the trail history and civics for class 7 answers

The Trail History and Civics for Class 7 ICSE Solutions – Bhakti and Sufi Movements

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EXERCISE

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 Sahib ji.
6. The Sikhs worship in a Gurdwara which means door of the Guru.

B. Match the following :

Answer:

C. Choose the correct answer :

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.
Ans. False.
Correct : The organization of the Sufis was known as the silsilas.

2. Bhakti saints believed in monotheism.
Ans. True.

3. Ramananda taught his message through dohas.
Ans. False.
Correct : Kabir taught his message through dohas.

4. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was a believer in the importance of following rituals.
Ans. False.
Correct : Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was a believer in the existence of God.

5. Guru Tegh Bahadur was executed by Aurangzeb.
Ans. True.

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

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

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

Question 3.
Name the two popular Sufi orders in India.
Answer:
Chishti and the Suhrawardi orders, became popular in India.

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

Question 5.
Mention any one positive effect of the Bhakti Movement on Hindu-Muslim unity.
Answer:
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.

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

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

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

(a) Kesh
(b) Kanga
(c) Kaccha
(d) Kirpan
(e) Kara

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

Question 10.
How did the Sufi and Bhakti movements lead to the development of local languages?
Answer:
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 :

(a) There is only one god and all people are his children.
(b) All human beings are equal.
(c) Different religions are different paths leading to one God. Therefore, all religions must be respected.
(d) 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 :

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

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

(a) There is only one God. Everyone is equal in the eyes of God.
(b) God can be reached through love and devotion and total surrender to his will and not through rites rituals and idol worship.
(c) 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 Sab ib?
Answer:
The important teachings of Guru Nanak are as follows :

(a) There is only one God and He is the creator of this universe.
(b) All human beings are equal. The caste system must be rejected and the principle of universal brotherhood must be followed.
(c) Everyone should lead a good and pure life based on truth and kindness, and discard idol worship and ritualism.
(d) 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 :

(a) The Bhakti and Sufi movement preached in the language of the common man which gave rise to development of common languages.
(b) The common man came to know about great truths of Hindu philosophy which helped in slowing down conversions during this period.
(c) These movements helped in reducing the superiority of the brahmanas.
(d) 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. (Picture on next page)

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

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

(a) All human beings are equal and God is only one.
(b) All religions must be respected.
(c) Fasts and other rituals are not necessary.
(d) 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.

OTHER IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

Question 1.
Why was the Bhakti movement revived and strengthened in the Medieval Period?
Answer:
The Bhakti movement revived and strengthened during the Medieval Period as people got attracted to the principles of equality, one God, universal brotherhood and respect for all religions. This movements provided conducive conditions for peaceful and harmonious co-existence of the Hindus and Muslims.

Question 2.
What are the main principles of Sikhism?
Answer:
The main principles of Sikhism are :

(a) There is only one God and he is the creator of this universe.
(b) All human beings are equal. The caste system must be rejected and the principles of universal brotherhood must be followed.
(c) Everyone should lead a good and pure life based on truth and kindness, and discard idol worship-and ritualism.
(d) True spiritual knowledge can be gained under the guidance of a guru.

Question 3.
Why is the Sikh religion also referred to as Gurumat?
Answer:
In Sikh religion Guru acquires the central position. The word sikhis derived from a word which means disciple, so Sikhism is also referred to as Gurumat means guru’s doctrine.

Question 4.
What provoked Guru Govind Singh to infuse his followers with the martial spirit?
Answer:
To save the people from cruelty of Mughal rulers, Guru Govind Singh infused his followers with the martial spirit.

Question 5.
Throw some light on how the Sufis came to India?
Answer:
The Sufis came to India with the Turks in the 12th century. As the course of time went on, they absorbed Buddhist and Hindu influences and were greatly respected by the Muslims as well as the Hindus.

Question 6.
Who was the founder of the Sufi movement in India?
Answer:
The founder of the Sufi movement in India was Moinuddin Chisti. His dargah in Ajmer is an important pilgrimage centre for both the Muslims and the Hindus.

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

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EXERCISE

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 :


Answer:

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 periods.
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.
Ans. True.

2. Jahangir is said to have installed a chain of justice.
Ans. True.

3. The Peacock Throne was taken to Persia by Nadir Shah.
Ans. True.

4. The Jama Masjid is said to be the most perfect of Jahangir’s buildings.
Ans. 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 :

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

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

Question 3.
Why is Shah Jahan known as the Engineer King?
Answer:
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.

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

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

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

Question 7.
What was the nature of Aurangzeb’s Rajput policy in the early years of his reign?
Answer:
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.

Question 8.
What were the objectives of Aurangzeb’s Deccan policy?
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 overlordship of the ruler. This empire was also very vast and prosperous, so Aurangzeb wanted to have it under his control.

Question 9.
Why did the annexation of Bijapur and Golconda prove harmful for the Mughal empire?
Answer:
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 RanaAmar 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 Jalian (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:
Hie 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 where 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.

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.

OTHER IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

Question 1.
What role did Nur Jahan play in the administrative affairs of the empire?
Answer:
Nur Jahan was the power behind the throne. Jahangir consulted her on all the matters related to the administration. Slowly she became the virtual ruler of the empire.

Question 2.
How did Aurangzeb come to power?
Answer:
Aurangzeb with the help of his brother Murad defeated Dara and executed him. Then he imprisoned his father in the Agra Fort and occupied the throne.

Question 3.
When and where Jahangir give permission to set up trading posts to English East India Company?
Answer:
Jahangir gave permission to English East India company to set up trading posts in AD 1618 at Surat and Broach.

Question 4.
Give reason to show Jahangir was a great lover of justice?
Answer:
Jahangir was a great ruler who was always concerned about the welfare of his people and did his best to provide them justice. For this he had installed a ‘chain of justice’ made of pure gold with sixty bells attached to it, between his palace and the bank of the Yamuna. Anybody could ring that bell and ask for justice and Jahangir would personally listen to the complaints and gave solution for it.

The Trail History and Civics for Class 7 ICSE Solutions – Akbar

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EXERCISE

A. Fill in the blanks :

1. In the Second Battle of Panipat which took place in November 1556, the Mughal army under the leadership of Bairam Khan defeated General Hemu.
2. Akbar held regular meetings with his senior officers in the Diwan-i-Khas and he met his subjects in the Diwan-i-Aam.
3. The Mughal empire was divided into fifteen provinces and subas which were further subdivided into districts or Sarkars.
4. The land revenue system introduced by Akbar was known as the Toda Mai’s Bandobast system.
5. The minimum age of marriage was raised to fourteen years for girls and sixteen years for boys.
6. Two great poets patronized by Akbar were Faizi and Raja Birbal

B. Match the following :

Answer:

C. Choose the correct answer :

1. Akbar was 13/15/17 years old when he was proclaimed emperor.
Ans. Akbar was 13 years old when he was proclaimed emperor.

2. Rana Udai Singh/Jai Mal/Rana Pratap Singh was defeated by the Mughal forces in the Battle of Haldighati.
Ans. Rana Pratap Singh was defeated by the Mughal forces in the Battle of Haldighati.

3. In 1575 CE, Akbar built the Ibadat Khana in his new capital for discussions on politics/religious/warfare.
Ans. In 1575 CE, Akbar built the Ibadat Khana in his new capital for discussions on religious.

4. Akbar founded a new religious order which he called Din -i-Ilahi/Mahzar/Sulh-i-kul.
Ans. Akbar founded a new religious order which he called Din- i-Ilahi.

5. The court language used in Akbar’s court was Turkish/ Persian/Sanskrit.
Ans. The court language used in Akbar’s court was Persian.

D. State whether the following are true or false:

1. Akbar assumed absolute power and authority at the age of 21.
Ans. False.
Correct: Akbar assumed absolute power and authority at the age of 18.

2. Akbar held regular meetings with the senior officers in the Diwan-i-Khas.
Ans. True.

3. In each suba, the diwan kept records of the land revenue.
Ans. True.

4. Din-i-Ilahi was adopted by all the people in Akbar’s empire.
Ans. False.
Correct : Din-i-Ilahi was introduced by all the people in Akbar’s empire.

5. Akbar was illiterate but he had a passion for books.
Ans. True.

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

Question 1.
What role did Bairam Khan play when Akbar ascended the throne?
Answer:
Bairam Khan managed the affairs of the state on behalf of Akbar.

Question 2.
What is the significance of the Second Battle of Panipat (1556 CE)?
Answer:
In the second battle of Panipat, Akbar’s army under the leadership of Bairam Khan defeated and skilled Hemu, the general’of Adil Shah who had occupied the city of Delhi. Due to this battle, the Afghan power was crushed and Akbar’s throne became safe from enemies.

Question 3.
Why did Akbar embark on a policy of conquest and annexation?
Answer:
Akbar embarked on a policy of conquest and annexation. His aim was to bring the entire country under his control.

Question 4.
Why did Akbar follow a policy of friendship with the Rajput?
Answer:
Akbar realized that Delhi and Agra could never be safe until the Rajputs were subdued. He also realized that the friendship and support of the Rajputs would be of great help in strengthening and expanding the Mughal empire.

Question 5.
Why is the memory of Rana Pratap Singh still honoured in Rajasthan?
Answer:
People in Rajasthan still honour the memory of Rana Pratap Singh because his whole life he fought for throwing the Mughal’s out of their territory.

Question 6.
What do you understand by the term ‘mansab’?
Answer:
The term ‘mansab’ means office or rank.

Question 7.
Who had the power to appoint and dismiss the mansabdars?
Answer:
The mansabdars were appointed, promoted or dismissed by the emperor.

Question 8.
Mention any one tax abolished by Akbar as a part of his policy of religious tolerance.
Answer:
Akbar abolished the jaziya (poll) tax and the pilgrim tax.

Question 9.
What power did Akbar gain through the Mahzar?
Answer:
Akbar issued a declaration called Mahzar, which gave him the power to choose between different interpretations of Islamic law.

Question 10.
Why did Akbar encourage the study of secular subjects?
Answer:
Akbar encourage the study of secular subjects like Mathematics, Agriculture, Logic, History and Astronomy to increase the knowledge of people and to promote religious harmony.

F. Answer the following questions briefly :

Question 1.
Why was Akbar’s position unstable and insecure when he ascended the throne of Delhi?
Answer:
Akbar’s position was unstable and insecure, when he ascended the throne of Delhi because his empire was surrounded by enemies on all the sides. Adil Shah who was the nephew of Sher Shah was determined to capture Delhi and re-establish the Afghan rule. Even the Rajputs were waiting for suitable opportunity to throw the Mughals out of India.

Question 2.
Rana Udai Singh of Mewar rejected Akbar’s offer of friendship and refused to submit to him. In this context, discuss :

(a) Subjugation of Rana Udai Singh
(b) Conflict with Rana Pratap Singh

Answer:
(a) The Rana of Mewar was considered to be the head of the Rajput clans. He refused to submit to Akbar and rejected his proposal of a matrimonial alliance. Akbar marched against Chittor, the capital city of Mewar. Udai Singh escaped to the hills, leaving the defence of Chittor to Jai Mai, the commander of the Rajput forces. For 4 months, the Mughal army tried in vain to capture the fort of Chittor.
Resistance collapsed when Jai Mai was killed. All the Rajput women performed jauhar. The heroic Rajputs rushed out in a desperate bid to destroy the enemy. They perished fighting.
The capture of Chittor was followed by the fall of Ranthambore. By 1570 CE, practically all the Rajput princes had accepted Akbar as their overlord.
(b) The Rajputs of Mewar, however, refused to submit. Having lost Chittor, their capital city, they rallied around Rana Pratap, the valiant son of Udai Singh. After his escape to the hills, Udai Singh had built a new capital called Udaipur.
After Udai Singh’s death, Rana Pratap carried on the struggle against the Mughals. With a great deal of difficulty, Rana Pratap organized and army and clashed with the Mughal forces in the Battle of Haldighati 1576 CE. The Mughal forces were led by the Rajput chief, Raja Man Singh of Amber.
The Rajputs were outnumbered and defeated by the Mughal army. Rana Pratap took shelter in a mountain fortress and continued his efforts to recover Chittor. He was able to recover parts of his territories before his death, but not Chittor.

Question 3.
Discuss the power and position of the emperor in the central administration.
Answer:

1. The emperor was an extremely powerful figure. His decisions on all matter-military, political, administrative and judicial-were final. His word was law. He was the commander-in-chief of the armed forces and the supreme ‘ judge on all matters of justice.
2. He was assisted by a team of ministers and officials. The appointment, promotion and dismissal of all officials,including commanders of the army, was the sole right of the emperor. The success of this system depended largely on the personality of the emperor and his wisdom to choose the right person for the right job.

Question 4.
Who assisted the emperoi\in the administration of the empire? What were their responsibilities and functions?
Answer:
The emperor was assisted by a team of ministers and officials for proper administration of the empire. Their names and functions are as follows :

1. Wazir Dewan : He was the head of the revenue department.
2. Mir Bakshi : He was the head of the military department and the paymaster of all mansabdars.
3. The Qazi : He was the chief judge.
4. Chief Sadr : He was the supervisor of the royal household.
5. Vakil : He was the head of the advisory board.

Question 5.
Explain any five main features of the mansabdari system introduced by Akbar.
Answer:
Under this system, every official was given a rank or a mansab. The rank depended on the nature and importance of the job. The lowest rank was that of an officer in charge of ten horsemen, while the highest mansab was that of an officer maintaining 7,000 horseman. The mansab’s were given salary in accordance with their rank. They were usually paid in the form of jagirs.

Question 6.
What measures did Akbar adopt to reorganize and strengthen the army?
Answer:

1. Every official in the imperial service was given a rank or a mansab. The rank depended on the nature and importance of the job. The lowest rank was that of an officer in charge of ten horsemen, while the highest mansab was that of an officer maintaining 7,000 horseman. The higher mansabs were reserved for the members of the royal family.
2. The mansabdars were appointed, promoted or dismissed by the emperor.
3. They were given a salary in accordance with their rank. Later, they began to be paid in the form of jagirs. They were entitled to a fixed amount of revenue from the jagir as salaiy for themselves and their troops.
4. A mansab or rank was not hereditary. After the death of the mansabdar, the jagir reverted to the king, who granted it to someone else.
5. The mansabdars did not have any authority or responsibility of administering the jagir.
6. The system of branding horses and maintaining a descriptive roll of the soldiers was adopted by Akbar.
7. Akbar also maintained a standing army. The cavalry was the most important branch of the Mughal army. The troops were mainly supplied by the mansabdars. The emperor also directly recruited and maintained a battalion of loyal and trusted soldiers. He maintained a corps of royal bodyguards and armed palace guards, a large number of war elephants and a well-organized artillery.

Question 7.
Explain the important features of the land revenue system introduced by Todar Mai.
Answer:
Todar Mai introduced a land revenue system known as Todar Mai’s Bandobast.

1. Land was surveyed and measured with a bamboo jarib joined together with iron rings instead of the hemp rope used earlier.
2. The land was grouped into four categories depending on whether it was regularly or occasionally cultivated. It was classified further into good, middling and bad categories.
3. The average produce and the average price over the past 10 years were calculated. The revenue was calculated on the basis of these averages. One third of the average produce was the king’s share. It could be paid in cash or kind, though cash was preferred.
4. The revenue officers were instructed to treat the peasants well.
5. Loans which could be paid back in easy instalments were advanced to the peasants to buy seeds, cattle and implements.
6. If the crops failed due to drought or flood, the state granted remission of revenue.

Question 8.
What policies did Akbar follow to transform the Islamic state into a secular one and unite the diverse races in the country into a single nation based on equality?
Answer:
Akbar took following steps to transform the Islamic state into a secular one and unite the diverse races in the country into a single nation based on equality :

1. He abolished the Jaziya tax which was imposed by earlier Muslim rulers on all non-Muslim subjects and pilgrim tax imposed on Hindus visiting places of pilgrimage.
2. He allowed Hindus to build temples, celebrate festivals and worship freely. He even allowed his Hindu wives to celebrate festivals like Holi and Diwali.
3. He gave high posts to talented and competent Hindus in his court, examples are : Todar Mal, Birbal and Raja Bhagwan Das.
4. He married Rajput princesses and allowed them freedom of worship.
5. He granted land to all persons irrespective of their religious faith

Question 9.
Briefly explain the features and objectives of the Din- i-Ilahi?
Answer:
Akbar formed a new religious order which was called Din- i-Ilahi or divine faith. The main features of this religion were belief in one God and recognition of the emperor as God’s representative on earth. Din-i-Ilahi was more like a code of conduct and there was no sacred books, no priestly classes, no places of worship and no rituals in it.
The main objective of establishing it was to provide a religious order which would be acceptable to the Hindu, Muslims and other communities and to promote universal brotherhood and national unity.

Question 10.
Mention the important features of Akbar’s Rajput policy. Why did he adopt this policy and what were its results?
Answer:
Akbar realized that the support of the Rajputs was necessary to build a powerful empire. For this he adopted the following policy :

1. Akbar treated the Rajputs with honour and equality and won their respect and loyalty.
2. He married Rajput princesses to strengthen his ties with Rajputs.
3. He appointed Rajputs on High posts in his court to win their friendship, loyalty and cooperation.
4. He abolished the Jaziya and pilgrim tax levied on Hindus.
5. Akbar did not annexed the kingdoms of the Rajput rulers but only asked them to recognize him as their overlord and pay him regular tribute. The result of adopting this policy was that Akbar won the loyalty and support of the Rajputs, Who formed the backbone of a strong and stable empire.

Question 11.
Mention any two important social reforms introduced by Akbar?
Answer:
Akbar introduced a number of social reforms to rid Indian society from some cruel practices like :

1. He abolished the sati pratha and legalized remarriage of widows.
2. He discouraged child marriage. He raised the minimum age of marriage of girls to fourteen years and of boys to sixteen years.

Question 12.
Give an account of Akbar’s cultural achievements with reference to :

(a) Literature
(b) Architecture

Answer:
(a) Abul Fazl was Akbar’s court historian. He wrote the Akbarnama, which is an excellent historical work in Persian.Hindi was also used in the Mughal court. Raja Birbal was made the Hindi Kavi Raj or poet laureate in Akbar’s court. The Ramacharitamanas was written by Tulsidas, the greatest Hindi author in those tunes.
(b) Initially, the style of architecture was Persian, for instance. Humayun’s Tomb. However, with the passage of time. Akbar’s architectural style became more and more Indian. Inspired by the palaces of Hindu rajas. Akbar’s later buildings reflect Rajput traditions.
Fatehpur Sikri. Akbar’s new capital city, contains many interesting Rajput-style buildings made of sandstone. It is referred to as a dream in stone. Among the many fine buildings are the Diwan-i-Khas. Panch Mahal. Jodha Bai’s Palace and the Buland Darwaza.

G Picture study :
The picture depicts a Mughal emperor holding discussions on religious matters in the Ibadat Khana.

Question 1.
Identify the emperor.
Answer:
Akbar.

Question 2.
Which religious communities participated in the discussions?
Answer:
Muslim clerics, Hindu scholars. Buddhist and Jain monks. Parsi priests. Christian missionaries, etc. assembled in the Ibadat Khanna.

Question 3.
Why did the emperor organize these assemblies?
Answer:
The Emperor organize these assemblies to explain the principles and teachings of all the religion.

OTHER IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

Question 1.
Why did Akbar introduce the policy of establishing matrimonial alliances with the Rajputs?
Answer:
Having understood the advantages of a friendly relationship with the Rajputs to acquire more power and kingdoms, he introduced the policy of establishing matrimonial alliances with them.

Question 2.
Why did Akbar conquer Gujarat and Bengal?
Answer:

• Gujarat : Akbar conquered Gujarat because it was a rich province with fertile cotton fields, flourishing seaports and good trade market.
• Bengal : He also set his eyes on Bengal because it was also one of the most fertile and richest provinces in India. It had also good trade links with other countries.

Question 3.
What was the position of the emperor in the administrative set-up?
Answer:
The emperor enjoyed extreme powers. His decisions on all matters like military, political, administrative and judicial were final. His word was law. He was the commander-in-chief of the armed forces and the supreme judge on all matter of justice.

Question 4.
How was a uniform system of administration maintained throughout the empire?
Answer:
The big empire was divided into fifteen provinces or subas. A governor or subedar was in charge of each province. The subedar had control over both military and civil affairs. The provinces were subdivided into districts or Sarkars, which were further subdivided into smaller units of administration called parganas. Each of these units had a team of government officials to manage all the affairs and the villages were managed by the village panchayats.

Question 5.
What happened to a mansabdar’s jagir after his death?
Answer:
The mansabdari system was not hereditary. After the death of the mansabdar his jagir came back to the king, who granted it to someone else.

Question 6.
Discuss Akbar’s revenue system with reference to :

1. Survey and assessment of land
2. Revenue calculation
3. Relief measures

Answer:

1. Survey and assessment of land : The land was surveyed and measured with a bamboo jarib joined together with iron rings. The land was grouped into four categories depending on whether it was regularly or occasionally cultivated. It was further classified into good, middle and bad categories.
2. Revenue calculation : Revenue was calculated on the basis of average produce and average price of the past ten years. One third of the average produce was the king’s share.
3. Relief measures : Many relief measures were adopted by the state like loans were granted to peasants which could be paid back in easy instalments and if the crops failed due to drought or flood the state even granted remission of revenue.

Question 7.
How did the revenue system benefit the state and the farmers?
Answer:
The revenue system benefited both the state and the farmers. This system provided the state with a fixed and steady source of income whereas to farmers it helped in many ways like the farmers were able to get loan on easy instalments for buying seeds, cattle and implements. The calculation of revenue was also based on the type of land i.e. good, bad or middle. If the crops of the farmers failed due to drought or flood the revenue was also remitted by the state.

Question 8.
Why did Akbar build the Ibadat Khana?
Answer:
Akbar built Ibadat Khana at Fatehpur Sikri for discussions on religious matters. Scholars, philosophers, priests, missionaries and religious leaders were invited here to hold discussions. These Dignities assembled in the Ibadat Khana and explained the principles and teachings of their respective religions.

The Trail History and Civics for Class 7 ICSE Solutions – Babur, Humayun and Sher Shah

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EXERCISE

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.
4. Sher Shah went on regular tours of inspection and set up an efficient spy system.
5. Sher Shah established a large standing army and introduced several reforms to make it disciplined, efficient and strong.

B. Match the following :


Answer:

C. Choose the correct answer:

1. In 1522 CE, Ibrahim Lodi/Sher 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 CE.
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 goldV 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.
Ans. True.

2. Babur’s war-weary and homesick soldiers wanted to return to Kabul after the Battle of Panipat.
Ans. True.

3. Babur won the Battle of Khanwa through treachery and cunning.
Ans. False.
Correct : Babur won the Battle of Khanwa with his superior artillery and covering.

4. Sher Shah ruled for 15 years.
Ans. False.
Correct : Sher Shah ruled for 5 years.

5. To prevent the officers from becoming corrupt, Sher Shah introduced the system of periodical transfers.
Ans. True.

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

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

Question 2.
Between whom was the First Battle of Panipat fought?
Answer:
Babur and Ibrahim Lodi came face-to-face at Panipat in 1526 CE.

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

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

Question 5.
Who was Humayun’s most dangerous enemy?
Answer:
Sher Khan was Humayun’s most dangerous enemy.

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

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

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

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

Question 10.
How were the affairs of the villages managed during Sher Shah’s reign?
Answer:
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.

Question 11.
Explain the Chehra system in Sher Shah’s military administration.
Answer:
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.

Question 12.
Mention one reason why Sher Shah built an excellent network of good roads?
Answer:
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 born 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 :

(a) 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.
(b) 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.
(c) 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, ajagirdar 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:
During his reign Sher Shah established a vast, powerful and prosperous empire. Some of his achievements are listed below :

1. 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 Picture Given Below

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.

OTHER IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

Question 1.
Describe the political conditions in India on the eve of Babur’s invasion.
Answer:
On the eve of Babur’s invasion India was divided into many small kingdoms ruled by independent kings. The Delhi Sultanate was reduced in size and power. The political seen was disunity among each other.

Question 2.
What information do we get from Babur’s memoirs about :

(a) Babur
(b) Babur’s countrymen
(c) Hindustan

Answer:

(a) Babur : This autobiography gives detail description of Babur. It shows him as a keen observer and provides a picture of his personality. It tells his achievements, adventures, habits and hobbies.
(b) Babur’s countrymen : In this book Babur had given full description of personality, habits, adventures, customs, appearances, manners and occupations of his countrymen.
(c) Hindustan : Babur had given description of boundaries, population, resources, revenues etc. of Hindustan in this book which is quite accurate account. He had also beautifully described about fruits, flowers, birds and animals found here.

Question 3.
Humayun was surrounded by dangerous enemies on all sides. Name any three.
Answer:
The three enemies by which Humayun was surrounded are :

(a) Afghan Chiefs : Many Afghan chiefs were rebellious and the most dangerous in them was Sher Shah, who had an eye on the throne of Delhi.
(b) Bahadur Shah of Gujarat and Malwa : He was also a powerful ruler and he wanted to become the emperor of Delhi.
(c) Brother Kamran : Babur’s brother Kamran was openly hostile and he constantly plotted against him.

Question 4.
When and how did Humayun lose his empire? When did he return and recapture his lost kingdom?
Answer:
Humayun lost his empire after a defeat in the Battle of Kanauj in AD 1540. He was so badly defeated in this war that he went into Exile. With the military help from the Shah of Persia in AD 1554. Humayun was able to capture his kingdom.

Question 5.
Humayun lost his empire because of inherent flaws in his character. Explain.
Answer:
Humayun was a pleasure loving ruler and he lacked political wisdom, military foresight and was not able to take quick and wise decisions. He could not understand the jealousy of his brothers and was not able to take a firm decision on them. He was a capable soldier but a poor general. These all characteristics led to the downfall of Mughal empire.

Question 6.
Give reasons to show Babur was a religious tolerant ruler?
Answer:
Babur was an orthodox Sunni Muslim but he was not a fanatic. He did not allow the Ulemas to influence his decisions and he followed a policy of religious tolerance towards people of other faiths.

Question 7.
When did Humayun ascend the throne and describe the length of boundaries of the kingdom?
Answer:
Humayun ascended the throne in AD 1530. He succeeded a vast empire which extended from Kabul in the west to Bihar in the east and from the Himalayas in the north to Gwalior in the South.

Question 8.
What is Humayunnama?
Answer:
Humayunnama is a book written by Humayun’s sister Gulbadan. It gives a detailed account of Humayun’s life.

Question 9.
Mention three important objectives of Sher Shah’s wise and enlightened rule.
Answer:
Important objectives of Sher Shah’s rule :

1. The most important objective was to drive out the Mughals from India and re-establish the Afghan rule in which he was successful.
2. He wanted to built an excellent network of communication and for this he built roads to facilitate the quick movement of officials and troops and to promote trade.
3. He wanted to improve the Revenue system and for this he brought many reforms like reducing the taxes, providing loans if the crops are damaged and improving the conditions of the peasants.

Question 10.
Describe briefly the main features of Sher Shah’s communication system?
Answer:
Sher Shah built an excellent network of roads to improve the communication system. He built four major roads among which the Grand Trunk road was the longest and the most important. It connected Sonargaon in the east to Peshawar in the north-west. Shady trees were planted on both sides of the roads and rest houses and wells were built for travellers and merchants.

Question 11.
On which principle administration of Sher Shah was based?
Answer:
Sher Shah was a brilliant organizer, both in military and civil affairs. He based his administration on the principle of a welfare state and introduced many reforms.

Question 12.
Describe the features of ‘The Grand Trunk Road’ build by Sher Shah during his reign?
Answer:
The Grand Trunk Road, built by Sher Shah was the longest and the most important of the four roads that he built. It connected Sonargaon in the east to Peshwar in the north west. Shady trees were planted on both sides of the road and rest houses and wells were built at regular intervals for travellers and merchants,

Question 13.
What was the duty of Shiqdar and Munsif?
Answer:
The Shiqdar was responsible for law, order and general administration and the Munsif looked after the collection of revenue and civil cases.

Question 14.
What did Sher Shah do to stop the officials from / becoming corrupt or powerful?
Answer:
To stop the officials from becoming corrupt or powerful, Sher Shah introduced the practice of transferring them periodically and he even looked into every detail of administration himself.

The Trail History and Civics for Class 7 ICSE Solutions – Rise of the Vijayanagar and Bahmani Kingdoms

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EXERCISE

1. Vijayanagar was established by two brothers, Harihara and Bukka Rai.
2. The Vijayanagar kingdom which was ruled by sixteen kings, was very powerful for 230 years and became the centre of Hindu civilization and culture.
3. The Raichur Doab became a battleground for the prolonged struggle between the Vijayanagar and Bahmani kingdoms.
4. Each province in the Vijayanagar kingdom was placed under a Governor who was responsible for the administration of that province.
5. The two main sources of revenue for the Vijayanagar kingdom were taxes on land and trade.
6. The Bahmani kingdom was established by Alauddin Hassan. It lasted for about 200 years and was ruled by eighteen kings.

B. Match the following :

Answer:

C. Choose the correct answer :

1. The greatest ruler of the Vijayanagar kingdom was Harihara/Bukka Raya I/Krishnadeva Raya.
Ans. The greatest ruler of the Vijayanagar kingdom was Krishnadeva Raya.

2. The Vijayanagar kingdom was divided into six/nine/ eight provinces.
Ans. The Vijayanagar kingdom was divided into six provinces.

3. The province/village/district was at the bottom rung of the administrative ladder in the Vijayanagar kingdom.
Ans. The village was at the bottom rung of the administrative ladder in the Vijayanagar kingdom.

4. The Bahmani kingdom reached the height of its glory under the leadership of Mahmud Gawan/Alauddin Bahman Shah/Adil Shah
Ans. The Bahmani kingdom reached the height of its glory under the leadership of Mahmud Gawan.

5. The Bahmani rulers patronized Hinduism/Buddhism/ Islam.
Ans. The Bahmani rulers patronized Islam.

D. State whether the following are true or false :

1. The founders of the Vijayanagar kingdom brought the whole of South India, from the Tungabhadra to Cape Comorin, under their control.
Ans. True.

2. The Vijayanagar kingdom had established trade relations with the Dutch.
Ans. False.
Correct : The Vijayanagar kingdom had established trade relations with the Portuguese.

3. Vijayanagar was one of the wealthiest kingdoms in the Deccan in the 15th and 16th centuries CE.
Ans. True.

4. Mahmud Gawan slept on a mat and ate in earthen vessels.
Ans. True

5. The Bahmani rulers used Persian and Arabic as court languages.
Ans. True.

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

Question 1.
How did the collapse of the Sultanate impact North India?
Answer:
North India was rocked by political turmoil and instability.

Question 2.
What was Krishnadeva Raya’s contribution to literature and art?
Answer:
Krishnadeva Raya was a great patron of art and literature, He was himself a Sanskrit scholar and a good Telegu poet. He maintained a magnificent court and encouraged poets and learned men.

Question 3.
What is the significance of the Battle of Talikota?
Answer:
In the battle of Talikota the five kingdoms of Bijapur, Ahmadanagar, Berar, Golconda and Bidar formed an alliance against Vijayanagar kingdom and gave it a crushing defeat. Due to this battle the Hindu empire in the South was totally finished.

P.Q. What major change was introduced in the village administration of the Vijayanagar kingdom?
Answer:
The village administration was at the bottom of the administrative ladder. The old feudal system was revived and hereditary officers governed the village

Question 4.
What measures did the Vijayanagar rulers take to develop agriculture?
Answer:
During the regin of Vijayanagar rulers forests were cleared to bring more land under cultivation. Many canals, irrigation tanks and dams were built to improve and develop agriculture.

Question 5.
Why were there no major social or cultural changes in the Vijayanagar kingdom?
Answer:
The Vijayanagar rulers followed ancient Vedic customs : therefore there was no major social or cultural changes during that time. The Society was quite conservative and was governed by religious norms. The caste system was rigid and Brahmanas were considered superior and these religious supremos did not allow to have much social or cultural changes.

Question 6.
Give one example to show that the Vijayanagar kings were tolerant and liberal.
Answer:
The Vijayanagar rulers were staunch Hindus but they were tolerant and liberal in their outlook. They employed Muslims in their army and administration. There was no discrimination between Christians, Jews, Muslims and Hindus.

Question 7.
Name any one foreign traveller whose observations are an important literary source of information about the Vijayanagar kingdom.
Answer:
Two important sources of information about the Vijayanagar empire had been received from travellers like Domingo Paes from Portugal and Abdur Razzaq from Persia.

Question 8.
What was the extent of the Bahmani kingdom?
Answer:
Bahmani kingdom stretched from the Arabian Sea to the Bay of Bengal and it also included the whole of northern Deccan with the river Krishna as its southern boundary.

Question 9.
Give one example to show that Mahmud Gawan was a patron of learning.
Answer:
Mahmud Gawan was a learned man and a patron of learning. He built a madarasa in the capital city of Bidar and donated his private collection of 3,000 books. He gave scholarships to poor and deserving students.

F. Answer the following questions briefly :

Question 1.
What did Krishnadeva Raya do to make the make the Vijayanagar kingdom powerful and prosperous?
Answer:
Krishnadeva Raya took various steps to make the Vijayanagar empire rich and prosperous like:

1. He encouraged foreign trade with the Portuguese.
2. He collected good revenue from them by imposing custom duties and other taxes.
3. He took active steps to promote agriculture.
4. Importance was given for increasing irrigation facilities by building dams and canals.

Question 2.
Mention two important features of each of the following in the Vijayanagar kingdom :

(a) central government
(b) provincial government.

Answer:
(a) Central government :

1. The king was the head of the administration and he was considered an absolute ruler and his will was law.
2. A council of ministers chosen by him assisted him in administering the empire.

(b) Provincial government :

1. The whole empire was divided into six provinces and each province was placed under the charge of a governor.
2. The provinces were further divided into districts and each district consisted of a number of villages.

Question 3.
Vijayanagar was one of the wealthiest kingdoms in the 15th and 16th centuries CE. Explain.
Answer:
Vijayanagar was one of the wealthiest kingdoms in the 15th and 16th centuries CE. The development of agriculture and the promotion of trade and commerce enriched the treasury. The two main sources of revenue were taxes on land and trade.
The land tax varied from one third to one sixth of the produce, depending on the quality of the land, which was assessed before the tax was levied. Forests were cleared and more land was brought under cultivation. Irrigation tanks, canals and dams were built.
Flourishing trade enriched the kingdom. The market overflowed with foreign imports such as Arabian horses, Chinese silks and Sri Lankan elephants. The main items of export were cotton cloth, sandalwood, rice, sugar and spices.

Question 4.
Describe :

(a) the importance of trade in Vijayanagar
(b) the position of women in society.

Answer:

(a) Krishnadeva Raja encouraged foreign trade with the Portuguese who had established trade centres on the Malabar Coast. He earned a rich revenue by imposing custom duties and other taxes on them. He took active steps to promote agriculture. Irrigation facilities were developed by building dams and canals.
(b) Women in general were respected, but they did not enjoy much freedom. Child marriage and sati were common practices. Some upper-class women, however, occupied high positions in society and participated in social, literary and even political life.

Question 5.
Briefly discuss the conflict between the Vijayanagar and Bahmani kingdoms over the Raichur Doab.
Answer:
The Raichur Doab was a fertile area, that touched the southern boundary of Bahmani kingdom and northern boundary of Vijayanagar empire. This area become a battleground for both the kingdoms as each one wanted to rule over it because it was a rich source of revenue. It constantly passed on from one hand to another till finally the issue was finished after the defeat of Vijayanagar in the Battle of Talikota.

Question 6.
Give an account of the achievements of Mahmud Gawan.
Answer:
As a competent and successful general Mahmud Gawan enlarged the boundaries of the kingdom and recaptured the important port of Goa from the Vijayanagar kingdom.
He was also a capable administrator. He promoted and encouraged agriculture a great deal. As a result the kingdom become economically prosperous.
Mahmud Gawan was a learned man and a patron of learning. He built a madarasa in the capital city of Bidar and donated his private collection of 3,000 books. He gave scholarships to poor and deserving students.

Question 7.
What was the actual position of the Bahmani kings in the administrative set-up?
Answer:
The Bahmani king in theory were powerful but in practice authority was depended on the strength of his army. Weak Sultans were controlled by the Ulemas and powerful nobles.

Question 8.
What did the Bahmani rulers do to patronize Islam?
Answer:
To patronize Islam the Bahmani rulers built many beautiful mosques in the capital cities of Gulbarga and Bidar. Madarasas and libraries were also set-up to promote Islamic studies and Persian and Arabic were used as court language.

Question 9.
Why were the sultans of the Deccan easily overpowered by the Mughal emperor of the north?
Answer:
The Sultans of the Deccan were in constant war among each other because of their mutual rivalries and due to this they also lost much of their wealth and become prey of the Mughal emperor of the North.

G Picture study :
This is a picture of the ruins of the capital city of a powerful kingdom in the Deccan which was founded by two brothers.

Question 1.
Identify the city and name the kingdom.
Answer:
Hampi, Vijaynagar kingdom.

Question 2.
Who was the greatest ruier of this kingdom?
Answer:
Krishnadeva Raya.

Question 3.
Mention any five achievements of this ruier.
Answer:

1. Krishnadeva encouraged foreign trade with the Portuguese who had established trade centres on the Malabar Coast.
2. He earned rich revenue by imposing custom duties and other taxes.
3. He took active steps to promote agriculture. Irrigation facilities were develpoed by building dams and canals
4. Krishnadeva Raya was a great patron of art and literature.
5. He maintainted a magnificent court and encouraged poets and learned men.

Question 4.
Describe briefly the capital city of this kingdom.
Answer:
Hampi, the capital of Vijayanagar, was a splendid city. It was surrounded by sevan walls and its total circumference was 96 kilometres (60 miles.) The streets were paved and well laid out. The city was studded with gardens, lakes, mansions and temples. Fresh sweet-scented flowers were sold in abundance. Everyone wore jewellery. Diamonds, rubies, pearls and emeralds were openly sold in crowded bazaars.

Question 5.
What is the most outstanding feature of the Gol Gumbaz?
Answer:
Gol Gumbaz has an enormous whispering dome. In this dome the whisper returns back nine times to the person who carries it out.