Comprehension Check

2. In picture 2 what do you understand by the Company’s “superior weapons”?

A. The British East India company used “superior weapons” to conquer most
parts of India. Superior weapons refer to their strategizing abilities that enabled
them to take advantage of the already existing tensions among Indian princes. It
also refers to the better quality of weapons and power that they possessed.
3. Who is an artisan? Why do you think the artisans suffered? (picture 3)
A. Artisan refers to a worker, skilled in a particular trade, especially one that
involves making things by hand. The artisans suffered because the Britishers
were importing goods from Britain without paying any import duty that made
them cheaper than what was being made by the local artisans. They imported
cotton from the cotton mills that left the cotton weavers to die due to starvation.
Working with the Text
Answer the following questions.
1. Do you think the Indian princes were short-sighted in their approach to the
events of 1757?
A. Yes, Indian princes were “short-sighted” in their approach to the events of
1757 which means they only considered immediate benefits but ignored its long-
term consequences. They were not at peace amongst themselves. So, they took
help from the English merchants to be able to defeat their rivals. This helped the
British East India Company in successfully taking over control from the Indian
rulers. The British adopted the “Divide and Rule” policy.
2. How did the East India Company subdue the Indian princes?
A. The British East India Company took advantage of the prevailing tensions
among the Indian princes of various provinces. They eagerly helped them in their
wars against each other and subdued the Indian princes one by one. They
adopted the policy of “Divide and Rule”.

3. Quote the words used by Ram Mohan Roy to say that every religion teaches
the same principles.
A. In the words of Raja Ram Mohan Roy, “Cows are of different colours, but the
colour of their milk is the same”. He used these words to explain that, regardless
of every teacher having varied opinions, every religion has the same essence and
is based on similar principles.
4. In what ways did the British officers exploit Indians?
A. The British officers kept on finding ways to exploit Indians. They levied heavy
taxes upon the farmers which forced the poor farmers to give up their lands.
They even threatened to imprison them if they did not clear their arrears. Not only
this, they even passed Regulation III that allowed them to imprison any Indian
without following a proper trial procedure in court. They removed all the import
duties on goods being imported from Britain. By 1829, goods worth seven crore
rupees were being imported to India. This led to extinction of small businesses
and individual artisans. It caused massive famines leading to deaths in large
numbers. They even pressurised Indians to convert into Christianity. Those
working under the East India company were exploited and given inadequate
wages. They were hardly promoted.
6. 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.
Answer- (i) Untouchability and Child Marriage (ii) 1. No import duty on goods
imported from Britain 2. Introducing Regulation III that allowed them to send
Indian to jail without a trial in court (iii) Two ways in which common people
suffered. 1. Untouchability 2. Child marriage (iv) 1. Inadequate wages, slow
promotions to those working under the East India Company. 2. Landlords were
sore after they lost their land and estate under the new land rules. 3. Brahmin
soldiers when they discovered that the bullet grease they were supposed to bite
was made of cow and pig fat. 4. Former rulers who had lost their kingdoms.