NCERT Solutions-Chapter 3- The Rise of the Marathas Class 8-Social Science
1. Analyse how geography (particularly mountains and coastlines)
guided Maratha military strategy and state formation.
Answer: Geography and
Maratha Military Strategy:
·
The Sahyadri
(Western Ghats) mountains gave natural
protection and hiding places for guerrilla warfare.
·
Forts like Raigad
and Pratapgad were built on hills, making them
hard to capture.
·
The Konkan
coastline helped the Marathas build a strong
navy under Shivaji
and Kanhoji Angre.
·
Mountain passes allowed sudden attacks and quick retreats.
·
Control of sea routes stopped European traders from fully
dominating the west coast.
2. Imagine
you are creating a short biography of a Maratha leader for younger students.
Choose one personality (Kanhoji Angre, Bajirao I, Mahadji Shinde, Ahilyabai
Holkar or Tarabai) and write 3-4 paragraphs highlighting what
makes them inspirational. Include at least one challenge they overcame.
Answer: Short
Biography – Ahilyabai Holkar:
·
Ahilyabai Holkar ruled the Malwa region for thirty
years after losing her husband and son.
·
She showed wisdom, kindness, and bravery in administration.
·
She rebuilt many temples like Kashi Vishwanath
(Varanasi) and Somnath (Gujarat), and
constructed ghats, wells, and roads.
·
She supported weavers of Maheshwar,
keeping traditional crafts alive.
·
Despite personal tragedies, she continued ruling with fairness
and care for her people, which makes her inspirational.
3. If you
could visit one Maratha fort today (such as Raigad, Sindhudurg, Gingee, or
Pratapgad), which would you choose and why? Research its history, architecture,
and strategic importance. Present your findings as a digital presentation or a
poster in class.
Answer: Visit
to a Fort – Raigad
Fort:
·
I would choose Raigad Fort, where Shivaji
was crowned in 1674.
·
It is located on a hilltop, difficult for enemies to capture.
·
The fort has strong walls, gateways, and secret paths.
·
It was the capital of Shivaji’s kingdom,
making it a symbol of Swaraj.
·
Visiting Raigad shows the Maratha vision of independence and
strength.
4. The
chapter states, “The British took India from the Marathas more than from the
Mughals or any other power.” What do you think this means? What evidence from
the chapter supports this idea?
Answer:
·
By the 18th century, the Marathas
controlled most of India, not the Mughals.
·
They fought three Anglo-Maratha Wars (1775–1818) with
the British.
·
The British defeated them due to better organisation and
internal disunity among Marathas.
·
Delhi was under Maratha
control till 1803, before the British took it.
·
This means the British gained power mainly by defeating the
Marathas, not the Mughals.
5. Compare
how Shivaji and later Marathas treated religious places and people of different
faiths. What evidence from the chapter shows their approach to religious
diversity?
Answer: Approach
to Religious Diversity:
·
Shivaji respected other
religions and
did not destroy places of worship.
·
When he sacked Surat, he spared the house of a charitable
Jain merchant, Mohandas Parekh.
·
He rebuilt desecrated temples and
supported Sanskrit and Marathi literature.
·
Later Marathas like Ahilyabai Holkar rebuilt
temples across India.
·
The Marathas revived Hindu traditions but did not forcefully
convert or discriminate.
6. The
chapter describes how forts were ‘the core of the state’ for Marathas. Why were
they so important? How did they help the Marathas survive against larger
enemies?
Answer: Importance
of Forts:
·
Forts were the “core of the state” as
written in the Ādnyāpatra.
·
They gave shelter and supply bases for armies.
·
Forts like Pratapgad helped in
guerrilla warfare and sudden attacks.
·
They secured important trade routes and villages from enemy
invasions.
·
Even when big empires like the Mughals attacked, forts helped
the Marathas survive.
7. You have
been appointed as the chief designer for Maratha coins. Design a coin that
represents Maratha achievements and values. Explain the symbols you
chose.
Answer: Design
of a Maratha Coin:
·
Front side: Shivaji’s seal with a saffron
flag symbolising Swaraj.
·
Back side: Lord Ganapati
symbol for blessings and cultural pride.
·
Use of Devanagari
script to show Marathi identity.
·
A fort symbol to mark strength and defence.
·
Waves or a ship to represent Maratha naval power under Kanhoji Angre.
8. After this
introduction to the Maratha period, what do you think was their most important
contribution to Indian history? Write a paragraph supporting your opinion with
examples from the chapter. Then share and discuss your ideas with classmates.
Answer: Maratha
Contribution to Indian History:
·
The Marathas built the largest
Indian empire before the British, spreading from
Peshawar to Tamil Nadu.
·
They introduced efficient
administration with fair taxation and justice.
·
They inspired cultural revival by promoting Marathi
and Sanskrit.
·
Their resistance to the Mughals and later to the British kept
alive the ideal of Swaraj (self-rule).
·
Their most important contribution was planting the early
seeds of freedom in Indian minds.
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