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

Here is the correct matching of the terms:

• Diwani - Right to collect land revenue
• Tipu Sultan - 'Tiger of Mysore'
• Faujdari adalat - Criminal court
• Sepoy - Sipahi
• Rani Channamma - Led an anti-British movement in Kitoor

1. The British conquest of Bengal began with the Battle of Plassey.
2. Haider Ali and Tipu Sultan were the rulers of Mysore.
3. Dalhousie implemented the Doctrine of Lapse.
4. Maratha kingdoms were located mainly in the Western part of India.

1. False. The Mughal empire weakened considerably in the eighteenth century, leading to the rise of regional powers.
2. False. Several European companies, including the Portuguese, Dutch, and French, traded with India.
3. True. Maharaja Ranjit Singh was the founder of the Sikh Empire and the ruler of Punjab in the early nineteenth century.
4. False. The British introduced significant administrative, economic, and political changes in the territories they conquered to consolidate their power and revenue.

European trading companies were attracted to India primarily due to its valuable commodities and potential for profit. The main attractions included:

• Fine Quality Textiles: India produced high-quality cotton and silk textiles, which were in great demand in Europe.
• Spices: Indian spices such as pepper, cloves, cardamom, and cinnamon were highly sought after in Europe for culinary and medicinal purposes.
• Other Goods: India also offered other goods like indigo (for dyes) and saltpetre (for gunpowder), further enhancing its appeal to trading companies.

The East India Company's growing ambitions and the Bengal Nawabs' assertion of their authority led to several areas of conflict:

• Concessions and Autonomy: The Nawabs asserted their power and autonomy, refusing to grant the Company excessive concessions and demanding large tributes for trading rights.
• Coin Minting: The Nawabs denied the Company the right to mint its own coins, asserting their sovereign control over currency.
• Fortifications: The Nawabs objected to the Company extending its fortifications, viewing it as a challenge to their authority and a potential military threat.
• Revenue and Authority: The Nawabs accused the Company of deceit, claiming it was depriving the Bengal government of substantial revenue by evading taxes and undermining the Nawab's authority.
• Disrespectful Conduct: The Company was accused of writing disrespectful letters and attempting to humiliate the Nawab and his officials, further straining relations.

The assumption of the Diwani of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa by the East India Company in 1765 brought significant financial and strategic benefits:

• Vast Revenue Resources: The Diwani granted the Company the right to collect land revenue from these wealthy provinces. This provided them with a massive source of income.
• Reduced Need for Imports: Previously, the Company had to import gold and silver from Britain to buy goods like cotton and silk textiles in India. After gaining the Diwani, the revenue collected from India itself could be used to purchase these goods, stopping the outflow of bullion from Britain.
• Financing Company Expenses: The revenues generated from Bengal could now be used to finance the Company's various expenses, including purchasing Indian textiles, maintaining its troops, and constructing forts and offices (like in Calcutta).
• Increased Political Power: The control over revenue collection gave the Company immense economic power, which translated into greater political influence and control over the region.

The 'subsidiary alliance' was a policy introduced by the British East India Company to expand its control over Indian states without direct conquest. Under this system:

• Disbandment of Armies: Indian rulers were required to disband their own independent armed forces.
• Company Protection: The Company agreed to provide protection to the Indian state from external threats and internal disturbances.
• Maintenance Costs: In return for this protection, the Indian ruler had to pay for the 'subsidiary forces' (British troops) that the Company stationed within their territory.
• Loss of Territory: If the Indian ruler failed to make the required payments, a part of their territory was taken away by the Company as a penalty.

Prominent states like Awadh and Hyderabad were forced to accept this alliance and consequently lost significant territories due to their inability to meet the financial obligations.

The administrative system established by the East India Company differed significantly from the traditional administration of Indian rulers in several key aspects:

• Administrative Units: The Company divided its territories into administrative units called Presidencies (Bengal, Madras, and Bombay). In contrast, Indian rulers typically organized their administration around districts.
• Head of Administration: Each Company presidency was headed by a Governor, while the overall supreme head of the Company's administration in India was the Governor-General. Indian rulers, on the other hand, were ultimately answerable to the King or Emperor.
• Role of Officials: The primary job of the Governor-General was to introduce administrative reforms and govern. The main role of the Collector, who headed the districts, was to collect revenue and taxes and maintain law and order. Indian rulers had a more integrated system where officials often performed multiple roles, including revenue collection, justice, and administration.
• Centralization: The Company's administration was more centralized under the Governor-General, aiming for uniformity and control across its territories. Indian rulers' administrations varied greatly and were often more decentralized.