Glimpses of the Past

 Comprehension Check (Page 45)

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?

The opening lines of the original song in Hindi are:

“Aye mere watan ke logon, tum khub laga lo naara

yeh shubh din hai ham sab ka, lehralo tiranga pyaara"

This was sung by Lata Mangeshkar. 

In the picture, we see great leaders of India, namely – 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”?

The East India Company’s “superior weapons” refers to the arms and ammunition such as guns and cannons, wit, strict rules and regulations.

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

An artisan is a skilled worker who makes things. British took a lot of  much money from them, hurt their sales, and sold machine-made things.

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

Picture 7 – The Sparks (1855-57) reveals the first sparks of 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?

Indian princes didn't realize British plans in 1757. British gained power, won prince battles, aiming to control the country.

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

East India Company sold English items and gained power. Indian princes fought, sought English aid. People suffered. Rivalries helped Company control India.

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

Ram Mohan Roy told his wife Uma, “Cows are of different colours, but the colour of their milk is the same. Different teachers have different opinions but the essence of every religion is the same.”

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

British hurt Indians through by following these strategies: high taxes on peasants, low import duty, sold England goods, harmed artisans by cutting thumbs.

5. Name these people.

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

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

(ii) The person who wanted to reform society.

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.

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

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

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

6. Mention the following.

(i) Two examples of social practices prevailing then.

Child marriage and untouchability.

(ii) Two oppressive policies of the British.

No taxes on goods from England and Indians could be jailed with out a trial in court.

(iii) Two ways in which common people suffered.

The farmers were heavily taxed by the British, and the thumbs of the skilled artisans were cut to ruin their business.

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

1. Santhals in Bengal lost land due to new British rules.

2. Discontent Indian sepoys: low pay, mansions for white soldiers.

3. Brahmin soldiers angered by grease from cow and pig fat.

4. Landlords upset, lost estates due to harsh British policies.

Working with language (Page 46)

1. Change the following sentences into indirect speech.

(i) First man: We must educate our brothers.

Second man: And try to improve their material conditions.

Third man: For that, we must convey our grievances to the British Parliament.

(i)

(a) The first man said that they must educate their brothers.

(b) The second man added that they must try to improve their material conditions.

(c) The third man suggested that they must convey their grievances to the British Parliament.

(ii) First soldier: The white soldier gets huge pay, mansions and servants.

Second soldier: We get a pittance and slow promotions.

Third soldier: Who are the British to abolish our customs?

(ii)

(a) The first soldier said that the white soldier got huge pay, mansions and servants.

(b) The second soldier remarked that they got a pittance and slow promotions.

(c) The third soldier asked who the British were to abolish their customs.