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NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Social Science History Chapter 3 Ruling The Countryside

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NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Questions And Answers Chapter 3 - FREE PDF Download

Vedantu’s NCERT Solutions for Class 8 History Chapter 3  Social Science, ‘From Trade to Territory,’ according to the latest CBSE Class 8 Social Science syllabus explores how the British established control over rural India and introduced new policies to manage agricultural production and revenue collection. This chapter explains the various systems implemented by the British to ensure a steady revenue stream from Indian agriculture, including the Permanent Settlement, the Ryotwari System, and the Mahalwari System. 

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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 for ruling the countryside class 8 questions and answers to help students master the content.

Access NCERT Solutions for Class 8 History Chapter 3 – Ruling The Countryside

1. Match the Following:   

Ryot

Village

Mahal

Peasant

Nij

Cultivation on Ryot’s Lands

Ryoti

Cultivation on Planter’s Own Land

Ans: 

Ryot

Peasant

Mahal

Village

Nij

Cultivation on planter's own land

Ryoti

Cultivation on ryot’s lands


2. Fill in the Blanks:

  1. Growers of Woad in Europe Saw _________ as a Crop Which Would Provide Competition to Their Earnings.

Ans: Indigo- In Europe, woad growers saw indigo as a crop that would threaten their livelihood.


  1. The Demand for Indigo Increased in Late-Eighteenth-Century Britain Because of  __________.

Ans: Cotton production increased as a result of industrialisation, resulting in a huge need for fabric dyes.


  1. The International Demand for Indigo Was Affected by the Discovery of ___________.

Ans: Synthetic dyes- The discovery of synthetic dyes had an impact on the global market for indigo.


  1. The Champaran Movement Was Against ___________.

Ans: Indigo planters- The visit of Mahatma Gandhi in 1917 sparked the Champaran agitation against indigo planters.


3. Describe the Main Features of the Permanent Settlement.

Ans: To ensure a steady revenue stream, most East India Company officials believed that land investment should be encouraged and agriculture should be enhanced. In 1793, permanent settlement was established as a result of this.

  1. Rajas and taluqdars were recognised as zamindars under the conditions of the settlement.

  2. They were given the task of collecting rent from the peasants and remitting profits to the company.

  3. The amount that had to be paid was fixed permanently.

  4. This was thought to assure a steady stream of revenue to the company's officers. Simultaneously, the zamindars were told to put money into renovating the land.

  5. If the zamindars failed to pay the revenue, which was typically the case due to the high fixed revenue, they lost their zamindari claim to the land.


4. How Was the Mahalwari System Different from the Permanent Settlement?

Ans: 

Mahalwari Settlement

Permanent Settlement

The mahalwari system, designed by Holt Mackenzie, went into action in the Bengal Presidency's North Western provinces in 1822.

Lord Cornwallis introduced the Permanent Settlement in 1793.

It was created as a replacement for the Permanent Settlement.

It was designed to ensure the East India Company's revenue was constant.

The revenue was collected by the local headmen.

The revenue was collected by the rajas and taluqdars.

The revenue figure was not set in stone and would be adjusted on a regular basis. To compute the tax that each village or mahal had to pay, the expected revenue of each plot within a village was totalled up.

The revenue amount was fixed and was never to be increased in the future.


5. Give Two Problems Which Arose With the New Munro System of Fixing Revenue.

Ans: Two issues developed as a result of the new Munro revenue-fixing system are:

  1. Revenue officials set an unrealistically high revenue requirement, motivated by a desire to boost land revenues.

  2. As the crop failed in the countryside, peasants were unable to pay the revenue, and settlements in many areas went desolate.


6. Why Were Ryots Reluctant to Grow Indigo?

Ans: The ryots were hesitant to cultivate indigo for several reasons:

  1. Indigo was purchased for a very low price by the planters.

  2. The ryots couldn't even cover their costs, so making a profit was a pipe dream. This meant that the ryot was perpetually in debt.

  3. The landowners urged that the peasants farm indigo on the most fertile areas of their land, but following an indigo harvest, the peasants chose to grow rice on the richest soils. The ryots were hesitant to cultivate indigo because the land could not be used for cultivating rice.


7. What Were the Circumstances Which Led to the Eventual Collapse of Indigo  Production in Bengal?

Ans: The ryots began to resist indigo cultivation. In their conflict, the village  headmen and some zamindars backed them up. The protests were so large that the government had no choice but to interfere. The Indigo Commission was formed to look into the issues. The planters' flaws were accepted by the Commission, and the ryots were free to grow anything they wanted. Bengal's indigo manufacturing eventually came to a halt as a result.


8. Find out more about the Champaran movement and Mahatma Gandhi’s role in it

Ans:

  • The Champaran Satyagraha of 1917 was a significant milestone in India's struggle for independence. 

  • It was the first major act of civil disobedience led by Mahatma Gandhi in India. 

  • This movement took place in the Champaran district of Bihar and marked the beginning of Gandhi’s leadership in the Indian independence movement.

  • The success of the Champaran Satyagraha established Gandhi as a key leader in the Indian independence movement and demonstrated the effectiveness of nonviolent resistance. 

  • It set the stage for future mass movements led by Gandhi, including the Non-Cooperation Movement and the Salt March.


9. Look into the history of either tea or coffee plantations in India. See how the life of workers in these plantations was similar to or different from that of workers in indigo plantations.

Ans:

  • Tea plantations in India began in the early 1800s, with large-scale cultivation starting in Assam and later spreading to other regions like West Bengal and Kerala. 

  • Workers on these plantations faced very tough conditions, including long working hours, low pay, and inadequate living facilities. Women, who make up a large part of the workforce, often received lower wages than men and lacked basic amenities like maternity benefits.

  • Child labor was common due to the poverty and debt of the workers' families. Despite laws meant to improve conditions, such as the Plantation Labour Act, these were often not properly enforced, leading to continued exploitation and hardship for tea workers, much like those on indigo plantations during British rule.


Topics Covered in Chapter 3 History Class 8 -  Ruling The Countryside

S.No.

History Class 8 Chapter 3 Topics

1

  • Revenue for the Company.

    • The need to improve agriculture

    • The Munro system

2

  • Crops for Europe

    • Britain turns to India

    • indigo cultivated

    • Indigo on the land of ryots

3

  • The  Blue Rebellion and After


Benefits of NCERT Solutions For Class 8 History Chapter 3 Ruling The Countryside

  • The solutions help students understand complex concepts like the British revenue systems and their impact on Indian farmers simply and clearly.

  • Each question is answered with detailed explanations, making it easier for students to grasp the historical events and policies discussed in the chapter.

  •  The solutions break down complicated topics such as the Permanent Settlement, Ryotwari, and Mahalwari systems into easily understandable parts, ensuring that students have a strong understanding of the subject.

  • These solutions are designed to be in line with the latest NCERT curriculum, ensuring that students study only the relevant and updated content.


Important Study Material Links for Class 8 History Chapter 3

S.No.

Important Study Material Links for Class 8 History Chapter 3

1

Class 8 Ruling the Country Side Revision Notes

2

Class 8 Ruling the Country Side Important Questions


Conclusion

Vedantu's NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Social Science Chapter 3, ‘Ruling The Countryside', offers an invaluable resource for students seeking a deeper comprehension of India's rural administration during historical periods. These solutions provide comprehensive explanations, insightful analyses, and historical context, facilitating a more profound understanding of the subject matter. Vedantu's user-friendly approach ensures that students can navigate complex concepts with ease, making learning an engaging experience. These solutions are not only instrumental for academic excellence but also for gaining a holistic understanding of India's historical and rural governance structures. Overall, Vedantu's NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Social Science Chapter 3 are an indispensable aid for students, fostering both knowledge and a passion for history.


NCERT Solutions for Class 8 History- Other Chapter-wise Links for FREE PDF


NCERT Solutions Class 8 SST Chapter-wise Book Links - Download the FREE PDF

S. No

NCERT Class 8 Social Science Solutions Chapter-wise Book Links

1

Class 8 Geography - Resources and Development

2

Class 8 Civics - Social and Political Life III


Related Important Links for Class 8 History

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FAQs on NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Social Science History Chapter 3 Ruling The Countryside

1. What are NCERT Solutions for Class 8 History Chapter 3 Ruling The Countryside?

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 History Chapter 3 Ruling The Countryside are detailed, step-by-step answers to all textbook questions based on the 2025-26 CBSE syllabus. These solutions help students understand the economic and administrative changes made by the British in rural India, focusing on revenue collection systems and their impact on Indian farmers.

2. How do NCERT Solutions help in understanding the types of land revenue systems discussed in Class 8 History Chapter 3?

The solutions explain systems like the Permanent Settlement, Ryotwari, and Mahalwari using clear steps and comparisons. Students can see how each system functioned, who collected revenue, and how changes affected peasants and zamindars, supporting concept clarity for all CBSE exercises.

3. What was the main purpose of introducing the Permanent Settlement in Bengal as discussed in the NCERT Solutions?

  • The Permanent Settlement (1793) aimed to ensure a stable and predictable revenue source for the British East India Company.
  • It recognized rajas and taluqdars as zamindars, responsible for collecting taxes from peasants and submitting a fixed amount to the Company.
  • The system hoped to encourage land investment but often resulted in hardship for both peasants and zamindars due to inflexible revenue demands.

4. In what ways did the Mahalwari System differ from the Permanent Settlement according to CBSE 2025–26 NCERT Solutions?

  • Permanent Settlement: Fixed revenue collected by zamindars, amount unchangeable over time.
  • Mahalwari System: Revenue periodically revised and collected by village headmen, assessed on expected produce of the entire village (mahal), allowing some flexibility in payments.

5. Why were many peasants (ryots) reluctant to grow indigo as explained in NCERT Solutions for Class 8?

Poor payment rates, high production costs, and compulsory use of fertile land for indigo made cultivation unprofitable for peasants. As a result, many ryots fell into debt, and their reluctance to grow indigo increased, as described in the Class 8 History solutions.

6. What led to the eventual collapse of indigo production in Bengal, as covered in the 2025–26 CBSE NCERT Solutions?

The collapse occurred due to mass resistance by ryots, support from village headmen and some zamindars, and government intervention following widespread protests. The formation of the Indigo Commission recognized planter abuses, allowing peasants to stop indigo cultivation in Bengal.

7. How do the NCERT Solutions for Chapter 3 support doubt resolution for History Class 8 students?

Each solution breaks down textbook questions into clear points and structured paragraphs, directly addressing key historical concepts and events. This enables students to resolve doubts about colonial policies, land settlements, and their impacts on Indian society, as per CBSE recommendations.

8. Explain the historical significance of the Champaran Movement in the context of Class 8 History Chapter 3.

The Champaran Movement (1917) marked Mahatma Gandhi's first large-scale satyagraha in India. It highlighted the plight of indigo cultivators under British planters and led to reforms in indigo farming. This event is key to understanding resistance against colonial exploitation, as discussed in Class 8 NCERT Solutions.

9. What are the main topics covered in NCERT Class 8 History Chapter 3 Ruling The Countryside NCERT Solutions?

  • The Company Becomes the Diwan
  • The Permanent Settlement
  • The Mahalwari and Munro Systems
  • Crops for Europe and Indigo Cultivation
  • The Indigo Rebellion
  • Impact of colonial policies on rural India

10. Why is understanding Class 8 History Chapter 3 important for a strong foundation in social science?

Learning about British land revenue policies and the resulting changes in rural India helps students critically analyze colonial impacts. It also strengthens preparation for higher classes and competitive exams, as emphasized in the 2025-26 CBSE curriculum and NCERT Solutions.

11. How did British land revenue policies affect Indian agriculture, as explained in the Class 8 History NCERT Solutions?

High, often unpayable, taxes caused widespread indebtedness, forced farmers to grow non-food cash crops (like indigo), and resulted in food scarcity and rural distress. These impacts are thoroughly clarified in the NCERT Solutions for Chapter 3.

12. What strategies do the NCERT Solutions suggest to approach long-answer questions in Class 8 History Chapter 3?

Students are advised to structure answers with clearly defined points, supply examples from the chapter (such as the indigo crisis), and compare different land revenue systems. The solutions model the CBSE answering style, making it easier for students to frame well-organized, high-scoring responses.

13. How does the Munro System of revenue collection differ from other systems in Chapter 3?

The Munro System (Ryotwari), originated in southern India, made individual peasants (ryots) directly responsible for paying land revenue to the government, unlike the zamindari or village headmen models of Permanent and Mahalwari systems. This often increased bureaucratic pressure and led to peasant hardship due to over-assessment.

14. In what ways do the NCERT Solutions cover misconceptions about British policies in rural India?

Solutions address common misconceptions by analyzing both official motives and the real impacts of British policies, highlighting gaps between intent (agricultural improvement) and outcome (peasant exploitation), ensuring students develop a balanced, exam-ready perspective as per CBSE requirements.