From Trade to Territory Class 8 Questions and Answers with Detailed Explanations
Vedantu’s NCERT Solutions for Class 8 History Chapter 2 Social Science, ‘From Trade to Territory,’ according to the latest CBSE Class 8 Social Science syllabus explores the establishment and expansion of British power in India. This chapter details how the East India Company transitioned from traders to rulers, highlighting key events, battles, and policies that were under their control. Students will learn about the significant changes in administration, military strategies, and economic policies imposed by the British.
Table of Content
Understanding these historical developments is crucial for understanding the complex dynamics of colonial rule in India. The Class 8 History NCERT Solutions offers clear, step-by-step explanations in Class 8 History Chapter 2 PDF to help students master the content.
1. Match the following:
Ans:
2. Fill in the blanks:
The British conquest of Bengal began with the Battle of ________.
Ans: Plassey
Haidar Ali and Tipu Sultan were the rulers of ________.
Ans: Mysore
Dalhousie implemented the Doctrine of
Ans: Lapse
Maratha kingdoms were located mainly in the ________ part of India.
Ans: South-Western
3. State whether true or false:
The Mughal empire became stronger in the eighteenth century.
Ans: False
The English East India Company was the only European company that traded with India.
Ans: False
Maharaja Ranjit Singh was the ruler of Punjab.
Ans: True
The British did not introduce administrative changes in the territories they conquered.
Ans: False
4. What attracted European trading companies to India?
Ans: There were many things that attracted the European countries to India, such as:
It was highly profitable to trade with India and the businesses in Europe flourished due to inflow of money.
The prices of goods purchased in India were very less whereas in Europe, they were sold at hefty prices.
The European market had a high demand of top-quality cotton and silk from India.
The Europeans were very fond of spices which were brought from India.
Some European powers also used the rights of revenue collection for their funding, which gave them a trade surplus.
5. What were the areas of conflict between the Bengal nawabs and the East India Company?
Ans: The British had been granted several concessions from the Mughal rulers until the death of Aurangzeb. However, after Aurangzeb died, the independent rulers of Bengal took away the concessions.
The new Nawabs put heavy import duties on British goods which took away their profits and this made the British hostile towards the Nawabs. The Nawabs also took away mining rights from the British which was a loss of business for the British.
The British started purchasing more villages, building more forts and this was not received well by the Nawabs. Thus, the conflicts between the British and the Nawabs increased.
6. How did the assumption of Diwani benefit the East India Company?
Ans: These were the ways in which the Diwani Rights benefited the company:
The company could use the revenue from Bengal for expanding the trade.
The British East India Company saw growth while other businesses collapsed. This created a monopoly in the market.
The revenues were not used for public purposes but were used for fortifying the British settlements and expanding them.
The company gained influence in political matters and abused this influence to benefit their trade.
7. Explain the system of “subsidiary alliance”.
Ans: Subsidiary Alliance was one of the plans undertaken by the British East India company after the Battle of Buxar to consolidate its position in India. As per this alliance:
The English East India Company became the Guardian of the State.
The King’s activities were restricted and monitored by a British Resident in the Royal Court.
The Armed Forces of Indian Rulers were placed under British Rule.
No other European nation could be granted shelter or privileges other than the British by the Kings.
The Kings paid the British East India Company for protecting their territories.
The company could annex the territories of the King on failure of payment for the protection.
8. In what way was the administration of the Company different from that of Indian rulers?
Ans: The differences between the administration of the Company and Indian rulers were as follows:
The British territories were divided into Presidencies but Indian territories were divided into Districts, Parganas, Tehsils and Villages.
The British territories had a Governor whereas Indian territories were headed by Zamindars.
The British had the Governor-General as the supreme authority as compared to Kings in the Indian administration.
The Civil and Criminal Court was the same in India prior to the British. The British separated the Criminal and Civil Courts in India.
9. Describe the changes that occurred in the composition of the Company’s army.
Ans: The British maintained their own army parallel to the armies of the rulers in India. Following were the features of the British army in India:
They were recruited from common people and trained thereafter.
They were disciplined as per European norms.
They were armed with muskets and matchlocks and moved on foot.
There were no caste and community feelings among the soldiers.
They were known as the Sepoy Army.
10. After the British conquest of Bengal, Calcutta grew from a small village to a big city. Find out about the culture, architecture and the life of Europeans and Indians of the city during the colonial period.
Ans: The city of Calcutta was the centre of British rule in India and was the capital city of the British. The Europeans lived in highly serviced areas and well-developed cities. The Indians lived in unplanned villages as before. The culture of Bungalows and Clubs was brought to Calcutta by the Europeans and they played sports such as Golf, Cricket and Racing. The Drama theatres also evolved during this period. The architecture of the newly built structures was influenced from European styles and several buildings had Roman and Gothic appearances.
10. Collect pictures, stories, poems and information about any of the following – the Rani of Jhansi, Mahadji Sindhia, Haidar Ali, Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Lord Dalhousie or any other contemporary ruler of your region.
Ans: Rani Lakshmi Bai was the wife of the deceased King of Jhansi who led in the First War of Independence of India from Jhansi and Gwalior. She led her forces from Jhansi and Gwalior and fought the British against their policies. She was killed in battle and has a memorial in Gwalior. She was born into a Maratha family and was married to the King of Gwalior Gangadhar Rao.
Poem:
“Chamak uthi san sattavan mein, woh talwar purani thi, Bundele harbolon ke munh humne suni kahani thi, Khoob ladi mardani woh toh Jhansi wali rani thi”.
Topics Covered in Chapter 2 History Class 8
Benefits of NCERT Solutions for Class 8 History Trade to Territory The Company Establishes
Understanding: Detailed explanations help students understand the transition of the East India Company from traders to rulers.
Key Events and Policies: Understanding the policies like the Battle of Plassey, Doctrine of Lapse, and Subsidiary Alliance.
Historical Impact: Highlights the socio-economic and political changes brought about by British rule in India.
Exam Preparation: Step-by-step solutions and clear explanations that help in effective revision and exam readiness.
Critical Thinking: a critical analysis of historical events and their long-term effects on India.
Important Study Material Links for Class 8 History Chapter 2
Conclusion
Vedantu's NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Social Science Chapter 2, ‘Trade To Territory The Company Establishes,’ offers an invaluable resource for students studying this critical topic. These solutions provide comprehensive explanations and insights into the historical context of trade, colonisation, and the growth of the British Empire in India. With a user-friendly approach, Vedantu ensures that students can grasp complex concepts with ease. By using these solutions, students can enhance their understanding of the historical events that shaped India's history and its transition from a trading partner to a colonial territory. Furthermore, these resources facilitate better exam preparation, ensuring students are well-equipped to excel in their academics.
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FAQs on NCERT Solution for Class 8 Social Science Chapter 2 From Trade to Territory - 2025-26
1. What is the correct method to use NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Social Science Chapter 2 for effective exam preparation?
For best results, first attempt to answer the textbook questions on your own. Then, use the NCERT Solutions to verify your answers and understand the correct format. Pay close attention to how long answers are structured with an introduction, key points, and a conclusion, as this follows the recommended CBSE pattern for the 2025-26 session.
2. How should I structure the answer for the NCERT question on the 'subsidiary alliance' in Chapter 2?
A well-structured answer on the subsidiary alliance should include the following points:
- Definition: Explain that it was a treaty forced upon Indian rulers by the East India Company.
- Key Conditions: Mention that rulers had to disband their own armies, host British troops (a 'subsidiary force'), and pay for their maintenance. They also had to accept a British 'Resident' in their court.
- Consequence: Conclude by stating that this policy led to Indian states losing their sovereignty and becoming dependent on the British.
3. What key points must be included when solving the NCERT exercise on the 'Doctrine of Lapse'?
When answering the question on the Doctrine of Lapse, ensure you include these essential details:
- The Policy: It was an annexation policy stating that if an Indian ruler of a dependent state died without a natural male heir, their kingdom would be annexed by the British.
- The Architect: Mention that the policy was widely implemented by Lord Dalhousie.
- Examples of Annexation: List key states annexed under this doctrine, such as Satara (1848), Sambalpur (1850), Udaipur (1852), Nagpur (1853), and Jhansi (1854).
4. What are the essential points to cover when answering the NCERT question about Tipu Sultan, the 'Tiger of Mysore'?
To provide a complete answer about Tipu Sultan, your solution should cover his relationship with the British. Key points include his strong resistance, his modernisation of the army with French assistance, the four significant Anglo-Mysore Wars fought, and his eventual death while defending his capital, Seringapatam, in 1799.
5. While solving NCERT questions, how can a student differentiate between the Subsidiary Alliance and the Doctrine of Lapse?
The key difference lies in their application and purpose. The Subsidiary Alliance was a political agreement where the British controlled a state's military and foreign affairs while the ruler remained, making the state dependent. In contrast, the Doctrine of Lapse was a policy of direct annexation, used to absorb a kingdom into the British empire entirely upon the death of a ruler without a natural heir. One was a method of control, the other a method of outright seizure.
6. How do the NCERT Solutions for Chapter 2 explain the significance of the Battle of Plassey in establishing Company power?
The solutions highlight that the Battle of Plassey (1757) was a decisive victory for the East India Company not just militarily, but politically. It was the Company's first major victory in India, which gave it control over the vast revenues of Bengal. This financial power was then used to expand its military strength and annex more territories, marking the true beginning of the Company's rule in India.
7. What steps should be followed to answer the NCERT question explaining the East India Company's transition from a trading entity to a territorial power?
To correctly answer this, outline the process chronologically:
- Start with the Company securing trading rights and concessions (farman) from Mughal emperors.
- Explain the conflicts with local rulers, like the Nawabs of Bengal, over loss of revenue and assertion of authority.
- Detail the pivotal military victories, especially the Battle of Plassey and the Battle of Buxar, which gave them administrative rights.
- Describe the implementation of political policies like the Subsidiary Alliance and the Doctrine of Lapse to control and annex states without direct war.
- Conclude with how this gradual process transformed the Company from traders into the de facto rulers of India.
8. Besides direct military attack, what were the main administrative methods used by the Company to annex Indian kingdoms, as per Chapter 2?
The NCERT solutions emphasise that the Company's expansion was not solely based on military conquest. Two key administrative and diplomatic policies were crucial:
- The Subsidiary Alliance: This policy weakened states from within by making them financially and militarily dependent on the British.
- The Doctrine of Lapse: This policy provided a pretext for annexing states based on succession rules, which was a political and administrative justification for takeover. These policies highlight the Company's use of shrewd political strategy to expand its territory.
