Maharashtra Board Class 12 History Chapter 3 India and European Colonialism Exercise Solutions

1A. Choose the correct alternative and rewrite the statement.

1. Vasco da Gama was a seafarer from ___________
(a) Poland
(b) England
(c) France
(d) Portugal
Answer: (d) Portugal
In simple words: Vasco da Gama was the famous sailor who discovered the sea route to India, and he was from the country of Portugal.

📝 Teacher's Note: This is a great point to show students a map of the "Cape Route" around Africa to help them visualize how the Portuguese reached India.

🎯 Exam Tip: In "rewrite the statement" questions, always write the full sentence with the answer filled in and underlined to secure full marks.

2. The license was given by England to the East India Company to trade with eastern countries by ___________
(a) Sir George Oxenden
(b) Princess Braganza
(c) Queen Elizabeth
(d) Homer
Answer: (c) Queen Elizabeth
In simple words: Queen Elizabeth I of England gave a group of merchants official permission (a royal charter) to trade in India and other Eastern lands.

📝 Teacher's Note: Explain that this "license" or Charter gave the company a monopoly, meaning no other English company could compete with them at that time.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that it was Queen Elizabeth I; sometimes exams try to trick you with names of later kings or queens.

1B. Find the incorrect pair from group ‘B’ and write the corrected one.

1.

Answer: (a) Arcebispo – Archbishop
In simple words: One of the Portuguese titles was listed incorrectly; an "Arcebispo" was actually a high-ranking church leader (Archbishop), not a business officer.

📝 Teacher's Note: Use this to show how the Portuguese administration in India was deeply connected to the Church, as the Archbishop held high administrative power.

🎯 Exam Tip: When correcting the pair, write the term from Group A first, followed by its correct meaning from Group B.

2. Complete the concept map.

1. Islands of Mumbai

Answer:

In simple words: Modern Mumbai was formed by joining seven separate islands together. These islands were Mumbai, Mahim, Worli, Parel, Mazgaon, Sion, and Wadala.

📝 Teacher's Note: Explain that these islands were later merged through land reclamation projects over several centuries to form the city we know today.

🎯 Exam Tip: Visualizing the location of South Mumbai and its northern suburbs helps in remembering these seven names.

3. Explain the following statements with reasons.

1. The Indian rulers had to obtain Cartaz.
Answer: Cartaz: The Cartaz was a license issued by the Portuguese to the Indian rulers for sailing on the Indian Ocean when they established firm control of the Indian Ocean. It usually carried details like the name of the vessel (ship), the name of the captain of the ship, port of departure and arrival, the list of weaponry on the ship loaded for the purpose of self-defense, etc.
In simple words: The Portuguese controlled the seas so strictly that even Indian kings had to buy a special "sea-pass" from them to sail their own ships safely.

📝 Teacher's Note: Emphasize that the Portuguese used the Cartaz system to maintain a monopoly and track every ship's movement and cargo.

🎯 Exam Tip: Mentioning the specific details included in a Cartaz (like vessel name and weapons) shows depth of knowledge and helps score full marks.

2. Indian rulers found it difficult to fight the Portuguese.
Answer: The Portuguese established a strong navy. They used to launch sudden attacks on their enemy’s territory from the sea and wreck it completely. The Indian rulers could not match the Portuguese in their war tactics. Later when they established their firm control on the Indian Ocean it became necessary for the Indians to get a license from them for sailing on the Indian Ocean.
In simple words: The Portuguese had very advanced ships and a powerful navy, while Indian kings were mostly used to fighting on land and couldn't stop the surprise attacks from the sea.

📝 Teacher's Note: Ask students why a land-based army might struggle against a sea-based power to highlight the tactical disadvantage of the Indian rulers.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on the keywords "strong navy" and "sea-based war tactics" as these are the core reasons for Portuguese dominance.

4. Answer the following questions in detail.

1. Which are the places where the Portuguese established their colonies?
Answer: By 1608, the Portuguese had established their colonies on the western coast of India at Diu, Daman, Chaul, Goa (including Sashti and Bardish), Honnavar, Gangoli, Basrur, Mangalore, Kannur, Kodungallur, Kochi, and Kollam. Similarly, on the eastern coast, they had trader colonies at Nagapattinam, Mylapore or Sao Tome/San Thom, and Hugli in Bengal. This stretch of the Portuguese empire had its capital at Goa.
In simple words: The Portuguese built settlements all along India's coastline, with major centers like Goa and Diu in the West and Hugli in the East.

📝 Teacher's Note: Note how almost all colonies are coastal ports, showing that their empire was built entirely on sea trade.

🎯 Exam Tip: Dividing your answer into "Western Coast" and "Eastern Coast" makes it very organized and easier for the examiner to read.

2. What were the rights given to United East India Company by the Dutch government?
Answer: The Dutch government issued a license to the company to conduct trading with the eastern countries. The same license permitted them to appoint staff, establish factories, build forts, engage in battles against the eastern countries, and also sign treaties with them. Accordingly, the company appointed a Governor-General to take care of Indian affairs.
In simple words: The Dutch government gave their company the power to act like a mini-government—they could trade, build forts, fight wars, and sign peace deals.

📝 Teacher's Note: Highlight that these were not just "trading" rights but "sovereign" rights, which allowed the company to rule territory.

🎯 Exam Tip: Ensure you mention the appointment of a "Governor-General" as it was a key administrative outcome of these rights.

Try to do this (Textbook Page No. 19)

Question. Collect information of the church in Kerala, named after Vasco da Gama, with the help of the internet.
Answer: St. Francis Church:

• Built-in 1503 as one of the oldest European churches in India.
• Originally known as St. Bartholomew.
• Constructed of wood and stone.
• First Portuguese church in India.
• Founded by Pedro Alvarez De Cabral.
• Built-in Persian architecture style.
• The Portuguese built a fort and within the fort, they built a church.
• History has it that Vasco da Gama died during his third visit to India and was buried here in 1524.
• After 14 years his body was moved to Lisbon.

In simple words: St. Francis Church in Kerala is one of the oldest European churches in India and was the original burial place of the explorer Vasco da Gama.

📝 Teacher's Note: This church is a physical reminder of how early the European influence began in India's coastal regions.

🎯 Exam Tip: These "Try to do this" sections often appear as short notes or MCQ sources, so remember the year 1503 and the name of the church.

Try to do this (Textbook Page No. 21)

Question. Make a list of the ship-building facilities in pre-independence and post-independence India and collect information about the development of the shipbuilding industry.
Answer: Students can use the following points as references.

• India’s maritime history began during the 3rd millennium B.C.E.
• When Indus valley had trade contact with Mesopotamia.
• Strabo mentions Rome and Greece had maritime trade relations with India.
• The Portuguese were the first Europeans to reach India by sea and traded in spices etc. followed by the Dutch.
• The shipbuilding activities of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj are particularly noteworthy. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj built a strong naval force.
• In the modern period, the British East India Company shipped substantial quantities of spices.
• Ship Building was a well-established craft.
• Some of the well-known shipyards in India today are Sembmarine Kakinada Ltd (SKL) India, Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) India, Western India Shipyard Ltd.

In simple words: India has been building ships for thousands of years, from the Indus Valley times to the great Maratha navy of Shivaji Maharaj, and today we have modern shipyards in places like Goa.

📝 Teacher's Note: Focus on the Maratha navy's contribution to indigenous shipbuilding as a point of national pride.

🎯 Exam Tip: Mentioning both ancient (Indus Valley) and modern (Goa Shipyard) examples provides a complete historical perspective.

Try to do this (Textbook Page No. 21)

Question. The currency of various countries is known by specific names. Prepare a list of countries and their currencies.
Answer:

In simple words: Just like we use the Rupee in India, every country has its own unique money, such as the Dollar in the USA or the Yen in Japan.

📝 Teacher's Note: Use this table to discuss the importance of trade and how exchange rates might have affected early colonial trade.

🎯 Exam Tip: Keep a few common ones like the UK (Pound) and USA (Dollar) in mind for general knowledge questions.

Project (Textbook Page No. 23)

Question. Compile the names of Governors of British East India Company from 1600 to 1857. C.E.
Answer: The Regulating Act of 1773 created the office with the title of Governor-General of Presidency of Fort William or Governor-General of Bengal. He was appointed by the Court of Directors of the East India Company.

In simple words: This is a list of the British leaders who ruled India on behalf of the East India Company and the British Crown, from the very first one to the last one at Independence.

📝 Teacher's Note: Note the shift in title from "Governor-General of Bengal" to "Governor-General of India" as the British power expanded.

🎯 Exam Tip: Warren Hastings (the first) and Lord Mountbatten (the last) are the most frequently asked names in exams.