Class8 Social Studies Chapter3 and 4 MCQ

Class 8 – Exploring Society: India and Beyond

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CHAPTER 3: The Rise of the Marathas

(MCQs 1–20)

1. Who founded the Maratha Empire?
A. Baji Rao I
B. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
C. Aurangzeb
D. Balaji Vishwanath
➡️ Ans: B

2. The capital of Shivaji’s kingdom was:
A. Pune
B. Satara
C. Raigad
D. Pratapgad
➡️ Ans: C

3. Shivaji was crowned as:
A. Emperor
B. Sultan
C. Chhatrapati
D. Nawab
➡️ Ans: C

4. Which fort was the capital of Shivaji?
A. Pratapgad
B. Sinhagad
C. Raigad
D. Purandar
➡️ Ans: C

5. Who were the Peshwas?
A. Army generals
B. Tax collectors
C. Prime Ministers
D. Judges
➡️ Ans: C

6. Which Peshwa greatly expanded Maratha power?
A. Balaji Vishwanath
B. Baji Rao I
C. Nana Phadnavis
D. Shivaji
➡️ Ans: B

7. The Maratha administration was based on:
A. Centralisation
B. Confederacy
C. Dictatorship
D. Democracy
➡️ Ans: B

8. Shivaji was known for his:
A. Cruel rule
B. Religious intolerance
C. Efficient administration
D. Weak army
➡️ Ans: C

9. Shivaji respected:
A. Only one religion
B. All religions
C. Only Hinduism
D. Only Islam
➡️ Ans: B

10. Which feature strengthened Maratha power?
A. Weak forts
B. Strong navy
C. Poor administration
D. Lack of army
➡️ Ans: B

11. Which Mughal ruler opposed Shivaji?
A. Babur
B. Akbar
C. Aurangzeb
D. Jahangir
➡️ Ans: C

12. The Marathas weakened which empire?
A. Gupta
B. Maurya
C. Mughal
D. Chola
➡️ Ans: C

13. The Maratha confederacy means:
A. One central ruler
B. Different chiefs ruling regions
C. No ruler
D. Foreign rule
➡️ Ans: B

14. Which Maratha leader built many forts?
A. Baji Rao I
B. Balaji Vishwanath
C. Shivaji
D. Nana Phadnavis
➡️ Ans: C

15. Which was NOT a Maratha leader?
A. Shivaji
B. Baji Rao I
C. Balaji Vishwanath
D. Ranjit Singh
➡️ Ans: D

16. The Marathas expanded mainly during the:
A. 16th century
B. 17th century
C. 18th century
D. 19th century
➡️ Ans: C

17. The headquarters of the Peshwas was:
A. Satara
B. Pune
C. Raigad
D. Delhi
➡️ Ans: B

18. Shivaji was a master of:
A. Naval warfare
B. Guerrilla warfare
C. Air warfare
D. Nuclear warfare
➡️ Ans: B

19. The Marathas collected a tax called:
A. Zakat
B. Jizya
C. Chauth
D. Lagaan
➡️ Ans: C

20. Shivaji’s administration promoted:
A. Injustice
B. Efficiency and welfare
C. Corruption
D. Weak rule
➡️ Ans: B

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CHAPTER 4: The Colonial Era in India

(MCQs 21–40)

21. Colonial rule in India was established by:
A. French
B. Dutch
C. British
D. Portuguese
➡️ Ans: C

22. The British first came to India for:
A. Administration
B. Religion
C. Trade
D. Education
➡️ Ans: C

23. Which company led British expansion in India?
A. French East India Company
B. Dutch Company
C. British East India Company
D. Indian Company
➡️ Ans: C

24. The Battle of Plassey was fought in:
A. 1764
B. 1757
C. 1857
D. 1805
➡️ Ans: B

25. The Battle of Buxar was fought in:
A. 1757
B. 1764
C. 1775
D. 1857
➡️ Ans: B

26. Who introduced the Subsidiary Alliance?
A. Warren Hastings
B. Lord Dalhousie
C. Lord Wellesley
D. Lord Cornwallis
➡️ Ans: C

27. Colonialism means:
A. Freedom of a country
B. Control of one country by another
C. Self-rule
D. Equality
➡️ Ans: B

28. British rule resulted in:
A. Growth of Indian industries
B. Economic exploitation
C. Self-reliance
D. No change
➡️ Ans: B

29. Indian handicrafts declined due to:
A. Demand
B. British policies
C. Support
D. Promotion
➡️ Ans: B

30. The British introduced:
A. Decentralised administration
B. Centralised administration
C. Village rule
D. No administration
➡️ Ans: B

31. Which policy allowed British interference in Indian states?
A. Lapse Doctrine
B. Subsidiary Alliance
C. Permanent Settlement
D. Ryotwari System
➡️ Ans: B

32. Who introduced the Doctrine of Lapse?
A. Lord Wellesley
B. Lord Dalhousie
C. Lord Cornwallis
D. Lord Hastings
➡️ Ans: B

33. Which revenue system fixed land revenue permanently?
A. Ryotwari
B. Mahalwari
C. Permanent Settlement
D. Temporary System
➡️ Ans: C

34. The British used India mainly as a source of:
A. Finished goods
B. Raw materials
C. Machines
D. Capital
➡️ Ans: B

35. Which was a social impact of colonial rule?
A. Traditional education strengthened
B. Western education introduced
C. No change
D. End of education
➡️ Ans: B

36. The British drained wealth from India to:
A. France
B. Portugal
C. Britain
D. America
➡️ Ans: C

37. Farmers suffered mainly due to:
A. Low taxes
B. Heavy land revenue
C. Good irrigation
D. Support from British
➡️ Ans: B

38. Colonial rule weakened:
A. British economy
B. Indian industries
C. Indian unity
D. Both B and C
➡️ Ans: D

39. Which sector suffered the most?
A. Handicrafts
B. Transport
C. Education
D. Banking
➡️ Ans: A

40. British rule in India lasted until:
A. 1857
B. 1900
C. 1947
D. 1950
➡️ Ans: C

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