Class 8 English (Honeydew) Chapter 3 Glimpses of the Past

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I. Chapter Summary:

Glimpses of the Past is a unique comic strip-style narrative that presents key moments in Indian history from 1757 to 1857, leading up to the First War of Independence. Through visually engaging scenes and captions, the chapter showcases how British exploitation, economic drain, and social oppression led to growing unrest among Indians.

It includes voices of reformers like Raja Ram Mohan Roy, the plight of Indian soldiers, and the anger of farmers and artisans. The final scenes reveal the spark of revolt ignited by Mangal Pandey and the mutiny of 1857, signaling the beginning of India’s collective resistance against British rule.

II. Key Concepts Covered:

ConceptExplanation
Colonial ExploitationBritish East India Company’s unfair economic policies drained India’s wealth.
Social Reform MovementsLeaders like Raja Ram Mohan Roy pushed for education and abolition of evils.
National ConsciousnessSlowly, Indians began to realize the need to fight for their rights.
First War of Independence (1857)Triggered by discontent among soldiers, farmers, and intellectuals.
Use of Comic FormatSimplifies complex history through visuals, dialogues, and short scenes.

III. Important Questions:

(A) Multiple Choice Questions (1 Mark):

  1. Who was the British officer shot by Mangal Pandey?
    a) General Hudson
    b) Lt. Baugh ✔️
    c) Lord Dalhousie
    d) Captain James

  2. What social evil did Raja Ram Mohan Roy strongly oppose?
    a) Partition
    b) Widow remarriage
    c) Sati ✔️
    d) Temple taxes

  3. What was the main cause of resentment among Indian farmers and artisans?
    a) High salaries
    b) Poor climate
    c) Heavy taxes and destruction of industries ✔️
    d) Free trade

  4. In which year did the revolt of sepoys begin?
    a) 1757
    b) 1800
    c) 1857 ✔️
    d) 1885

(B) Short Answer Questions (2/3 Marks):

  1. What were some of the economic impacts of British policies on India? (PYQ 2020)

  2. How did Indian soldiers react to discrimination in the British army?

  3. Describe the contributions of Indian reformers to social awakening.

  4. Why did the revolt of 1857 start? Mention any two reasons.

(C) Long Answer Questions (5 Marks):

  1. Explain how the events shown in Glimpses of the Past build up to the Revolt of 1857. (PYQ 2021)

  2. How did the British systematically exploit India’s economy and society?

  3. What role did Indian reformers play in changing public thought before the revolt?

  4. Discuss the significance of Glimpses of the Past as a historical learning tool for students.

(D) HOTS (Higher Order Thinking Skills):

  1. Do you think a revolt like 1857 was inevitable after years of British oppression? Why or why not?

  2. If you were an Indian soldier in 1857, how would you have responded to the injustice?

IV. Key Definitions / Concepts:

TermDefinitionExample/Context
SatiA former Hindu practice of burning a widow on her husband’s funeral pyreOpposed by Raja Ram Mohan Roy
Doctrine of LapseBritish policy of annexing Indian states without heirsLed to loss of several princely states
SepoyIndian soldiers employed in the British armyMain participants in the 1857 Revolt
Drain of WealthExporting India’s resources to Britain without fair returnIndia suffered economic loss under British rule
Revolt of 1857First mass uprising against British rule, also known as the First War of IndependenceLed by soldiers like Mangal Pandey

V. Deleted Portions (CBSE 2025–2026):

No portions have been deleted from this chapter as per the rationalized NCERT textbooks.

VI. Chapter-Wise Marks Bifurcation (Estimated – CBSE 2025–2026):

Unit/ChapterEstimated MarksType of Questions Typically Asked
Glimpses of the Past6–8 MarksMCQs, Short Answers, Long Value-Based, HOTS, Picture Reading

VII. Previous Year Questions (PYQs):

YearQuestionMarks
2020What were the main causes of dissatisfaction among Indian sepoys?3 Marks
2021Describe the role of Indian reformers shown in the chapter.5 Marks

VIII. Real-World Application Examples to Connect with Topics:

  • Civic Awareness: Helps students understand roots of Indian nationalism and freedom struggle.

  • Critical Thinking: Encourages students to question colonial policies and their impact.

  • Multimedia Learning: Shows how visuals (like comics or infographics) can simplify history.

  • Art Integration: Students can create timelines, posters, or comic strips on Indian reformers or freedom fighters.

IX. Student Tips & Strategies for Success:

 Time Management:

  • Break the chapter into segments (Pre-1857, Early Reformers, Sepoy Revolt) for daily revision.

  • Use comic panels as memory aids to recall sequence and facts quickly.

 Exam Preparation:

  • Prepare flowcharts of causes and effects leading to 1857.

  • Practice writing short biographies of key figures like Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Mangal Pandey.

 Stress Management:

  • Pair history with storytelling or sketching to keep engagement high.

  • Study in groups using question cards or quizzes.

X. Career Guidance & Exploration (Class-Specific):

For Classes 9–10:
Career PathRelevance to the Chapter
Historian / ArchivistDeep study of primary sources, documents, and historical timelines
Civil Services / IASStrong foundation in history aids in UPSC and other exams
Political ScientistUnderstanding of colonial systems and governance
Social Studies TeacherTeaching history and building national awareness

 Encourage students to participate in history exhibitions, quiz competitions, and patriotic skits.

XI. Important Notes:

  •  Always cross-check with https://cbseacademic.nic.in for syllabus and updates.

  •  Emphasize timeline awareness, character analysis, and linking cause-effect relationships.

  •  Promote visual learning (maps, comics, infographics) alongside textual study.

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