Exercise Question Answers for Chapter 2 Reshaping India’s Political Map for Class VIII in subject social Science ********************************* Questions and activities: 1. Compare the political strategies of the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughals. What similarities and differences existed between them? Answer: Similarities: Both aimed to control a large part of India. Both used strong armies and weapons to conquer. Taxes from people and trade were their main income. Built forts, palaces, and mosques/temples. Faced resistance from local rulers. Differences: Delhi Sultans mostly ruled through force and raids. Mughal rulers, especially Akbar, used alliances, marriages, and tolerance. Mughals built a better administration (mansabdari system). Delhi Sultans shifted capitals and had frequent violent successions. Mughals stayed in power longer because of better planning. 2. Why did kingdoms like the Vijayanagara Empire and the Ahom Kin...
Exercise Question Answers Chapter 6- The Age of Reorganisation (History) Subject Social Science Class 7
*******************************1. Why was the post-Maurya era also known as the era of reorganisation?
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After the fall of the Maurya Empire, India saw the rise of many small and large kingdoms.
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Existing regions were reorganised into competing kingdoms.
-
There was a continuous change in political power and territorial control.
-
Foreign invasions and cultural blending led to further reorganisation.
-
The political map of India changed significantly during this time.
2. Write a note on the Sangam literature in 150 words.
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Sangam literature refers to ancient Tamil poetry collections.
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It was composed during assemblies (Sangams) of poets.
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It portrays personal emotions like love and societal values like heroism.
-
The three major dynasties — Cheras, Cholas, and Pandyas — are often mentioned.
-
It provides insights into trade, warfare, governance, and culture of South India.
-
The poetry is known for its richness, depth of emotion, and vivid description of nature and society.
-
Sangam works are vital historical sources for understanding the southern kingdoms.
3. Which rulers mentioned in this chapter included their mother’s name in their title, and why did they do so?
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Ruler: Gautamīputra Sātakarṇi of the Sātavāhana dynasty.
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Reason:
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To honour his mother Gautamī Balaśhrī.
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It reflected the important role of queens and mothers in royal lineage.
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It emphasized matrilineal pride and possibly strengthened royal legitimacy.
4. Write a note of 250 words about one kingdom from this chapter that you find interesting.
Chosen Kingdom: Satavahanas
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Ruled large parts of the Deccan from the 2nd century BCE onwards.
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Capital cities included Amravati and Pratishthana (Paithan).
-
Economy was strong due to agriculture (Krishna-Godavari basin) and maritime trade.
-
Issued coins depicting ships, showing advanced shipbuilding and trade links with the Roman Empire.
-
Encouraged Buddhism, Jainism, and Vedic practices.
-
Supported art and architecture, e.g., contributions to the Karla Caves and Naneghat inscriptions.
-
Satavahana queens like Gautamī Balaśhrī were powerful and influential.
-
I chose the Satavahanas because they balanced trade, agriculture, religion, and cultural patronage beautifully, showing a rich, prosperous civilization.
5. Imagine you have the chance to create your own kingdom.
What royal emblem would you choose, and why? What title would you take as the ruler? Write a note about your kingdom, including its values, rules and regulations, and
some unique features.
My Kingdom: "Satyarajya"
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Royal Emblem: A golden tree symbolising prosperity and growth.
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Title: Dharma Samrat (Emperor of Justice)
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Values: Truth, fairness, respect for diversity, education.
-
Rules: Freedom of belief, free education, no discrimination, promotion of arts and trade.
-
Unique Features:
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Temples, schools, and markets coexisting.
-
Advanced shipbuilding docks for trade.
-
Annual festivals celebrating nature and heroes.
6. You have read about the architectural developments
of the post-Maurya era. Take an outline of the Indian subcontinent and mark the approximate locations of some
of the ancient structures mentioned in this chapter.
1. Why was the post-Maurya era also known as the era of reorganisation?
-
After the fall of the Maurya Empire, India saw the rise of many small and large kingdoms.
-
Existing regions were reorganised into competing kingdoms.
-
There was a continuous change in political power and territorial control.
-
Foreign invasions and cultural blending led to further reorganisation.
-
The political map of India changed significantly during this time.
2. Write a note on the Sangam literature in 150 words.
-
Sangam literature refers to ancient Tamil poetry collections.
-
It was composed during assemblies (Sangams) of poets.
-
It portrays personal emotions like love and societal values like heroism.
-
The three major dynasties — Cheras, Cholas, and Pandyas — are often mentioned.
-
It provides insights into trade, warfare, governance, and culture of South India.
-
The poetry is known for its richness, depth of emotion, and vivid description of nature and society.
-
Sangam works are vital historical sources for understanding the southern kingdoms.
3. Which rulers mentioned in this chapter included their mother’s name in their title, and why did they do so?
-
Ruler: Gautamīputra Sātakarṇi of the Sātavāhana dynasty.
-
Reason:
-
To honour his mother Gautamī Balaśhrī.
-
It reflected the important role of queens and mothers in royal lineage.
-
It emphasized matrilineal pride and possibly strengthened royal legitimacy.
-
4. Write a note of 250 words about one kingdom from this chapter that you find interesting.
Chosen Kingdom: Satavahanas
-
Ruled large parts of the Deccan from the 2nd century BCE onwards.
-
Capital cities included Amravati and Pratishthana (Paithan).
-
Economy was strong due to agriculture (Krishna-Godavari basin) and maritime trade.
-
Issued coins depicting ships, showing advanced shipbuilding and trade links with the Roman Empire.
-
Encouraged Buddhism, Jainism, and Vedic practices.
-
Supported art and architecture, e.g., contributions to the Karla Caves and Naneghat inscriptions.
-
Satavahana queens like Gautamī Balaśhrī were powerful and influential.
-
I chose the Satavahanas because they balanced trade, agriculture, religion, and cultural patronage beautifully, showing a rich, prosperous civilization.
My Kingdom: "Satyarajya"
-
Royal Emblem: A golden tree symbolising prosperity and growth.
-
Title: Dharma Samrat (Emperor of Justice)
-
Values: Truth, fairness, respect for diversity, education.
-
Rules: Freedom of belief, free education, no discrimination, promotion of arts and trade.
-
Unique Features:
-
Temples, schools, and markets coexisting.
-
Advanced shipbuilding docks for trade.
-
Annual festivals celebrating nature and heroes.
-
-
Bharhut Stupa – Madhya Pradesh.
-
Karla Caves – Near Lonavala, Maharashtra.
-
Naneghat Caves – Near Pune, Maharashtra.
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Udayagiri-Khandagiri Caves – Near Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
-
Heliodorus Pillar – Near Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh.
-
Grand Anicut (Kallanai Dam) – Tamil Nadu (on the Kaveri River).
***************************************
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Bharhut Stupa – Madhya Pradesh.
-
Karla Caves – Near Lonavala, Maharashtra.
-
Naneghat Caves – Near Pune, Maharashtra.
-
Udayagiri-Khandagiri Caves – Near Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
-
Heliodorus Pillar – Near Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh.
-
Grand Anicut (Kallanai Dam) – Tamil Nadu (on the Kaveri River).
***************************************
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