ENGLISH
GLIMPSES OF THE PAST
ACTIVITY: PASTE A COMIC STRIP BEFORE WRITING THE NOTES
I. Answer the following:
1. Name the three prime ministers of independent India whose pictures are on the
story board.
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri, and Smt Indira Gandhi.
2. In picture 2 what do you understand by the company’s “Superior weapons”.
Company’s superior weapons refer to the more efficient weapons which the
British had (possessed).
3. Who is an artisan? Why do you think the artisans suffered?
An artisan is a person who is skilled in an applied art or craft person.
The intentions of the British goods were imported duty free into India but the
Indian goods were heavily taxed. To make the Indian artisans incapable of doing
their work the British cut the thumbs of the expert artisans.
4. Do you think the Indian princess were short sighted in their approach to the
events of 1757?
Indian princess were indeed short sighted in their approaches to the event of
1757. They fought against each other and sought help of the British. They had to
suffer for their short sightedness.
5. How did the East India Company subdue the Indian princess?
Indian princess fought with one another very often and as a result they became
weak puppets in the hands of the British.
6. Quote the words used by Ram Mohan Roy to say that every religion teaches the
same principles.
The words of Raja Ram Mohan Roy were: “Cows are of different colours, but
the colour of their milk is white”, same different teachers have different opinions
but the essence of every religion is the same.
7. In what ways did the British officers exploit Indians?
The British passed the resolution, under it an Indian could be jailed without a
trial in the court. British goods were imported to India. Indian industries began to
die, the governor – general Bentinck reported “The bones of cotton weavers are
bleaching the plains of India”.
8. What was the first requirement of society according to Ram Mohan Roy?
According to Ram Mohan Roy the first requirement was to get rid the society
from superstition and evil practices. He asked Indians not to desperate themselves
and assures them that they were capable of greatest achievements.
9. What important change did Lord Macaulay bring in the education system in
India?
Lord Macaulay introduced English as the medium of education in India.
Earlier the education in India was imparted through the medium of Persian and
Sanskrit. Initially it also produces a new generation of intellectuals.
II. Name these people:
1. The ruler who fought pitched battles against the British and died fighting.
Tipu Sultan of Mysore.
2. The person who wanted to reform the society.
Raja Ram Mohan Roy of Bengal.
3. The person who recommended the introduction of English education in India.
Lord Macaulay
4. Two popular leaders who led the revolt (choices may vary.)
Nana Sahib Peshwa, Kunwar Singh.
III Mention the following:
1. Two examples of social practices prevailing then.
Untouchability and Sati
2. Two oppressive policies of the British.
Subsidiary Aslliance and Doctrine of Lapse
