Class 8 Social Science (Exploring Society Part 1) Chapter 4: The Colonial Era in India

New NCERT Exploring Society: India and Beyond Part 1 · Class 8 Social Science · Part 1 · Chapter 4: The Colonial Era in India

This chapter explains what drew European powers to India and how colonial rule changed the country. It covers the Portuguese, Dutch, French and British, famines and the drain of wealth, early resistance and the Great Rebellion of 1857.

From the Class 8 Social Science Short Notes, made as per the new NCERT book Exploring Society: India and Beyond · Pages 35–46 of the book.

Key points

• The 'Age of Colonialism' usually means Europe's expansion from the 15th century, driven by political competition, economic gain, religion and, to a lesser extent, scientific inquiry.
• Till the 16th century India was an economic powerhouse, making at least one-fourth of world GDP by Angus Maddison's estimate.
• Vasco da Gama arrived at Calicut in 1498; the Portuguese captured Goa in 1510, imposed the cartaz system and set up the Inquisition in Goa in 1560.
• King Marthanda Varma of Travancore defeated the Dutch at the Battle of Colachel in 1741.
• The French set up a post at Pondicherry in 1674 but lost the Carnatic Wars (1746–1763) to the British.
• The English East India Company turned from traders to rulers through 'divide and rule'; it won the Battle of Plassey in 1757.
• The Doctrine of Lapse and the subsidiary alliance helped the British take control of Indian states.
• Famines under British rule killed huge numbers, such as the 1770–1772 Bengal famine and the Great Famine of 1876–1878.
• Wealth was drained to Britain through taxes and charges; Indian textile industries were ruined, and India's share of world GDP fell to hardly 5% at Independence.
• Macaulay's 'Minute on Indian Education' (1835) replaced traditional schools and created an English-educated elite.
• Early resistance included the Sannyasi-Fakir Rebellion, Kol Uprising, Santhal Rebellion and Indigo Revolt.
• After the Great Rebellion of 1857, the British Crown took direct control in 1858 and the British Raj began.

Key terms

• Colonialism: The practice where one country takes control of another region, sets up settlements and imposes its political, economic and cultural systems.
• GDP: Gross domestic product: the value of goods and services a country produces in one year.
• Cartaz: A Portuguese pass that every ship in the Arabian Sea had to buy, or be seized.
• Doctrine of Lapse: A princely state would be annexed if its ruler died without a natural male heir, ignoring the tradition of adoption.
• Subsidiary alliance: A British Resident was placed in an Indian ruler's court; the ruler kept British troops at his own cost and conducted foreign relations only through the British.
• Princely state: A state ruled by an Indian prince who accepted British protection in return for internal autonomy.
• Mutiny: A rebellion by soldiers (or sailors) against their officers.

Diagrams to learn

• Fig 4.1 India's share of world GDP before and after colonial rule
• Timeline: Europeans arrive
• Table: Portuguese, Dutch, French and British compared
• Flowchart: Battle of Plassey, divide and rule in action
• Fig 4.5 The drain of wealth from India to Britain
• Table: early resistance movements
• Flowchart: how the revolt spread (1857)
• Map work: centres of the revolts

A real page from the book

Frequently asked questions

What was the Battle of Plassey?

In 1757, the East India Company led by Robert Clive fought Siraj-ud-daulah, the Nawab of Bengal, at Palashi. Clive plotted with the Nawab's commander Mir Jafar, whose troops stood aside, and the British won.

What was the Doctrine of Lapse?

Under this 19th-century policy, a princely state would be annexed if its ruler died without a natural male heir. It ignored the Hindu tradition of adoption and contributed to the 1857 Rebellion.

What was the result of the 1857 rebellion?

It planted the idea that foreign rule was unacceptable. In 1858 the British Crown took direct control from the Company and the British Raj began.

← Part 1 · Chapter 3: The Rise of the MarathasPart 1 · Chapter 5: Universal Franchise and India’s Electoral System →

All free Class 8 chapter notes