2. Consider the following statements and choose the correct options.
(a) Assertion (A): The Portuguese were the first Europeans to establish control over the western coast of India.
Reason (R): Vasco da Gama, a Portuguese explorer, discovered a new sea route to India in 1498.
(i) Both (A) and (R) are true and ( R) is the correct explanation for ( A)
(ii) Both (A) and (R) are true and ( R) is not the correct explanation for ( A)
(iii) (A) is true but ( R) is false
(iv ) (A) is false but (R) is true
Answer. Assertion (A): The Portuguese were the first Europeans to establish control over the western coast of India. (True)
Reason (R): Vasco da Gama, a Portuguese explorer, discovered a new sea route to India in 1498. (True and Correct Explanation)
Correct Option: (i) Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation for (A).
(b) Assertion (A): The Sultans of Mysore did not encourage European trade. Reason (R): Tipu Sultan maintained friendly relations with the French.
(i) Both (A) and (R) are true and ( R) is the correct explanation for ( A)
(ii) Both (A) and (R) are true and ( R) is not the correct explanation for ( A)
(iii) (A) is true but ( R) is false
(iv ) (A) is false but (R) is true
Answer. Assertion (A): The Sultans of Mysore did not encourage European trade. (False)
Reason (R): Tipu Sultan maintained friendly relations with the French. (True, but not directly related to discouraging trade)
Correct Option: (iv) (A) is false but (R) is true.
( c ) Assertion (A): The English East India company were not inclined to take responsibility of Bengal administration. (R) The British lacked good administrators in their ranks.
(i) Both (A) and (R) are true and ( R) is the correct explanation for ( A)
(ii) Both (A) and (R) are true and ( R) is not the correct explanation for ( A)
(iii) (A) is true but ( R) is false
(iv ) (A) is false but (R) is true
Answer. Assertion (A): The English East India Company was not inclined to take responsibility for Bengal’s administration. (True, initially reluctant)
Reason (R): The British lacked good administrators in their ranks. (False, they had capable administrators but preferred trade over governance initially)
Correct Option: (iii) (A) is true but (R) is false.
3. Draw a timeline of the British capture of Bengal, starting with their arrival in the province
till their securing the Diwani.
- Answer. 1651 – British establish first factory in Bengal (Hooghly).
- 1690 – Job Charnock founds Calcutta.
- 1757 – Battle of Plassey (British defeat Siraj-ud-Daulah).
- 1764 – Battle of Buxar (British defeat Mir Qasim, Shah Alam II, Shuja-ud-Daula).
- 1765 – Treaty of Allahabad (British secure Diwani rights of Bengal, Bihar, Orissa).
4. Answer the questions in 10 to 20 words.
(a) Where did the Portuguese establish their trading settlements?
Answer. The Portuguese established key trading posts along India’s western coast, including Goa (1510), which became their capital, Cochin (1503), Daman (1559), and Diu (1535). These ports facilitated their spice trade monopoly. Goa remained under Portuguese control until 1961, long after other European powers had overshadowed their influence in India.
(b) Why was Sir Thomas Roe sent to the Mughal court?
Answer. Sir Thomas Roe was sent as an ambassador to Emperor Jahangir’s court (1615–1618) by King James I of England. His goal was to secure formal trade privileges for the British East India Company. Roe’s diplomacy led to the establishment of British factories in Surat and laid the foundation for future British expansion in India.
(c) Who fought the Battle of Buxar?
Answer. The Battle of Buxar was fought between the British East India Company (led by Hector Munro) and a combined force of Mir Qasim (Bengal), Shah Alam II (Mughal Emperor), and Shuja-ud-Daula (Awadh). The British victory solidified their control over Bengal and led to the Treaty of Allahabad (1765), granting them Diwani rights (revenue authority).
(d) Which Act introduced open competition for recruitment to the civil services?
Answer. The Charter Act of 1853 introduced open competitive exams for the Indian Civil Services (ICS), replacing the earlier patronage system. However, exams were held in London, making it difficult for Indians to qualify. Later reforms, like the Indian Civil Services Act (1861), gradually increased Indian participation.
(e)What was the significance of the firman of 1717?
Answer. The firman (royal decree) issued by Mughal Emperor Farrukhsiyar in 1717 granted the British East India Company duty-free trading rights in Bengal. This privilege gave them a major economic advantage over Indian merchants and later contributed to conflicts with local rulers like Siraj-ud-Daulah.
(f)Who were the signatories to the Treaty of Allahabad?
Answer. The treaty was signed between:
- Robert Clive (British East India Company)
- Shah Alam II (Mughal Emperor) – Granted Diwani rights to the British.
- Shuja-ud-Daula (Nawab of Awadh) – Paid war indemnities and ceded territories.
This treaty marked the beginning of British political dominance in India.
5. Answer the questions in 50 to 70 words.
(a) Which factors led to the Carnatic wars?
Answer.The Carnatic Wars were fueled by Anglo-French rivalry in India, coinciding with their conflicts in Europe (Austrian Succession, Seven Years’ War). Local power struggles, like the succession disputes in Hyderabad and Arcot, drew European intervention. The French, led by Dupleix, allied with Chanda Sahib, while the British backed Mohammad Ali. Key battles—such as Arcot (1751) and Wandiwash (1760)—secured British dominance, ending French political influence in India.
(b) Discuss the important features of the Subsidiary Alliance.
Answer.Introduced by Lord Wellesley, the Subsidiary Alliance required Indian rulers to:
- Accept British military protection and station troops in their territory.
- Pay for the army’s upkeep or cede land as payment.
- Surrender foreign policy control, isolating them from alliances.
- Allow a British Resident to oversee administration.
States like Hyderabad (1798) and Awadh (1801) were forced into this system, losing sovereignty gradually.
(c) How did the British establish their supremacy over the Punjab?
Answer. After Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s death (1839), the Sikh Empire weakened due to internal strife. The First Anglo-Sikh War (1845-46) ended with the Treaty of Lahore, ceding Jammu and Kashmir. The Second Anglo-Sikh War (1848-49) culminated in the annexation of Punjab under the Doctrine of Lapse. The British disbanded the Khalsa Army, integrating Punjab into British India by 1849.
(d) Describe the dual system of government in Bengal.
Answer. After securing Diwani rights (1765), the British instituted a dual system:
- British Control (Diwani): Collected revenue but avoided administrative responsibilities.
- Nawab’s Role (Nizamat): Retained law and order duties but had no funds.
This exploitative system led to widespread famine (1770) and corruption. Warren Hastings abolished it in 1772, centralizing British control.
(e) Write a note on the British civil services in India.
Answer. Initially, the East India Company’s officials were corrupt and untrained. Reforms began with:
- Charter Act of 1853: Introduced competitive exams (held in London).
- Indian Civil Services Act (1861): Allowed limited Indian participation.
Despite efficiency, the ICS was elitist and racially biased, favoring Europeans until the 20th century.
(f) Discuss the judicial reforms of the British in India, with special reference to the courts.
- Answer. Warren Hastings (1772): Established civil (Diwani) and criminal (Faujdari) courts with Indian judges.
- Cornwallis (1793): Separated revenue and judiciary, introducing European judges.
- William Bentinck (1830s): Abolished Persian, promoted vernacular languages in courts.
While modernizing the system, reforms often discriminated against Indians, as Europeans received preferential treatment.
6. Give reasons.
(a) The Regulating Act of 1773 was arguably the most important legislation in the history of British rule in India.
Answer. The Regulating Act of 1773 was crucial as it was the first British parliamentary intervention in EIC affairs. It established the Governor-General of Bengal, introduced oversight, and laid the foundation for centralized British administration in India, curbing Company corruption.
(b) The Third Anglo-Maratha War had a significant impact on the Maratha confederacy, leading to its decline and eventual collapse.
Answer. The war crushed Maratha power by defeating the Peshwa, Bhonsle, and Holkar. It led to the annexation of Maratha territories under British dominance, marking the end of their political influence and consolidating British supremacy in India.
(c) The uniform military culture introduced by the British posed problems in the context of India
Answer. The British imposed a rigid, European-style military system, disregarding Indian traditions. Discrimination in ranks (Europeans over Indians) and poor integration of local practices fueled resentment, contributing to the 1857 Revolt and long-term discontent.
7. Evaluate the administrative changes brought about by the British. Was it a curse or a boon for Indian society?
Answer. The British administrative changes brought modern systems (law, education, infrastructure) but were exploitative. While they unified India and introduced efficient governance, they drained wealth, caused famines, and promoted racial discrimination. Overall, short-term boon (modernization) but long-term curse (economic & social oppression)