1.Why/With what objective was the Dipali Sangha founded?

Dipali Sangha was founded by Sarala Devi Chaudhurani in 1920. Its main
objective was to encourage women’s education, self-reliance, and
participation in the freedom movement.

2. Why is Guruchand Thakur remembered?

Guruchand Thakur is remembered as a social reformer of Bengal. He worked

for the upliftment of the Namasudras and promoted education and social
equality.

3. Why is Matangini Hazra remembered?

Matangini Hazra is remembered as a brave woman freedom fighter. She was

shot dead by the British police while leading a procession with the national
flag during the Quit India Movement in 1942.

4. Why is Nanibala Devi remembered?

Nanibala Devi is remembered as one of the first women revolutionaries of

Bengal. She worked as a secret messenger for Anushilan Samiti and suffered
imprisonment for her role in the freedom struggle.

5. Why was Rashid Ali Day observed?

Rashid Ali Day was observed to honor the memory of Rashid Ali, a
revolutionary soldier. It commemorated his role in resisting British rule during
the 1940s.

6.Who were known as the Dalits?

Dalits were the socially oppressed and marginalized communities in India,

earlier considered as “untouchables.” They suffered discrimination under the
caste system and were later organized for equality and justice.

7. What was the Bengal Volunteers?

The Bengal Volunteers was a revolutionary organization formed by Subhas

Chandra Bose. It carried out militant activities against the British, including
attacks on oppressive officials.

8. Who was Jyotiba Phule? Name the organisation set up by him.

Jyotiba Phule was a great social reformer from Maharashtra. He worked for
women’s education, lower caste upliftment, and established the
Satyashodhak Samaj in 1873.. Q9.Who was Charles Wood?
Charles Wood prepared the Wood’s Despatch (1854), known as the “Magna
Carta of English Education in India.” It recommended the promotion of
European literature and science, English as the medium of higher education,
and mass education through vernacular languages.

10. What was the role of Panchanan Karmakar?

Panchanan Karmakar was a famous type-founder who designed the first

Bengali typefaces. He worked with Charles Wilkins and helped develop
Bengali printing in the late 18th century.

11. What was the impact of the development of printing press on the cultural
life of Bengal?

The printing press spread education, literacy, and new ideas among the
masses. It encouraged social reform movements, modern literature, and the
Bengali Renaissance.

12. Why was the colonial system of education defective?

It mainly created clerks for British administration rather than promoting true
knowledge. It neglected mass education, practical training, and Indian
culture.

13. What is the importance of the introduction of linotype in the development

of Bengali press?

Linotype machines increased the speed of typesetting and reduced printing

costs. This helped in the growth of newspapers and mass circulation of books
in Bengali.

14. What was the role of the Indian Association for Cultivation of Science in
the spread of scientific knowledge in the 19th century?

Founded in 1876 by Mahendralal Sircar, it promoted scientific research and

experiments in India. It became a center for spreading scientific temper
among educated Indians.

15. Why is Dr. Mahendralal Sircar remembered?

He was a physician, social reformer, and founder of the Indian Association for
Cultivation of Science. He worked to popularize scientific knowledge in India.

16.. Why was the National Council of Education founded?

It was founded in 1906 in response to the Partition of Bengal and the
Swadeshi Movement. Its aim was to promote national education free from
colonial influence.

17. When was the Visva-Bharati founded? State the objective behind its
formation.

Rabindranath Tagore founded Visva-Bharati in 1921 at Santiniketan. Its

objective was to blend Eastern and Western education and promote universal
culture.

18.What is the contribution of Rabindranath in the spread of rural industry

and vocational education?

Rabindranath Tagore introduced rural reconstruction programs at Sriniketan.

He encouraged cottage industries, handicrafts, and vocational training for
self-reliance.

19. What is the importance of the Battala publication in the history of the
Bengali printing press?

Battala in Calcutta became famous for cheap, popular Bengali books and
pamphlets in the 19th century. It helped spread literacy and popular culture
among common people 20. What is the New Social History or
Social History?

New Social History studies the lives of common people such as peasants,
workers, and women rather than only rulers and elites. It focuses on social,
cultural, and economic aspects of history.

21. What is the importance of the study of history of environment?

It helps us understand how humans have interacted with nature in the past.
It also shows the impact of deforestation, pollution, and industrialization on
the environment.

22.What are the limitations of government documents as sources of modern

Indian history?

Government documents may be biased, as they usually reflect the viewpoint

of the ruling authority. They often ignore the voices of common people.

23. Why are Nehru’s letters to his daughter important?

Jawaharlal Nehru’s letters to Indira Gandhi explained world history in a
simple way. They reflect his vision, knowledge, and concern for the education
of youth.

24. Note one advantage and disadvantage of using the internet to gather
historical data.

Advantage: The internet provides quick access to vast information.

Disadvantage: Information may not always be authentic or reliable.

25. Why did Calcutta become a centre of the Renaissance of modern Indian
painting?

Calcutta was the capital of British India and a hub of cultural exchange.
Artists there combined Western techniques with Indian themes, leading to
the Bengal School of Art.

26. What is the importance of studying Military History?

Military history helps us understand wars, strategies, and their effects on

society. It also highlights the role of armed forces in shaping nations.

27.Analyse the role of Radhakanta Deb in promoting women’s education in

Bengal.

Radhakanta Deb was a conservative leader who opposed women’s

education, fearing it would destroy traditional values. He resisted the efforts
of reformers like Raja Rammohan Roy.

28. What is Macaulay’s Minute?

Macaulay’s Minute (1835) was a document by Thomas Babington Macaulay

recommending English as the medium of instruction in India. It aimed to
create an educated class that would act as intermediaries between the
British rulers and Indians.

29. Why was the School Book Society founded?

The School Book Society was founded in 1817 to produce and distribute
textbooks at low prices for schools in Bengal. It played a key role In
spreading modern education.

30. What is meant by Bengal Renaissance?

The Bengal Renaissance was a socio-cultural reform movement of the 19 th
century. It brought progress in literature, science, education, and social
reforms like widow remarriage and women’s education.

31.What was the principal objective of the Christian missionaries in

introducing western education in India?

The main aim of Christian missionaries was to spread Christianity through

education. They introduced Western education to influence Indian society
with Christian values.

32. What was the role of Young Bengal in social reform?

The Young Bengal movement, led by Henry Derozio, promoted rational

thinking, freedom of expression, and social equality. They encouraged
questioning of orthodoxy and inspired reforms in society.

33. Why is the educational despatch of Lord Hardinge important?

Lord Hardinge’s Educational Despatch of 1913 emphasized expansion of

primary and technical education in India. It also encouraged private
enterprise in the field of education.

34. Who was Madhusudan Gupta? Or Why is Madhusudan Gupta

remembered?

Madhusudan Gupta was a Bengali doctor and social reformer. He is

remembered as the first Indian to perform dissection of a human body in
1836, breaking orthodox taboos.

35. What was the role of Harish Chandra Mukhopadhyay in the Indigo Revolt?

Harish Chandra Mukhopadhyay supported the peasants during the Indigo

Revolt through his writings in the Hindoo Patriot. He exposed the oppression
of indigo planters and demanded justice.

36. Why did the publication of Bamabodhini Patrika stop after a short period?

The Bamabodhini Patrika, started in 1863 to promote women’s education and

upliftment, faced financial difficulties and lack of readership. Hence, it
stopped publication after a short period.

37.With what objectives did the colonial government enact the forest laws?

The colonial government enacted forest laws to control forest resources for
timber, railway needs, and commercial purposes. These laws restricted
traditional rights of forest dwellers and ensured state monopoly over forests.
38.Why is Titu Mir remembered?

Titu Mir is remembered for leading a peasant uprising against the British and
oppressive landlords in Bengal. He also built a bamboo fort to resist British
attacks.

39.Why is Dudu Mian remembered?

Dudu Mian, son of Haji Shariatullah, is remembered for leading the Faraizi
movement. He fought against the exploitation of peasants by landlords,
indigo planters, and the British.

40.Why did the Farazi Movement fail?

The Farazi Movement failed due to the lack of unity among peasants,
continuous repression by the British, and the death of its leaders. It gradually
lost its strength and influence.

41.Was the Farazi rebellion simply a religious movement?

No, the Farazi rebellion was not just a religious movement. Along with
religious reforms, it also fought against social injustices, zamindars, and
colonial exploitation.

42.What was the significance of the Chuar rebellion?

The Chuar rebellion was significant because it reflected the resentment of

forest-dwelling tribes against British revenue policies. It also showed the
collective resistance of marginalized groups.

43.Why did the Sannyasi Fakir rebellion fail?

The Sannyasi Fakir rebellion failed due to the superior military power of the
British and lack of proper organization among rebels. Continuous suppression
by the Company weakened the movement.

44.What was the ‘Ulghulan’?

‘Ulghulan’ means the Great Tumult. It refers to the Munda rebellion led by
Birsa Munda against British oppression and exploitative landlords.

45.What was the role of Harishchandra Mukhopadhyay in the Indigo Revolt?

Harishchandra Mukhopadhyay supported the indigo cultivators through his

newspaper Hindoo Patriot. He exposed the brutalities of planters and
appealed for justice.

46.With what objectives was the All India Trade Union Congress founded?
Ans: It was founded in 1920 to protect the rights of workers, improve their
wages, and ensure better working conditions. It also aimed to unite workers
to fight against the exploitation by British and Indian industrialists.

47.Why was the Workers’ and Peasants’ Party formed?

Ans: It was formed in 1925 to promote the interests of workers and peasants
and to spread socialist and communist ideas in India. The party also
supported trade union and peasant struggles against exploitation.

48.What is Eka Movement? Or, Why was the Eka Movement initiated?

Ans: The Eka Movement started in 1921 in Awadh under Madari Pasi. It was
launched against high rents, illegal levies, and exploitation by landlords.

49.What was the role of Baba Ram Chandra in the peasants’ movement?

Ans: Baba Ram Chandra led the Awadh peasants against oppressive
landlords. He mobilised farmers to demand reduction of rents and abolition
of illegal taxes.

50.Who was Madari Pasi?

Ans: Madari Pasi was a leader of the Eka Movement in Awadh. He organised
peasants against landlords and demanded fair treatment and relief from
exploitation.

51.What were the causes of the Moplah Rebellion of 1921?

Ans: The Moplah Rebellion was caused by the agrarian grievances of Muslim
peasants against Hindu landlords and the British government. It was also
inspired by the Khilafat and Non-Cooperation movements.

52.Why was the Bardoli Satyagraha Movement organised?

Ans: The Bardoli Satyagraha was organised in 1928 under Sardar Vallabhbhai
Patel to protest against the unjust increase in land revenue by the british.
The peasants refused to pay the enhanced taxes, which led to the success of
the movement.

53.Who was Alluri Sitaram Raju?

Ans: Alluri Sitaram Raju was a revolutionary leader who led the Rampa
Rebellion (1922–24) against the British in the tribal areas of Andhra Pradesh.
He fought for the rights of the tribals against oppressive laws and
exploitation.