Welcome To My School Study
Practice Class 8 Social Science Chapter 2 From Trade to Territory MCQs with answers based on NCERT. Learn about Bengal, the Nawabs, Company trade privileges, farmans, dastaks, and growing British influence with detailed explanations and revision notes.
Do You Know
Chapter Information
Subject: Social Science (History)
Class: 8
Chapter: Chapter 2 – From Trade to Territory: The Company Establishes Power
Question Type: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Practice Set: 2
Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate
Based On: NCERT Concepts
Introduction
During the eighteenth century, the East India Company began to increase its influence in India. Bengal became particularly important because it was a prosperous region with a strong economy and flourishing trade.
The Company received important trading privileges from the Mughal emperor, but these privileges later created conflicts with the Nawabs of Bengal. The Company’s increasing commercial and political ambitions brought it into confrontation with Indian rulers.
This stage was important because the Company’s activities were no longer limited to ordinary trade. Its attempts to gain greater economic advantages gradually contributed to its growing political influence.
What You Will Learn
In this practice set, you will learn about:
- Bengal as an important region for the Company
- The importance of Mughal farmans
- Trading privileges given to the Company
- The meaning of dastaks
- Company trade in Bengal
- Conflicts between the Company and the Nawabs
- Growing Company influence
- Economic reasons behind political conflicts
6. Why This Topic Is Important
Bengal played an important role in the early expansion of Company power. Understanding the Company’s trading privileges and its growing conflict with the Nawabs helps students understand the events that eventually led to the Battle of Plassey.
These concepts are important for school examinations because they explain why the Company wanted greater control over Bengal and why the Nawabs viewed its activities as a threat.
MCQs with Detailed Solutions
Q1. Why was Bengal an attractive region for the East India Company?
A) It had no important economic activity
B) It was a prosperous region with flourishing trade
C) It had no agricultural production
D) It was completely isolated from other regions
Answer: It was a prosperous region with flourishing trade
Concept Behind This Question
Bengal was one of the wealthiest regions of the Indian subcontinent. Its agriculture, textile production, and trade made it highly valuable to the Company.
Detailed Solution
- Bengal had a prosperous economy.
- Agricultural production generated considerable revenue.
- Bengal was also known for its textile production.
- Its flourishing trade attracted European trading companies.
- The Company therefore wanted to increase its commercial opportunities in Bengal.
- Hence, the correct answer is It was a prosperous region with flourishing trade.
Exam Tip
Bengal = Prosperous Economy + Agriculture + Textiles + Trade
Q2. What was a major benefit of the farman issued to the East India Company by the Mughal emperor?
A) It allowed the Company to conduct certain trade privileges
B) It gave the Company complete control over Bengal
C) It made the Company the ruler of India
D) It ended all European trade
Answer: It allowed the Company to conduct certain trade privileges
Concept Behind This Question
A farman was a royal order. Mughal emperor Farrukhsiyar issued a farman in 1717 that granted the East India Company important trading privileges in Bengal.
Detailed Solution
- A farman was an official order issued by a ruler.
- The 1717 farman provided the Company with important trading privileges.
- These privileges helped the Company conduct trade more profitably.
- However, the farman did not make the Company the ruler of Bengal.
- Therefore, the correct answer is It allowed the Company to conduct certain trade privileges.
Exam Tip
Farman = Royal Order
Q3. What were dastaks in the context of Company trade in Bengal?
A) Trading permits or passes
B) Military weapons
C) Land measurement tools
D) Tax collection offices
Answer: Trading permits or passes
Concept Behind This Question
The term dastak referred to a pass that allowed goods to be transported without paying certain duties under the Company’s trading privileges.
Detailed Solution
- The Company had obtained special trading privileges.
- These privileges allowed its officials to carry on certain trade without paying duties.
- Dastaks were used as passes for this purpose.
- The misuse of these privileges became a source of conflict with the Nawab of Bengal.
- Therefore, the correct answer is Trading permits or passes.
Exam Tip
Dastak = Trade Pass
Q4. Why did the Nawabs of Bengal become unhappy with the East India Company?
A) The Company was interfering in trade and administrative matters
B) The Company refused to buy any goods
C) The Company closed all markets in Bengal
D) The Company stopped using Indian ports
Answer: The Company was interfering in trade and administrative matters
Concept Behind This Question
The Company increasingly used its privileges to gain economic advantages. Its activities challenged the authority and revenue interests of the Nawabs.
Detailed Solution
- The Company had received trading privileges.
- Company officials sometimes misused these privileges.
- The Nawabs lost revenue because duties were avoided.
- The Company also strengthened its position and demanded greater concessions.
- These activities created growing tension between the Company and the Nawabs.
- Therefore, the correct answer is The Company was interfering in trade and administrative matters.
Exam Tip
Company Privileges → Revenue Loss → Conflict with Nawabs
Q5. What was one consequence of the Company’s increasing trade privileges in Bengal?
A) The Company’s commercial position became stronger
B) The Company completely abandoned Bengal
C) European trade disappeared from Bengal
D) The Nawabs lost all interest in administration immediately
Answer: The Company’s commercial position became stronger
Concept Behind This Question
The Company’s special privileges gave it important economic advantages and helped strengthen its position in Bengal.
Detailed Solution
- Special trading privileges reduced some of the Company’s trading costs.
- This made Company trade more profitable.
- Greater commercial strength increased the Company’s influence.
- The Company’s growing influence eventually contributed to political conflicts.
- Therefore, the correct answer is The Company’s commercial position became stronger.
Exam Tip
Trade Privileges → Economic Advantage → Greater Company Influence
8. Important Formulas & Concepts
History does not generally use mathematical formulas. Instead, remember these important NCERT concepts.
1. Bengal
Bengal was a prosperous region known for agriculture, textiles, and trade. Its wealth made it highly attractive to the East India Company.
2. Farman
A farman was a royal order issued by a ruler.
3. Farrukhsiyar’s Farman
In 1717, Mughal emperor Farrukhsiyar issued a farman granting the East India Company important trading privileges in Bengal.
4. Dastak
A dastak was a pass that allowed the Company’s goods to be transported without payment of certain duties under its privileges.
5. Trading Privileges
The Company received special rights that gave it advantages in conducting trade.
6. Conflict with Nawabs
The Company’s increasing use of its privileges affected the revenue and authority of the Nawabs, creating tension between the two sides.
Important Concept Flow
Bengal’s Prosperity → Company Interest → Trading Privileges → Economic Advantage → Conflict with Nawabs
Related Practice Questions
- Why was Bengal economically important?
- What is meant by a farman?
- Who issued the important farman to the Company in 1717?
- What trading privileges did the Company receive?
- What were dastaks?
- Why did the misuse of dastaks create problems?
- Why were the Nawabs of Bengal concerned about Company activities?
- How did economic privileges strengthen the Company?
Mini Quiz Challenge
Match the Following
| Column A | Column B |
| 1. Farman | a. Prosperous region |
| 2. Dastak | b. Royal order |
| 3. Bengal | c. Trade pass |
| 4. Farrukhsiyar | d. Mughal emperor |
Answers
- b. Royal order
- c. Trade pass
- a. Prosperous region
- d. Mughal emperor
Exam Tips
✔ Remember the importance of Bengal’s prosperity.
✔ Learn the meaning of farman.
✔ Remember that Farrukhsiyar issued the important farman in 1717.
✔ Remember dastak = trade pass.
✔ Understand why the Company’s privileges created tension with the Nawabs.
✔ Do not confuse a trading privilege with political control.
✔ Learn the connection between economic advantages and the Company’s growing influence.
Quick Revision Notes
✔ Bengal was a prosperous region.
✔ Bengal was important for agriculture, textiles, and trade.
✔ The Mughal emperor Farrukhsiyar issued a farman to the Company in 1717.
✔ The farman provided important trading privileges.
✔ Dastaks were passes used for the movement of goods under the Company’s privileges.
✔ Company officials sometimes misused their trading privileges.
✔ Such practices affected the revenues of the Nawabs.
✔ Economic disputes contributed to growing political tension.
Common Mistakes Students Make
❌ Thinking that a farman was a trade pass.
❌ Confusing dastak with a royal order.
❌ Thinking that the 1717 farman immediately gave the Company political control over Bengal.
❌ Forgetting the economic importance of Bengal.
❌ Ignoring the connection between Company trade privileges and conflict with the Nawabs.
❌ Assuming that the Company became the ruler of Bengal simply because it received trading privileges.
Key Takeaways
✔ Bengal was one of the prosperous regions of India.
✔ Its wealth and flourishing trade attracted the East India Company.
✔ Farrukhsiyar issued an important farman in 1717.
✔ The farman provided the Company with significant trading privileges.
✔ Dastaks were used as trade passes.
✔ Misuse of trading privileges created financial and political tensions.
✔ These tensions contributed to the Company’s eventual political expansion in Bengal.
FAQs
1. Why was Bengal important to the East India Company?
Bengal was a prosperous region with rich agricultural production, textile manufacturing, and flourishing trade.
2. What is a farman?
A farman was an official royal order issued by a ruler.
3. Who issued the important farman of 1717?
The Mughal emperor Farrukhsiyar issued the important farman in 1717.
4. What were dastaks?
Dastaks were trade passes that allowed Company goods to move without paying certain duties under the privileges granted to the Company.
5. Why did the Nawabs object to Company activities?
The Company’s use and misuse of its trading privileges reduced the revenue of the Nawabs and challenged their authority.
6. How did trade privileges help the Company?
They provided economic advantages that strengthened the Company’s commercial position.
7. Did the farman make the Company the ruler of Bengal?
No. The farman granted trading privileges; it did not by itself make the Company the ruler of Bengal.
Conclusion
Bengal’s prosperity made it an important centre of European commercial interest. The East India Company obtained special trading privileges, including those associated with Farrukhsiyar’s 1717 farman. These privileges gave the Company important economic advantages.
However, the Company’s growing commercial influence and misuse of its privileges created tensions with the Nawabs of Bengal. These economic and political conflicts became an important part of the Company’s journey from trade towards territorial power.
Understanding Bengal, the farman, dastaks, and the conflict with the Nawabs provides an important foundation for studying the Battle of Plassey and the Company’s subsequent expansion.
Related links
- Class 8 English Chapter 2 A Concrete Example part-2
- Class 8 Maths Chapter 4 Practical Geometry part-11
- Class 8 Science Chapter 2 Microorganisms Friend and Foe part-4
- Class 8 Social Science Chapter 2 From Trade to Territory part-1
- Class 8 English Chapter 2 A Concrete Example part-1
- Class 8 Maths Chapter 4 Practical Geometry part-10
- Class 8 Science Chapter 2 Microorganisms Friend and Foe part-3
- Class 8 Social Science Chapter 1 How, When and Where part-14
- Class 8 Maths Chapter 4 Practical Geometry part-9
- Class 8 Science Chapter 2 Microorganisms Friend and Foe PART-2
Latest Posts
- Class 9 English Chapter 2 The Pot Maker
- Class 8 English Chapter 2 A Concrete Example
- Class 10 English Chapter 2 Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
- Class 7 English Chapter 2 The Wise Man
- Class 10 Science Chapter 2 Acids, Bases and Salts
Join Our Other Communities
Instagram , Youtube , Facebook
