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

The picture shows a gathering where several important Indian leaders are present. The song mentioned is a patriotic one, and the singer is identified as Lata Mangeshkar, often called 'India's Nightingale'. In the picture, besides the singer (implied to be present or represented), we can see notable historical figures such as Jawaharlal Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Indira Gandhi, Rani Laxmi Bai, Mahatma Gandhi, and Bhagat Singh. These individuals are iconic leaders from India's struggle for independence.

The phrase 'superior weapons' refers to the advanced and more effective military technology and armaments that the East India Company possessed compared to the Indian rulers and armies of that era. This technological advantage, along with their organized military structure and strategic exploitation of India's resources, allowed the Company to establish and maintain its dominance over the subcontinent. They not only used these weapons to conquer territories but also to enforce their economic policies and suppress any resistance.

An artisan is a skilled worker who makes things by hand, often with great artistry and craftsmanship. Examples include weavers, potters, metalworkers, and woodcarvers. The artisans suffered greatly during the British rule for several reasons. Firstly, the British East India Company imported large quantities of machine-made goods from Britain and sold them in India at lower prices, which directly competed with and undermined the livelihoods of local artisans. Secondly, the British imposed heavy taxes on Indian artisans and their products, making it difficult for them to sustain their businesses and forcing many into poverty or to abandon their traditional crafts.