7th Standard, Social science, History, CHAPTER 5
THE GROWTH OF BRITISH SUPREMACY (1758-1856 C.E)
EXERCISES
I Fill in the blanks.
1 Doctrine of Subsidiary Alliance was introduced by Lord Wellesley.
2 Robert Clive entered into an agreement with Shah Alam II (1765C.E).
3 Regulating act was passed in the year (1773 C.E)
4 Doctrine of lapse policy was introduced by Lord Dalhousie
II Answer the following in one or two sentences each.
1 Between whom was the Battle of Buxar fought?
Answer: The Battle of Buxar fought between the British and Mir Qasim of Bengal.
2 What is meant by Diwani rights?
Answer: Diwani rights was decided that the British Company had to pay 26 lakh rupees to the Mughal King every year. In return, the British obtained ‘Diwani’ rights in the provinces of Bengal (including Assam), Bihar and Orissa. Diwani means the right to collect land revenue.
3 Who is Ranjit Singh?
Answer: An adventurous youth named Ranjit Singh was the leader of one Sector among the Sikhs in 18th century. At the age of 18, he became the king of Lahore (Punjab).
III Answer the following in two or three sentences each.
1 How did the British obtain Diwani right? What were its effects?
Answer: According to the Diwani right, it was decided that the Company had to pay 26 lakh rupees to the Mughal King every year. In return, the British obtained ‘Diwani’ rights in the provinces of Bengal (including Assam), Bihar and Orissa. Diwani means the right to collect land revenue.
Effects:
1. Through the Diwani right, the East India Company acquired official sovereignty in Bengal.
2. It also gained freedom in matters of levying and collecting taxes. As a result, Bengal was subjected to severe economic exploitation.
3. The company collected crores of rupees in the form of land revenue and filled its coffers.
2 What are the effects of the Doctrine of Subsidiary Alliance?
Answer: The effects of Doctrine of Subsidiary Alliance are as follows.
a) The massive burden of military expenses weakened the financial position of the kingdoms.
b) The British took large areas of land under their control. The kings who agreed to this system came indirectly under the British control.
c) The states coming under this policy lost their sovereignty.
3 Why was the Doctrine of Lapse policy unjust?
Answer: ‘Doctrine of Lapse’ policy unjust because any Indian king who had no descendants lost the kingdom, since adopted children were denied the right to the throne. Consequently, many kingdoms which did not have royal descendants, came under British control. This rule was against the practice of adoption in India since ancient times.
Additional Questions and Answers.
- What is Regulating Act?
Answer: The British officials, working in the East India Company started extorting money through unscrupulous means. In order to put an end to this, the British government decided to properly regulate the activities of the Company and keep it under control. In this direction, the British Parliament passed the ‘Regulating Act’. According to this Act, Warren Hastings got appointed as the First Governor General.
2. What is ‘Doctrine of Subsidiary Alliance’ policy?
Answer: Lord Wellesley encouraged the kings to engage British army support to avoid possible danger of attack from the neighbouring kings. These kings had to retain the British army in their kingdoms and pay for their expenses in cash, failing which they had to transfer a portion of land to the British. The British called this ‘Doctrine of Subsidiary Alliance’.
3. What is ‘Doctrine of Lapse policy’?
Answer: Any Indian king who had no descendants lost the kingdom, since adopted children were denied the right to the throne. Consequently, many kingdoms which did not have royal descendants, came under British control. This policy is called as ‘Doctrine of Lapse’. This rule was against the practice of adoption in India since ancient times.
