CBSE Class 8 English Honeydew Chapter 3: Glimpses Of The Past NCERT Solutions

Reviewed by NCERT Help Editorial Team · Updated on 29 Jul 2026

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 8 PDF

CBSE Class 8 English Honeydew, Chapter 3, 'Glimpses Of The Past' offers a deep dive into the early stages of India's struggle for independence. This chapter explores the growing discontent among various sections of society against the oppressive rule of the East India Company. It highlights the exploitation faced by Indian rulers, common people, and artisans, detailing the economic and social hardships imposed by the British. The narrative also touches upon the significant contributions of social reformers like Ram Mohan Roy, who advocated for crucial societal changes. Understanding these historical events and the motivations behind the 1857 revolt is key to grasping the chapter's essence. The solutions provided aim to clarify these complex historical narratives, helping students understand the causes and consequences of this pivotal period in Indian history and prepare effectively for their examinations.

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Board	CBSE
Class	Class 8
Subject	Honeydew
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	3. Glimpses Of The Past

Chapter summary

Chapter 3, 'Glimpses Of The Past,' of the CBSE Class 8 English Honeydew textbook focuses on the historical events leading up to the 1857 War of Independence. The NCERT Solutions provided here address questions about the initial sparks of rebellion, the political strategies of the East India Company, the socio-economic impact on Indian artisans and farmers, and the reformist movements. It highlights the exploitation by British officers and the various reasons for the growing discontent among Indians, offering a comprehensive understanding of this pivotal period in Indian history.

Learning outcomes

Understand the historical context of the 1857 revolt through visual cues and text.
Analyze the short-sightedness of Indian princes in their dealings with the East India Company.
Identify the various ways the British exploited Indians economically and socially.
Recognize the contributions of social reformers like Ram Mohan Roy.
Explain the reasons for the widespread discontent that led to the 1857 War of Independence.
Define the term 'artisan' and understand their suffering under British rule.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Historical Events of 1857
East India Company's Policies
Indian Princes' Role
Artisans and Economic Exploitation
Social Reformers
British Oppressive Policies
Causes of the 1857 War of Independence
Social Practices
Impact on Farmers
Indian Industries
English Education in India
Key Historical Figures

Important topics

Causes of the 1857 War of Independence
East India Company's Exploitation
Role of Indian Princes
Impact on Artisans and Farmers
Social Reforms and Reformers
British Oppressive Policies

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Questions and Solutions

Comprehension Check - Q1

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 Hindi song referred to is "Ae mere watan ke logon...". The renowned singer of this patriotic song is Lata Mangeshkar. The picture also features several other prominent historical figures, including Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Indira Gandhi, Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar, the brave queen Rani Lakshmibai, the freedom fighter Bal Gangadhar Tilak, the leader Lala Lajpat Rai, the revolutionary Bhagat Singh, the influential leader Subhash Chandra Bose, and the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi.

Comprehension Check - Q2

In picture 2 what do you understand by the Company's "superior weapons"?

Solution: The phrase "superior weapons" in the context of the East India Company refers to their significant technological and military advantage over the Indian rulers of that era. While Indian princes were often engaged in internal conflicts, the Englishmen had access to more advanced and effective weaponry. This technological edge allowed the Company to gain an upper hand in battles and negotiations, ultimately facilitating their expansion of power and control over various regions of India by leveraging the existing rivalries among Indian states.

Comprehension Check - Q3

Who is an artisan? Why do you think the artisans suffered? (picture 3)

Solution: An artisan is a skilled craftsperson who creates items by hand, often with great expertise and artistry. These items can be functional or purely decorative. The artisans likely suffered significantly under British rule for two main reasons: Firstly, the British imposed extremely high taxes on their products and livelihoods, which made it difficult for them to sustain their businesses and often led to economic ruin. Secondly, the widespread import and sale of machine-manufactured goods from Britain created intense competition. These cheaper, mass-produced items undermined the market for the unique, handmade goods produced by Indian artisans, leading to a decline in their traditional crafts and income.

Comprehension Check - Q4

Which picture, according to you, reveals the first sparks of the fire of revolt?

Solution: Based on the description, 'Picture 7', which is titled 'The Sparks', is the one that most effectively reveals the initial signs or the first sparks of the widespread revolt that would later engulf India.

Working With Text - Q1

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 were indeed short-sighted in their approach to the events unfolding in 1757 and the subsequent period. Instead of uniting against the growing influence of the British East India Company, many princes chose to engage in conflicts with each other, often seeking assistance from the British themselves. This strategy allowed the Company to exploit their rivalries, gradually increase its own power, and eventually establish dominance, rather than recognizing the common threat posed by a foreign power.

Working With Text - Q2

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 rivalries. The Indian princes were frequently at war with one another. They often sought the help of the English merchants (the East India Company) in their battles. The constant warfare disrupted the lives of the people, creating an environment of instability. The Company skillfully used these internal disputes to its advantage, intervening in conflicts and gradually overpowering the princes one by one, thereby extending its political control across India.

Working With Text - Q3

Quote the words used by Ram Mohan Roy to say that every religion teaches the same principles.

Solution: Ram Mohan Roy expressed the idea that all religions share fundamental principles using a powerful analogy. He stated, "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." This quote highlights his belief in the underlying unity of religious teachings, despite the diverse interpretations and practices.

Working With Text - Q4

In what ways did the British officers exploit Indians?

Solution: The British officers exploited Indians in numerous ways, primarily driven by the desire for quick profits and economic dominance. They imposed heavy taxes on Indian farmers, forcing many to abandon their lands. To benefit British industries, they removed import duties on goods manufactured in England, which severely damaged Indian industries. Furthermore, under Regulation III of 1818, an Indian could be imprisoned without a trial, stripping away basic legal rights. British officers also earned substantial salaries and made fortunes through private businesses in India. By 1829, Britain was exporting goods worth seven crore rupees to India, indicating a massive drain of wealth from India to Britain, while Indian industries declined.

Working With Text - Q5

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:

(i) The ruler who fought bravely against the British and died in battle was Kunwar Singh.

(ii) The person dedicated to reforming society was Ram Mohan Roy.

(iii) The individual who advocated for the introduction of English education in India was Macaulay.

(iv) Two prominent leaders who played significant roles in leading the revolt were Maulvi Ahmedulla of Faizabad and Peshwa Nana Saheb.

Working With Text - Q6

Mention the following.

(i) Two examples of social practices prevailing then.

(ii) Two oppressive policies of the British.

(iii) Two ways in which common people suffered.

(iv) Four reasons for the discontent that led to the 1857 War of Independence.

Solution:

(i) Two social practices prevalent during that time were untouchability and child marriage.

(ii) Two oppressive policies enacted by the British were the imposition of heavy taxes that ruined farmers and the passing of Regulation III of 1818, which allowed imprisonment without trial.

(iii) Common people suffered due to the economic exploitation by the British, which led to poverty and loss of livelihood, and the lack of justice and basic rights, such as being jailed without trial.

(iv) Four significant reasons for the discontent that culminated in the 1857 War of Independence were: the economic exploitation through heavy taxes and destruction of Indian industries, the social injustices and oppressive policies like Regulation III, the interference in social and religious practices, and the general feeling of being subjugated and deprived of rights by foreign rulers.

Common mistakes

Confusing the roles of different historical figures.
Underestimating the impact of British economic policies on Indian industries.
Not fully grasping the concept of 'short-sightedness' in the context of political decisions.
Failing to connect social practices with the broader context of British oppression.

Revision tips

Review the pictures in the chapter and connect them with the events described in the solutions.
Create a timeline of key events and figures mentioned in the chapter.
Focus on understanding the 'why' behind the British policies and Indian reactions.
Pay attention to the quotes and their significance in understanding historical perspectives.
Practice explaining the causes of the 1857 revolt in your own words.

Practice MCQs

Q1. Who is identified as the singer of the original Hindi song related to the opening lines?

Q2. According to the text, what technological advantage did the East India Company possess over Indian princes?

Q3. What was a primary reason for the suffering of artisans under British rule?

Q4. Which historical event is referred to as the 'first sparks of the fire of revolt'?

Q5. Ram Mohan Roy used an analogy to explain that different religions teach the same principles. What was this analogy?

Q6. Which regulation allowed an Indian to be jailed without trial under British rule?

Frequently asked questions

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

The chapter focuses on the historical events and socio-political conditions in India that led to the 1857 War of Independence, highlighting the exploitation by the East India Company and the initial sparks of rebellion.

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

Key figures include 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, Kunwar Singh, Ram Mohan Roy, Macaulay, Maulvi Ahmedulla of Faizabad, and Peshwa Nana Saheb.

How did the East India Company gain control over India, according to the solutions?

The Company exploited the internal rivalries among Indian princes, using their superior weapons and military tactics to subdue them one by one and eventually gain control over the entire country.

What impact did British policies have on Indian artisans?

Artisans suffered due to high taxes imposed by the British and the influx of cheaper, machine-made goods from Britain, which crippled their traditional handcraft businesses.

How can these NCERT Solutions help in exam preparation?

These solutions provide clear, step-by-step answers to textbook questions, helping students understand complex historical events, key figures, and the underlying causes of the 1857 revolt, which is crucial for exam revision.

What does the chapter suggest about the 'first sparks of the fire of revolt'?

The chapter suggests that 'Picture 7: The Sparks' visually represents the initial signs and events that ignited the larger revolt of 1857.

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