How, When and Where Class 8 Extra Questions and Answers Free PDF Download
FAQs on CBSE Important Questions for Class 8 Social Science How, When and Where - 2025-26
1. What types of important questions can be expected from CBSE Class 8 History Chapter 1, 'How, When and Where'?
For the upcoming 2025-26 exams, you can expect a mix of question formats from this chapter. These typically include:
- 1-mark questions: These focus on key definitions, such as defining 'colonial' or 'archive'.
- 3-mark questions: These require short explanations, like describing why the British conducted detailed surveys.
- 5-mark questions: These are often analytical, asking you to evaluate the limitations of official records or critique James Mill's periodisation of Indian history.
2. How should I structure a 5-mark answer about the different sources historians use to study modern Indian history?
To score full marks on such a question, structure your answer clearly. Start by mentioning official records of the British administration as a primary source. Then, explain the various types, such as administrative reports, census data, and land revenue surveys. Crucially, you must then discuss the limitations of these records—that they only show the official perspective. Finally, contrast them with other sources like diaries of people, newspapers, and autobiographies, which provide a more personal and diverse view of the past.
3. Why is James Mill's periodisation of Indian history into 'Hindu, Muslim, and British' considered a problematic but important question for exams?
This is a frequent Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) question. James Mill's periodisation is considered problematic because it incorrectly suggests that religion was the only driving force of historical change, ignoring the vast diversity of the subcontinent. It also promotes a colonial viewpoint by portraying the 'British' period as one of progress and enlightenment compared to the 'darkness' of the previous eras. For exams, understanding this critique shows a deep analytical grasp of the chapter's core concepts.
4. Official records tell us what the British officials thought, but what crucial information do they leave out?
While official records are a valuable source, they primarily reflect the interests, motives, and perspectives of the ruling British officials. They do not tell us about the everyday lives and experiences of the common people in India. These records often omit the voices of peasants, tribals, and workers, and fail to capture their motivations, hardships, or resistance against colonial rule. Understanding this limitation is key to answering analysis-based questions correctly.
5. What is the significance of 'surveys' as an important topic from this chapter?
The practice of conducting surveys is an important topic because it highlights the systematic and scientific approach of the British administration for effective colonial control. For exam purposes, you should know that the British conducted various types of surveys, including:
- Revenue surveys to know the topography and cropping patterns.
- Botanical and zoological surveys to map natural resources.
- Archaeological and forest surveys.
This demonstrates the colonial state's desire to know the country intimately in order to rule it effectively.
6. How does mastering Chapter 1, 'How, When and Where,' help in scoring better in the rest of the Class 8 History syllabus for the 2025-26 exams?
Chapter 1 is foundational because it teaches you how to think like a historian. By understanding concepts like the importance of dates, different historical sources, and the problems with periodisation, you develop critical thinking skills. These skills are essential for analysing events, understanding different perspectives (colonial vs. local), and writing well-structured answers for all subsequent chapters in the 'Our Pasts III' textbook.
7. Why were dates so important to historians during the British period in India?
During that time, history was largely an account of big events and the lives of powerful people like Governors-General. For these historians, dates were crucial as they provided a framework to chronicle events in a sequential order. Specific dates were linked to battles, the accession of rulers, and major policy decisions. Answering this shows you understand that the focus of history was once centred on rulers and their policies, a concept central to this chapter.
