ICSE Solutions for Class 7 History and Civics – The Turkish Invaders

ICSE Solutions for Class 7 History and Civics – The Turkish Invaders

ICSE SolutionsSelina ICSE SolutionsML Aggarwal Solutions

APlusTopper.com provides step by step solutions for ICSE Solutions for Class 7 History and Civics. You can download the History and Civics ICSE Solutions for Class 7 with Free PDF download option. History and Civics for Class 7 ICSE Solutions all questions are solved and explained by expert teachers as per ICSE board guidelines.

ICSE Solutions Class 7 History & CivicsGeographyMathsPhysicsChemistryBiology

Important Words

  • Ghazni and Ghor were the two important states established by the Turks.
  • Sultans were the rulers of the Delhi Sultanate who ruled from Delhi, their capital city.
  • Shahnama was written by the Persian poet Firdausi. It is the biography of Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni.
  • Lakhbaksh means ‘giver of lakhs’. Qutbuddin Aibak was given this name because of his generosity.
  • Muezzin is a man who calls Muslims to prayer, usually from the tower of a mosque.
  • Iqtas were the provinces into which the empire was divided. Each was administered by an officer called the
  • Divine kingship means that the king is considered a representative of God on earth.

Time To Learn
I. Fill in the blanks:

  1. Mahmud Ghazni invaded India to 17 times its wealth.
  2. Muhammad Ghori defeated Prithviraj in the second battle of Tarain.
  3. Alberuni, spent 10 years in India and wrote a book Kitab- ul-Hind.
  4. Firdausi wrote a famous epic named Shahnama.
  5. Mahmud Ghazni plundered Somnath temple in 1025 AD

II. Match Column A with Column B:
ICSE Solutions for Class 7 History and Civics - The Turkish Invaders 1

Answer:

      Column A                                                     Column B
ICSE Solutions for Class 7 History and Civics - The Turkish Invaders 2

III. State whether the following statements are True or False:

  1. Muhammad Ghori established the Muslim rule in India.
    True
  2. Mahmud was interested in setting up an empire in India.
    False.  
    Mahmud was interested in wealth rather than setting up an empire in India.
  3. The Rajputs united to face the Turks or Muslims but failed.
    False.
  4. Jaichand defeated Muhammad Ghori.
    False.Jaichand was defeated by Muhammad Ghori.
  5. Firdausi wrote Kitab-ul-Hind.
    FalseAlberuni wrote Kitab-ul-Hind.

IV. Answer the following questions briefly:

Question 1.
Mention three most important invasions of Mahmud of Ghazni.
Answer:
The important invasions of Mahmud of Ghazni were:

  1. Mahmud of Ghazni raided India for the first time in 1000 AD. After that, he is said to have conquered India 17 times, till his death. He was resisted by King Jaipal and then by his son Anandpal but both of them were defeated.
  2. Between 1009 AD and 1026 AD, the places that Mahmud of Ghazni invaded were Kabul, Delhi, Kanauj, Mathura, Kangra, Thaneshwar, Kashmir, Gwalior, Malwa, Bundelkhand, Tripuri, Bengal and Punjab.
  3. In 1027 AD, he invaded the Somnath temple in Gujarat, on the coast of Saurashtra or Kathiwar. This was supposed to be his biggest invasion as he had looted all treasures and precious items of the fortified temple.

Question 2.
When and between whom were the Battles of Tarain fought?
Answer:
The battles of Tarain were fought between Ghori and Prithviraj in the year 1191 i.e. The First Battle of Tarain in which Ghori was defeated by Prithviraj, and second in the year 1192 i.e. The Second Battle of Tarain in which Ghori won the battle.

Question 3.
How were the raids of Mahmud Ghazni different from the raids of Muhammad Ghori?
Answer:
During the thirty-three years of his reign, Mahmud Ghazni carried out seventeen raids on India. He was interested in wealth rather than setting up an empire in the Indian subcontinent.
After 150 years of Mahmud’s invasions Muhammad of Ghor (hence called Ghori) attacked India. This laid the foundation of Turko-Afghan rule in India. At the time of his invasion five Rajput kingdoms were in power. They were the Rathors of Kanauj, Solankis of Gujarat, Chandelas of Bundelkhand, Parmars of Malwa and Chauhans of Delhi and Ajmer. Muhammad first captured Multan in AD 1175 and then moved on to Gujarat. He defeated the Solankis there. He also captured Punjab, Peshawar and Sialkot.Hence, Muhammad of Ghori was interested in setting up an empire in the Indian Subcontinent.

V. Give Reason why:

Question 1.
Mahmud of Ghazni attacked India
Answer:
Mahmud of Ghazni attached India as he was in wealth rather than setting up an empire in the Indian subcontinent.

Question 2.
Turks succeeded against Rajputs
Answer:

  1. The Rajputs were brave soldiers and skilled swordsmen. But they suffered defeat after defeat. The reasons for their defeat or, in other words, causes for Muslim success were the following:
  2. The Rajputs lacked unity. They were always fighting with each other. Prithviraj Chauhan and Jaichand could not unite against Muhammad Ghori.
  3. Rajput chiefs were jealous of each other.
  4. The Rajputs had no standing army of their own, and hence had to depend on the feudal lords for contingents.
  5. The Rajputs were no match for the quick and swift army and cavalry of the Central Asian warriors.

VI. Guess who it is:

  1. wrote a book Kitab-ul-Hind.
    Ans. Alberuni.
  2. First Turkish invader to enter India north-west side.
    Ans. Mahumd of Ghazni.
  3. Beautified his city the most beautiful one, with the wealth gained in India.
    Ans. Mahmud of Ghazni.
  4. Laid the foundation of Turkish rule in India.
    Ans. Muhammad Ghori.
  5. Invaded India 17 times.
    Ans. Mahmud of Ghazni.

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS
(THE TURKISH INVADERS)

A. Fill in the blanks:

  1. Mahmud of Ghazni invaded India seventeen times in the course of twenty five years
  2. Mahmud’s raids exposed the weakness of the northern states and paved the way for the conquest of India.
  3. Qutbuddin Aibak took control of Muhammad Ghori’s Indian possessions and laid the foundation of the Delhi Sultanate.
  4.  Iltutmish defeated the Rajput rulers of Ujjain, Ranthambore, Malwa, and Gwalior and brought the whole of North India upto the river Narmada under his control.
  5. The Caliph of Baghdad recognized Iltutmish as the sovereign of India. He was succeeded by his daughter Razia.

B. Match the following:

ICSE Solutions for Class 7 History and Civics - The Turkish Invaders 3

ICSE Solutions for Class 7 History and Civics - The Turkish Invaders 4
Answer:
ICSE Solutions for Class 7 History and Civics - The Turkish Invaders 5

C. Choose the correct answer:

  1. Mahmud of Ghazni was a powerful/weak/inefficient
    Ans. Mahmud of Ghazni was a powerful ruler.
  2. Mahmud of Ghazni was interested in territorial expansion in South Asia/Central Asia/West Asia.
    Ans. Mahmud of Ghazni was interested in territorial expansion in Central Asia.       –
  3. Firdausi was a great mathematician/historian/poet.
    Ans. Firdausi was a great poet.
  4. Nasiruddin Mahmud was a weak and inexperienced ruler and the affairs of the state were managed by in India.
    False.
    Correct: Muhammad Ghori was the founder of the Turkish rule in India.
  5. Muhammad Ghori was as great a military leader as Mahmud of Ghazni.
    False.
    Muhammad Ghori was not as great a military leader as Mahmud of Ghazni.
  6. BaIbaflJJftugmLçJ,q?qj Sultan on his behalf.
    Ans. Nasiruddin Mahmud was a weak and inexperienced rulerand the affairs of the state were managed by Balban on his behalf.
  7. ¡llutntish/Qu(buddj,, Aibak/Balban never smiled or allowed others to laugh or joke in his court.
    Ans. Balban never smiled or allowed others to laugh or joke in his court.

D. State whether the following are true or false

  1. The kingdoms of Ghazni and (Thor were established by the Abbasids.
    False. Correct: The kingdoms of (ihazni and Ghor were established by the Turks.
  2. During Mahmud’s time, North India was divided and there WaS no unity.
    True.
  3. Iltutmish failed to crush the power of the governor of Bengal.
    False.Correct:Iltutmish crush the power of the governor of Bengal.
  4. Razia Sultan was brave, intelligent and just.
    False. Correct: Razia Sultan was brave, intelligent and just woman.
  5. Balban made the monarchy weak and dependent on the nobles.
    False.Correct : l3alban made the monarchy absolute and all powerful.
  6. Sultan Mahmud annexed Punjab to create a gateway to India for future invasions.
    True.
  7. Mahmud of Ghaznj was the founder of the Turkish Ñle in India.
    False. Correct: Muhammad Ghori was the founder of the Turkish rule in India.
  8. Muhammad Ghori was as great a military leader as Mahmud of Ghazni.
    False.Corrent:Muhammad Ghori was not as great a military leader as Mahmud of Ghazni.

E. Answer the following questions in one or two words/ sentences:

Question 1.
What happened to the Abbasid Caliphate by the 9th century ce?
Answer:
By the end of the 9th century ce. The once mighty Abbasid empire disintegrated into a number of independent states ruled by the Turks who had earlier served in the armies of the Caliphs.

Question 2.
Name the author of the great epic Shahnama.
Answer:
The Persian poet Firdausi, author of the great epic Shahnama.

Question 3.
What is the significance of the defeat of Prithviraj in the Second Battle of Tarain?
Answer:
The defeat of Prithviraj marked the end of Rajput rule in North India. The kingdom of Delhi passed into the hands of Muhammad Ghori. The throne of Delhi was occupied by Muslim rulers from then till 1858.

Question 4.
Who did Muhammad Ghori appoint as his viceroy?
Answer:
Muhammad Ghori appointed Qutbuddin Aibak as his viceroy before returning to Ghor.

Question 5.
For how many years did the sultans of Delhi rule the country?
Answer:
300 years.

Question 6.
Mention one important reason for the decline of Buddhism in India after the Turkish invasion.
Answer:
Buddhist monasteries and libraries were wantonly destroyed by the Muhammad bin Bakhtiar Khilji. This invasion dealth a death blow to Buddhism in India.

Question 7.
Name the founder of the Turkish kingdom in India.
Answer:
Muhammad Ghori was founder of the Turkish kingdom in India.

Question 8.
Why was Qutbuddin known as ‘lakhbaksh’?
Answer:
Lakhbaksh means ‘giver of lakhs’. Qutbuddin Aibak was given this name because of his generosity.

Question 9.
How did Iltutmish save India from the threat of a Mongol invasion?
Answer:
Once Mongol chief, Chenghiz Khan reached the borders of India in search of the Shah of Persia who fled towards India to get shelter but Iltutmish politely refused the Mongol chief to provide refuge and in this way he saved the threat of Mongol invasion.

Question 10.
Why did Iltutmish nominate his daughter Razia as his successor?
Answer:
Iltutmish nominated his daughter Razia as his successor because his sons were inexperienced, weak and worthless ruler and they spent all their time in fun and pleasure loving things whereas Razia was a brave, intelligent and just woman. She possessed all the qualities of a great monarch.

Question 11.
Give any one example to show that Mahmud was a patron of learning.
Answer:
He was a patron of art and learning and enjoyed the company of learned scholars and poets. The Persian poet Firdausi, author of the great epic Shahnama, and the great Persian historian and mathematician A1 Beruni, were among the eminent scholars patronized by Mahmud.

Question 12.
Name the famous Rajput ruler of Delhi and Ajmer.
Answer:
Prithviraj Chauhan, the Rajput ruler of Delhi and Ajmer

Question 13.
Mention one important reason for the victory of Muhammad Ghori in the Second Battle of Tarain.
Answer:
Prithviraj organized a confederacy of Rajput chiefs to meet the challenge. Unfortunately, the most powerful Rajput ruler, Raja Jaichandra of Kanauj, refused to help him.

F. Answer the following questions briefly:

Question 1.
How did Sultan Mahmud transform his capital, Ghazni? How do we know he was a patron of art and learning?
Answer:
Sultan Mahmud transform Ghazni into a magnificent capital city. Ghazni was adorned with splendid mosques, libraries and a museum.His court glittered with sparkling pearls, rubis and diamonds. This shows that he was a patron of art and learning.

Question 2.
Discuss the (a) causes and (b) results of the First and Second Battles of Tarain.
Answer:
Muhammad Ghori wanted to envieled his kingdom with India’s wealth. He decided to conquer India.
(a) First Battles of Tarain: In 1191 ce, Ghori attacked Prithviraj Chauhan, the Rajput ruler of Delhi and Ajmer. Prithviraj inflicted a crushing defeat on Ghori in the First

Question 3.
Give any five reasons to prove that Iltutmish was a shrewd, clever and capable ruler.
Answer:

  1. The Turkish nobles who had challenged his claim to the throne were suppressed.
  2. The revolt of the Khilji governor of Bengal was crushed
  3. The power of his external rivals, the rulers of Ghazni and Multan, was destroyed.
  4. A new danger presented itself when the Mongol chief, Chenghiz Khan, reached the borders of India in pursuit ofthe Shah of Persia (Iran). The Shah had fled towards India in search of Shelter. Iltutmish politely refused to give him refuge and by doing so he saved India from the threat of the Mongol invasion.
  5. After having got rid of his enemies, Iltutmish defeated the Rajput rulers of Ujjain, Ranthambore, Malwa and Gwalior. He brought the whole of North India up to the river Narmada under his control. The Caliph of Baghdad recognized him as the sovereign of India.

Question 4.
Discuss the important developments that took place during the reign of Razia Sultan.
Answer:
The provincial governors rose in revolt against her. Razia tried to crush the revolt but was defeated and imprisoned. She won over the leader of the rebels, Altunia, by marrying him. Their attempt to recover the throne of Delhi ended in failure and both were killed in 1240 ce.

G Picture study:

This is the picture of a Turkish invader who was involved in the Battles of Tarain.
ICSE Solutions for Class 7 History and Civics - The Turkish Invaders 6

Question 1.
Identify the person in the picture.
Answer:
Muhammad Ghori.

Question 2.
Why did he invade India?
Answer:
At the end of the 12th century ce, a new kingdom based in Ghor arose in north-western Afghanistan (near Ghazni). The founder was Ghiyasuddin Ghori. His famous brother, Muizuddin Muhammad, is commonly referred to as Muhammad Ghori decided to conquer India and enrich his kingdom with India’s wealth. He first brought the frontier areas of Multan, Sind and Punjab under his control.

Question 3.
The Battles of Tarain laid the foundations of Turkish rule in North India. Do you agree? Why?
Answer:
Yes. Two years after the Second Battle of Tarain, Muhammad attacked Kanauj and killed Jaichandra. Ghori annexed the Indian territories to his empire and appointed Qutbuddin Aibak as his viceroy before returning to Ghor.

Question 4.
Explain the causes of the success of the Turkish invaders against the Rajputs.
Answer:
Prithviraj organized a confederacy of Rajput chiefs to meet the challenge. Unfortunately, the most powerful Rajput ruler, Raja Jaichandra of Kanauj, refused to help him. The two armies clashed in the Second Battle of Tarain in 1192 CE. This time, Muhammad Ghori routed the Rajput army.

ICSE Solutions for Class 7 History and Civics – Foundation of Mughal Empire

ICSE Solutions for Class 7 History and Civics – Foundation of Mughal Empire

ICSE SolutionsSelina ICSE SolutionsML Aggarwal Solutions

APlusTopper.com provides step by step solutions for ICSE Solutions for Class 7 History and Civics. You can download the History and Civics ICSE Solutions for Class 7 with Free PDF download option. History and Civics for Class 7 ICSE Solutions all questions are solved and explained by expert teachers as per ICSE board guidelines.

ICSE Solutions Class 7 History & CivicsGeographyMathsPhysicsChemistryBiology

Important Words

  • Sarkars were the provinces in Sher Shah’s empire. His empire was divided into 47 sarkars and each sarkar was divided into parganas.
  • Shiqdars were the officers responsible for law and order and the general administration of the parganas.
  • Mu ns if s were the officers who looked after the collection of revenue and civil cases.
  • Patwaris were responsible for the collection of land revenue in the villages.
  • Muqaddams were responsible for maintaining peace in the village.
  • Sarais were rest houses built by Sher Shah.
  • Dak chaukis were mail posts where two horsemen were kept ready to carry mail to the next post. The rest houses or sarais were used as dak chaukis.
  • Rupia was the standard silver coin introduced by Sher Shah.
  • Patta meant the title deed of land.
  • Qubuliat was the agreement of the land.

Time To Learn
I. Fill in the blanks:

  1. Babur’s eldest son assumed the title Humayun which means fortunate.
  2.  Humayun reconquered the throne of Delhi in 1555 AD.
  3. Humayun was in Persia after 1540.
  4. Sher Shah ruled Delhi for five years.

II. Match  Column A  with Column B
ICSE Solutions for Class 7 History and Civics - Foundation of Mughal Empire 1
Answer:
ICSE Solutions for Class 7 History and Civics - Foundation of Mughal Empire 2

III. State whether the following statements are True or False:

  1. The First Battle of Panipat decided once for all the fate of the Lodi dynasty.
    True.
  2. The Battle of Khanwa was fought between Rana Sanga and Babur.
    True.
  3. Babur introduced many new reforms for the administration of his new empire in India.
    False.Sher Shah introduced many new reforms for the administration of his new empire in India.|
  4. Humayun died in 1550 AD.
     False.Humayun died in 1556 AD.
  5. Sher Shah built the Grand Trunk Road.
    True.

IV. Answer the following questions briefly:

Question 1.
Why was the First Battle of Panipat fought? What were its results?
Answer:
The First Battle of Panipat was fought:

  1. The first battle of panipat was fought in 1526, between babur and Ibrahim lodi.
  2. The battle was the result of policies of Ibrahim Lodhi which resulted in nobility turning against him and rebelling.
  3. Ibrahim Lodhi’s attitude towards his officials and nobility was resented.
  4. He also crushed and put to death nobility who rebelled against him.
  5. Thus, Daulat Khan Lodi, and Alma Khan invited babur to fight against him. Hence, the first battle of panipat fought.It results in the babur declaring him as “Emperor of Hindustan” on April 27th, 1526.

Question 2.
What were the reasons for Babur’s victory in the First Battle of Panipat?
Answer:
There were several reasons for Babur’s victory at Panipat.

  1. Babur had used artillery which was unknown to the Indians.
  2. His army was better trained than the Sultan’s army and his cavalry was far superior to the Indian cavalry.
  3. He also took over Agra, which was made the capital. On April 27th, 1526 he declared himself “Emperor of Hindustan”.

Question 3.
What difficulties did Humayun face in the beginning?When and how did Humayun reconquer India?
Answer:
When Humayun ascended the throne in 1530 A.D., he inherited many difficulties from his father Babur. They were:

  1. He had to face political instability because the vast empire was not consolidated.
  2. Empty treasure: The treasury was empty because collection of land revenue was not done in a systematic manner.
  3. Troublesome relatives: Humayuns ambitious brothers rebelled against him.
    1. Division of empire into jagirs was another difficulty he had to face.
    2. The government was not well organised. So Humayun had to difficult task of strengthening his position when he ascended the throne.
  4. Sher Shah died in AD 1545. Shershah’s successors were weak and inefficient. In 1555 AD, Humayun recovered Delhi and became emperor again.

Question 4.
Why is Sher Shah known as a-good administrator?
Answer:
Sher Shah known as a good administrator because of following reasons:

  1. Sher Shah divided his empire into provinces (sarkars).
  2. Each province had a governor with his team of officials to carry out the administrative duties.
  3. A province was divided into a number of districts called parganas. Each pargana was made up of a number of villages. The village was the lowest administrative unit.
  4. The two top officials in a pargana were shiqdar-i-shiqdaran and munsif-i-munsifan. The shiqdar handled law and order. The munsif took care of the revenue collection and other civil matters.
  5. The panchayat looked after village administration.
  6. The two main officials in a village were patwari (revenue collector) and muqaddam in charge of law and order.

V. Give reasons.

Question 1.
Sher Khan was able to strengthen his position in Bengal and Bihar.
Answer:
Sher Khan was able to strengthen his position in Bengal and Bihar because of following reasons:

  1. Sher Shah personally supervised the recruitment and training of his soldiers who had to maintain strict discipline.
  2. He revived Sultan Alauddin’s measures of branding horses (dagh) and maintaining descriptive rolls of soldiers (chehra).
  3. He paid regular salary based on their skills.
  4. He set up forts and garrisons in different parts of the em­pire for speedy deployment of soldiers.
  5. Sher Shah kept a close watch over all his officials. He set up a spy system to know about the happenings in all parts of the empire.The officials were transferred every 2-3 years to prevent them from becoming corrupt or powerful.

Question 2.
Sher Shah was named so.
Answer:
Sher Shah was the son of a jagirdar of Sasaram (in Bihar). His actual name was Farid Khan. During his employment under the ruler of Bihar, he killed a tiger single-handedly, and came to be known as Sher Khan. Then he conquered many states and become Sher Shah.

Question 3.
We say that Sher Shah looked after the welfare of his people.
Answer:

  1. Sher Shah constructed an excellent network of roads, mainly the Grand Trunk Road from Peshawar to Sonargaon (Bengal). He also built roads from Agra to Jodhpur and Chittor. He built another road from Lahore to Multan.
  2. To make travel comfortable Sher Shah built sarais and wells at regular intervals.
  3. Trees were also planted on both sides of the roads. In all, 1700 sarais (inns) were constructed for the travellers. These sarais gradually gained in importance and became the centres of trade.
  4. Special officers known as Muqaddams were appointed to ensure the safety of travellers.
  5. Roads helped Sher Shah to establish a good postal system and promoted inland trade.
  6. His roads and sarais have been called ‘the arteries of the empire’.
  7. Sher Shah divided his empire into 47 provinces (sarkars). Each sarkar was them divided into many districts (parganas). A pargana comprised several villages.

Additional Questions
(Foundation of The Mughal Empire)

A. Fill in the blanks:

  1. Babur lost both Farghana and Samarkand and became a homeless wanderer. In 1504 ce, he became the ruler of Kabul.
  2. Humayun lacked the qualities necessary to consolidate the vast empire he had inherited.
  3. Sher Shah based his administration on the principle of a welfare state.
    Sher Shah went on regular tours of inspection and set up an efficient spy system.
  4. Sher Shah established a large standing army and introduced several reforms to make it disciplined, efficient and strong.

B. Match the following:
ICSE Solutions for Class 7 History and Civics - Foundation of Mughal Empire 3
ICSE Solutions for Class 7 History and Civics - Foundation of Mughal Empire 4
Answer:
ICSE Solutions for Class 7 History and Civics - Foundation of Mughal Empire 5

C. Choose the correct answer:

1. In 1522 ce, Ibrahim Lodi/S her Khan Suri/Daulat Khan Lodi invited Babur to invade India.
Ans. In 1522 ce, Daulat Khan Lodi invited Babur to invade India.

2. With the help of the Shah of Persia/Afghanistan/Sind, Humayun returned to India in the year 1555
Ans. With the help of the Shah of Persia, Humayun returned to India in the year 1555 ce.

3. Sher Shah divided his empire into 47 sarkars/parganas/ villages.
Ans. Sher Shah divided his empire into 47 sarkars.

4. The rupia introduced by Sher Shah was made of gold/ silver/copper.
Ans. The rupia introduced by Sher Shah was made of silver.

5. Sher Shah’s greatest achievement was the construction of new roads/issuing of coins/his revenue system.
Ans. Sher Shah’s greatest achievement was his revenue system.

D. State whether the following are true or false:

  1. Babur was a descendant of Timur and Chenghiz Khan.
    True.
  2. Babur’s war-weary and homesick soldiers wanted to return to Kabul after the Battle of Panipat.
    True.
  3. Babur won the Battle of Khanwa through treachery and cunning.
    False. Correct: Babur won the Battle of Khanwa with his superior artillery and covering.
  4. Sher Shah ruled for 15 years.
    False. Correct: Sher Shah ruled for 5 years.
  5. To prevent the officers from becoming corrupt, Sher Shah introduced the system of periodical transfers.
    True.

E. Answer the following questions in one or two words/ sentences:

1.Why did Daulat Khan Lodi invite Babur to invade India?
Ans. In 1522 ce, Daulat Khan Lodi invited Babur to invade India and help him overthrow Ibrahim Lodi, the cruel and unpopular sultan of Delhi.

2.Between whom was the First Battle of Panipat fought?
Ans. Babur and Ibrahim Lodi came face-to-face at Panipat in 1526 ce.

3.What was the significance of the Battle of Panipat (1526 ce)?
Ans. After the First Battle of Panipat Delhi came under the rule of Babur and he was declared the emperor of Hindustan.

4.What is the name of Babur’s autobiography?
Ans.Tuzuk-i-Baburi it is written in flawless Turkish, and considered to be one of the best autobiographies in the world.

5.Who was Humayun’s most dangerous enemy?
Ans. Sher Khan was Humayun’s most dangerous enemy.

6.How did Humayun escape after his deafeat in the Battle of Chausa (1539 ce)?
Ans.Humayun jumped into the Ganga and floated down the river with the help of a water carrier’s inflated water bag.

7.How many years did Humayun spend in exile?
Ans.15 years (1540-55 ce), Humayun wandered about from place to place in search of shelter.

8.Who helped Humayan to recover Kabul and Kandahar?
Ans. Shah of Persia helped Humayun and he recovered Kabul and Kandahar from his brother Kamran.

9.What is the significance of the Battle of Kanauj (1540 CE)?
Ans. The large but fragile Mughal empire came to an end and was replaced by Afghan rule.

10.How were the affairs of the villages managed during Sher Shah’s reign?
Ans.The villages were looked after by the panchayats composed of village elders. Sher Shah himself kept in touch with the villages through village officials like patwaris and muqaddam.

11.Explain the Chehra system in Sher Shah’s military administration.
Ans.Sher Shah adopted a system of branding horses (dagh) and maintaining a descriptive roll of the soldiers (chehra) were revived.The army was divided into many units and each unit was placed under a commander.

12.Mention one reason why Sher Shah built an excellent network of good roads?
Ans.Sher Shah built an excellent network of good roads, to facilitate the quick movement of officials and troops throughout the empire and to promote trade and commerce and even to make travelling comfortable and easier.

F. Answer the following questions briefly:

Question 1.
Give a brief account of Babur’s early life.
Answer:
Babur lost his father, when he was eleven years old and at that tender age he became the ruler of a small principality in Central Asia called Farghana which he inherited from his father. He was also able to fulfill his dream of conquering Samarkand, when he was just 14 years old. But within a short time he lost both Farghana and Samarkand and became homeless but due to his courage and determination, after some time he became the ruler of Kabul.

Question 2.
Give an account of the causes, events and consequences of the First Battle of Panipat.
Answer:
Babur and Ibrahim Lodi came face-to-face at Panipat in 1526 ce. Ibrahim’s large army was no match for Babur’s small, disciplined and loyal army with its excellent cavalry and fine artillery. Babur was a bom leader and an experienced military general. Within a few hours, Ibrahim’s army was routed. By evening, Ibrahim and 15,000 of his soldiers lay dead on the battlefield. The following day, Babur triumphantly entered Delhi where he was proclaimed the emperor of Hindustan.

Question 3.
How many battles did Babur have to fight after the Battle of Panipat? Mention the significance of his victory in each of these battles.
Answer:
After the Battle of Panipat Babur fought three more battles.

The significance of each battle are:

  1. Battle of Khanua: This battle was fought between Babur and Rana Sangha of Mewar at Khanua. Babur won this battle and this victory gave him supreme control over central India and it also removed all the obstacles in the way of Mughal rule.
  2. Battle of Chanderi: This battle was fought between Babur and Medini Rai of Malwa. Babur won the battle and captured Chanderi. After this battle, no other Rajput chief ever dared to challenge Babur’s authority.
  3. Battle of Ghagra: The Afghans had control over Bihar and Bengal and they posed a threat to Babur’s authority. So Babur had a war with them and after crushing them he became the master of Punjab, Delhi and the Ganga plains near Bihar.

Question 4.
Give a brief account of Sher Shah’s early life.
Answer:
Sher Shah was the son of Hasan Khan, a jagirdar of Sasaram in Bihar. His real name was Farid Khan. He was given the name Sher Khan after he single-handedly killed a tiger. He joined the Mughal army when Babur invaded India and learnt the techniques of Mughal warfare.

Question 5.
With reference to Sher Shah’s enlightened rule, explain:
(a)How was the central government organized? (b) The important features of provincial administration.
Answer:
(a)
The supreme head of the central government was Sher Shah himself. He divided the government into several departments. Each department was under the charge of a minister, who was assisted by other officials.
(b)
The whole empire was divided into forty seven provinces or sarkars. Each province was further subdivided into districts or parganas. Each paragana was made up of a number of villages. The villages were looked after by the panchayats composed’of village elders. Each Sarkar was placed under an Afghan chief. In every pargana there were several officials who were supervised by Shiqdar and Munsif. The Shiqdar was responsible for law, order and general administration and the Munsif looked after the collection of revenue and civil cases.

Question 6.
Sher Shah introduced several measures to make the army disciplined, efficient and strong. Explain?
Answer:
Sher Shah introduced many reforms to make his army efficient, disciplined and strong. He used to take personal interest in the appointment and training of soldiers. The salaries of the soldiers and the officers were fixed according to their skill and ability. The army was divided into many units and each unit was placed under a commander. The cavalry and infantry were highly trained, disciplined and were equipped with artillery.

Question 7.
Discuss the important measures taken by Sher Shah to boost the growth of trade and commerce.
Answer:
The growth of trade and commerce increased after the construction of roads and sarais. Sher Shah even abolished all duties, except two to boost it further more. He even instructed his officials to treat the merchants well and look after their interests. Proper safety was provided to traders and the village headmen was responsible for it in their respective regions. New weights and measures were introduced. Coins of gold, silver and copper of uniform standard were introduced.

Question 8.
What steps did Sher Shah take to maintain law and order in his kingdom?
Answer:
Sher Shah strongly believed injustice and he treated all the people equally. In his kingdom the criminal law was harsh and punishments were severe. The village headmen and the local chieftains were made responsible for any crime that took place in their area. They were severely punished if they failed to track down a robber or a murderer.

Question 9.
Sher Shah’s greatest achievement was his land revenue system. In this context explain: (a) Land assessments (b) Taxation policy and its impact
Answer:
(a) Land assessments: Sher Shah made proper arrangements that the land should be carefully surveyed and measured every year and the average produce to be calculated on the basis of its fertility.

(b) Taxation policy and its impact: One-third of the produce was paid as tax in cash or kind. The land was divided into three types – good, bad and medium on the basis of fertility and taxes were levied on this basis.

Question 10.
Sher Shah is one of the most striking personalities in medieval India. In this context, briefly state the important achievements of his 5-years reign.
Answer:

  1. During his reign Sher Shah established a vast, powerful and prosperous empire. Some of his achievements are listed below:
    In his empire there was a powerful central government and a sound administrative system.
  2. He created a huge standing army that was disciplined, well organized and strong.
  3. His revenue system was efficient progressive and humane and he also showed concern for the welfare of the peasants.
  4. During his reign good roads and rest houses were constructed for travellers and merchants.
  5. New weights and measures were introduced by him.
  6. He also followed a policy of religious tolerance and appointed many Hindus to high posts of trust.

G Picture study:

This is a picture of the tomb of the successor of Babur
ICSE Solutions for Class 7 History and Civics - Foundation of Mughal Empire 6
Question 1.
Name the Mughal emperor who is buried in this tomb.
Answer:
Humayun.

Question 2.
Where is this monument located?
Answer:
Nizamuddin Delhi.

Question 3.
In which book could you find a detailed account of his life? Who wrote it?
Answer:
Humayunnama. Gulbadan wrote it.

Question 4.
Why did he spend 15 years in exile?
Answer:
After defeat from Sher Khan . Humayun wandered about 15 years from place to place in search of shelter. His brother refused to help him. In 1542 ce, in a small town in Amarkot in Sind, a son, Akbar was born to Humayun and his wife, Hamida Banu.

Question 5.
How did he reconquer his lost empire?
Answer:
With military help from the Shah of Persia, Humayun returned and recovered Kabul and Kandahar from his brother Kamran. Kamran was blinded and sent to Mecca. By 1554 ce, Humayun had consolidated his position in Afghanistan. Sher Shah had died in 1545 ce. His successors were weak and incompetent. Taking advantage of the situation, Humayun returned to India and recaptured Delhi and Agra in 1555 ce. Humayun died shortly afterwards in an accidental fall down the stairs of his library.

 

ICSE Solutions for Class 7 History and Civics – Jahangir, Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb

ICSE Solutions for Class 7 History and Civics – Jahangir, Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb

ICSE SolutionsSelina ICSE SolutionsML Aggarwal Solutions

APlusTopper.com provides step by step solutions for ICSE Solutions for Class 7 History and Civics. You can download the History and Civics ICSE Solutions for Class 7 with Free PDF download option. History and Civics for Class 7 ICSE Solutions all questions are solved and explained by expert teachers as per ICSE board guidelines.

ICSE Solutions Class 7 History & CivicsGeographyMathsPhysicsChemistryBiology

Important Words

  • The chain of justice is said to be a chain installed by Jahangir. It was made of pure gold with 60 bells attached to it, between the palace and the banks of the river Yamuna. Anyone could ring the bell and seek justice.
  • Engineer King is the name by which Shah Jahan is known, as his patronage of architecture is one of the most important characteristics of his reign.
  • Shahjahanabad was a new capital city build by Shah Jahan. Now, it is known as Old Delhi.

Time To Learn

I. Fill in the blanks:

  1. Taj Mahal, a symbol of love, shows a variety of cultural influences.
  2. Jahangir installed a chain of justice for the seekers of justice.
  3. The treaty of Purandhar was signed between Mughals and Rajput ruler Jain Singh.
  4. The original name of Nur Jahan was Mehrunnisa.
  5. Bijapur was annexed in AD 1686.
  6. Aurangzeb reimposed Jazia and pilgrimage tax.
  7. Guru Tegh Bahadur, ninth Sikh guru, was executed on Aurangzeb’s order.
  8. The Sikhs were organised into a military force called the Khalsa.

II. Match Column A with Columb B:
ICSE Solutions for Class 7 History and Civics - Jahangir, Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb 1
Answer:
ICSE Solutions for Class 7 History and Civics - Jahangir, Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb 2

ICSE Solutions for Class 7 History and Civics - Jahangir, Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb 3

III. State whether the following statements are True or False:

  1. Jahangir left the administration in the hands of his queen,Nur Jahan.
    True.
  2.  Nur Jahan’s influence was good and lasting for theMughal Empire.
    False.
  3. Shah Jahan had to fight for the throne.
    True.
  4. Shah Jahan married Mumtaz Mahal, in whose memory the built the Taj.
    True.
  5. Shah Jahan died in AD 1666, as a captive in the fort of Agra.
     True.
  6. Aurangzeb had friendly relation with the Rajputs and theMarathas.
     False.
  7. The Sikhs were hostile to the Mughal Emperor after the execution of the ninth Sikh guru.
    True.
  8. Aurangzeb died in 1707 in the Red Fort at Delhi.
    False.
  9. Aurangzeb reimposed .
    True.

IV. Answer the following questions briefly:

Question 1.
Jahangir is sometimes called a mixture of opposites. Discuss.
Answer:
Sometimes Jahangir was needlessly cruel and inflicted punishments disproportionate to the offence committed. For this combination of good qualities and bad qualities of his character some historian have rightly called him as ‘the mixture of opposites’.

Question 2.
How did Jahangir deal with the European traders? Name two travellers who visited Jahangir’s court.
Answer:
Jahangir was on good terms with the Portuguese traders. He gave them some trade concessions.Captain Hawkins and Sir Thomas Roe, visited Jahangir’s court.

Question 3.
The age of Shah Jahan is the Golden Age of Mughal rule. Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer.
Answer:
Yes, The age of Shah Jahan is the Golden Age of Mughal rule. The points describing are as follows:

  1. During the regin of Shah Jahan, there was undisturbed peace within the country. There were no foreign threats and Shah Jahan too devoted most of his time in maintaining peace and order in the country. Trade and commerce flourished bringing in lots of wealth. The land was fertile and revenue flowed into the treasury.
  2. Shah Jahan carried out many works of public welfare. Roads, canals, bridges, sarais, etc., were constructed for the welfare of the people. Similarly, during the famine and plague he did a lot to relieve the people of their sufferings.
  3. Shah Jahan had a natural love for magnificence, which was reflected in the buildings that he constructed. His reign is, in fact, called the Golden Age of the Mughal Architecture. One of the most important buildings constructed by him is the Taj Mahal, which was built in the memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal.

Question 4.
Describe the religious policy of Aurangzeb. What were its results?
Answer:
Aurangzeb’s religious policy had two aspects i.e:

  1. To promote the tenets of Islam and to ensure that the people led their lives accordingly.
  2. To adopt anti-Hindu measures.

The religious fanaticism of Aurangzeb overshadowed his virtues. His reversal of Akbar’s policy of religious toleration resulted in weakening the entire structure of the Mughal empire. It led to several conflicts and wars in different parts of the country.
These conflicts were:

  1. Conflict with the Jats
  2. Conflict with the Satnamos
  3. Conflict with the Sikhs
  4. Conflicts with the Rajput’s
  5. Conflict with the Marathas.

All these rebellions destroyed the peace of the empire, disrupted its economy, weakened the administrative structure, diminished its military strength, led to the failure of Aurangzeb to make any impact. Ultimately all these contributed to the downfall of the Mughal enterprise.

Question 5.
Who were the Sikhs? How did they emerge as a political power?
Answer:
Khalsa’s were the sikhs.
Open wars started between the Sikhs and the Mughals after Ninth Sikh Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur was executed on Aurangzeb’s order. Aurangzeb and his successors had to face continous trouble from the sikhs. After Aurangzeb’s death, his successors failed to check the rising power of the Sikhs. The Sikhs gradually emerged as a political power.

Question 6.
Briefly describe aurangzeb’s clash with : (a) the Rajputs, (b) the Marathas, (c) the Sikhs.
Answer:
(a)
The Rajputs were not well treated by Aurangzeb. Raja Jai Singh and Raja Jaswant Singh were kept away from the court at Delhi. Raja Jai Singh was a loyal general but he was suspected and insulted after the escape of Shivaji.
(b)
Conflicts started between the Mughals and the Marathas over the conquest over the conquest of Bijapur.
(c)
The relations between the Sikhs and the Muslims were already strained because of Guru Arjan Dev’s execution at the hands of Jahangir for helping his rebel son. From then onwards, the Sikhs had become the enemies of the Mughals. Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru and son of Guru Tegh Bahadur, continued the policy of his father. He organised the Open wars started between the Sikhs and the Mughals.

Question 7.
Why do you think Aurangzeb reimposed some taxes?
Answer:
Aurangzeb reimposed Jazia and pilgrimage tax because of his othodox relious policies.

Question 8.
Explain the factors responsible for the decline of the Mughal empire.
Answer:
The factors responsible for the decline of the Mughal empire are:

  1. Aurangzeb’s Faulty Policies: Aurangzeb followed an orthodox religious policy. He reimposed Jazia and pilgrimage tax. Thus, he antagonised not only the Hindus but also the Muslims. He also made enemies of communities like the Jats, Sikhs and the Marathas.
  2. Aurangzeb’s Deccan Policy: The conquests of Bijapur and Golconda made the empire too big to be administered efficiently. Moreover, Aurangzeb’s long stay in the Deccan (almost 25 years) neglected the administration of his empire in the North. His absence also helped the rise of the Maratha power.
  3. Weak Successors: Aurangzeb’s successors were incompetent and weak, and they could not suppress the revolts or control the nobles. They become too ambitious, and independent. Eventually, the governors of the Deccan, Awadh and Bengal declared themselves as independent rulers.
  4. Empty Treasury: Aurangzeb maintained a large standing army. But his long wars in the Deccan caused a big drain on the state treasury. Thus, after the death of Aurangzeb (AD 1707), the treasury became empty and the later Mughal rulers were unable to pay the soldiers and officers and meet their expenses.

V. Write a short note on 

Question 1.
Aurangzeb’s Deccan Campaigns
Answer:
Aurangzeb wanted to crush the growing powers of the Maratha’s. As these people were very strong and courageous and they also did not accept the over lordship of the ruler. This empire was also very vast and prosperous, so Aurangzeb wanted to have it under his control.

Question 2.
Abdali’s invasion on India
Answer:
Ahmad Shah Abdali invaded India several times between 1747 and 1767. He gave a crushing defeat to the Marathas in 1761 in the third Battle of Panipat. The Marathas could not regain their past power ever again.

Additional Questions
(Jahangir, Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb)

A. Fill in the blanks:

  1. Nur Jahan became the virtual ruler of the Mughal empire.
  2. During the final years of Jahangir’s reign, there was a power struggle between Nur Jahan and Shah Jahan.
  3. Shah Jahan’s reign is often referred to as the Golden Age of the Mughal empire.
  4. Aurangzeb spent the first half of his reign in the North and the second half in the Deccan.
  5. Aurangzeb spent the last twenty six years of his reign fighting against the Marathas and the Sultanates of Bijapur and Golconda.

B. Match the following:
ICSE Solutions for Class 7 History and Civics - Jahangir, Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb 4
ICSE Solutions for Class 7 History and Civics - Jahangir, Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb 5
Answer:
ICSE Solutions for Class 7 History and Civics - Jahangir, Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb 6

 

C. Choose the correct answer:

1. The foundations laid by Akbar/Babur/Humayun were so strong that Jahangir did not have any major problems maintaining the empire.
Ans. The foundations laid by Akbar were so strong that Jahangir did not have any major problems maintaining the empire.

2. Shah Jahan built the magnificent Agra Fort/Taj Mahal/ Red Fort in the memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal.
Ans. Shah Jahan built the magnificent Taj Mahal in the memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal.

3. Shah Jahan built a new city called Fatehpur Sikri/ Daulatabad/Shahjahanabad.
Ans. Shah Jahan built a new city called Shahjahanabad.

4. Aurangzeb’s reign can be roughly divided into four/ three/two
Ans. Aurangzeb’s reign can be roughly divided into two periods.

5. One of the most serious challenges faced by Aurangzeb came from the Sikhs/Marathas/Rajputs in the Deccan.
Ans. One of the most serious challenges faced by Aurangzeb came from the Marathas in the Deccan.

D. State whether the following are true or false:

  1. Jahangir defeated the Rana of Mewar.
     True.                                                                              ’
  2. Jahangir is said to have installed a chain of justice.
    True.
  3. The Peacock Throne was taken to Persia by Nadir Shah.
    True.
  4. The Jama Masjid is said to be the most perfect of Jahangir’s buildings.
    False. Correct: The Jama Masjid is said to be the most perfect of Shah Jahan’s buildings.

E. Answer the following questions in one or two words/ sentences:

1. Why did Jahangir not face any major problems in maintaining his large empire?
Ans. The foundations laid by Akbar were so strong that Jahangir did not have any major problems maintaining the empire.

2. Name Jahangir’s son who rebelled against him.
Ans. The rebellion of his eldest son, Khusrau.

3.Why is Shah Jahan known as the Engineer King?
Ans.Shah Jahan is known as Engineer King due to his work in the field of architecture. During his time magnificent buildings were constructed which are remembered still now. Some of the finest examples of monuments during his reign are — the magnificent Taj Mahal at Agra, the Moti Masjid at Agra Fort and the dignified Jama Masjid at Delhi.

4. Which fort did Shah Jahan build in the new city of Shahjahanabad?
Ans.Red Fort.

5. Who succeeded Shah Jahan as the Mughal emperor?
Ans.Shah Jahan’s third son, Aurangzeb.

6. State any one major cause of the decline of the Mughal empire.
Ans.He spent too much money on military expeditions and building magnificent monuments which drained the royal treasury.

7. What was the nature of Aurangzeb’s Rajput policy in the early years of his reign?
Ans.During the early years of his reign, Aurangzeb followed Akbar’s policy of friendship with the Rajputs. He granted the Rajput rulers high mansabs and tried to win their support.

8. What were the objectives of Aurangzeb’s Deccan policy?
Ans.Aurangzeb wanted to crush the growing powers of the Maratha’s. As these people were veiy strong and courageous and they also did not accept the overlordship of the ruler. This empire was also very vast and prosperous, so Aurangzeb wanted to have it under his control.

9. Why did the annexation of Bijapur and Golconda prove harmful for the Mughal empire?
Ans.It became too vast and unwieldy and brought the Mughals into direct contact with the Marathas.

F. Answer the following questions briefly:

Question 1.
Jahangir fulfilled Akbar’s unrealized imperial dreams by conquering Mewar. Explain.
Answer:
Jahangir sent an expedition against Rana Amar Singh of Mewar who, like his father, Rana Pratap Singh, had refused to acknowledge the overlordship of the Mughal emperor. The Rana of Mewar was defeated. He pledged his loyalty to Jahangir, who treated him with courtesy. He allowed the Rana to retain his territory and appointed his son, Kama, as a military commander in the imperial army. The submission of Mewar established the paramountcy of Mughal authority in Rajputana and marked the fall of the last bastion of Rajput resistance.

Question 2.
To what extent were Jahangir’s Deccan campaigns successful?
Answer:
Jahangir sent an expedition under Prince Khurram who managed to recapture the fort of Ahmadnagar. Prince Khurram was honoured with the title of Shah Jahan (Lord of the World). The war continued and by the end of Jahangir’s reign, Ahmadnagar reasserted its independence and remained outside Mughal control.

Question 3.
What qualities did Nur Jahan possess to make her worthy of her name?
Answer:
Nur Jahan means-light of the world and according to her name she possessed all the qualities like she was intelligent, beautiful, educated and cultured. She was a good poet and designer too. She designed new varieties of fabrics and jewellery. She was also strong and courageous and helped Jahangir to take decisions in matters related to the government.

Question 4.
Nur Jahan was very ambitious and eventually became the power behind the throne. Explain.|
Answer:
Nur Jahan was ambitious and soon became the power behind the throne. Jahangir consulted her on all matters concerning the affairs of the government. Nur Jahan soon became the virtual ruler of the Mughal empire. Graudally, Jahangir left the administration in her hands and spent his time indulging in his addiction to wine and opium. Coins began to be issued jointly in the name of Jahangir and Nur Jahan. Nur Jahan used her positioin and influence to appoint her father, brother and other relatives to important posts in the administration. Her niece, Mumtaz Mahal, was married to Jahangir’s third son, Khurram (Shah Jahan).

Question 5.
Shah Jahan’s reign was an age of splendour and cultural brilliance. In this context, discuss:
(a) Taj Mahal
(b) Red Fort
Answer:
(a) Taj Mahal: It took more than 20 years to complete the Taj Mahal, at a cost of one crore rupees at that time. It is made of pure white marble and is lavishly decorated with semi-precious stones and lace-like screens. It is an octagonal monument with a splendid dome and four slender minerals, set in a beautiful garden,
(b) Red Fort: This building is made of red sandstone. There are many splendid buildings inside the Red Fort. The Diwan-i-Khas is the most impressive. Its ceiling is made of silver. Its walls are made of marble and decorated with gold and semi-precious stones.

Question 6.
Why did Aurangzeb’s Deccan campaign against the Marathas prove to be a ruinous misadventure? What were the long-term consequences of this campaign?
Answer:
The Deccan campaign proved to be a ruinous misadventure that showed lack of political wisdom.
Suspicious by nature, he did not trust his sons and nobles. His officials were like puppets on strings. Aurangzeb’s supervision of every department often bordered on interference. His policy of discrimination between his subjects on grounds of faith also made him unpopular. He was a man of unshakeable convictions and tried very hard to reach his goals by doing what he thought was right. As he lay on his deathbed, he wrote several letters to his son. In one letter he wrote, ‘I know not who I am or why I came into the world … I have not done well for the country or its people . . . I know what punishment will be in store for me to suffer.’ During the first half of the 19th century ce, the great Mughal empire decayed and disintegrated. The Mughal emperors lost their power and glory and their vast empire finally shrank to a few square miles around Delhi.

Question 7.
Why did Aurangzeb fail as a ruler?
Answer:
Aurangzeb possessed qualities of an ideal man but he was failure as a ruler. Like his father he was not able to follow the policy of religious tolerance and friendship. His list of enemies not only included Rajput’s but also Sikhs and the Marathas. He was also very suspicious by nature, which was not liked by his officials. His policy of discrimination with his subjects also made him an unpopular ruler.

Question 8.
Briefly explain the negative aspects of Shah Jahan’s reign that eventually led to the decline of the Mughal empire.
Answer:
The policy of religious tolerance and friendship with the Rajputs was continued by Shah Jahan.Behind the glamour and the glitter of Shah Jahan’s reign, however, lurked some disturbing shadows.

  1. Shah Jahan’s military expeditions to Central Asia and Kandahar and the extravagant building projects drained the royal treasury.
  2. To improve the country’s financial resources, heavier taxes were imposed on the peasantry.
  3.  According to Bernier, the French traveller, many villages were mined and left desolate. This setback to agriculture became a major cause of the decline of the Mughal empire.
  4.  The failure of military campaigns during this period was an indication of the decline of the military might of the Mughals.
  5. The administrative machinery had grown in size but corruption had crept in.

G Picture study:

This is a picture of a 17th century-CE monument, built in red sandstone by a Mughal emperor.
ICSE Solutions for Class 7 History and Civics - Jahangir, Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb 7

Question 1.
Identify the monument.
Answer:
Red Fort.

Question 2.
Where is it located?
Answer:
Old Delhi.

Question 3.
Who built this monuments?
Answer:
ShahJahan.

Question 4.
Name two important buildings inside this monument.
Answer:
(a) Diwan-i-Khas
(b) Diwan-i-Aam

Question 5.
Mention its important features.
Answer:
Important features are as:
The Diwan-i-Khas is the most impressive. Its ceiling is made of silver and its walls are made of marble decorated with gold and semi-precious stones.
Diwan-i-Aam was Shah Jahan’s Peacock Throne. It had a canopy supported by twelve emerald pillars, each bearing two peacocks studded with gems. This golden throne, which took 7 years to complete, was taken to Persia by Nadir Shah in 1739 ce.

ICSE Solutions for Class 7 History and Civics – Rise and Spread of Islam

ICSE Solutions for Class 7 History and Civics – Rise and Spread of Islam

ICSE SolutionsSelina ICSE SolutionsML Aggarwal Solutions

APlusTopper.com provides step by step solutions for ICSE Solutions for Class 7 History and Civics. You can download the History and Civics ICSE Solutions for Class 7 with Free PDF download option. History and Civics for Class 7 ICSE Solutions all questions are solved and explained by expert teachers as per ICSE board guidelines.

ICSE Solutions Class 7 History & CivicsGeographyMathsPhysicsChemistryBiology

Important Words

  • Mecca was the town in Arabia where Prophet Muhammad was bom. It is a holy place for Muslims.
  • Medina was the town to which Prophet Muhammad and his followers shifted in 622 CE.
  • Hijrat marks the departure of Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Median in 622 CE.
  • Hijri is the Muslim calendar which begins from the year 622 CE.
  • Abu Bakr was the faithful friend and follower of Prophet Muhammad, who was selected as the Prophet’s successor after his death.
  • Khalifa or Caliph means successor of the Prophet. It was the title given to the head of the Muslim community in medieval times.
  • AI Beruni was a Muslim scholar who came to India with Mahmud of Ghazni. His book is a rich source of information about India culture, philosophy and scientific achievements of the period.

Time To Learn
I. Fill in the blanks:

  1. Prophet Muhammad was bom at Mecca in AD 570.
  2. Muslims worship only one God Allah.
  3. Muhammad preached against idol worship.
  4. Prophet Muhammad’s successors were known as Caliphs or Khalifas.
  5. The greatest king of Abbasid dynasty was Harun-Al-Rashid.

II. Match Column A with Column B:
ICSE Solutions for Class 7 History and Civics - Rise and Spread of Islam 1
Answer:
ICSE Solutions for Class 7 History and Civics - Rise and Spread of Islam 2

III. State whether the following statements are True or False:

  1. Muhammad was born at Medina.
     False.Muhammad was born at Mecca.
  2. He shifted from Mecca to Medina in AD 615.
    False. He shifted from Mecca to Medina in AD 622.
  3. A Muslim should not worship an idol.
     True.
  4. Abu Bakr was the last Khalifa.
    False.Ali Bakr was the last Khalifa.
  5. The Ottoman Turks Captured Constantinople in AD 1480.
    False.The Ottoman Turks Captured Constantinople in AD 1453.

IV. Answer the following questions briefly:

Question 1.
Discuss the early life of Muhammad.
Answer:
Until mid-life, Prophet Muhammad lived the life of a prosperous trader. In AD 610, Muhammad had his spiritual experience and became a prophet. Fie called himself the messenger of the supreme being – Allah, whose message he had to spread. He preached against idol worship. Arabia at that time was ruled by a number of tribes, who worshiped many gods and performed many rites and sacrifices. They did not like Muhammad’s teachings. Muhammad was forced to leave Mecca and moved to Medina in AD 622 with his followers. This year of ‘Emigration’ is known as Hijrat.

Question 2.
Describe the teachings of Muhammad.
Answer:
Some of the main teachings of Prophet Muhammad are the following:

  1. God is one and he is all powerful, all wise and all merciful.
  2. Idol worship is a curse and everybody should shirk doing it.
  3. The Koran is a Divine book and its authority is unquestionable.
  4. Islam believes that sinners will go to hell and the good and faithful will go to heaven.
  5. All men are equal and there is no question of superiority of inferiority.
  6. The Prophet enjoined upon his followers to perform the five duties of ‘Raima’, ‘Namaz’, ‘Zaqaat’, ‘Ramzan’ and ‘Haji’.
  7. One must treat the slaves kindly and leniently.
  8. The women should be given kind treatment but they must observe ‘purdah’.
  9. One must abstain from drinking, gambling etc. and practise justice and respect for elders.

Question 3.
What are the five main religious obligations of Islam.
Answer:
A Muslim has five religious obligation, called the five pillars.They are:

  1. Shahada (Confession of Faith): A Muslim’s most essential obligation is to repeat “There is no God but Allah’ Mohammad is His Prophet.”
  2. Salat (Prayer): He must offer prayers (namaaz) five times everyday and on Friday afternoons in a mosque.
  3. Zakaat (Alms Giving): He must give alms to the poor as an offering to Allah and a religious act.
  4. Sawm or Siyam (Fasting): Muslims must keep fast from dawn to dusk during Ramadan (Ramzan), the ninth month of their lunar year.
  5. Haj (Pilgrimage to Mecca): Once in his lifetime, every Muslim who is financially and physically able, must travel to Mecca. This pilgrimage is called

Question 4.
Discuss the spread of Islamic civilisation after the passing away of Prophet Muhammad.
Answer:
Muhammad’s successors were known as Caliphs or Khalifas and they were both religious and political leaders of Muslims. The caliphs who succeeded Muhammad were Abu Bakr, Umar, Usman and Ali. Within a short period of just one century, the Khalifas and their generals conquered Iran, Syria, Egypt, Central Asia, North Africa and Spain.

Question 5.
Describe the main contributions of the Umayyads and the Abbasids.
Answer:
The main contributions of the Umayyad Dynasty are:

  1. The capital of Islam was moved to Damascus, Syria
  2. Expansion of Islam touched the regions of India, China, North Africa, and Spain
  3. Arabic became the official language.
  4. Arabian currency was used in the Empire
  5. Roads were built
  6. Postal routes were created.

The main contributions of the Abbasids Dynasty are:

  1. The Abbasids established their capital at Baghdad, near the ruins of the ancient Iranian metropolis, Ctesiphon.
  2. The army and bureaucracy were reorganised on a non- tribal basis to ensure greater participation by Iraq and Khurasan.
  3. The Abbasid rulers strengthened the religious status and functions of the caliphate and patronised Islamic institutions and scholars.
  4. They maintained the magnificent imperial architecture and elaborate court ceremonials of the Umayyads.

Additional Questions
(Rise and Spread of Islam)

A. Fill in the blanks:

  1. Prophet Muhammad, the founder of Islam, was bom in Mecca in the year 570 ce.
  2. Muhammad forbade idol worship and stressed the importance of God and kind behaviour.
  3. The two holy places of the Muslims are Mecca and Medina.
  4. Ans. Muhammad was succeeded by Abu Bakr, who was known as Caliph. He transformed the Arabs into an excellent fighting force and inspired them to carry the word of Allah throughout the world.
  5. The first Arab expedition to India took place in 712 ce under the leadership of Muhammad bin Qasim.

B. Match the following:
ICSE Solutions for Class 7 History and Civics - Rise and Spread of Islam 3
ICSE Solutions for Class 7 History and Civics - Rise and Spread of Islam 4

Answer:
ICSE Solutions for Class 7 History and Civics - Rise and Spread of Islam 5

C. Choose the correct answer:

  1. As a young man, Muhammad worked as a trader/farmer/ craftsman.
    Ans. As a young rhan, Muhammad worked as a trader.
  2. During Muhammad’s time, the Arabs were divided into a number of kingdoms/tribes/empires.
    Ans. During Muhammad’s time, the Arabs were divided into a number of tribes.
  3. Muslims must say their prayers four/five/six times a day.
    Ans. Muslims must say their prayers five times a day.
  4. The Abbasid Caliphs shifted the Caliphate from Damascus to Medina/Mecca/Baghdad.
    Ans. The Abbasid Caliphs shifted the Caliphate from Damascus to Baghdad.
  5. The Arab traders established trade settlements on the eastern/western/southern coast of India.
    Ans. The Arab traders established trade settlements on the western coast of India.

D. State whether the following are true or false:

  1. The Medieval Period in India stretches from the 8th century CE to the 16th century
    False.
    Correct : The Medieval Period in India stretches from the 8th century CE to the 18th century ce.
  2. Before the rise of Islam, the Arabs practised idol worship.
    True.
  3. The Arab empire under the Abbasid Caliphs was one of the most powerful and enlightened regions in the world.
    True.
  4. The occupation of Sind ended with the death of Muhammad bin Qasim.
    True.
  5. In the 9th century ce, the power of the Caliphs declined.
    True.

E. Answer the following questions in one or two words/ sentences:

1. Where was Prophet Muhammad born?
Ans. Prophet Muhammad was bom in Mecca

2.What important event took place in Muhammad’s life around 610 ce?
Ans. When Muhammad was about forty years old, he had a vision of God, who revealed to him the-divine message, to carry the word of God or Allah to the people of Mecca. He declared that Allah was the one and only God and Muhammad was his Prophet. This gave way to a new religion called Islam.

3.What does the term Hijrat mean?
Ans. Hijrat marks the departure of Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina in 622 ce.

4.What title did Abu Bakr assume after he succeeded Prophet Muhammad?
Ans. Abu Bakr took the title of Khalifa or Caliph.

5.Under whose reign did the Arabs achieve their greatest heights of intellectual and cultural excellence?
Ans. The greatest intellectual and cultural excellence was seen during the reign of the Abbasid Caliphs.

6.Why was the House of Wisdom established?
Ans. The house of Wisdom was set up in Baghdad as it was advised by Prophet Muhammad to pursue learning among Arabs. So Baghdad become the place of wisdom where various ancient civilizations such as Greek, Byzantine, Egyptian, Chinese, Indian and Persian were translated into Arabic.

7.Which Arab city became the preserve of the rich cultural heritage of the ancient world?
Ans. Baghdad became the repository and preserve of the rich cultural heritage of the ancient world.

8.What were the chief items of export and import in India’s trade relations with the Arabs?
Ans. The chief items of export during India’s trade relations with the Arabs were Pepper. Muslin, Indigo etc. and import were luxury items and fine Arabian horses.

9. Why were the Indians not receptive to Arab learning and civilization during this period?
Ans. The spirit of exclusiveness among the Hindus made them reject foreign cultural influence. The Hindus believed that no other country on earth but theirs had any knowledge of Science. Hence, they were not receptive to the rich treasures of Arabic learning and civilization.

10.Name any one independent state established by the Turks in Central Asia.
Ans. Two independent states established by the Turks in Central Aisa were Ghazni and Ghor.

F. Answer the following questions briefly:

Question 1.
Why did Muhammad shift from Mecca to Medina? Discuss the events that followed this move.
Answer:
Muhammad forbade idol worship and stressed the importance of good and kind behaviour. His teachings angered the rich Arabs, and Muhammad and his small band of followers were forced to shift to Medina in 622 ce. Muhammad’s move from Mecca to Medina is known as Hijrat.

Question 2.
State the main principles of Islam.
Answer:
The main principles of Islam:

  1. There is only one God and Muhammad is his Prophet, (z’z) Muslims must turn towards Mecca and say their prayers five times a day.
  2. They must fast from dawn to dusk during the holy month of Ramzan.
  3. They must help the poor and needy by giving away a portion of their wealth in charity.
  4. They must make a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lifetime.

Question 3.
The greatest intellectual and cultural excellence was seen during the reign of the Abbasid Caliphs. Discuss.
Answer:
The Abbasids shifted the Caliphate from Damascus to Baghdad (capital of modem Iraq). For the next 150 years, the Arab empire under the Abbasids emerged as one of the most powerful, prosperous and enlightened regions in the world. The Arabs absorbed and assimilated the best of what other cultures and civilizations had to offer in terms of ideas, skills and scientific knowledge.
Muhammad had advised the Arabs to pursue learning. One of the Abbasid Caliphs established a House of Wisdom at Baghdad to translate into Arabic the collective wisdom of various ancient civilizations such as the Greek, Byzantine, Egyptian, Chinese, Indian and Persian civilizations. Baghdad became the repository and preserve of the rich cultural heritage of the ancient world.

Question 4.
What knowledge did the Arabs gather from
(a) Indian and
(b) various other ancient civilizations?
Answer:
(a)
The Arabs, learnt a great deal from the ancient Indian civilization. Knowledge of Indian mathematics, medicine, astronomy, philosophy and the art of administration were assimilated by the Arabs, leading to further enrichment of the Arab civilization and culture.
(b)
Knowledge absorbed and assimilated by Arab scholars from different civilizations

  1. Chinese:
    • Art of paper making,
    • Glass making techniques,
    • Use of mariner’s compass.
  2. Greeks:
    • Geometry.
  3. Persian:
    • Astronomy.
  4. Indians:
    • Mathematical theories
    • medicine
    • Astronomy
    • Philosophy
    • Administration

G Picture study:
ICSE Solutions for Class 7 History and Civics - Rise and Spread of Islam 6

This is a picture of a mosque where Muslims go to pray

Question 1.
Name (a) their religion (b) their holy book and (c) the founder of their religion.
Answer:
(a) Islam, (b) Quran Sharif, (c) Prophet Muhammad.

Question 2. Name the two holy places of the Muslim.
Answer:
(a) Mecca (b) Medina

Question 3.
Why does the Muslim calendar begin from the year 622 ce?
Answer:
Muhammad and his small band of followers were forced to flee to Medina in 622 ce. Muhammad’s departure from Mecca to Medina is known as hijrat. The Muslim calendar, hijri, begins from that year.

Question 4.
Mention any four important principles of the religion.
Answer:
The main four principles of Islam are as follows:

  1. There is only one God and Muhammad is His Prophet.
  2. Muslims must say their prayers five times a day.
  3. They must help the poor and needy by giving away a portion of their wealth in charity.
  4. They must make a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lifetime.

Question 5.
Briefly describe the role of Abu Bakr in the spread of the this religion.
Answer:
Abu Bakr mobilized and transformed the Arabs into an excellent fighting force. He and his successors inspired the Arab armies to sweep across countries and continents and carry the word of Allah throughout the world. Inspired by missionary zeal, these invincible and extraordinary Arab armies conquered vast territories. Their empire stretched over Iran, Syria, Central Asia, North Africa and Spain.

ICSE Solutions for Class 7 History and Civics – Making of Composite Culture – Sufi and Bhakti Movements

ICSE Solutions for Class 7 History and Civics – Making of Composite Culture – Sufi and Bhakti Movements

ICSE SolutionsSelina ICSE SolutionsML Aggarwal Solutions

APlusTopper.com provides step by step solutions for ICSE Solutions for Class 7 History and Civics. You can download the History and Civics ICSE Solutions for Class 7 with Free PDF download option. History and Civics for Class 7 ICSE Solutions all questions are solved and explained by expert teachers as per ICSE board guidelines.

ICSE Solutions Class 7 History & CivicsGeographyMathsPhysicsChemistryBiology

Important Words

  • Silsilas were the the monastic organizations of the Sufis. Two of these organizations, the chishti and Suhrawardi orders, became popular in India.
  • Monotheism is the belief that there is only one God.
  • Dohas were the simple, beautiful Hindi verses through which Kabir spread his message.
  • Gurumat means the guru’s doctrine and Sikhism is also known by this name.
  • Guru Granth Sahib is the holy scripture of the Sikhs. It is also known as the AdiGranth.
  • Khalsa was a disciplined military order of sikh soldier-saints created by Guru Gobind Singh, who transformed the Sikhs into a martial race.

Time To Learn
I. Fill in the blanks:

  1. The Sufi saints were organised into various orders or Silsilahs.
  2. The Chishti order was established in India by Moin-ud-din Chishti.
  3. Kabir’s couplets were known as Kabirpanthis.
  4. Guru Nanak was bom in 1469 AD.
  5. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu believed in kirtan as the most important means of expressing devotion to God.
  6. Meerabai worshipped Krishna.
  7. Ramanand preached the worship of Rama.
  8. Sant Jnaneshwar wrote a commentary on the Gita, known as Dhyaneshwari.
  9. Sant Tukaram composed devotional songs in praise of Vithoba (Lord Krishna).
  10. The Bhakti and Sufi movements brought about an understanding among the Hindus and Muslims.

II. Match the contents of Column A with those of Column B:
ICSE Solutions for Class 7 History and Civics - Making of Composite Culture - Sufi and Bhakti Movements 1
ICSE Solutions for Class 7 History and Civics - Making of Composite Culture - Sufi and Bhakti Movements 2
Answer:
ICSE Solutions for Class 7 History and Civics - Making of Composite Culture - Sufi and Bhakti Movements 3

III. State whether the following statements are Ture or False:

  1. Early Sufis came from Central Asia.
    False.
  2. Sufis believed in caste distinctions.
    False.
  3. Meerabai was an ardent devotee of Lord Krishna.
    True
  4. Kabir was a weaver by profession.
    True.
  5. The Marathi devotional songs are known as kirtans.
    False
  6. Sant Tukaram was a contemporary of Shivaji.
    True.

IV. Answer the following questions:

Question 1.
Who were the Sufis? What were their teachings? Name some famous Sufi saints.
Answer:
The Sufis were a group of Muslim mystics who started a religious reform movement in West Asia.
Teachings of Sufism:

  1. There is only one god and all people are his children.
  2. All human beings are equal.
  3. Different religions are different natK leading to one God. Therefore, all religions must …cted.
  4. It is necessary to follow the path shown by a pir, who will guide a person along the right spiritual path.

Famous Sufis saints: Moin-ud-din Chishti, Baba Farid and Nizam-ud-din Auliya.

Question 2.
What do you understand by Bhakti? What were the teachings of the Bhakti reformers?
Answer:
The word ‘Bhakti’ means devotion or love to God. Ramananda, Kabir, Guru Nanak, Mira Bai, Chaitanya were important reformers of Bhakti Movement.
They preached that with love or devotion one could get salvation. They taught all are the children of same God. That is why distinctions of caste, creed or sect and condemned useless rites and false practices. They laid importance on good deeds and purity of conduct. They believed that God could be attained by leading a normal household life and not by renouncing the world. All the Bhakti saints emphasised on the oneness of God and universal brotherhood.

Question 3.
Who was Kabir? What were his teachings?
Answer:
Kabir was one of the great reformers of the Bhakti movement. He taught Hindu Muslim unity. He believed that God is one and Tshwar’ and ‘Allah’ are different names of one God.He taught devotion to God and also preached brotherhood of man. He was against caste distinctions because he firmly believed that salvation could be attained only through good deeds. That is why he condemned useless rites, false practices as well as idol worship.

Question 4.
How were the Bhakti and Sufi movements similar?
Answer:
The similarities between the Bhakti and Sufi movements are:

  1. Both believe in one Supreme God.
  2.  Both the communities sternly opposed the discrimination of castes, religions and divisions.
  3. They stressed the same before the people that basically there are no differences between the Hindus and Muslims,
  4. They are both the children of God. They told that the simple route to the attainment of Godlihood lies in the love for humanity.

Question 5.
Who was the founder of the Sikh religion? What are his main teachings?
Answer:
Guru Nanak Dev was the founder of Sikh religion. He preached:

  1. Oneness of god.
  2. God is truth.
  3.  He discarded caste distinctions which divided human beings.
  4. He advocated ‘Langar’ or community kitchen which brought all castes together.
  5. He condemned useless rites and practices.
  6.  He preached true devotion to God.
  7. He did not believe in renouncing the world to attain I  salvation.

Additional Questions
(Making of Composite Culture – Sufi and Bhakti Movements)

A. Fill in the blanks:

  1. As the spirit of tolerance and understanding developed between the Hindus and the Muslims, two liberal religious reform movements took shape in the Medieval Period. They were the sufi and Bhakti movements.
  2. The Sufis came to India with the Turks in the 12th century ce. Over the years, they absorbed Buddhist and Hindu influences and were greatly respected by the Muslims as well as the Hindu.
  3. The Bhakti Movement began in South India in the 7th century ce and became a popular movement before the arrival of the Turks.
  4. There were 10 Sikh gurus.
  5. The holy book of the Sikhs is known as the Shri Guru Granth Sahibji.                                             
  6. The Sikhs worship in a Gurdwara which means door of the guru

B. Match the following
ICSE Solutions for Class 7 History and Civics - Making of Composite Culture - Sufi and Bhakti Movements 4
Answer:
ICSE Solutions for Class 7 History and Civics - Making of Composite Culture - Sufi and Bhakti Movements 5

C. Choose the correct answer:

  1. 1. The Sufis were a group of Hindu/Buddhist/Muslim mystics.
    Ans. The Sufis were a group of Muslim mystics.
  2. The word ‘bhakti’ means fear of God/following rituals/ devotion to God.
    Ans. The word ‘bhakti’ means devotion to God.
  3. The Bhakti saints drew their inspiration from the Bhagwad Gita and the Vedas/Puranas/Upanishads.
    Ans. The Bhakti saints drew their inspiration from the Bhagwad Gita and the Upanishads.
  4. Guru Nanak/Guru Tegh Bahadur/Guru Gobind Singh was the founder of the Sikh religion.
    Ans.Guru Nanak was the founder of the Sikh religion.
  5. The word ‘Sikh’ is derived from a word which means teacher/disciple/warrior.
    Ans. The word Sikh’ is derived from a word which means disciple.

D. State whether the following are true or false:

  1. The organization of the Sufis was known as the sangha.
    False. Correct: The organization of the Sufis was known as the silsilas.
  2. Bhakti saints believed in monotheism.
    True.
  3. Ramananda taught his message through dohas.
    False. Correct: Kabir taught his message through dohas.
  4. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was a believer in the importance of following rituals.
    False. Correct: Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was a believer in the existence of God.
  5. Guru Tegh Bahadur was executed by Aurangzeb.
    True.

E. Answer the following questions in one or two words/ sentences:

1. Who were the Sufis?
Ans. The Sufis were a group of Muslim mystics who started a religious reform movement in West Asia.

2. What are silsilas?
Ans. Silsilas were the monsastic organizations of the Buddhist sangha and the Sufis.

3. Name the two popular Sufi orders in India.
Ans. Chishti and the Suhrawardi orders, became popular in India.

4. What is the importance of qawwali in Sufism?
Ans. One could come closer to God through devotional music qawwali.

5. Mention any one positive effect of the Bhakti Movement on Hindu-Muslim unity.
Ans. People were attracted to the principles of monotheism, equality and ritual-free worship. By propagating its principles of one God, universal brotherhood and respect for all religions, the Bhakti Movement created conditions conducive to the harmonious and peaceful coexistence of Hindus and Muslims.

6. What are dohas?
Ans. Dohas were the simple, beautiful Hindi verses (poems) through which Kabir spread his message.

7. How did Meera Bai spread the message of Bhakti among the people.
Ans. Meera Bai spread the message of devotion and love for’ od through devotional songs called Meera’s bhajans.

8. Name the five sacred symbols of Sikhism.
Ans. The five sacred symbols of Sikhism are:

  1. Kesh,
  2. Kanga,
  3. Kaccha,
  4. Kirpan,
  5. Kara

9.Who transformed the Sikhs into a martial race?
Ans. Guru Gobind Singh transformed the peace-loving Sikhs into a martial race.

10. How did the Sufi and Bhakti movements lead to the development of local languages?
Ans. The Bhakti and Sufi saints preached in the language of the common people and this led to the development of local language.

F. Answer the following questions briefly:

Question 1.
What are the important teachings of the Sufi saints? Explain the impact of Sufism on the people and their rulers?
Answer:
Teachings of Sufism:

  1. There is only one god and all people are his children.
  2. All human beings are equal.
  3. Different religions are different paths leading to one God. Therefore, all religions must be respected.
  4. It is necessary to follow the path shown by a pir, who will guide a person along the right spiritual path.

The liberal ideas and rational principles of sufism, had great impact on the people and their rulers. It encouraged religious tolerance promoted the idea of universal brotherhood and brought the Hindus and Muslims closer to one another.

Question 2.
Explain the origin of the Bhakti Movement in India. Why did the teaching of the Bhakti saints appeal to the people?
Answer:
The word ‘bhakti’ means devotion to God. The Bhakti Movement was a reform movement within Hinduism. It began in South India in the 7th century ce and became a popular movement before the arrival of the Turks. The Bhakti saints drew their inspiration from the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita. People were attracted to the principles of monotheism, equality and ritual-free worship. By propagating its principles of one God, universal brotherhood and respect for all religions, the Bhakti Movement created conditions conducive to the harmonious and peaceful coexistence of Hindus and Muslims.
Teachings of the Bhakti saints:

  1. There is only one God. Everyone is equal in the eyes of God.
  2. God can be reached through love and devotion and total surrender to his will and not through rites rituals and idol worship.
  3. Everyone should lead a pure life.

Question 3.
Mention the chief teachings of the Bhakti saints.
Answer:
Teachings of the Bhakti saints:

  1. There is only one God. Everyone is equal in the eyes of God.
  2. God can be reached through love and devotion and total surrender to his will and not through rites rituals and idol worship.
  3. Everyone should lead a pure life.

Question 4.
Mention the important teachings of Sant Kabir.
Answer:
Sant Kabir stressed the idea of one God. He taught that Ishwar, Allah, Ram and Rahim were different names of one God. He spread the message of Hindu-Muslim unity, Universal brotherhood, tolerance and banned idol worship, caste system and rituals. Kabir preached his message through simple beautiful Hindi poems called Dohas.

Question 5.
What are the main teachings of Guru Nanak? Why is the holy book of the Sikhs known as the Guru Granth Sahib?
Answer:
The important teachings of Guru Nanak are as follows:

  1. There is only one God and He is the creator of this universe.
  2. All human beings are equal. The caste system must be rejected and the principle of universal brotherhood must be followed.
  3. Everyone should lead a good and pure life based’on truth and kindness, and discard idol worship and ritualism.
  4. True spiritual knowledge can be gained under the guidance of a guru.

The last Guru Gobind Singh Ji, transferred the authority of the Guru to the holy scriptures called the ‘Adi Granth’ which came to be known as the Guru Granth Sahib. The teachings of all the Gurus are contained in it and it serves as a guide or Guru.

Question 6.
What effect did the Bhakti and Sufi movements have on Indian society?
Answer:
The Bhakti and Sufi movements brought a new era in Indian society which was based on tolerance and brotherhood among the human beings. Following are the impact of the movements:

  1. The Bhakti and Sufi movement preached in the language v/; the common man which gave rise to development of common languages.
  2. The common man came to know about great truths of Hindu philosophy which helped in slowing down conversions during this period.
  3. These movements helped in reducing the superiority of the brahman as.
  4. They also brought feeling of universal brotherhood and created an environment of tolerance and mutual respect.

G Picture study:

This is the picture of a monument associated with the founder of a religious reform movement in India.
ICSE Solutions for Class 7 History and Civics - Making of Composite Culture - Sufi and Bhakti Movements 6

Question 1.
Name the reformer and the movement he started in India.
Answer:
Religious reformer was Moinuddin Chishti. He started Sufi- Movemen
ts

Question 2.
Identify the monument.
Answer:
Dargah of Moinuddin Chisti.

Question 3.
Why is this monument famous?
Answer:
This monument is famous for its teachings

  1. All human beings are equal and God is only one.
  2. All religions must be respected.
  3. Fasts and other rituals are not necessary.
  4. There is no need to convert to another religion.

Question 4.
Mention any four important religious principles of that movement, which are common to the principles of the Bhakti Movement.
Answer:
(a) There is only one God.
(b) Everyone is equal in the eyes of God.
(c) God can be reached through love and devotion and total surrender to His will and not through rites, rituals and idol worship.
(d) Eveyone should lead a pure life.

Question 5.
Name any two religious reformers of the Bhakti Movement.
Answer:
Ramananda, Guru Nanak Dev ji.