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Ruling The Countryside Class 8 MCQ With Answers
Class 8 History chapter 3 Ruling the Countryside explains how the East India Company took control over Bengal’s revenue system and impacted Indian farmers and zamindars. It covers the Permanent Settlement, Mahalwari System, and Ryotwari System, which changed land revenue collection in India. This chapter also highlights the struggles of farmers, the Bengal famine, and the growing discontent among peasants.
To help students prepare better, we have provided Ruling The Countryside Class 8 MCQ Questions And Answers based on key concepts. These MCQs will help in understanding the topics clearly and prepare for exams effectively. The Ruling The Countryside Class 8 MCQ With Answers section ensures that students can check their understanding of important points.
This page includes Ruling The Countryside Class 8 Explanation along with History Chapter 3 Class 8 MCQ to simplify learning. Whether you need Ruling The Countryside Class 8 Extra Questions And Answers or Class 8 History Chapter 3 Ruling The Countryside Notes MCQs, you will find everything here.
Practicing these MCQs will help students grasp the impact of British policies on Indian farmers and prepare well for their exams. Scroll down to start solving the Ruling The Countryside Class 8 MCQ and strengthen your history concepts.
Ruling The Countryside Class 8 Explanation
Chapter 3 of CBSE Class 8 History, Ruling the Countryside, explores how the East India Company colonized the countryside, reorganized revenue resources, redefined people’s rights, and cultivated specific crops1.
Key Aspects of the Chapter:
Becoming the Diwan: On August 12, 1765, the Mughal Emperor appointed the East India Company as the Diwan of Bengal, which meant the Company became the chief financial administrator of the territory under its control2348. The Company then had to create efficient administrative rules for managing land and collecting revenue3.
Revenue Generation: The East India Company aimed to generate revenue for exports2. The Company wanted to increase revenue as much as possible to buy fine cotton and silk cheaply8. The Company also sought to meet its increasing expenses through revenue generation37.
New System The East India Company: (EIC) devised a new system called the Mahalwari Settlement to address problems caused by the permanent settlement system2. Holt Mackenzie devised this new system in 1822 after analyzing village systems. Collectors were tasked to inspect the land and record the customs of various groups2. The estimated revenue from each plot within a village was added to calculate the revenue each village (mahal) had to pay, which was to be revised periodically. The village headman was in charge of collecting the revenue2.
Improving Agriculture: The Company found it challenging to collect revenue due to the decline in agriculture3. They introduced policies to ensure regular revenue income and encourage people to take charge of the land, thereby improving agricultural output3.
Crops for Europe: By the late eighteenth century, the Company expanded the cultivation of opium and indigo, which were in high demand in Europe4. The British forced cultivators to produce jute, tea, sugarcane, wheat, cotton, and rice in various parts of India4.
Indigo Cultivation: Indigo was in high demand in Europe4. The British introduced the tinkathia system to get indigo cultivation, under which peasants had to cultivate indigo on 3/20th part of their land4.
Impact British policies changed agriculture, land ownership, and the lives of farmers56. Artisanal production declined as artisans left their villages3. Agriculture was under pressure due to the state’s economic strain3. A famine in Bengal in 1770 resulted in approximately 10 million deaths3.
Ruling The Countryside Class 8 MCQ Questions And Answers
Ruling the Countryside Class 8 MCQ Questions and Answers helps students understand the key concepts of British rule in India. These multiple-choice questions cover important topics like the Permanent Settlement, revenue collection, and the impact on farmers:
Question 1: In which year did the East India Company get the Diwani of Bengal?
A) 1762
B) 1765
C) 1770
D) 1764
Answer 1: 1765
Explanation: The Treaty of Allahabad, signed in 1765, granted the East India Company the Diwani rights (right to collect revenue) of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa from the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II.
Question 2: A terrible famine struck Bengal in which year?
A) 1770
B) 1775
C) 1779
D) 1764
Answer 2: 1770
Explanation: The famine of 1770 was one of the worst in Bengal, killing around 10 million people. It was caused by drought, crop failure, and the exploitative tax policies of the British.
Question 3: As Diwan, the Company had to look after _______ of Bengal.
A) Financial administration
B) Defence
C) Religious issues
D) Judiciary
Answer 3: Financial administration
Explanation: As the Diwan, the East India Company was responsible for collecting revenue and managing financial affairs but was not concerned with military or judicial matters initially.
Question 4: Why did artisans start deserting Bengal villages?
A) Famine
B) Unavailability of raw material
C) They were forced to sell goods at low prices
D) Floods
Answer 4: They were forced to sell goods at low prices
Explanation: The British forced artisans to sell their products at very low prices, making it difficult for them to earn a living. Many abandoned their crafts and migrated.
Question 5: Who was the Governor-General of India in 1793?
A) Warren Hastings
B) Charles Cornwallis
C) Louis Chole
D) George Martin
Answer 5: Charles Cornwallis
Explanation: Lord Cornwallis introduced the Permanent Settlement in 1793, which aimed to fix land revenue and establish a new zamindari system.
Question 6: Under the Permanent Settlement, Rajas and Talukdars were recognized as
A) Zamindars
B) Kings
C) Diwans
D) Peasants
Answer 6: Zamindars
Explanation: The Permanent Settlement made Rajas and Talukdars zamindars, who were responsible for collecting and paying a fixed revenue to the British government.
Question 7: Nearly _____ people died in the Bengal famine of 1770.
A) 20 million
B) 1 million
C) 10 million
D) 25 million
Answer 7: 10 million
Explanation: The Bengal famine of 1770 led to the deaths of about 10 million people due to food shortages and high taxation imposed by the British.
Question 8: Many cultivators lost their land because
A) Rent was high
B) Of famine
C) Of no rainfall
D) They were jailed
Answer 8: Rent was high
Explanation: Under the Permanent Settlement system, high land revenue was imposed on cultivators, and those who could not pay lost their land.
Question 9: Zamindars were responsible for collecting ____ from peasants.
A) Rent
B) Goods
C) Food
D) Money
Answer 9: Rent
Explanation: Zamindars collected rent from peasants and had to submit a fixed portion of it to the British government. If they failed, their lands were auctioned.
Question 10: The Mahalwari system was introduced in
A) 1822
B) 1854
C) 1830
D) 1825
Answer 10: 1822
Explanation: The Mahalwari system was introduced by Holt Mackenzie in 1822. Under this system, revenue was collected from a group of villages known as a “Mahal.”
Question 11: The Champaran movement was against
A) Peasants
B) East India Company
C) The oppressive attitude of the planters
D) None of the above
Answer 11: The oppressive attitude of the planters
Explanation: The Champaran movement, led by Mahatma Gandhi in 1917, was against the forced cultivation of indigo by British planters, which exploited Indian farmers.
Question 12: Which region introduced the Mahalwari Settlement System in 1822?
A) Bombay
B) Madras
C) Bihar
D) Uttar Pradesh
Answer 12: Uttar Pradesh
Explanation: The Mahalwari system was first introduced in Uttar Pradesh and later extended to Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, and parts of North India.
Question 13: Who among the following introduced the Ryotwari Settlement system?
A) Thomas Munro
B) Holt Mackenzie
C) Lord Dalhousie
D) Lord Cornwallis
Answer 13: Thomas Munro
Explanation: The Ryotwari system was introduced by Thomas Munro in the Madras and Bombay Presidencies, where the revenue was collected directly from the farmers.
Question 14: The lathi-wielding strongmen maintained by planters were called
A) Ryots
B) Peasants
C) Lathiyals
D) Vat-Beater
Answer 14: Lathiyals
Explanation: Lathiyals were strongmen or hired musclemen employed by British planters to intimidate and force peasants into growing indigo.
Question 15: In which year was the Permanent Settlement System started?
A) 1900
B) 1885
C) 1890
D) 1793
Answer 15: 1793
Explanation: The Permanent Settlement system was introduced by Lord Cornwallis in 1793 in Bengal to fix land revenue permanently, making zamindars responsible for tax collection.
Question 16: Why did Gandhiji visit Champaran?
A) To see the plight of Indigo planters in Champaran
B) To see the progress of Indigo plantation
C) To see the managing system of the company
D) None of the above
Answer 16: To see the plight of Indigo planters in Champaran
Explanation: Gandhiji went to Champaran in 1917 to support the peasants who were being forced by British planters to grow indigo under exploitative conditions.
Question 17: How much proportion of Indigo was imported from India by Britain in 1810?
A) 75%
B) 95%
C) 90%
D) 85%
Answer 17: 95%
Explanation: By 1810, 95% of the indigo used by Britain was being imported from India, making it a highly valuable commodity.
Question 18: Indigo production declined in Bengal in
A) 1850
B) 1852
C) 1855
D) 1859
Answer 18: 1859
Explanation: Due to the widespread protests by farmers during the Indigo Rebellion of 1859, indigo production in Bengal significantly declined.
Question 19: Growers of woad in Europe saw which crop as competition?
A) Tea
B) Rubber
C) Indigo
D) Coffee
Answer 19: Indigo
Explanation: European woad growers saw Indian indigo as a competitor because it was cheaper and produced a better quality dye.
Question 20: Which settlement system was introduced in the Madras and Bombay presidencies?
A) Permanent Settlement System
B) British Settlement System
C) Ryotwari Settlement System
D) Mahalwari Settlement System
Answer 20: Ryotwari Settlement System
Explanation: The Ryotwari system, introduced by Thomas Munro, allowed farmers (ryots) to pay revenue directly to the government without intermediaries like zamindars.
Also Check: NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Social Science – History
- Chapter 1 How, When, and Where
- Chapter 2 From Trade to Territory The Company Establishes Power
- Chapter 3 Ruling the Countryside
- Chapter 4 Tribals, Dikus and the Vision of a Golden Age
- Chapter 5 When People Rebel 1857 and After
- Chapter 6 Colonialism and the City
- Chapter 7 Weavers, Iron Smelters, and Factory Owners
- Chapter 8 Civilizing the “Native,” Educating the Nation
- Chapter 9 Women, Caste and Reform
- Chapter 10 The Changing World of Visual Arts
- Chapter 11 The Making of the National Movement: 1870s–1947
- Chapter 12 India After Independence
Benefits of The Ruling the Countryside Class 8 MCQ
Practicing Class 8 History Chapter 3 Ruling the Countryside Notes MCQs helps students grasp the British revenue policies, their effects on Indian farmers, and the role of zamindars effectively.
- Quick Revision – MCQs help in revising the key topics of Ruling the Countryside Class 8 in a short time.
- Better Understanding – These questions simplify complex historical concepts, making it easier for students to learn.
- Exam Preparation – Practicing Ruling the Countryside Class 8 MCQ Questions and Answers improves accuracy and boosts confidence for exams.
- Concept Clarity – MCQs highlight important points from the chapter, ensuring a deeper understanding.
- Self-Assessment – Students can check their knowledge by solving Ruling the Countryside Class 8 MCQ With Answers and identify areas for improvement.
- Time Management – Answering multiple-choice questions quickly enhances problem-solving speed during exams.
- Engaging Learning – Solving History Chapter 3 Class 8 MCQ makes studying more interactive and enjoyable.
FAQs on Class 8 History Chapter 3 Ruling The Countryside MCQ
What is the topic of Ruling The Countryside Class 8?
This chapter explains how the British controlled Indian agriculture, land revenue systems, and their impact on farmers and zamindars.
How do MCQs help in learning Ruling The Countryside Class 8?
MCQs provide a quick revision, test understanding, and help students prepare effectively for exams.
Where can I find extra questions for Ruling The Countryside Class 8?
You can find extra questions and answers along with MCQs and exercises on this page for better exam preparation.
What are the key topics covered in Class 8 History Chapter 3 MCQs?
The Permanent Settlement, Mahalwari System, Ryotwari System, British revenue policies, and their effects on Indian farmers are the main topics covered.
