Practicing with West Bengal Board Class 10 History Book Solutions and West Bengal Board Class 10 History Question Paper 2018 alongside detailed explanations can lead to a deeper understanding of the subject.
WBBSE Class 10 History Question Paper 2018
Group A.
1. Choose the correct option : 20×1=20
Question 1.
‘Jibaner Jharapata’ is :
a. A novel
b. A book of poems
c. A biography
d. An autobiography
Answer:
d. An autobiography
Question 2.
‘Somprakash’ was :
a. A Daily paper
b. A Weekly paper
c. A Fortnightly paper
d. A Monthly paper
Answer:
b. A Weekly paper
Question 3.
The publisher of English translation of ‘Neeldarpan’ was :
a. Kaliprasanna Singha
b. Michael Madhusudan Dutta
c. Harishchandra Mukhopadhyay
d. Rev. James Long
Answer:
d. Rev. James Long
Question 4.
The practice of Sati was prohibited in :
a. 1828 AD
b. 1829 AD
c. 1830 AD
d. 1826 AD
Answer:
d. 1829 AD
Question5.
The ideal of Sarva Dharma Samannwaya was propagated by :
a. Bijoy Krishna Goswami
b. Swami Vivekananda
c. Sri Ramakrishna
d. Keshab Chandra Sen
Answer:
c. Sri Ramakrishna
Question 6.
The Kol rebellion 1831-32. took place in :
a. Medinipore
b. Jhargram
c. Chhotonagpore
d. Ranchi
Answer:
c. Chhotonagpore
Question 7.
The First Forest Act was passed in India in :
a. 1859 AD
b. 1860 AD
c. 1865 AD
d. 1878 AD
Answer:
c. 1865 AD
Question 8.
The Revolt of 1857 was described as India’s First War of Independence by :
a. Subhas Chandra Bose
b. Jawaharlal Nehru
c. Vinayak Damodar Savarkar
d. Dadabhai Naoraji
Answer:
c. Vinayak Damodar Savarkar
Question 9.
The rule of the East India Company in India came to an end in :
a. 1857 AD
b. 1858 AD
c. 1919 AD
d. 1947 AD
Answer:
d. 1858 AD
Question 10.
First President of the Indian Association was :
a. Surendranath Bandyopadhyay
b. Anandamohan Bose
c. Rev. Krishnamohan Bandyopadhyay
d. Sibnath Sastri
Answer:
c. Rev. Krishnamohan Bandyopadhyay
Question 11.
The first printed book in the Bangali language was :
a. Barnaparichay
b. A Grammar of the Bengali Language
c. Bengal Samachar Matier
d. Annadamangal
Answer:
b. A Grammar of the Bengali Language
Question 12.
The scientist of the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science who was awarded Nobel Prize was :
a. Jagadishchandra Bose
b. C. V. Raman
c. Prafullachandrra Roy
d. Satyendranath Bose
Answer:
b. C. V. Raman
Question 13.
The Boycott movement economically affected :
a. The peasants of Bengal
b. The Middle Class
c. The Zamindars
d. Students
Answer:
a. The peasants of Bengal
Question 14
Baba Ramchandra led peasants’ movement in :
a. Bihar
b. United Province
c. Rajasthan
d. Maharashtra
Answer:
b. United Province
Question 15.
The Rampa tribal rebellion was organized in :
a. Malabar region
b. Konkon Coastal area
c. Orissa
d. Godavari Valley
Answer:
d. Godavari Valley
Question 16.
‘Nari Karma Mandir’ was established by :
a. Urmila Devi
b. Basanti Devi
c. Kalpana Datta
d. Leela Roy Nag.
Answer:
b. Basanti Devi
Question 17.
The revolutionary group founded by Surya Sen was known as :
a. Anushilan Samity
b. Gadar Dal
c. Indian Republican Army
d. Bengal Volunteers
Answer:
c. Indian Republican Army
Question 18.
The Dalits were called ‘Harijan’ by :
a. Jyotiba Phule
b. Narayana Guru
c. Gandhiji
d. Dr. Ambedkar
Answer:
c. Gandhiji
Question 19.
Separate linguistic state of Andhra Pradesh was formed in the year:
a. 1947 AD
b. 1950 AD
c. 1953 AD
d. 1955 AD
Answer:
c. 1953 AD
Question 20.
Goa became a part of India in :
a. 1947 AD
b. 1956 AD
c. 1961 AD
d. 1971 AD
Answer:
c. 1961 AD
Group B.
2. Answer the following questions: 16×1=16
(Attempt one question from each sub-group; in all answer 16 questions)
Answer each of the following questions in one sentence: 1×4=4
Question 1.
In which historical context was the ‘Bharatmata’ painted?
Answer:
The ‘Bharatmata’ was painted in the historical context of the Swadeshi movement.
Question 2.
Where was founded the All India Trade Union Congress (1920)?
Answer:
The All India Trade Union Congress was founded in Bombay.
Question 3.
In which year was the Forward Bloc founded?
Answer:
The Forward Bloc was founded by Subhas Chandra Bose in 1939.
Question 4.
Who was the founder of the Mathua community?
Answer:
Harichand Thakur was the founder of the Mathua community.
Identify which of the following is ‘True’ and which is ‘False’ :
1. Uday Shankar encouraged the educated middle class Bengalees in dance.
Answer: True
2. The Indian Association protested against the Ilbert Bill.
Answer: False
3. Faraji is the name of an ancient tribe.
Answer: False
4. Vidyasagar introduced Lino type in Bengali.
Answer: False
Match Column ‘A’ with Column ‘B’ : 1×4=4
| Column ‘A’ | Column ‘B’ |
| 1. Aurobindo Ghosh | a. Indian National Army |
| 1. Jawaharlal Nehru | a. Non Co-operation Movement |
| 2. Birendranath Sashmal | b. Poona Pact (1932) |
| 3. Kaliprasanna Singha | c. ‘Letters from a Father to his Daughter’ |
| 4. Dr. Ambedkar | d. Hutum Pyanchar Naksha |
Answer:
1- c, 2 -a, 3 -d, 4 – b
On the given outline map of India, locate and label the following places: 1×4=4
1. Areas of the Chuar Rebellion – Bankura and South-West region of Midinipur
2. Region of the Munda Revolt – Chhotonagpur
3. Centre of 1857 Revolt – Jhansi
4. Princely State – Junagarh
Answer:
See the attached Map of India where the four places have been located?
(Only For The Visually-Challenged Students)
Fill in the blanks:
1. The Fort William College was established in _____ AD.
Answer: 1800
2. _____ was the leader of Barasat revolt.
Answer: Titumir
3. Prafulla Chandra Roy was a Professor of _____.
Answer: Presidency College
4. _____ was known as ‘Masterda’.
Answer: Surya Sen
Select the correct interpretation of the following statements :
1 Statement: The nineteenth century Bengal Renaissance was limited in scope.
Interpretation 1: Because only rural Bengal experienced it.
Interpretation 2: Because the Renaissance was limited to the field of literature
Interpretation 3: Because the Renaissance was limited to western educated progressive society
Answer:
Interpretation 3: Because the Renaissance was limited to western educated progressive society
2. Statement: The British Government passed the Act III in 1872.
Interpretation 1: Its object was to unite the Hindu, Muslim and Christian communities.
Interpretation 2: Its object was to develop the economic, social and cultural development of the people.
Interpretation 3: Its object was to ban child-marriage and polygamy and also to legalize widow remarriage.
Answer:
Interpretation 3: Its object was to ban child-marriage and polygamy and also to legalize widow remarriage.
3. Statement: Rabindranath did not like the colonial system of Education.
Interpretation 1: Because this system was expensive
Interpretation 2: Because the medium of instruction was vernacular
Interpretation 3: Because this system did not help the mental development of the student
Answer:
Explanation 3: Because this system did not help the mental development of the student
4. Statement: Sarala Devi Chowdhurani established Lakshmir Bhandar.
Interpretation 1: To sell foreign goods
Interpretation 2: To help women who were engaged in movements
Interpretation 3: To sell indigenous goods
Answer:
Interpretation 3: To sell indigenous goods.
Group C.
3. Answer the following questions in two or three sentences only (any eleven)
Question 1.
What is the importance of history of environment ?
Answer:
The importance of history of environment lies in the fact that it helps to understand the human role in the conservation of nature. It also helps to realize the impact of human beings on pollution and health. It also opens our eyes for the scarcity of resources and their conservation for the future.
Question 2.
How are memoirs or autobiographies used as sources of modern Indian history?
Answer:
While autobiography tells the story of a life, a memoir often tells a story from life. In the reconstruction of modern Indian history the autobiographies of eminent personalities of contemporary India are of immense value. In this context the Jibamsmriti of Rabindranath, My Experiments with Truth of Mahatma Gandhi, etc. are most important.
Question 3.
What is Macaulay’s Minute?
Answer:
Macaulay’s Minute is a landmark in the history of education in India. In his Minute, known as Education Minute, Macaulay expressed in favour of introducing liberal education on Western lines through the medium of English in India.
Question 4.
What was the role of Young Bengal in social reform ?
Answer:
The students of Derozio, collectively known as the Young Bengal played an important role in social reform of contemporary India. They spoke loudly about the evil effects of idolatry and superstition. So much so that some of them even renounced the sacred thread (paita).
Question 5.
Why is Dudu Miyan remembered ?
Answer:
Dudumiyan, leader of the Ferazi movement, is remembered because he gave a fervent call to the peasants to rise against the oppressive zamindars, indigo-planters and money-lenders. He even declared thet Allah being the real owner of land, the zamindars had no right to levy tax on the peasants.
Question 6.
What was the role of Harishchandra Mukhopadhyay in the Indigo Revolt ?
Answer:
Harishchandra did not hesitate to publicize the grievances of the indigocultivators through the paper Hindoo Patriot of which he was the Editor. The financial help he rendered to the indigo cultivators virtually made him a pauper.
Question 7.
What was the main objective of the Queen’s Proclamation (1858) ?
Answer:
The main objective was to bring an end to the East India Company’s rule in India. Simultaneously, Queen Victoria of England directly assumed the responsibility of the Indian administration in her own hands
Question 8.
With what purposes are cartoons drawn?
Answer:
Cartoons are drawn in order to present a feature or a subject in a humourous way. These are often caricatures signifying disapproval of an incident or an action.
Question 9.
What was the role of Panchanan Karmakar in the development of printing press in Bengal ?
Answer:
Andrews, a Christian missionary, established a printing press at Hughli. In order to print Nathaniel Brassey Halhed’s A Grammar of the Bengal Language, he needed a Bangla type. Under the supervision of English typographer Charles Wilkins, Panchanan Karmakar created the first Bengali typeface for printing.
Question 10.
What is the importance of the Battala publications in the history of Bengali printing press ?
Answer:
Battala is the name of an area in North Calcutta (Kolkata) where printing and publication began in the 19th century. The Battala printers enriched their printing imitating the European technology of wood-cuts and lithographs. Using such technology they decorated their books with illustrations.
Question 11.
Why was the Eka movement initiated ?
Answer:
The Eka movement was initiated by the peasants of U.P. against the oppression of the British officials. The peasants took a vow that they would pay only the recorded amount of rent.
Question 12.
Why was the Bardoli Satyagraha movement organized?
Answer:
The peasants of Bardoli in Surat district of Gujarat began Satyagraha movement under the leadership of Vallabhbhai Patel. The movement was organized in protest of an unprecedented hike in the land-revenue.
Question 13.
With what objective was the Anti-Circular Society founded ?
Answer:
The Anti-Circular Society was organized by Sachindranath Basu. The objective was to encourage the students to participate in the Swadeshi agitation. The Society also made necessary arrangements for education of the students who were expelled from schools and colleges by the government authorities.
Question 14.
Why was the Dipali Sangha established ?
Answer:
In 1924 Leela Roy organized the Dipali Sangha. The objective was to spread education amongst the womenfolk. But the real objective of the Sangha was to initiate the members to revolutionary ideal.
Question 15.
Under what circumstances did Hari Singh, the ruler of Kashmir, sign the Instrument of Accession ?
Answer:
In 1947 the Pathan tribesmen, unofficially led by Pakistan army, invaded Kashmir. Hari Singh, the then Maharaja of Kashmir, appealed to India for military help. India agreed to help on condition that the Maharaja would formally accede Kashmir to India. It was under this background that Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession.
Question 16.
Why was the States Reorganization Commision (1953) formed ?
Answer:
After Independence from the British rule the Government of India found it necessary to reorganize the state boundaries. Accordingly, the States Reorganization Commission was constituted in 1953 under the chairmanship of Fazl Ali.
Group ‘D’
4. Answer the following questions in seven or eight sentences each :
(Attempt one question from each Sub-group. Answer six questions in all)
Question 1.
What picture of 19th century Bengalee society is revealed in the book ‘Hutom Pyanchar Naksha’?
Answer:
Hutom Pyanchar Naksha, written by Kaliprasanna Singha was first published in 1862. The book occupies a special place in Bengali literature. During the nineteenth century several factors caused some kind of strain within the Bengalee society. The factors included conversion to Christianity, emergence of Brahmoism, sea-voyage, declared irreligious by the orthodox section, etc.
Simultaneously, social reform programme was adopted by the reformers of the time, etc. All this which caused turmoil in the society found expression in the pages of the Hootum Pyanchar Naksha. Hootum was a keen observer. It looked at the changes that had been taking place. He noticed and expressed with irony and humour how the old and the new lived side by side.
Question 2.
What role did the Calcutta Medical College play in the field of medical science in this country?
Answer:
Calcutta Medical College of Bengal founded in 1835 was the first institution in India imparting systematic education in Western medicine. The College that was established by an order of 28 January 1835 ushered in a new era in the history of medical education in India. The stated objective was to train native youths aged between 14 and 20 in the principles and practices of medical science in accordance with the European model.
This marked the end of official patronage of indigenous medical learning. Different sections of the Indian population responded to this newly founded system of education in different ways. The Calcutta Medical College was the first in the country to teach European medicine system. Besides, Madhusudan Gupta stands out as the person who first dissected a corpse at Calcutta Medical College.
Question 3.
With what objectives did the colonial Government enact the Forest Laws ?
Answer:
The objective of the colonial British Government in enacting the Forest Laws was to control the forest resources of the country. In fact, the needs and greed of the colonial rulers dictated them to introduce the Forest Acts. As the colonial rulers needed timber for the mother-country, Britain’s, ship-building and laying of the railway lines, the Government introduced Forest laws restricting the common people’s access to the forest resources.
Another motive of the colonial government was to earn more and more revenue by commercializing the forest resources of India. Total governmental control over the forests through the Forest Acts also aimed at expansion of the state power. This also constituted curtailment of local communities’ free access to the forests and rights over forest resources. The above are some of the objectives of the colonial government in enacting the Forest Acts.
Question 4.
Can the Great Revolt of 1857 be termed as feudal revolt ?
Answer:
Opinions vary regarding the nature of the Revolt of 1857 . Debate over it started from the very moment of its happening. Different opinions have been expressed by renowned litterateurs and historians. Jawaharlal Nehru, for example, emphasized the feudal character of the Revolt of 1857. According to him, there was no plan, no coordination among the rebels of different regions of the country.
Moreover, as some of the zamindars and talukdars (landed magnates) participated in the Revolt would at best give it a feudal character. Modern historians, however, are of the opinion that though began with the uprising of the sepoys it soon assumed the nature of a revolt of the civilian population which gave it the character of a popular upsurge in the form of a revolt. Thus Revolt of 1857 cannot be termed as a ‘feudal revolt’.
Question 5.
What was the contribution of Ganga Kishore Bhattacharyya in the growth of Bengali printing press?
Answer:
Ganga Kishore Bhattacharya was a versatile genius. He was a writer, editor, printer and publisher at the one and the same time. He was credited with publishing the first Bengali newspaper – Bengal Gazette. Gangakishore was a prolific writer and wrote several books to fulfill the needs of the people.
He wrote A Grammar of English Language in simple Bengali language for the benefit of the students. Besides, he wrote several books in Bengali on business and economics. He also wrote books on medicine and chemistry in Bengali. As an editor Gangakishore Bhattacharya attempted to utilize the press for social reform.
Question 6.
How did the Serampore Mission Press develop into a front ranking printing press?
Answer:
With the foundation of the Serampore Mission in 1800 began a new era in the history of missionary activities in India. But no less important was the activity of the mission in the field of printing. In his mission to translate Christian scripture in vernacular languages of India William Carey translated almost the entire Bible in Bengali.
Carey also brought with him an old press machinery and set up a printing press. This was the Serampore Mission Press that published the first New Testament in Bengali in 1801. Not only that, the Serampore Mission Press developed into the biggest type-foundry in contemporary Asia. Greatest contribution of the Serampore Mission Press was that it printed and published the Bible translated into forty Indian languages. In the process of translation the Serampore Mission Press contributed to the growth of numerous Indian languages.
Question 7.
Write a short note on the Refugee problem in India after Partition (1947).
Answer:
Partition resulted in killing of several thousands of people. A few times more than that people were displaced and uprooted from their homeland were to find their way to the Indian side of Bengal (West Bengal) and Punjab. People having some money at their disposal could reconstruct their lives in West Bengal with relative ease. But for most people it was not possible.
Some went to the refugee camps set up by the Government in West Bengal while others settled in the squatters’ colonies (refugee colony as they were called in Bengali language). At the initial stage the Government of India was primarily concerned about the rehabilitation of the refugees from West Pakistan. The national leadership was undecided regarding the responsibilities towards the Hindu refugees who migrated in huge numbers to West Bengal from East Pakistan.
Question 8.
How was the princely state of Hyderabad incorporated into India?
Answer:
Hyderabad was the largest of the princely states, and was surrounded by Indian territory. At the time the British left India Mir Osman Ali Khan Asaf Jah VII was the ruling Nizam of Hyderabad. He refused to join either India or Pakistan, and preferred to remain as the ruler of an independent kingdom. The prevailing internal chaos and confusion in Hyderabad which was a cause of alarm to the Government of India further complicated the situation.
In fact, a reign of terror was let loose in Hyderabad by the Razakars under the leadership of Qasim Rizvi. When repeated protests and attempts at peaceful solution seemed to be of no avail and the danger to people and their life and property continued unabated the Government of India decided upon ‘police action’ in Hyderabad.
Indian military forces under the command of General J.N. Chaudhuri entered Hyderabad 13 September (1949) and by 16th Nizam surrendered. In November, the Nizam formally joined the Indian Union. This was how Hyderabad was annexed to India.
Group ‘E’
Answer any one question in fifteen or sixteen sentences: 1×8=8
Question 1.
What was the role of the various Brahmo Samajas in the movement for social reform in the nineteenth century Bengal ?
Answer:
The Brahma Samaj founded by Rammohan Roy was destined to become a dynamic force for progressive movements in Bengal. Under Rammohan the Brahmo Samaj worked hard for a classless society and regeneration of womenfolk. Under Debendranath Tagore the Brahmo Samaj aimed at social reform like promoting female education, abolition of child marriage.
With the joining of Keshab Chandra Sen the Brahmo Samaj took up a large scale programme of social reform. After Keshab Chandra Sen broke away from the Brahmo Samaj and formed the Brahmo Samaj of India in 1865 the later created an enthusiasm for social reform amongst the youths of Bengal. A further division in the Brahmo movement became inevitable when most of the followers of Keshab Chandra Sen renounced his leadership. Such people formed the Sadharan Brahmo Samaj in 1878.
The social reform carried out by Sadharan Brahmo Samaj caused much uplift in the position of women. There was no distinction in the point of education between boys and girls. Yet another splinter group of the Brahmo Samaj was the Nababidhan formed by Keshab Chandra Sen. Nababidhan was purely a religious organization practicing amity friendly relationship between the Islam Christianity and Shivism (Hinduism).
Question 2.
Briefly discuss the ideas of Rabindranath Tagore on the synthesis between Nature, Man and Education,
Answer:
Elaborating his own ideas about the aims of education Rabindranath said that the fundamental purpose of education was not “….merely to enrich ourselves through the fullness of knowledge…”. Rather he believed that the purpose also was to establish bond of love and friendship between man and man. Thus it may be said that Rabindranath’s approach to education was humanistic.
He believed in an inner harmony amongst man, nature and god. In Rabindranath’s idea of education teachers had to be imaginative. The teachers should understand the child, and help the child to develop curiosity in them. Tagore further felt that the creative learning could be encouraged only within natural environment. Living in harmony with nature, children would be able to cultivate their natural creativity
Question 3.
Discuss the role of the Leftists in the Anti-Colonial Movements of the 20th century.
Answer:
Attracted by the Leftist ideas Jawaharlal Nehru and Subhas Chandra Bose jointly formed the Indian Independence League in 1928. Apart from the Congressite ‘Leftists’ like Nehru and Bose there were many other Congress workers who were wedded to the leftist ideal. Such leftists of the Congress fold established the Congress Socialist Party.
The members of the Party demanded: All powers to the people who are associated with production; Socialization of industries and all other productive organizations; State control over foreign trade; State to recognize the right to work, etc. After formation of the Communist Party of India in 1925 the Communists set up unions and organized strikes in India’s cotton, textile, jute and other mills including railway workshops. Initially, the Communists participated in the Congress programme against the British misrule. But they refrained from participating in the Quit India Movement of 1942. This, however, discredited the Communists as a result of which they were isolated from the peasants and workers.
6. Answer the following in a single sentence (any four) 4×1=4
Question 1.
Who established the Atmiya Sabha?
Answer:
It was Rammohan Roy who established the Atmiya Sabha in 1815.
Question 2.
What is the meaning of ‘Hul’ ?
Answer:
In the Santhali language ‘Hul’ means rebellion.
Question 3.
Name one of the founders of the Indian Association.
Answer:
Surendranath Banerjee was one of the founders of the Indian Association.
Question 4.
Who established the Basu Bigyan Mandir?
Answer:
In 1917 Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose founded the Basu Bigyan Mandir
Question 5.
Who earned the epithet ‘Sardar’?
Answer:
Ballabhbhai Patel earned the epithet ‘Sardar’.
Question 6.
Who was known as ‘Gandhiburi’?
Answer:
Matangini Hazra of Medinipur was known as ‘Gandhiburi’.
Answer the following questions in two or three sentences (any three) 2×3=6
Question 1.
Why is Madhuusudan Gupta remembered’?
Answer:
Madhusudan Gupta is remembered as the person who for the first time dissected a corpse at Calcutta Medical College. He broke the taboo prevalent amongst the Hindus concerning the pollution in touching human corpse.
Question 2.
What were the causes of Kol Rebellion (1831-32) ?
Answer:
The Kols grew restive over the increasing encroachment on their tribal territories by the non-tribals like the Sikhs and Muslims. Moreover, the new non-tribal landlords compelled people to forced labour, fines and often ‘took away their cattle’. All this led the tribal Kols to burst out in rebellion.
Question 3.
Write two objectives of the Hindu Mela.
Answer:
One of the objectives of the Hindu Mela was to foster the spirit of self-help which, was considered essential for the progress and welfare of the nation. Another objective was to help building up of the Indian economy. There were of course many other objectives of the Hindu Mela for the progress of the nation.
Question 4.
Why did the Moplah Revolt take place?
Answer:
Moplas were Muslim peasants who settled in the coast of Kerala and Maharashtra. The Moplah rebellion was basically a struggle between peasants and landlords. Though the landlords, incidentally, were mostly Hindus and the rebel peasants Muslims, yet the rebellion was not affected by communal frenzy.
Question 5.
Why is Pritilata Waddedar remembered?
Answer:
Pritilata Waddedar is remembered because of her heroic feat in leading seven young revolutionaries to attack the Europeans at the European Club of Chittagong. Pritilata was dressed as a soldier and others dressed as coachmen. During the attack Pritilata suddenly got a bullet injury and fell down. She brought an end to her life by taking poison.