NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Social Science History Chapter 3 Ruling the Countryside

Class 8 History Chapter 3:- Chapter 3 of Class 8 History, titled "Ruling the Countryside," explores the complexities and impacts of British colonial rule on rural India. During the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the British East India Company implemented various revenue systems to consolidate their control over Indian territories. This chapter includes the land revenue policies introduced by the British, including the Permanent Settlement, the Ryotwari System, and the Mahalwari System, and examines how these systems reshaped rural life. The chapter also highlights the struggles and resistance of Indian peasants against the oppressive practices of colonial rule, focusing on indigo cultivation and the significant Champaran movement. Check out the ruling the countryside NCERT Solutions. 

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Ruling the Countryside Class 8 Questions and Answers

1.  

Answer:

2. Fill in the Blanks

(a) Growers of woad in Europe saw __________ as a crop which would provide competition to their earnings.

(b) The demand for indigo increased in late eighteenth-century Britain because of __________.

(c) The international demand for indigo was affected by the discovery of __________.

(d) The Champaran movement was against __________.

Answer:

(a) Growers of woad in Europe saw indigo as a crop which would provide competition to their earnings.

(b) The demand for indigo increased in late eighteenth-century Britain because of the expansion of cotton production.

(c) The international demand for indigo was affected by the discovery of synthetic dyes.

(d) The Champaran movement was against indigo planters.

Read More: NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Social Science History Chapter 2

3. Describe the Main Features of the Permanent Settlement

Ans. The Permanent Settlement was a land revenue system introduced by the British in 1793 under Lord Cornwallis. Here are its main features:

• Fixed Revenue: The system established a permanent revenue amount that zamindars had to pay to the British East India Company. This amount was fixed and did not change with fluctuations in agricultural productivity or market conditions.

• Role of Zamindars: Rajas and taluqdars (landowners) were recognized as zamindars under this system. They were tasked with collecting taxes from the peasants and forwarding them to the Company. The zamindars were given the authority to manage the lands and collect revenue.

• Land Rights: Zamindars gained the right to retain ownership of the land as long as they could meet the fixed revenue payments. If they failed to pay, they risked losing their land rights, which led to frequent land transfers and insecurity.

• Economic Impact: The fixed revenue burdened the zamindars, who often exploited peasants to meet their payment obligations. This exploitation, combined with the rigid structure, often led to agrarian distress and peasant unrest.

4. How was the Mahalwari System Different from the Permanent Settlement?

Ans. The Mahalwari System, introduced by Holt Mackenzie in 1822, differed from the Permanent Settlement in several ways:

5. Give Two Problems Which Arose with the New Munro System of Fixing Revenue

Ans. The Munro system, introduced in the 19th century, led to several issues:

a. High Revenue Demands: The revenue demands set under the Munro system were often excessively high relative to the peasants' ability to pay. This led to significant financial strain on the peasants, who struggled to meet their obligations.

b. Village Desertion: Due to the inability to pay the high taxes, many peasants abandoned their villages. This migration resulted in deserted villages and a reduction in agricultural productivity, further exacerbating the economic issues in rural areas.

6. Why Were Ryots Reluctant to Grow Indigo?

Ryots were hesitant to cultivate indigo due to several reasons:

a. Low Prices Paid: The compensation for indigo was low compared to the effort and resources required to grow it. This made it an unattractive option for peasants who were already struggling financially.

b. Lack of Profit: Peasants did not see any substantial profit from growing indigo. The cultivation was often accompanied by high costs and risks, with little to no financial benefit.

c. Land Utilization Concerns: Ryots were required to grow indigo on the most fertile parts of their land, which they preferred to use for food crops. This not only affected their food production but also their overall livelihood.

7. What Were the Circumstances Which Led to the Eventual Collapse of Indigo Production in Bengal?

Ans. The collapse of indigo production in Bengal was driven by several key factors:

a. Refusal to Grow Indigo: Many ryots refused to grow indigo due to the harsh conditions imposed by the planters and the poor financial returns. This widespread refusal significantly impacted production levels.

b. Peasant Protests: The ryots, supported by local zamindars and activists, organized protests against the oppressive practices of the indigo planters. These protests gained momentum and highlighted the grievances of the peasants.

c. Indigo Commission Findings: The government set up the Indigo Commission to investigate the conditions of indigo cultivation. The commission's findings exposed the exploitation and abuses faced by the peasants, leading to recommendations against the continuation of indigo cultivation.

d. Planter Exodus: Following the adverse findings of the Indigo Commission and the growing unrest, many planters decided to leave Bengal. Their departure marked the end of widespread indigo production in the region.

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Class 8 History Chapter 3 Summary 

Chapter 3 of Class 8 History, "Ruling the Countryside," focuses on the impact of British colonial rule on rural India, particularly through changes in land revenue systems and agricultural practices.

1. British Land Revenue Systems

The British East India Company introduced several land revenue systems to maximize revenue from agriculture:

• Permanent Settlement (1793): Introduced by Lord Cornwallis, this system fixed the revenue amount that zamindars (landowners) had to pay to the British government. Zamindars were responsible for collecting taxes from the peasants and maintaining land records. The revenue was fixed permanently, which sometimes led to the exploitation of peasants as zamindars sought to extract higher rents to meet their obligations. Failure to pay could result in loss of land rights.

• Ryotwari System: In this system, introduced in areas like Madras, revenue was assessed directly on the peasants (ryots) rather than through intermediaries. The revenue amount was fixed based on the land's productivity and was revised periodically. This system aimed to create a direct relationship between the government and the peasants but often placed a heavy burden on the latter.

• Mahalwari System (1822): Introduced by Holt Mackenzie, this system focused on assessing revenue at the village level. Revenue was calculated for each village (mahal) based on the collective output of all the land within it. Unlike the Permanent Settlement, this system allowed for periodic revisions of revenue based on changing conditions.

2. Impact on Peasants

The new revenue systems had significant consequences for peasants:

• Increased Tax Burden: The fixed and high revenue demands often led to financial strain on peasants, who were sometimes forced into debt or poverty to meet their obligations.

• Changes in Agriculture: The focus on cash crops like indigo and cotton for export under colonial rule led to a decline in food crop production, affecting local food security.

• Peasant Resistance: The harsh conditions and exploitation led to various uprisings and resistance movements. Notable among these was the Champaran movement in 1917, where peasants protested against the oppressive practices of indigo planters.

3. Indigo Cultivation and the Champaran Movement

Indigo cultivation became a major issue due to the exploitation of peasants by indigo planters:

• Indigo Planters: Peasants were forced to grow indigo on their land instead of food crops, and were often paid very low prices. The cultivation led to widespread distress among the peasants.

• Champaran Movement: In response to the oppressive conditions, peasants in Champaran (Bihar) organized a movement led by Mahatma Gandhi in 1917. The movement aimed to end the forced cultivation of indigo and sought fair treatment for the peasants. The movement was successful in drawing attention to the plight of the peasants and led to reforms.

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Class 8 History Chapter 3 FAQs

Q1. What is the main focus of Chapter 3: "Ruling the Countryside"?

Ans. The chapter focuses on the impact of British land revenue systems on rural India, examining how these systems reshaped agriculture and peasant life, and discusses the struggles and resistance of peasants against colonial policies.

Q2. What were the key land revenue systems introduced by the British?

Ans. The key land revenue systems introduced were:

• Permanent Settlement

• Ryotwari System

• Mahalwari System

Q3. Who introduced the Permanent Settlement system, and what were its main features?

Ans. The Permanent Settlement system was introduced by Lord Cornwallis in 1793. Its main features included fixed revenue payments by zamindars, who were responsible for collecting taxes from peasants and paying a fixed amount to the British government. The revenue was set permanently and was not revised.

Q4. How did the Ryotwari System differ from the Permanent Settlement?

Ans. The Ryotwari System assessed revenue directly on peasants (ryots) rather than through intermediaries like zamindars. Revenue was based on land productivity and was revised periodically. This system aimed to create a direct relationship between the government and peasants.

Q5. What was the Mahalwari System, and how did it operate?

Ans. The Mahalwari System, introduced by Holt Mackenzie in 1822, assessed revenue at the village level (mahal). The revenue for each village was based on the collective output of all land within the village and was revised periodically. Village headmen managed the collection of revenue.