NCERT Solutions-Chapter 2-Reshaping India’s Political Map-Class 8-Social Science

 Exercise Question Answers for Chapter 2 Reshaping India’s Political Map for Class VIII in subject social Science

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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 Kingdom manage to resist conquest for a longer time compared to others? What geographical, military, and social factors contributed to their success? 

Answer: Geographical factors:

• Vijayanagara: Surrounded by hills and rivers at Hampi.

• Ahoms: Dense forests and Brahmaputra river for natural defence.

Military factors:

• Strong forts and armies.

• Use of guerrilla tactics (hit and run).

• Knowledge of their land helped them in war.

Social factors:

• People supported their kings.

• Local systems like the paik system (Ahoms) helped create an army.

• Strong local culture made people united.

3. Imagine you are a scholar in the court of Akbar or Krishnadevaraya. Write a letter to a friend describing the politics, trade, culture, and society you are witnessing. 

Answer: 

• The emperor welcomes scholars and debates about different religions.

• Trade is active; markets are full of goods from India and other countries.

• Art, music, and literature are encouraged.

• Society has people of different religions living together.

• Roads, forts, and cities are grand and well-managed.

4. How come Akbar, a ruthless conqueror in his young days, grew tolerant and benevolent after some years? What could have led to such a change? 

Answer: 

• Saw much destruction and suffering caused by wars.

• Wanted peace to rule such a large empire.

• Learned from scholars of different religions.

• Understood that alliances were better than only fighting.

• His experience made him wiser as he grew older.

5. What might have happened if the Vijayanagara Empire had won the Battle of Talikota? Imagine and describe how it could have changed the political and cultural history of south India. 

Answer: 

If Vijayanagara had won the Battle of Talikota:
Sikh value: Equality and its relevance today:
As a trader in a port city (example: Surat)

• Southern India would have stayed strong and united longer.

• Hampi might have remained a rich cultural city.

• Deccan Sultanates would have been weaker.

• Trade and art in the south would have grown even more.

• Mughal influence in the south might have been less.

6. Many values promoted by early Sikhism, including equality, seva, and justice, remain relevant today. Select one of these values and discuss how it remains relevant in contemporary society. 

Answer: 

• Teaches us to treat everyone equally, no matter their caste, religion or gender.

• Encourages fairness in schools and workplaces.

• Helps reduce discrimination in society.

• Promotes unity in a diverse country.

• Inspires us to help the poor and needy without bias.

7. Imagine you are a trader in a port city (Surat, Calicut or Hooghly). Describe the scenes you see as regards goods, people you trade with, movement of ships, etc.

Answer: 

• Ships from Arabia, Persia, and Europe bring goods.

• Markets are full of spices, textiles, horses, and metals.

• Merchants of different countries meet and trade.

• Crowds of workers loading and unloading ships.

• The city is busy and rich because of sea trade.

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To Learn More Click Below:

NCERT Solutions:

Chapter-1 Natural resources and Their Use - CLICK HERE

Chapter-2 Reshaping India's Political Map - CLICK HERE

Chapter-3 The Rise of the Marathas - CLICK HERE

Chapter-4 The Colonial Era in India - CLICK HERE

Chapter-5 Universal Franchise and India’s Electoral System - CLICK HERE

Chapter-6 The Parliamentary System Legislature and Executive - CLICK HERE

Chapter-7 Factors of Production - CLICK HERE

To Learn More Click Below:

MCQs- CLICK HERE

Chapter 2-Reshaping India’s Political Map - CLICK HERE