KRIGYAN

The Colonial Era in India

Class 8 · Social Science

1 idea in Class 8 Social Science, explained in plain words, with games and quizzes to practise.

European Colonialism and India

Part of: Tapestry of the Past

Colonialism = one country controlling another, imposing political, economic, cultural systems. Vasco da Gama arrived at Kappad (near Kozhikode, Kerala) May 1498. India had ~1/4 of world GDP pre-16th century. Timeline: 1674 French EIC at Pondicherry; 1741 Dutch defeated at Colachel; 1757 Battle of Plassey (British); 1770-72 Bengal famine; 1835 Macaulay's Minute; 1857 Great Indian Rebellion; 1858 British Crown takes over from EIC — start of British Raj.

Why it matters. Colonial history explains India's economic underdevelopment at independence and many features of modern Indian society.

Try it in two minutes

  1. Ask: who was Vasco da Gama and where did he land in India?
  2. Ask: what was India's share of world GDP before European colonisation?
  3. Ask: when did the British Crown take over India from the East India Company?

Try at home. Ask your child to name two European powers that came to India and one key event associated with each.

What your child will practise

  • European Colonialism and India: Desert Quick Fire (Quick Fire)
  • European Colonialism and India: Explorer'S Map Quest (Collect the Answer)
  • European Colonialism and India: Jungle Puzzle (Clue Puzzle)
  • European Colonialism and India: Time Travel Quest (Match It Up)
  • Quiz: European Colonialism and India (8 questions)