MCQ Questions for Class 8 History Chapter 1 How, When and Where

MCQ Questions for Class 8 History Chapter 1 – How, When and Where are designed to help students strengthen their understanding of the NCERT Class 8 History syllabus. This chapter introduces the basics of how historians study the past, the importance of dates, periodisation, and the different types of records maintained during the colonial period. Practicing these Class 8 History Chapter 1 MCQs with answers will not only prepare students for CBSE Syllabus but also build clarity on key concepts such as British record-keeping, surveys, archives, and historical sources. We have included objective questions, online test practice, and a PDF download option so learners can revise quickly and effectively.

MCQ Questions for Class 8 History Chapter 1 – How, When and Where (With Answers PDF)

MCQ Questions for Class 8 History Chapter 1 – How, When and Where are important for students preparing for NCERT and CBSE exams. This chapter explains the importance of dates in history, the periodisation done by James Mill, the role of official records, surveys, and archives during British rule. Practicing these Class 8 History Chapter 1 objective questions with answers helps students revise concepts quickly and score well in exams. For easy preparation, we have also provided a downloadable PDF of MCQs so that learners can revise anytime, even offline.

MCQ Questions for Class 8 History Chapter 1 – How, When and Where 

Q1. Who is considered the father of Indian archaeology?
(a) William Jones
(b) James Prinsep
(c) Alexander Cunningham
(d) Lord Curzon
Answer: (c) Alexander Cunningham

Q2. The study of coins is called:
(a) Numismatics
(b) Epigraphy
(c) Cartography
(d) Archaeology
Answer: (a) Numismatics

Q3. Who wrote the book A History of British India?
(a) James Mill
(b) William Jones
(c) Charles Grant
(d) Warren Hastings
Answer: (a) James Mill

Q4. In which year was A History of British India published?
(a) 1817
(b) 1857
(c) 1805
(d) 1835
Answer: (a) 1817

Q5. History is divided into ancient, medieval, and modern periods by:
(a) Charles Grant
(b) James Mill
(c) Warren Hastings
(d) William Jones
Answer: (b) James Mill

Q6. The practice of writing history based on official records was encouraged by the:
(a) British
(b) Mughals
(c) Mauryas
(d) Guptas
Answer: (a) British

Q7. What does the word “colonial” mean?
(a) Rule by locals
(b) Rule by a king
(c) Rule by a foreign country
(d) Rule by the people
Answer: (c) Rule by a foreign country

Q8. Who was the Governor-General of India during the 1830s?
(a) William Bentinck
(b) James Mill
(c) Lord Curzon
(d) Lord Dalhousie
Answer: (a) William Bentinck

Q9. Which of these is a literary source of history?
(a) Inscriptions
(b) Coins
(c) Books and manuscripts
(d) Archaeological remains
Answer: (c) Books and manuscripts

Q10. The National Archives of India was established in:
(a) 1817
(b) 1835
(c) 1920
(d) 1891
Answer: (d) 1891

Q11. Which survey collected information on India’s flora, fauna, and soil?
(a) Revenue survey
(b) Botanical survey
(c) Zoological survey
(d) Geological survey
Answer: (b) Botanical survey

Q12. Which survey mapped the mountains, rivers, and plains of India?
(a) Archaeological survey
(b) Geographical survey
(c) Geological survey
(d) Topographical survey
Answer: (d) Topographical survey

Q13. Who set up the Asiatic Society of Bengal?
(a) William Bentinck
(b) William Jones
(c) Warren Hastings
(d) Charles Grant
Answer: (b) William Jones

Q14. What is the study of inscriptions called?
(a) Numismatics
(b) Epigraphy
(c) Archaeology
(d) Anthropology
Answer: (b) Epigraphy

Q15. The term “Modern” in history usually refers to:
(a) British rule in India
(b) Mughal rule in India
(c) Mauryan Empire
(d) Gupta period
Answer: (a) British rule in India

MCQ Questions for Class 8 History Chapter 1 – How, When and Where: Application-Based

Q16. James Mill divided history into:
(a) Hindu, Muslim, Christian
(b) Ancient, Medieval, Modern
(c) Hindu, Muslim, British
(d) Stone Age, Bronze Age, Iron Age
Answer: (c) Hindu, Muslim, British

Q17. The Survey of India was set up for:
(a) Agriculture
(b) Mapping territories
(c) Studying forests
(d) Writing books
Answer: (b) Mapping territories

Q18. The census was introduced in India from:
(a) 1865
(b) 1872
(c) 1857
(d) 1885
Answer: (b) 1872

Q19. Which of the following was NOT a British record?
(a) Revenue records
(b) Village surveys
(c) District gazetteers
(d) Oral traditions
Answer: (d) Oral traditions

Q20. Who was the first Surveyor General of India?
(a) James Rennell
(b) James Mill
(c) William Jones
(d) Alexander Cunningham
Answer: (a) James Rennell

Q21. National Museum in India is located at:
(a) Kolkata
(b) Delhi
(c) Chennai
(d) Mumbai
Answer: (b) Delhi

Q22. Who preserved official documents of the British government in India?
(a) Collectors
(b) Pandits
(c) Archivists
(d) Zamindars
Answer: (c) Archivists

Q23. The word “archives” means:
(a) Collections of historical records
(b) A type of survey
(c) A type of coin
(d) A library
Answer: (a) Collections of historical records

Q24. Which of the following sources is archaeological?
(a) Inscriptions
(b) Coins
(c) Monuments
(d) All of the above
Answer: (d) All of the above

Q25. The British divided history in India into:
(a) Hindu, Muslim, British periods
(b) Ancient, Medieval, Modern
(c) Colonial, Post-colonial
(d) Early, Middle, Late
Answer: (a) Hindu, Muslim, British periods

Q26. The term “Colonial India” refers to the period when:
(a) India was under Mughal rule
(b) India was under British rule
(c) India was independent
(d) India was under Mauryas
Answer: (b) India was under British rule

Q27. Which year is considered a turning point in Indian history?
(a) 1757
(b) 1857
(c) 1947
(d) 1950
Answer: (b) 1857

Q28. Why is 1947 important in Indian history?
(a) Revolt of 1857
(b) Partition of Bengal
(c) India’s independence
(d) Formation of Indian National Congress
Answer: (c) India’s independence

Q29. Which institution still stores British-era records?
(a) Asiatic Society
(b) National Archives of India
(c) National Museum
(d) Indian Archaeological Society
Answer: (b) National Archives of India

Q30. The British maintained official records because:
(a) They loved history
(b) They wanted control
(c) They wanted to keep Indians happy
(d) They were forced by Indians
Answer: (b) They wanted control

Q31. Periodisation in history means:
(a) Division of history into periods
(b) Writing poems on history
(c) Studying geography
(d) Archaeological excavations
Answer: (a) Division of history into periods

Q32. Who emphasized the importance of ancient Indian texts?
(a) James Mill
(b) William Jones
(c) Warren Hastings
(d) Lord Curzon
Answer: (b) William Jones

Q33. Which record gave information about villages and revenue?
(a) District gazetteer
(b) Manuscripts
(c) Oral traditions
(d) Survey maps
Answer: (a) District gazetteer

Q34. The term “Historiography” refers to:
(a) History of writing history
(b) Study of coins
(c) Study of monuments
(d) Study of languages
Answer: (a) History of writing history

Q35. Which source helps us know about rulers and dynasties?
(a) Inscriptions
(b) Surveys
(c) Reports
(d) Gazetteers
Answer: (a) Inscriptions

MCQ Questions for Class 8 History Chapter 1

Q36. Which of the following was a limitation of British records?
(a) They were biased
(b) They ignored common people
(c) They reflected colonial views
(d) All of the above
Answer: (d) All of the above

Q37. Which type of survey was most useful for revenue collection?
(a) Zoological survey
(b) Geological survey
(c) Botanical survey
(d) Revenue survey
Answer: (d) Revenue survey

Q38. Which of the following is a source of modern Indian history?
(a) Newspapers
(b) Official reports
(c) Diaries and letters
(d) All of the above
Answer: (d) All of the above

Q39. Why did British keep records in great detail?
(a) To control administration
(b) To learn Indian culture
(c) To train Indians
(d) To reduce expenses
Answer: (a) To control administration

Q40. The British preserved records at:
(a) National Archives
(b) India Office Records, London
(c) Both a and b
(d) None
Answer: (c) Both a and b

Q41. Who were the primary record keepers in villages?
(a) Zamindars
(b) Patwaris
(c) Pandits
(d) Collectors
Answer: (b) Patwaris

Q42. Which of the following helped study forests in India?
(a) Geological Survey
(b) Forest Survey
(c) Zoological Survey
(d) Revenue Survey
Answer: (b) Forest Survey

Q43. Who introduced the idea of dividing history into Ancient, Medieval, and Modern?
(a) British historians
(b) Indian historians
(c) French historians
(d) Greek historians
Answer: (a) British historians

Q44. Why do we say James Mill’s history was biased?
(a) He praised Indians
(b) He ignored Indian achievements
(c) He supported equality
(d) He was neutral
Answer: (b) He ignored Indian achievements

Q45. Which is an example of a primary source?
(a) Newspaper of 1857
(b) A textbook
(c) A history website
(d) A novel
Answer: (a) Newspaper of 1857

Q46. Which department prepared revenue maps?
(a) Survey of India
(b) National Archives
(c) Geological Survey
(d) Botanical Survey
Answer: (a) Survey of India

Q47. Which Indian leader criticized British history writing?
(a) Dadabhai Naoroji
(b) R.C. Dutt
(c) Mahatma Gandhi
(d) All of the above
Answer: (d) All of the above

Q48. Why are surveys important for historians?
(a) Provide authentic data
(b) Help study society and economy
(c) Provide detailed information on land, forests, and people
(d) All of the above
Answer: (d) All of the above

Q49. What was the role of gazetteers?
(a) Provided details about districts
(b) Discussed agriculture and trade
(c) Mentioned crops and customs
(d) All of the above
Answer: (d) All of the above

Q50. Which year was considered the first modern census in India?
(a) 1857
(b) 1872
(c) 1891
(d) 1901
Answer: (b) 1872

Chapter Overview: Class 8 History Chapter 1 – How, When and Where

Class 8 History Chapter 1 – How, When and Where introduces students to the foundations of studying history and the ways historians construct the past. The chapter discusses the importance of dates, events, and periodisation, how colonial scholars like James Mill divided Indian history, and the significance of official records, surveys, and archives in understanding India’s colonial past.

What is Covered in this Chapter: How, When and Where

1. Importance of Dates in History: Early historians highlighted kings, battles, and dynasties, but modern history also studies social, cultural, and economic life. Students learn how dates help connect events and changes across time.
2. Periodisation of Indian History: James Mill’s A History of British India (1817) divided Indian history into Hindu, Muslim, and British periods. This classification is seen as biased and Eurocentric, ignoring India’s diversity and achievements. Today, historians prefer more scientific divisions like Ancient, Medieval, and Modern.
3. Colonial Records and Documentation: The British set up record rooms and archives to maintain detailed administrative data. Reports on land revenue, law, trade, and population were prepared regularly. These records reflected a colonial perspective but remain important historical sources.
4. Surveys Conducted by the British: Revenue surveys measured land for tax assessment. Botanical, zoological, and forest surveys studied natural resources. Topographical surveys mapped mountains, rivers, and plains. These were detailed but often served colonial interests.
5. Archives and Museums: Institutions like the National Archives of India (1891) preserved official papers. Museums collected artifacts and records, giving insight into India’s past under colonial rule.
6. Modern Approach to History: Today, history is not limited to rulers and wars. Historians also study everyday life, agriculture, crafts, gender, caste, and the impact of British policies. This makes history more inclusive and people-oriented.