Chapter-3

Glimpse of the Past

Word meaning
1. Rivalries – the act of competing.
2. Conquests – an act of winning.
3. Inevitably – clearly
4. Superstition – an irrational belief arising from ignorance.
5. Suspicious – doubtful
6. Oppression – the act of subjugating by cruelty.
7. Grievances – a complaint against wrong doing.
8. Massacred – to kill people brutally.
9. Humiliated – cause of feel shame.
10. Pittance – a very small amount of money that is less than what someone deserves.

Summary of the chapter

1. The chapter describes the events and the circumstances that took place in India during
the year 1757 to 1857.
2. It starts with the time when the East India Company was very strong in India. The Indian
princes and states were busy fighting with each other.
3. They often sought British help and thus British took advantage of this to gain power and
establish their rule in India.
4. The social conditions were also not in good shape. Social evils such as child marriages,
untouchability, sati pratha, etc. were prevalent in society.
5. And this led to the first Revolt of Independence in 1857.

Answer the following questions

Que1. 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?
Ans. The opening lines of the song that can be depicted in picture 1 are-
“Aye mere vatan ke logon, tum khub laga lo naara
Yeh shubh din hai ham sab kaa, lahara lo tiranga pyaara…….
The song is sung by Lata Mangeshkar. In the picture, we can also see Indira Gandhi, Pandit
Jawaharlal Nehru and Lal Bahadur Shastri.

Que2. In picture 2 what do you understand by the Company’s “superior weapons”?

Ans. 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.
Que3. Who is an artisan? Why do you think the artisans suffered? (picture 3)
Ans. 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.
Que4. Which picture, according to you, reveals the first sparks of the fire of revolt?
Ans. Picture 7, according to me, reveals the first sparks of the fire revolt.
Que5. Do you think the Indian princes were short-sighted in their approach to the events of
1757?
Ans. 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.
Que6. How did the East India Company subdue the Indian princes?
Ans. 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”.
Que7. Quote the words used by Ram Mohan Roy to say that every religion teaches the same
principles.
Ans. 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.

Que8. 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. 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.
This led to extinction of small businesses and individual artisans. It caused massive famines
leading to deaths in large numbers. Those working under the East India company were
exploited and given inadequate wages. They were hardly promoted.
Que9. Name these people.
(i) The ruler who fought pitched battles against the British and died fighting.
Ans. Tipu Sultan of Mysore
(ii) The person who wanted to reform the society.
Ans. Raja Ram Mohan Roy of Bengal
(iii) The person who recommended the introduction of English education in India.
Ans. Lord Macaulay
(iv) Two popular leaders who led the revolt (Choices may vary.)
Ans. Nana Sahib Peshwa, Kunwar Singh

Que10. Mention the following.

(i) Two examples of social practices prevailing then.
Ans. Untouchability and Child Marriage.

(ii) Two oppressive policies of the British.

Ans. 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.
Ans. The farmers were taxed heavily and the thumbs of skilled workers were cut.

(iv) Four reasons for the discontent that led to the 1857 War of Independence.
Ans. 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.

2. Brahmin soldiers when they discovered that the bullet grease they were
supposed to bite was made of cow and pig fat.

3. Former rulers who had lost their kingdoms.