8th

Indian History and Civics

Unit 1: Invasion and Resistance

1. What 1453 event disrupted land trade and pushed Europeans to find new sea routes to the East?

The conquest of Constantinople by the Turks, which blocked the primary land trade hub between Europe and Asia.

2. Who was the first European to reach India by sea, and in what year?

Vasco da Gama from Portugal, who reached Kozhikode in 1498.

3. Name one new agricultural plant introduced to India by the Portuguese.

The Portuguese introduced the cashew tree (parangi mavu), papaya, guava, and pineapple.

4. What was the historical significance of the Battle of Colachel in 1741?

It was the first time an Indian ruler (Marthandavarma of Travancore) defeated a European power (the Dutch), leading to the decline of Dutch supremacy in India.

5. What is considered the greatest contribution of the Dutch relationship with India?

The compilation of Hortus Malabaricus, a comprehensive book on the medicinal plants of Kerala.

6. Which battle in 1757 is seen as the start of the British East India Company's political dominance in India?

The Battle of Plassey, where Robert Clive's forces defeated the Nawab of Bengal.

7. What crucial right did the Company gain after the Battle of Buxar in 1764?

The right to collect taxes (Diwani) in the provinces of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa.

8. What British policy, enacted by Lord Dalhousie, allowed the annexation of princely states that lacked a male heir?

The Doctrine of Lapse.

9. Who was the first soldier to protest the controversial greased cartridges, leading to the 1857 Revolt?

Mangal Pandey at Barrackpore.

10. What major administrative change occurred in India as a direct impact of the 1857 Revolt?

The rule of the English East India Company ended, and the administration of India came under the direct control of the British Queen (the British Crown). The title of Governor-General was changed to Viceroy.

Unit 2: Towards the Emergence of the National Movement

1. Who proposed the "Drain Theory" to explain Britain's economic exploitation of India?

Dadabhai Naoroji, in his book 'Poverty and Un-British Rule in India'.

2. How did Western education, introduced by the British, paradoxically contribute to Indian nationalism?

It exposed educated Indians to ideals like democracy, freedom, and equality, which made them question British rule. English also became a common language for nationalist leaders to communicate.

3. Which Act did the British pass to control newspapers published in regional Indian languages?

The Vernacular Press Act.

4. Which social reformer founded the Brahma Samaj and was instrumental in the abolition of Sati?

Raja Ram Mohan Roy.

5. Who founded the Satyashodhak Samaj in Maharashtra to fight for the rights of lower-caste people and women?

Jyotirao Phule.

6. Who was the prominent female social reformer that established Sharada Sadan, a shelter for widows?

Pandita Ramabai.

7. In what year and city was the Indian National Congress (INC) formed?

It was formed in 1885 in Bombay (now Mumbai).

8. What was the real motive behind Lord Curzon's Partition of Bengal in 1905?

To weaken the nationalist movement by dividing the province along religious lines (Hindu-majority West Bengal and Muslim-majority East Bengal) and breaking a stronghold of opposition.

9. What were the two main methods of protest used during the Swadeshi Movement?

The boycott of foreign (especially British) goods and the promotion and use of Indian-made (Swadeshi) goods.

10. Who were the three prominent leaders of the 'Extremist' faction of the Congress, collectively known as Lal-Bal-Pal?

Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and Bipin Chandra Pal.

Unit 3: Movements of the Earth: Rotation and Revolution

1. What is the term for the Earth's movement as it spins on its own axis?

Rotation. It takes approximately 24 hours to complete one rotation.

2. What is the term for the Earth's movement in a fixed orbit around the Sun?

Revolution. It takes 365¼ days to complete one revolution.

3. Earth's rotation is responsible for day/night and what other phenomenon that deflects winds and ocean currents?

The Coriolis Effect, caused by the Coriolis Force.

4. What is the term for the point in Earth's orbit when it is closest to the Sun, occurring in January?

Perihelion.

5. What is the term for the point in Earth's orbit when it is farthest from the Sun, occurring in July?

Aphelion.

6. What is an 'equinox', and on which two approximate dates does it occur?

An equinox is when day and night are of equal duration. It occurs around March 21 (Spring Equinox) and September 23 (Autumnal Equinox).

7. What is a 'solstice', and on which date does the Northern Hemisphere experience its longest day?

A solstice marks the longest or shortest day of the year. The Northern Hemisphere's longest day is the Summer Solstice, around June 21.

8. What is the name of the 0° longitude line that passes through Greenwich, England, used as the basis for global time?

The Prime Meridian. The time at this meridian is known as Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

9. Why do large countries adopt 'Standard Time' instead of using 'Local Time' for every city?

To avoid confusion and have a uniform time for official purposes, railway schedules, and telecasts across the country. It is based on a selected Standard Meridian.

10. How many time zones is the world divided into, and how many degrees of longitude does each zone typically cover?

The world is divided into 24 time zones, each typically covering 15° of longitude.

Unit 4: Basic Economic Problems and the Economy

1. What are the three fundamental economic problems that every society must solve?

What to produce, how to produce, and for whom to produce.

2. What is the main characteristic of a Capitalist Economy?

The factors of production are owned by private individuals, and the main objective is to maximize profit.

3. In a Socialist Economy, who owns and controls the factors of production?

The government owns and controls the factors of production, with social welfare as the main objective.

4. What type of economy does India have, which combines features of both capitalism and socialism?

A Mixed Economy, which features the coexistence of private and public sectors.

5. Which German philosopher and economist developed the 'Theory of Surplus Value'?

Karl Marx.

6. Which economist famously argued for government intervention in the economy to solve problems like unemployment?

John Maynard (J. M.) Keynes.

7. What was the core of Mahatma Gandhi's economic philosophy for India?

An economy based on self-sufficiency and decentralisation, focusing on rural industries and local markets to ensure social justice.

8. Which Indian economist won the Nobel Prize for his contributions to 'Welfare Economics'?

Amartya Kumar Sen (in 1998).

9. Which Indian-American economist won the 2019 Nobel Prize for his experimental approach to alleviating global poverty?

Abhijit Vinayak Banerjee.

10. Differentiate between basic needs and gratifying needs.

Basic needs are essential for survival (food, clothing, shelter), while gratifying needs make life more comfortable and happy but are not essential for survival (luxury items).

Unit 5: Constitution of India: Rights and Duties

1. In which Part of the Indian Constitution are the Fundamental Rights listed?

Part III of the Constitution of India.

2. Which historical document from 1215 in Britain is considered an early charter of rights?

The Magna Carta.

3. Which Fundamental Right ensures equality before the law and prohibits discrimination?

The Right to Equality (Articles 14 to 18).

4. The freedom of speech and expression is guaranteed under which fundamental right?

The Right to Freedom (Article 19).

5. The Right against Exploitation prohibits the employment of children under what age in hazardous workplaces?

Under the age of 14 years (Article 24).

6. Which Article did Dr. B. R. Ambedkar call the "heart and soul of the Indian Constitution"?

Article 32, the Right to Constitutional Remedies, which allows citizens to approach the courts if their fundamental rights are violated.

7. What are the guidelines for governments, listed in Part IV of the Constitution, called?

The Directive Principles of State Policy.

8. What is the key difference in enforceability between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles?

Fundamental Rights are justiciable (enforceable by courts), while Directive Principles are non-justiciable (not enforceable by courts).

9. In which year were the Fundamental Duties added to the Indian Constitution?

In 1976, through the 42nd Constitutional Amendment.

10. Name one Fundamental Duty of an Indian citizen.

Examples include: To abide by the Constitution, to protect the sovereignty and integrity of India, to safeguard public property, to protect the natural environment, etc.