Ruling the Countryside – Short Answer Type Questions
Class 8
Social Science
History - Chapter 3
Ruling the Countryside — 50 Short Answer Questions (NCERT-aligned)
CBSE Board Examinations — Quick Guidance
- Answer in 3–5 lines for 3–5 mark questions; include cause-effect and one example.
- Use NCERT keywords and terms in your responses for accuracy.
- Structure answers with a direct statement, 2–3 supporting points, and a concluding line if needed.
Content Bank — Topics Covered
Land Revenue Systems
- Zamindari, Ryotwari, Mahalwari
Impact on Peasants
- Indebtedness, eviction, landlessness
Peasant Responses
- Petitions, rent strikes, non-payment, local agitations
Topic: Land Revenue Systems
1. Explain the Zamindari system in brief.
Under the Zamindari system, zamindars were recognised as landowners and were responsible for collecting fixed revenue from peasants and paying it to the British government.
2. Describe the Ryotwari system concisely.
The Ryotwari system involved direct settlement of revenue between the government and the ryots (cultivators), who were assessed individually for land tax.
3. What is the Mahalwari system?
Mahalwari assessed revenue at the level of the village or estate (mahal) with community or village leaders acting as responsible parties for payment.
4. Why did the British introduce different systems in different regions?
They adopted systems based on local customs, administrative convenience and earlier revenue arrangements to maximise revenue collection efficiently.
5. How did the Permanent Settlement fix revenue?
Permanent Settlement fixed the revenue amount permanently, making zamindars liable to pay the same sum to the government regardless of harvest variations.
6. What was a major drawback of the Permanent Settlement?
A major drawback was that it encouraged zamindars to extract higher rents from tenants to meet fixed revenue, often causing tenant distress and eviction.
7. How did the Ryotwari system benefit or disadvantage peasants?
While it gave peasants direct recognition, high assessments and frequent revisions often left ryots vulnerable to heavy taxation and debt.
8. What role did village communities play under Mahalwari?
Village communities or leaders negotiated revenue collectively, so the village as a unit was accountable, though individual peasants still felt the burden.
Topic: Permanent Settlement & Zamindars
9. State two objectives of the Permanent Settlement.
To secure a stable revenue stream for the British and to create a class of loyal landlords who would support colonial administration.
10. Who were absentee landlords and why were they problematic?
Absentee landlords were zamindars who lived away from their estates; they often delegated collection to agents and ignored tenant welfare, increasing exploitation.
11. Explain subinfeudation with an example.
Subinfeudation meant zamindars created layers of intermediaries (agents, sub-tenants) who collected rent, leading to multiple exploitative layers before reaching the cultivator.
12. How did zamindari intermediaries affect rent levels?
Intermediaries often raised rents to cover their own demands and the fixed revenue payable to government, increasing the burden on peasants.
13. Mention one administrative expectation from zamindars under Permanent Settlement.
They were expected to maintain order, collect revenue efficiently, and ensure the government received the fixed revenue annually.
14. How did Permanent Settlement alter land ownership perception?
It created a legalised notion of zamindari ownership, often sidelining customary rights of cultivators who previously had traditional claims.
15. Why did some zamindars become richer under British rule?
They benefited from fixed revenue arrangements, rent increases and expanding markets, allowing them to collect higher incomes from tenants.
Topic: Economic Impact on Peasants
16. Define 'indebtedness' in the rural context.
Indebtedness refers to peasants borrowing money from moneylenders to pay taxes or buy inputs, leading to long-term debt traps.
17. Why did peasants borrow from moneylenders?
They borrowed to pay high taxes, purchase seeds and tools, and survive periods of crop failure or famine.
18. What were the consequences of high interest rates?
High interest rates increased repayment burdens, often resulting in land forfeiture, bonded labour, or migration for work.
19. How did eviction occur under colonial revenue policies?
Failure to pay rent or debt could lead landlords or revenue collectors to evict peasants and seize land to recover dues.
20. Explain landlessness as a rural issue.
Landlessness occurred when cultivators lost land due to debts or eviction, forcing them into wage labour or migration for survival.
21. How did crop failure exacerbate peasant problems?
Crop failure reduced peasant income, making it impossible to pay taxes and debts, leading to deeper poverty and hunger.
22. What effect did forced commercialization have on small farmers?
Forced commercialization pushed farmers to grow cash crops, reducing food crops and increasing vulnerability to market and price fluctuations.
23. How did moneylenders influence village economies?
Moneylenders provided credit but charged high interest, controlled local commerce, and sometimes acquired land from indebted peasants.
Topic: Agriculture, Cropping Patterns & Markets
24. What is meant by 'commercialisation of agriculture'?
It means shifting production from subsistence crops to cash crops intended for sale in external markets.
25. Give two examples of cash crops under colonial rule.
Indigo and jute (also cotton and opium in certain regions) were prominent cash crops during colonial rule.
26. How did market dependency affect peasants?
Dependency on markets made peasants susceptible to price drops and external demand, reducing income stability and food security.
27. What was the role of middlemen in agricultural markets?
Middlemen bought crops from peasants and sold them onward, often taking a large share of profits and keeping prices low for farmers.
28. How did changes in irrigation and technology impact villagers?
Improvements sometimes raised productivity but often required investment that small farmers could not afford, benefiting landlords or wealthier cultivators more.
29. Why did some regions specialise in certain crops?
Soil, climate, colonial demand and infrastructure like railways influenced certain regions to specialise in crops like jute, indigo or cotton.
Topic: Peasant Protests & Forms of Resistance
30. List common forms of peasant protest.
Petitions, rent strikes, refusal to cultivate, blocking revenue collection and occasional violent clashes were common forms.
31. What is a rent strike?
A rent strike involves peasants collectively refusing to pay rent to protest unfair demands or to force negotiations.
32. How did petitions help peasants?
Petitions to colonial officials or magistrates sought redress or intervention against exploitative zamindars or moneylenders.
33. Why did some protests turn violent?
When peaceful methods failed and authorities responded with repression, some peasants resorted to violence out of desperation.
34. Can local leaders influence peasant movements?
Yes; local leaders, religious figures or activists often organised and led protests, uniting peasants for collective action.
35. Mention one success of organised peasant resistance.
In some cases, protests led to temporary reduction of rents, debt relief or investigation by authorities into exploitative practices.
Topic: Regional Variations & Examples
36. Where was the Ryotwari system mainly practised?
It was mainly practised in parts of the Madras and Bombay Presidencies.
37. Which areas saw the Mahalwari system?
Parts of the Punjab, North-Western Provinces and some Central Indian regions followed Mahalwari practices.
38. Why did regional experiences of peasants differ?
Differences in revenue rates, land tenure, crop choices, infrastructure and social support led to varied regional experiences.
39. Give an example of a regional protest response (brief).
Localised rent strikes or petitions often emerged in response to unfair assessments; NCERT describes such localised examples rather than a single nationwide revolt.
40. How did railways affect regional agriculture?
Railways opened new markets for cash crops, encouraging commercial farming but also exposing villages to volatile market forces.
Topic: Administration, Policies & Critique
41. What was the colonial administration's main aim in revenue policy?
Their main aim was to secure a stable and predictable revenue stream to finance colonial governance and administration.
42. How did colonial policies view customary rights?
Colonial policies often overlooked or failed to recognise customary land rights, leading to disputes and dispossession.
43. Mention one long-term effect of British revenue policies.
They contributed to increased rural inequality, land concentration and a rise in landless labourers over time.
44. How did officials respond to peasant distress?
Responses varied; some investigations and limited reforms occurred, but broad systemic change was slow and limited.
45. Why is NCERT's presentation useful for exams?
NCERT presents clear cause-effect links, examples and definitions that match CBSE expectations, making it a reliable exam resource.
Topic: Glossary, Revision & Answering Tips
46. Define 'zamindar' in one line.
A zamindar was a landlord appointed to collect revenue from peasants and pay it to the colonial government.
47. What is a 'ryot'?
A ryot is a small cultivator who works the land and may be assessed directly for revenue under Ryotwari.
48. Suggest a quick way to revise this chapter before exams.
Practice concise 3–5 line answers for each topic, memorise key terms and rehearse two 8-mark answers for depth.
49. How should students structure a 3–5 mark answer?
Start with a clear definition or thesis, add 2–3 supporting points with examples, and end with a concluding line if needed.
50. What is one final tip to score well in history answers?
Use NCERT language, include cause-effect links, and present points clearly using bullets or short paragraphs.
These Short Answer Questions and Answers are prepared strictly according to the NCERT Class 8 syllabus and are ideal for CBSE exam preparation. Use them to practise and improve answer structure and clarity.