These DAV Class 8 SST Solutions and DAV Class 8 SST Chapter 13 Question Answer – Colonialism and Urban Change are thoughtfully prepared by experienced teachers.
DAV Class 8 SST Ch 13 Question Answer – Colonialism and Urban Change
DAV Class 8 SST Ch 13 Solutions – Colonialism and Urban Change
Something to Know
A. Tick (✓) the correct option.
Question 1.
Which one of the following was not a Presidency Town during the British period?
(a) Surat
(b) Bombay
(c) Calcutta
(d) Madras
Answer:
(a) Surat
Question 2.
The British shifted their capital from Calcutta to which other place in 1911?
(a) Shimla
(b) Madras
(c) Bombay
(d) New Delhi
Answer:
(d) New Delhi
Question 3.
Which one of the following did not happen due to the introduction of railways in India?
(a) awareness against social evils.
(b) freedom from foreign exploitation.
(c) aroused the need for modern education.
(d) divided the Indian society.
Answer:
(b) freedom from foreign exploitation.
Question 4.
Employment opportunties of Calcutta increased many times due to-
(a) building infrastructure facilities.
(b) its location in the east of India.
(c) its nearness to the sea.
(d) migration of people from other cities.
Answer:
(a) building infrastructure facilities.
Question 5.
Which one of the following was not an objective for the New Delhi Municipal Committee set-up by the Britishers?
(a) To provide an underground sewer system.
(b) To construct more open nallas to drain out water.
(c) To provide medical and public health facilities.
(d) To introduce a proper water supply system.
Answer:
(d) To introduce a proper water supply system.
B. Fill in the blanks.
1. The great literary figures like ________, ________ and ________ were influenced by the English pattern of writing.
Answer:
Rabindranath Tagore, Aurobindo Ghosh; Mulk Raj Anand
2. Many huge ________ wonders were built in the port city of Madras by the Britishers.
Answer:
architectural
3. Many English painters arrived in India in search of princely ________ .
Answer:
patronage
4. Calcutta was the ________ capital of the British, whereas their ________ capital was Shimla.
Answer:
imperial; summer
5. ________ was set-up in 1955 to develop and manage land in Delhi.
Answer:
Delhi Development Authority
C. Match the following.
| 1. Relocation of New Delhi as the British capital | (a) 1877 |
| 2. Formation of Delhi Municipal Committee | (b) 1946 |
| 3. Delhi Durbar for Queen Victoria | (c) 1863 |
| 4. Beginning of Indian Railways | (d) 1911 |
| 5. Restructuring of Delhi Police | (e) 1853 |
Answer:
| 1. Relocation of New Delhi as the British capital | (d) 1911 |
| 2. Formation of Delhi Municipal Committee | (c) 1863 |
| 3. Delhi Durbar for Queen Victoria | (a) 1877 |
| 4. Beginning of Indian Railways | (e) 1853 |
| 5. Restructuring of Delhi Police | (c) 1863 |
D. Answer the following questions in brief.
Question 1.
Why did the British introduce railways in India? Explain any three reasons.
Answer:
The British introduced railways for the following reasons:
- Commercial advantage. Railways collected raw material from fields and mines and sent them to the ports to be transported to England for British industries.
- Political aspect. Railways safeguarded the British possessions in different parts of India to enable quick movement of armed forces and administrative convenience.
- Defence aspect. More importantly, the railways helped the British Defence Forces in India to counter the military attacks of other imperialist countries, who were trying to expand their influence.
Question 2.
Describe the police organisation of Lord Cornwallis.
Answer:
Lord Cornwallis organised the police into a regular force. A Superintendent of Police looked after each district with the assistance of a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP). Each district was divided into thanas under darogas. Villages and town were looked after by chokidars and kotwals.
Question 3.
Highlight any three major improvements that took place in Delhi before the Delhi Durbar of 1877.
Answer:
The three major improvements that took place in Delhi before the Delhi Darbar of 1877-
- The cantonment occupied about one- third of the area of the walled city.
- Town Duties Committee was set up by the Britishers for the development of the Cantonment.
- Delhi Municipal Committee was formed for constructing railway lines, stations, road links etc.
Question 4.
How did some old trading centres lose their, glory and became de-urbanised?
Answer:
Many old towns, for some specialised goods, lost their glory with the decline in demand for their products. The old trading centres and ports were replaced by new trade centres. De-urbanisation during the nineteenth century destroyed the important cities of Surat, Masulipatnam and Srirangapattnam.
Question 5.
What type of discrimination did the people of Calcutta experience after it became the British capital in India?
Answer:
Calcutta became the capital of the British. It was divided into two parts-
(i) The British part was known as the White Town.
(ii) The Indian part was known as the Black Town.
The Indian part was inhabited by the poor. It had congested streets and shanties, whereas the British part had sprawling bunglows and with wide open spaces.
E. Answer the following questions.
Question 1.
The British successfully influenced painting, literature and architecture of India’. Give examples to support this statement.
Answer:
The art, architecture, painting, and literature, were greatly influenced by the western contact.
- Indian painters changed their selection of themes and medium of painting from the influence of Western style of painting.
- In the city of Madras and Bombay, many churches, town halls, railway stations were constructed that resembled famous buildings in England.
- The great literary figures of India were influenced by the English pattern of writing.
Question 2.
Describe any five major changes brought about in Delhi by the British before the development of New Delhi.
Answer:
British started acquiring more and more lands for troops, camps, churches, hospitals, residences, clubs, etc.
- A Town Duties Committee was set-up by the Britishers for the development of the Contonment, Khyber Pass, the Civil Lines and the Ridge area.
- In 1863, Delhi Municipal Committee was formed for the shifting of the vegetable market outside the walled city, constructing railways lines, railway stations and road links.
- The canal in Chandni Chowk was filled up and trees were cut to cater to increasing traffic, especially, the trams.
- The most modernised developments for this time were piped water and sewerage of the walled city.
Question 3.
Describe the distinct features of the city of Calcutta as developed by the British in India. Inspite of this, why did the British shift their capital to New Delhi?
Answer:
In 1850s, the industrial growth in the field of textile and jute led the Britishers to start building infrastructure facilities like railways, roads and telegraph lines. Henceforth the population and employment opportunities of Calcutta increased tremendously.
As the size and population of the new urban areas expanded, the Calcutta Municipal Corporation was established. But increasing political discontent all over India forced the British to relocate their capital to New Delhi in 1911 as it was more centrally located for administrative convenience.
Question 4.
Introduction of railways in India proved to be a blessing in disguise.’ Give three arguments in favour of and three against the statement.
Answer:
Railways were introduced in India for the benefit of the British administration, political control and trade. But railways brought many changes in the lives of Indians. People from different parts of India came in close contact. This communication brought about an awareness against social evils, need of education and freedom from foreign exploitation.
There was a lot of opposition against the introduction of railways in India. It offended the people of higher castes as people from all castes had so sit together. Moreover, Indians were not allowed to travel in first class. It was reserved for Europeans. But in any case, railways provided many avenues of profit making for the British.
Question 5.
Describe the developmental activities undertaken to construct and develop New Delhi as the new British Capital.
Answer:
The British shifted their capital from Calcutta to Delhi in 1911. The Delhi Durbar changed the look of the city. Civil Lines area (now Delhi University and Old Secretariat) was set-up. The imperial Delhi Committee was formed in 1913 for the construction of the new capital.
Later, the Chief Commissioner of Delhi created the Raisina Municipal Committee for building the new capital—New Delhi. It became the residence of the Viceroy and the new administrative centre. The English town planners, especially, Edwin Lutyens, prepared the architectural design for the place of the Viceroy, called the Viceroy’s House (now Rashtrapati Bhawn), Circular Pillar Palace (Parliament House), Kingsway (Rajpath) and War Memorial (India Gate) along with many green spaces, parks and gardens.
Value Based Question
While watching the Republic Day celebration at the Rajpath on television, you were surprised to see the well planned roads and building there. Then your grandfather told you that they were planned during the British period.
Question 1.
Highlight some examples of town planning done by the British in Delhi.
Answer:
In 1824, planning began in Delhi when a Town Duties Committee was set-up by the Britishers for the development of the Cantonment, Khyber Pass, the Civil Lines and the Ridge area. In 1863, Delhi Municipal Committee was formed. Its main achievements were shifting of the vegetable market outside the walled city, constructing railways lines, railway stations and road links. Delhi Durbar of 1877 (for Queen Victoria) saw a lot of improvement like schemes for drainage, water supply, irrigation, road construction and development of residential areas in Delhi.
The canal in Chandni Chowk was filled up and trees were cut to cater to increasing traffic, especially, the trams. The most modernised developments for this time were piped water and sewerage of the walled city. Earlier, the drinking water was supplied to the old city from Ali Mardan Canal. The New Delhi Municipal Committee (NDMC) was set-up to look after all the civic amenities like water supply, electricity, buildings, roads, sewers, medical and public health of the capital. It provided an underground sewer system in the whole area. All big, open nallas were covered.
Question 2.
How did this planning prove to be beneficial for the Indians?
Answer:
After independence, the Government of India set-up Delhi Development Authority in 1955, which was empowered to prepare a master plan and zonal plans for housing, commercial centres, parks, playgrounds, etc., to develop and manage land in Delhi. Master Plan for Delhi provides a basic policy frame for guiding Delhi’s development.
Question 3.
According to you, what three precautions should be taken by citizens to ensure good conditions of roads.
Answer:
Three precautions that citizens should take to ensure good condition of roads:
- People should not throw garbage on roads.
- If they find dilapidated road anywhere they should complain to the concerned authorities about it so that maintenance work can be done soon. Besides they should not break road or dig ditch for personal benefits.
- Road are the property of public, so one should not encroach roads for their personal use because travelers have to suffer it. Encroachment causes jams on roads. Moreover, being good citizens people should obey traffic rules.
Something to Do
Question 1.
Compare the activities of New Delhi Municipal Committee during British period and the present time in free India.
Answer:
| Responsibilities of NDMC during British period | Responsibilities of NDMC in the present time |
|
|
Question 2.
During your vacation, plan a trip to Delhi and visit the Rashtrapati Bhawan, Parliament House, Rajpath and areas around them. In your opinion, how far is this a British to the Indians?
Answer:
Do it yourself
Question 3.
Collect pictures, facts and other relafCu information to established chat Delhi is indeed a heritage city.
Answer:
Do it yourself
DAV Class 8 Social Science Chapter 13 Question Answer – Colonialism and Urban Change
A. Tick (✓) the correct option.
Question 1.
Which one of the following cities does not have a port?
(a) Mumbai
(b) Kolkata
(c) Chennai
(d) Delhi
Answer:
(d) Delhi
Question 2.
Which of the following cities was destroyed due to the de-urbanisation during the nineteenth century?
(a) Calcutta
(b) Surat
(c) Delhi
(a) Bangalore (Bengaluru)
Answer:
(b) Surat
Question 3.
When did the urbanisation start?
(a) 1871
(b) 1876
(c) 1881
(b) 1886
Answer:
(c) 1881
Question 4.
Who among the following prepared the architectural design for the palace of viceroy?
(a) Robern Owen
(b) Louis Blanc
(c) Nikolai
(d) Edwin Lutyens
Answer:
(d) Edwin Lutyens
Question 5.
Which of the following is responsible to prepare a master plan and zonal plans for housing commerical centres, parks etc.?
(a) Imperial Delhi Committee
(b) Delhi Development Authority
(c) New Delhi Municipal Committee
(d) Delhi improvement Trust
Answer:
(b) Delhi Development Authority
Question 6.
When did the first train run in India?
(a) On April 6, 1853
(b) On April 6, 1854
(c) On April 12, 1853
(d) On April 12, 1854
Answer:
(a) On April 6, 1853
Question 7.
The Partition of Bengal took place in the year
(a) 1926
(b) 1927
(c) 1858
(d) 1905
Answer:
(d) 1905
B. Very Short Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
How do we come to know that ancient India had well-planned towns and cities?
Answer:
The excavation of Indus valley Civilisation proved that ancient India had well-planned towns and cities.
Question 2.
What do you mean by de-urbanisation?
Answer:
De-urbanisation means destruction of old towns and cities.
Question 3.
Why did many towns lose their glory during the Medieval period?
Answer:
Many towns lost their glory during the medieval period due to decline in demand for their products.
Question 4.
What tempted the British to make investment in Calcutta?
Answer:
The speedy industrial growth from 1850s in Calcutta especially in the field of textile and jute, encouraged the British to make investment in Calcutta.
Question 5.
Why did the British start acquiring more and more land in Delhi?
Answer:
The British started acquiring more and more land in Delhi for constructing the troops, camps, Churches, hospital, clubs etc.
Question 6.
For what purpose was the imperial Delhi Committee formed?
Answer:
The Imperial Delhi Committee was formed to construct and manage the construction of the new capital, Delhi.
Question 7.
What was the role of New Delhi Municipal Committee?
Answer:
New Delhi Municipal Committee looked after all the civic amenities like water supply, electricity, building, roads, sewers, medical and public health in New Delhi.
Question 8.
What was the function of Delhi Improvement Trust?
Answer:
Delhi Improvement Trust undertook many scheme like town expansion, slum clearance and slum improvement scheme for the progress of Delhi.
C. Short Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
Why do you think de-urbanisation was a significant development during the British Rule in India?
Answer:
De-urbanisation was a significant development during the Britishers rule in India. Many ancient towns like Surat and Masulipatnam destroyed. British’s, main focus was the urban development of three port towns— Bombay, Calcutta, Madras for their own benefits.
Question 2.
Why did many people, relocate to other cities from their regional kingdoms?
Answer:
The rapid expansion of British power in India ended the power of regional kingdoms, which were earlier great centers of administration. Once they lost their gloiy, many people migrated to other cities.
Question 3.
Write, in brief, the history of Delhi.
Answer:
Delhi has a long history. It is believed that the town was known as ‘Indraprashta’ during the times of epic Mahabharata. The earliest architectural remains, found in the city of Delhi, date back to the Mauryan Period. Subsequently, the city saw the rise and fall of many empires like the Guptas, the Delhi Sultanate, the Mughals and many others.
Question 4.
Why was the New Delhi Municipal Committee set up?
Answer:
The New Delhi Municipal Committee (NDMC) was set-up to look after all the civic amenities like water supply, electricity, buildings, roads, sewers, medical and public health of the capital. It provided an underground sewer system in the whole area. All big, open nallas were covered.
Question 5.
What was the impact of British on architecture?
Answer:
Many huge architectural wonders were built in the port city of Madras. Many churches were constructed in English style with artistic carvings. The Governor of Madras give the city a colonial look with bunglows and banquet halls to suit the British liking for official evening functions. In Bombay city also, churches, town halls, railway stations and many other structures were constructed that resembled famous buildings in England.
Question 6.
For what purpose was the Kalka Mail introduced?
Answer:
The Kalka Mail from Howrah to Kalka was introduced to make the annual migration of British officials, their families, servants and centres from the then imperial capital at Calcutta to the summer capital in Shimla.
D. Long Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
Describe how the urbanisation of Calcutta took place.
Answer:
By early nineteenth century, Calcutta, the capital of the British, divided into two parts-
(i) the British part was known as the White Town.
(ii) the Indian part was known as the Black Town.
The Indian part was inhabited by the poor. It had congested streets and shanties, whereas the British part had sprawling bunglows and with wide open spaces.
The speedy industrial growth from 1850s in Calcutta, especially, in the field of textile and jute, attracted British investments. They started building infrastructure facilities like railways, roads and telegraph lines. Henceforth the population and employment opportunities of Calcutta increased tremendously.
As the size and population of the new urban areas expanded, a need for “Urban Local Bodies’ arose. Hence, the Calcutta Municipal Corporation was established.
Question 2.
Describe the police system established by the British in Delhi.
Answer:
In 1857, the British laid down the foundation of a systematic police system under Indian Police Act. Lord Cornwallis organised the police into a regular force. A Superintendent of Police looked after each district with the assistance of a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP). Each district was divided into thanas under darogas. Villages and town were looked after by chowkidars and kotwals.
In 1912, Delhi’s first Chief Commissioner was appointed and handed over the duties and responsibilities of Inspector General of Police. In 1946, Delhi Police was restructured with the appointment of Inspector General, Deputy Inspector General and Superintendents.