Maharashtra Board Textbook Solutions
Standard VIII – History
Chapter 3 – Effects of British Rule
1. Rewrite the statements by choosing the appropriate options.
(1) Portuguese, ……………, French, and British participated in the competition to capture the Indian market.
Ans: Option (b) – Dutch.
(2) In 1802, Peshwa …………… signed the Subsidiary Alliance with the British.
Ans: Option (d) – Bajirao II.
(3) Jamshedjee Tata started the manufacture of steel at the Tata Iron and Steel Company established in …………….
Ans: Option (c) – Jamshedpur.
2. Explain the following concepts.
(1) Civil Services
Ans:
- There was a need for trained officers to strengthen British rule in India.
- Lord Cornwallis introduced the Civil Services, which became an important part of British administration.
- The British divided their territories into districts for administrative convenience, each headed by a Collector.
- Officers selected through the Indian Civil Service (ICS) managed the administration.
(2) Commercialisation of Agriculture
Ans:
- Before British rule, farmers mainly cultivated food grains for their families and villages.
- The British encouraged the cultivation of cash crops such as cotton, indigo, tea and tobacco.
- The shift from food crops to cash crops for profit is known as the Commercialisation of Agriculture.
(3) Economic Policies of the British
Ans:
- England developed a capitalist economy after the Industrial Revolution.
- The British introduced the same economic system in India to benefit Britain.
- These policies increased Britain’s wealth but led to the exploitation and poverty of India.
3. Explain the following statements with reasons.
(1) Farmers in India became bankrupt.
Ans:
- The British made several changes in the land revenue system to increase their income.
- Farmers had to pay land revenue in cash within a fixed time.
- If they failed to pay, their land was confiscated.
- Many farmers sold their produce at low prices to pay taxes.
- They borrowed money from moneylenders and fell into debt.
- As a result, many farmers became bankrupt.
(2) There was a decline of traditional industries in India.
Ans:
- The British imposed heavy duties on goods exported from India to England.
- Factory-made goods from England were cheaper because they were produced on a large scale.
- Very little duty was charged on British goods imported into India.
- Indian artisans could not compete with these cheaper goods.
- As a result, many traditional industries declined.
4. Complete the following table.
| Person | Work |
|---|---|
| Lord Cornwallis | Introduced the Civil Services in India. |
| Lord William Bentinck | Passed the Sati Prohibition Act. |
| Lord Dalhousie | Introduced the Doctrine of Lapse and annexed several Indian states. |
| Sir William Jones | Established the Asiatic Society of Bengal. |