Post on 15-Dec-2020
Class 8th History
Lesson -4
The Eighteenth Century India
Exercise A. Answer the following questions:
Q1.(a) Name the last important ruler of the Mughal dynasty.
A1.(a) Aurangzeb was the last important Mughal ruler of the Mughal dynasty.
Q1.(b) When did he die?
A1.(b) He died in 1707 CE.
Q2.(a)What was the Mansabdari system?
A2.(a) The system in which salaries and responsibilities of a person is
determined according to his rank.
Q2.(b) What was the Jagirdari system?
A2.(b) The system in which Jagir or land was given to landlords in return for
their services.
Q3.There were several reasons for the decline of the Mughal Empire. In this
context discuss the following:
(a) Rivalry among the nobles
A3.(a) (i)The nobles of the Mughal court were divided into many segments like
Afghans, Turanis, Iranis and Hindustani.
(ii)These nobles constantly struggled with one another for power.
(iii) This hampered the smooth functioning of the administration.
(b) Nadir Shah's invasion of India.
A3.(b) (i)Nadir Shah invaded India in 1739.
(ii)He defeated the Mughal army and marched towards Delhi.
(iii)He looted the enormous wealth and took the famous Kohinoor diamond and
the Peacock Throne.
(c) Challenges faced from regional kingdoms.
A3.(c) (i)The governors of Bengal,Awadh and Hyderabad became powerful
during the reign of the later Mughals.
(ii)They stopped paying taxes.
(iii)They began disobeying the orders of the Mughal emperor and declared
themselves independent.
Q4. The rulers of Bengal were kind and welfare oriented. List three things they
did for the Welfare of their subjects.
A4. The rulers of Bengal were kind and welfare oriented. They did many things
for the welfare of their subjects.
(i) The improved administration and agriculture.
(ii) The poor farmers got loans on easy terms.
(iii) They collected custom duties strictly.
Q5.(a) What was the name of the dynasty founded by
Qamar-ud-din- Siddiqui?
A5.(a) Asaf Jahi dynasty was founded by Qamar-ud-din- Siddiqui.
Q5.(b) What were his successors called?
A5.(b) His successors were called Nizams.
Q6. Why did the Rajputs fail to re-establish the lost glory of the past?
A6. The Rajputs failed to re-establish the lost glory of the past because:
(i) The Rajputs were not united under single power.
(ii) They kept fighting with one another.
Q7.(a) Mention three contributions of Hyder Ali.
A7.(a) The main contributions of Hyder Ali were:
(i) He made Mysore a powerful kingdom.
(ii) He successfully controlled the rebels.
(iii) He improved the financial conditions of the kingdom.
Q7.(b) Mention three reforms brought about by Tipu Sultan.
A7.(b) Tipu Sultan brought many reforms.
(i) He introduced a new calendar and new system of coinage.
(ii) He organised military on European lines.
(iii) He set up modern industries in his kingdom.
Q8. How did Balaji Vishwanath regain the lost prestige and power of the
Marathas?
A8. Balaji Vishwanath regained the lost glory of the Marathas in following ways:
(i) Balaji Vishwanath successfully controlled the Maratha chiefs.
(ii) He signed a pact with the Sayyid brothers. The pact restored all the
territories of Shivaji to Shahu which were captured by the Mughals.
(iii) He also got the rights to collect Chauth and Sardeshmukhi of six
Mughal provinces in Deccan.
Q9. Name the Maratha chiefs who were a part of the Marathas Confederacy.
A9. Gaekwads, Bhonsle, Holkar and Scindia were a part of the Maratha
Confederacy.
Q10. During the reign of Balaji Bajirao, the Maratha empire reached its zenith.
However , the empire was broken into pieces by the end of his rule. Explain how
and why.
A10.(i) During Balaji Bajirao's reign , the Maratha power reached its zenith.
(ii)He expanded the Maratha empire from Attock to Cuttack.
(iii)The Maratha Army over took the whole of India.
(iv)Balaji Bajirao's desire to extend his control to north-west brought him to a
direct conflict with the Afghan ruler Ahmed Shah Abdali.
(v)In 1761 ,the Third Battle of Panipat was fought between the Marathas and
Ahmad Shah Abdali.
(vi)The Marathas were defeated in the battle.
(vii)They became very weak and the Maratha empire was broken into pieces.
Q11. Mention two reasons for the decline of the Marathas.
A11. The reasons for the decline of the Marathas were:
(i) There was lack of unity among the Maratha chiefs.
(ii) They didn’t take any pain to modernize their military and
administration.
(iii) They angered other rulers by raiding their territories.
Ex.B Give reasons for the following:
1.Aurangzeb was an unpopular ruler.
Ans. Aurangzeb was an unpopular ruler because of his policies.
(i) He imposed Jaziya on Hindus.
(ii) He destroyed temples and raised land revenue and taxes.
2. The Marathas lost the Third Battle of Panipat.
Ans.The Marathas lost the Third Battle of Panipat because they had no allies or
supporters.
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