8th Standard Social Science - History - Lesson 01 - ADVENT OF THE EUROPEANS

8th Standard Social Science - History - Lesson 01 - ADVENT OF THE EUROPEANS

UNIT 1 – ADVENT OF THE EUROPEANS

I. Choose the Correct Answer

1. Who laid the foundation of Portuguese power in India?

a) Vasco da Gama
b) Bartholomew Diaz
c) Alfonso de Albuquerque
d) Almeida

Answer: (c) Alfonso de Albuquerque

2. Which European nation first attempted to discover a sea route to India?

a) Dutch
b) Portugal
c) France
d) Britain

Answer: (b) Portugal

3. In 1453, Constantinople was captured by

a) The French
b) The Turks
c) The Dutch
d) The British

Answer: (b) The Turks

4. Sir William Hawkins belonged to

a) Portugal
b) Spain
c) England
d) France

Answer: (c) England

5. The first fort constructed by the British in India was

a) Fort William
b) Fort St. George
c) Fort St. Louis
d) Fort St. David

Answer: (b) Fort St. George

6. Who were the last Europeans to come to India as traders?

a) The British
b) The French
c) The Danish
d) The Portuguese

Answer: (b) The French

7. Tranquebar on the Tamil Nadu coast was a trade centre of the

a) The Portuguese
b) The British
c) The French
d) The Danish

Answer: (d) The Danish

II. Fill in the Blanks

• National Archives of India is located in New Delhi.
• Bartholomew Diaz was patronized by King John II.
• The printing press was set up at Goa in 1556 by the Portuguese.
• The Mughal Emperor who permitted English trade was Jahangir.
• The French East India Company was founded by Colbert.
• The Danish East India Company was chartered by Christian IV.

III. Match the Following

Country	Year
The Dutch	1602
The British	1600
The Danish	1616
The French	1664

IV. True or False

• Autobiography is one of the written sources – True
• Coins are one of the material sources – True
• Ananda Rangam served under the British – False
• Historical documents are preserved in archives – True

VI. Answer in One or Two Sentences (2 Marks)

1. Give a short note on Archives.

• Archives preserve historical documents.
• They help us study the past.
• National Archives of India is in New Delhi.

2. Write about the importance of Coins.

• Coins are historical sources.
• They give details about rulers.
• They are reliable evidence.

3. Why is Prince Henry called "Henry the Navigator"?

• He encouraged sea voyages.
• He supported sailors and explorers.
• Hence he was called Henry the Navigator.

4. Name the important Dutch factories in India.

• Pulicat and Surat.
• Chinsura and Nagapattinam.
• Cochin and Patna.

5. Mention the trade centres of the English in India.

• Surat.
• Agra and Ahmedabad.
• Broach.

VII. Detailed Answers (5 Marks)

1. Give an account of the sources of Modern India.

• Sources help us know India's past.
• Written sources include books and diaries.
• Travel accounts provide information.
• Archives preserve official records.
• Paintings and statues are material sources.
• Museums preserve cultural heritage.
• Coins provide administrative information.

2. How did the Portuguese establish their trading centres in India?

• Vasco da Gama reached Calicut in 1498.
• Factories were established at Calicut and Cochin.
• Cochin became their first capital.
• Almeida strengthened naval power.
• Albuquerque captured Goa.
• Goa became their headquarters.
• Portuguese controlled many ports.

3. How did the British establish their trading centres in India?

• East India Company was formed in 1600.
• Captain Hawkins visited Jahangir's court.
• English defeated the Portuguese near Surat.
• Jahangir allowed a factory at Surat.
• Sir Thomas Roe gained trade privileges.
• Trade centres opened at Agra and Ahmedabad.
• English trade expanded across India.

Class 8 Social Science – History Notes