NCERT Solutions for Class 8 History Chapter 2 – From Trade to Territory

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 History Chapter 2: From Trade to Territory – The Company Establishes Power explain how the British East India Company gradually transformed from traders into rulers of large parts of India. This chapter highlights the early stages of British rule in India, focusing on the Battle of Plassey (1757), the Battle of Buxar (1764), the role of Nawabs like Siraj-ud-Daulah, and policies such as the Subsidiary Alliance and Doctrine of Lapse. Our NCERT Class 8 History Chapter 2 solutions are structured to help students clearly understand how trade turned into political power.

These Class 8 History NCERT Solutions provide step-by-step question answers, making it easier for students to revise key topics such as the rise of British power, the annexation of territories, and the administrative strategies adopted by the Company.

NCERT Class 8 History Chapter 2 PDF Questions with Answers

Class 8 History Chapter 2, titled "From Trade to Territory: The Company Establishes Power", helps students understand how the British came to rule India. This chapter is an important part of the CBSE Class 8 Social Science Syllabus and explains how a trading company slowly gained political control.

To make learning easier, we provide Class 8 History Chapter 2 question answer sets in a simple format. You can download the full Class 8 History Chapter 2 PDF and practice all important topics. Our easy-to-read Class 8 History Chapter 2 questions and answers PDF is perfect for revision and exam preparation. These answers are based on the NCERT textbook and are useful for homework and class tests.

NCERT Solutions For Class 8 History Social Science Chapter 2 - Question with Answers

Below are all the NCERT Solutions for Class 8 History Chapter 2 questions present in NCERT books:

Question: Match the following:

Answer:

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 History Chapter 2 – From Trade to Territory

Question 1: State whether True or False

(a) The Battle of Plassey was fought in 1757.
Answer: True

(b) Tipu Sultan was also known as the “Tiger of Mysore.”
Answer: True

(c) The Doctrine of Lapse was introduced by Robert Clive.
Answer: False. It was introduced by Lord Dalhousie.

(d) Mir Jafar was made the Nawab of Bengal after the Battle of Plassey.
Answer: True

Question 2: Fill in the blanks

(a) The __________ was fought in 1764 between the British and Mir Qasim, Shuja-ud-Daulah, and Shah Alam II.
Answer: Battle of Buxar

(b) The Company got the right to collect revenue in Bengal after getting the __________.
Answer: Diwani rights

(c) __________ introduced the Subsidiary Alliance.
Answer: Lord Wellesley

(d) The British East India Company established its first factory in __________ in 1651.
Answer: Bengal (on the banks of the river Hugli)

Question 3: Who introduced the Subsidiary Alliance? Explain its main condition.

Answer: The Subsidiary Alliance was introduced by Lord Wellesley in 1798. Its main condition was that the Indian ruler had to keep a British army in his state and pay for its maintenance. If the ruler failed to pay, part of his territory would be taken away by the British. The ruler could not keep his own army or form alliances with other powers without British permission.

Question 4: What were the results of the Battle of Plassey (1757)?

Answer: The Battle of Plassey was fought in 1757 between the British East India Company and Siraj-ud-Daulah, the Nawab of Bengal. The battle ended with the victory of the British because Mir Jafar betrayed the Nawab. As a result, the Company gained control over Bengal, Mir Jafar was made the Nawab of Bengal, the Company started gaining huge political and economic power in India, and it laid the foundation of British rule in India.

Question 5: Explain the term "Doctrine of Lapse" with one example.

Answer: The Doctrine of Lapse was a policy introduced by Lord Dalhousie. According to it, if an Indian ruler died without a natural heir, his kingdom would be annexed by the British. One example is the kingdom of Jhansi, which was annexed in 1854 when Rani Lakshmibai was not allowed to adopt a successor.

Question 6: Write a short note on the importance of Diwani rights granted to the Company.

Answer: In 1765, the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II granted the Diwani rights of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa to the Company. This gave the East India Company the right to collect land revenue from these provinces. It marked the beginning of direct British control over Indian finances and administration. The revenue from Diwani rights greatly increased the Company’s wealth and strengthened its political power.

Question 7: Describe the reasons for the Battle of Buxar (1764) and mention its consequences.

Answer: The Battle of Buxar was fought in 1764 between the East India Company and the combined forces of Mir Qasim, the Nawab of Bengal, Shuja-ud-Daulah, the Nawab of Awadh, and Shah Alam II, the Mughal Emperor.
Reasons: Mir Qasim opposed British interference, abolished taxes on Indian traders to compete with the Company, and refused to be a puppet ruler.
Consequences: The Company won the battle, Mir Qasim fled and lost his throne, the Mughal Emperor gave the Diwani rights to the British, and the Company became the supreme power in Bengal.

Question 8: Discuss the role of Tipu Sultan in resisting the British. Why is he remembered as the "Tiger of Mysore"?

Answer: Tipu Sultan, son of Haidar Ali, was the ruler of Mysore. He was a brave warrior and fought several wars against the British known as the Anglo-Mysore Wars. He modernized his army with the help of the French, encouraged trade, and introduced new technologies in agriculture. He resisted British control and refused to accept their treaties. Tipu Sultan fought till his last breath in 1799 in the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War, where he died on the battlefield. Due to his bravery and fierce resistance, he is remembered as the "Tiger of Mysore."

Question 9: How did the British East India Company transform from traders into rulers of India?

Answer: The British East India Company came to India as traders in the early seventeenth century. Slowly, they interfered in Indian politics and took advantage of the weakening Mughal Empire. They fought battles like the Battle of Plassey in 1757 and the Battle of Buxar in 1764 to gain political control. They used policies like the Subsidiary Alliance and the Doctrine of Lapse to annex territories. They established administrative control through Diwani rights and reorganized the Indian army. Within a century, the Company changed from a trading organization to the political ruler of India.

Question 10: What administrative changes did the East India Company introduce after gaining power in Bengal?

Answer: After gaining Diwani rights in Bengal, the Company introduced several administrative changes. It set up a revenue collection system where the Company collected land taxes directly from peasants. British courts were established in major cities to implement a new judicial system. The Company reorganized the army and maintained a large force of Indian sepoys under British officers. British residents were appointed in Indian courts to supervise and control rulers. These changes allowed the Company to strengthen its political and economic control over Indian territories.

NCERT Solutions Class 8 Social Science History Our Pasts III

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 History Social Science Chapter 2: From Trade to Territory

Class 8 History Chapter 2 - Long Answer Questions

Question 1: Explain the process of British East India Company's expansion in India from a trading company to a territorial power. How did it manage to establish its rule over India?

Answer:

The British East India Company initially came to India as a trading company with the primary objective of buying and selling goods such as spices, cotton, silk, and tea. However, over time, it transformed from a mere trading entity into a powerful territorial ruler through various means:

• Early Trade and Establishments: The Company established its first factory in Surat in 1612 and gradually set up trading posts in Madras, Bombay, and Calcutta. They received farmans (permissions) from local rulers to carry out trade without paying customs duties.
• Conflict with Local Rulers: The Company often found itself in conflict with local rulers over trading rights and privileges. The most notable early conflict was the Battle of Plassey in 1757, where Robert Clive led the Company's forces to victory against the Nawab of Bengal, Siraj-ud-Daula. This victory marked the beginning of British political and military control in India.
• Expansion through Battles: The Company further expanded its territory through a series of battles and wars. Key battles included the Battle of Buxar (1764), which solidified British control over Bengal, and the Anglo-Mysore Wars against Tipu Sultan, leading to the annexation of Mysore. The Anglo-Maratha Wars resulted in the defeat of the Marathas, and the Anglo-Sikh Wars led to the annexation of Punjab.
• Subsidiary Alliances and Doctrine of Lapse: The British used diplomatic policies to expand their control. The Subsidiary Alliance system, introduced by Lord Wellesley, forced Indian rulers to accept British troops within their states and to pay for their upkeep. This often led to the rulers losing their independence. The Doctrine of Lapse, implemented by Lord Dalhousie, allowed the British to annex any princely state where the ruler died without a direct heir.
• Administrative and Military Reforms: The Company reorganized its administration and military to strengthen its control. It created a structured administrative system with British officials at the top and Indian officials at the lower levels. The military was also reorganized, with a strong presence of British officers and disciplined Indian sepoys.
• Economic Exploitation: The British East India Company exploited India's resources for their own benefit. They imposed heavy taxes on Indian peasants and monopolized trade in various goods, which led to economic hardships for the local population but enriched the Company.

Through a combination of military strength, strategic alliances, and economic policies, the British East India Company managed to establish and expand its rule over large parts of India, eventually leading to the establishment of British colonial rule after the Revolt of 1857.

Question 2: Describe the significance of the Battle of Plassey in the establishment of British control over India. What were the key factors that led to the British victory, and what were its consequences?

Answer:

The Battle of Plassey, fought on June 23, 1757, was a decisive event in the establishment of British control over India. It marked the beginning of British political and military dominance in India. The battle was fought between the British East India Company, led by Robert Clive, and the Nawab of Bengal, Siraj-ud-Daula.

Key Factors Leading to British Victory:

• Betrayal by Mir Jafar: The most crucial factor was the betrayal by Mir Jafar, the commander of Siraj-ud-Daula's army. Mir Jafar was promised the position of Nawab by the British in exchange for his support. During the battle, he withheld his troops, leading to the defeat of Siraj-ud-Daula.
• Superior Military Tactics: The British, led by Robert Clive, used superior military tactics and had better training and discipline compared to the Nawab's forces. They effectively utilized their artillery and strategic positioning.
• Financial Resources: The British East India Company had substantial financial resources, allowing them to bribe key officials and secure the support of local merchants and bankers.
• Intelligence and Planning: The British had better intelligence and planning. They knew the weaknesses of Siraj-ud-Daula's army and capitalized on internal dissent within his ranks.

Consequences of the Battle of Plassey:

• Control Over Bengal: The victory at Plassey gave the British East India Company control over the rich province of Bengal. This provided them with immense resources and revenue, which were used to finance further expansion.
• Political Dominance: The battle marked the beginning of British political dominance in India. The British installed Mir Jafar as a puppet Nawab, allowing them to control the administration and resources of Bengal indirectly.
• Economic Exploitation: The British exploited Bengal's resources and imposed heavy taxes on the local population. This led to economic hardships for the people of Bengal but enriched the Company.
• Military Strengthening: The revenue from Bengal allowed the British to strengthen their military presence in India. They recruited more Indian soldiers (sepoys) and equipped their forces with better weapons and training.
• Foundation for Further Expansion: The success at Plassey laid the foundation for the British to expand their control over other parts of India. Subsequent victories in battles like Buxar (1764) further consolidated their power.
• Shift in Power Dynamics: The battle significantly shifted the power dynamics in India. The British emerged as a formidable force, while traditional Indian rulers and powers, such as the Mughals and regional Nawabs, saw a decline in their influence and authority.

The Battle of Plassey was a turning point in Indian history, marking the start of British colonial rule. It showcased the importance of military strategy, alliances, and economic resources in establishing and maintaining control over a vast and diverse region like India.

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