WBBSE Solutions For Class 7 History Chapter 8 The Crisis Of The Mughal Empire Topic B Miscellaneous

Chapter 8 The Crisis Of The Mughal Empire Topic B Miscellaneous Objective Type Questions

Match the columns

1.

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

2.

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

Strike The Odd One Out

Question 1. Jahangir, Shah Jahan, Aurangzeb, Shivaji
Answer: Shivaji

Question 2. Shivaji, Shahaji, Sambhuji, Safdarjung
Answer: Safdarjung

Question 3. Guru Arjun, Guru Tegh Bahadur, Nizamuddin Auliya, Guru Govind Singh
Answer: Nizamuddin Auliya

Question 4. Turani, Irani, Dakshini, Sheikhzada
Answer: Dakshini

Question 5. Jat Revolt, Satnami Revolt, Sikh Revolt, Revolt of 1857
Answer: Revolt of 1857

Class 7 WBBSE History Question Answer

Question 6. Asad Khan, Zulfikar Khan, Muazzam, Ghaziuddin Feroze Khan
Answer: Muazzam

Question 7. Raigad Fort, Pratapgarh Fort, Asirgarh Fort, Fort William
Answer: Fort William

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Question 8. Shaista Khan, Dadaji Kondadev, Muazzam, Jaisingh
Answer: Dadaji Kondadev

Question 9. Mansabdar, Jagirdar, Zamindar, Iqtadar
Answer: Zamindar

Question 10. Sikh, Maratha, Rajput, Irani
Answer: Irani

Question 11. Garibdas Hada, Mangal Pandey, Gokla, Churaman
Answer: Mangal Pandey

Chapter 8 Topic B Miscellaneous Exercise

Spot The Odd One And Underline It

Question 1. Pune, Konkan, Agra, Bijapur
Answer: Agra

Question 2. Banda Bahadur, Afzal Khan, Shaista Khan, Muazzam
Answer: Banda Bahadur

Question 3. Ashtapradhan, Bargi, Mawale, Khalsa
Answer: Khalsa

Question 4. Ramdas, Tegh Bahadur, Jaisingh, Hargovind
Answer: Jaisingh

Question 5. Kesh (hair), Kirpan (dagger), Kalam (pen), Kanga (comb)
Answer: Kalam

Match Column A With Column B

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

Chapter 8 The Crisis Of The Mughal Empire Topic B Miscellaneous Answer The Following Questions Answer Briefly Within 30 To 50 Words

Question 1. What were the economic and political changes during Aurangzeb’s reign?
Answer:

Class 7 WBBSE History Question Answer

Economic changes during Auranzeb’s reign:

During Aurangzeb’s reign, the Mughal Empire became too vast and so administrative expenses went up. Again, the number of Mansabdars went up but the number of corresponding Mansabs did not.

So, conflicts broke out among the nobles over capturing the best Mansabs. Again, agriculture was badly affected due to the revolts of the Jats and the Satnamis.

Political Changes during Auranzeb’s reign:

The Mughal power weakened, and the Marathas rose as a threat in the Deccan. Relations between the Mughals and the Sikhs also worsened.

Question 2. When and with whom was the Treaty of Purandar signed? What was its out-come?
Answer:

The Treaty of Purandar was signed (11 June 1665) between the Maratha leader Shivaji and Jaisingh, on behalf of the Mughals.

Result:

1. Shivaji agreed to hand over 23 forts to the Mughals.
2. By this treaty, Jaisingh tried to create conflict between Bijapur and Shivaji.

Class 7 WBBSE History Question Answer

Question 3. Why did the Jats have a conflict with the Mughals?
Answer:

The Jats have a conflict with the Mughals:

The Jats were Hindu peasants and inhabited the regions of Delhi, Agra, and Mathura. They protested against Mughal high-handedness over revenue collection during the reign of Jahangir and Shah Jahan.

They also wanted to set up their own independent kingdom which was not acceptable to the Mughals.

Question 4. What was the reason behind the conflict between Shivaji and the Mughals?
Answer:

The reason behind the conflict between Shivaji and the Mughals:

Conflicts broke out between Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb and Maratha chief Shivaji as the latter attacked Mughal territories in the Deccan and set up Maratha hegemony over them.

He aimed to set up a Maratha state (Swarajya) in the Deccan and levied taxes on the Mughal territories in the Deccan.

Aurangzeb found it impossible to tolerate the rapid rise of Shivaji and his marauding attacks on Mughal territories in the Deccan and sent Afzal Khan, Shaista Khan, Muazzam, and Jaisingh against him. So, conflicts arose between the Mughals and the Marathas.

Question 5. What advantages did the Mughals enjoy by their victory at Bijapur and Golconda?
Answer:

Advantages Of the Mughals enjoy by their victory at Bijapur and Golconda:

Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb invaded, conquered, and annexed the two Deccan kingdoms, Bijapur and Golconda. Thus the Mughal territory was expanded. Aurangzeb designated the most fertile region of the Deccan as Khalisa land.

They were not granted as Mansabs but the revenue levied on them was directly deposited in the state treasury.

Chapter 8 The Crisis Of The Mughal Empire Topic B Miscellaneous Answer The Questions In Detail 100 To 120 Words

Question 1. How did the Sikhs organize themselves against the Mughals?
Answer:

The Sikhs organize themselves against the Mughals:

During the reigns of the Mughal rulers, Jahangir and Shah Jahan, there were scattered encounters between the Mughals and the Sikhs.

Gradually, the Sikhs began to emerge as an independent political power and their conflict with the Mughals grew more imminent.

Organisation of Sikhs against the Mughals

1. Under Guru Tegh Bahadur:

The ninth Sikh Guru, Tegh Bahadur opposed the orthodox religious policy of the Mughal ruler, Aurangzeb, and started collecting funds to support the rise of Sikh power.

He supported the Kashmiri Brahmins who opposed the Mughals. He wanted Sikhs to emerge as independent political entities.

2. Under Guru Govind Singh:

The tenth and the last Sikh Guru, Govind Singh turned the Sikhs into a powerful martial race by setting up the Khalsa. He put forward three ideas for the Sikhs: God, Guru, and the Sword.

He instructed the Sikhs to take the title of Singh and to wear on their person the five Ks, the ‘Kangha’, (comb) ‘Kesh’ (hair and beard), ‘Kachha’ (long undergarment), ‘Kripan’ (dagger) and ‘Kara’ (bracelet).

Class 7 WBBSE History Question Answer

3. Under Banda Bahadur:

Banda Bahadur was the faithful disciple of Guru Govind Singh. He organized the Sikhs and continued to fight against the Mughals. He established Sikh control between the Yamuna and the Sutlej.

He occupied Mughal territories and redistributed them among the landless. He also distributed plundered wealth among his followers.

Question 2. Why did the agrarian crisis break out during the last phase of the Mughal age? What was the outcome of this crisis?
Answer:

The agrarian crisis break out during the last phase of the Mughal age:

A grave crisis overtook agriculture towards the end of the Mughal era and had an adverse impact on the Mughal Empire.

Causes of agricultural crisis

1. Exploitation by Jagirdars:

The Jagirdars, by means of auction, would lease out land to Ijaradars, who started to exploit the peasants, to obtain higher revenue. So, many peasants gave up agriculture and fled from the villages, thus leading to a fall in agricultural output.

2. Peasant revolt:

Unable to bear the torture, peasants sometimes burst out into rebellion. Sikhs, Jats, and Satnamis revolted against the Mughals towards the end of the Mughal era.

3. Rise in Prices:

During the 17th century, the prices of items of daily use went up. The nobles tried to maximize their income to combat this inflation and began putting pressure on peasants, which enhanced the crisis in the agrarian sector.

The outcome of this crisis

1. Breach in unity and integrity:

The successive peasant revolts gave a death blow to the unity and integrity of the Mughal Empire.

2. Financial decay:

Agrarian output fell drastically, creating an overall economic crisis.

Question 3. Why did the last phase of the Mughal era run into a crisis of the Jagirdari and Mansabdari systems? What was its impact upon the Mughal empire?
Answer:

The last phase of the Mughal era run into a crisis of the Jagirdari and Mansabdari systems:

A grave crisis appeared in the Jagirdari system towards the end of the Mughal era. Irfan Habib says, the inhuman oppression by the Jagirdars and Mansabdars at last brought about the downfall of the Mughal Empire.

Causes of the Jagirdari crisis

1. Main cause:

The main cause is that in the Mughal era, the Mansabdars were paid in the form of land grants or Jagirs instead of cash salaries.

During Aurangzeb’s reign, the number of Mansabdars went up but the quantity of Mansabs did not increase in the same proportion.

2. Other Causes:

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1. Selfishness and conflict among Mansabdars:

Towards the end of the Mughal era, the immense rivalry started among the Mansabdars to occupy the highest-yielding Mansabs.

2. Instability:

Mansabdars were regularly transferred from one Mansab to another to prevent corruption. So they were unable to foster a bond with their Mansab, but only aimed to exploit it to the fullest.

3. Difference between Jama and Haasil:

There was often a wide gulf between Jama (the estimated revenue of the Jagir, shown on paper) and Haasil (the actual amount by collected revenue).

Its impact upon the Mughal empire

1. Beginning of corruption:

The intense rivalry of the Mansabdars over the Jagirs led to the formation of factions in the north and south India and pushed the empire toward its ruin.

2. Decrease in production:

The Jagirdars often leased out land to traders and Mahajans. In order to get more revenue, these intermediaries greatly exploited the peasants, forcing many of them to give up agriculture. So, agricultural output declined.

3. Weakness of the army:

Most of the Jagirdars or Mansabdars received low salaries, which was not enough to maintain the fixed number of horses and soldiers. In times of need, little military help could be got from mansabdars. So, the army lost its strength.

Question 4. What is your view about the overall condition of the Mughal empire during Aurangzeb’s rule?
Answer:

Mughal emperor Aurangzeb ruled for nearly 50 years. From 1658 to 1681, he resided in North India, and then from 1681 till his death in 1707, he lived in the Deccan.

Class 7 WBBSE History Question Answer

Condition of the Mughal empire during Aurangzeb’s rule

1. Boundary:

The boundaries of the Mughal empire under Aurangzeb reached their maximum limit. It stretched from Kashmir in the north to Jingee in the South and from Hindukush Mountains in the West to Chittagong in the East.

2. Administrative system:

Aurangzeb wanted to set up an Islamic State in the Indian subcontinent. He repealed nearly 80 taxes. In order to build up the ethical character of the Muslim subjects and to keep vigilance on Islamic rites and rituals, he appointed an officer called Muhtasib.

3. Economic Condition:

As regards the economic system, the North-Western frontier policy and the Deccan policy of Aurangzeb caused a deterioration of law and order, which in turn, adversely affected trade and commerce. So, the Mughal economy became weak.

4. Peasant Revolts:

Peasant revolts broke out during Aurangzeb’s reign. The Jagirdari Crisis and the evils of the Ijaradar system spurred peasant revolts. The Jats, Sikhs and Satnamis gave fatal blows to the unity and integrity of the Mughal Empire.

5. Jagirdari Crisis:

A grave crisis also came up in the Jagirdari system. During Aurangzeb’s reign, the number of Mansabdars increased but the number of Mansabs did not rise. So, there broke out a struggle among the Mansabdars for the best Mansabs.

The Mansabdars also began to fudge the records of Jama and Haasil for greater profits.

Class 7 WBBSE History Question Answer

Question 5. Suppose you are a Maratha ruler. You have chanced to meet a Jat peasant. Now write a dialogue between your- self and the peasant about the various aspects of the Mughal rule.
Answer:

Jat peasant: Well, how do you like the Mughal administration, Sir?
Maratha ruler: According to my opinion, the Mughal administration, though benevolent, is largely autocratic.
Jat peasant: What do you mean by autocracy?
Maratha ruler: In fact, the Mughal administration is a centralized monarchy. The emperor is the head of the administration. He combines in himself the supreme civil, military, judicial, and legislative authority. The power of the emperor is limitless.
Jat peasant: But he is no tyrant. He always considers himself the guardian of his subjects. Their welfare is the only aim of his government.
Maratha ruler: Yes. That is correct. Division of power is a good sign. For the convenience of administration, the Emperor has divided his empire into 15 ‘Subas’ or provinces.
Jat peasant: How is the central government?
Maratha ruler: Though the Emperor is all in all, he has ministers to assist him in the administration.
Jat peasant: And what about the provincial government?
Maratha ruler: Each ‘Suba’ or province is divided into several ‘Sarkars’ and each ‘Sarkar’ into several Parganas. This is called provincial government.
Jat peasant: How is the revenue administration?
Maratha ruler: By this system, the emperor has introduced three methods of land revenue assessment, namely Zabti, Ghalla baksh, and Nasaq in different parts of the empire.
Jat peasant: How is the judicial system? Maratha ruler: The emperor is the fountain of all justice. But he has some judicial assistants.
Jat peasant: And army?
Maratha ruler: The Mughal army is divided into five divisions. It includes people of different races and nationalities. That is why the army has not developed into a national force.

Question 6. Suppose you are a historian in the court of Emperor Aurangzeb. You are writing the history of the Maratha, Sikh, Jat, and Satnami movements. How would you explain these movements in your writings?
Answer:

I am a historian of the Mughal court. I have to write the history of the Maratha, Sikh, Jat, and Satnami movements against the Mughal rule.

I would certainly explain the revolts as a reaction against Aurangzeb’s religious policy. But whatever may it be, I would mark any sort of reaction against the emperor as seditious. I would not excuse them.

1. Struggle of the Marathas:

When Aurangzeb was preoccupied with the affairs of the North, he could not devote much time to the smaller movements. Taking this opportunity, the allied force started their operation against the Mughals.

Shivaji captured the forts of Raigad, Chakan, Sinhagar, Baramati, Indrapur, Purandar, and Konkan one by one, and started collecting taxes from the Mughal-dominated areas. This was unfair.

2. Struggle of the Sikhs:

Sikh farmers did not remit a single farthing to the Mughal exchequer as land tax. On the contrary, they exacted money from the people in the name of ‘Sikh Panth’, to be built up by Guru Tegh Bahadur and Guru Govind Singh. Tegh Bahadur preached against the religious policy of the emperor.

They turned the Sikh into a martial force. They also encouraged the anti-Aurangzeb uprising. So the emperor opposed the Sikh.

Class 7 History Chapter 8 WBBSE

3. Struggle of the Jats:

Although the Jats were farmers, they refused to pay taxes in any form. While the Mughals tried collecting taxes, they protested. In the name of rebellion, they started plundering.

Not only that, they built up an independent state namely Bharatpur. This was also unfair.

4. Struggle of the Satnamis:

The Satnamis got into an unnecessary dispute with the Mughal employees. They applied forces to exact taxes from the honest and simple populace.

To protest against these unfair activities of the Satnamis, a large number of the Rajputs joined hands with the Mughals.

Question 7. Suppose you are an aristocratic jagirdar towards the end of the 17th century. Write a dialogue between yourself and your peasants.
Answer:

A dialogue between an aristocratic Jagirdar and the peasants

Place: Deccan.
Time: End of the 17th century.
Jagirdar: I Hope, you know it well that your family has been entrusted with the duties of production for years.
Peasants: Yes, we know.
Jagirdar: Last year you took much care about production.
Peasants: Sir, as you know, we have been carrying that goodwill for generations.
Jagirdar: For that very reason we have been conferring our trust on you people till now. But-
Peasants: What do you mean Sir?
Jagirdar: I would like to mean that this year our production has fallen far short of our expectations. Is not it? May I know why?
Peasants: Sir, rainfall was less this year. Moreover, there was no other arrangement of irrigation too. That is why production got interrupted.
Jagirdar: I feel, everything is okay. Peasants: Excuse me Sir.
Jagirdar: Look, it is quite clear now that you are trying to postpone the payment. But you must have to pay it off.
Peasants: Sir, it is next to impossible. Please forgive us this year.
Jagirdar: Look, I have nothing to do. My ‘Izaradars’ will compel you to meet up my dues in the due course.
Peasants: Then we have no other way than to invite death. We are already disgusted with their oppression. Now they will exploit us for more profit.

Chapter 8 The Crisis Of The Mughal Empire Topic B Miscellaneous Short Answer Questions

Question 1. What do you mean by the agricultural crises? Think over.
Answer:

Agricultural crises:

When the production of crops falls for short of the expected target, cultivation of land becomes impossible and the prices of commodities become dearer. Thus agricultural crises are created.

Question 2. Can you say why did emperor Aurangzeb convert all the good fertile lands into prime lands?
Answer:

Mughal emperor Aurangzeb designated the highest revenue yeilding land as ‘Khalisa’ or prime lands because the handsome revenues collected from them would be deposited directly into the imperial treasury and no portion had to be given to the tax collectors.

Formative

Excerpt from the text:

In order to understand the crisis of the Mughal Empire we have to know the reasons behind it. Hence, we have to observe the political and economic changes that took place in that period. During the reign of Aurangzeb the empire expanded further.

Conflict arose among the nobility regarding the control of the man says. At the same time, then the Marathas emerged as a regional force. They challenged the dominance of the Muhghals. Mughal relations with the Sikhs had also worsened.

Thus, the Mughal idea of their own supremacy received a body blow with the emergence of these regional powers. In this chapter, we will study how some of these regional powers challenged the Mughals.

The nature of these challenges varied from one to the other. The Marathas dreamt of establishing a sovereign state. The Jat and the Stanami revolts highlighted the crisis of the Mughal agrarian system.

In fact, all of them wanted regional autonomy. But it is unfair to term these agitations religious protests.

Class 7 History Chapter 8 WBBSE

Empathy And Cooperation

Question 1. Has any country faced a crisis recently?
Answer: Yes, some states have faced an official and administrative crisis recently.

Question 2. Name any such states.
Answer: Egypt, Iraq, Greece, Lybia, Tunicia, and Kazakhstan are a few such states.

After going through the questions above, students will come to know about the crisis of modern states along with those of medieval states. As a result, social empathy and cooperation will be created among them.

Aesthetics And Creative Expression

Question 1. Draw a chart, showing the reasons of recent administrative crisis, either singly or jointly.
Answer:

Causes leading to the recent administrative crisis of some states

1. Apathy and unwillingness of the representatives to perform their duties.
2. Administrative complexities.
3. Lack of goodwill of the political leaders.
4. Tendencies of dishonesty and corruption of the representatives.
5. The complicated situation created to get financial aid.
6. Rise of religious separatist forces.

After making the chart the students will be able to communicate with the greater society. Along with this, creativity will also be formed among them.

Class 7 History Chapter 8 WBBSE

Chapter 8 The Crisis Of The Mughal Empire Topic B Miscellaneous Chronology

 

 

Choose The Correct Answer

Question 1. Shivaji was born in

1. 1630
2. 1665
3. 1620
4. 1650

Answer: 4. 1650

Question 2. Shivaji Killed with the ‘tiger’s claw’

1. Shaista Khan
2. Jaisingh
3. Afzal Khan
4. Muazzam

Answer: 3. Afzal Khan

Question 3. Who headed the ‘Ashta pradhan?

1. King
2. Amatya
3. Commander-in-chief
4. Peshwa

Answer: 1. King

Class 7 History Chapter 8 WBBSE

Fill In The Blanks

Question 1. Shivaji was coronated in _______ (1665/1674/1680).
Answer: 1674

Question 2. ‘Khalsa’ was introduced by _______ (Banda Bahadur/Tegh Bahadur/Guru Govind).
Answer: Guru Govind

State Whether The Following Statements Are True Or False

Question 1. The Treaty of Porbundar was signed in 1665 AD.
Answer: False

Question 2. Shivaji’s father was Dadaji Kondadev.
Answer: True

Question 3. The word ‘Khalsa’ means ‘pure’.
Answer: False

Chapter 8 The Crisis Of The Mughal Empire Topic B Miscellaneous Write In A Complete Sentence

Question 1. Who was the ninth Sikh Guru?
Answer: Guru Tegh Bahadur was the ninth Sikh Guru

Question 2. Who occupied Bijapur and Golconda?
Answer: Aurangzeb occupied Bijapur and Golconda

Answer The Following Questions

Question 1. Who was Banda Bahadur?
Answer:

Banda Bahadur:

Banda Bahadur was the disciple of the tenth Sikh Guru Govind Singh. After his death, Banda Bahadur continued his fight against the Mughals.

Question 2. State the political significance of Shivaji’s coronation.
Answer:

Shivaji’s coronation was politically highly significant.

1. His territorial conquests acquired a stamp of legitimacy.
2. He acquired the same status as the Mughal rulers and the Sultans of Bijapur and Golconda.
3. He also attained recognition among the rival Maratha chieftains.
4. Gaga Bhatta, the most famous scholar of Varanasi, recognized him as a Suryavanshi Kshatriya and the descendant of the Rana of Mewar. Thus, Shivaji’s humble Shudra origin was forgotten and he attained social recognition and immense political influence.