Class 8 History Chapter 2 From Trade to Territory

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Practice Class 8 History Chapter 2 MCQs based on NCERT. Learn about Lord Dalhousie, the Doctrine of Lapse, annexation of Indian states, and the expansion of Company rule.

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Chapter Information

Class: 8
Subject: Social Science – History
Chapter: 2 – From Trade to Territory: The Company Establishes Power
Practice Set: 8
Board: CBSE / NCERT

4. Introduction

The East India Company used different political and administrative methods to expand its control over Indian territories. During the nineteenth century, the Company increasingly interfered in the affairs of Indian states.

One important policy associated with Lord Dalhousie, who served as Governor-General, was the Doctrine of Lapse. Under this policy, the Company sought to annex certain states when their rulers died without a natural heir.

This practice set focuses on the Doctrine of Lapse and its role in the expansion of Company rule.

5. What You Will Learn

In this practice set, students will learn about:

• Lord Dalhousie
• The Doctrine of Lapse
• The Company’s policy towards Indian states
• Adoption and succession
• Annexation of Indian states
• Expansion of Company territories

6. Why This Topic Is Important

The Doctrine of Lapse is an important part of the chapter because it shows how the Company used political policies along with military power to expand its territories.

7. 5 MCQs with Detailed Solutions

MCQ 1. Who introduced the Doctrine of Lapse as an important policy of territorial expansion?

A. Lord Wellesley
B. Lord Dalhousie
C. Warren Hastings
D. Robert Clive

Answer: Lord Dalhousie

Detailed Solution

Lord Dalhousie was the Governor-General of India from 1848 to 1856. During his period of administration, the Company used the Doctrine of Lapse to annex several Indian states.

The policy became an important instrument of territorial expansion during the nineteenth century.

Concept Behind This Question:
Lord Dalhousie is closely associated with the Doctrine of Lapse and the annexation of several Indian states.

MCQ 2. According to the Doctrine of Lapse, what happened when a ruler of a state died without a natural heir?

A. The state automatically became independent
B. The Company could annex the state
C. The ruler’s family always retained complete control
D. The British returned the state to the Mughal emperor

Answer: The Company could annex the state

Detailed Solution

Under the Doctrine of Lapse, the Company claimed the right to annex certain states when their rulers died without a natural heir.

The policy was based on the Company’s refusal to recognise an adopted heir in such cases for the purpose of continuing the ruler’s authority over the state.

Concept Behind This Question:
The Doctrine of Lapse was used by the Company as a means of expanding its territorial control.

MCQ 3. Which of the following states was annexed under the Doctrine of Lapse?

A. Satara
B. Bengal
C. Punjab
D. Awadh

Answer: Satara

Detailed Solution

Satara was one of the states annexed under the Doctrine of Lapse.

Other states associated with the policy included Sambalpur, Jhansi and Nagpur.

Students should remember that the Doctrine of Lapse was one of several methods used by the Company to expand its territories.

Concept Behind This Question:
Satara was an important example of a state annexed under the Doctrine of Lapse.

MCQ 4. Which state was annexed by the Company in 1854 under the Doctrine of Lapse?

A. Jhansi
B. Mysore
C. Hyderabad
D. Travancore

Answer: Jhansi

Detailed Solution

Jhansi was annexed by the East India Company in 1854 under the Doctrine of Lapse.

The policy became particularly significant in states where rulers had adopted heirs. The Company’s position regarding succession led to disputes over the control of such states.

Concept Behind This Question:
Jhansi is one of the most important examples connected with the Doctrine of Lapse.

MCQ 5. Which of the following was another state annexed under the Doctrine of Lapse?

A. Nagpur
B. Kashmir
C. Sind
D. Delhi

Answer: Nagpur

Detailed Solution

Nagpur was another important state annexed under the Doctrine of Lapse.

The annexations of states such as Satara, Sambalpur, Jhansi and Nagpur increased the territory under Company control.

Concept Behind This Question:
The Doctrine of Lapse contributed to the territorial expansion of Company rule during Lord Dalhousie’s period.

8. Important Concepts

Lord Dalhousie

Lord Dalhousie served as Governor-General of India from 1848 to 1856. His period saw significant territorial expansion by the East India Company.

Doctrine of Lapse

The Doctrine of Lapse was a policy used by the Company to annex certain states when their rulers died without a natural heir recognised by the Company.

Natural Heir

A natural heir generally refers to a biological child who could inherit the position of the ruler.

Adopted Heir

Indian rulers could traditionally adopt a son to continue their family line and succession. The Company’s policy did not recognise such adoption for succession to the state in cases covered by the Doctrine of Lapse.

Annexation

Annexation means taking control of a territory and bringing it under the authority of another power.

9. Related Practice Questions

1. Who was Lord Dalhousie?
2. What was the Doctrine of Lapse?
3. Why did the Company use the Doctrine of Lapse?
4. Name two states annexed under this policy.
5. What is meant by annexation?

10. Mini Quiz Challenge

Question:
Which policy is associated with Lord Dalhousie and the annexation of states without a recognised natural heir?

Answer: Doctrine of Lapse

11. Exam Tips

• Remember Lord Dalhousie → Doctrine of Lapse.
• Remember the important states: Satara, Sambalpur, Jhansi and Nagpur.
• Understand the difference between natural heir and adopted heir.
• Remember that annexation means bringing a territory under the control of another power.
• Lord Dalhousie was Governor-General from 1848 to 1856.

12. Quick Revision Notes

• Lord Dalhousie was Governor-General from 1848 to 1856.
• The Doctrine of Lapse was used to annex certain states.
• States without a recognised natural heir could be annexed under the policy.
• Satara, Sambalpur, Jhansi and Nagpur are important examples.
• The policy contributed to the territorial expansion of Company rule.

13. Common Mistakes Students Make

Mistake 1: Confusing Lord Dalhousie with Lord Wellesley

Lord Wellesley is associated with the Subsidiary Alliance, while Lord Dalhousie is associated with the Doctrine of Lapse.

Mistake 2: Forgetting the important examples

Remember:

Satara – Sambalpur – Jhansi – Nagpur

Mistake 3: Thinking annexation means only military conquest

Annexation means bringing a territory under the control of another power. The Company used different political and administrative methods for territorial expansion.

Mistake 4: Confusing natural and adopted heirs

The Doctrine of Lapse became controversial because the Company did not recognise adopted heirs in the same way as natural heirs for succession to the state.

14. Key Takeaways

• Lord Dalhousie was Governor-General from 1848 to 1856.
• He is closely associated with the Doctrine of Lapse.
• The policy was used to annex several Indian states.
• Satara, Sambalpur, Jhansi and Nagpur are important examples.
• The policy increased Company territorial control.

15. FAQs

Q1. Who introduced the Doctrine of Lapse?

Lord Dalhousie is associated with the introduction and implementation of the Doctrine of Lapse.

Q2. What was the Doctrine of Lapse?

It was a policy under which the Company claimed the right to annex certain states when their rulers died without a natural heir recognised by the Company.

Q3. Name two states annexed under the Doctrine of Lapse.

Satara and Jhansi were among the states annexed under the policy.

Q4. When was Jhansi annexed?

Jhansi was annexed in 1854.

Q5. What was the effect of the Doctrine of Lapse?

It helped the East India Company expand its territorial control over several Indian states.

16. Conclusion

The Doctrine of Lapse was an important policy used during Lord Dalhousie’s period. It contributed to the expansion of Company territories through the annexation of several Indian states.

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