Comprehension Check
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?
A. The opening lines of the song that can be depicted in
picture 1 are-
“Aye mere vatan ke logon, tum khub laga lo naara
yeh shubh din hai ham sab kaa, lahara lo tiranga pyaara
par mat bhulo sima paar, viron ne hai praan ganvaaye
kuchh yaad unhe bhee kar lo – (2)
jo laut ke ghar naa aaye – (2)”
Ans. The song is sung by Lata Mangeshkar. In
the picture, we can also see Indira Gandhi, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Lal
Bahadur Shastri.
2. In picture 2 what do you understand by the
Company’s “superior weapons”?
Ans. The British East India Company used “superior
weapons” to conquer most parts of India. Superior weapons refer to their
strategizing abilities that enabled them to take advantage of the already
existing tensions among Indian princes. It also refers to the better quality of
weapons and power that they possessed.
3. Who is an artisan? Why do you think the
artisans suffered? (Picture 3)
Ans. Artisan refers to a worker, skilled in a
particular trade, especially one that involves making things by hand. The
artisans suffered because the Britishers were importing goods from Britain
without paying any import duty that made them cheaper than what was being made
by the local artisans. They imported cotton from the cotton mills that left the
cotton weavers to die due to starvation.
4. Which picture, according to you, reveals
the first sparks of the fire of revolt?
Ans. Picture 7, according to me, reveals the first
sparks of the fire revolt.
Working with the Text
Answer the following questions.
1. Do you think the Indian princes were
short-sighted in their approach to the events of 1757?
Ans. Yes, Indian princes were “short-sighted” in their
approach to the events of 1757 which means they only considered immediate
benefits but ignored its long-term consequences. They were not at peace amongst
themselves. So, they took help from the English merchants to be able to defeat
their rivals. This helped the British East India Company in successfully taking
over control from the Indian rulers. The British adopted the “Divide and Rule”
policy.
2. How did the East India Company subdue the
Indian princes?
Ans. The British East India Company took advantage
of the prevailing tensions among the Indian princes of various provinces. They
eagerly helped them in their wars against each other and subdued the Indian
princes one by one. They adopted the policy of “Divide and Rule”.
3. Quote the words used by Ram Mohan Roy to
say that every religion teaches the same principles.
Ans. In the words of Raja Ram Mohan Roy, “Cows are of different colours, but the colour of their
milk is the same”. He used these words to explain that, regardless of
every teacher having varied opinions, every religion has the same essence and
is based on similar principles.
4. In what ways did the British officers
exploit Indians?
Ans. The British officers kept on finding ways to
exploit Indians. They levied
heavy taxes upon the farmers which forced the poor farmers to give up
their lands. They even threatened
to imprison them if they did not clear their arrears. Not only this,
they even passed Regulation III that allowed them to imprison any Indian
without following a proper trial procedure in court. They removed all the
import duties on goods being imported from Britain. By 1829, goods worth seven
crore rupees were being imported to India. This led to extinction of small
businesses and individual artisans. It caused massive famines leading to deaths
in large numbers. They even pressurised Indians to convert into Christianity.
Those working under the East India Company were exploited and given inadequate
wages. They were hardly promoted.
5. Name these people.
(i) The ruler who fought pitched battles against the British
and died fighting. Ans: Tipu Sultan of Mysore
(ii) The person who wanted to reform the society.
Ans: Raja Ram Mohan Roy of Bengal
(iii) The person who recommended the introduction of
English education in India.
Ans: Lord Macaulay
(iv) Two popular leaders who led the revolt (Choices may vary.)
Ans. Nana Sahib
Peshwa, Babu Vir Kunwar Singh,
6. Mention the following.
(i) Two examples of social practices prevailing then.
Ans: Untouchability and Child Marriage.
(ii) Two oppressive policies of the British.
Ans: (a) No import duty on
goods imported from Britain. (b) Introducing Regulation III that allowed them
to send Indian to jail without a trial in court
(III) Two ways in which common people suffered.
Ans: Two ways in which common people suffered.
1. Untouchability
2. Child marriage
(IV) Four reasons for the discontent that led to the 1857 War of Independence.
Ans.
1. Inadequate wages, slow promotions to those working under the East India
Company.
2. Landlords were sore after they lost their land and estate under the new land
rules.
3. Brahmin soldiers when they discovered that the bullet grease they were
supposed to bite was made of cow and pig fat.
4. Former rulers who had lost their kingdoms.
Glimpses of the Past- Grammar
Exercises
1. Change the following sentences into
indirect speech.
(i) First man: We must
educate our brothers.
Second man: And try to improve their material conditions.
Third man: For that we must convey our grievances to the
British Parliament.
The first man said that ______________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________
The second man added that _______________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
The third man suggested that ________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Ans.
The first man said that they must educate their brothers.
The second man added that they must also try to improve their material
conditions.
The third man suggested that they must convey their grievances to the British
Parliament.
(ii) First soldier: The white soldier gets huge pay, mansions and
servants.
Second soldier: We get a pittance and slow promotions.
Third soldier: Who are the British to abolish our customs?
The first soldier said that ___________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
The second soldier remarked that __________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
The third soldier asked __________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Ans.
The first soldier said that the white soldier
gets huge pay, mansions and servants.
The second soldier remarked that they get pittance and slow promotions.
The third soldier asked who the British to abolish their customs were.