The Marathas are a group of people native to the:
(a)Deccan plateau
(b)Brahmaputra valley
(c)Thar desert
(d)Gangetic plain
The Rise of the Marathas — Class 8 Social Science Practice Questions
Free practice questions for CBSE Class 8 Social Science, Chapter 3: The Rise of the Marathas, aligned with the NCERT textbook Exploring Society: India and Beyond (Grade 8, Part 1). Pick the marks and difficulty you want and download a printable PDF worksheet with an answer key — free, with no login and no ads.
271 questions127 MCQs21 True/False8 Assertion–Reason10 Case-based35 × 2 marks30 × 3 marks15 × 4 marks15 × 5 marks
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Topics covered
- Civil Administration (39)
- Marathas after Shivaji (36)
- Cultural Revival (30)
- Conflicts with Mughals & Bijapur (29)
- Navy & Trade (25)
- Thanjavur & Legacy (23)
- Coronation & Southern Conquest (22)
- Military & Forts (21)
- Who are the Marathas (18)
- Rise of Shivaji (18)
Sample questions with answers
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(a) Deccan plateau
The Marathas are identified with which language?
(a)Gujarati
(b)Marathi
(c)Telugu
(d)Kannada
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(b) Marathi
State whether True or False: The bhakti saints composed songs in the languages of the masses.
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True
Assertion (A): Shivaji abolished hereditary posts and paid salaries to officials.
Reason (R): He wanted to prevent officials from becoming powerful enough to dictate terms to the king.
Reason (R): He wanted to prevent officials from becoming powerful enough to dictate terms to the king.
(a)Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b)Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c)Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.
(d)Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.
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(a) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
How did the bhakti saints of Maharashtra help the Marathas later?
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They translated texts like the Upaniṣhads and Gītā into Marathi, spreading philosophy among people; some promoted social organisation and political awareness. This gave society a solid cultural foundation that later helped the Marathas organise into a political power.
Describe the early life of Chhatrapati Shivaji.
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(1) Born in 1630 in the Bhonsle clan to Shahji and Jijabai; Shahji served the Deccan sultanates and was often away.
(2) He grew up in his father's jāgīr at Pune under Jijabai and trusted officials, receiving values and a good education.
(3) He saw the hardship caused to common people by constant infighting among the Deccan sultans; at 16 he began campaigns, capturing neglected forts.
(2) He grew up in his father's jāgīr at Pune under Jijabai and trusted officials, receiving values and a good education.
(3) He saw the hardship caused to common people by constant infighting among the Deccan sultans; at 16 he began campaigns, capturing neglected forts.
Read the passage and answer the questions that follow.
Chhatrapati Shivaji issued strict instructions to his officials not to mistreat the subjects. In one letter he says: 'Wood from big trees like teak is required for the Navy. If needed, secure permission for cutting the trees from the forest and then proceed. Other trees like the mango and jackfruit are also useful, but do not touch them. Because such trees take many years to mature, and the people look after them like their children.'
(i) Why did Shivaji need wood from teak trees? [1 mark]
(ii) Why did he forbid cutting mango and jackfruit trees? [1 mark]
(iii) What two values of Shivaji as a ruler are reflected in this letter? [2 marks]
Chhatrapati Shivaji issued strict instructions to his officials not to mistreat the subjects. In one letter he says: 'Wood from big trees like teak is required for the Navy. If needed, secure permission for cutting the trees from the forest and then proceed. Other trees like the mango and jackfruit are also useful, but do not touch them. Because such trees take many years to mature, and the people look after them like their children.'
(i) Why did Shivaji need wood from teak trees? [1 mark]
(ii) Why did he forbid cutting mango and jackfruit trees? [1 mark]
(iii) What two values of Shivaji as a ruler are reflected in this letter? [2 marks]
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(i) For building ships for the navy.
(ii) They take many years to mature and people look after them like their children; cutting them would cause lasting sorrow.
(iii) Concern for the welfare of his subjects; respect for property and Nature/sustainability; belief that oppression destroys the oppressor (any two).
(ii) They take many years to mature and people look after them like their children; cutting them would cause lasting sorrow.
(iii) Concern for the welfare of his subjects; respect for property and Nature/sustainability; belief that oppression destroys the oppressor (any two).
Describe the rise of Chhatrapati Shivaji and the founding of the Maratha kingdom.
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(1) Background: bhakti saints gave Maharashtra a cultural foundation; earlier Maratha chiefs had failed to gain sovereignty.
(2) Early life: born 1630 to Shahji and Jijabai; educated at Pune; began campaigns at 16 by capturing forts; vision of Swarājya.
(3) Struggles: navy founded (1657); killed Afzal Khan at Pratapgad; raided Shaista Khan; sacked Surat twice.
(4) Setbacks and recovery: defeat by Jai Singh and Treaty of Purandar; insult and escape from Agra (1666).
(5) Coronation (1674) at Raigad as 'Shri Raja Shiva Chhatrapati'; dakṣhiṇa-digvijaya (1677) gave strategic depth; died in 1680 as a legendary strategist.
(2) Early life: born 1630 to Shahji and Jijabai; educated at Pune; began campaigns at 16 by capturing forts; vision of Swarājya.
(3) Struggles: navy founded (1657); killed Afzal Khan at Pratapgad; raided Shaista Khan; sacked Surat twice.
(4) Setbacks and recovery: defeat by Jai Singh and Treaty of Purandar; insult and escape from Agra (1666).
(5) Coronation (1674) at Raigad as 'Shri Raja Shiva Chhatrapati'; dakṣhiṇa-digvijaya (1677) gave strategic depth; died in 1680 as a legendary strategist.
All Class 8 Social Science chapters
- Ch 1Natural Resources and Their Use218 Qs
- Ch 2Reshaping India’s Political Map255 Qs
- Ch 3The Rise of the Marathas271 Qs
- Ch 4The Colonial Era in India265 Qs
- Ch 5Universal Franchise and India’s Electoral System241 Qs
- Ch 6The Parliamentary System: Legislature and Executive246 Qs
- Ch 7Factors of Production230 Qs
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