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

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Social Science History Chapter 3 Ruling the Countryside provides solutions to all questions given in NCERT Textbook. Our expertly crafted solutions provide detailed, step-by-step answers to all textbook questions, making it easier for students to grasp complex concepts. By using our solutions, students can enhance their understanding, improve their problem-solving skills, and boost their confidence in the subject.

Chapter	Ruling the Countryside
Textbook	NCERT
Type of Material	NCERT Solutions
Class	8
Subject	Social Science – History
Section	Our Past – III
Useful for	Class 8 Studying Students
Session	2024-25
Solutions provided	Yes
Important Link	NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Social Science

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

Let’s recall

1. Match the following.

Ryot	Village
Mahal	Peasant
Nij	Cultivation on ryot’s lands
Ryoti	Cultivation on planter’s own land

Ans.

Ryot	Peasant
Mahal	Village
Nij	Cultivation on planter’s own land
Ryoti	Cultivation on ryot’s land

2. Fill in the blanks.

1. Growers of woad in Europe saw  as a crop which would provide competition to their earnings.
2. The demand for indigo increased in late eighteenth-century Britain because of .
3. The international demand for indigo was affected by the discovery of .
4. The Champaran movement was against .

Ans.

1. Indigo
2. Expansion of cotton production
3. Synthetic dyes
4. Indigo planters

Let’s discuss

3. Describe the main features of the Permanent Settlement

Ans. The Permanent Settlement, also known as the Zamindari System, is a significant historical feature discussed in Class 8 History Chapter 3, “Ruling the Countryside.” This system was introduced by the British during their colonial rule in India. Here are the main features of the Permanent Settlement:

1. Fixed Revenue: Under the Permanent Settlement, the British East India Company fixed a permanent amount of revenue that the landowners (zamindars) had to pay to the British government. This fixed revenue was typically a substantial amount, and it did not change with fluctuations in agricultural production or land productivity.
2. Hereditary Rights: Zamindars were given hereditary rights to collect revenue from the land. These rights could be passed down from one generation to the next within a family. This meant that zamindars and their descendants had a stable source of income and control over the land.
3. Role of Middlemen: The zamindars acted as intermediaries between the British government and the actual cultivators (peasants or ryots). They were responsible for collecting revenue from the ryots and paying it to the British government. This system created a landlord class in rural India.
4. Lack of Incentive for Improvement: Since the revenue was fixed and didn’t depend on agricultural productivity, zamindars had little incentive to invest in land improvement or support the peasants in any way. This lack of incentive often led to neglect of the land.
5. Burden on Peasants: The peasants, or ryots, who cultivated the land faced the brunt of the Permanent Settlement. They were obligated to pay fixed rents to the zamindars, regardless of their harvest or income. This inflexibility often resulted in economic hardships for the ryots.
6. Impact on Agriculture: The lack of incentives for land improvement and the burden of fixed rents on peasants had adverse effects on agriculture. Agricultural practices often stagnated, and there was little technological or infrastructural development.
7. Social Consequences: The Permanent Settlement led to the emergence of a landlord class (zamindars) who often exploited the peasants. It also contributed to social inequalities and land concentration in the hands of a few.

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

Ans.

Difference Between Mahalwari System and Permanent Settlement
Aspect	Mahalwari System	Permanent Settlement
Nature of Revenue Collection	Collective Revenue Collection	Individual Zamindari Revenue Collection
Individual Landowners	No individual landowners; Land revenue was collected collectively from villages or mahals.	Individual zamindars or landlords were responsible for collecting land revenue.
Revenue Fixation	Not fixed; Revenue assessed periodically based on the land’s productivity and fluctuations in agricultural output.	Fixed; A permanent revenue amount was set and remained unchanged regardless of agricultural productivity.
Role of Middlemen	Limited role of intermediaries; Revenue collection was typically done by village headmen or community leaders.	Significant role of intermediaries; Zamindars acted as intermediaries between the British government and the peasants.
Ownership and Transferability	Landownership typically remained with the village or mahal as a collective entity. Individual ownership rights were not recognized.	Zamindars had hereditary ownership rights to land, and these rights could be bought, sold, or inherited within families.
Incentive for Improvement	Provided an incentive for land improvement as revenue assessments were periodically revised based on land productivity.	Provided little incentive for land improvement since revenue was fixed, and zamindars had a guaranteed income.
Responsibility for Revenue Payment	Villages or mahals collectively paid revenue to the British government.	Zamindars were responsible for collecting revenue from peasants and paying it to the British government.
Impact on Peasants	Generally, peasants had a more direct relationship with the British government and could influence revenue assessments through their local representatives.	Peasants often faced exploitation and oppression from zamindars, who could charge exorbitant rents.

5. Give two problems which arose with the new Munro system of fixing revenue.

Ans. The new Munro system of fixing revenue, also known as the Ryotwari System, had its share of problems:

a. Assessment Difficulties: One problem was the difficulty in accurately assessing the land’s productivity and determining the appropriate land revenue. This often led to disputes and conflicts between revenue officials and ryots (peasants) about the assessment process and the amount of revenue to be paid.

b. Economic Burden on Ryots: The Munro system placed a heavy economic burden on ryots, as they had to pay revenue directly to the British government. This direct interaction with the government made them vulnerable to exploitation and arbitrary taxation, causing financial hardships for the ryots.

6. Why were ryots reluctant to grow indigo?

Ans. Ryots were often reluctant to grow indigo for several reasons:

a. Low Profitability: Indigo cultivation was not very profitable for ryots. The indigo plant required a substantial amount of land and labor, but the returns were meager. This made it less attractive compared to other cash crops or food crops.

b. Forced Cultivation: Many indigo planters forced ryots into indigo cultivation through contracts and advances. The ryots resented this coercion and the loss of their freedom to choose what crops to grow.

c. Harsh Working Conditions: The process of indigo extraction was labor-intensive and involved long hours of hard work. Ryots and laborers often faced harsh working conditions in indigo factories.

d. Economic Impact: Indigo cultivation often exhausted the soil, leading to decreased yields in subsequent crops. Ryots were concerned about the long-term impact on their land’s fertility.

7. What were the circumstances which led to the eventual collapse of indigo production in Bengal?

The collapse of indigo production in Bengal can be attributed to several factors and circumstances:

a. Peasant Resistance: Ryots and peasants, facing exploitation and coercion from indigo planters, organized widespread resistance movements, such as the Indigo Revolt or the Neel Bidroha. They protested against the forced cultivation of indigo.

b. Government Intervention: The British government became increasingly aware of the oppressive practices associated with indigo cultivation and took steps to regulate the industry. Legislation was enacted to protect the rights of ryots.

c. Global Economic Changes: The global market for indigo changed as synthetic dyes were developed, rendering natural indigo less economically viable. This reduced the demand for indigo, making it less profitable for planters.

d. Shift to Alternative Crops: With the decline in indigo production, many ryots and planters shifted to cultivating other cash crops like jute and tea, which were more profitable and less labor-intensive.

e. Collective Action: The collective action of peasants, government intervention, and changing economic circumstances contributed to the eventual collapse of indigo production in Bengal.

Let’s do

8. Find out more about the Champaran movement and Mahatma Gandhi’s role in it.

Ans. The Champaran movement was a significant event in India’s struggle for independence, and Mahatma Gandhi played a pivotal role in it. Here’s an overview:

• Background: In 1917, the Champaran district of Bihar was known for indigo cultivation, and indigo planters forced local farmers (sharecroppers) to cultivate indigo against their will. The farmers faced oppressive conditions, including unjust revenue demands.
• Gandhi’s Involvement: Mahatma Gandhi, who had recently arrived in India from South Africa, was approached by the local farmers seeking help to address their grievances. Gandhi agreed to visit Champaran and investigate the situation.
• Gandhi’s Approach: Gandhi’s approach in Champaran was based on non-violence and civil disobedience. He conducted a detailed survey of the region, met with farmers, and organized mass protests against indigo cultivation and oppressive landlords.
• Resolution: Gandhi’s efforts in Champaran led to a significant breakthrough. The British government appointed a committee to inquire into the farmers’ grievances. As a result, the Champaran Agrarian Bill was passed in 1918, which aimed to improve the conditions of the farmers and protect their rights.
• Impact: The Champaran movement marked an important milestone in India’s struggle for independence. It demonstrated the power of non-violent resistance and civil disobedience. Gandhi’s success in Champaran boosted his credibility and influence in the Indian independence movement.

9. Look into the history of either tea or coffee plantations in India. See how the life of workers in these plantations was similar to or different from that of workers in indigo plantations.

Ans. Tea and coffee plantations in India have their own unique histories and labor experiences:

• Similarities:

1. Like indigo plantations, tea and coffee plantations in colonial India often employed a large workforce of laborers, including indigenous and migrant workers.
2. Workers on these plantations faced long and strenuous working hours, sometimes in challenging weather conditions.
3. Housing conditions for laborers on tea and coffee plantations were often basic, and workers lived in labor lines or quarters provided by the plantation owners.

• Differences:

1. Unlike the forced cultivation of indigo, laborers on tea and coffee plantations were typically wage laborers who received monetary compensation for their work.
2. The living and working conditions on tea and coffee plantations were often considered better than those on indigo plantations due to the availability of wages and some degree of legal protection for workers.
3. Labor movements and unions in tea and coffee plantations were relatively more organized compared to the indigo plantations, leading to better rights and conditions for workers.

While there were some similarities in the harsh conditions faced by workers on these plantations, the key difference was that tea and coffee plantation laborers were typically wage earners, whereas indigo plantation laborers were often sharecroppers or forced cultivators. These differences had implications for their social and economic conditions.

Also access

• NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Social Science History Chapter 3 Ruling the Countryside
• NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Social Science History Chapter 2 From Trade to Territory
• NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Social Science History Chapter 1 How, When and Where

Topics covered in NCERT Class 8 Social Science History Chapter 3

3.1	Revenue Generation
3.2	Crop for Europe

By referring to NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Social Science Chapter 3, students can quickly clarify difficult concepts. These solutions also ensure that students learn the correct answers to the exercise questions in their Class 8 Science NCERT textbook.

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