Ruling the Countryside – Very Short Answer Type Questions
Class 8
Social Science
History - Chapter 3
Ruling the Countryside — 50 Very Short Answer Questions (NCERT-aligned)
CBSE Board Examinations — Quick Guide
- Follow NCERT wording for 1–2 mark answers.
- Keep answers direct and to the point for Very Short Answer (VSA) type.
- Use keywords from the chapter: Zamindari, Ryot, Permanent Settlement, Indebtedness.
Content Bank — Topics Covered
Land Revenue Systems
- Zamindari (Permanent Settlement)
- Ryotwari
- Mahalwari
Impact on Peasants
- Indebtedness
- Eviction
- Commercialisation
Responses
- Peasant protests
- Rent strikes
- Petitions
Topic: Land Revenue Systems
1. What is a land revenue system?
A method used by the government to assess and collect tax from land.
2. Name the three main land revenue systems under British rule.
Zamindari, Ryotwari, and Mahalwari systems.
3. What was the Permanent Settlement?
A policy that fixed revenue and recognised zamindars as landowners.
4. Who were zamindars?
Intermediary landlords responsible for collecting revenue from peasants.
5. What is the Ryotwari system?
A system where revenue was collected directly from the cultivator (ryot) by the government.
6. What is the Mahalwari system?
A system where revenue was settled with a village or estate (mahal) as a unit.
7. Which system was introduced in Bengal, Bihar and Odisha?
The Permanent Settlement (Zamindari) was introduced in Bengal, Bihar and Odisha.
8. Which system emphasised the role of village communities?
The Mahalwari system emphasised village or community responsibility.
Topic: Permanent Settlement & Zamindari
9. When was the Permanent Settlement introduced?
It was introduced in 1793 by Lord Cornwallis (Permanent Settlement).
10. What did the British expect zamindars to do under Permanent Settlement?
They expected zamindars to pay a fixed revenue to the government regularly.
11. What problem arose from making zamindars permanent intermediaries?
Zamindars sometimes increased rents and exploited peasants to meet revenue demands.
12. Define absentee landlord.
A landlord who does not live on the land and often delegates rent collection to agents.
13. What is subinfeudation?
The creation of multiple layers of intermediaries between zamindars and cultivators.
14. How did Permanent Settlement affect small cultivators?
Many small cultivators faced higher rents, eviction, and loss of land.
15. Why did zamindars sometimes fail to support peasants during bad years?
Because their main priority was to meet fixed revenue to government, not tenant welfare.
Topic: Impact on Peasants
16. What is indebtedness?
The state of owing money, often to moneylenders, due to loans taken by peasants.
17. Why did peasants borrow money?
To pay taxes, buy seeds and tools, or to meet household needs during bad harvests.
18. What happened when peasants could not repay loans?
They could lose their land, face eviction, or fall into bonded labour.
19. What is eviction?
Forcing peasants to leave the land they cultivated, usually for non-payment of rent or debt.
20. How did commercialisation of agriculture affect peasants?
Farmers grew cash crops for markets, making them vulnerable to price changes and market demand.
21. Name one social effect of rural distress.
Migration to towns or increased seasonal wage labour were common effects.
22. What role did moneylenders play?
They lent money at high interest, often trapping peasants in debt cycles.
23. Did all peasants suffer equally?
No; impact varied by region, caste, landholding size and local protections.
Topic: Agriculture & Cropping Patterns
24. What is commercial cropping?
Growing crops primarily for sale in the market rather than for local consumption.
25. Give an example of a cash crop grown during British rule.
Indigo, cotton, opium and jute were important cash crops in different regions.
26. How did cash crops affect food security?
Switching to cash crops often reduced food production, increasing vulnerability during crop failures.
27. What made peasants dependent on market prices?
Selling cash crops and buying food and goods from the market made peasants price-dependent.
28. Why did irrigation and new crops sometimes benefit landlords more?
Landlords could invest or take loans for improvements and earn rents, while tenants bore costs and risks.
Topic: Peasant Protests & Revolts
29. What forms did peasant protests take?
Petitions, rent refusal, strikes, non-payment, and sometimes violent clashes.
30. Why did peasants refuse to pay rent?
As a protest against excessive rent or unjust revenue demands.
31. Give one reason peasants organised petitions.
To seek redress from authorities against unfair landlords or moneylenders.
32. Were all peasant movements violent?
No; many movements were peaceful, using petitions and strikes; some turned violent under pressure.
33. Name one outcome of organised peasant resistance.
Local reductions in rent or temporary relief in specific areas after negotiations or government action.
34. Did peasant protests affect colonial policies?
Some protests led to investigations and limited reforms, but major changes were rare during early colonial rule.
Topic: Regional Variations & Examples
35. Which regions mainly had the Ryotwari system?
Parts of Madras Presidency and Bombay Presidency used the Ryotwari system.
36. Where was the Mahalwari system common?
In parts of Punjab, North-Western Provinces and some areas of Central India.
37. Did all regions experience the same level of distress?
No; distress varied depending on revenue rates, crop patterns and local economy.
38. Give an example of a local peasant protest (name optional).
Peasants in many regions organised rent strikes and local agitations; NCERT gives regional illustrations rather than wide-scale named revolts.
Topic: Administration & Intermediaries
39. Who were intermediaries below zamindars?
Agents, sub-tenants and local moneylenders who collected rents or dues from peasants.
40. How did intermediaries affect peasants?
They often increased demands and kept a share of what was collected, worsening exploitation.
41. What was the administrative aim behind fixing revenue?
To ensure predictable income for the colonial government.
42. Did the British always understand local land rights?
No; colonial officials often misunderstood or ignored customary rights and village practices.
Topic: Glossary & Quick Facts
43. Define 'ryot'.
A ryot is a cultivator or peasant who works the land.
44. Define 'mahal'.
A mahal is a village or estate unit used for revenue assessment.
45. What is 'commercialisation of agriculture'?
The shift from subsistence farming to growing crops for sale in markets.
46. What caused famines to worsen under colonial rule?
High revenue demands, crop export and neglect of relief worsened famine impacts.
47. What is a 'cash crop'?
A crop grown primarily to sell in the market rather than for local use.
48. Why are NCERT examples important for answers?
They align with the syllabus and often match what examiners expect in answers.
49. How should students answer 1–2 mark questions?
Give direct, concise definitions or one-line facts using NCERT language.
50. What is the best way to revise this chapter?
Use short Q&A practice, remember key terms, and practise a few 5–8 mark answers for depth.
These Very Short Answer Questions and Answers are strictly NCERT-aligned for CBSE Class 8 students. Use them for quick revision before exams and to build a strong foundation for longer answers.