NCERT 8th Class (CBSE) Social Science: The Expansion Of British Power

Question: Discuss the growth of British influence with special reference to Mysore.

Answer: Tip Sultan and Haider Ali, the rulers of Mysore apposed the British. Mysore controlled a large part of spice trade. Tipu was close to the french and British did not like this. Then there were 4 wars between 1766- 1799. In the fourth Anglo-Mysore was British defeated Tipu Sultan. He died on 4th May, 1799 in the war while depending his capital Serinapatnam.

Question: Why did the British needed a large army? Describe the British army.

Answer: The British needed a large army to:

1. Conquer more territories.
2. Protect British territories from their rivals.
3. Protect the trading interests of the company.
4. Suppress internal revolts against the British.

Description the British army:

1. The army comprised of Indian soldiers, called sepoys.
2. The British army was well-trained and disciplined forces.
3. The sepoys were armed with muskets and were paid regular salary.
4. Sepoys were loyal to their British masters.
5. Most sepoys were recruited from areas at present day Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand.
6. British officers commanded the sepoys.
7. The sepoys were very conscious of their caste and religion.

Question: Why was there an intense rivalry among the trading companies of different European countries?

Answer:

1. The presence of numerous trading companies vying for goods such as spices – (pepper, clove, cardamom, cinnamon), cotton, silk, indigo, saltpetre and so on led to intense rivalry among them.
2. All of them wanted to buy these goods at law prices in India and sell them at very high prices, particularly in Europe.
3. Since profit was huge, each European country wanted to have greater share of this trade. All wanted to maintain trade monopoly, this led to wars.

Question: What were the issues of conflict between the nawabs of Bengal and the English East India Company?

Answer: Ali Vardi Khan laid two conditions which the Company had to obey or lose its right to trade in Bengal. These conditions were:

1. The officials of the Company engaged in private trad shall pay customs duty or the privilege of not paying the duty will be withdrawn altogether.
2. The Company shall not extend its fortifications. The Company refused to do so. Then nawab sent his troops and occupied  the Company’s factories in Calcutta. This alarmed the British officials and led to the Battle of Plassey.