana Saheb, Begum Hazrat Mahal, Tantia Tope.

Failure:

• Lack of central leadership.
• Poor communication, no national unity.
• Superior British weapons and reinforcements.
• Many princely states did not join.

Outcome:

• End of East India Company rule (1858).
• Direct rule by British Crown (British Raj).

3. Analyse how British policies destroyed India’s social, cultural, and administrative structures.
Ans:

• Traditional village governance dismantled.
• Customary laws replaced by expensive British courts.
• English replaced local education systems and languages.
• Missionary activity created social divisions.
• Racist ideas portrayed Indians as inferior.
• Colonial census and documentation categorised tribes as “criminal.”
• Overall, Indian society became dependent, divided, and impoverished.

4. Discuss the various European powers in India and compare their methods of colonisation.
Ans:

• Portuguese: Violent, forced conversions, Inquisition, temple destruction; trade monopoly.
• Dutch: Focused on commerce; defeated at Colachel; limited territorial ambition.
• French: Military ambitions; trained sepoys; used puppet rulers; limited influence after Carnatic Wars.
• British: Most successful; used diplomacy, wars, subsidies, annexations, economic policies; built an empire.

Conclusion: British dominance grew through indirect control, economic exploitation, and military power.
5. Explain the major peasant and tribal resistance movements before 1857.
Ans:

• Sannyasi–Fakir Rebellion (1770s): Reaction to famine and land restrictions in Bengal.
• Kol Uprising (1831–32): Anger over land policies in Chota Nagpur.
• Santhal Rebellion (1855–56): Led by Sidhu–Kanhu; against moneylenders, landlords, and British interference.
• Indigo Revolt (1859–62): Against forced indigo cultivation and torture by planters.

These movements showed early national awakening and built the foundation for the Great Rebellion of 1857.

Subject Enrichment activity

Activity-1 Diary Writing:

“A day in the life of a Maratha soldier”

Draw and label a Maratha fort

Activity -2-Timeline showing major events of the colonial period.(1757-1947)

Activity-3Create a mind map showing features of Universal Adult Franchise

Draw a comic strip showing the journey of a voter

Activity-4Prepare a flow chart showing the structure of the Parliamentary System: