CBSE Class 8 · English · Honeydew

Glimpses of the Past

Chapter summary, hard words and model exam answers for Class 8 English.

Free online summary and notes (Class 8 English). Read it here, no PDF download needed.

About the author

S.D. Sawant's picture story in Honeydew uses eight historical paintings to trace Indian history from 1757 to 1857 - from the Battle of Plassey to the First War of Independence.

Summary

After the Battle of Plassey in 1757, Mir Jafar became Nawab and the Company gained diwani rights in Bengal.

Tipu Sultan fought the Company bravely but was defeated; the Subsidiary Alliance spread Company power.

Indian crafts declined as British goods flooded markets; artisans and farmers suffered.

The Santhals rose against oppression; many were killed and their lands taken.

Missionaries opened schools; Macaulay's minutes promoted English education.

Soldiers and civilians revolted in 1857; Bahadur Shah Zafar was exiled and the Company rule ended.

The revolt united Indians against foreign rule and inspired later freedom struggles.

Hard words & meanings

diwani	right to collect revenue
subsidiary alliance	British control treaty
protagonist	main character
narrator	person telling the story
conflict	struggle or problem
climax	most exciting point
Plassey	see chapter context
Company	see chapter context

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Model exam answers, grammar & audio

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