WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History Chapter 4 The Delhi Sultanate Topic D Miscellaneous

WBBSE  Chapter 4 The Delhi Sultanate Topic D Miscellaneous Long Question And Answers

Question 1. How did Alauddin Khilji combat the Mongol aggression?
Answer:

Steps taken by Alauddin Khilji to combat the Mongol aggression are

1. Fortification:

  • During the reign of Sultan Alauddin Khilji Delhi was attacked by the Mongols twice in 1299/1300 and 1302-03.
  • He fortified the capital city of Delhi to protect it from Mongol attacks.

2. Renovation:

He repaired old, dilapidated forts and built new ones.

3. Improvement of the army:

  • He built up a huge, well-equipped, and well-trained army and constructed a military garrison known as Siri.
  • He introduced the rationing system and market-control policy.
  • He fixed the prices of commodities and also ensured that proper quantities were given to the consumers.
  • He also raised the rate of taxes in the Doab in order to maintain the army and to pay the salaries of his soldiers.

4. Execution of new Muslims:

He even cruelly beheaded nearly thirty thousand new Muslims, who had revolted against the Sultan.

WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History Chapter 4 The Delhi Sultanate Topic D Miscellaneous

Question 2. Describe the cultural life of Bengal during the time of the Ilyash Shahi and Hussain Shahi dynasties.
Answer:

The cultural life of Bengal during the time of the Ilyash Shahi and Hussain Shahi dynasties

1. Hindu-Muslim Unity:

The Ilyas Shahi and Hussain Shahi rule in Bengal emphasized Hindu-Muslim unity and impartial administration.

2. Literature:

  • There was a great flowering of literature during this period. Krittibas authored a version of the ‘Ramayana’, Ibrahim Qayum Faruki wrote the ‘Safar Nama’ and Brihaspati Misra wrote the ‘Pada-Chandrika’.
  • Bipradas Pipilai wrote the Manasa Mangal. Some notable works are the Bengali translations of ‘Srimadbhagvat’, ‘Bidagdha Madhava’ and ‘Lalita Madhava’ by Rup Goswami.

3. Architecture:

Architecture also made great headway. Some specimens of the grand architecture of the times are the Adina Mosque of Pandua, Chhoto Sona Masjid and Baro Sona Masjid

Question 3. Describe the southern expedition of Alauddin Khilji after map 4.2.
Answer:

Alauddin Khilji was the first Sultan of Delhi, who organised expeditions to the south. The given map provides a vivid idea of the military expeditions of Alauddin Khilji.

Southern expedition of Alauddin Khilji

  • The capital of Alauddin’s empire was Delhi. The given map clearly points out that Alauddin’s army organised several expeditions over the course of time.
  • Alauddin’s army started their expedition in 1299 from Delhi to Gujarat, then Ranthambore in 1301, Debgiri via Kara in 1302-1303 and reached Warangal from Kara and Bengal.
  • The army also organised an expedition to Chittor from Delhi in 1303.
  • His army reached Devagiri via Mandu and Delhi in 1305. In around 1302, his army organised an expedition to Dwar Samudra.
  • This expedition continued till 1311.
  • On the other hand, the army was divided into two groups in 1311 and one of the groups conducted an expedition to Warangal from Devagiri. In the same year, the other group of the army conducted an expedition to further South and went to Tanjore via Madurai.

Conclusion:

Alauddin Khilji was indeed the first Sultan who expanded his empire up to the South and gave it a dominant position in all over India.

 

WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History Chapter 4 Topic D Miscellaneous Deccan Campaign of Alauddin Khiliji

Question 4. What was the relationship between the Delhi Sultans and their nobles?
Answer:

Relations between Sultans and nobles

  • The nobles, divided into Khans, Maliks and Amirs were of aristocratic origin and had to be loyal to the Sultan, as they were subjected to his absolute control.
  • Sometimes, the relationship between the king and the nobles was not cordial.
  • Sultan Razia ascended the throne of Delhi with the help of some nobles but was removed by other disgruntled nobles. Balban and Alauddin Khilji ruthlessly crushed the power of nobles by the introduction of Paibos and Sijda and the abolition of ‘the circle of forty’ in order to establish an absolute monarchy.
  • There was an administrative relationship between the Sultan and the nobles, who were appointed as military commanders, provincial governors, and high officials.
  • The Sultans also had family relations with the nobles. Their families inter-married and turned into in-laws.
  • Some Sultans had friendly, cordial relations with their nobles. Bahlul Lodi of the Lodi dynasty shared royal power with the other Afghan Chiefs.

Question 5. What is lqta? Why did the Sultans introduce the Iqta system?
Answer:

Iqta

  • The Iqtas were the territorial land units into which the Delhi Sultanate was divided.
  • They were administered by military commanders and nobles who collected land revenue in their respective areas, maintained troops, and were sometimes awarded Iqtas for their bravery or achievements.

Causes behind the introduction of the Iqta system

  1. Collection of revenue: It was necessary to collect land revenue from far-flung territories of the Sultanate.
  2. Maintenance of the army: The Iqtadar had to maintain troops on the revenues generated from the Iqta. These troops served the Sultan in times of war.
  3. Substitute of salary: Instead of salary, the military commanders received Iqtas.
  4. Maintenance of law and order: Iqtadars were also required to maintain law and order in their Iqtas.
  5. Preservation of tradition: In the 11th century, the Iqta system was prevalent in the Seljuk Turkish Empire. In India, the Turkish Sultans of Delhi upheld that tradition.

Question 6. What is your opinion about the market regulations of Delhi in the reign of Alauddin Khilji?
Answer:

Alauddin Khilji’s market-control policy was highly scientific and practical and was the need of the hour.

Causes behind Market Control Policy

1. Maintenance of the army:

  • The vast empire of the Sultan was dependent on the strength of the army.
  • It was necessary to see that the soldiers subsisted on their meager wages and so the Sultan fixed the prices of the items of daily use.

2. Rationing system:

The Sultan introduced the rationing system to combat famines which thankfully did not occur, during his reign.

3. Farsightedness:

The Sultan was far-sighted and practical enough to compile a list of prices of various articles for the proper implementation of the market control policy. He arranged for strict vigilance and severe punishment for corrupt traders and merchants.

4. Consequences:

Consequence Advantage:

The common people got an advantage due to the stability of prices as hoarding and inflation were prevented.

Consequence Disadvantage:

The peasants, artisans, and traders suffered due to lack of profits.

WBBSE Class 7 Geography Notes WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History
WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 Geography WBBSE Class 7 History Multiple Choice Questions
WBBSE Class 7 Geography Multiple Choice Questions WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 Maths

 

Question 7. Would you call the strife between Vijaynagar and the Sultani kingdoms a religious one? Give arguments.
Answer:

The rulers of Vijaynagar were Hindu sultans. However, while the Deccan states were ruled by Muslim Sultans. However, the ferocious contest between them can in no way be called a religious war.

Nature of war

  • Control over land:
    • The contest was primarily over the control of fertile, river-fed tracts of land like Raichur Doab
    • The territory along the tributaries of rivers Krishna and Godavari, and the commercially important Marathwada region.
    • Thus it was a political and economic contest.
  • Self-interest: The two kingdoms fought with each other for political, economic, commercial, and military reasons.
  • Control over trade:
    • The Krishna-Godavari Delta had many ports, which encouraged internal and external water-borne trade.
    • Vijaynagar and the Bahmani States both wanted to control them.
  • Possession over wealth:
    • Agriculture flourished which led to the accumulation of huge wealth in the territory between rivers Krishna and the Tungabhadra and the Krishna-Godavari Delta.
    • There were incessant wars to control these regions.

5. Domination over Deccan:

  • Both Vijaynagar and the Bahmani kingdoms wanted to occupy large tracts of the Deccan and the far South.
  • The Bahmani Sultans tried to conquer territories as far as Madurai but were resisted by the rulers of Vijaynagar.

Question 8. What would be your experience if you had to visit a market of Delhi during the reign of Alauddin Khilji?
Answer:

  • Suppose, I am an honorable citizen of Delhi, during the rule of Alauddin Khilji. My name is Isha Khan. One day I visited a market of Delhi and got a hands-on experience about Alauddin’s market-control policy.
  • First of all, Alauddin set up four kinds of markets. They are, ‘mandi’ or the market of an agro product; Sehra-i-Adal or the textile market including daily commodities; central market and the market of the slaves and beasts.
  • Markets were controlled by two officers like Diwan-i-riyasat and Sahana-i-mandi.
  • As the Sultan had to maintain a huge army with limited resources of the kingdom, so the soldiers were paid low salaries.
  • He regulated the market in the interest of the army at the expense of the peasants, artisans, and merchants. They remained aggrieved.

Examples of Real-Life Applications of Historical Knowledge from the Delhi Sultanate

Question 9. Suppose you are an official in the Court of Alauddin Hussain Shah. If you had to write a book on the religious condition of the age, what would you write in the book?
Answer:

  • I am Sadakrishna Roy. I am an official in the court of Alauddin Hussain Shah.
  • If I had to write a book on the religious condition of Hussain Shahi’s rule of Bengal, I would have written in the book that Hindu- Muslim unity and religious toleration are two characteristics of the period.
  • The Hussain Shahi rulers were secular in their outlook. They appointed local non-Muslims to high offices. Rup and Sanatan Goswami were private secretaries of the Sultan.
  • Brahmanism, Vaishnavism, and Shaivism were the principal religious sects of the period. But the worship of popular gods and goddesses like ‘Dharma Thakur’, ‘Manasha’, ‘Chandi’ etc. were also introduced.
  • Sri Chaitanya preached the message of love for God to Hindus and Muslims alike and thus brought the two communities closer to each other. The Hindus and Muslims jointly performed the worship of Satyapir, Ola Bibi, and Sitala.
  • All these helped to strengthen the bond of unity between the Hindus and Muslims.

Question 10. Suppose you have come from Portugal on a visit to Vijaynagar. What would you write in a letter to a friend of your country after seeing the condition of the people out here?
Answer:

Vijaynagar
12.10.1443

Dear Dominique,

I have come on a visit to Vijaynagar of India. My first impression about the city is that it is as big as Rome. It is very beautiful to look at. There are many beautiful orchards. A number of canals of clear water flow through the city.

There are large tanks. A palm grove and fruit trees are found close to the royal palace. The population of the city is high. So many people and elephants stroll through the roads and lanes that it is difficult for the soldiers and cavalry to pass through.

The city is fabulously rich. I am just struck with wonder at the sight of the vast wealth of the city. The trade and commerce of Vijaynagar is in a flourishing state.

The wealth of Vijaynagar is concentrated in the hands of the nobles. They live a life of luxury. But the common people are over-taxed. Their standard of living is low. Things are plenty and cheap.

Yet life is a burden to the poor who even eat rats and cats. The prosperity of Vijaynagar is confined within the urban area. The peasantry is the victim of exploitation and neglect.

That is all for today. Take love.

Friendly yours
Alvarez

Question 11. Write a short note of Jizya.
Answer:

Jizya:

Jizya was the tax imposed on non-Islamic subjects by their Islamic rulers in an Islamic kingdom.

Jizya tax

Introduction in India:

It was imposed for the first time in India at Sindh, in the 8th century, by the Arab Commander, Muhammad bin Qasim.

  1. Individual tax per person: The tax was imposed on individual subjects.
  2. Protection: Protection to life, property, and rights of the non-Muslim people was given in lieu of this tax.
  3. Alauddin Khilji: Alauddin Khilji charged both Kharaj and Jizya from the non-Muslims to reduce their financial and political influence.
  4. Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq: He imposed Jizya in such a way that non-Muslims would neither be impoverished nor become powerful or rebellious.
  5. Firoz Shah Tughlaq: He was the first Sultan to impose Jizya on the Brahmins.
  6. Exemption from Jizya: Brahmins, women, minors, and slaves were exempted from Jizya along with the blind, ascetics, and mentally retarded.

Although Jizya was the means by which the Sultans enhanced the treasury, yet it was highly oppressive for the Hindus.

Question 12. Would it be proper to call the conflict between Vijaynagar and the Sultanate States of Deccan a religious clash of the Hindu and Muslim rulers?
Answer:

  • There was a long-drawn war between Vijaynagar and other states of the southern Sultanate, especially the Bahmani Kingdom.
  • Later, when the Bahmani Kingdom broke down, five independent principalities took birth.

They were

  • Ahmadnagar, Bijapur, Berar, Golkonda and Bidar. Vijaynagar had a prolonged war with these five states too.
  • The establishment of political, military, commercial, and financial power was the principal issue of this continuous war.
  • Thus this war cannot be mentioned as a religious war.

Question 13. Do you think a traveler’s account of a foreign country is fully acceptable? Give your reasons for and against it.
Answer:

Foreign accounts are not always acceptable. Sometimes their descriptions are exaggerated.

  • Very often they merely reproduce market rumors. Their descriptions are inconsistent from time to time and bear no stamp of authenticity.
  • They have little knowledge of the local language.
  • Travelers are not always eyewitnesses of historical events.
  • Still, they throw interesting light on the political, social, and economic condition of the country.
  • If their accounts are tallied with the others and found correct, they may be accepted.
  • If the scripts of the accounts are deciphered properly, they may be believable.

Question 14. Do you think, you may have to face difficulties if the market price is not controlled? What are those difficulties?
Answer:

If the market price is not controlled, the seller will increase the price of the commodities at their own will.

  • As a result, the common people will suffer the most. If they cannot purchase their daily necessities at a reasonable rate, they will be bound to buy commodities of low quality.
  • So the standard of their life will decline on the one hand and they will be perturbed on the other.
  • Therefore, a sense of desertion will be generated in their mind. Moreover, the equilibrium of society may get ruined.
  • After going through the questions above, students will be able to reach a conclusion of their own and will form their own experiences.
  • Therefore, their ability for explanation and application will grow.

Question 15. State what are steps the government has taken to lower the price.
Answer:  The government has taken up different steps to control the market price.

For example,

  1. The local municipalities and their employees and the members of the gram-panchayats inspect the markets regularly and keep watch so that the price may not increase.
  2. Not only that, the government is also conscious of the fact that there is no undue transaction in the market.
  3. (The government is also trying to help the farmers so that they get a fair price.

After going through the above questions, students will realize the importance of studying history and its relation with the current situation. As a result, a sense of social cooperation and empathy will grow in their mind.

Question 16.  Write a Chronology of dates and events

 

WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History Chapter 4 The Delhi Sultanate Topic D Miscellaneous Chronology

WBBSE  Chapter 4 The Delhi Sultanate Topic D Miscellaneous Short Question And Answers

Question 1. When did the Delhi Sultans require the recommendation of the Caliphs?
Answer:

  • Sometimes, the Sultans of Delhi needed recognition of kingship from the Caliph to gain acceptance.
  • This was particularly true if one ascended the throne by removing the rightful heir.
  • Also, in the face of repeated revolts, legitimacy was required by a Sultan to gain acceptance and support from his subjects and run the empire smoothly.

Question 2. What were the three main problems faced by Sultan Iltutmish?
Answer:

  • Several persons refused to accept Iltutmish as the Sultan of Delhi because he was the son-in-law of Qutbuddin Aibak.
  • Secondly, many nobles and courtiers openly revolted against him while others secretly conspired against him.
  • Thirdly, Nasiruddin Qubacha, the ruler of Sindh occupied Lahore and a part of Punjab.
  • At the same time, Tajuddin Yaldoz, the ruler of Ghazni, put in a claim for supreme suzerainty over North India.

WBBSE Class 7 Miscellaneous Questions on Delhi Sultanate

Question 3. Who were the supporters of Sultan Razia? Who were her rivals?
Answer:

  • Sultan Razia was supported by the army, part of the nobility and the common folk of Delhi.
  • Since her ascent to the throne of Delhi, Turkish nobles opposed Razia as she ignored them and favored non-Turkish nobles.
  • The Rajputs also opposed Razia.

Question 4. Find out some other names of women administrators. If you feel it necessary, ask the seniors of your family or your teachers.
Answer:

Some other names of women administrators:

  • Razia Sultan was the first and last woman who sat on the throne of Delhi. But this was the history of medieval India.
  • Later, some other names of women administrators are also available.
  • They are, for example, Sirimavo Bandaranaike, former Prime Minister of Sri Lanka; Indira Gandhi, former Prime Minister of India; Sheikh Hasina, the present Prime Minister of Bangladesh, etc.

Question 5. Think and say, how could the North and South India be ruled simultaneously by a Sultan?
Answer:

  • The real head of the administration of the Delhi Sultanate was the Sultan himself.
  • All the powers of governance, the army, law, and the judiciary were in the hands of the Sultan.
  • But a single individual could not look after all administrative responsibilities. So the Sultan appointed ministers and officials.
  • But all the employees had to be loyal to the Sultan. His order was the final word.
  • In this way, the Sultanate administration was developed with the Sultan at the center. Only a centralized administration could make it possible.

Question 6. Which activity of Muhammad bin Tughlaq do you think was correct?
Answer:

The Sultan was secular in outlook. He was the first among Delhi Sultans to make a sincere attempt at introducing a secular administration.

Question 7. Do you think the Sultan made any mistakes? If so, what are they?
Answer:

Yes, I think the Sultan made some mistakes.

They were

  • The Sultan increased the rate of taxation in Doab at a time when the Doab was in the grip of a severe famine.
  • He transferred his capital from Delhi to Daulatabad. But if the Sultan shifted only the government departments with the employees attached to them, the change would have been quite reasonable. The shifting of the entire population was not necessary.
  • The Sultan issued a token currency in copper coins in imitation of the Chinese token currency. But he took no precautionary measures against forgery.

Question 8. If you were to establish a capital in that period, which region would you select and what steps would you have taken?
Answer:

  • I would have shifted the capital from Delhi to Deulatabad but not with the entire population.
  • Rather I would have shifted only the government departments with the employees attached to them.
  • Therefore, the change would have been quite reasonable.

Question 9. If coins were counterfeited what problems would arise?
Answer:

If the coins were counterfeited, they. would begin to circulate in large numbers, and trade and commerce would come to a standstill.

Question 10. Muhammad bin Tughlaq ruled about 700 years ago. Even after such a long time what do we learn from his deeds?
Answer:

Muhammad bin Tughlaq ruled about 700 years ago.

  • The lesson that we learn from his deeds is that an administrator must have a realistic personality.
  • He must not impose his project or plan on the people against their will.
  • The Sultan went against the people.

Question 11. What was Daag?
Answer:

Daag:

It was the imperial mark, branded on the flanks of horses, to prevent the stealing of imperial war horses. This system was introduced by Sultan Alauddin Khilji.

Question 12. Describe the relations between the Caliphs and the Sultans of Delhi.
Answer:

The relations between the Caliphs and the Sultans of Delhi:

  • The relationship between the Caliphs and the Sultans of Delhi was purely ceremonial.
  • The Sultans obtained the robe of legitimacy from the Caliphs to consolidate their control over the subjects and to enhance the power and prestige of the State.
  • So, they sent costly gifts and tributes to the Caliphs. On the other hand, some Sultans refused to accept the suzerainty of the Caliphs.

WBBSE  Chapter 4 The Delhi Sultanate Topic D Miscellaneous Very Short Question And Answers

Question 1. Who introduced Jizya?
Answer: Alauddin Khilji introduced Jizya

Question 2. Who transferred the capital from Delhi to Daulatabad?
Answer: Muhammad bin Tughlaq transferred his capital from Delhi to Daulatabad.

Question 3. Why did Alauddin control the market price?
Answer: Alauddin controlled the market price so that the subjects may purchase their essential commodities at a reasonable rate and weight.

Question 4. Is the government making any effort to control the price of the food commodities?
Answer: Yes.

Question 5. What weapons are used in picture 4.2?
Answer: Weapons used in the given picture are a cannon, sword, bow and arrow, knife, etc.

WBBSE  Chapter 4 The Delhi Sultanate Topic D Miscellaneous Strike The Odd One Out

Question 1. Tajuddin Yaldoz, Qutbuddin Aibak, Alauddin Khilji, Nasiruddin Qubacha
Answer: Alauddin Khilji

Question 2. Caliph, Khutba, Imam, Iqta
Answer: Iqta

Question 3. Harihar, Krishnadeva Raya, Virupaksha, Deva Raya II
Answer: Krishnadeva Raya

Question 4. Shamsuddin Ilyas Shah, Sikandar Shah, Ghiyasuddin Azam Shah, Jalaluddin Muhammad Shah
Answer: Jalaluddin Muhammad Shah

WBBSE  Chapter 4 The Delhi Sultanate Topic D Miscellaneous Find Out The Odd One And Underline It

Question 1. Iltutmish, Razia, Ibn Batuta, Balban
Answer: Ibn Batuta

Question 2. Tabarhind, Sunam, Samana, Jhelum
Answer: Jhelum

Question 3. Kharaj, Khams, Jizya, Amir, Zakat
Answer: Amir

Question 4. Ahmadnagar, Bijapur, Golconda, Punjab, Bihar
Answer: Punjab

Question 5. Barbosa, Mahmud Gawan, Paes, Nuniz
Answer: Mahmud Gawan

WBBSE  Chapter 4 The Delhi Sultanate Topic D Miscellaneous Fill In The Blanks

Question 1. Alauddin belonged to the ___________ (Khilji/Tughlaq/Lodi) dynasty.
Answer:  Khilji

Question 2. Alauddin introduced ___________ (economic/political/social) reforms.
Answer: Economic

WBBSE  Chapter 4 The Delhi Sultanate Topic D Miscellaneous True Of False

Question 1. Razia was the daughter of Iltutmish.
Answer: False

Question 2. Ibn Batuta wrote Al Rihala.
Answer: True

Question 3. Babur was defeated in the first Battle of Panipat.
Answer: False

WBBSE  Chapter 4 The Delhi Sultanate Topic D Miscellaneous Match The Columns

Question 1.WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History Chapter 4 The Delhi Sultanate Topic D Miscellaneous Match the following 1

Answer: 1. B, 2. D, 3. E, 4. A, 5. F, 6. C

Question 2WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History Chapter 4 The Delhi Sultanate Topic D Miscellaneous Match the following 2

Answer: 1. E, 2. F, 3. B, 4. A, 5. C, 6. D

Question 3.WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History Chapter 4 The Delhi Sultanate Topic D Miscellaneous Match the following 3

Answer: 1. F, 2. D, 3. A, 4. E, 5. B, 6. C

Question 4.WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History Chapter 4 The Delhi Sultanate Topic D Miscellaneous Match the following 4

Answer: 1. F, 2. A, 3. D, 4. E, 5. C, 6. B

Question 5. 

WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History Chapter 4 The Delhi Sultanate Topic D Miscellaneous Match the following 1.

Answer: 1. B, 2. D, 3. E, 4. C, 5. A

 

WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History Chapter 4 The Delhi Sultanate Topic C Rise Of Regional Powers

WBBSE Chapter 4 The Delhi Sultanate Topic C Rise Of Regional Powers Long Question And Answers

Question 1. Describe the contribution of the Ilyas Shahi dynasty of Bengal.
Answer:

Contribution of Ilyas Shahi dynasty:

1. Political sphere:

Shamsuddin Ilyas Shah established the independent Ilyas Shahi rule in Bengal that existed for more than a century.

2. Secularism:

The rulers of this dynasty tried to build a secular system of administration irrespective of any religion or caste.

3. Administration:

  • They appointed worthy Hindus to high administrative ranks.
  • Hindu Zamindars collected revenue and Hindu grama pradhans (village headman) carried on village administration.

4. Religious sphere:

  • The Maulavis were free to spread Islam. Many low-caste Hindus accepted Islam.
  • The Sultans sent ambassadors to the Ming emperor of China, the Persian emperor, and the ruler of Medina.
  • They constructed mosques such as the Adina Mosque and the Loton Mosque of Pandua.
  • Chandidas composed the Srikrishna Kirtan Kavya and Krittibas Ojha wrote Sriram Panchali.

Question 2. Assess the contributions of the Hussain Shahi dynasty.
Answer:

Contributions of the Hussain Shahi dynasty:

1. Political sphere:

  • The Hussain Shahi Dynasty was set up by Alauddin Hussain Shah who removed the chaotic Habshis from power in Bengal.
  • It established peace in the kingdom, which extended from Orissa in the southwest to Coochbehar in the north.

2. Administrative sphere:

The rulers of this dynasty set up a secular administration system by coordinating the Hindus and the Muslims.

3. Economic sphere:

  • Both internal and external trade flourished.
  • Important commercial centers of Bengal included Gauda, Sonargaon, and Chittagong.

4. Culture sphere:

  • This dynasty built notable mosques such as Choto Sona Masjid and Bara Sona Masjid at Gauda and the Eklakhi Mosque at Pandua.
  • Rup Goswami wrote ‘Vidagdha Madhava’ and ‘Lalit Madhava’.
  • Bipradas Pipilai composed ‘Manasa Mangal’. Krishnadas Kaviraj composed ‘Chaitanyacharitamrita’; Jayananda wrote ‘Chaitanyamangal’.

5. Religious sphere:

  • Vaishnavism, Shaivism, and Brahmanism flourished. People worshipped local deities like Manasa Devi and Chandi Devi.
  • Both Hindus and Muslims worshipped Satya Pir, Ola Bibi, and Sitala Devi.

 

WBBSE Class 7 Geography Notes WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History
WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 Geography WBBSE Class 7 History Multiple Choice Questions
WBBSE Class 7 Geography Multiple Choice Questions WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 Maths

 

Question 3. Discuss the origin of the Vijaynagar empire.
Answer:

Origin of the Vijaynagar Empire:

1. Period of Origin:

During the reign of Muhammad bin Tughlaq, several independent kingdoms was founded. The Vijaynagar kingdom was one of them.

2. Location:

  • Though the origin of the empire is controversial, it is almost universally accepted that the five sons of a person named Sangama founded this empire on the bank of the river Tungabhadra.
  • The dynasty is called the Sangama dynasty after the name of the founders’ father Sangama.

3. Date of foundation:

The year 1336 AD is generally accepted as the year of foundation of the empire.

4. Expansion:

Of the five sons, Harihar and Bukka were notable. Under their leadership, Vijaynagar extended its sway from the Tungabhadra River in the north to Trichinapalli in the south.

Conclusion:

  • After the death of Deva Raya II of the Sangama dynasty, three more dynasties ruled over Vijaynagar.
  • They were Saluva, Tuluva and Aravidu.

Question 4. Write briefly on Krishnadeva Raya.
Answer:

Krishnadeva Raya.:

Krishnadeva Raya of the Tuluva dynasty of the Vijaynagar Empire was the greatest ruler of Medieval India. He was great alike in the arts of peace and war.

1. Expansion of the empire:

  1. He recovered Raichur doab from the Sultan of Bijapur.
  2. He defeated Prataparudra Deva of Orissa and captured the fortress of Udaygiri.
  3. He extended his empire to Konkan in the west, Visakhapatnam in the east, and to the sea in the south.

2. Patron of arts and letters:

  1. He wrote a famous book in Telugu named ‘Amukta Malyada’.
  2. Under his liberal patronage, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada literature greatly improved.

Religion:

  1. He was a worshipper of Vishnu.
  2. He respected all sects of the Hindu religion alike.

Question 5. How the Bahmani Kingdom was founded?
Answer:

Foundation:

  • The Bahmani Kingdom in the Deccan was founded by Hassan or Jafar Khan in 1347.
  • He proclaimed himself as an independent king and assumed the title of Abul Muzaffar Alauddin Bahman Shah.

Claim to rule:

  • He claimed descent from the great Persian King Bahman.
  • He chose Gulbarga as the capital.

Expansion of empire:

He ruled an extensive territory stretching form Penganga river in the north to the Krishna river in the south and from Daulatabad in the west and Bhongir in the east.

WBBSE Chapter 4 The Delhi Sultanate Topic C Rise Of Regional Powers Short Question And Answers

Question 1. What do you know about the Battle of Talikota?
Answer:

Vijaynagar-Bahmani rivalry:

The Battle of Talikota of 1565 was watershed fought between the Vijayanagara Empire and an alliance of the Deccan Sultanates who united to defeat Aliya Ram Ray.

Battle:

The battle took place at Talikota, today, a town in northern Karnataka, about 80 kilometers to the southeast from the city of Bijapur.

Question 2. Describe the economic life of the Vijaynagar Empire as told by travelers.
Answer:

Prosperity:

  • According to the account of foreign travelers, the Vijaynagar Empire was fabulously rich.
  • The travelers were struck with wonder at the sight of the vast wealth of the empire.

Role of agriculture:

  • The economic prosperity of Vijaynagar resulted from the progress in agriculture, industries, trade, and commerce.
  • Agriculture was the main livelihood of the people. The state paid due attention to irrigation.

Question 3. Narrate the incident of Ekdala Fort.
Answer:

Ekdala Fort:

  • Ekdala was a medieval mud fort. Firoz Shah Tughlaq, Sultan of Delhi failed to capture it in spite of his repeated attempts.
  • During his two invasions, Shamsuddin Ilyas Shah and his son Sikandar Shah took shelter in it and baffled the designs of the Delhi Sultan.
  • The importance of this fort was further enhanced when Alauddin Hussain Shah transferred his capital from Gauda to Ekdala.

Significance: Thus the imperial authority was defied and Ilyas Shah remained as the ruler of Bengal.

Question 4. When was the Vijaynagar Empire established? Who set it up?
Answer:

  1. In 1336 AD the Vijaynagar Empire was established.
  2. It was set up by Harihar I and Bukka.

Question 5. When did Mahmud Gawan die? What was its impact?
Answer:

  1. Mahmud Gawan died in 1481.
  2. As a result of his death, the central administration of the Vijaynagar Empire collapsed.

Question 6. How many independent Sultanates emerged out of the Bahmani Kingdom? What were they?
Answer:

  1. Four independent Sultanates emerged out of the Bahmani Kingdom.
  2. They were Bijapur, Berar, Golconda and Bidar.

WBBSE Chapter 4 The Delhi Sultanate Topic C Rise Of Regional Powers Very Short Question And Answers

Question 1. Who founded the Ilyas Shahi Dynasty?
Answer: Shamsuddin Ilyas Shah was founded in the Ilyas Shahi Dynasty.

Question 2. Who was the Sultan of Delhi during the Ilyas Shahi rule of Bengal
Answer: Firoz Shah Tughlaq was the Sultan of Delhi during the Ilyas Shahi rule of Bengal.

Question 3. Where was the Ekdala fort?
Answer: Ekdala fort was situated at Pandua.

Question 4. Who was the greatest ruler of medieval Bengal?
Answer: Alauddin Hussain Shah was the greatest ruler of medieval Bengal.

Question 5. Of whom Hussain Shah was a devotee?
Answer: Hussian Shah was a devotee of Sri Chaitanya.

Question 6. Of whom Hussain Shah was regarded the incarnation?
Answer: Hussain Shah was regarded the incarnation of Lord Krishna.

Question 7. Which language and literature did flourish during Shahi’s rule of Bengal?
Answer: Bengali literature and language flourished during Shahi rule of Bengal.

Question 8. Which cult was started under the guidance of Sri Chaitanya?
Answer:  Bhakti Cult was started under the guidance of Sri Chaitanya.

Question 9. When the Vijaynagar Kingdom was founded?
Answer: In 1336 AD the Vijaynagar Kingdom was founded.

Question 10. Who was the greatest ruler of the Sangama Dynasty?
Answer: Deva Raya II was the greatest ruler of the Sangama Dynasty.

Question 11. Who was the greatest ruler of the Tuluva Dynasty?
Answer: Krishnadeva Raya was the greatest ruler of the Tuluva Dynasty.

Question 12. What was the actual name of Bahman Shah?
Answer: Hasan Gangu was the actual name of Bahman Shah.

Question 13. Which traveller praised Vijaynagar profusely?
Answer: Portuguese traveler Domingo Paes praised Vijaynagar profusely.

Question 14. Who was Mahmud Gawan?
Answer: Mahmud Gawan was the prime minister of the Bahmani Kingdom.

Question 15. Who was the most famous ruler of the Vijaynagar Empire?
Answer: Krishnadeva Raya was the most famous ruler of the Vijaynagar Empire.

Question 1. When did the Bengali culture flourish?
Answer: During the reign of the Ilyas Shahis and Hussain Shahis, the culture of Bengal flourished.

Question 2. Who were the two famous Vaishnaba brothers of the Hussain Shahi rule?
Answer: Rup Goswami and Sanatan Goswami were the two famous Vaishnaba brothers of the Hussain Shahi rule.

Question 3. Who were the two founding brothers of the Vijaynagar Empire?
Answer: Harihar I and Bukka were the two founding brothers of the Vijaynagar Empire.

Question 4. What were the four dynasties of the Vijaynagar Empire?
Answer: The four dynasties of the Vijaynagar Empire were Sangama, Saluva, Tuluva, and Aravidu.

Question 5. Name two foreign travellers who visited Vijaynagar.
Answer: The name of the two foreign (Portuguese) travelers who visited Vijaynagar are Nuniz and Paez.

WBBSE Chapter 4 The Delhi Sultanate Topic C Rise Of Regional Powers Fill In The Blanks

Question 1. Vijaynagar was an enemy of ____________ (Bahmani/Bengal/Mameluk).
Answer: Bahmani

Question 2. The battle of Talikota was fought in ____________ (1560/1565/1665).
Answer: 1565

Question 3. After the death of Mahmud Gawan’s administration ____________ (flourished/raised/collapsed).
Answer: Collapsed

Question 4. Vijaynagar was established on the bank of the river ____________ (Vitasta/Iravati/ Tungabhadra).
Answer: Tungabhadra

Question 5.  ____________ (Ramraya/Harihar/Venkat II) was the last important ruler of Vijaynagar.
Answer: Venkat II

Question 6. Foreign travelers told about the ____________ (economic/social/political) prosperity of Vijaynagar.
Answer: Economic

Question 7. Hussain Shah was very much enthusiastic about ____________  (Sanskrit/Urdu/Bengali) languages.
Answer: Bengali

Question 8. Shamsuddin Ilyas was the first independent ____________  (Sultan/Raja/Amir) of Bengal.
Answer: Sultan

Question 9. Sultan Jalaluddin Muhammad Shah was by birth ____________ (Muslim/Hindu/Jain).
Answer: Hindu

Question 10. The Abyssinian rulers of Bengal were called ____________  (Habsis/Mughals/Tughlaqs).
Answer: Habsis

WBBSE Chapter 4 The Delhi Sultanate Topic C Rise Of Regional Powers True Or False

Question 1. Chaitanya Deva was born during the reign of Hussain Shah.
Answer: True

Question 2. Hussain Shah built the famous Adina Mosque
Answer: False

Question 3. Krishnadeva Raya has written about royal duties in his book, Amukta Malyada.
Answer: True

Question 4. The most famous Sultan of the Bahmani kingdom was Firoz Shah.
Answer: True

WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History Chapter 4 The Delhi Sultanate Topic A Delhi Sultanate 1206 -1526 AD

WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History Chapter 4 The Delhi Sultanate Topic A Delhi Sultanate 1206 -1526 AD Long Question And Answers

Question 1. Who was a Sultan? Describe the main features of the power of the Sultans of Delhi. Write about the administration of Delhi Sultans.
Answer:

Sultan:

The word ‘Sultan’ literally means independent monarch. In the Quran, the Sultan was regarded as a symbol of power. In India, the word Sultan implies power, responsibility, and absolute control.

The main features of the power of the Sultans of Delhi

1. Sovereignty:

The Sultans of Delhi were absolute despots, who had full suzerainty over their subjects. The Sultan was the head of administration, the law-maker, and the lord of his subjects.

Class 7 WBBSE History Question Answer

2. Independent rule:

Apparently, they accepted the overlordship of the Caliphs but, in reality, they were independent in the execution of decisions taken by them.

3. Absolute control over Administration:

The Sultans kept absolute control over the administration.

Administration of Delhi Sultans

  1. Central administration: The administration was centralised as the Sultans were absolute despots.
  2. Despotism: All the spheres of administration were controlled by the Sultan.
  3. Provincial administration: Though the administration was centralized, a provincial administrative structure also existed.
  4. The traditional system of administration: The Sultans of Delhi followed the traditional system which was already prevalent in India.

 

WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History Chapter 4 The Delhi Sultanate Topic A Delhi Sultanate 1206 -1526 AD

Question 2. Give a brief introduction of the Turko-Afghan Age.
Answer:

The Turko-Afghan Age or Sultanate era refers to the period from 1206 to 1526.

Turko-Afghan Age

1. Turkish age:

  1. Slave (Mameluk) dynasty: It was started in 1206 by Qutbuddin Aibak and ended in 1290 with the death of Kaikobad and Kayumars.
  2. The Khilji Dynasty: It was founded in 1290 by Jalaluddin Khilji when Qutbuddin Mubarak Shah was killed by Nasiruddin Khusru.
  3. Tughlaq dynasty: In 1320, Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq founded the Tughlaq dynasty which ended with the death of Nasiruddin Muhammad Shah in 1412.

WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History Chapter 4 The Delhi Sultanat Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq's Coins
2. Afghan age:

  1. Sayyid dynasty: Khizir Khan founded the Sayyid dynasty in 1414, which ended in 1451.
  2. Lodi dynasty: Bahlul Lodi founded the Lodi dynasty at the invitation of Alauddin Alam Shah. It ended when Babur defeated and killed Ibrahim Lodi, the last Sultan of Delhi, in the First Battle of Panipat in 1526.
WBBSE Class 7 Geography Notes WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History
WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 Geography WBBSE Class 7 History Multiple Choice Questions
WBBSE Class 7 Geography Multiple Choice Questions WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 Maths

 

Question 3. Give an account of the various rulers of the Delhi Sultanate and their respective dynasties.
Answer:

Five dynasties ruled over the Delhi Sultanate from 1206 to 1526, known as the Turko-Afghan era.

Class 7 WBBSE History Question Answer

Dynasties and their notable rulers

  1. Slave Dynasty: Founded by Qutbuddin Aibak, its notable rulers included Iltutmish, Sultan Razia, and Ghiyasuddin Balban.
  2.  Khilji dynasty: Jalaluddin Khilji founded the Khilji dynasty, whose notable rulers were Alauddin Khilji and Qutbuddin Mubarak Shah.
  3. Tughlaq dynasty: Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq founded the Tughlaq dynasty whose notable rulers included Muhammad-bin- Tughlaq and Firoz Shah Tughlaq.
  4. Sayyid dynasty: Khizr Khan was the first Sultan of the Sayyid dynasty. Thereafter notable rulers included Mubarak Shah and Muhammad Shah.
  5. Lodi dynasty: Bahlul Lodi was the first Sultan of the Lodi dynasty. Other rulers included Sikandar Lodi and Ibrahim Lodi.

Question 4. Describe the extent of the sovereignty of the Sultans of Delhi.
Answer:

The Sultan was the absolute head of the Delhi Sultanate. He was the sovereign and all powers of administration were concentrated in his hands.

The extent of the sovereignty of Sultans of Delhi

1. Despotism:

The Sultan was an absolute monarch. He was the fountainhead of civil and military spheres.

2. Representatives of God:

In order to obtain the absolute submission of the subjects, the Sultans portrayed themselves as the representatives of god on earth.

3. Absolute power:

The Sultans accepted the overlordship of the Caliphs but in reality, they were the chief center of all administrative powers.

4. Khutba prayers and the issue of coins:

During Friday prayers, the Imam of the Masjid would deliver a discourse or recite the Khutba. The names of the Caliph and the Sultan were also recited along with the glory of Allah. The Sultans also issued coins bearing their names.

Conceptual Questions on Economic Policies of the Delhi Sultans

5. Sultani etiquette:

The royal umbrella, the scepter, the court etiquette, and the pompous ceremonies enhanced the power and prestige of the Sultan.

Question 5. Discuss the relationship between the Sultans of Delhi and the Caliphs.
Answer:

According to Islamic traditions, the Caliph is the political and spiritual leader of all Islamic territories.

Relationship between Sultans and Caliphs

1. Relationship with Qutbuddin Aibak:

The first Sultan of Delhi customarily accepted the sovereignty of the Caliph but got no clean recognition from him.

2. Relationship with lltutmish:

He obtained clear recognition from the Caliph who also presented him with a ceremonial robe and a royal scepter.

3. Relationship with Balban:

He also maintained good relations with the Caliph, from whom he got the robe of legitimacy.

4. Relationship with Alauddin Khilji:

He refused to accept the suzerainty of the Caliph. Moreover, his son Mubarak dared to declare himself the Caliph.

5. Relationship with Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq:

He refused to recognize the suzerainty of the Caliph and would not include his name on his coins. However, when he faced innumerable revolts of his people, he tried to obtain their support by including the name of the Caliph on his coins and by trying to get the robe of legitimacy from the Caliph.

Class 7 WBBSE History Question Answer

6. Relationship with Feroze Shah Tughlaq:

He obtained the robe of legitimacy from the Caliph twice.

Question 6. State the achievements of Qutbuddin Aibak.
Answer:

Qutbuddin Aibak was the first ruler of the Delhi Sultanate, founded by Muhammad Ghori. He ruled from 1206 to 1210.

Achievements of Qutbuddin Aibak

1. Founder of Slave dynasty:

Aibak was a trusted slave of Ghori and conquered many territories of North India on behalf of his master. After Ghori’s death, he seized the throne of Delhi and became its first Sultan. He developed friendly relations with his opponents.

2. Other achievements:

  1. The foundation of independent rule: Qutbuddin Aibak broke off all ties with Ghazni and began ruling Delhi independently.
  2. Able warrior: He defeated Bhimadeva, the ruler of Gujarat.
  3. Kind-hearted: Qutbuddin Aibak was very kind-hearted and received the title Lakh-Baksh, for charity.

3. Constructions:

Aibak constructed mosques at Delhi and Ajmer and started building the Qutub Minar in Delhi in memory of the Sufi saint, Khwaja Qutbuddin of Baghdad.

Question 7. “Iltutmish is the real architect of Delhi Sultanate.”-Justify. Or, State the achievements of Iltutmish.
Answer:

Qutbuddin Aibak undoubtedly founded the Delhi Sultanate but it was established on a strong foundation by Iltutmish.

Real-Life Scenarios Involving Conflicts in the Delhi Sultanate

Achievements of Iltutmish

1. Consolidation:

The term ‘Iltutmish’ means ‘preserver of empire’. Iltutmish established the Delhi Sultanate as a well-consolidated State from the military domain set up by Qutbuddin Aibak.

2. Suppression:

Iltutmish crushed the disruptive forces of the realm and set his empire on a strong system of administrative foundation.

WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History Chapter 4 The Delhi Sultanat Iltutmish

3. Mongol invasions:

  • Iltutmish was faced with the danger of the Mongol invasion led by the dreaded Mongol chieftain, Genghis Khan. Ghenghis Khan had appeared on the borders of north-western India, in pursuit of Jalaluddin Mangbarani, the ruler of Khiva.
  • Mangbarani’s request for shelter in India was turned down by Iltutmish on grounds of the hot, uncomfortable climate. So Mangbarani left India and the Mongols followed him.
  • Ghenghis Khan did not bother to attack India and Iltutmish saved India from the Mongols by his diplomacy.

4. Legitimacy of Sultanate:

Iltutmish obtained legitimacy from the Caliph who presented him with the ‘Khilat’ (ceremonial robe) and ‘Durbash’ (royal sceptre). This raised the prestige of the Turkish monarchy of Delhi and gave it a firm foundation.

5. Hereditary rule:

Iltutmish was far-sighted and tactful. He converted the infant kingdom into a powerful State. At the same time, he established hereditary kingship on the throne of Delhi.

Question 8. Name the two trusted aides of Muhammad Ghori. Why did Sultan Iltutmish require approval for legitimacy from the Caliph?
Answer:

Two trusted aides of Muhammad Ghori

Nasiruddin Qubacha and Tajuddin Yaldoz were the two trusted aides of Muhammad Ghori.

Reasons behind the necessity of recognition by Caliph

1. Controversy regarding inheritance:

Iltutmish was the son-in-law of Qutbuddin Aibak. So, many nobles did not accept him as the rightful, heir of Aibak.

2. Revolts by Amirs:

Many disgruntled Turkish nobles secretly conspired as well as rebelled against Iltutmish to bring about the downfall of the Delhi Sultanate.

3. Foreign Issues:

Nasiruddin Qubacha, the ruler of Sindh, occupied Lahore and some parts of Punjab. Tajuddin Yaldoz, the ruler of Ghazni, also claimed the throne of the Delhi Sultanate.

4. Rights to the throne:

The recognition of Iltutmish as the rightful heir to the Delhi throne was questioned by many but, he silenced his critics and ruled with tact.

Question 9. What were the problems of Iltutmish on his accession to the throne? How did he solve them?
Answer:

Problems of Iltutmish on his accession to the throne

On his accession to the throne, Iltutmish faced a number of problems. They were

  1. Nasiruddin Qubacha asserted his independence and occupied Lahore and part of Punjab.
  2. Some Amirs of Delhi revolted against Iltutmish.
  3. Iltutmish was also confronted with Mongol attacks.
  4. As he was not the son of Qutbuddin but his son-in-law, he was worried about his legal status.

Solutions to those problems:

  1. He suppressed all the revolts successfully.
  2. He avoided direct confrontation with the Mongols
  3. He obtained the recognition of Caliph.

Thus Iltutmish created an idea of dynastic rule and his descendants ruled 30 years more.

Question 10. Write what you know about Sultan Razia.
Answer:

Sultan Razia:

After the death of Iltutmish, the Turkish nobles put his son, Rukhnuddin Firoz, on the throne of Delhi. But Firoz was incapable and was killed by Razia, the daughter of Iltutmish. She ascended the throne in 1236 and ruled till 1240.

WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History Chapter 4 The Delhi Sultanat Razia

Achievements of Razia

1. Law and order:

As ruler of Delhi, Razia tried to end all chaos and restored law, order, and peace in the Sultanate.

Examples of Real-Life Applications of Historical Knowledge

2. Administration:

Razia called herself ‘Sultan’ on her coins. She proved herself equal to men in all spheres of administration including the conduction of court, redressal of complaints at the durbar, and leading military campaigns.

3. Suppression of Forty:

Razia tried to curtail the powers of the Turkish aristocratic group, the Forty (Bandegan-i-Chihalgani). However, the Turkish nobles refused to accept the suzerainty of Razia, on the grounds of her being a woman.

They started conspiring against her. In turn, she tried to create dissension among them. She even married Altuniya, one of her opponent members of ‘Forty’ but both were defeated in the hands of the ‘Forty’ in 1240.

Question 11. Why the reign of Razia was remarkable in history?
Answer:

Razia was remarkable in history:

Sultan Razia (1236-40) was the only woman who ascended the throne of Delhi. Never in the history of the Mameluk dynasty had the title of ‘Sultan’ bestowed upon or used to address a woman, because a woman had never ruled before.

1. Significance:

Her ascent to the throne is of much historical significance not only because she was a woman, but also because her ancestors who were originally slave and she was not of nobility.

2. Conflict with the Turks:

Her accession to the throne did not go well with the Turkish nobles who were jealous that a woman could become the Sultan.

3. Conflict intensified:

She was endowed with all the qualities necessary for kings but was not destined to rule in peace. During her reign conflicts raised heads between royals and Turkish aristocrats, later known as the ‘Forty’.

4. Final defeat:

Razia was keen on curbing their powers and started appointing non-Turks in state posts, thus forming her own coterie. Naturally, the aristocrats resented it and rebelled against her. She was defeated and killed in 1240 AD.

Important Definitions Related to the Delhi Sultanate

Question 12. What were the causes behind the transfer of capital by Muhammad bin Tughlaq? Why was his venture unsuccessful?
Answer:

The causes behind the transfer of capital

Muhammad bin Tughlaq, the Sultan of Delhi, shifted his capital from Delhi to Devagiri. Devagiri was later renamed as Daulatabad. Muhammad bin Tughlaq was from the Tughlaq dynasty and ruled from 1324 to 1351 AD.

The reasons behind his decision to transfer the capital are as follows

Protection of Capital:

Sultan Muhammad bin Tughlaq transferred his capital from Delhi to Devagiri, renamed as Daulatabad. For the sake of safety, to prevent the capital from being buffeted repeatedly by the devastating Mongol attacks, he transferred his capital.

Administrative advantage:

1. Better center of administration:

Daulatabad, being located in the center of the empire was a better center of administration for the whole empire than Delhi.

2. Control over Deccan:

The Sultan also wanted to strengthen Islamic domination in the South by setting up Muslim settlements there.

Opinions of Isami and Ibn Batuta:

Writers like Isami and Ibn Battuta claimed that the Sultan wanted to punish the rebels of Delhi who had revolted against him.

Reasons for failure

His venture was unsuccessful for various reasons.

Class 7 History WBBSE

1. Discomfort in foreign lands:

The people of Delhi could not adjust or adapt themselves in strange, far-off Daulatabad. This was far away from Delhi, the city of their forefathers, and everything that they knew.

2. Vacant treasury:

This attempt to transfer the capital drained and exhausted the royal treasury. So, the venture had to be abandoned mid-way.

3. Hindu-Muslim conflict:

Another reason was that Daulatabad had more Hindu citizens. This put the Muslim inhabitants of Delhi at a disadvantage and they also felt uncomfortable there.

WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History Chapter 4 The Delhi Sultanat Tughlaq EmpireQuestion 13. Write a note on the First Battle of Panipat.
Answer:

The First Battle of Panipat took place on 21st April 1526 between Babur and Ibrahim Lodi.

The first battle of Panipat

1 Background

Collection of wealth:

Babur was attracted by the vast wealth of Hindustan.

Conspiracy of Daulat Khan Lodi:

He was invited to attack India by Daulat Khan Lodi, the governor of Punjab, and Alam Khan Lodi who were offended at the uncouth behavior of Ibrahim Lodi.

Political instability:

Babur was also tempted to attack India to take the advantage of the political inter-tribal conflicts in North India. Babur and Ibrahim Lodi fought the First Battle of Panipat on 21st April 1526.

2. Causes behind Babur’s victory

  1. Prowess: Babur possessed exceptional military prowess.
  2. Rumi Strategy: Babur adopted the new Rumi strategy of warfare that he had learned from the Turks.
  3. Powerful army: Though the Mughal soldiers were less in number than that of Ibrahim Lodi, the cavalry, artillery, and archery were powerful and competent enough to win the battle.

3. Importance

  1. Foundation of Mughal empire: The Mughal empire was established in India due to their victory in the First Battle of Panipat.
  2. The downfall of the Turko-Afghan empire: The victory of Mughal emperor Babur brought the Delhi Sultanate to an end.
  3. Possession of wealth: Babur gained economically as a huge amount of wealth came into his hands.

Question 14. Give a brief description of the Lodi Dynasty.
Answer:

The Lodi dynasty, of Afghan origin, replaced the Sayyid dynasty and became the last ruling dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate.

WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History Chapter 4 The Delhi Sultanat IndiaLodi Dynasty

1. Bahlul Lodi:

The founder of the Lodi dynasty was Bahlul Lodi who occupied Jaunpur and extended his empire from Kashi to Bundelkhand.

2. Sikandar Lodi:

After Bahlul Lodi’s death his son, Sikandar Lodi ascended the throne. An able ruler, a patron of art, he also conquered Tirhut.

3. Ibrahim Lodi:

He succeeded his father, Sikandar Lodi. Annoyed at his arrogance, Daulat Khan Lodi, the governor of Punjab, and Alam Khan Lodi, the Sultan’s relative, conspired to dethrone him.

4. Downfall:

Afghan nobles, Jagirdars, and common people throughout India began revolting against the Sultan. Finally, Lodi Dynasty ended when Babur defeated and killed Ibrahim Lodi in the First Battle of Panipat.

Question 15. How did Balban consolidate the Delhi So he was not a good commander. Rather he Sultanate?
Answer:

A despot, Balban believed in ensuring the loyalty of his subjects and peace in his empire by absolute autocracy.

Consolidation of the Delhi Sultanate by Balban

Short Answers on Rulers of the Delhi Sultanate

Suppression of rebellion:

During his period the main problem of the Delhi Sultanate was internal rebellion. The governor of Bengal rose in revolt. But it was suppressed ruthlessly.

Destruction of the nobility:

Balban adopted several measures to curb the power and position of the ‘Forty’.

The superiority of the monarchy:

Balban took several measures to heighten the prestige of the Delhi Sultanate. These were

  1. Introduction of ‘Sijda’ and ‘Paibos’ .
  2. Establishment of a powerful centralized administration.
  3. Efforts to show that the Sultan is more powerful than the nobility.
  4. Cut down the forests and strengthened the agrarian economy.

Question 16. Was Firoz Tughlaq an able military commander or a benefactor of people?
Answer:

Firoz Tughlaq was neither a great warrior, astute politician or a secular, tolerant ruler, nor was he a successful conqueror.

Failure:

  1. Two of his ventures to independent Bengal failed.
  2. On his way back he captured Jajnagar in Orissa.
  3. He recaptured the Nagarkot fort and parts of Sindh.
  4. He made no attempt to regain the Deccan.

So he was a great benefactor of people. He attached much importance to the material welfare of the people and executed a number of reforms in this respect. Thus, we may conclude, warfare went alongside with welfare.

Question 17. Write a note on Sultanate and succession.
Answer:

Sultanate and succession

1. Anarchy after death:

The history of the Delhi Sultanate shows that the death of the monarch was usually followed by a period of uncertainty. In the absence of a law of succession, intrigues civil war, and violence became the order of the day.

2. No peaceful succession:

Among the important rulers of this dynasty except perhaps for Balban and Bahlul Lodi none of the Sultanates appear to have had a peaceful succession. Even Balban is accused of the murder of Nasirudding Mahmud.

It was mainly by deceit that Bahlol Lodi had assumed the kingship. The process of succession was indeed very unstable and uncertain in the Sultanate period.

3. Nobility-an important question:

Most of the kings during the Sultanate period were themselves nobles having risen to power due to their statesmanship. Hence the nobles also became an active element in the succession question.

Question 18. Discuss briefly the southern expedition of Alauddin Khilji.
Answer:

A relentless imperialist among the Delhi Sultans, Alauddin Khilji was the real founder of Muslim imperialism in India.

Southern expedition of Alauddin Khilji

1. Sultan’s expansionist policy:

After conquering Northern India he paid attention to South India. In fact, the expansionist policy of Alauddin was the most obvious reason for invading the south.

2. Regions:

Alauddin was the first among Delhi Sultans to send expeditions to the Deccan. His trusted general Malik Kafur lead these expeditions. He defeated-WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History Chapter 4 The Delhi Sultanat Alauddin Khilji

Rama Chandradeva of Yadava king of Devagiri.

  1. Prataprudradeva, the Kakatiya king.
  2. Virvallalva, the Hoysala king of Dwarasamudra.
  3. The Pandya king of Madura.

Malik Kafur advanced as far as Rameswaram.

Question 19. What is your opinion about calling the projects of Muhammad bin Tughlaq ‘tughlaqism”? Or, Is it fair to call Muhammad bin Tughlaq insane?
Answer:

The plans of the Sultan were all fine but they went all unconventional, because of his impractical approach, impatience, and defective implementation.

Tughlaq and his plans

1. Taxation in the Doab:

Hiking taxes at the fertile Doab region was understandable but the time he chose to do so was all wrong.

2. Transfer of capital:

Shifting the capital from Delhi to Debgiri was logical from a geographical point of view. But the method of implementing the project was a crazy decision.

3. Introduction of copper coins:

Launching copper currency was his other right move. But he failed to check the counterfeits.

Some critics have criticized him and have gone too far to call him ‘insane’.

Conclusion:

Though enlightened in his personal life, the Sultan was a failure as a ruler. But he was not at all illogical and unfair. He was not insincere indeed in his attempts.

Question 20. What was the reason behind the taxation in the Doab by Muhammad bin Tughlaq? What was its outcome?
Answer:

Reason behind the taxation in the Doab:

To generate more income for the empire, the Sultan imposed very steep taxes in the Doab region along the Ganga and Yamuna. It came when peasants were reeling under severe drought and shortage of rainfall.

The people being unable to pay the tax, stopped farming and took shelter in the forest. Grains became dear and famine became general.

Outcome:

When at last the Sultan came to know about the misery, he provided them food, money, seeds, and farming loans, introduced irrigation facilities, and reduced taxation. But it was too late then.

Question 21. How logical was the introduction of copper coin by Sultan Muhammad bin Tughlaq?
Answer:

Introducing of the Copper coin:

  • In 1329-30 AD Muhammad bin Tughlaq issued a token currency in copper coins in immitation of the Chinese token currency. It was in order to meet the deficits in the royal treasury.
  • It was a practical decision for several reasons but he did not adopt any measure to prevent counterfeits flooding the country.

Failure:

Foreign merchants refused to accept these coins. Trading nearly come to a close. The Sultan was then forced to withdraw copper coins and re-introduce silver coins. All these further weakened the financial foundation of the empire.

WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History Chapter 4 The Delhi Sultanate Topic A Delhi Sultanate 1206 -1526 AD Short Question And Answers

Question 1. Who was the Caliph?
Answer:

Caliph:

Islamic traditions established the Caliph as the political and spiritual leader of the Muslims. As it was not possible for him to rule over such a vast area, he kept a host of rulers, who accepted his suzerainty and ruled on behalf of him.

They sent him handsome gifts in return and owed allegiance to him but ruled independently.

Question 2. What is Khutba?
Answer:

Khutba:

Literally, the term ‘Khutba’ means lecture or speech. The Khutba is read out by the Imam of a Masjid after Friday afternoon prayers.

In the era of the Caliphs, the name of the Caliph was mentioned along with the Khutba, to remember that the Caliph had been appointed, on the basis of Islamic traditions.

Question 3. Define Amir, Durbash, and Khilat.
Answer:

Amir, Durbash, and Khilat:

  • Literally, the term Amir referred to a rich, aristocratic nobleman, while in the Sultanate era, it referred to an official involved in administrative affairs.
  • Durbash was the royal scepter, the symbol of monarchical authority given by a Caliph to a Sultan. Caliph Al-Mustansir Billah sent a Durvash to Iltutmish.
  • Khilat was the ceremonial robe sent to an Islamic ruler by the Caliph as a symbol of his legitimacy to rule.

Question 4. What is meant by the Sultanate era in the history of India?
Answer:

Sultanate era in the history of India:

The Delhi Sultanate was established by Muhammad Ghori in 1206. Qutbuddin Aibak was the first Sultan of Delhi. Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodi in the First Battle of Panipat in 1526 and with this, the Delhi Sultanate ended. The era of the Delhi Sultanate continued from 1206 till 1526.

Question 5. Why is the era of the Delhi Sultanate called the Turko-Afghan Age?
Answer:

The era of the Delhi Sultanate was called the Turko-Afghan Age:

Among the five dynasties that ruled over the Delhi Sultanate from 1206 to 1526, two were Turkish-the Slave dynasty and the Tughlaq dynasty. The latter dynasties-the Sayyids and Lodis were Afghans.

So, historians refer to the Sultanate era as the Turko-Afghan era.

Question 6. Who set up the Slave dynasty? Why was it called so?
Answer:

Slave dynasty:

Qutbuddin Aibak set up the Slave Dynasty. It was called so, as Aibak, Iltutmish, and Balban were formerly slaves, who later gained freedom and ascended the throne.

Question 7. Who received the title of Sultan-i-Azam from the Caliph of Baghdad? How did it help the receiver?
Answer:

The Caliph of Baghdad bestowed the title of Sultan-i-Azam on Iltutmish, the ruler of Delhi.

It helped the receiver with the following:

  1. Legal recognition: Tutmish was legitimately recognized as a Sultan.
  2. Power and Prestige: He received both power and prestige. The Delhi Sultanate emerged as an independent entity in the Islamic world.

Question 8. State the number and the names of the ruling dynasties of the Delhi Sultanate.
Answer:

The five ruling dynasties of the Delhi Sultanate were the Slave Dynasty, the Khilji Dynasty, the Tughlaq dynasty, the Sayyid dynasty, and the Lodi dynasty.

Question 9. Describe the relations between the Caliphs and the Sultans of Delhi.
Answer:

The relations between the Caliphs and the Sultans of Delhi:

The relationship between the Caliphs and the Sultans of Delhi was purely ceremonial. The Sultans obtained the robe of legitimacy from the Caliphs to consolidate their control over the subjects and to enhance the power and prestige of the State.

So, they sent costly gifts and tributes to the Caliphs. On the other hand, some Sultans refused to accept the suzerainty of the Caliphs.

Question 10. Describe the relations between the Sultans of Delhi and the nobility.
Answer:

The relations between the Sultans of Delhi and the nobility:

At the onset, the Sultans of Delhi were greatly dependent on the nobility for administrative purposes. Sultan Ghiyasuddin Balban was himself a former member of the Turkish nobility group, the Forty or Bandegan-i-Chihalgani.

Later, relations between the Sultan and the nobles worsened. Ghiyasuddin Balban and Alauddin Khilji kept the nobles under absolute control.

Question 11. Write a note on the circle of forty/ Bandegan-i-Chihalgani/Turkan-i- Chihalgani.
Answer:

The circle of forty/ Bandegan-i-Chihalgani/Turkan-i- Chihalgani:

  • The term the circle of forty/Bandegan-i-Chihalgani/Turkan-i-Chihalgani referred to a group of forty Turkish slaves, belonging to Sultan Iltutmish.
  • Later, they were granted freedom and were placed at the higher ranks of administration. They were ultimately crushed by Balban, one of their former members. He became the next Sultan.

Question 12. What type of diplomacy did Iltutmish adopt to prevent Mongol attacks?
Answer:

Jalaluddin Mongbarani, the ruler of Khiva, was chased by Ghenghis Khan, the dreaded Mongol chieftain. He entered India and begged for shelter from Iltutmish, the Sultan of Delhi but Iltutmish cleverly cited the hot, uncomfortable climate of India as an excuse and refused to give shelter to Mongbarani.

Mongbarani left India and Ghenghis Khan did not invade North India. Thus, Iltutmish diplomatically saved North India from Mongol attacks.

Question 13. State with arguments, which one is more applicable, Sultan Razia or Sultana Razia.
Answer:

  1. Meaning: The Arabic term Sultan means ruler, while Sultana stands for the wife of the Sultan.
  2. Sovereignty: Razia was a sovereign ruler and referred to herself as Sultan on her coins too.
  3. Historical recognition: Historian Minhaj-i Siraj referred to her as Sultan.
  4. Conclusion: Razia should be rightly called Sultan and not Sultana.

Question 14. What measures did Ghiyasuddin Balban adapt to resist Mongol attacks?
Answer:

The measures Ghiyasuddin Balban adopted to resist Mongol attacks were

  • Preservation of forts: Ghiyasuddin Balban tried to repel Mongal attacks by repairing the frontier forts of Bhatinda, Sunam, and Samana.
  • Construction of garrisons: He built a series of forts along river Beas and garrisoned them with troops. He fortified Delhi and took complete control over the region.
  • Diplomacy: He even sent envoys to the Mongols as a diplomatic plot to dissuade them from attacking Delhi.

Question 15. What is Khilji Revolution?
Answer:

Khilji Revolution:

In 1290, Jalaluddin Faroz Khilji killed the sick ruler Kaikobad and his infant son Kayumars and ascended the throne of Delhi. Thus the rule of the Turks ended. This event, by which the Khiljis became the ruling dynasty of Delhi is called Khilji Revolution.

Question 16. What are ‘Paibos’ and ‘Sijda’?
Answer:

‘Paibos’ and ‘Sijda’:

  • Sultan Ghiyasuddin Balban introduced the Persian customs of Paibos and Sijda at the Delhi court to maintain the sovereign power of the Sultan.
  • Sijda implied prostration before the Sultan while Paibos referred to kissing the feet of the Sultan. But in reality, the nobles had to kiss the throne.

Question 17. Who were the neo-Muslims?
Answer:

Neo-Muslims:

In 1292, the Mongols invaded India but were defeated by Sultan Jalaluddin Khilji. A few thousand Mongols led by Hulaku, the great-grandson of Ghenghis Khan, accepted Islam and settled down an the outskirts of Delhi. These Mongols were called neo-Muslims.

Question 18. Describe the relation between Muhammad bin Tughlaq and the Caliph.
Answer:

Relationship:

At the beginning of his reign, Muhammad bin Tughlaq did not include the name of the Caliph on his coins. Thus he did not accept the suzerainty of the Caliph.

Relationship in later period:

Later when he faced numerous revolts of his people, he tried to strengthen his position by allying with the Caliph and had the name of the Caliph minted on his coins. He also obtained the robe of legitimacy from the Caliph.

Question 19. Write a short note on Ibn Batuta.
Answer:

Ibn Batuta:

Original inhabitation: Ibn Batuta was a native of Tanjier in Morocco, in North Africa. He came to India in 1333, during the reign of Muhammad bin Tughlaq and stayed in India for nine years.

Composition:

He wrote a famous book, Al- Rihala or Travels, describing his travels in India. This book describes the social, economic, and political conditions of India, during the 14th century.

Question 20. What do you know about the foundation of the Sayyid dynasty?
Answer:

The foundation of the Sayyid dynasty:

  • Khizr Khan founded the Sayyid dynasty but he never took the title of Sultan. Rather, he declared himself to be the representative of Timur and ruled the kingdom on his behalf.
  • Thus, the first Sultan of the Sayyid dynasty was Mubarak Shah.

Question 21. How far was it necessary for Iltutmish to approach Caliph?
Answer:

  • The Caliph was the supreme head of the Islamic world. So whenever and whatever question arose regarding the legitimacy of authority, the Sultans expressed their loyalty to the Caliph and sought his recognition.
  • For that very reason Iltutmish too had to approach Caliph to assert his claim over the throne.

Question 22. How did the dynastic rule of Iltutmish come to an end?
Answer:

  • A weak leadership after Iltutmish combined with Mongol invasion brought bad times for Delhi Sultanate. The last ruler of the slave dynasty, Nasiruddin Mahmud Shah died without an heir. His father-in-law and prime minister, usurped power, assuming the name, Ghiyasuddin Balban.
  • Thus the dynastic rule of Sultan Iltutmish come to an end and a new phase in the history of the Delhi Sultanate began.

WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History Chapter 4 The Delhi Sultanate Topic A Delhi Sultanate 1206 -1526 AD Very Short Question And Answers

Question 1. Who was ‘Sultan’?
Answer: Sultan is a title. Quite a few Turkish rulers used this title. The word ‘Sultan’ means ‘authority”.

Question 2. What is the ‘Sultanate’?
Answer: The areas which came under the control of the ‘Sultan’ were called ‘Sultanate’.

Question 3. Who founded the ‘Slave Dynasty’? Why was it named so?
Answer:

  1. Qutbuddin Aibak founded the ‘Slave Dynasty
  2. The Slave dynasty is so named because its sultans were slaves or the heirs of slaves.

Question 4. Who obtained the title from the Caliph of Bagdad? How did it help him?
Answer:

  1. Iltutmish obtained the title Sultan-i-Azam from the Caliph of Bagdad.
  2. The title enhanced his prestige.

Question 5. How long Qutbuddin ruled? State the tenure.
Answer:

  1. Qutbuddin ruled for 4 years.
  2. The tenure was from 1206 AD to 1210 AD.

Question 6. Who introduced ‘Bandegan-i- Chihalgani’? Who abolished it?
Answer:

  1. Bandegan-i-Chihalgani was introduced by Iltutmish.
  2. Balban abolished it.

Question 7. Who was the first Sultan to conquer the Deccan? Who was his commander in this expedition?
Answer:

  1. Alauddin Khilji first conquered the Deccan.
  2. Malik Kafur was his commander in this expedition.

Question 8. Who was Ibn Battuta? What was the name of his book?
Answer:

  1. Ibn Batuta was a Moroccan traveler, who came during the reign of Muhammad bin Tughlaq.
  2. The name of his book was ‘Al-Rihala’.

Question 9. What are ‘Sijda’ and ‘Paibos’?
Answer: Ghiyasuddin Balban introduced two Persian customs ‘Sijda’ and ‘Paibos’ in the court of Delhi to maintain the power of the Sultan.

Question 10. When was the First Battle of Panipat fought and among whom?
Answer: The First Battle of Panipat was fought on 21st April 1526, between Babur, the Chagatai Turkish invader, and Sultan Ibrahim Lodi, the last ruler of the Delhi Sultanate.

Question 11. When did the Battle of Banihati or Talikota take place and among whom?
Answer: The Battle of Banihati or Talikota took place in 1565, between the Vijaynagar Empire on one side and Ahmadnagar, Berar, Bidar, Bijapur, and Golconda on the other side.

Question 12. Who was the first and the last female Sultan of the Sultanate of Delhi?
Answer: Sultan Raziya was the first and the last female Sultan of the Delhi Sultanate.

Question 13. Whose daughter was Razia?
Answer: Sultan Razia was the daughter of Iltutmish.

Question 14. When Razia died?
Answer: Razia died in 1240 AD.

Question 15. Who established Turkan-i-Chihalgani?
Answer: Turkan-i-Chihalgani was established by Iltutmish.

Question 16. Who was the first Sultan of the Khilji dynasty?
Answer: The first Sultan of the Khilji dynasty was Jalaluddin Firoz Khilji.

Question 17. When Alauddin Khilji ascended the throne?
Answer: Alauddin Khilji ascended the throne in 1296 AD.

Question 18. Which Sultan shifted his capital to Daulatabad?
Answer: Muhammad bin Tughlaq shifted his capital to Daulatabad.

Question 19. What was the second capital of Muhammad bin Tughlaq?
Answer: The second capital of Muhammad bin Tughlaq was Daulatabad.

Question 20. When the Slave Dynasty was established?
Answer: The Slave Dynasty was established in 1206 AD.

Question 21. To which dynasty did Iltutmish belong?
Answer: Iltutmish belonged to the Slave Dynasty.

WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History Chapter 4 The Delhi Sultanate Topic A Delhi Sultanate 1206 -1526 AD Fill In The Blanks

Question 1. The ablest successor of Iltutmish was ________ (Raziya/Nasiruddin Mahmud / Ghiyasuddin Balban).
Answer: Raziya

Question 2. ________ (Caliphs / Sultans / Ulema) was the supreme head of the Delhi Sultanate.
Answer: Caliphs

Question 3. ________ (Muhammad Ghori / Sultan Mahmud / Qutbuddin Aibak) was the founder of the Slave Dynasty.
Answer: Qutbuddin Aibak

Question 4. ________ (Alauddin Khilji / Ghiyasuddin Balban / Firoz Tughlaq) obtained the Caliph’s title.
Answer: Firoz Tughlaq

Question 5. The title given to Iltutmish was ________ (Sultan-i-Azam / Kaid-i-Azam / Mughal-i-Azam).
Answer: Sultan-i-Azam

Question 6. Razia passed away in ________ (1240/1246/ 1266).
Answer: 1240

Question 7. The dynastic rule of Iltutmish came to an end after ________ (Razia / Nasiruddin Mahmud/Ghiyasuddin Balban).
Answer: Ghiyasuddin Balban

Question 8. The fort of Siri was founded by ________ (Alauddin Khilji/Ghiyasuddin Balban / Firoz Tughlaq).
Answer: Alauddin Khilji

Question 9. The Deccan was first conquered by ________ (Iltutmish / Balban / Alauddin).
Answer: Alauddin

Question 10. ________ (Jizya / Khams / Kharaj) was a personal tax.
Answer: Jizya

WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History Chapter 4 The Delhi Sultanate Topic A Delhi Sultanate 1206 -1526 AD True Or False

Question 1. After the death of Muhammad Ghori, Bakhtiar Khilji became the ruler of Bengal.
Answer: True

Question 2. The word ‘Sultan’ means authority or power.
Answer: True

Question 3. The term ‘Raja’ is derived from Bengali.
Answer: False

Question 4. The Mameluk Sultans were Ilbari Turks.
Answer: True

Question 5. Iltutmish withdrew the Jizya from the non-Muslims.
Answer: False

Question 6. Ghiyasuddin Balban was a member of Bandegan-i-Chihalgani.
Answer: True

Question 7. Alauddin Khilji was the founder of the Khilji dynasty.
Answer: False

Question 8. Alauddin Khilji’s southern expedition was led by his commander Malik Kafur.
Answer: True

Question 9. The name of Al-Beruni’s travelogue is Al- Rihala.
Answer: False

Question 10. Muhammad bin Tughlaq ascended the throne in 1922 AD.
Answer: False

Question 11. Muhammad bin Tughlaq increased the rate of tax in the Doab region.
Answer: True

Question 12. During the reign of Bahlul Lodi, Jaunpur was included in the Delhi Sultanate.
Answer: True

Question 13. Razia got the recognition of the Caliph twice.
Answer: False

WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History Chapter 4 The Delhi Sultanate Topic B Governance Of The Delhi Sultanate

WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History Chapter 4 The Delhi Sultanate Topic B Governance Of The Delhi Sultanate Long Question And Answers

Question 1. What do you mean by centralised administration of the Delhi Sultanate?
Answer:

Centralised administration of the Delhi Sultanate:

The main pivot of the administration of the Delhi Sultanate was the Sultan himself. The entire governing powers like conducting wars enactment of laws, the judicial administration everything rested in the hands of the Sultan.

This is called centralised administration. The main features of the centralised administration of the Delhi Sultanate are

1. Sovereignty of the Sultan:

The Sultan enjoyed vast powers and was the fountainhead of all powers. Some of the Sultans like Balban and Alaluddin enjoyed huge powers. Alauddin used to say that his word was law.

Read and Learn More WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History

2. Despotism:

The Sultan usually behaved like a despot.

3. Leader of all departments:

The Sultan was the leader of the executive, judiciary, and army. Some rulers like Alauddin assumed the role of a religious head also.

4. Relation with the ‘Ulema’:

In general, the Sultans tried to seek the advice of the ‘Ulema’ in various types of administrative matters.

Conclusion:

To keep themselves in power intact the Sultans needed the support of the Amirs and Ulemas. So the Sultan tried to please them with several tributaries and honors to get their support.

WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History Chapter 4 The Delhi Sultanate Topic B Governance Of The Delhi Sultanate

Question 2. Write a short note on Jizya.
Answer:

Jizya:

Jizya was the tax imposed on non-Islamic subjects by their Islamic rulers in an Islamic kingdom.

Jizya tax

  1. Introduction in India: It was imposed for the first time in India at Sindh, in the 8th century, by the Arab Commander, Muhammad bin Qasim.
  2. Individual tax per person: The tax was imposed on individual subjects.
  3. Protection: Protection to life, property, and rights of the non-Muslim people was given in lieu of this tax.
  4. Alauddin Khilji: Alauddin Khilji charged both Kharaj and Jizya from the non-Muslims to reduce their financial and political influence.
  5. Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq: He imposed Jizya in such a way that non-Muslims would neither be impoverished nor become powerful or rebellious.
  6. Firoz Shah Tughlaq: He was the first Sultan to impose Jizya on the Brahmins.
  7. Exemption from Jizya: Brahmins, women, minors, and slaves were exempted from Jizya along with the blind, ascetics, and mentally retarded.

Although Jizya was the means by which the Sultans enhanced the treasury, yet it was highly oppressive for the Hindus.

WBBSE Class 7 Geography Notes WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History
WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 Geography WBBSE Class 7 History Multiple Choice Questions
WBBSE Class 7 Geography Multiple Choice Questions WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 Maths

 

Question 3. How did Balban increase the power of the and prestige of the Sultanate?
Answer:

Balban’s initiatives to increase the power and prestige of the Sultanate

1. Conception of kingship:

  • The real head of the administration of the Delhi Sultanate was the Sultan himself. According to Balban, it was possible to extract obedience from the subjects by means of despotism.
  • Balban restored loyalty and ensured respect for the kingly office by destroying the ‘Forty’, a vicious circle of nobles. He used to take strict steps against them or humiliate them at the slightest offense.
  • He proved that the Sultan was above everyone else in stature. The nobility, therefore, had hardly dared to challenge Sultan’s authority.

Understanding Delhi Sultanate Administration

2. Measures:

Balban knew fully well that the ‘Forty’ would not allow him to exercise his full powers as Sultan.

So he took measures to curb their powers:

  1. Balban’s court was an austere assembly where zest and laughter were unknown.
  2. He introduced rigorous court discipline such as ‘sijda’ and ‘paibos’.
  3. Here wine and gambling were banished.
  4. Balban introduced the etiquette of the Persian Court.
  5. He wore gorgeous dresses.
  6. He conducted the court very seriously.
  7. Visitors, rich and poor alike were very scared of Balban.

Thus Balban’s achievements not only saved the Sultanate, but also they paved the way for future expansion.

Question 4. What was the relation of Alauddin with the administration of the Sultanate of Delhi?
Answer:

Relation of Alauddin with the administration of the Delhi Sultanate

1. Relation with the nobility:

  • A staunch autocrat Alauddin believed in assuming absolute powers to ensure centralized governance. He followed the same policy as Balban followed.
  • Balban ascended the throne of Delhi at a time when the Sultanate was faced with a number of problems, one of which was the arrogance of nobility. The nobles became entirely self-seekers. But Alauddin suppressed them ruthlessly.

Conceptual Questions on Military and Civil Administration in the Delhi Sultanate

2. Relation with the Ulema:

  • ingship, there was no scope for the interference of the Ulema. He always preferred politics without religion.

3. Relationship

  • Besides the nobles, the Sultans had to keep a connection with the Ulema. As per the advice of the priest to the king, the ‘Ulema’ too advised the Sultan accordingly. But most of the time their advice was not followed by the Sultan.
  • In the theory of Alauddin’s k

 is not cordial:

Both the Hindus and the Muslims were the subjects of the Sultan. Hence the Sultan did whatever he thought to be the best. And so, a conflict was created between the two.

Question 5. What do you know about the market control system of Alauddin Khilji?
Answer:

The market control system was a part of the economic reforms of Alauddin Khilji.

The market control system of Alauddin Khilji

  1. Objectives:
    1. Alauddin had to maintain a large army with limited resources of his kingdom. His soldiers were to be paid low salaries.
    2. Therefore, Alauddin had to regulate the market price of essential commodities, so as to make them cheap for the soldiers. So he had to increase the income of the treasury.
  2. Regulation of prices: All essential commodities from foodgrains to horses and from cloth to cattle were brought under the scope of this regulation.
  3. Officials: Markets were controlled by two officers-Dewan-i Riyasat and Shahna-i Mandi.
  4. Rationing system: Alauddin’s rationing system is a novel venture. This helped him to keep down prices of food grains at the time of famine.

Examples of Real-Life Applications of Governance Knowledge

Question 6. What do you know about the economic reforms of Alauddin Khilji?
Answer:

To weaken the nobles and increase state income Alauddin reformed and imposed a revenue system.

Economic reforms of Alauddin Khilji

  1. Revenue policy: Half of all agricultural produce was to be paid as tax. Other taxes imposed by him were on houses, livestock, and livestock rearing. Jizya on Hindus and Khams or Zakat on Muslims were levied. Even Iqtas were confiscated.
  2.  Market regulations: He introduced fixed prices of essential commodities and was the first to impose market control so that the expenses of a vast army could be met and residents of Delhi could get consumables at a cheaper rate.
  3.  Rationing system: It was a unique achievement of Alauddin. It always kept the food prices low.

Short Answers on Centralized Administration of the Delhi Sultanate

WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History Chapter 4 The Delhi Sultanate Topic B Governance Of The Delhi Sultanate Short Question And Answers

Question 1. How did Balban combat the Mongol invasions during his reign?
Answer:

  • The Mongols from Central Asia kept on invading the Sultanate through the north-western frontier and disturbed the security of the empire.
  • To ensure safety and security, Balban repaired the old forts at Bhatinda, Sunam, Samana, and Dipalpur and posted troops there. He also set up new forts wherever necessary.

Question 2. State three philanthropic activities of Firoz Shah Tughlaq.
Answer:

The three philanthropic activities of Firoz Shah Tughlaq are

  1. Establishment of employment bureau: The Sultan put up an employment bureau to register the names of unemployed persons in order to provide them with jobs.
  2. Constructions of irrigation canals: He also supervised the construction of canals to improve irrigation and make fallow lands fit for cultivation.
  3. Establishment of charitable institutions: He set up charitable dispensaries called Dar-ul- Safa, for the medical treatment of the poor.

Question 3. Discuss the Mongol invasion during the rule of Muhammad bin Tughlaq.
Answer:

  • In 1328-29 Tarmashirin, the Mongol chief invaded India. He ravaged the country from Lahore and Multan to the outskirts of Delhi.
  • As the sultan was preoccupied with a transfer of capital and the revolt in the Doab, he could not build up any resistance against the invasion.

Important Definitions Related to Governance in the Delhi Sultanate

Question 4. What is Turuskadanda?
Answer:

  • Literally, the term Turuskadanda means the punishment or ‘danda’ given to Turks. But, in reality, it referred to the tax levied on the Islamic subjects by their Hindu rulers in the Hindu kingdoms.
  • It was equivalent to Jizya taken by Muslim rulers from their non-Muslim subjects. Some Hindu rulers imposed this tax as a punitive measure as they were annoyed at the imposition of Jizya on Hindu subjects.

Question 5. How many markets were set up in Delhi by Alauddin Khilji? What are they?
Answer: Four markets were set up in Delhi by Alauddin Khilji.

They were

  1. Central market
  2. Agricultural market
  3. The market for slaves and animals
  4. The market for clothes and other necessities.

WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History Chapter 4 The Delhi Sultanate Topic B Governance Of The Delhi Sultanate Very Short Question And Answers

Question 1. Who were the two market officers of Alauddin?
Answer: Dewan-i Riyasat and Shahna-i Mandi were two market officers of Alauddin.

Question 2. What were the names of the commander in charge of the ‘Iqta’s?
Answer: Iqtadar, Muqti, and Wali were the names of the commander in charge of the ‘Iqta’.

Question 3. What were the two most important duties of Iqtadars’?
Answer: Collection of revenues and maintenance of peace and order were the two most important duties of Iqtadars.

Question 4. During the reign of Alauddin Khilji how many times did the Mongols attack Delhi? When?
Answer: During the reign of Alauddin Khilji Mongols attacked Delhi twice; In 1299 / 1300 and 1302-03 AD.

Question 5. What were the two imposing taxes of Alauddin?
Answer: House tax and grazing tax including Jizya were the two imposing taxes of Alauddin.

Question 6. What were the two charitable institutions of Firoz Tughlaq?
Answer: Diwan-ul-Khairat and Dar-ul-Shifa were the two charitable institutions of Firoz Tughlaq.

Question 7. What was ‘Daag’?
Answer: It was the imperial mark, branded on the flanks of horses, to prevent the stealing of imperial war-horses. This system was introduced by Sultan Alauddin Khilji.

Question 8. What was ‘Hulia’?
Answer: It was a descriptive roll containing the physical characteristics of the soldiers for proper identification and prevention of corruption in the army. This system was introduced by Sultan Alauddin Khilji.

Question 9. Who were Ulemas?
Answer: Scholars, well-versed in Islamic religious scriptures were Ulemas.

Question 10. Who first introduced Jizya and when?
Answer: Muhammad bin Qasim in the 8th century first introduced Jizya.

Question 11. How did the regional powers come to rise?
Answer: During the closing years of Muhammad bin Tughlaq, the administration became weak and the regional powers came to rise.

Question 12. What were the regional powers that drifted away from the Delhi Sultanate?
Answer: Ilyas Shahi Dynasty and Hussain Shahi Dynasty of Bengal and the Vijaynagar and Bahmani Kingdoms were the regional powers that drifted away from the Delhi Sultanate.

Question 1. What do you mean by the word ‘Raj’?
Answer: The word ‘Raj’ means ‘Raja’.

Question 2. Who were ‘Amirs’?
Answer: They were the nobles and aristocrats, who were in charge of the administration of the Delhi Sultanate.

Question 3. Who founded the Sayyid dynasty?
Answer: Khizr Khan founded the Sayyid dynasty.

Question 4. Who was the last Delhi Sultan?
Answer: Ibrahim Lodi was the last Delhi Sultan.

Question 5. Who lost the first battle of Panipat?
Answer: Ibrahim Lodi lost the first battle of Panipat.

Question 6. Which ruler of Delhi never called himself Sultan?
Answer: Khizr Khan, the ruler of Delhi never called himself Sultan.

Question 7. What were the provinces of Delhi Sultanate called?
Answer: The provinces of Delhi Sultanate were called ‘Iqta’.

Question 8. Which Sultan did take up some measures of social welfare?
Answer: Firoz Shah Tughlaq took up some measures of social welfare.

Question 9. Why did Alauddin Khilji initiate some economic reforms?
Answer: To increase the income of the treasury, Alauddin Khilji initiated some economic reforms.

WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History Chapter 4 The Delhi Sultanate Topic B Governance Of The Delhi Sultanate Fill In the Blanks

Question 1. Mongol invasions took place through the north-western frontiers from ________ (1209/ 1221/1227) onwards.
Answer: 1221

Question 2. ________ (Muhammad/Abu Fateh Khan/ Mohsin), the eldest son of Balban, was killed while fighting against the Mongols, in 1285.
Answer: Muhammad

Question 3. Alauddin Khilji built a new city called ________(Agra/Siri/Aligarh) to accommodate soldiers.
Answer: Siri

Question 4. The provinces of the Delhi Sultanate were called ________ (Subah/Alim/Iqta).
Answer: Iqta

Question 5. Under the Ottoman Turks, the Iqta system was replaced by the ________ (Muqti/Dimar/Ijara) system.
Answer: Dimar

Question 6. Muslim rulers imposed ________(Pilgrimage tax/Jizya/Turuska Danda) on non-Muslim subjects.
Answer: Jizya

Question 7. Some Hindu rulers imposed ________(Turuska Danda/Jizya/Tax on beards) on Muslim subjects.
Answer: Turuska Danda

Question 8. During the reign of Firoz Tughlaq, the revenue obtained from agricultural land was called ________ (Khams/Kharaj/Zakat).
Answer: Kharaj

Question 9. ________ (Alauddin Khilji/Ghiyasuddin Balban/Muhammad bin Tughlaq) appointed Shahan-i-Mandi and Dewan-i-Riyasat to control the market price.
Answer: Alauddin Khilji

Question 10. ________ (Alauddin Khilji/Muhammad bin Tughlaq/Firoz Shah Tughlaq) opened an employment bureau to tackle the problem of unemployment.
Answer: Firoz Shah Tughlaq

WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History Chapter 4 The Delhi Sultanate Topic B Governance Of The Delhi Sultanate True or False

Question 1. The other name of the river Jhelam was Bitasta.
Answer: True

Question 2. Dar-ul-Shifa was established by Firoz Tughlug.
Answer: True

Question 3. Iltutmish fought a massive battle with the Mongols.
Answer: False

Question 4. Muhammad was the youngest son of Balban.
Answer: False

Question 5. During the reign of Alauddin, Khilji Mongols attacked Delhi thrice.
Answer: False

Question 6. The word ‘Amirs’ means nobility.
Answer: True

Question 7. In the beginning, the Sultan was completely dependent on military power.
Answer: True

Question 8. Iqtadars were also called ‘Muqti’.
Answer: True

Question 9. Alauddin established Diwan-ul-Khairat.
Answer: False

Question 10. In total five dynasties ruled over the Delhi Sultanate.
Answer: True

WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History Chapter 3 Some Aspects Of The Indian Society Economy And Culture Topic C Miscellaneous

WBBSE  Chapter 3 Some Aspects Of The Indian Society Economy And Culture Topic C Miscellaneous Long Question And Answers

Question 1. Write an essay on the expansion of Indian culture in Southeast Asia.
Answer:

From ancient times, India had close contact with Southeast Asia, comprising Burma, Thailand, Indo-China, Anam and Malaya peninsula, Sumatra, Java, Bali, and Borneo islands. They are altogether known as ‘Suvarnabhumi’. ‘Subarnabhumi’ means ‘Golden Land’ or ‘Land of Gold’.

Expansion of Indian Culture in South-east Asia

  • Burma: Based on literary and archaeological evidence, it is claimed that the entire culture and civilization of Burma are of Indian origin.
  • Kamboja: It was founded in Southeast Asia in the first or second century AD. It was a Hindu kingdom. Ankortham was its capital. A Vishnu temple of Angkor Vat was constructed here.

Read and Learn More WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History

Other:

Champa, Malaya peninsula, Java, Bali, and Ceylon were also connected with India.

  1. The stupa of Borobudur was constructed in Java.
  2. The Sailendra dynasty of the Malay peninsula was an ardent patron of Indian culture.
  3. According to tradition, Vijay Singha conquered the island of Lanka and named it Singhal’ (Ceylon).

WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History Chapter 3 Some Aspects Of The Indian Society Economy And Culture Topic C Miscellaneous

Question 2. If you want to draw a picture of the Indian feudal system, why does it look like a triangle? How did the feudal lords spend their livelihood in this system?
Answer:

Pyramidal feudalism in India:

  • Indian feudal system resembled a pyramid in the sense that the base of the pyramid consisted of a large number of peasants, who cultivated land and the king was at the apex.
  • Between the two, the middle layers consisted of the various hierarchies of feudal lords. They collected revenue from farmers. After keeping a portion of it for themselves, they deposited a part of it to the ruler.
  • They also maintained law and order in their feudal areas and provided soldiers to the king during war.

The livelihood of feudal lords:

  • The ruler officially occupied the land as the central authority. He granted land to military commanders and royal officials in lieu of salary.
  • The feudal lords did not cultivate the land but lived near the allotted land.
  • They kept a part of the revenue taken from farmers for themselves and sent the rest to the government.
WBBSE Class 7 Geography Notes WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History
WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 Geography WBBSE Class 7 History Multiple Choice Questions
WBBSE Class 7 Geography Multiple Choice Questions WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 Maths

 

Question 3. Compare and contrast the agriculture and commerce progress of the Pala and Sena periods.
Answer:

The agriculture and commerce progress of the Pala and Sena periods:

WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History Chapter 3 Topic C Miscellaneous Compare the Agriculture And Trade

Question 4. Write a note about the art and architecture of Bengal in the Pala period.
Answer:

Art of Bengal in the Pala Period:

Period During the reign of the Palas and Senas, cotton, silk, and woolen textiles of Bengal were very popular. Arab and Chinese travelers have highly praised the fine cotton cloth of Bengal.

 

WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History Chapter 3 Topic C Miscellaneous Vishnu, Mahishasuramardini and Pala Age.

 

  • The jaggery and sugar of Bengal were very popular too. Metallic swords and ornaments were produced in Bengal.
  • Artisans carved wooden models of huts, temples, palanquins, and bullock carts. Even the shipbuilding industry of Bengal was well-reputed.
  • Bronze image of Vishnu, stone sculptures of Mahishasuramardini and Vishnu of Pala Age

Examples of Real-Life Applications of Historical Knowledge

The architecture of Bengal in the Pala Period:

  • The most famous specimens of Pala architecture have been found in Magadha (South Bihar). Here universities like Vikramshil and Odantapuri need mention. The Sompuri University of Bengal is also a fine example of Pala sculpture and architecture.
  • Numerous idols and statues carved in the Pala era have been found in these ruins. The two most famous sculptors of the Pala era were Dhiman and Bitpala.
  • During the Sena era, artisans created beautiful idols of Garuda, Durga, Vishnu, Aradhanarishvara etc.

Question 5. Write a note on the society and religion of the Pala-Sena era.
Answer:

Social life during Pala-Sena era

  • Profession: Most people of Bengal were cultivators. Others occupations included blacksmith, potter, trader, butcher, tanner, fisherman, doctor, priest, and fowler.
  • Casteism: Occupation-based communities were in vogue. Casteism and untouchability were more rigid in nature in the Sena age than in the Pala age.
  • Position of women: The position of women declined greatly. In the Sena age child- marriage and the Sati system became more prevalent.
  •  Food, clothes, and ornaments: People consumed rice, fruits, vegetables, ghee, fish, milk, and jaggery. Men generally wore dhotis. Women wore sarees and were fond of ornaments such as necklaces, armlets, and earrings.

Religious life during the Pala-Sena age

  • The Palas were Buddhists but followed a policy of universal tolerance. Buddhism and Brahmanism coexisted. The Vajrayana sect was very popular. The Sena rulers were orthodox followers of Brahmanical religion.
  • They were Shaivites. Other worshipped deities included Indra, Agni, Surya, Kuvera, Brihaspati, Shiva, and Vishnu. But Lakshmansena was a Vaishnava. Buddhism gradually declined under the Senas.

Question 6. If you were a peasant in the tenth century Bengal, write how would you pass your day.
Answer:

  • My name is Dinabandhu and I am a resident of Burdwan. I am a farmer just as my ancestors were. My life revolves in a set pattern Atish around the land, seeds, weather, and cultivation. The land is my source of livelihood.
  • I wake up early in the morning, perform my ablutions, take out the oxen from the byre, and drive them to the nearby field. Other peasants also accompany me. I strip down to my loin-cloth and try to plough as much land as possible before it gets too hot.
  • Apart from ploughing, I carry out weeding, sprinkling seeds in the soil, transplantation of crops in monsoon, adding manure, watering the plants, and other related Atish tasks.
  • In the course of farming, when I feel tired, I sometimes rest in the cool shade of the nearby trees and have a breakfast of Panta-Bhaat brought by my little son.
  • I return home in the afternoon and after taking a bath and having my lunch, I take a nap on the cool floor of my mud house. I wake up in the late afternoon and return to the fields to plough the land till twilight falls.
  • As darkness slowly gathers, I return home, hungry and tired. I then look forward to food and rest. Sometimes, I go to the market to buy seeds and salt, cooking- oil, and groceries.

Important Definitions Related to Indian Culture

We pay 1/6th to 1/4th of the total output as revenue, which is collected by state officials. On the whole, we are treated humanely by them. I also enjoy myself during festivals and holidays.

Question 7. Suppose you are a student of Vikramshil University. Your teacher Dipankar Srijnan (Atish) is going to Tibet. What would you like to know about his trip? What answers do you expect from him? Write an imaginary dialogue on this topic.
Answer:

Student: Salute to thee, my teacher.

Atish: What happened my son?

Student: No, nothing of the sort.

Atish: I don’t believe it. Your face has turned pale.

Student: Sir, you are my revered teacher. You are leaving us today. You are going to Tibet. So I have run to you.

Atish: Oh yes. Now I do feel your mental agony.

Student: Sir, we will become orphans then.

Atish: Do not say so, my child. There are many other competent teachers in the university. I will be with you always. My physical presence does not matter.

Student: May it be. But we will feel your absence always. There is no other teacher like you throughout India.

Atish: I am helpless my child. Don’t make any such comment about me. Then knowledge is dishonored. You must be modest. Otherwise, you must not find out the way to salvation.

Student: Excuse me, Sir. I will never say so.

Atish: I am very pleased to talk to Jnanaprava, the king of Tibet himself. I can’t refuse his request.

Student: Bless me, Sir.

Atish: Surely. Lord Buddha will bless you.

Question 8. From the contradictory pictures of Bengal reflected in the literature of the Sena period, what do you think about the social strata of Bengal in the Sena age?
Answer:

In the literature of Sena Age, we can find vivid descriptions of the lifestyle of both the rich and the poor of contemporary Bengali society. Thus we can say that there was tangible social discrimination.

Reflection of rich-poor discrimination in the literature of the Sena period

1. Social system:

  • The verses composed by the court poets of Lakshmansena depict the luxury and grandeur of society. On the other hand, the rural lifestyle of a well-to-do farmer has also been delineated in one such verse.
  • Again life of the poor class has also been depicted in contemporary literature. Poets had created images of a malnourished children with hunger, broken pitchers, and tattered clothes of the poor.
  • In one such composition, the misery of the poor people of Bengal living in huts during monsoon is depicted, “wooden pillars are tottering, mud walls are melting, the straws of the roof have blown away, my dilapidated room is infested with frogs coming in search of earthworms”.

2. Food habits:

  • In the ancient verses, there are descriptions of foods like steamed rice with pure ghee jute steams, creamed milk, and ripe bananas.
  • Various kinds of vegetables like brinjal, bottle gourd, ridge-gourd, pumpkin, fig, arum, etc., and spinach filled the menu of the poor.

3. Economic condition:

  • The rich and the poor had considerable discrimination between them in terms of their economic condition. On one hand, there was the rich luxuriant class; on the other hand, there was the poor class.
  • The evidence of the miserable economic condition of the landless peasantry and the laborers can be found in contemporary inscriptions.

Question 9. Write a note on the economic condition during the reign of the Pala and Sena Rulers.
Answer:

In the Pala-Sena age, agriculture, industry, and trade were the main basis of Bengal’s economy.

An economic condition during the Pala-Sena age

  • Agriculture:
    • Though agriculture was the primary occupation, the state or the king had the ultimate authority over the lands. The king collected one-sixth (1/6) of the produce from the farmers as revenue.
    • In addition, the king even accepted fruits, flowers, and wood as revenue from the farmers to maintain their luxurious lifestyle.
  • Trade: The traders also paid taxes to the king for trade and commerce. The decline of trade during the Pala-Sena age affected the system of currency, and ‘Cowrie’ became the main medium of exchange.
  • Industry: Handicrafts deserve special mention among all other industries. The artisans were organized in various guilds.
  • Additional taxes: Other than the main three types of taxes, there were other additional taxes. The subjects paid taxes to the king for their security. The villagers even had to pay taxes for the entire village. Again, the tax was imposed on marts and ferries.

Conclusion:

As the economy of Bengal became exclusively dependent on agriculture, there was a decline of the economy.

Class 7 WBBSE History Question Answer

WBBSE Chapter 3 Some Aspects Of The Indian Society Economy And Culture Topic C Miscellaneous Short Question And Answers

Question 1. Why did trade and commerce flourish in South India between the ninth and eleventh centuries AD?
Answer:

Trade and commerce flourished in South India between the ninth and eleventh century AD because of

  • Mercantile associations: South Indian trade and mercantile guilds were financially powerful and encouraged trade and commerce.
  • External trade: The Cholas, the main ruling dynasty in South India and Southeast Asia, encouraged trade. The Chalukyas and the Rashtrakutas also traded with the Arabs.
  • Participation of temples: Temples of South India actively participated in trade and commerce.
  • Participation of emperor and royal officials: The king and his royal officials themselves invested money in trade.

Question 2. Which crops were produced in Bengal during the Pala-Sena age? Which of these are still cultivated?
Answer:

  • The economy of Bengal was basically agrarian during the Pala-Sena era. Paddy, mustard seeds, betel leaves, betel nuts, indigo, jute, and various fruits like mango, jackfruit, pomegranate, coconut, date, banana, and sugarcane were cultivated.
  • All the crops except indigo are still cultivated nowadays.

Question 3. Describe the literary activities of the court of Lakshmansena.
Answer:

Lakshmansena was a patron of literature and learning and completed the Adbhutsagara, started by his father, Vallalsena.

  1. Pancharatna: His court was adorned by the five gems or ‘Pancharatna’-Joydev, Dhoyee, Gobardhan, Umapati Dhar, and Sharana.
  2. Compositions: Joydev composed ‘Geet Govinda’, and Dhoyee wrote ‘Pabanduta’. The minister Halayudha wrote the ‘Brahmanasarvasva’, a treatise on Vedic regulations.

Question 4. Why did the Sena rule last less than that of the Pala rule?
Answer:

The Sena rule lasted less than that of the Pala officially occurred by the ruler as the central rule.

The reason is

  • Public support: Gopala was elected by the provincial feudal lords. So the Pala kings enjoyed greater public support than the Sena kings.
  • Acceptance: The effective administrative system of the Palas gained more response among the laymen than that of the Senas.
  • Other reasons: The Pala kings patronized the cultivation of literature and were tolerant towards other religions; while the Senas were orthodox followers of Brahmanism.

Real-Life Scenarios Involving Social Change in India

Question 5. What is revenue collection? How is revenue collected now?
Answer:

Revenue collection:

  • In the southern kingdoms of ancient India, Viharas still exist today. the king used to levy a share from the produce of the farmers, herdsmen, and artisans. Thus the king collected revenues.
  • Taxes were charged from different other sources. Important families of the regions collected taxes. Now revenues in the form of taxes and duties are collected by the corporations, municipalities, and panchayats.

Question 6. Why do you think the kings donated land to religious institutions?
Answer:

The kings donated land to religious institutions:

Common people and artisans settled around the temples. The temple authorities were granted tax-free lands by kings, merchants, and aristocrats. The harvest yielded from those lands supported the people associated with the temples.

Question 7. Which animals, birds, and main crops of Bengal in that period do you find even today?
Answer:

  • Among the main crops of Bengal in that period (Pala-Sena age) paddy, mustard, and fruits like mango, jackfruits, banana, pomegranate, date, and coconut are cultivated in present-day West Bengal.
  • Some of the birds and animals that can be seen today are a cow, buffalo, goats, ducks, pigeons, crows, cuckoos, elephants, tigers, monkeys, etc.

Question 8. Do you find any center for learning in the present time like the Buddhist Viharas?
Answer:

No, there are no such centers found in the present time like the Buddhist Viharas. However, few educational institutions that adhere to some of the norms of these Buddhist Viharas still exist today.

Question 9. What are ‘Ur’ and ‘Nadu’?
Answer:

  • During the Chola reign in South India, the village, consisting of settlement of peasants, was governed by a village council called ‘Ur’. A group of such villages formed the ‘Nadu’.
  • The ‘Ur’ and ‘Nadu’ were the local bodies that looked after self-governance, judiciary, and revenue collection.

Question 10. Write a note on Chakrapani Dutta.
Answer:

  • Chakrapani Dutta, possibly born in the Birbhum district of Bengal was an eminent medical practitioner during the Pala reign.
  • He wrote books on nutritious food, herbs, and ingredients of medicines and even composed a treatise on the works of Susruta. His most famous compilation is ‘Chikitsa Sangraha’.

Question 11. How did the feudal lords earn their livelihood?
Answer:

  • The feudal lords were divided into different groups.
  • Sometimes they were granted land instead of a salary. The revenue from such lands was their source of income. Again, in some places, the defeated warlords also enjoyed the revenue of these regions.
  • The only similarity of them was that they did not give minimum labor for the production. They enjoyed the revenues only, exacted from their subjects.
  • If the questions above are solved then the ability to infer about the subject will be formed among the students. This will strengthen their ability to interpret and apply.

Question 12. The genre and conception of the feudal system of India have changed from one age to another. Presently, the system of feudalism is almost extinct. Can we find any of the features of feudalism till now?
Answer:

  • All along, the principal trait of feudalism was class division. At present, our society is not divided in classes.
  • Still, we can find the triangular class division in our places of work, either in the public or private sectors.
  • Again, this class division is entirely based on efficiency, competence, and eligibility.
  • The question above, if solved, is supposed to enable the students to be familiar with any present-day situation.
  • As a result, a sense of social cooperation and empathy will grow among them.

Question 13. Write a table of the chronology
Answer:

Chronology:

WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History Chapter 3 Topic C Miscellaneous Chronology

WBBSE Chapter 3 Some Aspects Of The Indian Society Economy And Culture Topic C Miscellaneous Very Short Question And Answers

Question 1. Gobardhan, Umapati Dhar, Vijaysena, Dhoyee
Answer: Vijaysena

Question 2. Dipankar Srijnan, Shantarakshit, Haraprasad Shastri, Shantideva
Answer: Haraprasad Shastri

Question 3. Danasagara, Adbhutsagara, Brahmanasarvasya, Ramcharita
Answer: Ramcharita

Question 4. Samanta, Raja, Raunak, Baron
Answer: Baron

Class 7 WBBSE History Question Answer

Question 5. Ur, Chalukya, Nadu, Nagaram
Answer: Chalukya

Question 6. Charak, Sushruta, Kanishka, Chakrapani Dutta
Answer: Kanishka

Question 7. Nadu, Chola, Ur, Nagaram
Answer: Chola

Question 8. Odantapuri, Vikramshil, Nalanda, Jagaddal, Lakhnauti
Answer: Lakhnauti

Question 9. Joydev, Dhiman, Beetpal, Sandhyakar Nandi, Chakrapani Dutta
Answer: Chakrapani Dutta

Question 10. Luipada, Kanhapada, Ashvaghosh, Sarahapad,
Answer: Ashvaghosh

Question 11. How the Vikramshil Vihara was ruined?
Answer: Vikramshil Vihara was ransacked by the Turkish invaders.

Question 12. Why did most of the Viharas flourish during the Pala age?
Answer: Because the palas were patrons of Buddhism.

Understanding Miscellaneous Aspects of Indian Society

WBBSE Chapter 3 Some Aspects Of The Indian Society Economy And Culture Topic C Miscellaneous Fill In The Blanks

Question 1. ________ (Ramcharita/Geet Govinda/ Dansagara) was composed by Joydev.
Answer: Geet Govinda

Question 2. A Buddhist Vihara was set up at Nalanda in _________ (Bihar/Bengal/Orissa).
Answer: Bihar

WBBSE Chapter 3 Some Aspects Of The Indian Society Economy And Culture Topic C Miscellaneous True And False

Question 1. Fa-Hien came from Tibet.
Answer: False

Question 2. Bitpal and Dhiman were two Bengalee artists.
Answer: True

Question 3. Sri Lanka was known as Burma.
Answer: False

WBBSE Chapter 3 Some Aspects Of The Indian Society Economy And Culture Topic C Miscellaneous Match The Columns

Question 1.

WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History Chapter 3 Topic C Miscellaneous Match the following 1

Answer: 1. D, 2. A, 3. B, 4. C

Question 2.

WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History Chapter 3 Topic C Miscellaneous Match the following 2

Answer: 1. F, 2. D, 3. E, 4. A, 5. B, 6. C

Question 3.

WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History Chapter 3 Topic C Miscellaneous Match the following 3

Answer: 1. E, 2. D, 3. A, 4. F, 5. C, 6. B

 Question 4.

WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History Chapter 3 Topic C Miscellaneous Match the following 4

Answer: 1. D, 2. F, 3. B, 4. E, 5. C, 6. A

WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History Chapter 3 Some Aspects Of The Indian Society Economy And Culture Topic B Culture Of Bengal And India And The World

WBBSE Chapter 3 Some Aspects Of The Indian Society Economy And Culture Topic B Culture Of Bengal And India And The World Long Question And Answers

Question 1. Write a note on Ramcharita
Answer:

Sandhyakar Nandi, the court poet of king Madanpala and the son of Prajapati Nandi, composed the ‘Ramcharita’ in the 9th century.

Ramcharita

1. Chapters:

The epic divided ‘Ramcharita’ was into four chapters

  1. Aarambharam
  2. The second chapter is not known
  3. Return of Rama and
  4. Ramattarcharita.

The first part deals with Rampala while the fourth part speaks about Madanpala. and his conquests.

WBBSE Class 7 Culture of Bengal Notes

2. Subject matter:

On one hand, the story of Ramcharita is based on the story of Lord Rama, On the other hand, it describes the achievements of the Pala rulers up to Madanpala.

Read and Learn More WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History

Great light has been thrown on how Rampala crushed the Kaivarta uprisings. and recovered Varendrabhumi.

3. Significance:

  1. The epic was composed in Sanskrit and contains 220 verses written in a sarcastic sense.
  2. The life of Pala king Rampala has been compared to that of Lord Rama.
  3. It is comparable to 11th-century Sanskrit poems in terms of poetry and figures of speech.

Thus, the ‘Ramcharita’ is no ordinary biography but a rich example of 11th-century Sanskrit epic poetry based on history.

WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History Chapter 3 Some Aspects Of The Indian Society Economy And Culture Topic B Culture Of Bengal And India And The World

Question 2. Write what you know about Nalanda University.
Answer:

Nalanda was the most advanced center of higher education in India during ancient and early medieval times. It was located in the southern part of Bihar near Rajagriha.

Nalanda University

1. Admission rules:

Students came from all over the world to seek admission at Nalanda. Only a few could clear the tough entrance examinations.

2. Subjects:

A wide array of subjects was taught, like Buddhist theology, philosophy, logic, astronomy, mathematics, medicine, and Vedic studies.

WBBSE Class 7 Geography Notes WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History
WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 Geography WBBSE Class 7 History Multiple Choice Questions
WBBSE Class 7 Geography Multiple Choice Questions WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 Maths

 

3. Faculty:

There were 1500 highly specialized teachers to teach nearly 8,500 students. During the reign of Harshavardhana, the Vice-Chancellor of Nalanda was the Bengali scholar, Shilabhadra.

The university was residential, with separate arrangements of study, a dining hall, individual cells for students, and an enormous library.

4. International significance:

Students came from Central Asia, China, Tibet, and Sri Lanka, and teachers also came from far and wide to teach there. The 100-chambered huge Nalanda was lavishly endowed by numerous rulers and aristocrats.

 

WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History Chapter 3 Topic B Culture Of Bengal And India And The World Nalanda University

Question 3. Write what you know about Vikramshil University.
Answer:

Vikramshil University earned its fame as a center of higher education during the period of the gradual decline of Nalanda University. Its fame reached its peak in between 9th and 12th centuries.

WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History Chapter 3 Topic B Culture Of Bengal And India And The World Vikramshil University

Vikramshil University

  1. Establishment: The Vikramshil University was MIU set up by the Pala ruler, Dharmapala, sometime during the 8th century, near Bhagalpur, in present Bihar. It had a huge statue of Mahabodhi in the center of the premises.
  2. Entrance examination: Students had to clear a tough admission process.
  3. Infrastructure: The monastery supported nearly three thousand students from India and abroad. Nearly a hundred professors (Acharyas) were in charge of different disciplines. No fees was taken from pupils. The monastery had a vast library.
  4. Curriculum and evaluation: This Bajrayan- based center taught grammar, philosophy, logic, mathematics, medicine, tantric literature and astrology. Pupils were awarded titles based on the evaluation.
  5. Destruction: This noble institution was destroyed by the Turkish invader, Bakhtiyar Khilji in the 13th century.

Important Definitions Related to Bengali Culture

Question 4. Give an account of the centers of education of the Pala Age.
Answer:

The Pala rulers who were Buddhists, patronized Buddhism and encouraged the blossoming of numerous Buddhist centers of education.

Centers of Education of the Pala Age

  1. Odantapuri University: The founder of the Pala dynasty, Gopala, set up the Odantapuri University for the study of Buddhist theology and philosophy. Its Vice-Chancellor was the famous Buddhist scholar Shanti Rakshit.
  2. Vikramshil University: It was set up. by Dharmapala. It had approximately 3000 students from India and abroad, with 144 teachers including Dipankar Srijnan, Kalyan Rakshit, and Sridhara. Buddhist theology, logic, grammar, philosophy, astrology, and medicine were taught here.
  3. Sompuri University: Dharmapala also set up the Sompuri University which was aided by the state.
  4. Nalanda University: Nalanda was the nerve centre of Buddhist studies and philosophy. It also taught Vedas, logic, Sankhya-Yoga philosophy, mathematics, astronomy, and medicine. Devapala was one of its patrons. During his reign, the Buddhist scholar, Veeradeva was the Vice-Chancellor (Adhyaksha) of the university.

Class 7 History WBBSE

Question 5. Give an account of the life of common people during the reign of Lakshmansena.
Answer:

There are various facets of the daily life of the people of Bengal during the reign of Lakshmansena.

Life of common people during the reign of Lakshmansena

1. Supremacy of Brahmins:

  1. During the reign. of Lakshmansena, Brahmins enjoyed the most privileged status in society. They were divided into three categories, Rahri, Varendra, and Vaidik.
  2. They performed rituals, taught different subjects, controlled administration, and even delivered instruction to soldiers in times of war.

2. Social classes:

Apart from Brahmins, the society comprised Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Sudras. The Brahmins had become rich due to control over land and wealth. It resulted in the retardation of the condition of other castes.

Short Answers on the Influence of Islam in Bengal

3. Varna-based categorization:

  • In society, Sudras were divided into three categories, Uttama, Madhyama, and Adhama. The Uttama were divided into six parts- Karana, Vaidya, Ugra Kshatriya, Tantubaya, and Gandhabanik.
  • Among the 12 categories of the Madhyama, the notable were sculptor, goldsmith, washerman, milkman, and gold merchant. Among the nine categories of the Adhama, the notable were Chandalas, Bauri, and leather workers.

4. Position of women:

  • Women enjoyed a high position in society. Widows had complete ownership rights over their husbands’ property.
  • They were well-educated, cultured, and polite. Married ladies applied vermilion on their foreheads and in the middle parting of their hair.

Question 6. How did Indian culture spread to South-East Asia?
Answer:

Indian culture spread to South-East Asia in various ways.

Spread of Indian culture to South-East Asia

  1. Trade and commerce: Intimate commercial relations developed and were maintained between South-East Asia and Tamralipta of Eastern India, Kaveripattanam, Cochin, Trivandrum, and other port cities of South India.
  2. Settlement: Many Indians permanently settled down in South-East Asia to carry on trade. They spread Indian culture and traditions in various parts of South-East Asia.
  3. Brahmanism: The entry of Indians into South-East Asia led to the spread of Brahmanical culture, which influenced the life and culture of South-East Asia.
  4. Art and architecture: Several temples including the Vishnu temple of Angkor Vat and the Borobudur Stupa of Java show the influence of Gupta, Pallava, and Chola schools of art on their construction.
  5.  Buddhism: The royal families and inhabitants of South-East Asia took up Buddhism, thus helping in the development of Indian civilization there.

WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History Chapter 3 Topic B Culture Of Bengal And India And The World Vishnu temple of Angkor Vat

Question 7. Write a note on Dipankar Srijnan (Atish).
Answer:

Atish Dipankar was the best and most famous of Bengali Buddhist preceptors. He was initiated by Acharya Silrakshit in the Odantapuri monastery and thus came to be known as Dipankar Srijnan.

Conceptual Questions on Regional Variations in Indian Culture

WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History Chapter 3 Topic B Culture Of Bengal And India And The World Atish Dipankar

Dipankar Srijnan (Atish)

  1.  Birth and birthplace: Atish (estimated 980- 1035 AD) was born in Bajrayogini village of Bikramanipur in Vangala. As he did not believe in Brahamanical Hinduism, his residence is still called ‘a homestead of a scholar-atheist’.
  2. Position of preceptor and Acharya: He was probably the preceptor and ‘acharya’ of Vikramshil, Odantapuri, and Sompuri monasteries.
  3. Journey to Tibet: At the request of the king of Tibet, Jnanprava, he crossed the Himalayas to reach Tibet in 1040 AD.
  4. Activities in Tibet: He went to Tibet to spread Mahayana Buddhism. Due to his earnest efforts, Buddhism became popular there. He translated many Sanskrit books in the Vot language. Though the original Sanskrit books are no longer available, Tibetan translations are accessible. In Tibet, Dipankar-Srijnan is still worshipped as the incarnation of Lord Buddha.
  5. Death: This famous Buddhist scholar breathed his last near Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. The site where his last rites were per- formed is considered as a pilgrimage centre.

Question 8. Who composed Geet Govinda? Describe the development of literature during the reign of the Senas.
Answer:

Composer of Geet Govinda:

The revered poet Joydev is known to have composed the lyrics of the ‘Geet Govinda’, a work in praise of Lord Krishna.

Development of literature during the reign of Senas

1. Patronage by Sena rulers:

The Sena rulers patronized the development of literature. Vallalsena himself was a writer of repute and composed ‘Dansagara’ and ‘Adbhutsagara’. Lakshmansena Keshavasena were great poet too.

2. Works of poets and writers:

  1. Halayudh, the courtier of Laksmansena composed Brahmanasarvasya on Vedic customs.
  2. Among the court poets, mention may be made of Joydev who composed ‘Geet Govinda’, and Dhoyee, who composed ‘Pabanduta’.
  3. Jimutavahana composed ‘Dayabhaga’ and ‘Vyavahara-Matrika’.
  4. Sridhara Das, the advisor of Lakshmansena, compiled the ‘Saduktikarnamrita’ where 485 writers have provided 2377 pieces of writing.

Real-Life Scenarios Involving Cultural Exchange in India

WBBSE Chapter 3 Some Aspects Of The Indian Society Economy And Culture Topic B Culture Of Bengal And India And The World Short Question And Answers

Question 1. Write a note on Chakrapani Dutta.
Answer:

Chakrapani Dutta:

Chakrapani Dutta, possibly born in the Birbhum district of Bengal was an eminent medical practitioner during the Pala reign.

He wrote books on nutritious food, herbs, and ingredients of medicines and even composed a treatise on the works of Susruta. His most famous compilation is ‘Chikitsa Sangraha’.

Question 2. Who were Siddhacharyas?
Answer:

Siddhacharyas:

Siddhacharyas were Buddhists who followed Vajrayana or Tantrayana in Buddhism. During the Pala era, this form of Buddhism evolved due to the intermingling of Mahayana Buddhism and other philosophical thoughts.

Question 3. What are Charyapadas?
Answer:

Charyapadas:

Charyapada is an example of a rudimentary Bengali language. It is a compilation of songs and poems written by Buddhist Siddhacharyas, between the 8th and 12th centuries. The scripts of Charyapadas were recovered from Nepal by Haraprasad Shastri.

Question 4. How did Asvaghosha describe Nirvana in his Buddha Charita?
Answer:

Asvaghosha describe Nirvana in his Buddha Charita:

Asvaghosha has used a beautiful simile to describe Nirvana or Salvation in his Buddha Charita. He states that just as the flame of a lamp is extinguished when its oil is exhausted, similarly when all sufferings and sorrows cease, everlasting salvation can be obtained.

Question 5. Write a note on Nirvana.
Answer:

Nirvana:

Buddhists believe that, once a soul attains Nirvana, it will not be reborn.

Hinayana theory:

Asvaghosha, a follower of Hinayana Buddhism believes that cessation of all sufferings brings about salvation, just as the light of a lamp gets extinguished when its oil is exhausted.

Examples of Real-Life Applications of Cultural Knowledge

Mahayana theory:

The followers of Mahayana Buddhism believe that salvation is a state similar to a vacuum.

Question 6. State the differences between Ramayana and Ramcharita.
Answer:

The differences between Ramayana and Ramcharita:

WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History Chapter 3 Topic B Culture Of Bengal And India And The World Differences between Ramayana And Ramcharita

 

Question 7. What were the chief centres for learning- ing during the Pala reign? Who used to teach here?
Answer:

The chief centres for learning- ing during the Pala reign:

During the Pala reign, chief centres for learning were the Buddhist monasteries spread over present Bihar, West Bengal, and Bangladesh.

Among them, monasteries of Nalanda, Odantapuri (near Nalanda), Vikramshil (near Bhagalpur), Sompuri (at Paharpur in Rajshahi district), Jagaddal (in North Bengal), Bikrampuri (in Dacca district) are worth mentioning.

During 8th to 9th century AD Shantarakshit, Shantideva, Kambalpada, and Shabaripada, and during 10th to 12th century AD Dipankar Srijnan (Atish), Gorakshanath and Kanhapada used to teach in these monasteries.

Question 8. Who was Atish Dipankar? Why did he go to Tibet?
Answer:

Atish Dipankar:

Atish Dipankar was the best and most famous among the Bengali Buddhist preceptors (estimated 980-1053 AD).

At the request of the king of Tibet, Jnanprava, Atish Dipankar crossed the Himalayas and went to Tibet in 1040 AD to spread Mahayana Buddhism.

Question 9. Who was Sandhyakar Nandi?
Answer:

Sandhyakar Nandi:

Sandhyakar Nandi is considered to be the greatest poet of the Pala dynasty. He became famous for his ‘Ramcharita’, a biographical history in verse, written in Sanskrit. The book. has two different themes.

The first part of the book describes the biography of Ramachandra, and the second part narrates the life of Rampala, the king of Gauda.

Class 7 WBBSE History Question Answer

Question 10. Write a note on Sompuri Mahavihara.
Answer:

Sompuri Mahavihara:

  • Sompuri Mahavihara was one of the most famous Buddhist Monastic institutions of ancient Bengal. The excavated monastic complex at Paharpura has been identified with the Sompuri Mahavihara.
  • It was built by the second Pala king Dharmapala. According to Lama Taranath and other Tibetan sources, Devapala built it after his conquest of Varendra.

WBBSE Chapter 3 Some Aspects Of The Indian Society Economy And Culture Topic B Culture Of Bengal And India And The World Very Short Question And Answers

Question 1. Name two artists of the Pala age.
Answer: The two artists of the Pala age were Dhiman and Bitpala.

Question 2. Name two centers of Buddhist studies.
Answer: The two centers of Buddhist studies were Nalanda and Vikramshil universities.

Question 3.  Who were the five gems of the Sena era?
Answer: The ‘Five Jewels’ of the Sena era were Joydev, Dhoyee, Gobardhan, Umapati Dhar, and Sharana.

Question 4. When and during whose reign was Vikramshil Mahavihara founded?
Answer: In the 8th century AD, the Pala emperor Dharmapala founded the Vikramshil Mahavihara on the banks of the river Ganges near Bhagalpur.

Question 5. When did Bengali scholar Atish come to be known as Dipankar Srijnan?
Answer:

Atish-Dipankar was the best and most famous among the Bengali Buddhist preceptors (estimated 980-1053 AD). He was initiated by Acharya Silrakshit in the Odantapuri monastery and thus came to be known as Dipankar Srijnan.

Question 6. What do you know about the Vishnu temple of Angkor Vat?
Answer:

In the first half of the 12th century, the famous Vishnu temple was established at Angkor Vat in Cambodia. Later the Buddhists also assembled here to pray. The legends of the Ramayana were engraved on the walls of the temple.

Question 7. Who composed ‘Ramcharita’?
Answer: Sandhyakar Nandi composed ‘Ramcharita’.

Question 8. Who composed ‘Pabanduta’?
Answer: Dhoyee composed ‘Pabanduta’.

Question 9. Who was Dipankar Srijnan?
Answer: Dipankar Srijnan was the most learned and famous Buddhist scholar among the Bengalis.

Question 10. Which university was Dipankar Srijnan associated with?
Answer: Dipankar Srijnan was associated with Vikramshil University.

Question 11. Which ruler was proud of five gems in his courts?
Answer: Lakshamansena was proud of five gems in his courts.

Question 12. Which Turkish invader conquered Nadia?
Answer: Bakhtiyar Khilji conquered Nadia.

Class 7 History Solution WBBSE

Question 13. Whose architecture is found at the archaeological site at the Paharpur?
Answer: The architecture of the Pala dynasty is found at the archaeological site at the Paharpur.

Question 14. Whocomposed ‘Danasagara’ and ‘Adbhutsagara’?
Answer: Vallalsena composed ‘Danasagara’ and ‘Adbhutsagara’.

Question 15. Name a famous scholar of medicine in the Pala age.
Answer: Chakrapani Dutta was a famous scholar of medicine in the Pala age.

Question 16. What name was given to Atish Dipankar’s home?
Answer: The name given to Atish Dipankar’s home was ‘homestead of an atheist- scholar’.

Question 17. Where was Atish Dipankar born?
Answer: Atish Dipankar was born in Bajroyogini village of Bikramanipur in Vangala.

Question 18. Where was the Sompuri monastery located?
Answer: Sompuri monastery was located in Paharpur.

Question 19. Which language was used to compose ‘Ramcharita’?
Answer: the Sanskrit language was used to compose ‘Ramcharita’.

Question 20. How did the stupas appear during the reign of the Palas?
Answer: The stupas looked like shikhara or mountain peaks during the reign of the Palas.

Question 21. Who is worshipped as a reincarnation of Buddha in Tibet?
Answer: Atish Dipankar is worshipped as a reincarnation of Buddha in Tibet.

History Class 7 WBBSE

Question 22. Name the largest Buddhist temple in the world.
Answer: Borobudur at Java, Indonesia is the largest Buddhist temple in the world.

Question 23. When was Nalanda University constructed?
Answer: Nalanda University was constructed in the 5th century AD.

Question 24. What was the main medium of exchange during the Pala and Sena ages?
Answer: Cowrie shells were the main medium of exchange during the Pala and Sena ages.

Question 25. When was Vikramshil University destroyed?
Answer: Vikramshil University was destroyed in the 13th century AD.

Question 26. When was the Vishnu temple of Angkor Vat constructed?
Answer: The Vishnu temple of Angkor Vat was constructed in the first half of the 12th century.

Question 27. Who composed ‘Chikitsa Sangraha’?
Answer: Chakrapani Dutta composed ‘Chikitsa Sangraha”.

Class 7 History Solution WBBSE

WBBSE Chapter 3 Some Aspects Of The Indian Society Economy And Culture Topic B Culture Of Bengal And India And The World Fill In The Blanks

Question 1. _________ (Charyapada/Luipada/Kanhapada) is an example of an ancient Bengali language.
Answer: Charyapada

Question 2. A Tantric Buddhist leader was called _________ (Acharya/Siddhacharya/Upacharya).
Answer: Siddhacharya

Question 3. Vikramshil University was located near present-day _________ (Bhagalpur/Patna/North Bengal).
Answer: Bhagalpur

Question 4. The ruler of remote Sumatra made handsome grants to the university of _________ (Nalanda/Sompuri/Vikramshil).
Answer: Nalanda

Question 5. The most glorious example of the architecture of the Pala times is _________ (Paharpur archaeological site/Buddhist Stupa at Chittagong/Sompuri Vihara).
Answer: Paharpur archaeological site

Question 6. Pabanduta was composed by _________ (Dhoyee/Umapatidhar/Sridhar Das).
Answer: Dhoyee

Question 7. Joydev was the court poet of _________ (Dharmapala/Vallalsena/Lakshmansena).
Answer: Lakshmansena

Question 8. Brahmanasarvasya was composed by _________ (Halayudh/Sridhara Das/Sharana).
Answer: Halayudh

Class 7 History Solution WBBSE

Question 9. The Tibetan king Jnanprabha requested _________ (Shilabhadra/Shantal Rakshit/ Dipankar Srijnan) to cross the Himalayas and visit Tibet.
Answer: Dipankar Srijnan

Question 10. Atish Dipankar composed many scriptures in the _________ (Chinese/Vot/Nepali) language.
Answer: Vot

Question 11. _________ (Gopala/Dharmapala/Devapala) set up the Vikramshil University.
Answer: Dharmapala

Question 12. The Turkish invasion of Bengal took place during the reign of _________ (Vallalsena/ Vijayasena/Lakshmansena).
Answer: Lakshmansena

Question 13. The people of Bengal came to know about the vegetable potato from the _________ (Italians/British/Portuguese).
Answer: Portuguese

WBBSE Chapter 3 Some Aspects Of The Indian Society Economy And Culture Topic B Culture Of Bengal And India And The World True Or False

Question 1. Luipada wrote Ramcharita.
Answer: False

Question 2. The kings of the Pala dynasty were brahmins.
Answer: True

Class 7 History Solution WBBSE

Question 3. Tantrayana or Tantrika Buddhism originated during the Pala era.
Answer: True

Question 4. The Charyapadas depicted the contemporary Bengali environment and the livelihood of the common people.
Answer: True

Question 5. Historian Rakhaldas Bandyopadhyay the manuscript of the recovered Charyapada from Nepal.
Answer: False

Question 6. Vikramshil was the main center for the Hinayana cult.
Answer: False

Question 7. Bitpala was a renowned artist of the Radh region.
Answer: False

Question 8. During Sena’s rule, Vedic and Puranic religions merged with Brahmanical Hinduism.
Answer: True

Question 9. King Lakshmansena was a Shaivite.
Answer: False

Question 10. Stupas built during the Pala age looked like Shikharas or mountain peaks.
Answer: True

Question 11. Angkor Vat is in Indonesia.
Answer: False

Question 12. Buddhism became popular in Tibet due to Atish Dipankar’s earnest effort.
Answer: True

WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History Chapter 3 Some Aspects Of The Indian Society Economy And Culture Topic A Indian Economy

WBBSE Chapter 3 Some Aspects Of The Indian Society Economy And Culture Topic A Indian Economy Long Question And Answers

Question 1. Why did temples become the centers of settlement in South India? Or, What was the role played by the temples of South India between 7th and 12th century AD?
Answer:

For various reasons, temples have become the centres of settlement in South India.

  • Non-taxable land: In South India, kings, rich merchants, and aristocrats donated and gifted land to temples which helped in the maintenance of temples and the luxurious lifestyle of priests.
  • Professions related to temple: Temples gradually became very wealthy and supported the livelihood of priests, garland makers, singers, dancers, chefs, and gardeners.

Other reasons:

Temple authorities used the vacant land for agriculture and trading. Many people like builders and pilgrims also settled around the temples.

Read and Learn More WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History

Question 2. State the consequences of Indian feudalism.
Answer:

The consequences of Indian feudalism are

  • Loss of unity: Feudal lords set up local self-government independently giving rise to regionalism and disintegration. Thus, centralized political unity and integrity were lost.
  • Weakness of central law and order: Decentralization of power caused chaos and lawlessness. The king’s power slackened and the feudal lords became autocrats.
  • The decline in trade and commerce: The feudal economy was agriculture-based which adversely affected external and internal trade.

WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History Chapter 3 Some Aspects Of The Indian Society Economy And Culture Topic A Indian Economy

Question 3. What were the impacts of Feudalism in India?
Answer:

The impacts of Feudalism in India are

  • Antagonism: The Samantas and the Mahasamantas had a constant conflict with each other. Everyone wanted to increase his influence.
  • Denial of kingship: Sometimes the Samantas even unified to fight against the king. They often refused to recognize the authority of the king.
  • The downfall of self-governance of villages: Besides extracting revenues, these groups used to govern the villages and give judgment. Because of the dominance of the feudal lords, the self-governance of the villages was lost.

Class 7 History Solution WBBSE

Question 4. What according to you were the reasons for the downfall of the self-gover- nance of the villages?
Answer:

  • The Samantas and the Mahasamantas had a constant conflict with each other.
  • They even unified to fight against the king. Besides collecting revenues they used to govern the villages and give judgment.
  • Because of the dominant feudal lords, who refused to recognize the authority of the king, the self-governance of the villages was declined.

Question 5. Why did the economy of Bengal became dependent on agriculture?
Answer:

  • The importance of trade and commerce was gradually declining in the Pala-Sena age.
  • The monopoly of Arabs along the Arabian sea coast in Western India forced the Bengal traders to retreat.
  • Thus the importance of Bengal traders in foreign trade and commerce decreased.
  • As a result, the economy of Bengal became dependent on agriculture.

Question 6. How were the textile, metal, and wood industries during the Pala-Sena age?
Answer:

  • Bengal had a noteworthy reputation for textile, metal, and wood industries during the Pala-Sena age.
  • The textile industry was the main industry of this time. The fine cotton clothes of Bengal acquired fame far and wide.
  • Besides, people used metal objects for daily use. Women used to wear metal ornaments.
  • Wood was widely used for the construction of houses, temples, palanquins, bullock carts, boats, etc.

Question 7. How was the revenue system during the Pala-Sena age?
Answer:

Various types of taxes were imposed by the kings during the Pala-Sena age.

  • Agricultural tax: The king collected one-sixth (1/6) of the produce from the farmers as revenue. The king even accepted fruits, flowers, and wood as revenue from the farmers for personal use.
  • Trade-related tax: The traders also paid taxes to the king for trade and commerce.
  • Other taxes: Other than the above-mentioned taxes, there were other additional taxes. The subjects had to pay tax for their security, for the entire village, for marts and ferries too.
WBBSE Class 7 Geography Notes WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History
WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 Geography WBBSE Class 7 History Multiple Choice Questions
WBBSE Class 7 Geography Multiple Choice Questions WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 Maths

 

Question 8. State the causes behind the rise of Indian feudalism.
Answer:

The socioeconomic relationship based on the system of distribution of land and administrative hierarchy starting from the king at the top to the peasants at the bottom is called feudalism.

Causes behind the rise of Indian feudalism

1. Agrahaar system:

Lands and villages were granted specifically to Brahmins.

2. Rise of dependent farmers:

Since the Gupta period, peasants had to provide forced labour (begar) and had to pay land revenue along with a large number of illegal taxes. This gave rise to a class of dependent farmers.

3. Decay of townships:

Since the 4th-5th centuries, there was deurbanisation in North India. The importance of Vaishali, Kaushambi, Sravasti, Kushinagara, and Kapilavastu declined. This paved the way for the rise of feudalism gradually.

Class 7 WBBSE History Question Answer

4. Decline in trade:

Internal trade and international sea-borne trade had declined. Agriculture grew more important as the dependence on land increased. The economy became decentralized and more provincial.

5. Rise of regional powers:

The provincial powers ruled hereditarily since Gupta Age. This gave rise to the regional administration, centering which feudalism came into existence.

6. Allegiance:

Soldiers and military commanders owed more allegiance to the provincial governors than to the central authority in Gupta Age. This allegiance became the foundation of feudalism in the future.

Understanding Indian Economy

Question 9. Focus on the development of feudalism in ancient India.
Answer:

R S Sharma has divided the period of development of feudalism of ancient India into three parts

  1. The first phase (300-600 AD), phase (900-1200 AD).
  2. The second phase (600-900 AD) and
  3. Third three parts

Development of feudalism in ancient India

1. Emergence of feudal lords:

Since the 2nd century, feudal traits appeared in Maharashtra, followed by Central India in the 4th and 5th centuries, and gradually spread to Bengal, Odisha, Assam, and Kerala in the deep south.

2. Kushana Age:

There was an admixture of feudalism and aristocracy in the first half of the Kushana age. Pataliputra, along with other kingdoms of eastern India, was under feudal rule.

3. Gupta Age:

At the beginning of the Gupta era, absolute, centralized monarchy gradually changed into the semi-feudal federal system. Emperor Samudra Gupta started this system by conditionally restoring conquered realms to the defeated kings in lieu of revenue tax.

After the death of Emperor Skanda Gupta, the power and authority of the feudal lords increased.

Question 10. What do you know about the Chola system of administration?
Answer:

The Chola system of administration was highly organized and efficient.

Chola system of administration

  1. King: The king was the central point of administration and all the authority rested in his hand.
  2. Provincial administration: The whole empire had been divided into nine provinces called ‘Mandalams’.
  3. Source of income: Chola government depended mainly on land revenue as the main source of income.
  4. Army: The Cholas possessed an efficient army and navy.
  5. Village Administration: A group of villages was called ‘Nadu’. It was one of the most important administrative units of the Cholas. The village council or ‘Ur’ administered the villages.

Question 11. Write a note on the economic condition during the reign of the Pala and Sena rulers of the
Answer:

In the Pala-Sena age, agriculture, industry, and trade were the main basis of Bengal’s economy.

An economic condition during the Pala-Sena age

1. Agriculture:

Though agriculture was the primary occupation, the state or the king had the ultimate authority over the lands. The king collected one-sixth (1/6) of the produce from the farmers as revenue.

In addition, the king even accepted fruits, flowers, and wood as revenue from the farmers to maintain their luxurious lifestyle.

2. Trade:

The traders also paid taxes to the king for trade and commerce. The decline of the trade during the Pala-Sena age affected the system of currency, and ‘Cowrie’ became the main medium of exchange.

3. Industry:

Handicrafts deserve special mention among all other industries. The artisans were organized in various guilds.

4. Additional taxes:

Other than the main three types of taxes, there were other additional taxes. The subjects paid taxes to the king for their security. The villagers even had to pay taxes for the entire village. Again, the tax was imposed on marts and ferries.

Class 7 WBBSE History Question Answer

Conclusion:

As the economy of Bengal became exclusively dependent on agriculture, there was a decline of the economy.

Question 12. Write what you know about the food habits of the Bengalis during the Pala- Sena age.
Answer:

We get to know about the food habits of the Bengalis from contemporary literary works.

Food habits of Bengalis during the Pala- Sena age

1. Main Food:

Rice was the staple food of the Bengalis during the Pala-Sena age.

2. Description in ancient verses:

In the ancient verses, there are descriptions of food like steamed rice with pure ghee along with Mourala fish, the jute stems, creamed milk, and ripe bananas.

3. Menu of the poor:

Various kinds of spinach and vegetables filled the menu of the poor.

4. Vegetables in the menu:

Vegetables like brinjal, bottle gourd, ridge-gourd, pumpkin, fig, etc. were included in the Bengali diet since antiquity.

5. Fishes in the menu:

Bengalis had the habit of eating varieties of fishes like rohi, puti, mourala, shol, hilsa etc.

6. Non-veg in the menu:

People used to eat the meat of goats, deer, different types of birds, tortoises and crabs, snails, dried fish, etc.

7. Confectioneries:

Their daily menu included molasses from sugarcane, and milk and its products like curds, sweets, kheer (condensed milk), payesh.

Conceptual Questions on Role of Agriculture in the Indian Economy

8. Addition of Potato and Dal:

Much later, during the medieval period, the Bengalis learned to eat potatoes from the Portuguese and dal from the North Indians.

9. Other items in the menu:

Sugarcane juice and mohua were also common in Bengali society.

Conclusion:

From the above discussion, we can conclude that during the Pala-Sena age, the Benglis had diversity in their food habits

Examples of Real-Life Applications of Economic Knowledge

WBBSE Chapter 3 Some Aspects Of The Indian Society Economy And Culture Topic A Indian Economy Short Question And Answers

Question 1. What is meant by the term Feudalism?
Answer:

Term Feudalism:

  • In medieval India, a special group of officials were granted land in lieu of salary.
  • Each of them headed a region. Besides extracting revenues, these groups used to govern the villages and gave judgments.
  • They lived on revenue or output of others’ labor. A system developed in such a way is known as Feudalism.

Question 2. Write two features of European Feudalism.
Answer:

The two important features of European Feudalism are

  • The structure of the feudal society looked like a triangle and the king, feudal overlords, and vassals was placed at various levels of this structure. Peasants were of the lowest strata.
  • The serfs were compelled to toil in the manor houses of the feudal lords.

Question 3. What are ‘Ur’ and ‘Nadu’?
Answer:

‘Ur’ and ‘Nadu’:

  • During the Chola reign in South India, the village, consisting of a settlement of peasants, was governed by a village council called ‘Ur’. A group of such villages formed the ‘Nadu’.
  • The ‘Ur’ and ‘Nadu’ were the local bodies that looked after self-governance, judiciary, and revenue collection.

Question 4. Why was a council called ‘Nagaram’ set up?
Answer:

A council called ‘Nagaram’ was set up for two reasons

  1. To redress the problems of the traders and
  2. To look after their interests.

Question 5. What is the ‘Brahmadeya’ system? Or, What is meant by the ‘Brahmadeya’ system?
Answer:

Brahmadeya system:

  • In South India, especially during the Chola reign, sometimes the brahmins were donated landed property to increase agricultural area.
  • They cleared the barren land or forest area for settlement.
  • The lands donated to the brahmins were tax-free. This system of the donation was called the ‘Brahmadeya’ system.

Important Definitions Related to Indian Economy

WBBSE Chapter 3 Some Aspects Of The Indian Society Economy And Culture Topic A Indian Economy Very Short Question And Answers

Question 1. Write the name of three trade centers mentioned in Xuanzang’s writings.
Answer: The name of the three trade centers mentioned in Xuanzang’s writings are Thaneswar, Kanauj, and Varanasi.

Question 2. Write the name of several powerful groups in Indian Society that existed between 7th- 12th century AD.
Answer: The name of several powerful groups in Indian society that existed between 7th- 12th century AD were Samanta, Raja, Raunak, etc.

Question 3. Why was the importance of old trade routes in northern India decline in 7th century AD?
Answer: The importance of old trade routes in northern India was declined in 7th century AD due to a recession in trade in many parts of northern India.

Question 4. Why did the foreign trade of India flourish significantly in 9th century AD?
Answer: The foreign trade of India flourished significantly in 9th century AD due to the activities of Arab trade.

Question 5. What is feudalism in Europe?
Answer: In 9th century AD, a politico-military system emerged in western Europe, which is known as feudalism.

Question 6. Which was the prime period of feudalism in Europe?
Answer: The prime period of feudalism in Europe was 12th century AD.

Class 7 History Solution WBBSE

Question 7. What titles did the Chola kings bestow on themselves?
Answer: The Chola kings bestowed on themselves high-sounding titles like Maharajadhiraj, Tribhuvan Chakrabartin, etc.

Question 8. What was the tax-free land donated to the Brahmins in the Chola kingdom called?
Answer: The tax-free land donated to Brahmins in the Chola kingdom was called Brahmadeya.

Question 9. How much of the produce was collected as revenue from the farmers in the Pala-Sena age?
Answer: One-sixth of the produce was collected as revenue from the farmers in the Pala-Sena age.

Question 10. What were the main agricultural products of Bengal in the Pala-Sena age?
Answer:

The main agricultural products of Bengal in the Pala-Sena age were paddy, mustard, cotton, betel leaf, cardamom, mahua, and various types of fruits like mango, jackfruit, banana, pomegranate, date, coconut, etc.

Question 11. When and in which part of Europe feudalism was first introduced?
Answer: Feudalism was first introduced in Western Europe in the 9th century.

WBBSE Chapter 3 Some Aspects Of The Indian Society Economy And Culture Topic A Indian Economy Fill In The Blanks

Question 1. In the Chola period, canals were dug from the ________ (Krishna/Kaveri/Godavari) river of Tamil Nadu to facilitate irrigation.
Answer: Kaveri

Question 2. ________ (Gold coin/Copper coin/Cowrie shell) was the main medium of exchange towards the end of the Pala era and throughout the Sena era.
Answer: Cowrie shell

Class 7 History WBBSE

Question 3. The peasants had to pay ________ (1/6th /1/4th/ 1/3rd) of their crop as land revenue to the Pala and Sena kings.
Answer: 1/6th

Question 4. Bengalis might have learned the practice of consuming ________ (potatoes/peas/pulses) from the people of North India.
Answer: Pulses

Question 5. The animal which came from outside of Bengal is ________ (tiger/horse/monkey).
Answer: Horse

WBBSE Chapter 3 Some Aspects Of The Indian Society Economy And Culture Topic A Indian Economy True Or False

Question 1. Temples of South India were used for rituals only.
Answer: False

Question 2. Ur was a village council.
Answer: True

Question 3. The bronze handicraft of the Cholas was very famous.
Answer: True

Question 4. In the Chola period, temple authorities had to pay tax for the land granted by the king.
Answer: False

Question 5. The King was the head of the Chola administration.
Answer: True

Question 6. Bengalis learned to eat potatoes from the French.
Answer: False

Class 7 History Solution WBBSE

Question 7. In the Pala-Sena era, the subjects paid taxes to the king for their security.
Answer: True

Question 8. The structure of the feudal society looked like a rectangle.
Answer: False

WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History Chapter 2 Some Aspects Of The Indian Political History Topic D Miscellaneous

WBBSE Chapter 2 Some Aspects Of The Indian Political History Topic D Miscellaneous Long Question And Answers

Question 1. Look at a recent map of West Bengal. Which rivers of the early medieval Bengal do you see in it?
Answer:

The recent map of West Bengal includes quite a few rivers of early medieval Bengal like Ganga, Mahananda, Mayurakshi, Damodar, Ajay, Bhagirathi, Rupnarayan, Subarnarekha, and Kangsavati.

Class 7 History Solution WBBSE

WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History Chapter 2 Topic D Miscellaneous Bengal in early medieval period

Understanding Ancient Indian Political Structures

Read and Learn More WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History

Question 2. Describe the economic condition of Bengal during the reign of Sasanka.
Answer:

Economic Condition of Bengal During the Reign of Sasanka

Agro-based economy:

The state followed an agricultural economy. The society was village-based too. So, the demand for agricultural lands went up.

Depression in trade:

since there was a depression in trade and commerce during Sasanka’s reign, the importance of cities gradually decreased.

Currency value:

Gold coins lost their value due to the circulation of counterfeit coins. There were no silver coins in circulation.

Collapse Of economy:

The decline of trade resulted in the reduction of the importance of traders and merchants.

WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History Chapter 2 Some Aspects Of The Indian Political History Topic D Miscellaneous

Question 3. What is Matsya-nyaya?
Answer:

Matsya-nyaya

1. Literal meaning:

The term ‘Matsya-nyaya’means fish-like behavior.

2. Actual meaning:

Just as the bigger fish gobbles up the smaller ones in a pond, similarly, in Bengal, after Sasanka’s death, the rich and powerful people began to oppress and capture the lands of the poor.

3. Conclusion:

This unlawful and anarchic situation ended when Gopala was elected the ruler of Bengal in 750.

Question 4. How did the regional states develop in 7th and 8th century AD?
Answer:

A large number of regional states arose in North and South India during the 7th and 8th centuries.

1. Increase of regional powers:

The rulers were originally feudal lords or military commanders who became powerful and independent taking advantage of the weakness of the kings.

2. Military and familial power:

Some powerful military commanders formed independent kingdoms with the help of their relatives.

WBBSE Class 7 Geography Notes WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History
WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 Geography WBBSE Class 7 History Multiple Choice Questions
WBBSE Class 7 Geography Multiple Choice Questions WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 Maths

 

Question 5.Where from did the sena kings originates? How did they establish their rule in the Bengal?
Answer:

Original inhabitation:

The Senas originally belonged to Karnataka, in South India, particularly Mysore and its adjoining areas.

Establishment Of Rule:

Samantasena, the founder of the Sena dynasty in Bengal, set up his rule over Radh (Burdwan Region). His son and successor Hemantasena set up an independent domain in this region taking advantage of weakness of Pala rulers.

His son and successor Vijayasena conquered Radh, Gauda, eastern Bengal, and Mithila.

Question 6. Give the geographical location of the Radh-Suhma and Gauda regions of acient Bengal.
Answer:

Radh-Suhma and Gaude were two significant regions of ancient Bengal.

The geographical location of Radh-Suhma and Gauda

1. Radh-Suhma:

Ancient Radh (Rarh) was divided into two parts—Northern Radh and Southern Radh. The Jainas were called Northern Radh Bajjabhumi (Bajrabhumi) and the Southern Radh was called Subbhabhumi (or Suhmabhumi).

The region of Northern Radh included the western part of the present Murshidabad, Birbhum, Santhal Parganas (part), and the northern part of the Katwa subdivision of Burdwan. On the other side, Southern Radh was much closer to the Bay of Bengal.

The river Ajay was the demarcating line of the two. In the legends of the Mahabharata and in the poetry of Kalidasa, there are evidence that the region between river Bhagirathi and Kangsabati extended up to the sea.

2. Gauda:

The Gauda Kingdom was a Hindu power during the classical period on the Indian sub-continent, which originated in the region of Bengal in the 4th Century.

Barahamihir has described Murshidabad, Birbhum, and the western part of Burdwan as Gauda in his writings. But during the reign of Sasanka in the 7th Century the territory of Gauda expanded.

In those times the main area of Gauda was on the western bank of river Bhagirathi in the present district of Murshidabad. During the reign of Sasanka, the territory extended from North Bengal to the coastal area of Odisha.

During the 8th-9th century, Gauda referred to the whole of the Pala empire.

Question 7. How was the relationship of Sasanka with the Buddhists? Give your own opinion.
Answer:

Despite the testimony of Banabhatta and Xuanzang to Sasanka being an anti-Buddhist, the viewpoint was probably exaggerated.

Sasanka and Buddhism

  1. Religion: Sasanka was a Shaivite.
  2. Anti-Buddhism: Banabhatta alleges that Sasanka killed many Buddhist monks and destroyed Buddhist relics. He even regarded him as ‘Gaudavujanga’ and ‘Gaudadham’.

3. Exaggerated comments:

  1. Xuanzang speaks of the prosperity of the famous Raktamrittika monastery on the outskirts of Karnasuvarna, a few years after Sasanka’s death. About fifty years after the death of Sasanka, the Chinese traveler l-Tsing speaks of the popularity of Buddhism in Bengal. This might not have been possible had Sasanka been an enemy of Buddhism.
  2.  Dr. R C Majumdar and Dr. Ramaprasad Chandra felt that Banabhatta and Xuanzang deliberately smeared Sasanka’s character as he was a rival of Harshavardhana, who was well-disposed to both of them.

WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History Chapter 2 Topic D Miscellaneous Runis of the Raktamrittika Monastery

Question 8. Among whom did the Tripartite Struggle take place? What were the main causes of this Struggle?
Answer:

The Tripartite Struggle took place over the occupation of Kanauj, the imperial capital of North India among the Palas, the Gurjara-Pratiharas, and the Rashtrakutas.

Causes behind Tripartite Struggle

1. Possession of wealth:

All three dynasties wanted to occupy Kanauj, to control its enormous wealth as well as the flourishing trade routes of North India.

2. Geographical position:

All three dynasties coveted Kanauj, which was located rn the Ganga- Yamuna doab—a very strategic position to control North India. It could be the focal point of their empire.

Conceptual Questions on Governance in Ancient India

3. Political significance:

In the 8th and 9th centuries, control over Kanauj was synonymous to being the representative of the sovereign royal power of India.

4. Military significance:

Kanauj was located on a highland in Ganga-Yamuna Doab. It was easy and safe to conduct campaigns from Kanauj by land and sea routes. Hence, all the three parties wanted to establish a strong military headquarters there.

5. Power and prestige:

All the three parties wanted to attain a prestigious position by capturing Kanauj.

Question 9. Observe the chart 2.1 carefully. Now compare the Pala and the Sena reign carefully.
Answer:

WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History Chapter 2 Topic D Miscellaneous Compare the pala and the Sena Reign

 

Question 10. Explain the background of the rise of the Chola dynasty in South India. Which regions did the Chola dynasty belong to?
Answer:

The Cholas occupied a glorious position in the history of South India in terms of territorial conquests, culture, and maritime trade.

Background of the rise of the Chola dynasty

In the 9th century, the Cholas set up their kingdom in the deltaic region of Kaveri and its tributaries. Vijayalaya overthrew king Muttabaiya, the ruler of the area, and founded the Chola dynasty. Thanjavur or Tanjore was set up as the capital of the Cholas.

Regions belonged to the Cholas

The successors of Vijayalaya expanded the kingdom further. The Pandya region of the south and the Pallava region of the north came under their control.

In 985 AD Rajaraja, I was able to establish the Chola supremacy in present Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and in the vast areas of Karnataka. His son Rajendra I defeated the Chalukya power of Kalyani.

Class 7 WBBSE History Question Answer

He established Chola suzerainty over parts of South-East Asia and converted the Bay of Bengal into the Chola lake. He took the title of ‘Gangaikondachola’ (Conqueror of the Ganges) after the conquest of Bengal.

Question 11. Give a brief description of Arabia before the rise of Islam. What were the changes brought about by Islam these?
Answer:

Arab before the advent of Islam

1. Social’ categorization:

Before the rise of Islam, the Arabs were divided into a large number of classes based on tribes and family units. There was no unity or feeling of oneness among them and these units were in constant conflict with each other.

2. Social laws:

Society followed the violent policy of ‘an eye for an eye’. Polygamy was prevalent. Both men and women led immoral lives. Women received no respect in society.

3. Religious practices:

The people worshipped trees, stones, rivers, and caves wells. Each tribe followed its individual gods and goddesses.

Arab in the light of Islam

1. Moral values:

Islam inspired Arabs with the ideals of unity and equality, by preaching that all men are equal in the eyes of Allah, that Allah is the protector of all men and that all should be devotees of Allah.

2. Equality and liberalism:

This simple but powerful message of equality and generosity helped in the propagation of this religion. People of other faiths were also attracted to it and converted to Islam.

3. End of chaos and disorder:

Islam removed chaos and disorder in Arabia. It had great significance in bringing back peace and fostering unity in Arabia.

Question 12. Imagine you are a traveler during the reign of king Sasanka. You are going to Karnasuvarna from Tamralipta. Which regions and rivers will you find on your way? What will you see on reaching Karnasuvarna?
Answer:

I am a tourist from China. I would like to travel to Bengal now covering all the remotest corners of the state. Now I am on the way to Karnasuvarna from Tamralipta. At present, Sasanka is the king of Bengal.

Class 7 WBBSE History Question Answer

1. Natural Sceneries:

The natural beauty of riverine Bengal is very charming. Trees and rivers, green paddy fields, and bright blue sky have charmed me like anything. Plain lowlands, temperate climate, and easy flow of pollution-free air are really soothing.

Nature of the people:

The simple behavior of the rustic people of villages and their hospitality are no doubt appreciable. They talk very softly. By nature, they are polite, honest, and hardy. In comparison to China, the density of the population is much more here.

Waterways:

On my way, I had to come across so many rivers like Kangsavati, Yamuna, Bhagirathi, Rupnarayan, Ajay, Mayurakshi etc.

2. Karnasuvarna:

At last I have reached at Karnasuvarna of Murshidabad. Most of the houses of the city are made of wood and brick-built. The palace of Sasanka is located in the heart of the city and is well-secured.

In the courtyard of the palace, there is a big temple of Lord Shiva. Sasanka was so long described as a hater of Buddhism. But now, they live together peacefully.

Question 13. Suppose Matsya-Nyaya is going on in the country. Your classmates including you want to elect a king for the country. Produce an imaginary dialogue among your friends.
Answer:

We, the feudal lords of Bengal, have all gathered at a hall to discuss how to put an end to Matsya-Nyaya, the period of utter chaos and anarchy, that has overtaken Bengal in the last few decades. We are four in number: 1, 2, 3, 4.

Lord 1: We have gathered here for a solemn reason: to put an end to the Matsya-Nyaya.

Lord 2: Yes it is threatening to destroy Bengal. There are so many murders, dacoity, and lawlessness.

Lord 3: But, what can be done to overcome it?

Lord 1: We have to think of a solution fast.

Lord 2: Who would have the capacity to take over the reins of Bengal in such a situation?

Lord 4: All the capable young men of Bengal are migrating to the north and the Deccan.

Lord 3 :1 do have someone in mind, a suitable candidate who can be entrusted with the responsibilities of Bengal. He belongs to an illustrious feudal family of Bengal. His name is Gopala.

Lord 1: Wasn’t his father also a feudal lord?

Lord 3: He was. Gopala is young, well-educated, cultured, and capable.

Lord 2: Then, why don’t we offer the throne of Bengal to him? He seems to be an excellent choice. Surely, Bengal will prosper under him.

Lord 1, 3,4: We agree with you wholeheartedly. Only then can Matsya-Nyaya end and Bengal regain its lost glory.

Question 14. Imagine that you are the Kaivarta leader Divya. What will be your allegations against the Palas? How will you develop your rebelling troup? How will you lead them?
Answer:

Introduction:

I am a feudatory chief of Varendrabhumi. My name is Plvya. Due to several reasons, I have taken up the responsibility of leading the revolt.

My complaints are as follows:

Important Definitions Related to Indian Political History

1. Inefficient administration:

The rule of Mahipala II is oppressive. He is an incompetent ruler. We must save the country from his misrule.

2. Ban on the fishery as a profession:

As fishery has been banned, it has become difficult for us, the Kaivartas (fishermen), to run our family.

3. Mahipala II, is a man of suspicion:

He does not trust anyone. He has put two of his brothers into jail, only out of suspicion. So, I would like to kill Mahipala II. First, I would organise a band of soldiers.

I would also join hands with other feudal lords who will help me to achieve my mission. Local leadership will be formed. Treachery will be checked. Internal dissension must be taken care of. Thus good governance will be established.

Question 15. Suppose you are walking along the main road of Nadia on the day of the Turkish invasion. What did you see then?
Answer:

  • I am Krishnadas Goswami. I am 50 years old. I have been Baptised in Vaishnavism very recently. I had a long-cherished desire to visit the birthplace of Sri Chaitanya, one of the greatest exponents of the Bhakti cult.
  • But at this news, I was plunged in utter despair. I also got frightened at the sight of the people around me. They were running here and there on the street. Their facial expression was alarming. I did not know why.
  • When asked a passerby about the situation, he informed me that a band of horsemen had suddenly attacked the palace of Lakshmanasena, the king of Bengal. Moreover, I came to know that they were horse traders in disguise.
  • They were actually Turkish invaders. All they were 17 to 18 only in numbers. Hearing the news of the Turkish invasion Lakshmanasena fled by the back door without fighting.
  • It was noon then. Therefore, Lakshmanasena had to forsake. his lunch, unfortunately. I do not know how far the report is factual or a concocted story, I got confused with the news.
  • A feeling of anxiety and tension and above all an utter despair grasped me like anything. However, I lost all hope of my trip to Nabadwipand left the place with a broken heart.

Question 16. Take a map of the present West Bengal. How many districts are now there in West Bengal? Which district do you live in? Where do you think is that district located in the nap of 2.1?
Answer:

There are 23 districts in West Bengal.

These are

  1. Kolkata
  2. North 24 Parganas
  3. South 24 Parganas
  4. Howrah
  5. Hooghly
  6. Paschim Bardhaman
  7. Purba Bardhaman
  8. Nadia
  9. Murshidabad
  10. Malda
  11. Jhargram
  12. Purba Medinipur
  13. Paschim Medinipur
  14. Bankura
  15. Purulia
  16. Darjeeling
  17. Cooch Behar
  18. Jalpaiguri
  19. Alipurduar
  20. Uttar Dinajpur
  21. Dakshin Dinajpur
  22. Kalimpong
  23. Birbhum.

I live in Howrah district.

In the map, it is located on the western bank of the Bhagirathi River.

WBBSE Chapter 2 Some Aspects Of The Indian Political History Topic D Miscellaneous  Short Question And Answers

Question 1. How did Sultan Mahmud utilize the Wealth plundered from India?
Answer:

Sultan Mahmud plundered enormous wealth from India. With it, he beautified his capital Ghazni and other cities with palaces, mosques, gardens, and libraries.

He also set up a university where teachers received regular salaries and students got scholarships. He built lakes, canals, and a dam on the river Amu Darya.

Question 2. Which regions of the present West Bengal I is the Radh region? What rivers are I still to be found there?
Answer:

  • Ancient Radh region had two divisions— Northern Radh and Southern Radh. Northern Radh included the western part of present-day Murshidabad, Birbhum, some areas of Santhal Parganas, and northern side of the Katwa subdivision of the Burdwan district.
  • Southern Radh included the areas of present-day Howrah, Hooghly, the remaining areas of Burdwan district, and the area between the two rivers Ajay and Damodar.

Real-Life Scenarios Involving Historical Conflicts

Question 3. Can you identify the animal in the coin given in picture 2.2? Why do you think the picture of that animal is in the coin?
Answer:

  • There is a picture of bull in the coin.
  • These coins were introduced by king Sasanka of Gauda. He was a Shaivite or worshipper of Shiva. Nandi is Shiva’s chief and he is usually depicted as a bull.
  • So, this could be the reason of the picture of bull in the coin.

Question 4. What do you know about the Arab conquest of Sindh?
Answer:

The Arabs had trade contacts with India for a long time. Arab merchants used to come to the western coasts of India even before they embraced Islam. This contact continued even after the spread of Islam.

The Arab conquest of Sind

1. Aims:

Since 636 AD, Arabs had another goal—annexing parts of India. But their efforts were repulsed. After some unsuccessful attacks on Kabul, they, at last, succeeded in conquering Makran of Baluchistan in 643 AD.

2. War With Dahir:

At that time Dahir, a Brahmin king ruled Sind. In the year 712 AD, the Arab general, Muhammad bin Qasim conquered Sind, in northwest India, and then Multan in the following year.

3. End:

Towards the end of the 9th century, the Arabian expedition to India came to an end.

Question 5. Give an account of Rajendra Chola I.
Answer:

  • Rajendra Chola I was a great conqueror. He carried the arms as far as Bengal. He also built up a maritime empire in the Indian Ocean. That is indeed a great achievement.
  • With the help of his strong fleet, he converted the Bay of Bengal into a Chola lake. He was a patron of architecture and sculpture.
  • The capital of the Chola dynasty was Gangaikonda Cholapuram and its beautiful temples testify to his (Rajendra Chola I) love for art and architecture.

WBBSE Chapter 2 Some Aspects Of The Indian Political History Topic D Miscellaneous Very Short Question And Answers

Question 1. What is the other name of Tamralipta?
Answer: The other name of Tamralipta is Tamluk.

Question 2. What do you mean by Gaudatantra?
Answer: Gaudatantra means System of Gauda.

Question 3. Which area was designated as Harikel of Bengal?
Answer: Harikel was the southeastern part of Samatata, presently including the coastal regions of Chittagong of Bangladesh.

Question 4. Varendra, Odantapur, Radh, Pundravardhana.
Answer: Odantapur

Question 5. Muhammad Ghori, Bakhtiyar Khilji, Sultan Mahmud, Minhaj-i Siraj.
Answer: Minhaj-i Siraj

Question 6. Bhagirathi, Padma, Godavari, Meghna.
Answer: Godavari

Read and Learn More WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History

Question 7. Sasanka, Gopal, Pulakesin, Lakshmanasena.
Answer: Pulakesin

Question 8. Muhammad Ghori, Bakhtiyar Khilji, Sultan Mahmud, Qutbuddin Aibak.
Answer: Qutbuddin Aibak

Question 9. Herodotus, Minhaj-i Siraj, Al Biruni, Abul Fazl.
Answer: Herodotus

Question 10. Kirtivarman, Pulakesin, Ravikirti, Dantidurga.
Answer: Dantidurga

Question 11. Dhruva, Govinda III, Krishna, Harshavardhana.
Answer: Harshavardhana

WBBSE Class 7 Miscellaneous History 

Question 12. Simhavishnu, Mahendra Varman, Narasimhavarman, Debagupta.
Answer: Debagupta

Question 13. Vijayalaya, Aditya, Rajaraja I, Samantasena.
Answer: Samantasena

Question 14. Mangalesh, Pulakesi, Vikramaditya, King Bhoja.
Answer: King Bhoja

WBBSE Chapter 2 Some Aspects Of The Indian Political History Topic D Miscellaneous Fill In The Blanks

Question 1. The name Vanga was first used in __________ (Aitareya Aranyak/Ain-i-Akbari/ Arthasastra).
Answer: Aitareya Aranyak

Question 2. The territory of ancient Bengal was formed with the rivers __________, __________, and __________ (Bhagirathi, Padma, Meghna / Ganges, Brahmaputra, Sindhu / Krishna, Kaveri, Godavari).
Answer: Bhagirathi, Padma, Meghna

Question 3. The title Sakalottarapathanatha was adopted by _________ (Sasanka / Harshavardhan / Dharmapala).
Answer: Harshavardhan

Question 4. One of the leaders of the Kaivarta revolt was __________(Bhima / Ramapala / Mahipala I).
Answer: Bhima

Question 5. During the reign of __________ (Vijaysena / Ballalsena / Lakshmanasena) the Turkish invasion occurred in Bengal.
Answer: Lakshmanasena

Question 6. A historian in the Sultanate period was __________ (Muhammad Ghori / Minhaz-i-Siraz / Ikhtiaruddin Muhammad Bakhtiyar Khilji).
Answer: Minhaz-i-Shiraz

Question 7. Sasanka is supposed to be anti-_____.
Answer: Buddhist

Question 8. _____ was the first elected king of Bengal.
Answer: Gopala

WBBSE Chapter 2 Some Aspects Of The Indian Political History Topic D Miscellaneous  True Or False

Question 1. The Kings of the Sena dynasty started to rule in Bengal in the 11th Century.
Answer: True

Question 2. Both Rajaraja I and Rajendra I set up a strong army.
Answer: False

Question 3. Hazrat Muhmmad was born in 570 AD
Answer: True

WBBSE Chapter 2 Some Aspects Of The Indian Political History Topic D Miscellaneous Match The Columns

Question 1. WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History Chapter 2 Topic D Miscellaneous Match the following 1

Answer: 1. C, 2. D, 3. A, 4. B, 5. E

Question 2.WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History Chapter 2 Topic D Miscellaneous Match the following 2

Answer: 1. B, 2. A, 3. E, 4. C, 5. D

Question 3. WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History Chapter 2 Topic D Miscellaneous Match the following 3

Answer: 1. E, 2. D, 3. A, 4. B, 5. C

Question 4. WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History Chapter 2 Topic D Miscellaneous Match the following 4

Answer: 1. E, 2. D, 3. A, 4. B, 5. C

Question 5. WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History Chapter 2 Topic D Miscellaneous Match the following 5

Answer: 1. D, 2. C, 3. E, 4. B, 5. A

Question 6.
WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History Chapter 2 Topic D Miscellaneous Match the following 1.

Answer: 1. D, 2. 1, 3. F, 4. C, 5. B, 6. E

WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History Chapter 2 Some Aspects Of The Indian Political History Topic C Islam And India

WBBSE Chapter 2 Some Aspects Of The Indian Political History Topic C Islam And India Long Question And Answers

Question 1. What do you know about the life and career of Hazrat Muhammad?
Answer:

Hazrat Muhammad was the prophet and founder of Islam.

Life and career of Hazrat Muhammad

1. Early life:

Most of his early life was spent as a merchant.

2. Foundation of Islam:

At the age of 40 he began to have revelations from Allah, which became the basis for the Quran and the foundations of Islam. By 630 AD he had unified most of Arabia under a single religion.

3. Battle of Medina:

The miracles of Muhammad’s life was, no doubt his revelations and his popularity seemed as threatening to the people in power in Mecca. Muhammad took his followers on a journey from Mecca to Medina in 622 AD.

The journey is called the Hijra. Hijra means ‘migration’. The event was seen as so important for Islam that 622 AD is the year in which the Islamic calender begins.

Read and Learn More WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History

4. Death:

Muhammad died on 8th June, 632 AD, at the age of 62.

WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History Chapter 2 Some Aspects Of The Indian Political History Topic C Islam And India

Question 2. What do you know about the Arab conquest of Sind?
Answer:

The Arabs had trade contacts with India for a long time. Arab merchants used to come to the western coasts of India even before they embraced Islam. This contact continued even after the spread of Islam.

The Arab conquest of Sind

1. Aims:

Since 636 AD, Arabs had another goal—annexing parts of India. But their efforts were repulsed. After some unsuccessful attacks on Kabul, they at last succeeded in conquering Makran of Baluchistan in 643 AD.

2. War With Dahir:

At that time Dahir, a Brahmin king ruled Sind. In the year 712 AD, the Arab general, Muhammad bin Qasim conquered Sind, in north-west India and then Multan in the following year.

3. End:

Towards the end of the 9th century, the Arabian expedition to India came to an end.

WBBSE Class 7 Geography Notes WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History
WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 Geography WBBSE Class 7 History Multiple Choice Questions
WBBSE Class 7 Geography Multiple Choice Questions WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 Maths

 

Question 3. Write about Caliph and Caliphate (Khilafat).
Answer:

Caliph and Caliphate

1. Meaning of ‘Caliph’:

A ‘caliph’ is a political and religious leader of Islam who claims succession from Muhammad. The word derives from the Arabic. Khalifa means ‘successor’.

2. Meaning Of Caliphate:

The territory under the political and religious leader i.e. Caliph (Khalifa) is ‘Caliphate’.

3. Selection of the first Caliph:

After the death of Hazrat Muhammad, a problem that arose was who would lead the Islamic polity after him. The urgent need for a successor to Muhammad as political leader of the Muslim Community was met by a group of Muslim elders in Medina, who designated Abu Bakr, the prophet’s father- in-law as Caliph.

Question 4. Give an account of the Muslim arrival in India.
Answer:

Muslim arrival in India:

In the 6th century AD, Arabs were divided into various tribes and sub-tribes, kept fighting with each other. At that time Hazrat Muhammad appeared and brought the strife-torn Arabs under one religious umbrella.

Conceptual Questions on Religious Syncretism in India

Muslim arrival in India

1. Conquest Of Sind:

Since 636 AD Arabs had another goal—annexing parts of India. Their efforts paid off when in 712 AD the Arab general Muhammad-bin-Qasim conquered Sind in north-west India.

2. Invasion Of Turks:

The Turkish ruler of Ghazni in the north-west frontier of India, Sultan Mahmud invaded India 17 times from 1001 and 1027 AD.

3. Battles Of Tarain:

Muhammad Ghori was the third Muslim ruler who invaded India. He fought two successive battles of Tarain in 1191 and 1192 AD.

4. Delhi Sultanate:

One of the companions of Muhammad Ghori, Qutbuddin Aibak established the Delhi Sultanate. His general Ikhtiyaruddin Muhammad Bakhtiyar Khilji spread Muslim rule in eastern India by capturing Bihar and West Bengal.

Question 5. Write about the philanthropic activities of Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni.
Answer:

Sultan Mahmud was the Sultan of the Ghaznavid dynasty.

Philanthropic activities of Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni

1. Patronage:

Mahmud himself was a poet of some reputation and a profound scholar. He took part in the religious and literary discussions of the scholars at his court.

His patronage was enjoyed by many Muslim scholars and poets like Albiruni, Firdausi, Ansari, Farukhi and others. He invited scholars and collected literary works from all parts of the Muslim world. He also founded a university at Ghazni.

2. Works:

Mahmud made his capital Ghazni, a magnificent city. Apart from partronising literature, he established colleges, laid out gardens, built mosques and palaces.

Question 6. Trace the Turkish invasion of Bengal 1 as told by Minhaj-i-Siraj in Tabqat-i-Nasiri.
Answer:

Turkish invasion of Bengal as told by Minhaj-i-Siraj

  1. Many comtemporary historians of the medieval India enjoyed royal patronage. Minhaj-i-Siraj was one of them.
  2. The Tabqat-i-Nasiri of Minhaj-i-Siraj is the only literary source for the Khilji rebellion in Bengal against the Delhi Sultan.
  3. According to Siraj, in 1199 AD Bakhtiyar Khilji attacked Bihar, plundered wealth and destroyed Odantapuri Vihar. In 1201 AD he left behind his army and in disguise of a Turkish horse dealer marched to Nadia, with only 17 or 18 horsemen.
  4. Taken aback by the sudden attack, Lakshmanasena, the last ruler of the Sena dynasty, fled by the backdoor to Bikrampur in East Bengal. Lakshmanasena lived and ruled there till death.

Question 7. Why did Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni invade India?
Answer:

Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni invaded India for the following reasons

Possession Of enormous wealth:

Contemporary Hindu temples contained huge quantity of treasure. Sultan Mahmud plundered golden idols of Hindu gods and goddesses, crores of golden coins and ornaments.

Propagation Of Islam:

Sultan Mahmud took an oath of spreading Islam while accepting his title from the Khalifa.

Maintenance of army:

He also wanted to set up an empire in Central Asia and aimed to build up a vest army with the help of this wealth.

Understanding Islam’s Influence on Indian Culture

WBBSE Chapter 2 Some Aspects Of The Indian Political History Topic C Islam And India Short Question And Answers

Question 1. Who are Bedouins?
Answer:

Bedouins:

Bedouin is a population of nomadic Arabs who have historically inhabited the desert region in North Africa, the Arabian peninsula, upper Mesopotamia and the Levant.

They are desert-dwelling, live in tents and move with their herds of camels across vast areas of arid land in search of grazing areas. Typical Bedouin food includes bread, rice, dates, yoghurt, milk and meat from their . animals.

Question 2. Why Mecca became the bone of contention among the strifing Arbs?
Answer:

Mecca became the bone of contention among the strifing Arbs:

Under the Quraysh, Mecca became a type of city-state, with strong commercial links to the rest of Arabia, Ethiopia and Europe. It became a place for trade, pilgrimage and tribal gatherings.

The city’s religious importance too greatly increased after the birth of Muhammad supposedly in the 6th Century AD. As Mecca was situated at the crossroad of two trade routes, Arabs in Central Asia were divided into several factions and kept fighting.

Question 3. What is Hijra?
Answer:

Hijra:

On September 24, 622 AD, prophet Muhammad completes his ‘Hijara’, or ‘flight’ from Mecca to Medina to escape persecution. In Medina, Muhammad set about building the followers of his religion Islam, into an organised community and Arabian power.

This migration the beginning of the Islamic calender also known as Hijri calender.

Question 4. What was the impact of the Arab conquest of Sind?
Answer:

The impact of the Arab conquest of Sind:

The Arab conquest of Sind left no permanent impact on India. The Arabs could not follow up their success in Sind by further conquests.

The only impact was that some people were converted to Islam, but Arab rule in Sind had little effect on language, literature, art administration and society.

Question 5. Howe stablished the authority in India?
Answer:

Stablished the authority in India:

Muhammad Ghori was the real founder of the Muslim domination in India. He fought two successive battles of Tarain in 1191 and 1192 with Prithviraj Chauhan III of Delhi and Ajmer.

In the first battle, Ghori lost the game and in the second one Prithviraj was defeated and killed. Next, Ghori returned to Ghazni leaving the Indian campaign to his trusted slave Qutbuddin Aibak, who captured Delhi.

Bakhtiyar Khilji, a trusted lieutenant of him, conquered Bihar and Bengal. Thus Muslim domination was extended over a vast area of North India.

Short Answers on Key Figures in Indian Islam

Question 7. Describe the invasion of India by Muhammad Ghori.
Answer:

The invasion of India by Muhammad Ghori:

Muhammad Ghori commenced his invasion of India by conquering Multan and Uchh in 1175. But, he was defeated by the Rajput ruler, Prithviraj Chauhan or Prithviraj III in the First Battle of Tarain (1191).

However, in 1192 he defeated Prithviraj III in the Second Battle of Tarain. His trusted aide, Qutbuddin Aibak, conquered Meerut, Delhi, Ranathambhore, Gujarat and Bundelkhand.

Question 8. How did the Turks conquer Nadia?
Answer:

Turks conquer Nadia:

The Sena ruler Lakshmansena had stationed soldiers to the north of the Rajmahal hills to resist the Turkish invaders. But the Turks divided themselves into small groups, avoided the usual routes, crossed dense forests and thus entered Bengal.

When Lakshmansena heard that they had entered the unguarded capital city, he fled away to East Bengal.

Question 9. What is Hazar-ul Aswad?
Answer:

Hazar-ul Aswad: There is a sacred abode in the centre of Masjid-i Haram in Mecca called Kaba. In the corner of Kaba, there is a black squared stone. This stone is known as Hazar-ul Aswad.

Question 10. When and between whom did the second battle of Tarain take place?
Answer:

The second battle of Tarain take place:

The second battle of Tarain took place in 1192 AD. This battle took place between the Rajput king Prithviraj Chauhan III and the ruler of Ghur Muhammad Ghori.

Question 11. What is the Hijri calender?
Answer:

The Hijri calender:

The Islamic calender, also known as the Hijri, is a lunar calender consisting of 12 lunar months in a year of 354 or 355 days.

It is used to determine the proper days of Islamic holidays and rituals, such as the annual period of fasting and proper time for the ‘Haj’.

Question 12. What is Holy Quran?
Answer:

Holy Quran:

The Holy Quran is the holy book or the scriptures of the Muslims. It is a compilation of the verbal revelations given to prophet Muhammad.

It lays down for Muslim the law and commandments, codes for their social and moral behaviour. It contains a comprehensive religious philosophy.

Question 13. Mention the geographical boundary of Arabian peninsula.
Answer:

The geographical boundary of the Arabian peninsula:

The Arabian peninsula is bounded by the Red Sea on the west and south-west, the Gulf of Aden on the south, the Arabian Sea on the south and south-east and the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf on the east.

WBBSE Chapter 2 Some Aspects Of The Indian Political History Topic C Islam And India Very Short Question And Answers

Question 1. Where does the Arabian Peninsula lie?
Answer: Beyond the Arabian Sea and on the western side of India the Arabian Peninsula lie.

Question 2. Why the Arabian Peninsula is so dry?
Answer: The Arabian Peninsula is so dry because rainfall is very scanty here.

Question 3. What is the food of the Bedouins?
Answer: Dates and camel milk are the staple food of the Bedouins.

Question 4. When did the Arabs take up trade as their means of livelihood?
Answer: In the beginning of the 6th century AD Arabs took up trade as their means of livelihood.

Question 5. What was the profession of Muhammad?
Answer: By profession Muhammad was a merchant.

Question 6. When Muhammad was born?
Answer: Muhammad was born in 570 AD.

Question 7. When did the Prophet Muhammad received his revelation?
Answer: Prophet Muhammad received his revelation in 610 AD.

Question 8. Who are known as Muslims?
Answer: The followers of Islam are known as Muslims.

Question 9. When did Muhammad go to Medina?
Answer: Muhammad went to Medina In 622 AD.

Question 10. When was the Hijri calender introduced?
Answer: After the migration of Muhammad from Mecca to Medina, Hijri calender was introduced.

Question 11. When did Muhammad pass away?
Answer: Muhammad passed away in 632 AD.

Question 12. Who is Caliph?
Answer: The chief Muslim political and religious ruler is called Caliph.

Question 13. When did the Arab conquest of Sind take place?
Answer: The Arab conquest of Sind took place in 712 AD.

Question 14. Who led the Arab conquest of Sind?
Answer: Muhammad bin Qasim led the Arab conquest of Sind.

Question 15. When had the Islam’s interaction with India begun?
Answer: Around 7th and 8th century the Islam’s interaction with India had begun.

Question 16. Who came to invade India after the Arabs?
Answer: Turks came to invade India after the Arabs.

Question 17. Name the two Turkish invaders.
Answer: Sultan Mahmud and Muhammad Ghori were two Turkish invaders.

Question 18. What were their different motives?
Answer: Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni aimed to plunder and Muhammad Ghori aimed to rule.

Question 19. When did the Islamic new year begin?
Answer: In 622 AD, the Islamic new year began.

Question 20. When did the Turkish invasions take place in India?
Answer: Around 11th and 12th century, the Turkish invasions took place in India.

Question 21. Which was the most important invasion of Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni?
Answer: Plundering the Somnath temple was the most important conquest of Sultan Mahmud.

Question 22. Who was Firdausi?
Answer: Firdausi was” the court poet of Sultan Mahmud.

Question 23. Who was Al Biruni?
Answer: Al Biruni was a courtier of Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni and a versatile genius.

Question 24. What was the name of the book written by Al Biruni?
Answer: The name of the book written by Al Biruni was Kitab al-Hind.

Question 25. Who led the Turkish invasion of Bengal?
Answer: Ikhtiyaruddin Muhammad Bakhtiar Khilji led the Turkish invasion of Bengal.

Question 26. From where can we know about the Turkish invasion of Bengal?
Answer: We can know about the Turkish invasion of Bengal from Tabqat-i-Nasiri.

Question 27. Who was the ruler of Bengal during Turkish invasion?
Answer: Lakshmanasena was the ruler of Bengal during Turkish invasion.

Question 28. Where did Lakshmanasena shift his capital from Nabadwip?
Answer: Lakshamansena shifted his capital from Nabadwip to Dhaka, Bikrampur or Lakshmanavati.

Question 29. When did the phase of the Turkish invasion of Bengal come to an end?
Answer: With the onset of 13th century the phase of Turkish invasion of Bengal came to an end.

Question 30. When did Bakhtiyar Khilji expire?
Answer: Bakhtiyar Khilji expired in 1206 AD.

Question 31. When did the Turks invade Bengal?
Answer: The Turks invaded Bengal towards the end of 1204 AD or early 1205 AD.

WBBSE Fill In The Blanks By Selecting The Appropriate Expressions From The Brackets

Question 1. The two principal cities of the Arabian Peninsula are ________ and _______ (Tigri, Euphrates/Mecca, Medina/Mosul, Constantinople.
Answer: Mecca, Medina

Question 2. The nomadic tribes of the Arabian Peninsula are called ________ (Hazrats / Saxons / Bedouins).
Answer: Bedouins

Question 3. In the 7th century, a new religion in the Arabian peninsula emerged, which is called ________(Islam/Judaism/Christianity).
Answer: Islam

Question 4. The followers of Islam are ________ (Islamists / Muslims/Ummahs).
Answer: Muslims

Question 5. In ________ (620/621/622) AD Muhammad went to Medina.
Answer: 622

Question 6. Muhammad died in ________(631/632/633).
Answer: 632

Class 7 History Solution WBBSE

Question 7. Sind was conquered by ________ (Mahmud Ghazni / Muhammad Ghori / Muhammad bin Qasim).
Answer: Muhammad bin Qasim

Question 8. Sultan Mahmud was the ruler of ________(Persia/Ghazni/Ferghani).
Answer: Ghazni

Question 9. Kitab al-Hind was written by ________ (lltutmish/AI Beruni/lbn Battuta).
Answer: AI Beruni

Question 10. Firdausi wrote________ (Baburnama / Hamzanama / Shahnama).
Answer: Shahnama

Question 11. Sultan Mahmud raided India ________(17 /18 /19) times.
Answer: 17

Question 12. Tabqat-i-Nasiri was written by ________ (Abul Fazi / Minhaj-i-Sivaj / Amir Khusrow).
Answer: Minhaj-i-Sivaj

Question 13. After Mecca the centre of Khilafat was ________(Constantinople / Medina / Baghdad).
Answer: Baghdad

WBBSE Chapter 2 Some Aspects Of The Indian Political History Topic C Islam And India  True Or False

Question 1. Beyond the Arabian Sea, on the eastern side of India lies the Arabian Peninsula.
Answer: False

Question 2. At the beginning of the 6th century AD some Arabs took up agriculture.
Answer: False

Question 3. Hazrat Muhammad migrated from Medina and Mecca.
Answer: False

Question 4. Hazrat Muhammad was a merchant.
Answer: True

Question 5. Hazrat Muhammad was born in 630 AD.
Answer: False

Question 6. Abu Bakr was the first Caliph.
Answer: True

Question 7. Osman was called prophet of Allah.
Answer: False

Question 8. Islamic calender is called Hijri Calender.
Answer: True

Question 9. The migration from Mecca to Medina is called Hijra.
Answer: True

Question 10. In 632 AD Hazrat Muhammad passed away.
Answer: True

Question 11. After Hazrat Muhammad Osman became the Caliph.
Answer: False

Question 12. Caliph was the political and religious leader of the Islamic world.
Answer: True

Question 13. In 714 AD the Arab Muslims came under the leadership of Muhammad bin Qasim.
Answer: False

Question 14. Towards the end of the 10th century the Arabs stopped their expedition in India.
Answer: False

Question 15. Trukish invasion of Bengal was led by Bakhtiyar Khilji.
Answer: True

Question 16. One of the Turkish invaders of India was Sultan Mahmud.
Answer: True

Question 17. Tabqat-i-Nasiri was written by Jiyauddin Barni.
Answer: False

WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History Chapter 2 Topic B Rise Of Regional Powers Pala Sena In Bengal And Chola In South India

WBBSE Chapter 2 Topi c B Rise Of Regional Powers Pala Sena In Bengal And Chola In South India Long Question And Answers

Question 1. Give a brief description of the rulers of the Pala dynasty.
Answer:

A brief description of the rulers of the Pala dynasty:

The rise of the Pala dynasty in Bengal constitutes a glorious era in its history. Their power steadily increased during the first century of their rule.

Pala dynasty

1. Native land:

The Palas originally belonged to the Varendra region, i.e. North Bengal.

2. Founder:

Gopala, originally a vassal (feudal lord), was the founder of the Pala dynasty. He ruled approximately from 750 to 770 AD and brought most of Bengal under his control.

WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History Chapter 2 Topic B Rise Of Regional Powers Pala Sena In Bengal And Chola In South India rule of the palas

3. Dharmapala:

Gopala was succeeded by his son, Dharmapala, who participated in the Tripartite Struggle. He was defeated by the Pratihara ruler Nagabhatta, who occupied Kanauj.

Read and Learn More WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History

Then Rashtrakuta ruler Govinda III arrived at Aryavarta and defeated Nagabhatta. Then he returned to the Deccan and Dharmapala took this opportunity to regain his hold over North India.

4. Devapala:

Dharmapala was succeeded by his son Devapala, whose empire stretched from Assam in the east to the borders of Kashmir in the west and from the Himalayas in the north to the Vindhyas in the south.

5. Later Pala rulers:

After Devapala, the notable Pala rulers were Vigrahapala, Nayapala, Gopala II, and Ramapala.

6. Downfall:

The Pala dynasty received a death blow from the Kaivarta Revolt, which was suppressed by Ramapala. However, the weakness of the later rulers brought about the downfall of this dynasty.

WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History Chapter 2 Topic B Rise Of Regional Powers Pala Sena In Bengal And Chola In South India

Question 2. Describe the achievements of Dharmapala briefly.
Answer:

The achievements of Dharmapala briefly:

Dharmapala succeeded his father Gopala, the founder of the dynasty in 770 AD. He was an able general and a capable diplomat and created an empire centering Bengal.

Achievements of Dharmapala

1. Struggle for control over Kanauj:

Dharmapala participated in the Tripartite Struggle that took place among the Palas, Pratiharas, and Rashtrakutas over the occupation of Kanauj, the political center of North India.

He was defeated by the Gurjara-Pratihara king, Vatsaraja, who in turn, was defeated by Rashtrakuta king Dhruva. Vatsaraja fled and Dhruva returned to the Deccan and Dharmapala went on to occupy Kanauj in his absence.

2. Establishment of domination in North India:

In the second round of the Tripartite Struggle, the Gurjara-Pratihara king, Nagabhatta II defeated Dharmapala but was himself defeated by Govinda III, the Rashtrakuta ruler who soon returned to the Deccan. Taking the opportunity, Dharmapala reclaimed North India.

3. Achievements:

The reign of Dharmapala is highly significant in Bengal as it saw great progress in the fields of economy, culture, and education. He established the universities of Vikramashila, Odantapuri, and Somapuri for learning and religious studies.

He was a Buddhist but tolerant towards other religions. There was great economic development in Bengal during his reign.

WBBSE Class 7 Geography Notes WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History
WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 Geography WBBSE Class 7 History Multiple Choice Questions
WBBSE Class 7 Geography Multiple Choice Questions WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 Maths

 

Question 3. Describe the achievements of Devapala.
Answer:

Devapala, son and successor of Dharmapala, was the greatest ruler of the Pala dynasty. The Palas reached the peak of glory in terms of territorial extent, economic. and cultural progress during his reign.

Achievements of Devapaia

1. Expansion Of empire:

Under Devapaia, the Pala empire extended from Assam in the east to Kashmir and Punjab in the west and from the Himalayas in the north to the Vindhyas in the south.

2. Conquests:

Devapaia, aided by generals Jayapala and his minister Darbhapani vanquished the Gurjara ruler Mihirabhoja. He also defeated the Rashtrakuta ruler, Amoghavarsha, and shattered the pride of the Huns.

3. Establishment of university:

Devapaia constructed Nalanda University. He granted five villages for its maintenance as requested by the Sailendra ruler, Balaputradeva. He also set up monasteries at Nalanda and a temple at Bodh Gaya.

4. Relations with South-East Asia:

As a result of Devapala’s efforts, close ties could be established between Bengal and the Sailendra dynasty of South-East Asia.

Question 4. What do you know about the Kaivarta Revolt?
Answer:

The Kaivarta Revolt took place during the reign of Mahipala II in North Bengal. The Kaivartas were led by Divya or Divvok. This information is available in the epic ‘Ramcharita’ by Sandhyakar Nandi.

Kaivarta Rebellion

1. Causes:

  1. some scholars think that the fishmonger Kaivartas were annoyed about the ban put on fishing by the Buddhist Pala rulers. So they revolted against them.
  2. Led by Divya, the Kaivartas revolted against the tyranny and incompetent rule of Mahipala II and subsequently defeated and killed him.

2. Nature:

  1. Some historians like Sandhyakar Nandi regarded the uprising as a religious revolution.
  2. It was an uprising against the socio-economic exploitation that the Kaivartas had to face.
  3. It might be a political conflict, caused by the Kaivartas of North Bengal who wanted to set up their own political domination.

3. Kaivarta rule:

Divya conquered Varendra (North Bengal) and began to rule over it. He was succeeded by his brother Rudra and then, by Bheema.

4. Fall Of the Kaivartas:

Ramapala united the feudal lords of Bengal and Bihar. With their help, he defeated and killed Bhima. Thus, the Kaivarta rule ended.

Question 5. State the consequences of the Tripartite Struggle.
Answer:

The three contesting dynasties of the Tripartite Struggle, the Palas of Bengal, the Gurjara-Pratiharas of Malwa and Rajputana, and the Rashtrakutas of the Deccan, were all adversely affected.

Class 7 History WBBSE

Consequences of Tripartite Struggle

1. Loss of power:

The three powerful dynasties of ancient India suffered a huge loss in terms of financial resources and military strength, due to incessant wars for nearly two centuries.

2. Disruption of national integrity:

The absence of powerful monarchs allowed the emergence of feudatories. They became independent provincial rulers. Thus the unity established by Harshavardhana was again disrupted.

3. Turkish invasion:

The decline of the three main monarchical powers and the disruption of national unity helped greatly in the Turkish invasion.

4. Emergence of regional powers:

North India got divided into several independent kingdoms who kept fighting with one another. Thus, regional powers again emerged in India.

5. Peasant rebellion:

All three monarchical powers levied higher taxes on peasants to meet the burden of military expenditure. This led to peasant revolts example Kaivarta rebellion was led by Divya (or Divvok) in Varendrabhumi of North Bengal against the Pala ruler Mahipala II.

Question 6. Where was the original homeland of the Sena rulers located? Who was the last ruler of this dynasty? Describe in brief, the reign of the Sena rulers.
Answer:

The Sena rulers originally belonged to the Karnataka region of South India. Lakshmanasena was the last ruler of the Sena dynasty.

Reign of The Sena rulers

1. Samantasena:

He founded the Sena dynasty and. set up his rule over the Radh region in the 11th century.

2. Hemantasena:

Taking advantage of the weakness of the Palas, the next ruler, Hemantasena, grew more powerful and took the title Maharajadhiraja.

3. Vijayasena (1096-1159):

The greatest ruler of this dynasty, Vijayasena consolidated his power over Radh and also conquered Eastern Bengal, Gauda and Mithila.

4. Ballalsena (1159-1179):

He defeated the last Pala ruler Govindapala and established a conservative and staunch Brahmanical way of life.

5. Lakshmanasena (1179-1204/1205):

The son of Ballalsena had his capital at Vikrampur of Dhaka (now in Bangladesh) and established his control over Allahabad,
Varanasi and Puri.

The Sena power collapsed with the invasion of Bengal by Ikhtiyaruddin Muhammad Bakhtiyar Khllji, the Turkish general of Sultan Muhammad Ghori.

Question 7. State the achievements of the Chola dynasty.
Answer:

The Chola dynasty occupied a significant position in the history of South India in terms of literature, culture and art.

1. Developed administration:

For nearly two centuries, the Cholas preserved the expanse of their empire. The empire set up by Vijayalaya had its foundation in local self-administration and provincial administration.

Class 7 WBBSE History Question Answer

2. Literature:

The Chola rulers patronized Tamil, Telugu, Sanskrit, and Kannada literature. Madhava composed a treatise on the Rig Veda, Kesavasami composed a Sanskrit dictionary and Tikkana translated Mahabharata in Telugu.

Ottakuttam and Pugbalendi and the Three Jewels’ of Kannada literature—Pampa, Ponna, and Ranna made significant contributions to Tamil literature during the Chola reign.

3. Architecture:

The Cholas constructed famous temples like the Kailashnath of Kanchipuram and the temples of Gangaikonda Cholapuram which were full of magnificent sculptures.

4. Naval power:

The Cholas built up a powerful navy and converted the Bay of Bengal into ‘Chola lake’. They conquered many parts of South-East Asia, Maldives, and Sri Lanka other than different kingdoms of South India with the help of naval power.

Question 8. Describe the maritime activities of the Choias.
Answer:

The Choias were one of the few Indian dynasties to build up a powerful navy as well as a naval empire for the twin purposes of political conquest and commerce.

Maritime activities of Choias

Objective:

The Cholas took up an aggressive naval policy to increase trade and commerce. George Spencer states that the Cholas constructed their navy to loot and plunder and so they took up the policy of marine campaign.

Contribution Of kings:

  1.  Rajaraja I defeated the Chalukyas and the Pandyas and also sent a naval expedition to conquer the twelve thousand ancient islands as found in an inscription of Simhala.
  2. Rajendra Chola I brought peninsular India, Burma, and Malaya Islands under Chola control, and trade and maritime activities continued unimpeded. The Cholas converted the Bay of Bengal into ‘Chola lake’.

Consequences:

1. Establishment of regional domination:

The Cholas established their suzerainty over the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Malaya Peninsula, Sri Lanka, and parts of Indonesia and other parts of South-East Asia.

Class 7 WBBSE History Question Answer

2. Prosperous lifestyle:

The Chola maritime activities enriched their political and economic life. 0 Trade in ‘Greater India’: Trade and commerce flourished in South-East Asia (Subarnadwipa, Malaya) due to the existence of Chola control over sea-faring trade

WBBSE Chapter 2 Topic B Rise Of Regional Powers Pala Sena In Bengal And Chola In South India Short Question And Answers

Question 1. When did the Kaivarta revolt occur and between whom?
Answer: The Kaivarta revolt took place in 1070-71 AD. Divya (Divvok), the Kaivarta chief revolted against Mahipala II. He was supported by Rudok and Bhima.

Question 2. Name two leaders of the Kaivarta Uprising.
Answer: The two leaders of the Kaivarta Uprising were Divya and Rudok.

Question 3. What are the territories that Rajaraja I conquered? Who took the title ‘Gangaikondachola’?
Answer:

  1. Rajaraja I established his rule over large areas of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka.
  2. Rajendra, I took the title of Gangaikondachola.

Question 4. Who set up the Chola dynasty? Where was their capital located?
Answer: Vijayalaya set up the Chola dynasty. The Chola capital was located at Tanjore/Thanjavur.

Question 5. How long did the Tripartite Struggle continue? Name the participating dynasties of this struggle.
Answer:

  1. The Tripartite Struggle went on for nearly two centuries.
  2. The participating dynasties were the Palas, the Gurjara-Pratiharas, and the Rashtrakutas.

Question 6. What was the extent of the Pala empire under Devapala?
Answer:

During the reign of Devapala, the Pala empire extended from the Himalayan foothills in the north to the Vindhyas in the south and from Kamboja in the northwest to Pragjyotishpur in the east.

Question 7. Briefly describe Gopala’s election as the king of Bengal.
Answer:

Causes behind the election:

Sasanka’s death was followed by a situation of utter anarchy and chaos in Bengal termed ‘Matsya-nyaya’. To free Bengal from decentralised anarchy, Gopala was elected king of Bengal.

Prakritfpunja:

The Khalimpur Copper Plate narrates that the people of Bengal (prakritipunja) elected Gopala as their king.

Modem view:

The feudal lords of Bengal united themselves and elected Goapala as their king.

Question 8. When did the Paia rule Bengal? Which Pala ruler managed to recover the lost glory of the Palas partially?
Answer:

Ruling period:

The Palas ruled Bengal from the middle of the 8th century to the end of the 10th century. Their power began to increase from the mid 8th century to the mid 9th century. After this, their power gradually declined for the next one hundred and thirty years.

Restoration of power:

The Pala power was partially recovered by Ramapala towards the end of the Pala rule.

Conceptual Questions on Governance in Pala and Chola Empires

Question 9. What do you mean by the Tripartite Struggle?
Answer:

Tripartite Struggle:

Kanauj was regarded as the major political center or capital of North India in ancient and medieval times. The Gangetic valley was controlled from this center.

The Palas of Bengal, Gurjara-Pratiharas of Malwa, and the Rashtrakutas of Deccan were the three parties who fought for about two hundred years over the domination of Kanauj, after Harshavardhana’s death. This struggle was historically known as Tripartite Struggle.

Question 10. What do you know about the ancestry of the Senas?
Answer:

The ancestry of the Senas:

Initially, the Senas were Brahmanas but later, they turned into Kshatriyas. The inscriptions of the royal dynasty refer to them as Brahma-Kshatriyas. Some historians opined that they were Vaidyas. The Naihati Inscription refers to them as ‘Chandravanshis’.

Question 5. Write a note on Gopala.
Answer:

Gopala:

After ‘matsya-nyaya’, the people of Bengal realized the necessity of a strong central government to put an end to the prevailing system and confusion. They elected Gopala, a powerful feudatory as the king. He was the first elected king of Bengal.

Gopala’s first task was the removal of lawlessness and disorder from the country which he did without delay and thereby fulfilled the expectation of the people of Bengal. His reign was occupied largely by war for bringing about peace and warding off foreign invasions.

Question 11. How did the Sena rule come to an end?
Answer:

The Sena rule come to an end:

The last notable ruler of the Sena dynasty was Lakshmanasena, the son and successor of Ballalasena.

Internal weakness:

Towards the close of the rule of Lakshmanasena, the Sena Kingdom became weak by internal rebellions which culminated in to the establishment of independent principalities in southern and eastern Bengal.

Last phase:

However, Lakshmanasena was ultimately defeated at the hands of Bakhtiyar Khilji, a Turkish warrior of fortune. At last, Lakshmana Sena fled by the backdoor to Bikrampur. He ruled there till his death.

Question 12. Give an account of Rajendra Chola I.
Answer:

Rajendra Chola I:

  1. Rajendra Chola I was a great conqueror. He carried the arms as far as Bengal. He also built up a maritime empire in the Indian Ocean. That is indeed a great achievement.
  2. With the help of his strong fleet, he converted the Bay of Bengal into a Chola lake. He was a patron of architecture and sculpture.
  3. The capital of the Chola dynasty was Gangaikonda Cholapuram and its beautiful temples testify to his (Rajendra Chola I) love for art and architecture.

Question 13. How is it possible?

  • The Turkish contingent was highly efficient. The Bengal army was not familiar with their military system. So it was not very difficult for the Turks to occupy Bengal with a very small contingent.
  • In the light of their experience with the Turks, the students will hereby add a new dimension to the discussion of the medieval history of Bengal. In this connection, a lot of questions will make them think. They will thus make their own explanation and application according to their own ability.

Real-Life Scenarios Involving Cultural Exchanges in Ancient India

WBBSE Chapter 2 Topic B Rise Of Regional Powers Pala Sena In Bengal And Chola In South India Very Short Question And Answers

Question 1. Who founded the Pala dynasty?
Answer: Gopala founded the Pala dynasty.

Question 2. Which South Indian dynasty built up a strong navy?
Answer: The Cholas built up a strong navy.

Question 3. Which ruler took the title Gangaikondachola?
Answer: Rajendra Chola I took the title Gangaikondachola.

Question 4. Which Chola ruler defeated Muttabaiya?
Answer: Vijayalaya defeated Muttabaiya.

Question 5. Where did the Pala ruler, Ramapala set up his capital?
Answer: The-Pala ruler, Ramapala set up his capital at Ramavati in Varendra.

Question 6. Who became the ruler of Bengal in 750?
Answer: Gopala became the ruler of Bengal in 750.

Question 7. Who was Dantidurga?
Answer: Dantidurga was the founder of the Rashtrakuta dynasty.

Question 8. Which power initially controlled the Rashtrakutas in Deccan?
Answer: The Chalukyas of Karnataka initially controlled the Rashtrakutas in Deccan.

History Class 7 WBBSE

Question 9. Who founded the Chola dynasty?
Answer: Vijayalaya founded the Chola dynasty.

Question 10. Where was the Chola capital located?
Answer: The Chola capital was located in Tanjore/Thanjavur.

Question 11. Who restored the Pala empire after the Kaivarta Revolt?
Answer: Ramapala restored the Pala empire after the Kaivarta Revolt.

Question 12. Which rulers conducted trade and commerce along sea routes in ancient India?
Answer: Cholas conducted trade and commerce along sea routes in ancient India.

Question 13. Which Sena ruler’s reign encounter the Turkish invasion in Bengal?
Answer: Lakshmanasena reign encounters the Turkish invasion in Bengal.

Question 14. Who introduced ‘Kulinism’?
Answer: Ballalsena introduced ‘Kulinism’.

Question 15. During whose reign did the Kaivarta uprising take place?
Answer: During the reign of Mahipala II the Kaivarta uprising took place.

Question 16. Name the capital of Lakshmanasena.
Answer: Bikrampur was the capital of Lakshmanasena.

History Class 7 WBBSE

Question 17. Which revolt resulted in the loss of Varendra from the control of the Pala rulers?
Answer: The Kaivarta revolt resulted in the loss of Varendra from the control of the Pala rulers.

Question 18. Who fought the Tripartite Struggle?
Answer: Gurjara-Pratiharas, Rashtrakutas, and of Palas fought the Tripartite Struggle.

Question 19. Which king of Bengal took part in the Tripartite Struggle?
Answer: Pala ruler Dharmapala took part in the Tripartite Struggle.

Question 20. Which book speaks of the Kaivarta Rebellion?
Answer: The Ramacharita of Sandhyakar Nandi speaks of the Kaivarta Rebellion.

Question 21. Who was the father of Mahendrapala?
Answer: Devapala was the father of Mahendrapala.

Question 22. Whose invasion caused the end of Sena rule?
Answer: Turkish warrior Ikhtiyaruddin Muhammad Bakhtiyar Khilji’s invasion caused the end of Sena rule.

Question 23. When did the Kaivarta Revolt take place?
Answer: The Kaivarta Revolt took place in the second half of the 11th century.

Question 24. Which Sena ruler defeated king Govindapala?
Answer: Ballalsena defeated king Govindapala

Question 25. Now it has been observed that the Turkish contingents occupied Bengal very easily. But is it at all possible?
Answer:
Yes. It is possible.

WBBSE Chapter 2 Topic B Rise Of Regional Powers Pala Sena In Bengal And Chola In South India Fill In The Blanks

Question 1. _______ (Dharmapala/Devapala/Gopala) was the first elected king of Bengal.
Answer: Gopala

Question 2. Within fifty years of the death of _______ (Mahipala/Ramapala/Devapala), the Pala Empire declined.
Answer: Ramapala

Question 3. _______(Mahipala/Ramapala/Devapala) was killed while trying to suppress the Kaivarta revolt.
Answer: Mahipala

Question 4. Divya captured _______ (Gauda/Varendra/ Pundravardhana) and became its ruler.
Answer: Varendra

Question 5. The Tripartite Struggle lasted _______ (One/ Two/Three) hundred years.
Answer: Two

Question 6. _______ (Rajaraja l/Rajendra Chola/ Vijayalaya) founded the Chola dynasty.
Answer: Vijayalaya

Question 7. After defeating the _______ (Chalukyas of Kalyani/Rashtrakutas/Palas), Rajendra I took the title of Gangaikondachola.
Answer: Palas

Question 8. The _______ (Chola/Pala/Rashtrakuta) rulers built a strong navy.
Answer: Chola

Question 9. _______ (Samantasena / Ballalsena / Lakshmanasena) defeated the Pala ruler, Govindapala.
Answer: Ballalsena

Question 10. Ramapala set up his capital in Varendra in the city of _______ (Karnasuvarna/ Nabadwip/Ramavati).
Answer: Ramavati

Question 11. Kaivarta Revolt took place during the reign of _______ (Ramapala/Dharmapala/ Mahipala II).
Answer: Mahipala II

Question 12. _______ (Rajendra Chola l/Rajaraja l/Harsha- Vardhan) took the title of Gangaikondachola.
Answer: Rajendra Chola l

Question 13. The Senas originally belonged to _______ (Karnataka/Rajasthan/Pragjyotishpur).
Answer: Karnataka

Question 14. The Palas originally belonged to the _______ (Radh/Pundravardhana/Varendra) region.
Answer: Varendra

Question 15. The first independent Rashtrakuta ruler was _______ (Pulakesin ll/Vijayalaya/Dantidurga).
Answer: Dantidurga

Question 16. Rajendra Chola I took the title of Gangaikondachola by defeating the _______(Palas/Senas/Pallavas).
Answer: Palas

Question 17. The _______ (Palas/Senas/Cholas) participated in the Tripartite Struggle.
Answer: Palas

Question 18. Raja Bhoja belonged to the _______ (Gurjara- Pratihara/Chalukya/Chola) dynasty.
Answer: Gurjara- Pratihara

Question 19. _______ (Mahipala II / Devapala /Ramapala) defeated and killed the Kaivarta ruler, Bheema.
Answer: Ramapala

Question 20. The Tripartite Struggle aimed at capturing _______ (Kanauj / Karnasuvarna / Magadha).
Answer: Kanauj

Question 21. The region of Radh was captured by Samantasena and his son _______ (Ballalsena / Lakshmanasena / Hemantasena).
Answer: Hemantasena

Question 22. A Buddhist monastery of the Pala Age has been excavated at Habibpur block of Jagajjibanpur in _______ (Murshidabad / Western Dinajpur / Malda) district.
Answer: Malda

Question 23. Devapala was succeeded by his eldest son _______(Mahendrapala / Madanapala / Ramapala).
Answer: Mahendrapala

Question 24. _______ (Kautilya / Kalidasa / Sandhyakar Nandi) composed the epic, Raghuvangsham.
Answer: Kalidasa

Question 25. The city of Ramavati was located in _______ (Varendra / Radh / Pundravardhana).
Answer: Varendra

Question 26. Jayanagar belonged to the _______ (Naga / Pushyabhuti / Sena) dynasty.
Answer: Naga

Question 27. In the Deccan, the Rashtrakutas were originally under the control of the _______ (Cholas / Chalukyas / Gurjara-Pratihara).
Answer: Chalukyas

WBBSE Chapter 2 Topic B Rise Of Regional Powers Pala Sena In Bengal And Chola In South India True Or False

Question 1. Dharmapala was the founder of the Pala dynasty.
Answer: False

Question 2. The domination of the Palas started to wane after the reign of Devapala.
Answer: True

Question 3. Kaivarta revolt took place during the reign of the Palas.
Answer: True

Question 4. Gopala’s successor Devapala took part in the Tripartite Struggle.
Answer: False

Question 5. The Kaivartas were probably barbers.
Answer: False

Question 6. The Sena rule was established after Palas in Bengal.
Answer: True

Question 7. The Senas originally belonged to the Varendra region.
Answer: False

Question 8. The other name of Gauda was Lakshmanavati.
Answer: True

Question 9. The Rashtrakutas of the Deccan were under the Pala dynasty.
Answer: False

Question 10. Dantidurga was a notable king of the Rashtrakuta dynasty.
Answer: True