Chapter: 17 Advent of the Europeans and Their Struggle for Supremacy
1)
Who were the first European to come to India?
Portuguese
2)
Who was the first European to arrive India?
Vasco da Gama
3)
When did Vasco da Gama reach India?
1498 AD
4)
Where in India did Vasco da Gama first land?
Kalicutt
5)
From whom did the Portuguese conquer Goa?
The Sultan of Biyapur
6)
Which was the first headquarters of the Portuguese in India?
Cochin
7)
The cultivation of which crops was started in India by the Portuguese for the
first time?
Tobacco, pepper, corn, papaya etc.
8)
Where was the first printing press set up in India?
Goa
9)
By which operation were the Portuguese expelled from India?
Operation Vijay
10)
When was the Dutch United East India Company founded?
1602 AD
11)
Write the names of any two Dutch trading centers in India.
Cochin, Surat, Agra, etc.
12)
When was the English East India Company founded?
1600 AD
13)
Who founded the English East India Company?
British traders
14)
When did Sir Thomas Roe come to India?
1615 AD
15)
When did the British set up their factory in Madras?
1640 AD
16)
When did the French make Pondicherry their capital?
1674 AD
17)
Who gave the English East India Company the monoply to trade with India?
Queen Elizabeth
18)
Where in India did the British establish their first colony?
Surat
19)
Where did the French set up their headquarters?
Pondicherry
20)
The battles of Karnataka were fought between which parties?
The British and the French
21)
Why were of the battles of Karnataka fought?
To establish commercial supremacy
22)
How many battles of Karnataka were fought between the English and the French?
3
23)
Who won the battles of Karnataka?
The English
24)
Who was the Nawab of Bengal during the Battle of Plassey?
Siraj-ud-daula
25)
When did the Battle of Plassey take place?
1757 AD
26)
The battle of Plassey took place between which two parties?
the British and Siraj-ud-daula
27)
When did the Battle of Buxar take place?
1764 AD
28)
When did Lord Clive become the Governor of Bengal?
1757 AD
29)
Which Governor General is considered the founder of the British Empire in
India?
Lord Clive
30)
Who gave the the British the right to free trade in India?
Farrukhsiyar
31)
When did the Farukhsiyar gave the right to duty-free trade to British in India?
1717 AD
32)
Where did the Black Hole incident take place?
Calcutta
33)
How many Englishmen were killed in a Black Hole incident?
123
34)
Whom did the British blame for the Black Hole incident?
Sirajuddaula
Long/Easy type Questions Marks-6
Q:
-1 what were the causes of success of the British and defeat of the French in India?
Ans: - Following
causes were responsible for the success of the English and the defeat of the
French in India:
1. Private character of the English Company: - The character of the English and French companies played an important role
in deciding their fortune in India. The English company was private company.
The officers of this company could take any decision independently. The
employees of the company too worked hard. On the other hand, the French company
was a government and for all its activities it had to take orders from the
French government. The French government unnecessarily interfered in the policies
of the company. Besides, the employees of the company took less interest in
their work because the company was under the government.
2. Better Economic Condition: - Better economic condition of the English was the second major cause of
their success. Even in the days of war, the English paid full attention to
their trade. On the other hand, the economic condition of the French was quite
and so many times, the French soldiers were not paid their wages because of
lack of funds. So the French officers had to drop many important plans half way
only.
3. Superior naval position of the English: - Superior naval position of the English played an important role in
defeating the French. The English were the emperor of the sea. So they could
get war material from England with the ease or could transfer it within India
easily. On the other hand the French lacked a powerful naval power due to which
they failed get any desired help from France in time.
4. Efficient generals. - The main credit for the
English victory goes to their efficient generals. The English had able generals
like Lord Clive, sir ayercoote and Lawrance etc. they were loyal to their
country and worked unitedly. On the other hand the French had no other able
general except Dupleix the generals like lally and Busse could not confront the
English generals decides the French generals fought among themselves over
trifles.
5. Recall of dupleix: - The French government
proved its stupidity by recalling the dupleix in 1754 A.D. at that time he was
the only person who could protect the interests of the French. His return made
the English victory much easy.
Q:-2
what were the causes of battle of the Plassey?
Ans:-the
causes of battle of Plassey in 23 June 1757 A.D. are given below:
1. British help to Siraj-ud-Daulah’s Rivals: - For a long time the British were looking for a golden opportunity to occupy
Bengal. The controversial succession of the Siraj-ud-Daulah gave them
opportunity. The British, by helping the rivals of Siraj-ud-Daulah raised many
obstacles for Siraj-ud- Daulah. Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah spoke to the British
about it many times but he did not get any satisfactory answer. Due to this
reason, Nawab Siraj-ud- Daulah becomes a sworn enemy of the British.
2. Fortification of Calcutta: - Bengal was very important for commercial point of the view. Therefore,
both the British and the French were eager to occupy Bengal. With this purpose,
they began to fortify Calcutta. The French conceded to this demand of Siraj-ud-Daulah
but the British refused to do so. Due to this tension between the British and
Siraj-ud-Daulah increased.
3. Misuse of the commercial privileges: - In 1717 A.D. the Mughal emperor Farrukhsiyar has exempted the British
from further taxes in Lieu of Rs. 3000 yearly tax and allowed them free trade
in Bengal, Bihar and Orissa. However, the British began to misuse this privileges.
They refused to pay any tax even on their private trade. Siraj-ud-Daulah could
not tolerate this because his treasury was getting exhausted.
4. Reoccupation of Calcutta by the English: - When the British came to know about the occupation of Calcutta and the
black Hole tragedy, they were enraged. In order to avenge their disgrace they
made up their mind to re- occupy Calcutta. With this purpose the British sent
an army to Calcutta under the leadership of Admiral Watson and Lord Clive.
After a short encounter, this army re- occupied Calcutta on 2th January, 1757
A.D.
5. Capture of Chandernagar: - Clive was afraid lest the French of Chandernagar join Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah.
Therefore, he entered into a treaty with Siraj-ud-Daulah and attacked Chandernagar
and occupied it on 23 march, 1757 A.D.
Q:-3
what was the significance of the battle of Plassey?
Ans: - The battle of Plassey was
fought in 23 June 1757 A.D. although the battle of plassey was only for the
name sake but it had far- reaching effects on the Indian history. Their brief description is as follows:-
1. Establishment of British control over Bengal: - After the battle of Plassey the reign of Siraj-ud-Daulah came to an end
and in his place, the British made Mir Jaffar the nawab of Bengal. He was
merely a puppet in the hands of British. Thus, the British became the real
rulers Bengal.
2. Financial gains: - The battle of plassey
proved very significant for the british from the financial point of view. They
not only received Lacs of rupees as gift from Mir Jaffar but also obtained the Zimmidari
of 24 Paraganas. From this land, they got a yearly income of 1 % lac pounds.
3. It paved the way for the further conquest of India: - The battle of Plassey was very important from the historical points of
view. After winning this battle, the British became aware of the weakness of
Indian rulers. They realized that the baiting them with a little bit of power,
they could easily locate some traitors. Apart from this, they also came to know
that with small number of army they could easily withstand the huge army of
India.
4. It increased the prestige of company: - Before the battle of plassey. The east India Company was only a
commercial company but after this battle it become a political power it could
make anyone the Nawab of Bengal or dethrone him whenever it wanted. Therefore,
its prestige enhanced much more as compared to other Europeans companies.
5. Bengal played a decisive role between the English and
the French: - The British had their control over
Bengal because of the battle of plassey. The British were able to face the
French because of huge amount of money that they received from Bengal. In
addition to this Bengal was also very important from the geographical point of
view. Therefore, the British could successfully act against the French.
Q:-4
Write the causes of the battle of Buxar?
Ans: - The
account of the causes, events and results of the battle of Buxar (22 October
1764 A.D.) is follows:-
1. Reforms of Mir Qasim: - In 1760 A.D., the
British made Mir Qasim the new Nawab of Bengal. He proved to be an able and
courageous ruler. He made munghyer near Murshidabad his capital. He appointed
French and American officers to give modern training to army. But the British
could not bear Mir Qasim’s power.
2. Deposition of Mir Qasim: - The British had started misusing the trade facilities that it belonged to
the company. Mir Qasim’s told the British not to misuse the trade privileges
but when the British did not comply, then he did away with the tax on the
Indian traders. The British could not tolerate it; in 1763 A.D. they deposed
Mir Qasim. So Mir Qasim became the sworn enemy of the British.
3. Massacres of English prisoners: - Major admas, a British commander had defeated Mir Qasim in the battle of
Katwah, Giria, Murshidabad and Munghyer. The infuriated Mir Qasims killed 200
English prisoners. This bloodshed enraged the British. They defeated the Army
of Mir Qasim and occupied Patna. Mir Qasim fled from Patna to avadh.
Q:-5
why is Lord Clive known as the founder of British Empire in India?
Ans: - Lord Clive is considered the
founder of British rule in India. This effect is evident
from the ahead points:-
1. Clive and the second battle of carnatic: - The second battle of Carnatic (1749-1755 A.D.) Brought about a new turn
in Clive’s life. He besieged Arcot, the capital of Carnatic and bewildered
Chanda Sahib. He was compelled to come to Arcot along with his army. Clive was
successful in winning the battle after the siege of 53 days. This made Clive
famous.
2. Re-occupation of Calcutta: - Siraj-ud-Daulah, the Nawab of Bengal defeated the British on 20° June
1756 A.D. and occupied Calcutta. Therefore, the british sent the army under the
command of Clive and Admiral Watson to re-occupy Calcutta. After a short
encounter.
3. Occupation of chandernagar: - Chnadernagar was a very important settlement of the French in Bengal. It
was very important from geographical and commercial point of view. In March,
1757 A.D. Clive attacked this important settlement and occupied it.
4. Battle of plassey: - On 23 June, 1757 A.D. a
battle was fought at Plassey, between the British and Siraj-ud- daulah. On
account of treachery of Mir Jaffar siraj-ud-daulah was easily defeated. Clive
made Mir Jaffar the new Nawab of Bengal. He was merely a puppet in the hands of
the British. Clive obtained from the Zimmidari of 24 Parganas and many more
facilities.
