NCERT Chapter Summary: From Trade to Territory - The Company Establishes Power

NCERT Chapter Summary: From Trade to Territory - The Company Establishes Power

1. What attracted European trading companies to India?

The European trading companies were attracted to India because of fine quality of cotton and silk produced in India and Indian spices such as pepper, cloves, cardamom and cinnamon.

2. Who explored India?

Vasco-da-Gama, a Portuguese explorer discovered the sea-route to India in 1498.

3. Who granted the sole right to trade with East to East India Company?

Queen Elizabeth I granted the sole right to trade with East to East India Company.

4. What attracted the Britishers to India?

The fine qualities of cotton and silk. They could buy goods at a cheap price and sell them to Europe at a higher price.

5. Which items were in great demand in Europe?

Pepper, cloves, cardamom and cinnamon were in great demand in Europe.

6. What was the first major victory of Britishers in India?

The Battle of Plassey became famous because it was the first major victory the company won in India.

7. Who was Mir Jafar?

Mir Jafar was the commander-in-chief of Nawab's army in Bengal.

8. Who was Tipu Sultan?

Tipu Sultan was the ruler of Mysore. He was known as 'The Tiger of Mysore'.

9. Name the kingdoms, which were annexed on the basis of 'Doctrine of Lapse'.

Satara (1848), Sambalpur (1850), Udaipur (1852), Nagpur (1853) and Jhansi (1854).

10. What does Impeachment refer to?

Impeachment is a trial by the House of Lords in England for charges of misconduct brought against a person in the House of Commons.

11. Name the types of courts established under new system of justice.

Each district had two courts. A criminal court known as faujdari adalat and a civil court known as diwani adalat.

12. What do you mean by Dharmashastra?

Dharmashastra means sanskrit texts prescribing social rules and codes of behaviour, composed from 500 BCE onwards.

13. What constituted the Mughal army?

The Mughal army was mainly composed of cavalry (horsemen) and infantry that is paidal (foot) soldiers.