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

Chapter 8 Topic A The Crisis Of The Mughal Empire Salient Points At A Glance

During the reign of Aurangzeb, the Mughal Empire expanded further. Conflict arose among the nobility regarding the control of Mansabs. From Aurangzeb’s time, the Marathas, Jats, Satnamis, and Sikhs challenged the Mughals.

The rise of the Marathas against the central administration of Delhi under the leadership of Shivaji was a revolutionary movement.

At first, Shivaji united the Marathas. Patriotism arose among the Marathas under the astute leadership of Shivaji. Shivaji introduced a well-organised sovereign rule.

For efficient running of administration, Shivaji set up a council of eight ministers or Ashta pradhana. They gave him administrative advice when required.

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They were

1. Peshwa (Prime Minister)
2. Wakianavis (Interior Minister)
3. Amatya (Finance Minister)
4. Dabir/Sumanta (Foreign Minister)
5. Sachiva/Sarnavis (Secretary)
6. Panditrao (In-charge of religious affairs)
7. Nyayadhish (Head of the judiciary) and
8. Senapati/Sar-i-Naubat (Commander-in-chief).

During the reign of Emperor Jahangir and Emperor Shah Jahan, the Mughals had engaged in conflict with the Sikhs. As a result of this conflict, the power of the Mughals decreased and the Sikhs emerged as a sovereign power.

Guru Govind Singh started an organization called ‘Khalsa’ to provide security to the Sikhs. He told them to keep five things always with them, having the initial letter ‘K’ (Kesh, Kangha, Kachha, Kripan, Kara).

The Sikhs who were the followers of Khalsa, adopted the surname ‘Singh’. The Sikh religion talks about equality.

During the reign of Mughal emperors Jahangir and Shah Jahan, the Mughals had a conflict with the Jats of the Delhi-Agra region. During Aurangzeb’s reign, the Jats rose in a unified rebellion to establish a separate state.

A group of peasants called Satnami took up arms against the Mughal Empire at the Narnaul region near Mathura. Besides, the Pathans of the North-west frontier also revolted against the Mughals.

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Since the reign of Shah Jahan, problems started in the Jagirdari and Mansabdari systems. During the reign of Aurangzeb, this problem escalated, and thus the basis of the Mughal Empire became weak.

Gradually, there was a rise in population dependent on agriculture. But there was no rise in crop production and as a result, there was an agrarian crisis.

The increased price of essential commodities and increased revenue led the peasants to revolt.

Chapter 8 Topic A The Crisis of the Mughal Empire Analytical Questions

Question 1. Who were the Mawalis?
Answer:

Mawalis:

In his youth, Shivaji made himself thoroughly familiar with the hilly country around Pune. He freely mixed with the local peasantry known as Mawalis.

The Mawalis were hardy and brave people and well acquainted with every nook and corner of the country. Shivaji organized them into a loyal guerilla force and began to raid neighboring territories. Mawalis belonged to the ‘Mawal’ region.

Question 2. Explain the ideas of Hindupad-pad- shahi.
Answer:

The ideas of Hindupad-pad- shahi:

Shivaji died in 1780. But his dream of as Hindu empire remained unfulfilled. After long fifty years of his death, that is in 1720, it was Peshwa Bajirao I who thought of establishing a Hindu state.

So he tried to win the support and sympathy of the Hindu chiefs by holding before them the ideals of the ‘Hindupad-padshahi’ or the Hindu empire. Thus he wanted to unite other kings against the Mughals on the basis of religion.

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Question 3. What do you know about Shivaji’s forefathers?
Answer:

Shivaji’s forefathers:

Shivaji’s forefathers, Maloji and Vitoji lived in Daulatabad, where they were cavalrymen under the Yadavas of Sindhukhere. Maloji took service under Malik Ambar of Ahmadnagar.

His son, Shahaji, (Shivaji’s father), received from Ambar, the two Parganas, Sholapur, and Pune, as Jagirs.

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Question 4. Give a brief description of Shivaji’s early life.
Answer:

Shivaji’s early life:

In 1630, Shivaji was born at the hill fort of Shivneri, in the district of Pune. His father’s name was Shahaji Bhonsle and his mother’s name was Jijabai. Shivaji was greatly influenced by his mother and Dadaji Kondadev, his teacher.

He learnt horse riding, and weaponry but neglected academics. He built a strong Maratha force with Mawali youths. At the age of 18, he occupied the hill forts of Pune, Raigad, and Bhona.

Question 5. State the political significance of Shi- 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, recognised 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.

Question 6. What was the aim of Shivaji’s territorial conquests?
Answer:

The aim of Shivaji’s territorial conquests:

Since childhood, Shivaji wanted to set up an independent Hindu state in India. He started to conquer territories and built up a Maratha force with Mawali youths.

After becoming the Jagirdar of Pune, he began conquering the nearby forts and territories to fulfill his dream.

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Question 7. Why was Shivaji successful in fulfilling the ideal of Maratha unity and nationalism?
Answer:

Shivaji was successful in fulfilling the ideal of Maratha unity and nationalism because

Geographical Location:

Shivaji succeeded in setting up an independent Maratha state as it was difficult for foreign invaders to attack Maharashtra due to its hilly terrain and strategically located forts.

In such unfriendly terrain, the Marathas emerged as brave, hardy, and self-reliant.

Shivaji’s strategy of war:

Again, Shivaji himself was a brave military strategist and diplomat and used his diplomacy to carry on a long struggle against the Mughals and unified the Marathas into a political entity.

Question 8. Who were Bargis and Silahdars?
Answer:

Bargis and Silahdars:

Shivaji’s cavalry force had two wings, the Bargis, and the Silahdars. The Bargis were the regular standing cavalry units and were provided uniforms, horses, and weapons by the state.

The Silahdars were the irregular mercenary cavalry troops who had to arrange their own weapons.

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Question 9. Why did the Sikhs revolt against the Mughals?
Answer:

Sikhs Revolt against the Mughals:

The ninth Sikh Guru, Tegh Bahadur had criticised the orthodox religious policy of Mughal Emperor, Aurangzeb, and helped the Hindu rulers in their struggles. A furious Aurangzeb destroyed Sikh Gurudwaras and killed Tegh Bahadur.

The tenth Sikh Guru, Govind Singh unified the Sikhs and turned them into a martial race. After his death, his disciple Banda Bahadur inspired the Sikhs to fight the Mughals.

Question 10. What is Khalsa?
Answer:

Khalsa:

The term ‘Khalsa’ means pure or holy. It applied to those Sikh soldiers who fought against their foes bravely and dedicated their lives to the defence of their faith. So, the Khalsa denoted the military organisation of the Sikhs.

It was set up by Guru Govind Singh. The soldiers had to put on their person, five ‘K’s. Guru Govind Singh declared, ‘Khalsa is Guru and the Guru is Khalsa’.

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Question 11. What crisis appeared in the Mansabdari and Jagirdari systems during the reign of Shah Jahan?
Answer:

During Mughal emperor Shah Jahan’s reign, grave crisis appeared in the Mansabdari and Jagirdari systems.

Inability to pay salary:

Mansabdars were not paid on time nor in full due to the exhaustion of the treasury for the prolific building activities of Shah Jahan.

Difference between Jama and Haasil:

There was a wide gap between Jama (revenue collection estimated) and Haasil (actual revenue collected).

Question 12. Why did Aurangzeb turn the highest, revenue-yielding lands into Khalisa lands?
Answer:

Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb designated the highest revenue-yielding lands as Khalisa lands because their handsome revenues would be deposited directly in the imperial treasury and no portion had to be given to the tax collectors.

Question 13. State two causes for the decline of Mughal power in India.
Answer:

Two causes for the decline of Mughal power in India were

Weakness of rulers:

The successors of Aurangzeb were weak and pleasure-loving. Taking advantage of this, the Marathas and the Sikhs rose to power. The rise of the Marathas and the expansion of their empire greatly weakened the Mughal power.

Invasion of Nadir Shah:

The invasion of Nadir Shah in 1739 gave a death blow to the already weak Mughal Empire.

Question 14. How did the Peshwas come to power?
Answer:

Process of disintegration:

During the period of decline of the Mughal empire, the Marathas emerged as a strong political force in India. They also took a leading part in the politics of Delhi.

All this credit goes to the ‘Peshwas’ or the Prime Ministers who actually conducted affairs of the Maratha state from the time of Shivaji’s son Shahu.

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The struggle for power:

After a long forty years of struggle for political power, it passed at last into the hands of the ‘Peshwa’ with the help of a Chitpaban Brahman named Balaji Viswanath, Shahu occupied the Maratha throne.

Balaji was appointed as his Peshwa or Prime Minister in 1713. From this time Peshwa became the virtual ruler of the Maratha empire.

Question 15. Write a note on Mughal court politics.
Answer:

Mughal court politics:

The degeneration of the nobility was very much responsible for the downfall of the Mughal empire. Under the early Mughals the nobles like Abdur Rahman, Mahabat Khan, and Mirjumla played vital roles. They were equally great in war and peace.

But under the later Mughals, nobles were totally different. Their character had degenerated. They were split up into three factions-Irani, Turani, and Hindusthanis. They quarreled among themselves for getting good jagirs.

In fact, the crisis of the Jagirdari system intensified the party struggle. Thus factionalism and many other evils arose out to Jagirdari system and greatly weakened the Mughal government.

 

Chapter 8 Topic A The Crisis of the Mughal Empire Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1. Explain the nature of the Mughals.
Answer: The Mughal empire reached the height of its expansion during the reign of Aurangzeb. The empire extended from Kabul to Gauhati and from Kashmir to ‘Far South’.

Such an extensive empire had never been built in the past. So there is no doubt that the Mughals were extremely powerful.

Question 2. Name two peasants’ revolts of the Mughal period.
Answer: The two peasants’ revolts are ‘Satnami’ and ‘Jat’ rebellion.

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Question 3. What is ‘Ashta pradhana’?
Answer: ‘Ashta pradhana’ is the name of the council of ministers, who assisted Shivaji in the administrative work. The council consisted of eight ministers. That is why the council was called ‘Ashta pradhan.

Question 4. When and between whom the Treaty of Porbundar was signed?
Answer: The Treaty of Porbundar was signed between Jaisingh and Shivaji in 1665 AD.

Question 5. Who was Banda Bahadur?
Answer: Banda Bahadur was the disciple of the tenth Sikh Guru Govind Singh. After his death Banda Bahadur continued his fight against the Mughals.

Question 6. Name the first and tenth Sikh Gurus.
Answer: First Sikh Guru was Guru Nanak and the tenth Sikh Guru was Guru Govind Singh.

Question 7. Name the two states of the Deccan, which were annexed by the Mughals.
Answer: Bijapur and Golconda were annexed by the Mughals.

Question 8. What were the names of Shivaji’s parents?
Answer: Shivaji’s father was Shahaji Bhonsle and mother was Jijabai.

Question 9. Name the two Mughal emperors with whom the Sikhs started their conflict.
Answer: During the reign of emperor Jahangir and Shah Jahan, the sikhs started their conflict with the Mughals.

Question 10. Name the two political groups of the Mughal court.
Answer: Irani and Turani are the two political groups of the Mughal court.

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Question 11. Where and when the coronation of Shivaji was held?
Answer: Shivaji’s coronation was held at Raigad Fort in 1674.

Question 12. How was Shivaji’s coronation held?
Answer: In 1674, Shivaji’s coronation was held at Raigad fort. Pandit Gaga Bhatta (Vishveshwar) recognised him as a Kshatriya. He took the title’ Chatrapati Maharaja’.

Question 13. What are the five ‘K’s?
Answer: Guru Govind Singh instructed his disciples to adopt the surname Singh and to always keep on their person, five Ks. They are ‘Kesh’ (Beard and long hair), “Kangha’ (Comb), “Kachha” (Long underwear), “Kripan’ (Sword), and ‘Kara’ (Iron bracelet).

Question 14. When did the Satnami Revolt start? Who was the leader of this revolt?
Answer:

1. The Satnami Revolt started in 1672.
2. The Satnami peasants were exploited by the Mughal revenue collectors, so they revolted under their leader, Garibdas Hada.

 

Chapter 8 Topic A The Crisis of the Mughal Empire Objective Type Questions

State whether the following statements are true or false

Question 1. Shivaji’s mother was Meerabai.
Answer: False

Question 2. The Treaty of Porbundar was signed in 1665.
Answer: True

Question 3. Shivaji was coronated at Raigad.
Answer: True

Question 4. Son of Guru Govind was Guru Arjun.
Answer: False

Question 5. Shivaji united the Marathas.
Answer: True

Question 6. Afzal Khan was killed with Bagh Naka.
Answer: True

Question 7. The founder of the Maratha power was Shivaji.
Answer: True

Question 8. Bijapur and Golconda was occupied by Afzal Khan.
Answer: False

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Question 9. The Mughal ministers quarrelled among themselves for a better Jagir.
Answer: False

Question 10. Mughal emperors increased the fertility of lands.
Answer: False

 

Fill In The Blanks By Selecting The Appropriate Expressions From The Brackets

Question 1. Conflicts arose among ________ (nobles/ ministers/wazirs) over Mansabs.
Answer: Nobles

Question 2. ________ (Jijabai/Tarabai/Laxmibai) was Shivaji’s mother.
Answer: Jijabai

Question 3. Dadaji Kondadev was the ________ (brother/ friend/preceptor) of Shivaji.
Answer: Preceptor

Question 4. ________ (Afzal Khan/Shaista Khan/Jaisingh) forced Shivaji to conclude the Treaty of Porbundar.
Answer: Jaisingh

Question 5. Shivaji’s coronation was held at ________ (Raigad/Shivan/Agra) fort.
Answer: Raigad

Question 6. The Ashta Pradhan or Eight Ministers helped ________ (Shershah/Akbar/Shivaji) in matters of administration.
Answer: Shivaji

Question 7. ________ (Peshwa Baji Rao I/Peshwa Baji Rao II/Shivaji) took up the ideal of a pan-Indian Hindu state or Hindupad-pads haha.
Answer: Peshwa Baji Rao I

Question 8. There were ________ (10/15/20) Sikh Gurus.
Answer: 10

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Question 9. ________ (Guru Nanak/Guru Tegh Bahadur/ Guru Govind Singh) was the tenth Sikh Guru.
Answer: Guru Govind Singh

Question 10. ________ (Balaji Vishwanath/Peshwa Baji Rao I/Peshwa Baji Rao II) was the first Maratha Peshwa.
Answer: Balaji Vishwanath

Question 11. ________ (Gokla/Rajaram/Churaman) started the Jat Revolt.
Answer: Gokla

Question 12. ________ (Garibdas Hada/Surajmal/Jawahir Singh) started the Satnami Revolt.
Answer: Garibdas Hada

Question 13. In the 17th century, ________ (Shivaji/Sambhuji/Shahaji) unified Marathas.
Answer: Shivaji

Chapter 8 Topic A The Crisis of the Mughal Empire Answer In A Complete Sentence

Question 1. During whose reign the Mughal empire expanded further?
Answer: During the reign of Aurangzeb the Mughal empire expanded further.

Question 2. What was the name of Shivaji’s father?
Answer: The name of Shivaji’s father was Shahaji Bhonsle.

Question 3. What was name of Shivaji’s mother?
Answer: The name of Shivaji’s mother was Jijabai.

Question 4. Who was Shivaji’s guardian?
Answer: Shivaji’s guardian was Dadaji Kondadev.

Question 5. Who was sent by the Sultan of Bijapur to suppress Shivaji?
Answer: Afazl Khan was sent by the Sultan of Bijapur to suppress Shivaji.

Question 6. Who was killed by Shivaji with a ‘tiger’s claw’?
Answer: Afzal Khan was killed by Shivaji with a ‘tiger’s claw’.

Question 7. How many times did Shivaji attack the port- city of Surat?
Answer: Shivaji attacked the port city of Surat twice.

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Question 8. Who were called ‘Bargi’?
Answer: Shivaji’s soldiers were called ‘Bargi’.

Question 9. Which Sikh guru was killed by the Mughals?
Answer: The ninth Sikh guru Tegh Bahadur was killed by the Muhgals.

Question 10. Who was the tenth Sikh guru?
Answer: Guru Govind Singh was the tenth Sikh guru.

Question 11. What is the meaning of the word ‘Khalsa’?
Answer: The meaning of the word ‘Khalsa’ is pure.

Question 12. Which Maratha hero first opposed the Mughals?
Answer: Shivaji was the first Maratha hero to oppose the Mughals.

 

Select The Most Appropriate Option For The Following Statements

Question 1. Crisis arose in the Mughal Empire.
1. There were severe conflicts between the Hindus and Muslims in the Mughal Empire.
2. There were conflicts among nobles regarding Mansabs.
3. The number of Hindu subjects in the Mughal realm arose.

Answer: 2. There were conflicts among nobles regarding Mansabs.

Question 2. To crush Shivaji, Aurangzeb sent against him, Shaista Khan and Jaisingh.
1. Shivaji prepared to attack Delhi.
2. Shivaji conspired to murder Aurangzeb.
3. It was not possible for Aurangzeb to tolerate the rapid rise of Shivaji’s power.

Answer: 3. It was not possible for Aurangzeb to tolerate the rapid rise of Shivaji’s power.

Question 3. The most remarkable feature of Shivaji’s administration was the Ashta pradhana.
1. The Ashta pradhana looked after the eight categories of administration.
2. These eight ministers advised Shivaji in matters of administration.
3. They were the heads of the eight spheres of administration.

Answer: 2. These eight ministers advised Shivaji in matters of administration.

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Question 4. Conflicts arose between the Sikhs and the Mughals.
1. The Sikhs rose as an independent power.
2. The Sikhs conquered the Mughal-occupied territories.
3. The Sikhs killed Aurangzeb.

Answer: 1. The Sikhs rose as an independent power.

Question 5. Conflicts arose between the Jats and Mughals.
1. The Jats wanted to set up an independent kingdom.
2. The Jats started killing the Mughals.
3. The Jats aimed to capture the throne of Delhi.

Answer: 1. The Jats wanted to set up an independent kingdom.

Question 6. Since the reign of Shah Jahan, crisis appeared in Jagirdari and Mansabdari systems.
1. The Mansabdars and Jagirdars fought among themselves.
2. The Mansabdars and Jagirdars unitedly fought against the Mughals.
3. The Mansabdars were not paid salaries, according to their ranks and they did not maintain the required number of horses and horsemen.

Answer: 3. The Mansabdars were not paid salaries, according to their ranks and they did not maintain the required number of horses and horsemen.

Question 7. Peasants of the Narnaul region near Mathura were called Satnamis.
1. They lived honest simple lives.
2. The name of their leader was Satyavan.
3. The sect was founded by a man called Satnami.

Answer: 1. They lived honest simple lives.

Question 8. During end of the Mughal era, in spite of an increase in agricultural output, grave crisis appeared in agriculture.
1. The number of people dependent on agriculture increased.
2. The number of peasants declined.
3. The peasants gave up farming and went to the cities to work in factories.

Answer: 1. The number of people dependent on agriculture increased.

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Chapter 8 Topic A The Crisis of the Mughal Empire Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1. Shivaji was the leader of

1. Mughal empire
2. Maratha empire
3. Rajput empire
4. Sikh empire

Answer: 2. Maratha empire

Question 2. The ministers of Shivaji’s court were known as

1. Navratna
2. Ashtaratna
3. Ashta pradhana
4. Ministers

Answer: 3. Ashta pradhana

Question 3. The Treaty of Porbundar was signed between

1. Jaisingh and Shivaji
2. Jaisingh and Babur
3. Babur and Ibrahim Lodi
4. Jahangir and Sikhs

Answer: 1. Jaisingh and Shivaji

Question 4. The conflict of the Sikhs with the Mughals was mainly

1. Political
2. Social
3. Religious
4. Economical

Answer: 1. Political

Question 5. The Sikh Guru who opposed the religious policy of Aurangzeb was

1. Tegh Bahadur
2. Ramdas
3. Govind Singh
4. Arjundeb

Answer: 1. Tegh Bahadur

Question 6. Shivaji’s father, Shahaji Bhonsle was the Jagirdar of the Sultan of

1. Sujapur
2. Golconda
3. Bijapur
4. Raigad

Answer: 3. Bijapur

Question 7. Marathas called their kingdom

1. Mulkagiri
2. Swarajya
3. Bargi
4. Hindupad-padshahi

Answer: 2. Swarajya

Question 8. Shivaji killed Afzal Khan with

1. Sword
2. Knife
3. Tiger Claw
4. Club

Answer: 3. Tiger Claw

Class 7 WBBSE History Question Answer

Question 9. Shivaji’s coronation was held at Raigad in

1. 1664
2. 1684
3. 1674
4. 1694

Answer: 3. 1674

Question 10. In the Delhi-Agra region, the Jats were mainly

1. Industrial workers
2. Peasants
3. Traders
4. Labourers

Answer: 2. Peasants