Comprehension Check

Question 1. Look at picture 1 and recall the opening lines of the original song in Hindi. Who is the singer? Who else do you see in this picture?

Answer:- “Aye Mere Waten Ke Logon, Turn Khub Logo Nara: Ye Shubh Din Hai Hum Sab Ka Lehralo Tiranga Pyara, Par Mat Bhulo Seema Par Veron Ne Hain Pran Gawayen,” the Hindi song begins. Lata Mangeskar performed the song. In this photograph, we find Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, Lai Bahadur Shastri, and Mrs. Indira Gandhi.

Question 2. In picture 2 what do you understand by the Company’s “superior weapons”?

Answer:-  The East India Company conquered India with the help of their superior weapons, the guns and diplomacy.

Question 3. Who is an artisan? Why do you think the artisans suffered? (picture 3)        

Answer:-  An artisan is a skilled craftsman in a certain trade. They suffered because the items they made and sell were no longer in demand in India.

Question 4. Which picture, according to you, reveals the first sparks of the fire of revolt?

Answer:-  According to me Picture 7 reveals the first sparks of the fire of revolt.

Working with the text pager 45

Answer the following questions.

Question 1. Do you think the Indian princes were short-sighted in their approach to the events of 1757?

Answer:-  Yes, the Indian princes were short-sighted in their approach.   With the support of the British, they fought with each other. As a result, the British became the virtual rulers of our country.

Question 2. How did the East India Company subdue the Indian princes?

Answer:-   The East India company spread their wings in India to promote their trade. They helped one Indian Prince to finish the other. As a result they slowly gain complete control over the masses

Question 3. Quote the words used by Ram Mohan Roy to say that every religion teaches same principles.

Answer:-  Ram Mohan Roy explained to his wife that “Cows are of different colours, but the colour of their milk is the same. Different teachers have different opinions but the essence of every religion is the same.”

Question 4. In what ways did the British officers exploit Indians?

Answer:-   The British exploited Indians in various ways. They imposed high taxes on the farmers and  exempted customs duty from the items manufactured in England.

Question 5. Name these people.

(i) The ruler who fought pitched battles against the British and died fighting.

(ii) The person who wanted to reform the society.

(iii) The person who recommended the introduction of English education in India.

(iv) Two popular leaders who led the revolt (Choices may vary.)

Answer:- 

1. Tipu Sultan of Mysore.
2. Raja Ram Mohan Roy of Bengal.

• Lord Mecaulay

1. Nana Sahib Peshwa, Kunwar Singh, Begum Hazrat Mahal.

Question 6. Mention the following.

(i) Two examples of social practices prevailing then.

(ii) Two oppressive policies of the British.

(iii) Two ways in which common people suffered.

(iv) Four reasons for the discontent that led to the 1857 War of Independence.

Answer:- 

(i) Two examples of social practices prevailing then were:-

• Untouchability
• Child marriage.

(ii) Two oppressive policies of British were:

• They allowed tax free imports in India
• The imposed high land revenue taxes.

(iii) Two ways in which common people suffered were:-

• People lost their jobs because of cheaper imports from England.
• High taxes deteriorated condition of farmers.

(iv) Four reasons for the discontent that led to the 1857 War of Independence were.

• Farmers lost their land, which resulted in depravity.
• Because of British policies, landowners lost their properties.
• The wage gap between British and Indian workers is significant.
• The British had no regard for the religious beliefs and practises of Indians.