NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Social Science History Chapter 6 Civilising the Native, Educating the Nation contain solutions to the exercises given in the History book Our Pasts -III. These answers have been explained in a manner that you will easily understand all the concepts and get your doubts cleared without even seeking anyone’s assistance. You can read and download all the questions and answers in PDF format.
Class 8 History Civilising the Native, Educating the Nation Questions and Answers
Question 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 |
Question 2: State whether true or false:
(a) James Mill was a severe critic of the Orientalists.
Answer: True
(b) The 1854 Despatch on education was in favour of English being introduced as a medium of higher education in India.
Answer: True
(c) Mahatma Gandhi thought that promotion of literacy was the most important aim of
education.
Answer: False
(d) Rabindranath Tagore felt that children ought to be subjected to strict discipline.
Answer: False
Question 3: Why did William Jones feel the need to study Indian history, philosophy and law?
Answer: William Jones felt the need to study Indian history, philosophy and law as this will not only help the British learn from Indian culture but it would also help Indian to rediscover their own heritage and understand the lost glories of their past. This would establish the British as guardians of Indian culture and gain total control.
Question 4: Why did James Mill and Thomas Macaulay think that European education was essential in India?
Answer: Both James Mill and Thomas Macaulay saw India as an uncivilised country that needed to be civilised. And for this purpose, European education Was essential. They felt that knowledge of English would allow Indians to read some of the finest literature of the world, it would make them aware of the developments in Western science and philosophy. The teaching of English could thus be a way of civilising people, changing their tastes, values and culture.
Question 5: Why did Mahatma Gandhi want to teach children handicrafts?
Solution: Mahatma Gandhi wanted to teach children handicraft because that would develop their minds and their capacity to understand. This would also enable them to know how different things operated. This would help them to have lived experience and practical knowledge.
Question 6: Why did Mahatma Gandhi think that English education had enslaved Indians?
Solution: Mahatma Gandhi argued that colonial education created a sense of inferiority in the minds of Indians. It made them see Western civilisation as superior and destroyed the pride they had in their own culture. Gandhi thought that there was poison in English education. And it was sinful, it enslaved Indians and cast an evil spell on them. Charmed by the West and appreciating everything that came from the West, Indians educated in these institutions began admiring British rule. Mahatma Gandhi wanted an education that could help Indians recover their sense of dignity and self-respect. During the national movement, he urged students to leave educational institutions in order to show to the British that the Indians were no longer willing to be enslaved.