CBSE Class 8 Social - Our Pasts - III by Pavan | Practice Test to Test Your Knowledge
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  3. CBSE Class 8 Social - Our Pasts - III
CBSE Class 8 Social - Our Pasts - III

CBSE Class 8 Social - Our Pasts - III

Comprehensive mock test on Ancient Civilizations, Medieval Period, and Cultural Heritage. Features source-based questions, chronological understanding, and historical analysis.

2025-07-16
Pavan Pavan
CBSE Class 8 Grade 8

Duration

30 min

Questions

30

Marking

Negative

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Questions Preview

What was one reason historians were fascinated with dates in the past?

A
To document the specific year a ruler was crowned
B
To understand cultural and social changes over time
C
To study the geographical changes in the world
D
To keep track of the natural disasters in history

Why is history associated with dates, even though they are not always precise?

A
Because it was about documenting significant events and battles
B
To understand social movements and protests
C
Because history was written to focus on cultural and economic change
D
Because it focused on scientific discoveries

What does the concept of 'colonisation' in history refer to?

A
The process where one country subjugates another, leading to political, economic, and cultural changes
B
The spread of modern technology across different countries
C
The scientific discovery of new territories
D
The formation of modern nation-states

What was the purpose of the British creating record rooms and archives?

A
To preserve important documents and policies for future generations
B
To keep track of the monetary value of their colonies
C
To protect their military strategies from foreign nations
D
To document the religious practices of native populations

What did James Mill's periodisation of Indian history emphasize?

A
It divided history into Hindu, Muslim, and British periods
B
It focused on the economic progress of India
C
It was based on cultural and philosophical movements
D
It focused on the rise and fall of different empires

What does the term 'medieval' refer to in Western historical periodisation?

A
A society that lacked modern features like science, reason, and liberty
B
A time of great economic progress and democracy
C
A period of enlightenment and scientific discoveries
D
A period dominated by religious and cultural growth

Why was surveying important for the British colonial administration in India?

A
To properly administer the country by understanding its geography and resources
B
To promote the growth of scientific research in India
C
To map the religious distribution of the country
D
To document the traditional art and culture of different regions

What type of sources do historians use to write about the last 250 years of Indian history?

A
Official documents, diaries, autobiographies, and newspapers
B
Religious texts and spiritual writings
C
Poems and folk songs
D
Maps and geographical surveys

What does the British classification of history based on Governors-General suggest?

A
It focused on the lives and policies of British rulers, ignoring other aspects of Indian society
B
It was centered around the social and economic movements in India
C
It highlighted the cultural exchanges between India and Britain
D
It focused on the military conquests of British India

What were the primary goals of British surveys in colonial India?

A
To gather data for effective administration of the country
B
To support the local Indian rulers in their governance
C
To map the locations of religious temples
D
To establish the location of cultural monuments

What was one of the problems with James Mill's division of Indian history into Hindu, Muslim, and British periods?

A
It oversimplified India's diverse religious and cultural history
B
It ignored the influence of British culture in India
C
It did not account for the role of trade in Indian history
D
It placed too much emphasis on military conquests

What was the nature of historical information found in British colonial documents?

A
It reflected the perspective of the British administration
B
It gave a comprehensive view of Indian society
C
It focused mainly on the cultural practices of Indians
D
It was a blend of Indian and British narratives

Which of the following is a primary source for historical research in colonial India?

A
Official government reports
B
Modern history books
C
Local myths and legends
D
Contemporary news broadcasts

Which of the following best describes British surveys conducted in India?

A
Detailed surveys to understand topography, resources, and population
B
Surveys to map religious structures and cultural sites
C
Surveys to assess the performance of Indian rulers
D
Surveys focused on documenting folklore and oral history

What is one issue historians face when relying on official documents from the British colonial period?

A
They often reflect only the perspective of the British administration, not the people
B
They are often incomplete and missing critical data
C
They are written in a language that is hard to understand
D
They ignore the role of colonial economics

Which of the following was a significant result of the British emphasis on surveying in India?

A
A more structured and centralized system of governance
B
The spread of democratic values across India
C
A reduction in the importance of trade and commerce
D
A cultural revival of Indian traditions

What were the consequences of the 1857 rebellion as depicted in British illustrations?

A
The rebels were portrayed as brutal and greedy
B
The rebels were glorified as national heroes
C
The rebellion was depicted as a peaceful uprising
D
The rebellion was portrayed as a spontaneous event with no leadership

What is one of the limitations of using diaries and personal accounts for historical research?

A
They may only reflect the perspective of the literate classes
B
They are difficult to obtain
C
They are often too focused on factual data
D
They tend to be biased towards colonial narratives

What is the value of examining official British records along with local sources in historical research?

A
It helps provide a more complete picture by considering both official and grassroots perspectives
B
It allows for a purely factual and unbiased account of events
C
It simplifies the study by focusing on one type of source
D
It eliminates the need for interpretation

What was a common feature of the British advertisements like the 1922 Lipton Tea ad?

A
They associated products with royalty and high status
B
They focused on the affordability of the products
C
They promoted the use of traditional Indian methods
D
They used humor to attract customers

What was a major feature of the British records and documents during colonial rule?

A
They were meticulously documented and preserved for posterity
B
They were only focused on military strategies
C
They were kept secret and inaccessible to the public
D
They were only written in local languages

How did the British periodisation of Indian history differ from other historical frameworks?

A
It focused mainly on the rule of British officials
B
It divided history solely based on religious identities
C
It excluded all the cultural and economic aspects
D
It focused only on agricultural developments

What was a significant critique of James Mill's periodisation of Indian history?

A
It ignored the diverse religious and cultural lives of people
B
It divided history based on geographical boundaries
C
It emphasized the role of trade and economy
D
It focused on the military conquests of rulers

What do British surveys conducted in India reveal about their colonial approach?

A
The British viewed surveys as essential for proper governance
B
Surveys were conducted to improve the quality of life for Indians
C
The surveys focused on the cultural practices of Indians
D
They were done to document the religious practices of Indians

What is one of the limitations of using official documents from the British colonial period for historical research?

A
They often reflect only the British administration's perspective
B
They include information that is not relevant to the colonial context
C
They are incomplete and lack vital details
D
They focus only on the economic conditions in India

Which of the following was a characteristic of the British colonial administration's historical writings?

A
They focused on the accomplishments of British rulers while ignoring local perspectives
B
They highlighted the contributions of Indian rulers
C
They emphasized the economic progress brought by colonial rule
D
They documented the religious reforms introduced by the British

What type of sources do historians use to understand the lives of peasants and tribals during colonial India?

A
Diaries, autobiographies, and newspapers
B
Official colonial records
C
Religious texts
D
Military reports

What was one of the primary reasons the British emphasized record-keeping and surveys in India?

A
To better control and manage the colonial territory
B
To improve relations with local rulers
C
To document the cultural diversity of India
D
To understand the military strategies of rival empires

Which source would provide insight into the public sentiment during the British colonial rule?

A
Newspapers and pamphlets
B
Official British documents
C
Military dispatches
D
Religious scriptures

Why is it important for historians to study multiple sources, including both official records and local accounts?

A
To gain a well-rounded understanding of events from multiple perspectives
B
To ensure a completely unbiased historical account
C
To focus only on the viewpoints of the ruling class
D
To study the economic trends during the colonial period