CBSE Class 8 English Chapter 3: Glimpses of the Past - NCERT Solutions

Reviewed by · Updated on

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 8 PDF

CBSE Class 8 English Chapter 3, 'Glimpses of the Past', offers a journey through India's colonial era. This chapter explores the profound impact of the East India Company's rule, highlighting the exploitation faced by artisans and farmers. It also sheds light on the initial embers of the 1857 revolt, a pivotal moment in Indian history. Furthermore, the chapter examines the significant societal reforms championed by influential figures like Ram Mohan Roy and the introduction of English education, which reshaped the nation's intellectual landscape. These NCERT Solutions provide comprehensive explanations and answers to all questions, helping students understand the historical context, key events, and their significance, thereby strengthening their preparation for examinations.

Home

Quick info

BoardCBSE
ClassClass 8
SubjectEnglish
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
ChapterChapter 3- Glimpses of the Past

Chapter summary

Chapter 3, 'Glimpses of the Past,' focuses on the early stages of British influence in India and the subsequent revolts. The NCERT Solutions cover comprehension of historical images, the economic exploitation by the East India Company, the role of artisans, and the motivations behind the 1857 uprising. It also touches upon social reform movements and educational changes introduced during that era, providing students with a foundational understanding of this significant period in Indian history.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the historical context of British rule in India.
  • Identify key figures and events leading up to the 1857 revolt.
  • Analyze the economic exploitation faced by Indian artisans and farmers.
  • Explain the significance of social and educational reforms during the British era.
  • Recall details from historical images related to the chapter's theme.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • British East India Company
  • Indian Princes
  • Artisans and Exploitation
  • Social Reformers
  • Ram Mohan Roy
  • English Education in India
  • Revolt of 1857
  • Historical Figures
  • Economic Policies of British India
  • Indian History

Important topics

  • East India Company's Subjugation of Princes
  • Exploitation of Artisans and Farmers
  • Role of Ram Mohan Roy
  • Causes of the 1857 Revolt
  • Key Leaders of the Revolt

PDF preview

Read page by page below. PDF is streamed from the official NCERT website — no download button on this page.

Loading document …
Page of
Loading page …

Questions and Solutions

Comprehension Check - Page 45

1. Look at picture 1 and recall the opening lines of the original song in Hindi. Who is the singer? Who else do you see in this picture?
Solution: The original song referred to is "Ae mere watan ke logon....". The renowned singer of this patriotic song is Lata Mangeshkar. The picture also features several prominent historical figures, including Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Indira Gandhi, Bahadur Shah Zafar, Rani Laxmi Bai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Lala Lajpat Rai, Bhagat Singh, Subhash Chandra Bose, and Mahatma Gandhi.

Comprehension Check - Page 45

2. In Picture 2 what do you understand by the Company's "superior weapons"?
Solution: When the text refers to the Company's "superior weapons," it encompasses more than just physical arms. It implies their strategic advantages, including their intelligence, organizational strength, established rules and regulations, and their overall cunning and resourcefulness, which they used to gain dominance.

Comprehension Check - Page 45

3. Who is an artisan? Why do you think the artisans suffered? (picture 3)
Solution: An artisan is a skilled craftsperson who creates items through manual labor, which can be either functional or purely decorative. The artisans faced immense suffering primarily because the British imposed extremely high taxes on their work, leading to severe economic hardship. Furthermore, the market was flooded with machine-made goods imported from Britain, which were cheaper and more readily available, thereby undermining the business and demand for the handmade goods produced by the local artisans.

Comprehension Check - Page 45

4. Which picture, according to you, reveals the first sparks of the fire of revolt?
Solution: Picture 7, titled 'The Sparks', is the one that most effectively conveys the initial signs or "first sparks" of the impending revolt against the oppressive rule.

Working with Text

1. Do you think the Indian princes were short-sighted in their approach to the events of 1757?
Solution: Yes, it appears that the Indian princes exhibited a short-sighted approach regarding the events that unfolded in 1757. Their inability to foresee the long-term consequences of their actions and their internal conflicts allowed external powers like the East India Company to gain a foothold and eventually expand their influence.

Working with Text

2. How did the East India Company subdue the Indian princes?
Solution: The East India Company effectively subdued the Indian princes by exploiting their internal conflicts and constant warfare. The princes often sought the help of the English merchants in their disputes. This continuous infighting among the Indian rulers created an environment of instability and lack of peace, which the East India Company skillfully used to its advantage, gradually overcoming and controlling the princes one by one.

Working with Text

3. Quote the words used by Ram Mohan Roy to say that every religion teaches the same principles.
Solution: Ram Mohan Roy eloquently expressed the idea that all religions share fundamental principles by using the analogy: "Cows are of different colours, but the colour of their milk is the same. Different teachers have different opinions, but the essence of every religion is the same."

Working with Text

4. In what ways did the British officers exploit Indians?
Solution: British officers exploited Indians through various means. They imposed heavy and often burdensome taxes on Indian farmers, significantly reducing their earnings. They also manipulated trade policies by lowering import duties on goods manufactured in England and brought into India, making it difficult for local industries to compete. In a particularly harsh act of exploitation, they are noted to have even cut off the thumbs of expert artisans, crippling their ability to practice their craft.

Working with Text

5. Name these people

(i) The ruler who fought pitched battles against the British and died fighting.

(ii) The person who wanted to reform the society.

(iii) The person who recommended the introduction of English education in India.

(iv) Two popular leaders who led the revolt (Choices may vary.)

Solution:
  1. Kunwar Singh
  2. Ram Mohan Roy
  3. Macaulay
  4. Maulvi Ahmedulla of Faizabad and Peshwa Nana Saheb

Common mistakes

  • Confusing the roles of different historical figures.
  • Underestimating the economic impact of British policies on local industries.
  • Not fully grasping the 'divide and rule' tactics employed by the East India Company.
  • Misinterpreting the 'sparks of revolt' based solely on visual cues without textual understanding.

Revision tips

  • Review the historical images in the chapter alongside the solutions to connect visuals with facts.
  • Pay close attention to the reasons behind the suffering of artisans and farmers.
  • Understand the contributions of social reformers like Ram Mohan Roy.
  • Summarize the key events of 1757 and their consequences for Indian rulers.

Practice MCQs

Q1. Who is identified as the singer of the original Hindi song "Ae mere watan ke logon...." mentioned in the chapter?

Q2. According to the text, what led to the East India Company's ability to subdue Indian princes?

Q3. What was a primary reason for the suffering of artisans mentioned in the chapter?

Q4. Which historical figure is associated with advocating for societal reform and the idea that all religions teach the same principles?

Q5. What action did the British officers take against expert artisans, as mentioned in the text?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main theme of Chapter 3, 'Glimpses of the Past'?

The chapter focuses on the early period of British influence in India, the exploitation of Indians by the East India Company, and the initial signs of resistance and revolt against British rule.

Who were some of the key historical figures mentioned in the solutions for this chapter?

The solutions mention figures like Lata Mangeshkar, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Indira Gandhi, Bahadur Shah Zafar, Rani Laxmi Bai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Lala Lajpat Rai, Bhagat Singh, Subhash Chandra Bose, Mahatma Gandhi, Ram Mohan Roy, Macaulay, Kunwar Singh, Maulvi Ahmedulla, and Peshwa Nana Saheb.

How did the East India Company gain power over Indian rulers?

The East India Company exploited the constant wars and rivalries among Indian princes, offering them assistance in their conflicts, which eventually allowed the Company to subdue them one by one.

What impact did British policies have on Indian artisans?

Artisans suffered greatly due to heavy taxes imposed by the British and the influx of cheaper, machine-made goods from Britain, which severely impacted their traditional livelihoods.

How can these NCERT Solutions help students prepare for exams?

These solutions provide clear, detailed answers to all questions in the chapter, helping students understand complex historical events, key figures, and the consequences of British policies, which is crucial for exam revision and answering questions accurately.

Important links

Content reviewed by the NCERT Help team. Editorial Team and update policy

NCERT Solutions PDF PDF on NCERT Help. URL unchanged for search indexing.