Chapter 3


Comprehension Check (Page 45)

Question 1:

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?

Answer:The original Hindi song begins with the lines:

“Aye mere watan ke logon, tum khub laga lo naara
Yeh shubh din hai ham sab ka, lehralo tiranga pyaara
Par mat bhulo seema par, veeron ne hai praan ganvaaye
Kuchh yaad unhe bhee kar lo – (2)
Jo laut ke ghar naa aaye – (2)”

This soul-stirring song was sung by Lata Mangeshkar.

In the picture, several prominent Indian leaders can be seen, including Lal Bahadur Shastri, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bahadur Shah Zafar, Lala Lajpat Rai, Bhagat Singh, Mahatma Gandhi, and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.

 2:In Picture 2, what do you understand by the Company’s “superior weapons”?

Answer:The term “superior weapons” of the East India Company refers to the advanced arms and ammunition like guns and cannons, as well as their strategic intelligence, strict governance, and diplomatic skills.

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

Answer:An artisan is a skilled worker who makes decorative or practical items by hand. Artisans faced hardship because the British imposed heavy taxes on them, causing financial losses. Additionally, the import of machine-made goods from England flooded the market, undermining the demand for handmade products and further harming their livelihood.

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

Answer:In my view, Picture 7 – The Sparks (1855-57) depicts the initial sparks that ignited the fire of revolt.

Working with the text (Page 45)

Answer the following questions.

 1:Do you think the Indian princes were short-sighted in their approach to the events of 1757?

Answer:Yes, the Indian princes displayed a short-sighted approach in 1757 because they did not recognise the true intentions of the British. The British gradually established themselves as de facto rulers, gaining the trust of the princes and assisting them in minor conflicts, all while aiming to take control of the entire country.

 2:How did the East India Company subdue the Indian princes?

Answer:The East India Company expanded its influence by importing machine-made goods from England and selling them widely. Meanwhile, the Indian princes were often in conflict with one another and sought the help of the English merchants to defeat their rivals. These ongoing disputes disturbed the common people and, indirectly, allowed the Company to gradually overpower each prince individually and eventually establish control over the broader population.

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

Answer:Ram Mohan Roy explained to his wife Uma, “Cows may have different colours, yet their milk is the same. Likewise, teachers may have different views, but the core message of every religion remains identical.”

 4:In what ways did the British officers exploit Indians?

Answer:The British took advantage of Indians in many ways. They levied heavy taxes on farmers, lowered import duties on English-made goods to flood the Indian market, and even mutilated skilled artisans by cutting their thumbs, destroying their livelihoods.

 5:Name these people.

(i) The ruler who fought pitched battles against the British and died fighting.

Answer:Tipu Sultan of Mysore fought pitched battles against the British and died fighting.

(ii) The person who wanted to reform society.

Answer:Raja Ram Mohan Roy, a learned man from Bengal, wanted to reform society.

(iii) The person who recommended the introduction of English education in India.

Answer:Macaulay, an Englishman, recommended the introduction of English education in India.

(iv) Two popular leaders who led the revolt (Choices may vary.)

Answer:Two popular leaders who led the revolt were Maulvi Ahmedulla of Faizabad and Peshwa Nana Saheb.

Answer by Mrinmoee