NCERT Solutions For Class 8 Social Science History Chapter 7: Chapter 7 of Class 8 Social Science History is about how the British introduced education in India during the 1800s. They wanted to teach Indians Western ideas and make them loyal to British rule.
This chapter talks about how schools were set up, how English became the main language of instruction, and what effects these changes had on Indian society. By understanding these ideas, students can learn about the history of education in India during colonial times and how it shaped the country.NCERT Solutions For Class 8 Social Science History Chapter 7 PDF
Exercises Page No. 92
1. Match the following:
| William Jones | Promotion of English education |
| Rabindranath Tagore | Respect for ancient cultures |
| Thomas Macaulay | Gurus |
| Mahatma Gandhi | Learning in a natural environment |
| Pathshalas | Critical of English education |
Answer.
| William Jones | Respect for ancient cultures |
| Rabindranath Tagore | Learning in a natural environment |
| Thomas Macaulay | Promotion of English education |
| Mahatma Gandhi | Critical of English education |
| Pathshalas | Gurus |
2. State whether true or false:
(a) James Mill was a severe critic of the Orientalists.
(b) The 1854 despatch on education was in favour of English being introduced as a medium of higher education in India.(c) Mahatma Gandhi thought that the promotion of literacy was the most important aim of education.
(d) Rabindranath Tagore felt that children ought to be subjected to strict discipline.
Answer.
(a) True (b) True (c) False (d) False3. Why did William Jones feel the need to study Indian history, philosophy and law?
Answer.
4. Why did James Mill and Thomas Macaulay think that European education was essential in India?
Answer.
5. Why did Mahatma Gandhi want to teach children handicrafts?
Answer.
According to Mahatma Gandhi, education should be holistic, nurturing the best in individuals, encompassing their body, mind, and spirit. He believed that literacy alone was not enough and should not be the starting point of education. Gandhi advocated for a system where children learn practical skills and crafts from a young age, enabling them to create and understand the processes behind their work. He emphasized that true education goes beyond mechanical learning and should include a scientific understanding of every aspect of handicrafts. Gandhi believed that this approach would lead to the highest development of both the mind and the soul.6. Why did Mahatma Gandhi think that English education had enslaved Indians?
Answer.
Mahatma Gandhi strongly criticized colonial education, arguing that it instilled a sense of inferiority in Indians by promoting the idea of Western civilization's superiority and undermining their pride in their own culture. He believed that English education was poisonous, enslaving Indians and eroding their dignity and self-respect. Gandhi felt that Indians educated in Western institutions became enamored with British rule, losing sight of their own identity and aspirations. He advocated for an education system that would restore Indians' sense of pride and self-worth. During the national movement, Gandhi encouraged students to boycott educational institutions to demonstrate their refusal to be enslaved by British rule.