Question Paper
Class / Subject: Class 8 (CBSE) · Social Science
Chapter: Chapter 4 — Chapter 4: The Colonial Era in India
Time Allowed: 32 minutes
Max Marks: 16
1. What event led to the British Crown taking direct control? [1]
(A) The Revolt of 1857
(B) The Battle of Plassey
(C) The Third Battle of Panipat
(D) World War I
2. What was the formal colonial rule called? [1]
(A) The British Raj
(B) The Mughal Empire
(C) The Maratha Confederacy
(D) The Gupta Empire
3. Who represented the British Crown in India? [1]
(A) The Viceroy
(B) The Peshwa
(C) The Sultan
(D) The Governor-General only, with no other title
4. What did the British introduce for administration? [1]
(A) New laws, courts and civil service
(B) Nothing new
(C) Only military rule
(D) Only religious rule
5. How did colonial rule affect India's economy? [1]
(A) It prioritised British interests
(B) It always benefited India equally
(C) It had no impact
(D) It improved Indian industry only
6. What was exported from India under colonial rule? [1]
(A) Raw materials
(B) Only finished goods
(C) Nothing
(D) Only gold
7. What infrastructure did the British introduce? [1]
(A) Railways and telegraphs
(B) Nothing new
(C) Only forts
(D) Only temples
8. Why is understanding colonial rule's establishment important? [1]
(A) It shows how India's governance and economy were transformed
(B) No reason
(C) Only for tests
(D) It's not useful
9. What did colonial policies favour? [1]
(A) British industries
(B) Indian industries only
(C) Neither industry
(D) Only farming
10. What was imported into India under colonialism? [1]
(A) Cheap manufactured goods
(B) Only raw materials
(C) Nothing
(D) Only food
11. What happened to traditional Indian craftspeople? [1]
(A) They were harmed by foreign competition
(B) They flourished more than ever
(C) Nothing changed for them
(D) They received support
12. What were farmers often forced to grow? [1]
(A) Cash crops like indigo and cotton
(B) Only food crops
(C) Nothing
(D) Only spices
13. What sometimes resulted from forced cash crop farming? [1]
(A) Famines and food shortages
(B) Better food security
(C) No effect
(D) More wealth for farmers
14. What was the Permanent Settlement? [1]
(A) A heavy revenue and taxation system
(B) A peace treaty
(C) A trade agreement
(D) A type of school
15. What did heavy taxation often lead to? [1]
(A) Debt and poverty for farmers
(B) Wealth for farmers
(C) No impact
(D) Better farming methods
16. What was the primary purpose of British-built railways? [1]
(A) Serving British economic interests
(B) Only benefiting Indian farmers
(C) No specific purpose
(D) Passenger comfort only