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Chapter 10 of 14
Revision Notes

British Policies and Impacts

ICSE · Class 8 · History & Civics

Quick revision notes for British Policies and Impacts — ICSE Class 8 History & Civics. Key concepts, formulas, and definitions for last-minute revision.

67 questions32 flashcards5 concepts

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Key Topics to Revise

1

British Economic Policies and Their Effects

  • Before British rule, Indian villages were mostly self-sufficient and made many of their own goods.
  • The British changed revenue collection by taking taxes in cash instead of kind.
  • Farmers were pushed to grow cash crops instead of food crops.
2

New Land Revenue Systems

  • The British introduced three major land revenue systems: Permanent Settlement, Ryotwari System, and Mahalwari System.
  • Permanent Settlement was introduced in 1793 in Bengal and Bihar by Lord Cornwallis.
  • Under Permanent Settlement, revenue was fixed and had to be paid by zamindars in cash.
3

Decline of Artisans and Weavers

  • Before British rule, India had famous centres of textile and craft production.
  • Important centres included Dhaka, Benaras, Lucknow, Multan, Ahmedabad, Madurai and Surat.
  • Dhaka muslin was one of the famous textile products.
4

Drain of Wealth

  • Drain of wealth means transfer of resources and wealth from India to England without proper return to India.
  • Dadabhai Naoroji raised this issue in his book Poverty and Un-British Rule in India published in 1871.
  • The drain of wealth from Bengal began in 1757.

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Full Notes

Key Concepts

Lord Cornwallis introduced the Permanent SettlementThe Ryotwari System was introducedThe Mahalwari System was introducedFarmers were forced to produce cashBefore British rule

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the important topics in British Policies and Impacts for ICSE Class 8 History & Civics?
British Policies and Impacts covers several key topics that are frequently asked in ICSE Class 8 board exams. Focus on the core concepts listed on this page and practise related questions to build confidence.
How to score full marks in British Policies and Impacts — ICSE Class 8 History & Civics?
Understand the core concepts first, then work through the 67 practice questions available for this chapter. Revise formulas and definitions regularly, and use flashcards for quick recall before the exam.

Sources & Official References

Content is aligned to the official syllabus. Refer to the board website for the latest curriculum.

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