SOCIAL SCIENCE ASSIGNMENT FOR CLASS VIII

HISTORY

April

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS -

i. Use single line note book for history.

ii. Click on the given link to understand the chapter 2 From Trade to Territory:

The Company Establishes Power

iii. https://youtu.be/Y7IXBEUo8oM

iv. Do the question answers

v. Read the important points and dates and complete the worksheet.

CHAPTER-2 FROM TRADE TO TERRITORY: THE COMPAMY ESTABLISHES POWER

Q 1- What attracted European Trading companies to India?

Ans -European trading companies were attracted towards India because of the

following reasons:

1) Trading with India was highly and fruitful for European traders.

2) The European trading companies purchased goods at cheaper rate and sold

them in Europe at the higher prices.

3) The fine qualities of cotton and silk produced in India had a big market in

Europe.

4) Indian spices such as -pepper, cloves, cardamom and cinnamon were in

great demand in Europe.

Q 2- What were the areas of conflict between the Bengal Nawabs and the East

India Company?

Ans -1 Sirajuddaulah, the Bengal Nawabs refused to grant the company

concessions, demanded large tributes for the company’ s right to trade ,denied

to provide any right to mint coins, and stopped it from extending its

fortification .

2) The company was refusing to pay taxes writing disrespectful letters, and

trying to humiliate the Nawab and his officials

3) The company also believed that to expand trade, it had to enlarge its

settlement, buy villages and rebuild its forts. The conflicts led to confrontations

and finally culminated into the famous battle of Plassey.

Q-3 How did the assumption of Diwani benefit the East India Company?

Ans -1) The Diwani allowed the company to use the vast revenue resources of

Bengal. This solved the major problem that the company had faced earlier.

2) But it had to buy most of the goods in India in exchange of gold and silver

imported from Britain.

3) The out flow of gold from Britain slowed after the Battle of Plassey, and

entirely stopped after the assumption of Diwani. No , revenues from India

could finance the Company’s expenses.

4) These revenues were used to purchase cotton and silk textiles from India,

maintain company troops, and meet the cost of building the company‘s fort

and offices at Calcutta.

Q-4 Explain the system of subsidiary alliance

Ans Under the system of subsidiary alliance 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” that the Company was

supposed to maintain for the purpose of this protection. If the Indian rulers

failed to make the payment, then part of their territory was taken away as

penalty.

Q-5 In what way was the administration of the Company different from that of

Indian rulers?

Ans-The administration of the Company was different from that of the Indian

rulers in the following ways:

1. The Company divided its administrative units called Presidencies. There

were three Presidencies- Bengal, Madras and Bombay. In India, districts

were the main administrative

Units.

2. Each Presidency was ruled by a Governor. Districts were ruled by the

collectors

3. The Supreme head of the administration of the company was the

Governor General. But in India, the head of the administration was the

king.

4. The main job of the Governor General was to introduce administrative

reforms while the main job of the collector was to collect revenue and

taxes and maintain law and order in his district.

Q-6 Describe the changes that occurred in the composition of the Company’s

army.

Ans- The following changes occurred in the composition of the Company’s

army:

1. Company started recruiting peasants into their armies and trained them

as professional soldiers.

2. They stopped recruiting cavalry.

3. They started recruiting soldiers armed with Muskets and Matchlocks.

4. They began to develop a uniform military culture.

5. They started European-style training, drill and discipline.

Q 7 Write any three causes of the Battle of Plassey?

Ans -Three causes for the Battle of Plassey --

1 In 1756 A.D, the Nawab seized the English factory at Kasim Bazar and

occupied Fort William, but Clive recaptured it in 1756 A.D.

2 Mir Jafar wanted to dethrone the nawab and entered into a conspiracy

against the nawab joining hands with the Britishers.

3 Clive blamed the nawab that he was conspiring against English with the help

of French.

Q 8” Battle of Plassey is an important landmark in the history of India.”

Comment on this statement.

Ans -Battle OF Plassey, fought in 1757, is an important landmark in the history

of India because-

1 It marked the beginning of the establishment of British rule in India.

2 The British got a foothold from where they were to eventually conquer the

whole of India.

Q 9 Explain Doctrine of Lapse.

Ans -1 The Doctrine of Lapse was introduced by Lord Dalhousie.

2 According to this, if the ruler of a protected or dependent state died without

a natural heir, his state would automatically lapse.

3 The victim of this doctrine were Satara , Sambalpur ,Udaipur ,Nagpur and

Jhansi.

Q 10 What did Tipu Sultan do that resulted in wars against the company?

Ans 1 In 1785 Tipu Sultan stopped the export of sandalwood, pepper and

cardamom through the ports of his kingdom, and disallowed local merchants

from trading with the company.He also established a close relationship with

the French in India ,and modernized his army with their help. This enraged the

British and they waged war against Tipu Sultan.

Q-11 What impact did the Battle of Buxar have on India?

Ans- 1. After the Battle of Buxar (1764), the company appointed residents in

Indian states. They were political or commercial and their job was to serve for

the further interests of the Company.

2. Through the residents, the Company officials began interfering in the

internal affair of Indian states.

3. They tried to decide who was to be the successor to the throne, and who

was to be appointed at administrative posts.

4. Mir Jafar was reinstalled. The Nawab had to pay $500,000 every month but

the Company wanted more money to finance its wars, and meet demands of

trade and its other expenses.

Q-12 Write a short note on the Charter of 1600.

Ans- 1. In 1600, the East India Company required a charter from the ruler of

England, Queen Elizabeth I, granting it the sole right to trade with the East.

2. This meant that no other trading group in England could compete with the

East India Company.

3. With this charter, the company could venture across the oceans, looking for

new lands from which it could buy goods at a cheaper price, and carry them

back to Europe to all higher prices.

4. The company did not have to fear competition from other English trading

companies.

IMORTANT POINTS OF THE CHAPTER

In 1600, the East India Company acquired a chapter from the ruler of

England, Queen Elizabeth I, granting it the sole right to trade with the

East.

The first English factory was set up on the banks of the river Hugli in

1651.

In 1757, Robert Clive led the company’s army against Sirajuddaulah at

Plassey. The Battle of Plassey became famous because it was the first

major victory that the Company won in India.

After the Battle of Buxar (1764), the Company appointed Residents in

Indian states. They were political or commercial agents and their job was

to serve and further the interests of the Company.

Mysore had grown in strength under the leadership of powerful rulers

like Haidar Ali (ruled from 1761 to 1782) and his famous son Tipu Sultan

(ruled from 1782 to 1799).

In the first Maratha war that ended in 1782 with the Treaty of Salbai,

there was no clear victory.

The Second Anglo-Maratha War of 1803-09 was fought on different

fronts, resulting in the British gaining the then Orissa and the territories

north of the Yamuna river including Agra and Delhi.

Finally, Third Anglo-Maratha War of 1817-19 crushed Maratha power.

Under Lord Hastings (Governor-General from 1813 to 1823) a new policy

of paramountcy was initiated.

The final wave of annexations occurred under Lord Dalhousie who was

the Governor-General from 1848 to 1856.

Warren Hastings (Governor-General from 1773 to 1785) was one of the

many important figures who played a significant role in the expansion

of Company power. By this time, the Company had acquired power not

only in Bengal, but also in Bombay and Madras.

IMPORTANT DATE

i. 17O7: Death of Aurangzeb.

ii.1600: Rise of East India Company.

iii.1757: Battle of Plassey.

iv.1764: Battle of Buxar.

v.1498: Vasco da Gama discovered the sea route to India.

vi.1651: First English Factory set in Bengal.

vii.1764 Robert Clive appointed Governor of Bengal.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

1. Which one was not a trading company?

(a) The Portuguese

(b) The Dutch

(c) The French

(d) The Japanese

2. This Governor-General introduced the policy of paramountcy.

(a) Lord Hastings

(b) Lord Dalhousie

(c) Warren Hastings

(d) Lord Bentinck

3. What was farman?

(a) It was a royal dress.

(b) It was royal order.

(c) It was royal food.

(d) It was royal procession.

4.______________ instigated the Company’s army against Sirajuddaulah at

Plassey.

(a) Robert Clive

(b) Lord Hastings

(c) Edmund Burke

(d) Lord Dalhousie

5.________________ was the Nawab of Bengal after Alivardi Khan

(a) Murshid Quli Khan

(b) Tipu Sultan

(c) Sirajuddaulah

(d) Mir Qasim

6.Which one of these was annexed on the basis of Dalhousie’s Doctrine of

Lapse?

(a) Punjab

(b) Awadh

(c) Satara

(d) Hyderabad

7. The Governor-General who was impeached_______________.

(a) Lord Hastings

(b) Lord Dalhousie

(c) Warren Hastings

(d) Lord Montbatten

8. Aurangzed died in the year________________.

(a) 1740

(b) 1707

(c) 1780

(d) 1720

9. Who was the last powerful Mughal emperor?

(a) Aurangzed

(b) Bahadur Shah Jafar

(c) Akbar-II

(d) Mohmad shah Rangeela

10. When was East India Company established?

(a) 1600

(b) 1720

(c) 1665

(d) 1765

FILL IN THE BLANKS

1. Haider Ali was the father of _________________.

2. Dalhousie implemented the Doctrine of ___________________.

3. Haider Ali and Tipu Sultan were the rulers of __________________.

4. __________________was the last of the powerful Mughal rulers.

5. The conflict between company and the Bengal nawabs led to the famous

Battle of __________________.

6. Under Lord Hastings a new policy of “____________________”.

7. _____________________, a Portuguese explorer, had discovered the

sea route to Indian in ___________________.

8. The first English factory was set up on the banks of the

river_______________.

9. The powerful rulers of Mysore were________________ and

___________________.

10. Mysore contributed the profitable trade of

the_____________________.

11. The company purchased__________________ and _________________

from Malabar coast.

GEOGRAPHY

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS -

i. Use inter leaf note book for geography.

ii. Click on the given link to understand the chapter 1 Resources.

iii. https://youtu.be/01giR60nEcw

iv. Do the question answer.

v. Read the important points and complete the worksheet.

CHAPTER -1 RESOURCES

Q-1 Why are resources distributed unequally over the Earth?

Ans- The distribution of resources depends upon number of physical factors

like terrain, climate, altitude etc. These factors vary all over the earth which

causes the unequal distribution of resources.

Q-2 What is resource conservation?

OR

What do you understand by resource conservation?

Ans- Resource conservation refers to the balanced and careful use of the

resources in order to give them time to get renewed.

Q-3 Why are human resources important?

Ans- Human resources include number and abilities of the people. These

abilities of human could be physical or mental. These are important because

they help in transferring physical material into valuable resource.

Q-4 What is sustainable development?

Ans- Careful utilization of resources, so that, besides meeting the requirements

of the present, they are also conserved for use by the future generation is

called sustainable development.

Q-5 Differentiate between Natural Resources and Human-made Resources.

Ans- Natural Resources: Natural Resources are drawn from nature and are

used without much modification.

For example: The air we breathe, water in rivers and lakes, soil, etc.

Human-made Resources: Human-made Resources are those which are made

by people by changing the original form of the natural resource.

For example: Building, machinery, bridges, etc.

Q-6 What do you understand by Human-made Resources? Explain briefly with

examples.

Ans- 1. When the original form of a natural substance is changed to make it

more useful, then it is known as Human-made Resources.

2. Many natural resources are used by human beings after making some

changes in them in order to make them more useful e.g. buildings, roads,

machines, vehicles, etc.

3. Iron ore is a natural resource, but it was of no use till the human being learnt

to extract iron from it.

Q-7 Write down the 6 basic principles of Sustainable Development.

Ans- The 6 basic principles of Sustainable Development are:

1. To respect and care all forms of life.

2. To improve the quality of human life.

3. To conserve the earth’s vitality and diversity.

4. To minimize the depletion of natural resources.

5. To change the personal attitude and malpractices towards the

environment.

6. To encourage communities to care for their own environment.

Q-8 What is the significance of time and technology in making a substance a

resource?

Ans-1. Time and Technology are substance a resource factors that make any

substance an important resource.

2. With time, technology develops. When technology develops, we begin to

discover new ways to make our life more better.

3. This makes those substances more useful, which were useless earlier. In this

way, invasion and discovery provides us new resources.

5. For example, with the help of technology, we made water a source of

electricity. This is known as Hydroelectricity.

Q-9 Give some factors which make any substance a resource.

Ans-Utility, value, time, technology, etc. are some factors which make any

substance a resource. For example, the technology to create hydroelectricity

has turned energy in fast flowing water into an important resource.

IMORTANT POINTS OF THE CHAPTER

Utility or usability is what makes an object or substance a resource.

The things that we are using are called utility. Water, electricity,

rickshaw, vegetables and textbooks are some examples.

Value means worth. Some resources have economic value, some do not.

For example, metals may have an economic value, a beautiful landscape

may not.

Resources that are drawn from nature and used without much

modification are called natural resources. The air we breathe, the water

in our rivers and lakes, the soils, minerals are all natural resources.

Natural resources are classified into different groups depending upon

their level of development and use; origin; stock and distribution.

Based on their origin, resources can be abiotic or biotic.

Abiotic resources are non- living while biotic resources are living.

Renewable resources are those which get renewed or replenished

quickly. Water, soil and forest are examples of the same.

Non-renewable resources are those which have limited stock. Coal,

petroleum and natural gas are example of the same.

Sometimes, natural substances become resources only when their

original form has been changed such resources are called human made

resources because these have been made by humans. For example:

People use natural resources to make buildings, bridges, roads,

machinery and vehicles.

Using resources carefully and giving them time to get renewed is called

resource conservation.

Balancing the need to use resources and also converse them for the

future is called sustainable development

FLOWCHART

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

1. Which of these is not a resource?

CLASSIFICATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES

On the basis

developments and use

On the basis of origin

On the basis of stock

On the basis of

distribution

Potential

Resources

Actual

Resources

Biotic

Resources

Abiotic

Resources

Renewable

Resources Non-

Renewable

Resources

Ubiquitous

Resources

Localised

Resources

(a) Indian Prime Minister

(b) Your Geography book

(c) A small piece of paper

(d) None of these

2. Value means_______________.

(a) worth

(b) money

(c) cost

(d) landscape

3. Using resources carefully and giving them time to get renewed is

called_________________.

(a) resources conversation

(b) sustainable development

(c) conserving resources

(d) resources distribution

4. Buildings, bridges, roads, machinery and vehicles

are_____________________.

(a) human made resources

(b) natural resources

(c) both (a) and (b)

(d) none of the above

5. People are___________________.

(a) natural resources

(b) human made resources

(c) human resources

(d) none of the above

6. Quality improvement of people’s skills is known as____________________.

(a) human resources conservation

(b) human resources development

(c) resource distribution

(d) sustainability of resources

7. Which of these is an example of sustainable development?

(a) Ignoring the lights when they are switched on but not required

(b) Not wasting paper

(c) Using coal at a fast pace

(d) None of these

FILL IN THE BLANKS

1. Balancing the need to use resources and also converse them for the future is

called _____________________.

2. Resources that are drawn from nature and used without much modification

are called_________________.

3. _________________ or usability is what makes an object or substance a

resource.

4. ______________________ are those whose entire quantity may not be

known and these are not being used at present.

5. Natural resources can be broadly categorized into________________ and

________________ resources.

6. Based on the origin, resources can be _____________________ or

_____________________.

7. On the basis of their distribution, resources can be ___________________

or _______________.

8. The distribution of natural resources depends upon number of physical

factors like ___________________ , _____________________ and

____________________.

9. _____________________ and _____________________ help in making

people a valuable resource.

10. Iron ore was not a __________________ until people learnt to extract

__________________ from it .

SOCIAL AND POLITICAL LIFE

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS -

i. Use single line note book for social and political life.

ii. Click on the given link to understand the chapter 1 The Indian Constitution.

iii. https://youtu.be/285eeIwhNFs

iv. Do the question answers.

v. Read the important points and complete the worksheet.

CHAPTER-1 THE INDIAN CONSTITUTION

Q-1 What is a Constitution?

Ans- A Constitution is a set of rules according to which the government of a

country governs.

Q-2 Define Preamble.

Ans- The introduction to our constitution is known as the Preamble.

Q-3 What is democracy?

Ans- The democracy of the people. By the people and for the people is called

democracy.

Q-4 Define Monarchy?

Ans- Kingship or rule of a king in absolute manner is called monarchy.

Q-5 What would happen if there were no restriction on the power of elected

representatives?

Ans- If there were no restriction on the power of elected representatives,

there would always be the possibility that those representatives might misuse

their authority. The Constitution in a democracy usually provide safeguard

against this act.

Q-6 “India is a democratic state.” Explain.

Ans- (i) Periodical elections are held on the basis of adult franchise.

(ii) Rule of law is an essential feature of Indian democratic state.

(iii) All the people enjoy the Fundamental rights which are justifiable.

Thus, through the above all the explanations indicate that India is a

democratic state.

Q-7 What is the essence of the Right to Equality as provided by the

Constitution of India?

Ans- The Right to Equality is one of the Fundamental Right guaranteed by the

Indian Constitution. Its essence is as follows:

(i) It strives to give opportunity to all citizens of India.

(ii) No citizen of India shall be discriminated against on the grounds of

religion, race, caste, gender and place of birth.

(iii) The Right focuses on treating all citizens equally and providing them

equal opportunities.

Q-8 What is federalism in context of the Indian Constitution?

Ans- Federalism refers to the existence of more than one level of government

in a country. It is the basis feature of the Indian Constitution.

Various levels of governance that exist in our country are as follows:

(i) Centre: Central Government

(ii) State: State Government

(iii) Village: Panchayati Raj

Federalism is necessary in a vast country such as India to accommodate the

demands of all sections of the society in the decision-making process.

Q-9 What are the 3 main organs of the Indian government and what are their

functions?

Ans- The 3 main organs of the Indian government are as follows:

(i) Legislature: It is a law-making body.

(ii) Executive: It looks after the implementations of laws.

(iii) Judiciary: It adjunctions the disputes.

Q-10 What are the Fundamental Right provided by the Constitution of India?

Ans- The Fundamental Right provided by the Constitution of India are as

follows:

(i) Right to Equality

(ii) Right to Freedom

(iii) Right against Exploitation

(iv) Right to Freedom of Religion

(v) Cultural and Educational Right

(vi) Right to Constitutional Remedies.

Q-11 Why are Fundamental Right important?

Ans- The Constitution of India provides 6 Fundamental Right to its citizens.

These rights are important because of the following reasons:

(i) They provide to the Indian citizens a safe-guard against the misuse of

power by the state.

(ii) These rights aim to ensure the dignity of every individual.

(iii) These rights have been made judiciable, i.e., the citizens can

approach the courts in case of the violation of any of their

Fundamental Right.

Q-12 Write few lines on important of a constitution.

Ans- The constitution identities the centre of power where decisions are taken.

It decides how the government will be constituted and puts limit on what

government can impose on its citizens i.e. the government can never make

rules that go against the laws of constitution. Finally, the Constitution

expresses the fundamental identity of the people, which means that the

people as a collective entity, come into being only through the Constitution.

IMORTANT POINTS OF THE CHAPTER

For the proper functioning of a country, laws are necessary.

A Constitution consists of a set of rules and principles to govern the

country.

The Indian Constitution was drafted by the Constituent Assembly which

was formed in December 1946.

The Constituent Assembly consisted of 300 members in 1946. It was

headed by Dr. Rajendra Prasad.

The Constituent Assembly completed the work in two years, eleven

months and eighteen days.

The Constitution of India was enacted or adopted on 26th November,

1949 and came into force on 26th January,1950.

The main features of Indian Constitution are: Federalism, parliamentary

form of government, separation of powers, fundamental rights,

independent judiciary and secularism.

6 Fundamental Right have been granted to the citizens of India.

A secular state is that which does not officially promote any particular

religion as the state religion.

FLOWCHART

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

1. A set of fundamental rules according to which the country functions is

called_________.

(a) a law

(b) an amendment

(c) a constitution

(d) a preamble

2. The father of the Indian Constitution is_____________.

(a) Mahatma Gandhi

(b) Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru

(c) Sardar Patel

(d) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar

KEY FEATURES OF INDIAN CONSTITUTION

Federalism Parliamentary form

a Government Separation of

Powers Fundamental

Rights

Secularism

3. Our Constitution was enacted on______________.

(a) 26th January,1950

(b) 15th August,1947

(c) 2nd October, 1950

(d) 26th November, 1949

4. Panchayati Raj is the _________________ tier of the government

(a) First

(b) Second

(c) Third

(d) Fourth

5. When all the citizens of a country are equal before law, it implies

(a) Parliamentary Rule

(b) Independence of the Judiciary

(c) Right to Equality

(d) Fundamental Rights

6. Which one of the following is not a key feature of the Indian

Constitution?

(a) Federalism

(b) Presidential form of Government

(c) Secularism

(d) Separation of Power

7. __________________ was the President of the Constituent Assembly.

(a) Dr. Rajendra Prasad

(b) Jawaharlal Nehru

(c) Dr. Ambedkar

(d) Mahatma Gandhi

8. In India, we have governments at the State Level and at the

_________________ level.

(a) Centre

(b) Block

(c) Panchayat

(d) None of these

9. A country is usually made up of different __________________.

(a) political parties

(b) rivers

(c) mountains

(d) communities

10. Trafficking in human beings means

(a) buying and selling of human beings.

(b) buying and selling of boys.

(c) buying and selling of girls.

(d) work with payment.