Karnataka SSLC Class 10 Social Science (History) Chapter 1 ‘The Advent Of Europeans To India’ textbook Questions and Answers Solution by Expert Teacher. This Chapter Exercise includes Fill in the blanks, Discuss in groups questions and answers.
I. Complete the following blanks with suitable answers:-
- In 1453, the Ottoman Turks occupied the city of Constantinople.
- The sea route between India and Europe was discovered by Vasco da Gama.
- In 1741 Dutch declared war on Travancore with kottarakara province in the
- The capital of the French in India was Puducheri or Pondichery.
- In 1757, Robert Clive declared Plassey battle over Siraja -ud-Daulah.
- The Diwani rights over Bengal were handed over to the British by Shah Alam-II.
- The Dual government policy was implemented by Robert Clive in
II.) Discuss in groups and answer the following questions:-
1.) How did trade take place between India and Europe during Middle Ages?
`There were trade and commerce relations between India and Europe since ancient times. There was great demand for Indian pepper, cumin, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger and many other spices in Europe. The trade relations between India, Europe and other Asian countries continued even during the Middle Ages. The Arab merchants carried Asian merchandise to Constantinople of the Eastern Roman Empire. The Italian merchants would buy these goods and then sell them in European countries. Constantinople was thus the center of international trade and was considered as the ‘Gateway of European Trade’. While Arab merchants had gained monopoly over the trade in Asian countries, Italian traders had gained monopoly over trade in Europe. The merchandise from Asia brought good profits to Italian merchants.
2.) State the Causes that resulted in the discovery of a new sea route in India?
The trade and commerce between Asia and Europe was carried on through the city of Constantinople. In 1453, the Ottoman Turks captured the city of Constantinople. As a result, all the trade routes connecting the city of Constantinople came under the control of Turks. The Turks started levying too many taxes on the goods passing through these routes. As a result, trade became unprofitable. Meanwhile, Spain, Portugal and other European rulers were attempting to break the monopoly of Italian traders. They started encouraging enterprising sailors to find a new sea route to India. The invention of compass, astrolabes, and gunpowder provided further impetus to this venture. Vasco da Gama, a Portuguese sailor left Lisbon and reached Kappadu near Calicut on the West coast of India in 1498. Thus he was successful in discovering a new sea route to India. This route continued to be the route of trade between
India and Europe for many years. The Portuguese were thus the first to re-establish trade between India and Europe.
3.) List the Europeans who came to India for Trade?
With the success of the Portuguese, the Dutch, French and the English arrived in India for trade. This development not only changed the history of India, it also changed the history of European countries. The Portuguese: The Portuguese were the first to arrive in India for trade and were also the last to leave India by the sea route. In 1602 the Dutch East India Company came to India and established trading centers at Surat, Broach, Kambe, Kochin, Nagapatnam, Masulipatnam and Chinsore. On 31st December 1600, Queen Elizabeth issued a royal charter authorizing the East India Company to trade with Eastern countries for fifteen years. The company started the trade formally in 1613. The Mughal Emperor Jahangir issued a royal permission to the English to establish their first warehouse or factory at Surat. The French East India Company started as a government owned company in 1664. It started its first factory at Surat in 1668. Later they established its factories in Machalipatinam, Chandernagore, Mahe, Karaikal, Cassimbazar, Balasore. In 1674, the French took Valikandapuram from a local Muslim official and developed it as a major trade center. Later it came to be known as Puducheri or Pondichery. This became the Capital of the French till they left India.
4.) Explain how Marthanda Varma Checked the Dutch?
In the politics of Kerala the one who lived in the most important phase and rescued an important principality from the foreigners was Raja Marthanda Varma of Wynad. He ruled from 1729 to 1758 and saved from the surrounding rulers as well as foreigners. He compiled an army of 50,000 Soldiers to extend the border of wynad. He occupied the pepper growing areas, by this time the Dutch who were trying to monopolise was defeated by Marthanda Varma. He also wrote a strong letter to the Dutch that he would never give up the trade rights of pepper to any foreigners. In 1741 the Dutch declared war on Travancore with Kottarakara province in the forefront, Marthanda Varma’s army strongly sent it back. The Dutch came back to kochin but with the help of Simhalese forces the Dutch attacked Marthanda Varma. Four days serious battle took place from 10th August 1741 at Kolachchal. He decided to route out the Dutch from India and established the trade rights of pepper in Kerala and Tamilnadu. He also got back the ports which were in the control of the Dutch.
5.) Explain the Second Carnatic war.
In the changed circumstances, the French made Salabath Jung, another son of Asaf Jha, as the Nizam of Hyderabad. An officer named Bussy was appointed in Hyderabad for his protection by the French. In the Carnatic Chandasaheb had become the Nawab with the help of French. Robert Clive of East India Company attacked Arcot, the capital city of Carnatic and defeated Chandsaheb. Chandsaheb was imprisoned and later killed in the war. In the place of Chandsaheb, the English named Mohammad Ali, the son of Anwaruddin, as the Nawab of Carnatic. The second Carnatic war ended with the Treaty of Pondicherry. the French recalled Dupleix. This war brought laurels to the English, while the French suffered a political setback.
6.) State the causes and results of the battle of Plassey.
Causes:- Siraj ud-Daulah was furious that the Dastaks were misused by the officials of the company causing losses to the government treasury. The British repaired the fort of Calcutta and placed canons in them. This further angered Siraj-ud-Daula and he ordered the removal of the canons from the fort. The British refused to do so, angering the Nawab further. Siraj ud-Daulah conquered Fort William easily and imprisoned some of the British. He imprisoned 146 Englishmen in a small room in the fort, of which 123 died. This is called the Black hole Tragedy. This enraged Robert Clive and arrived in Bengal with a huge army.
Results:- This war brought out the immorality, lack of unity among the Indians and the greed of Indian businessmen. Mir Jaffar became the Nawab of Bengal. The company gained exclusive rights to trade in Bengal. Mir Jaffar had to pay Rupees seventeen crores and seventy lakhs to Sirja-ud-Daulah as war indemnity for the attack of Fort William. In a nutshell, Mir Jaffar became a victim of the company and its employees. Eventhough the treasury went bankrupt due to this greedy nature, the greediness of the company and its officials was never satisfied.
7.) What were the results of the Battle of Buxar?
Mir Qasim was defeated and ran away from the battlefield. Shah Alam-II surrendered. The efforts of the combined forces to stop the British failed miserably. Shah Alam-II accorded the Diwani rights over Bengal to the British. Shah Alam-II gave away all the rights over Bengal to the British for an annual fee of Rupees 26 lakhs. Shuj-ud-daula the Nawab of Awadh had to pay war indemnity of Rupees 50 lakhs for waging a war against the company. With the death of Mir Jaffar, the company paid a pension to his son and took over the entire administration of Bengal. The battle of Buxar made the British the real holders of power over Bihar, Bengal and Odisha provinces. Even Awadh remained under their control. In 1765, Robert Clive brought in ‘Dual-government in Bengal’.
III.) Activity:-
1.) Collect information on the Presidency cities built by the British.
Calcutta (Kolkata) was the capital of British India from 1772 to 1911. It was established as a trading post by the British East India Company in 1690. The city became a major administrative and economic center for India. Calcutta is known for its colonial architecture, including the iconic Victoria Memorial.
Madras (Chennai) was established by the British in the early 17th century. It served as the capital of the Madras Presidency. Madras was an important center for trade and education during British rule. The city is known for its British-era buildings and institutions.
Bombay (Mumbai) was a prominent presidency city on the west coast of India. It became a major port and economic hub for the British. The city’s growth was fueled by trade, industry, and the development of infrastructure.
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