Maharashtra Board Class 8 History Chapter 2 Europe and India PDF Download

Europe And India

During the modern period, the various happenings in Europe had its impact on India. Therefore, while studying the period of modern Indian history, we have to study the events happening in Europe during this period.

Period Of Renaissance

In history of Europe, the last phase of mediaeval period i.e. 13th to 16th century is known as the Period of renaissance. During this period reformation, religious reform movement and geographical discoveries laid the foundation of the modern era. Hence this period is also known as the 'Age of Renaissance'.

During this period, in the field of art, architecture, philosophy etc. there was a revival of Greek and Roman tradition which gave momentum to an overall development. During the Renaissance humanitarianism was given great impetus. There was a change in the outlook of treating each other as a human being. Instead of religion, man became centre point of all ideologies.

The reform movement spread throughout all sectors of human life. Through knowledge, science as well as different sections of art, we can observe the discoveries of reform movement. The art and literature of renaissance period depict sentiments and emotions of human being. Literature was produced in local language for better understanding to the common people. During 1450 AD, Johannes Gutenberg, from Germany discovered the printing press. Due to this discovery new ideas, concepts and knowledge reached to all sections of society.

Teacher's Note

Renaissance means new thinking and new art. In India, when artists make new kinds of paintings and new styles, that is like Renaissance in our country.

Exam Trick

Remember: Renaissance = rebirth of old Greek and Roman ideas. Think of it like learning old stories from your grandparents and making them new again.

Points To Remember

Renaissance happened in 13th to 16th century in Europe.
It brought back Greek and Roman ideas and art.
Printing press was invented in 1450 AD by Johannes Gutenberg.
Printing press helped spread new ideas to common people.
Man became important instead of only religion.

Religious Reform Movement

The independent intellectuals attacked the old religious ideologies of Roman Catholic Church. The Christian priests were taking advantage of the ignorance of the people and were indulged in unnecessary rituals. They looted the people in the name of religion. The movement that began against it is known as 'Religious Reform Movement'. Due to this movement, human freedom and rationalism gained more importance.

Teacher's Note

Religious Reform means stopping bad practices in religion. Just like in India, people fought against bad customs like child marriage, this movement stopped bad church practices in Europe.

Exam Trick

Remember: Religious Reform = stopping priests from taking money from common people. It gave freedom and logic more value than blind faith.

Points To Remember

Priests were doing unnecessary rituals and fooling people.
They were taking money from common people in the name of religion.
The Religious Reform Movement fought against these bad practices.
This movement gave importance to human freedom and logic.
People started thinking with their mind instead of just following religion.

Geographical Discoveries

In 1453 AD, the Ottoman Turks conquered Constantinople (Istanbul) which was the capital of Byzantine Empire. The overland trade routes joining Asia and Europe went through this city. Since the Turks blocked this route, there was a need of finding alternative trade routes for the European countries to reach Asia. This led to a new phase of geographical discoveries.

During 15th century, European sailors went on expedition to discover sea route to India.

In 1487 AD Bartolomeu Dias, a Portuguese sailor, began his expedition in search of India. But reached the tip of African continent, which we now know as the 'Cape of Good Hope'.

In 1492 AD, Christopher Columbus set on his journey to India by sailing towards west but reached on the eastern coast of the continent of America.

In 1498 AD, Portuguese sailor Vasco-da-Gama managed to sail past the Cape of Good Hope and reached the Indian coast in Calicut.

On an outline map of the World show the new sea routes and regions discovered by the sailors.

Teacher's Note

Geographical discoveries mean finding new places and new sea routes. When India's space scientists find new things in space, that is like geographical discovery in modern times.

Exam Trick

Remember: Turks blocked the old road, so sailors had to find new sea routes. Think: Road closed = find new way.

Points To Remember

Turks conquered Constantinople in 1453 AD and blocked the trade route.
This made Europeans search for new sea routes to Asia.
Bartolomeu Dias reached Cape of Good Hope in 1487 AD.
Christopher Columbus reached America in 1492 AD while looking for India.
Vasco-da-Gama reached Calicut, India in 1498 AD.

Leonardo Da Vinci

He is recognised as an all round personality of the period of Renaissance. He was well versed in different branches of science and art. He had mastery over varied subjects such as sculpture, architecture, mathematics, engineering, music, astronomy etc. But he became world renowned as a painter. His paintings of 'Monalisa' and 'The Last Supper' became immortal.

Intellectual Revolution In Europe

Due to the changes during the Renaissance period, Europe proceeded from mediaeval to modern age. Intellectual revolution took place in the same period. The society starts stepping out of the past ignorance and blind faith. The pre established customs and traditions came to be seen from a critical point of view. All these changes are addressed as 'Intellectual Revolution' which gave further momentum to scientific discoveries in Europe.

Teacher's Note

Intellectual Revolution means people started thinking with their minds. In India, when children question old ideas and think for themselves, that is intellectual revolution in school.

Exam Trick

Remember: Intellectual = brain. Revolution = change. So people changed their thinking and stopped following blind beliefs.

Points To Remember

People started thinking with their own minds instead of just believing old ideas.
Blind faith and old customs were questioned and thought about carefully.
Scientific discoveries became important and popular.
This change happened because of Renaissance ideas.
People moved from old mediaeval thinking to modern thinking.

Revolution In Political Sphere

In the early stage of beginning of Modern period in Europe many political changes took place. Due to the various revolutionary events during 18th as well as 19th century, this period is known as the 'Age of Revolutions'. During this period, there was development of Parliamentary Democracy in England. There was a change in the form of Cabinet System. The Bill of Rights 1689 laid limitations on the power of the King. The sovereignty of Parliament was established.

American War Of Independence

With the background of revolutionary development in Europe, it is equally important to think about the American War of Independence. With the discovery of America, the European countries turned their attention towards this continent. The Imperialist European countries took control of different regions of America and established their colonies. England established thirteen colonies on the East coast of America. Initially England had nominal domination over these colonies, but later English Parliament laid oppressive restrictions and taxes on these American colonies. The people in America revolted against it. England declared war to supress these colonies. American colonies organised the army under the leadership of George Washington and finally won against England. This event is known as 'American War of Independence'. A new nation known as the United States of America, with a federal government, written constitution and based on the principles of Democracy, was born.

French Revolution

In 1789 AD, the people of France revolted against the uncontrolled and unjust monarchy and feudalism and established a Republic. This event is known as 'French Revolution'. The French Revolution gave to the world the three values of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity.

Teacher's Note

Revolution means big change. French Revolution gave three ideas: Liberty (freedom), Equality (everyone is equal), and Fraternity (everyone is like brothers and sisters).

Exam Trick

Remember: LEF = Liberty, Equality, Fraternity. These three ideas came from French Revolution and changed the whole world.

Points To Remember

American War of Independence happened in America in 1776 AD.
French Revolution happened in France in 1789 AD.
French Revolution gave three important ideas: Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity.
These revolutions changed political systems from monarchy to democracy.
These were the most important political changes in world history.

Industrial Revolution

In the latter period of 18th century, there were many technological innovations in Europe. There was production with the help of machines running on steam. The cottage industries were replaced by big factories. Machines came to be used instead of handlooms. Railway and steamer became the mode of transportation. The age of Machines began and that is known as 'Industrial Revolution'.

Industrial Revolution began in England and then spread in other parts of West. During this period England enjoyed industrial prosperity and came to be described as 'World Factory'.

Rise Of Capitalism

With the discovery of new sea routes, began a new era of trade between Europe and Asia. Many traders came forward to trade with Eastern countries through the sea route. It was not easy to carry out trade single handedly and hence many traders came together and started trade. Thus there was rise of many Trading Companies. Trade with Oriental countries was very profitable and responsible for economic prosperity. Hence European rulers started giving military protection and trade concessions to these trading companies. This led to accumulation of wealth in Europe. This property was used in the form of capital for trade and Commerce which led to rise of capitalist economic system in Europe.

Teacher's Note

Capitalism means businessmen and traders have more power than kings. In India, today big companies like Reliance and Tata follow capitalism.

Exam Trick

Remember: Capital = money. Capitalism = system where money and business are most important. Traders become rich and powerful.

Points To Remember

Industrial Revolution started in England in late 18th century.
Steam machines replaced handlooms and cottage industries.
Railways and steamers became new modes of transport.
Capitalism means rich traders and businessmen have power.
Trading companies became very rich and powerful in Europe.

Colonialism

Colonialism means one country exploiting another country by making it into a colony. A powerful country on the basis of economic and military strength occupies another region and establishes its political Supremacy. This is known as Colonialism. This tendency of Colonialism led to rise of imperialism among the Europeans.

Imperialism

Imperialism means a system in which a powerful country controls other countries by establishing its overall domination and establishing many colonies. Many countries from Asian and African continent fell prey to this imperialist aspiration of the European Nations.

Teacher's Note

Colonialism and Imperialism mean powerful countries control and exploit weak countries. India was a colony of Britain, which is why we had to fight for freedom.

Exam Trick

Remember: Colony = our country is ruled by another country. Imperialism = one country rules many countries. Britain ruled India as a colony.

Points To Remember

Colonialism means making another country into a colony and controlling it.
Imperialism means one powerful country controls many other countries.
European countries used their military and money power to control Asian and African countries.
India, Africa, and Asia became colonies of European countries.
This happened because of capitalism and the need for more trade and wealth.

Imperialism Of British East India Company In India

There was competition among European countries for acquiring trade Monopoly in India. The British established British East India Company in 1600 AD to carry out trade in India. This company took permission from Emperor Jahangir and established its factory in Surat. The trade between India and England was carried out through this company.

Struggle Between English And French

England and France were rivals in the competition for trade in India. Due to this there were three Wars fought between them which are known as 'Carnatic Wars'. In the third Carnatic War England finally defeated France. Therefore, now there was no strong European competitor for British East India Company in India.

Foundation Of Rule Of India Company In Bengal

The Bengal province was one of the most prosperous province in India. In 1756 AD Siraj-ud-Daulah became the Nawab of Bengal. East India Company officers misused the trade concessions obtained from Mughal Emperor in Bengal province. The English built fortification around the factory at Kolkata without the permission of the Nawab. Hence Siraj-ud-Daulah captured the factory at Kolkata. This created discontent in England. Robert Clive diplomatically bribed Mir Jafar, the Commander in chief of the Nawab's army and also promised to make him the Nawab of Bengal. Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah and the British Troops met at Plassey in 1757 AD. But under the leadership of Mir Jafar the Nawab's army made no move to actually join the battle and hence Siraj-ud-Daulah was defeated.

Mir Jafar became the Nawab of Bengal with the support of British but later he started protesting against the British and hence, his son-in-law, Mir Kasim was made the Nawab. Mir Kasim tried to put restrictions on the illegal trade of British and hence once again Mir Jafar was made the Nawab of Bengal.

To restrict the activities of British in Bengal, Mir Kasim, Shuja-ud-Daulah, the Nawab of Ayodhya and Mughal Emperor Shah Alam formed an alliance and ran a campaign. In 1764 AD battle of Buxar was fought in Bihar. After this battle, British East India Company got the right to collect the revenue from Bengal province as per the Treaty of Allahabad. In this manner, the foundation of British rule in India was laid in Bengal.

Teacher's Note

Battle of Plassey was very important because Robert Clive used tricks and bribes to win. This shows how British took control of India through cunning, not just military power.

Exam Trick

Remember: 1757 AD = Battle of Plassey. Mir Jafar was bribed, so Siraj-ud-Daulah lost. This was the start of British rule in Bengal.

Points To Remember

British East India Company was started in 1600 AD to trade in India.
Battle of Plassey in 1757 AD was won by British through bribery of Mir Jafar.
Battle of Buxar in 1764 AD gave British the right to collect taxes in Bengal.
Bengal became the first place where British established their rule.
Robert Clive was the British officer who started British rule in India.

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