From Trade to Territory MCQ Questions Class 8 Social Science with Answers

Question. Which of the following was NOT the Presidency ?
(a) Bengal
(b) Madras
(c) Bombay
(d) Kalikata

Answer : A

Question. In Kittoor , the war with East India Company was led by ____________.
(a)  Rani Lakshmi Bai
(b)  Peshwa
(c)  Rani Chennama

Answer : C

Question. What do you call a business enterprise that makes profit primarily through trade, buying goods cheap and selling them at higher process?
(a) Exchange
(b) Noncommercial
(c) Mercantile
(d) Barter

Answer : C

Question- Aurangzeb died in the year
(a) 1707
(b) 1710
(c) 1705
(d) 1711

Answer : A

Question- _____ was the first person to discover a trading route to India.
(a) Vasco da Gama
(b) James Cook
(c) Columbus
(d) Thomas Cook

Answer : A

Question- Battle of Plassey took place in the year
(a) 1757
(b) 1789
(c) 1760
(d) 1755

Answer : A

Question- _____ led Englishmen in the Battle of Plassey against Bengal nawab in 1757
(a) Warren Hasting
(b) Louis Mountbaitten
(c) Robert Clive
(d) Lord Canning

Answer : C

Question. From the years mentioned below, choose the correct date of death of Aurangzeb, the Mughal ruler
(a) On 3rd March 1800
(b) On 3rd March 1707
(c) On 3rd March 1750
(d) On 3rd March 1850

Answer : B

Question. European trading companies were attracted to India due to
(a) cheap land
(b) cheap labour
(c) raw material like cotton silk and spices
(d) none of these

Answer : C

Question. Why is it considered that Delhi could no longer function as an effective center after the death of Aurangzeb?
(a) Many regional powerful kingdoms emerged in various parts asserting their authority
(b) Delhi was not considered to be symbolically lucky for the rulers.
(c) Delhi only represented the Northern part of India, and the Southern Part was left out without any representation
(d) The trading activities could not function from Delhi

Answer : A

Question. The first English factory was set up in the year
(a) 1600
(b) 1651correct
(c) 1655
(d) 1665

Answer : B

Question.After the death of Arivardi Khan in 1756, who became the Nawab of Bengal?
(a) Murshid Quli Khan
(b) Mir Qasim
(c) Sirajuddaulah
(d) Mir Jafar

Answer : C

Question. Robert Clive committed suicide in the year
(a) 1770
(b) 1743
(c) 1767
(d) 1774

Answer : D

Question. Which foreign power, from the given list was the last European power to enter India?
(a) French
(b) Dutch
(c) Chinese
(d) Portuguese

Answer : A

Question. Who replaced Mir Jafar as the Nawab after his protest against the Company.
(a) Mir Qasim
(b) Bahadur Shah
(c) Aurangzeb
(d) Alivardhi Khan

Answer : A

Question- _____ was capital of Tipu Sultan
(a) Calicut
(b) Mangalore
(c) Seringapatnam
(d) Masulipatnam

Answer : C

Question. Which place/city was given to the British by a local ruler in 1639, which was later fortified as Fort St George.?
(a) Delhi
(b) Kolkata
(c) Madras
(d) Bombay

Answer : C

Question. The Maratha chiefs were held together in a confederacy under the Peshwa, Who were the members?
(a) Scindia
(b) Holkar
(c) Bhonsle and Gaikwad
(d) All of these

Answer : D

Question. Rani Channamma was the ruler of
(a) Bengal
(b) Kitoorcorrect
(c) Agra
(d) delhi

Answer : B

Question- Marathas were defeated by English in _____ battle of Panipat.
(a) third
(b) first
(c) fourth
(d) second

Answer : A

Question- Doctorine of Lapse was introduced by
(a) Lord Canning
(b) Lord Dalhousie
(c) Lord Clive
(d) Lord Curjon

Answer : B

Question. Who among the following states was annexed on the argument of misgovernment?
(a) Satara(1848)
(b) Sambhalpur (1850)
(c) Udaipur (1852)
(d) Awadh (1856)

Answer : D

Question- ______ was defeated by Englishmen in the Battle of Buxar.
(a) Mir Qasim
(b) Mir Jafar
(c) Sirajudaulah
(d) Alivardi Khan

Answer : A

Question- Jhansi was annexed by Lord Dalhousie in
(a) 1855
(b) 1854
(c) 1859
(d) 1858

Answer : B

Question. Name the movement started in Italy in the 14th century and lasted till 17th century that later provoked the Europeans to come to India and other countries.
(a) Renaissance
(b) Nationalism
(c) Socialism
(d) Urbanisation

Answer : A

Question- British Parliament was called
(a) House of Commons
(b) House of Lords
(c) White House
(d) Imperial House

Answer : A

Question. Competition among the companies resulted in
(a) reduced profits of companiescorrect
(b) quality of goods increased
(c) price became low
(d) none of these

Answer : A

Question. According to the historians, by the second half of the 18th century, which new power emerged as powerful in India?
(a) British
(b) Chinese
(c) Japanese
(d) Dutch

Answer : A

Question. Which treaty gave the Divani to British?
(a) Treaty of Bengal
(b) Treaty of Bombay
(c) Treaty of Allahabad
(d) None of these

Answer : C

Question. What do you mean by Privy Council?
(a) King’s council
(b) King’s Mansion
(c) king’s kingdom
(d) None of these

Answer : A

Question. Which were the important spices that were in great demand in the European market?
(a) Coriander, Fenugreek
(b) Cumin, Aniseed
(c) Pepper, Cloves, Cardamom, Cinnamon
(d) Garlic, Ginger, poppy seeds

Answer : C

Question.___________ introduced ‘Doctrine of Lapse’
(a)  Lord Dalhousie
(b)  Robert Clive
(c)  Warren Hastings

Answer : A

Question. Name the river on whose bank the first English factory was established?
(a)  Ganga
(b)  Brahamputra
(c)  Hugli

Answer : C

From Trade to Territory Extra Questions Chapter 2 Class 8 History

Chapter 2 From Trade to Territory Class 8 History Extra Questions is available here that will help you in understanding the chapter completely and scoring good marks in the examinations. Extra Questions for Class 8 History in increasing concentration among students.

Chapter 2 From Trade to Territory Very Short Answer Questions (VSAQs):

1. Who was the last of the powerful Mughal rulers?

Answer

Aurangzeb

2. With what purpose did the British originally come to India?

Answer

Trading

3. Who was the ruler of England in 1600?

Answer

Queen Elizabeth I

4. Name a thing produced in India which had a big market in Europe. 

Answer

Fine qualities of cotton and silk (Any One)

5. How did the royal charter empower the East India company?

Answer

Through royal charter, East India company gained sole trading rights with the East.

6. Why did the Battle of Plassey become famous?

Answer

It was the first major victory the Company won in India.

7. When did the British emerge on the political horizon of India? 

Answer

By the second half of the 18th century

8. Who discovered the sea route to India and when? 

Answer

Vasco da Gama, a Portuguese explorer, discovered the sea route to India in 1498 C.E.

9. When did Siraj-ud-Daulah become the Nawab of Bengal? 

Answer 

Siraj-ud-Daulah became the Nawab of Bengal in 1756 C.E., after the death of Alivardi Khan.

10. Why did the Company want a puppet ruler?

Answer

A puppet ruler would willingly give it trade concessions and other privileges.

11. Whom did the Company install in place of Mir Jafar?

Answer

Company installed Mir Qasim in place of Mir Jafar.

12. Who were called ‘nabobs’?

Answer

Several Company officials returned to Britain with wealth and led flashy lives and showed their riches with great pride. They were called “nabobs’.

13. Why did Tipu Sultan develop a close relationship with the French in India?

Answer

He did so in order to modernise his army with their help.

14. What was the objective behind the Company’s new policy of ‘paramountcy ’?

Answer

The Company claimed that its authority was paramount or supreme and therefore its power was greater than that of Indian states.

15. What happened in the Battle of Seringapatam?

Answer

Tipu Sultan was killed defending his capital Seringapatam.

16. What was Lord Dalhousie’s Doctrine of Lapse?

Answer

If an Indian ruler died without a male heir his kingdom would become the part of Company territory.

17. What was the result of Rani Channamma’s anti-British resistance movement?

Answer

She was put in the prison where she died.

18. Why was Warren Hastings, the first Governor-General of India, tried after he returned to England?

Answer

He was tried for the misgovernance of Bengal.

Chapter 2 From Trade to Territory Short Answer Questions (SAQs):

1. What led to a fierce battle between the European trading companies? 

Answer

• The competition for Indian silk, cotton, spices among the European companies pushed up the prices at which goods could be purchased which led to reduction of profit. 

• They saw a way to increase profit by eliminating rival companies which led to a fierce battle between the trading companies. 

• They regularly sank each other’s ships, blocked routes and prevented rival ships from moving with supplies of goods. Trading posts were also protected with arms and fortifications.

2. Give an account of different European trading companies besides the British East India Company that entered the Eastern markets.

Answer

Different European trading companies were:

• The Portuguese: By the time the first English ships sailed down the West coast of Africa, round the Cape of Good Hope, and crossed the Indian Ocean, the Portuguese had already established their presence in the western coast of India and had their base in Goa.

• The Dutch: By the early 17th century, the Dutch too were exploring the possibilities of trade in the Indian Ocean.

• The French: The French traders soon arrived on the scene for the same purpose.

3. What were the causes of conflict between Siraj-ud-Daulah and the British? 

Answer

• The Company was not paying taxes.

• The Company officials were writing disrespectful letters to the Nawab. 

• The British started deploying forces in Calcutta and in spite of the refusal of the Nawab to allow them to keep their forces there, the British did not with draw them.

4. What was the Doctrine of Lapse? Which kingdoms did the Company annex by applying this Doctrine?

Answer

The Doctrine of Lapse was the culmination of the Company’s territorial expansion policy. It was implemented by Lord Dalhousie, the Governor-General of India from 1848 to 1856. According to the

doctrine if an India ruler died without a male heir his kingdom would ‘lapse’, that is, become a part of Company territory. Several kingdoms were annexed by applying this doctrine – Satara, Sambalpur, Udaipur, Nagpur, Jhansi and Awadh.

5. How did the assumption of Diwani prove advantageous for the East India Company?

Answer

The assumption of Diwani was advantageous for the East India Company in many ways. The Diwani allowed the Company to use the vast revenue resources of Bengal. This solved a major problem that the Company had earlier faced. Its trade with India had expanded no doubt but it had to pay most of the

goods in India with gold and silver imported from Britain. The auto flow of these costly metals from Britain stopped after the assumption of Diwani now revenues from India could finance Company

expenses. These revenues could be used to purchase cotton and silk textiles in India, maintain Company books and meet the cost of building the Company fort and offices at Calcutta.

6. Why was the East India Company worried about Russia in the late 1830s? What did the 

Answer

In the late 1830s the East India Company became worried about Russia. It got feared that Russia might expand across India and enter India from the north-west. Hence, the British now wanted to secure their

control over the north-west. They fought a prolonged war with Afghanistan between 1838 and 1842 and established indirect Company ruler there. Sind was taken over in 1843. However, it took some time to

take over Punjab because of the resistance put by Maharaja Ranjit Singh. But after his death, it was annexed in 1849.

7. Give a brief description of all the three Anglo-Maratha wars. Also write the main consequences.

Answer

The Company waged a series of wars against the Marathas in order to crush Maratha power:

• In the first war there was no clear victor, hence it ended in 1782 with the Treaty of Salbai.

• The second Anglo-Maratha War began in 1803 and ended in 1805. This war was fought on different fronts resulting in the British gaining Orissa and the territories north of the Yamuna river including Agra and Delhi.

• The third Anglo-Maratha War of 1817-1819 crushed Maratha power. The Peshwa was removed. The Company now had complete control over the territories south of the Vindhyas.

8. Write a brief note on Tipu Sultan.

Answer

Tipu Sultan was the famous ruler of Mysore. He ruled Mysore from 1782 to 1799. Under his leadership Mysore became very powerful. It controlled the profitable trade of the Malabar coast where the Company purchased pepper and cardamom. In 1785 Tipu Sultan stopped the export of these items through the ports of his kingdom, and disallowed local merchants from trading with the Company. He also developed relationship with the French in India to modernise his army with their help. The British got furious. They waged four battles against Tipu Sultan. The last battle proved unfortunate for him. He was killed depending his capital Seringapatam. The way he resisted the British is undoubtedly praiseworthy.

Chapter 2 From Trade to Territory Long Answer Questions (LAQs):

1. How did the East India Company begin trade in Bengal?

Answer 

• The East India Company set up first English factory on the banks of the river Hugli in the year 1651 which became the base from which the Company’s traders, known at that time as ‘factors’, operated. 

• The factory had a warehouse where goods for export were stored and it had offices where Company officials set. As trade expanded, the Company persuaded merchants and traders to come and settle near the factory.

• By 1696 the Company began to build a fort around the settlement. Two years later it bribed Mughal officials into giving the Company zamindari rights over three villages. One of these was Kalikata which later developed into a city, known as Calcutta. 

• The Company also persuaded the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb to issue a farman granting the Company the right to trade duty-free. 

• The Company tried continuously to press for more concessions and manipulate existing privileges.

2. Why was the Battle of Plassey fought? What was its result?

Answer

The Battle of Plassey was fought when the conflicts between the Bengal nawabs and the Company got intensified. The Company did not like Sirajuddaulah because he was a strong nawab of Bengal. It wanted a prepped ruler in his place who would willingly give trade concessions and other privileges. For this purpose the Company tried to help one of Sirajuddaulah’s rivals become the nawab. This infuriated Sirajuddaulah. He asked the Company to stop meddling in the political affairs of his dominion, stop fortifications and pay the revenues. When the Company refused to do so the nawab market with 30,000 soldiers to the English factory at kasimbazar, captured the Company officials and

locked the warehouse. Then he marched to Calcutta where he was interrupted by the Company officials.

Finally, in 1757, Robert Clive led the Company’s army against Sirajuddaulah at Plassey, known as the Battle of Plassey. Sirajuddaulah could not manage to win this battle because one of his commanders, named Mir Zafar supported Robert Clive by not fighting the battle. The victory of the Company in the Battle of Plassey strengthened its roots in the Indian soil. It was the first major victory the Company won in the country.

3. How did the Company expand its rule in India after the famous Battle of Buxar?

Answer

The East India Company crossed all limits in the process of annexation of Indian states that began in 1757 and continued till 1857. The Company rarely launched a direct military attack on an unknown territory. Instead it used a variety of political, economic and diplomatic methods to extend its influence before annexing an Indian kingdom:

• The Company appointed Residents in Indian states after the Battle of Buxar in 1764. Through the Residents, the Company officials began interfering in the internal affairs of Indian states. The Company forced the states into a ‘subsidiary alliance’ under which Indian rulers were not allowed to have their independent armed forces. They were to be protected by the Company, but had to pay for the subsidiary forces. It the Indian rulers failed to make to payment, then part of their territory was taken away as penalty. Awadh and Hyderabad were forced to code territories on this ground.

• Under the policy of ‘paramountcy’ the Company claimed that its authority was supreme and therefore its power was greater than that of Indian states. In order to protect its interests it was justified in annexing Indian states.

• Then there was the Doctrine of Lapse which declared that if an Indian ruler died without a male heir his kingdom would lapse that is, become part of Company territory. Satara, Sambalpur, Udaipur, Nagpur, Jhansi and Awadh were annexed under this policy.