Detailed explanations in West Bengal Board Class 8 History Book Solutions Chapter 2 Rise of Regional Powers offer valuable context and analysis.
WBBSE Class 8 History Chapter 2 Question Answer – Rise of Regional Powers
Think and Find :
1. Match column A with B
| A | B |
| Ayodhya | Ist Anglo-Sikh War |
| 1764 | Sadat Khan |
| Doctrine of Lapse | Buxar War |
| Lahore treaty | Mysore |
| Tipu Sultan | Lord Dalhousie |
Answer:
| A | B |
| Ayodhya | Sadat Khan |
| 1764 | Buxar War |
| Doctrine of Lapse | Lord Da!housie |
| Lahore treaty | Ist Anglo-Sikh War |
| Tipu Sultan | Mysore |
2. Fill in the blanks eitil correct alternative :
a. During Aurangzeb’s rule, Murshid Quli Khan was the _______ of Bengal. (Dewan / Faujdar/Nawab).
Answer:
Dewan.
b. Ahmed Shah Abdali was _______. (Maratha / Afgan / Parsi).
Answer:
Afgan.
c. Alinagar treaty was concluded between _____. (Mir Jafar and the British company / Siraj and British company / Mir Qasim and British company).
Answer:
Siraj and British company.
d. the diwani rights of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa was given to the English company by _____. (Emperor Shah Alam II / Emperor Faruksiyar / Emperor Aurangzeb).
Answer:
Emperor Shah Alam.
c. The Subsidiary Alliance was willingly accepted by ______ (Tipu Sultan / Sadat Khan / the Nizam).
Answer:
the Nizam.
3. Answer briefly (30 – 40 words):
Question a.
What was the importance of Faruk Shiyar’s Farman?
Answer:
- The farman granted the right of buying the zamindari of 38 villages near Calcutta to British East India company.
- The farman also granted certain trading rights to the British East India company. The British company could do the trade in Bengal of an annual payment of three thousand rupees.
- The ships that were treaty bound to the company could do free trade.
- The company could use the Nawab’s mint at Murshidabad.
Question b.
Who, when and how established IIyderabad as regional power?
Answer:
Mubariz Khan. the Mughal provincial ruler, ruled Hyderabad almost like an independent ruler. In 1723 Mubariz Khan was defeated by Asaf Jha. Next year Asaf Jha became the Subedar of Deccan and established his authority in Hyderabad and started ruling independently.
Question c.
What is known as the ‘Plassey loot’?
Answer:
After the battle of Plassey the British acquired a huge amount of wealth as the compensation of the battle. On the other hand a huge amount of money callected as the revenue from Bengal which drained away to England. This is known as ‘Plassey loot’.
Question d.
What is ‘dual government’?
Answer:
After the acquisition of Dewani Right by the British the East India company established the political and economic control over Bengal. Nawab had the administrative, legislative and Judicial power to exercise. Nawab could build political power minus economic power. This system in Bengal is known as the dual system.
Question e.
What was the job of British residents?
Answer:
The British company appointed a representative or resident in various courts of rulers. For that the rulers could not do anything independently. The residents kept their eyes on every activities of the rulers. At the time of Lord Dalhousie the residents became aggressive.
4. Write in your own words (120-160 words) :
Question a.
Do you think it was the incompetence of the Mughals which led to the rise of regional powers? Give reason for your answer.
Answer:
After the death of Aurangzeb the power of the Mughal empire started declining rapidly. The regional powers became powerful in the various parts of the empire. The weakness of Mughat Emperors were responsible for the rise of the regional powers. For instance the wrong policy of Aurangzeb about Rajput deprived him of the assistance of Rajput. His wrong Deccan policy weakened the Mughals and emptied the treasury.
The long absence from capital Delhi the provincial rulers became independent. The narrow relegious outlook of Arangzeb destroyed the trust and loyalty of Hindus to the emperor. the revolt of Jath. Sikh, Satnami, Bundela and Rajput had shaken the base of the Mughal empire. The weakness of the descendants of Aurangzeb gave pace to the downfall of Mughal empire.
Apart from individual weakness dte to the lack of military reforms the internal revolts and the raids of the invaders could not be resisted. The aristocrats of the Mughal court fel! divided among themselves, trying to secure a profitable Jaigir. Instead of rendering proper governance to the people. the emperor and the aristocrats were engrossed with personal profit and loss.
Question b.
Between Battle of Plassay and Buxar which do you think was more important for British expansion. Give reason for your answer.
Answer:
Though after the battle of Plassey the sovereign power of Bengal was not handed over to the British. the East India company advanced establish their empire all over India that centred in Bengal. The British formed a strong skillful arm using the money and wealth of Bengal. The win of Plassay established the British empire in Bengal and the military, economic and power of British company however increased after that.
On the other hand after the battle of Bux:’ ‘e Nawabs became the puppets of British and limitless power of British was established (N… be rgal. The defeat of joint power of three native rulers proved the superior military power of , . Itish. – ‘ith the defeat of Ayodhya’s ruler, the company could expand its power all over North India. Besides the most important outcome of the Buxar was the acquisition by the British of the Diwani rights of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa.
Dual system of administration was established in Bengal. In this system British had economic inner and the right revenue collection. On the other hand Nawab enjoyed political power and looked after law and order. In this system the real power centered in the hands of British. The monopoly right of trading of essential goods was also enjoyed by the British merchants.
Question c.
What role did the private trade of company officials play in the conflict between Mir Qasim and the British company? What effect did dual government have on Bengal?
Answer:
For various causes being displeased with Mirzafar, Company removed him from the power. His son-in-law Mir Qasim was made Nawab. To become Nawab with British support Mir Qasim had to give the zamindari of Bardhaman, Medenipur and Chattogram to the British and 29 lakhs in cash. Beside he had to give the right of trading of lime in Shilleth. But company startea giving continue pressure on him. A conflict between Mir Qasim and British on the question of trading without paying tax and inland trading.
For the dual government system the misery of the people reached at summit. The British tortured their subjects for business profit. Every where prevailed disorder. For the tremendous pressure the farmers and the small landtords became bankrupt. The British officials started plundering the subjects. The Nawab had no power to punish them. The law and order deteriorated everywhere. Most of the lands left unploughed. There was crysis of crops, therefore the price had rises. One of the most important causes of the famine of 1776 of Bengal was Dual government system. The condition of the people became extremely miserable for the pressure of taxes and torture. On the other hand, a heavy amount of money collected as tax started going out of Bengal.
Question d.
How would you analyse the change in policy from Subsidiary Alliance to the Doctrine of Lapse, in the context of the expansion of the company’s power in India.
Answer:
Lord Wellesley had two objects of introducing Subsidiary Alliance : 1 . To establish British dominance in India. 2. To remove the French influence from India. According to the condition of this policy the willing surrender would be free independent internal matter but he could not make treaty or declare war without the permission of British. There would be a stand by British army and the expenditure of the army would bear the state. A British resident would be appointed in the state. The willing surrender had lost his soveraign power and become the puppet of British. On the other hand the British had become gainer in all the sense political, economical and strength. First, Nizam of Hyderabad had willingly accepted Subsidiary Alliance.
Lord Dalhousie introduced the policy of the Doctrine of Laps for the expansion of British empire. According to Doctrine of Lapse those Indian rulers who had no male heirs, lost their kingdom to British. In this way Dalhousie occupied Satara, Sambalpur, Jhansi and other states. By this enforcement of the policy Dalhousie stopped pension of some rulers. For example he stopped pension of the adapted son of Baji Rao after his death. The title of the daughter of Tanjore was abolished death of the king of Tanjore. By imposing the policy Dalhousie carved the patit of Sepoy mutiny.
Question e.
What was the relationship between Bengal and the Mughal administration during the rule of Mushid Quli Khan and Alivardi Khan?
Answer:
The relation between Bengal and the Mughal ruler at the reign of Murshid Quli Khan was good. Aurangzeb appointed Murshid Quli Khan as Dewan of Bengal. At the time of Bahadur Shah he still remained the Dewan of Bengal. Emperor Farukshiyar confirmed his post. Besides the post of Dewan, the post of Nazim of Bengal was given to him in 1717. After that his power became absolute in Bengal. In Murshid Quli’s time there appeared in Bengal a class of powerful Zamindars. They paid taxes to Nazim regularly. In returns they enjoyed independent power. The ruler depended on their assiștan,e. The relaton between Murshid Quil and the Mughal was good till his death.
The conflict between the heirs of Murshid Quli over the control of threne arose after his death. With the help of powerful zamindar Alivardi Khan captured the power of Bengal. From his time there was no relation between Mughal and the Nawab of Bengal. The taxes had not sent regularly, Officially the power of Mughal emperor was admitted, but there was self dominance in Bengal, Bihar and Orissa under Alivardi Khan.
5. Imagine and write (in 200 words):
a. Suppose you are a common man during Alivardi Khan’s rule. You face ‘Bargi’ attack. Write a conversation between you and your neighbour regarding the bargi attack.
Answer:
Me – Hello Sujan ! How are you?
Sujan – What a hell ! How we may be during this Bargi attack?
Me – Right ! Where you had been yesterday at the time of Bargi attack?
Sujan – Yesterday at noon when the Bargi attacked I was returning from market. Suddenly hearing a noise from behind I turn back and saw the Bargis were coming fast. In fear I took a leap in the bush to hide myself. I was trembling in fear. I had some cash with me. They had open sword in their hand while passing the bush they were looking at it. Probably they saw me diving into the bush from distance.
Me – I was also watching the scene through an opening of a closed window and I was spell-bound. I saw they were striking with the sword whoever they found. There was no trace of kindness. I saw an old man pleaded thern with folding hands not to slay him. But nobody pay any hid. He was killed with a single job of the sword.
Sujan – How disgusting! Is this the life?
Me – We how to live in this way, who will save whom! Nawab could not save us. Finally we have to escape to North Bengal or Kolkata.
Sujan – Right ! Some of my relative have already fled to Kolkata.
Me – But it is not possible for the poor like us.
Sujan – So no way ! we have to stay here.
Me – You are right ! Good Bye.
b. Suppose you are a English company official. What expericnce would you have had roaming Bengal during the famine of 76. What advice can you give to the Company about helping the people during famine.
Answer:
I have to visit the villages for special purpose. It was a tremendous experience. There was a cry for food allaround. The crops have almost failed for lack of rain. On the other hand, company sends rice to Madras army collecting from market. The company officials, the merchants and the authority of company started storing rice and the price of rice became beyond the capasity of the poor. One-third people died in the famine. Many land left unploughed. The peasants started se!ling bulls, plough even own sons and daughters. People with sketiton like body thronged on the street. The villages became deserted. However, the taxes in this year increased than the previous years. The agricultural system of Bengal lost the balance.
I shall advice the company to relax the revenue collection for a year. The peasants should be given the food crops at very low cost. If necessary it should be given at free of cost. Only then the people could be brought back to their life.
Class 8 History Chapter 2 Question Answer West Bengal Board – Rise of Regional Powers
Multiple Choice Questions & Answers :
Question 1.
The time gap between death of Aurangzeb and battle of Palasy
i) 50 yers
ii) 60 yers
iii) 70 yers
iv) 90 yers
Answer:
i) 50 yers
Question 2.
Appointment of Murshidkuli khan was made permanent by –
i) Aurangzeb
ii) Bahadur Salaa
iii) Farukhsiyar
Answer:
iii) Farukhsiyar
Question 3.
In Bengal the famine of ‘ 76 ‘ occured in-
i) 1776
ii) 1576
iii) 1676
iv) 1176
Answer:
iv) 1176
Question 4.
Maratha diteh was dug for –
i) frigation
ii) preventing Maratha attack
iii) preventing Bargi attack
iv) piseiculture
Answer:
iii) preventing Bargi attack
Question 5.
In 1754 Suja-ud-doula became the ruler of-
i) Bengal
ii) Awadh
iii) Hydrabad
iv) Bihar
Answer:
ii) Awadh
Question 6.
The Indian rulers who had no male heirs lost their kingdom to the British. This was known as-
i) Subsidiary Alliance
ii) Doctrine of Lapse
Answer:
ii) Doctrine of Lapse
Question 7.
Number of Indo-Mysore battles took place between 1767 and 1799
i) four
ii) five
iii) three
iv) two
Answer:
i) four
Question 8.
The influence of Jaigirdari and Mansabdari system On Mughal economy was
i) positive
ii) negative
Answer:
ii) negative
State whether True or Falses
Question 1.
In eighteenth century the Mughals had not done any military reforms.
Answer:
True.
Question 2.
Awadh emerged as an autonomous provincial power under Murshid Quli Khan.
Answer:
False.
Question 3.
Jagat Seth is a title of a particular merchant family.
Answer:
True.
Question 4.
Mir-Kamar-uddin-Siddiki was given the title of Asaf Jha by Aurangzeb.
Answer:
False.
Question 5.
In 1776 Mir Jafar was removed and his son-in-law Mir Qasim was made the Nawab.
Answer:
True.
Question 6.
In 1717, Mughalemperor Faruksiyar issued an order or a farman.
Answer:
True.
Question 7.
Like Murshid Quli, Alivardi Khan too had anegative attitude towards the European traders.
Answer:
False.
Question 8.
Mir Jafar haf played an inactive role during the battle of Palasy.
Answer:
True.
Question 9.
After the battle of Palasy, Robert Clive appointed Mir Jafar we Nawab of Bengal.
Answer:
True.
Question 10.
Lord Clive roiurned to Bengal after 1765 .
Answer:
False.
Question 11.
Between 1757 and 1765, the Company emerged as the main power in Bengal.
Answer:
True.
Question 12.
The policy of doctrine of lapse set up by Lord Wellesley.
Answer:
False.
Fill in the blanks :
Question 1.
The chief of the three main regional power Bengal, Hyderabad, Ayodhya were _________ Mughal administrators.
Answer:
local.
Question 2.
________ got the post of Bengal’s Nazim in 1717.
Answer:
Murshid Kuli Khan
Question 3.
The royal treasury and mint of Suba Bengal was in the invisible control of _______.
Answer:
Jagat Seth.
Question 4.
The Nawab’s capital _________ was not spared by the Bergis.
Answer:
Murshidabad.
Question 5.
In 1717, the Mughal emperor Farukshiyar issed an order or a _________.
Answer:
Farman.
Question 6.
Mir Qasim had to pay almost 29 lakhs to beceme ___________.
Answer:
Nawab.
Question 7.
The residents became aggressive during the time of Lord ___________.
Answer:
Wellesley.
Question 8.
The Sikhs lost the first Anglo-Sikh war in _________.
Answer:
1845.
Question 9.
The Marathas had a great deai of supremacy in the __________.
Answer:
Decan.
Question 10.
Under haidar Ali and Tipu Sultan, Mysore’s army was set up in _______ model.
Answer:
European.
Match column A with B
| A | B |
| Aurangzeb died | the death of the one-third peasant occured |
| Persian invasion | Murshid Quli Khan became Nazim. |
| In 1717 | turned into the ruler’s rod |
| The business man of Murshidabad | were called merchant’s king. |
| In the battle of Plassy Mir Jafar | Under the leadership of Nadir Shah. |
| The merchant’s scale | Tipu Sultan died. |
| In the famine of ‘ 76 ‘ | in 1707. |
| In fourth Anglo Mysore war | was inactive. |
Answer:
| A | B |
| Aurangzeb died | in 1707 |
| Persian invasion | under the leadership of Nadir Shah. |
| In 1717 | Murshid Quli Khan became Nazim. |
| The business man of Murshidabad | were called merchant king |
| In the battle of Plassy Mir Jafar | was inactive. |
| The merchant’s scale | turned into ruler’s rod. |
| In the famine of ‘ 76 ‘ | the death of one third pleasant was occured. |
| In fourth Anglo Mysore war | Tipu Sultan died. |
Answer in a sentence :
Question 1.
In which year Aurangzeb died?
Answer:
Aurangzeb died in 1707.
Question 2.
Whe was the leader of Persian attack in Delli?
Answer:
Nadir Shah was the leader of Persian attack in Delhi.
Question 3.
Who was the leader of Afgan attack in Delli?
Answer:
Ahmad Saha Abdali was the leader of Afgan attack in Delhi.
Question 4.
By whom Murshidkuli Khau was appointed as Dewan of Bengal?
Answer:
Murshidkuli Khan was appointed as Dewan of Bengal by Aurangzeb.
Question 5.
Who became Nawab after Alibardi kihan?
Answer:
Siraj Ud-doullah becane Nawab after Alibardi Khan.
Question 6.
Who was honoured with the title Jagat Seth?
Answer:
Fateha Cliand was honoured with the title Jagat Seth.
Question 7.
Mention an important incident of the reign of Nawab Alivardi Khan.
Answer:
An important incident of the reign of Nawab Alivardi Khan was the Bargi attack.
Question 8.
Who founded the kingdom of Hyderabad and when?
Answer:
Asaf tha founded the kingdom of Hyderabad in 1724.
Question 9.
When did Mughal emperor Farukh Shah issue a farman?
Answer:
Mughal emperor Farukh Shah issued a forman in 1717.
Question 10.
Who propagated the story of ‘Black Hole Tragedy’?
Answer:
Holwell propagated the story of ‘Black Hole Tragedy’.
Question 11.
In which year the battle of Plassy took place?
Answer:
The battle of Plassy took place in 1757.
Question 12.
Which states of zamindary was given to British by Mir Qasim?
Answer:
Mir Qasim gave the zamindary of Bardhaman, Midnapur and Chattogram to the Brithish.
Question 13.
When did the Battle of Buxar take place?
Answer:
The Battle of Buxar took place in 1764.
Question 14.
How long the dual system of administration continued in Bengal?
Answer:
The dual system of administration continued in Bengal from 1765 to 1772 .
Question 15.
When did the famine of ’76’ occur?
Answer:
The famine of ’76’ occured in Bengal in 1770. In terms of Bengal calender, the year stood at 1176.
Question 16.
Who willingly accepted Subsidiary Alliance?
Answer:
The Nizam of Hydarabad willingly accepted Subsidiary Alliance.
Question 17.
Who opposed the policy of Subsidiary Alliance?
Answer:
Tipu Sultan of Mysore opposed of Subsidiary Alliance.
Question 18.
Who implemented the policy of Doctrine of Lapse?
Answer:
Lord Dalhousi implemented the policy of Doctrine of Lapse.
Question 19.
In which war Tipu Sultan was died?
Answer:
Tipn Sultan was died in Fourth Anglo-Mysore war.
Question 20.
In which year and between whom Salbai treaty was signed?
Answer:
In 1782 Salbai Treaty was signed between Maratha and British Company.
Answer in 30-40 words :
Question 1.
Short note on Mansabdari system.
Answer:
Emperor Akbar introduced Mansabdari system to form army. The soldiers were paid according to their post. They were classified according to their number under a mansabdar. The mansabdar of lowest rank could keep maximum 10 soldiers and of highest rank could keep maximum is thousand soldier. The mansabdars were paid in cash and they paid the soldiers from the earning from their Jaigir. The post of mansabdar was not heriditary.
Question 2.
What was the relation between famine of ‘ 76 ‘ and the dual government?
Answer:
Dual government system is responsible for the famine of ‘ 76 ‘. East India Company got the right of collecting faxes from Bengal, Bihar and Orissa. Reja Khan in Bengal and Sitab Roy were given responsiblity for collecting taxes. They were collecting taxes as much as they could. Many lands remained unploughed. Crisis of fond crops occured and the price rised high. The British army for its food supply collected enough paddy rice by hook or by crook. On the other hand the British officials, merchants, the authority of company started hoarding rice and later sold at high price.
Question 3.
Write short note on ‘Black Ilole Tragedy’.
Answer:
In 20th June 1756, Nawab Siraj-ud-daullah occupied Calcutta. After that Holwell as well as some British was imprisoned by the Nawab’s army. Holwell complained that Siraj had locked up 146 British men and women in a small room and that resulted the death of 123 of them. This incident is known as ‘Black Hole Tragedy’. Later, it is proved that it was imagined and exaggerated.
Answer in 120-160 words :
Question 1.
How far the various policies of Aurangzeb were responsible for the downfall of Nughal empire.
Answer:
The various policies of Aurangzeb were responsible for the downfall of Mughal empire
a) From the reign of Akbar the Rajputs helped Mughals to expand their empire and strengthen the Mughals. But for the wrong Rajput policy of Aurangzeb deprived him from the assistance of Rajputs.
b) His Deccan policy also weaken the power of the Mughals. The regional powers of north Bengal revolted and some of them became independent for the long absence of Aurangzeb at Delhi.
c) The former emperor showed the relegious tolerance but Aurangzeb was too much orthodox about religion. From his narrow religious outlook he was deprived from the loyalty trust and support of Hindus.
d) The revolt of Jath, Satnami, Sikh, Bundela, Rajput of the reign of Aurangzeb weakened the foundation of Mughal dynasty.
Question 2.
What is Dual Government system? What was its result?
Answer:
When East India company got the Dewani Rights of Bengal the power of tax collection and the military power was handed over to them. Nawab only enjoyed political power and looked after law and administration. As the economic power and the right to revenue collection centered in the hand of British, they enjoyed real power. This system was known as Dual system.
The misery of people of Bengal increased upto the extreme point. Disorder prevailed every where. The company collected as much revenue as possible. For this purpose the British offecials tortured their subjects. Dere to the tremendous pressure small Jamindars and peasants became bankrupt.
The British officials stated to plunder the subjects, Nawab had no power to punish them. The law and order became failed. Many lands had not been ploughed at all. The price of things started going higher. Dual system was the people of Bengal were suffering in miserable condition, the wealth of Bengal drained away.
Question 3.
What were the main conditions of Doctrine of Lapse? State the application of this policy.
Answer:
The main terms and conditions of Doctrine of Lapse are –
1. Those Indian rulers who had no male heirs, lose their kingdom to the British. If the king had any adopted son he would not have any right on the throne.
2. In case of subjugated states they had to seek permission while taking adopted son. Otherwise the adopted son would considered as illegal. If company would not give permission to the state would lose their kingdom.
3. The native independent state could take to adopted son without the permission of British. By the application
policy of Doctrine of Lapse, Dalhousie ocenpied Santara, Sambalpur, Jhansi and other regions. Dalhousie snatehed the Berar province of Hyderabad to provide for company expenses. By the policy, he stopped pension of some province. After the death of Baji Rao-II he stopped the pension of Nana Sahib, the adopted son of Baji Rao-II. On the other hand, after the death of Tanjore Raj the title of her daughter was banned. By applying the policy of Doctrine of Lapse Lord Dallousie widened the path of the great revolt.
Question 4.
What was the object of Subsidiary Alliance? What was the condition of the policy? What was the result?
Answer:
There were two objectives of Subsidiary Alliances. They are –
i) To establish the political power in India.
ii) To remove the French influence from India.
According to the condition of the policy, the ruler who would accept the policy the British government gave the military protection of that state. The inner independence of the ruler would be secure but the ruler could not make any treaty or declare war without the permission of British government. The ruler had to bear the expenditure of standing army. The British government put a resident at the court of the ruler.
The kings, who accepted the policy of subsidiary alliance had lost their sovereign power. They became the puppet of the British. On the other hand, the British became strong in aspect of political, economical and others powers. The Nizam of Hyderabad had willingly accepted the policy. Later the other states were compelled to take the policy.
Question 5.
What is the famine of ’76’? What is the result of it?
Answer:
In 1770, in terms of Bengal calender the year stood at 1176, a tremendous famine occured in Bengal which is known as the famine of ’76’. For this famine of ’76’, one-third people of Bengal died. This famine influenced the economy of Bengal greatly. The self sufficient villeges turned into deserted place. But the revenue increased in compare of other years. Due to this severe famine the agricultural system of Bengal had lost the balance. There were lack of peasants as many of peasants had died in the faminc. Lands left unploughed. Many Jamindar also died. In one hand, old Jamindary were abolished, On the other hand, new Jamindari emarged. They used to run their Jamindary by dewan and the revenue from the subjects was collected by them. With the agriculture cottage industry of Bengal destroyed also. For the death of labours and craftsman the production in industry was hampered.