Class 5 Beginning of British rule in India Worksheet

Class 5 Beginning of British rule in India Worksheet

 

Section A – Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who discovered the sea route to India in 1498?
   a) Vasco da Gama
   b) Christopher Columbus
   c) Ferdinand Magellan
   d) Marco Polo
2. In which year was the English East India Company founded?
   a) 1500
   b) 1600
   c) 1700
   d) 1757
3. The Battle of Plassey was fought in:
   a) 1757
   b) 1764
   c) 1746
   d) 1857
4. Who was the Nawab of Bengal during the Battle of Buxar?
   a) Siraj-ud-Daulah
   b) Mir Qasim
   c) Mir Jafar
   d) Shuja-ud-Daula
5. Which policy was introduced by Lord Dalhousie?
   a) Doctrine of Lapse
   b) Subsidiary Alliance
   c) Divide and Rule
   d) Permanent Settlement
6. Who led the Revolt of 1857 in Jhansi?
   a) Begum Hazrat Mahal
   b) Rani Lakshmi Bai
   c) Tantia Tope
   d) Kunwar Singh
7. Who was declared leader of the Revolt of 1857?
   a) Rani Lakshmi Bai
   b) Nana Sahib
   c) Bahadur Shah Zafar
   d) Mangal Pandey
8. What does the word “colony” mean?
   a) Group of villages
   b) Country under another’s control
   c) Large army unit
   d) Fortified place
9. Which Governor-General introduced the Subsidiary Alliance?
   a) Lord Wellesley
   b) Lord Dalhousie
   c) Lord Canning
   d) Lord Cornwallis
10. Who was the Portuguese sailor who came to India?
    a) Vasco da Gama
    b) Bartolomeu Dias
    c) Alfonso de Albuquerque
    d) Duarte Barbosa

Section B – Fill in the blanks

1. The English East India Company was formed under the authority of Queen __________ I.
2. The first factory of EEIC in India was set up in __________ in 1615.
3. The Battle of Plassey was fought between Siraj-ud-Daulah and __________.
4. Mir Qasim was supported by Shuja-ud-Daula and __________ in the Battle of Buxar.
5. The __________ Wars were fought between the British and the French East India Company.
6. A __________ is an Indian soldier serving under the British.
7. The EEIC was first known as the Company of Merchants of London Trading with the __________.
8. In 1943, an all-women regiment in INA was named the __________ Regiment.
9. The Portuguese set up their first factory in __________.
10. The Revolt of 1857 is also called the __________ War of Indian Independence.

Section C – Match the following

1. Rani Lakshmi Bai | a. Bihar |
   2. Kunwar Singh | b. British Indian army |
   3. Begum Hazrat Mahal| c. Jhansi |
   4. Mangal Pandey | d. Bengal |
   5. Mir Qasim | e. Awadh |

Section D – True or False

1. Vasco da Gama discovered the sea route to India in 1598.
2. Queen Victoria became the Empress of India after 1857.
3. Lord Wellesley introduced the Doctrine of Lapse.
4. The Nawab of Bengal during the Battle of Plassey was Mir Jafar.
5. Tantia Tope was a loyal soldier of Peshwa Nana Sahib.

Section E – Short Answer Questions

1. Name the three Indian leaders who fought in the Revolt of 1857.
2. Why did Mir Qasim fight the Battle of Buxar?
3. Write two causes for the discontent among Indian sepoys in the British army.
4. Name the two policies introduced by the British to gain more control over Indian kingdoms.
5. Who were the allies of Mir Qasim in the Battle of Buxar?

Section F – Short Answer Questions

1. What is meant by Subsidiary Alliance?
2. Explain the Doctrine of Lapse in one or two sentences.
3. Why was the Battle of Plassey fought?
4. Name any three places where the British set up their trading posts by 1623.
5. What happened to Bahadur Shah Zafar after the Revolt of 1857?

Section G – Long Answer Questions

1. Write about the Carnatic Wars and their result.
2. Describe the events of the Battle of Plassey.
3. Explain how the Revolt of 1857 ended EEIC’s rule in India.
4. Describe the condition of Indian soldiers under the British army before 1857.

Section H – Long Answer Questions

1. Give a brief account of the Battle of Buxar.
2. Explain how the Portuguese established their trade in India.
3. Describe the role of Rani Lakshmi Bai in the Revolt of 1857.
4. Write about the main causes that led to the Revolt of 1857.

Class 5 Beginning Of British Rule In India Worksheet Answer Key

Section A:
1-a, 2-b, 3-a, 4-b, 5-a, 6-b, 7-c, 8-b, 9-a, 10-a

Section B:
1-Elizabeth, 2-Surat, 3-English East India Company, 4-Shah Alam II, 5-Carnatic, 6-sepoy, 7-East Indies, 8-Rani of Jhansi, 9-Cochin, 10-First

Section C:
1-c, 2-a, 3-e, 4-b, 5-d

Section D:
1-False, 2-True, 3-False, 4-False, 5-True

Section E – Short Answer Questions

1. Name the three Indian leaders who fought in the Revolt of 1857.
   Rani Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi, Kunwar Singh of Bihar, and Begum Hazrat Mahal of Awadh.
2. Why did Mir Qasim fight the Battle of Buxar?
   Mir Qasim fought because the British were misusing the trade privileges given to them, which reduced Bengal’s income. He wanted to stop this unfair trade and take back control.
3. Write two causes for the discontent among Indian sepoys in the British army.

• They were paid lower salaries than British soldiers.
• Higher posts were given only to British soldiers, not to Indians.

4. Name the two policies introduced by the British to gain more control over Indian kingdoms.

• Doctrine of Lapse
• Subsidiary Alliance

5. Who were the allies of Mir Qasim in the Battle of Buxar?

• Shuja-ud-Daula, the Nawab of Awadh
• Shah Alam II, the Mughal Emperor

 

Section F – Short Answer Questions

1. What is meant by Subsidiary Alliance?
   It was a policy in which Indian rulers had to keep British soldiers in their kingdom and pay for them. They also had to keep a British officer (Resident) in their court.
2. Explain the Doctrine of Lapse in one or two sentences.
   If an Indian ruler under British protection died without a natural male heir, the kingdom would be taken over (annexed) by the British.
3. Why was the Battle of Plassey fought?
   It was fought because the British were misusing trade privileges, not paying taxes (duties), and building forts without the Nawab’s permission.
4. Name any three places where the British set up their trading posts by 1623.
   Surat, Broach, Ahmedabad, and Agra (any three).
5. What happened to Bahadur Shah Zafar after the Revolt of 1857?
   He was captured by the British and sent to Rangoon (in present-day Myanmar) where he died in exile.

 

Section G – Long Answer Questions

1. Write about the Carnatic Wars and their result.
   The Carnatic Wars were three battles fought between 1746 and 1763 by the British East India Company and the French East India Company. Both wanted control over trade in India. Many Indian rulers joined these wars to strengthen their own power. Finally, the British defeated the French and became the main European power controlling trade in India.
2. Describe the events of the Battle of Plassey.
   In 1757, the Nawab of Bengal, Siraj-ud-Daulah, fought against the British East India Company because they misused trade rights and built forts without permission. The British made secret deals with some of Siraj’s commanders, including Mir Jafar. During the battle, these commanders did not fight, which helped the British win easily. Siraj-ud-Daulah was captured and killed, and Mir Jafar became the Nawab of Bengal.
3. Explain how the Revolt of 1857 ended EEIC’s rule in India.
   The Revolt of 1857 was a large uprising against the British, starting with sepoys and spreading to farmers, landlords, and rulers. Though the British crushed it, they realised the East India Company could not control India properly. In 1858, the British Crown took over India’s administration. Queen Victoria became the Empress of India, and a viceroy was appointed to rule on her behalf.
4. Describe the condition of Indian soldiers under the British army before 1857.
   Indian soldiers were paid less than British soldiers. They faced poor working conditions, fewer promotions, and almost no chances to get higher positions. They also had to obey orders without question, and there was discrimination between Indian and British soldiers.

 

Section H – Long Answer Questions

1. Give a brief account of the Battle of Buxar.
   The Battle of Buxar took place in 1764 between the British East India Company and the combined forces of Mir Qasim (Nawab of Bengal), Shuja-ud-Daula (Nawab of Awadh), and Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II. Mir Qasim was unhappy with the British because they misused trade privileges and hurt Bengal’s economy. The three rulers joined forces to fight the British at Buxar. However, the British army was stronger and defeated them. This victory gave the British complete control over Bengal and increased their power in India.
2. Explain how the Portuguese established their trade in India.
   The Portuguese were the first Europeans to come to India. Vasco da Gama discovered the sea route to India in 1498, reaching Calicut (Kozhikode). They later set up factories (trading centres) in Cochin and Goa. They bought spices, cotton, and other goods cheaply from India and sold them in Europe at high prices, making huge profits. Goa became their main base in India.
3. Describe the role of Rani Lakshmi Bai in the Revolt of 1857.
   Rani Lakshmi Bai was the queen of Jhansi. When the British tried to take over her kingdom under the Doctrine of Lapse, she refused to give up her rule. She joined the Revolt of 1857 and fought bravely against the British forces. Wearing a soldier’s uniform, she led her army into battle and became a symbol of courage and patriotism. She died fighting in 1858 but inspired many freedom fighters.
4. Write about the main causes that led to the Revolt of 1857.

• Political Causes: Policies like Doctrine of Lapse and annexation of kingdoms angered rulers.
• Economic Causes: Heavy taxes and misuse of trade rights hurt farmers and craftsmen.
• Military Causes: Indian soldiers were paid less, faced discrimination, and could not rise to higher ranks.
• Social and Religious Causes: Interference in social customs and fear of forced conversion created resentment.
• Immediate Cause: The introduction of new rifle cartridges greased with cow and pig fat hurt both Hindu and Muslim religious feelings, leading to open revolt.