Glimpses of the Past Class 8 important questions with answers PDF download
FAQs on CBSE Important Questions for Class 8 English Honeydew Glimpses of the Past - 2025-26
1. What were the main reasons for the dissatisfaction among Indians before 1857, as depicted in the chapter 'Glimpses of the Past'?
According to the chapter, the main reasons for dissatisfaction were a combination of economic, educational, and social factors. Key points include:
- Economic Exploitation: Heavy taxes were imposed on farmers, and British policies ruined Indian artisans and industries by flooding the market with cheap, imported goods.
- Educational Changes: The introduction of English education, as suggested by Macaulay, was seen as a way to create clerks for the British, while devaluing Indian languages and knowledge systems.
- Loss of Trust: Indians felt that the British were trying to convert them to Christianity and were losing their traditional way of life and occupations.
2. How did the East India Company manage to subdue the Indian princes and expand its power between 1757 and 1849?
The East India Company used a combination of superior military strength and clever political tactics to overpower the Indian princes. The chapter highlights that the British had superior weapons and a well-disciplined army. More importantly, they exploited the internal rivalries among the Indian rulers. The short-sighted Indian princes often sought help from the British to defeat their neighbours, which ultimately allowed the Company to gain control over their territories one by one.
3. What were the key British policies mentioned in the chapter that led to the economic ruin of Indians?
The chapter illustrates several British policies that crippled the Indian economy. The most significant ones for exam purposes are:
- High Taxation: The British imposed very heavy taxes on Indian farmers, which often led to them losing their lands.
- Destruction of Local Industries: The import of machine-manufactured goods from England, sold at low prices, made it impossible for Indian artisans and weavers to compete. This destroyed the Indian textile industry, which was once world-famous.
- Unfavourable Trade: Raw materials were exported from India at very low costs, and finished goods were imported back with high duties, leading to a complete drain of wealth.
4. What was the contribution of social reformers like Raja Ram Mohan Roy during the period of British rule?
Raja Ram Mohan Roy, a learned man from Bengal, understood that Indian society had weaknesses that needed to be addressed. He advocated for social reforms against practices like untouchability and child marriage. He also emphasised the importance of science and modern education, believing that practical knowledge was essential for the country's progress. He travelled to England to see what made the British powerful and to plead India's case.
5. What were the immediate 'sparks' that ignited the Revolt of 1857 as shown in 'Glimpses of the Past'?
The chapter points to two main sparks that triggered the 1857 revolt. First was the introduction of new rifle cartridges that were rumoured to be greased with the fat of cows and pigs. This offended the religious sentiments of both Hindu and Muslim sepoys. The second major spark was the attack by a sepoy, Mangal Pandey, on his British officers, for which he was executed. This incident spread like wildfire and became the catalyst for the widespread rebellion.
6. How does the unique pictorial format of 'Glimpses of the Past' make it an important chapter for exam preparation?
The pictorial format is crucial as it tests different skills than a standard text chapter. For exams, it is important because it assesses a student's ability to:
- Interpret visual information and speech bubbles to understand the context.
- Infer emotions and motivations of historical figures from illustrations.
- Synthesise information from both images and short text captions to form a coherent narrative of events.
7. For a 5-mark question from 'Glimpses of the Past', what key points are essential to score full marks in the CBSE 2025-26 exam?
To secure full marks in a 5-mark question from this chapter, your answer must be well-structured. You should:
- Start with a clear introductory sentence that directly addresses the question.
- Include at least four to five distinct points supported by specific details from the chapter's pictures and text (e.g., mentioning Regulation III, Macaulay's Minute, or the greased cartridges).
- Elaborate on each point briefly to show understanding.
- End with a concise concluding statement that summarises your argument.
8. Based on the chapter, were the British solely to blame for India's subjugation? What other factors are hinted at?
While the chapter primarily focuses on British oppression, it subtly hints that the British were not the sole reason for India's subjugation. The section 'The Company's Conquests' clearly shows through speech bubbles that Indian princes were constantly fighting each other. This internal disunity and the short-sightedness of local rulers, who often sought British help against their rivals, made it significantly easier for the East India Company to establish and expand its control over the subcontinent.
9. How should a student analyse the contrasting ideas of 'Oppression' and 'Reform' shown in the chapter for a balanced answer?
For a balanced, high-scoring answer, a student must analyse both aspects. You should first detail the severe British oppression, covering the economic ruin of artisans, heavy taxes on farmers, and political dominance. Then, you should discuss the response from within Indian society, highlighting the efforts of Indian reformers like Raja Ram Mohan Roy who worked to eradicate social evils and promoted modern education. A good answer would conclude that this period was complex, marked by both foreign exploitation and an internal push for social awakening.
10. Why is understanding the events in 'Glimpses of the Past' crucial for appreciating the subsequent chapters on India's freedom struggle?
This chapter acts as a foundational prologue to the larger freedom struggle. Understanding the cumulative effect of a century of oppression (from 1757 to 1857) is essential to grasp why the Revolt of 1857 occurred and why the desire for complete freedom became so strong. It establishes the key grievances—economic, political, and social—that fuelled nationalist sentiments for the next 90 years. Without understanding these root causes, the fight for freedom would seem like an isolated event rather than a consequence of a long history of dissatisfaction.
