CLASS VII HISTORY

 

CHAPTER-1: TRACING CHANGES THROUGH A THOUSAND YEARS

A.  Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

1.   A person who makes maps is known as-

a)   Cartographer     b) Architect         c) Cartography    d) Map-maker

2.   Study of maps is known as-

a)   Map making        b) Cartography  c) Designing        d) None of these

3.   Map made by a French cartographer in 1720 was generally used by-

a)   Sailors                 b) Merchants       c) Voyagers                 d) All of these

4.   Who used the word ‘Hindustan’ to describe the geography, the fauna and the culture of people of subcontinent in 16^th century?

a)   Akbar                          b) Jahangir          c) Babar             d) Sher Shah Suri

5.   Which of these sources are used by historians?

a)   Inscriptions         b) Coins              c) Manuscripts     d) All of these

6.   Name the place where documents and manuscripts are stored-

a)   Library                b) Archive           c) Gallery   d) Archaeological Department

7.   In the absence of _____, people used to copy manuscripts by  hands.

a)   Paper                  b) Pens               c) Printing press  d) Writers

8.   Who among the following was a fourteenth-century chronicler who wrote his first chronicle in 1356 and the second one two years later?

a)   Ziya-ud-din Barani    b) Amir Khusarau                  c) Minhaj-i- Siraj     d) Al-Idrisi

B.  Very Short Answer Type Questions

1.   Which period of history is known as the medieval age?

2.   Name the people who first came to India as traders and later became rulers in the Middle Ages.

3.   In which two parts is the medieval history of India divided?

4.   Name the two main sources of studying ancient history.

5.   What is cartography?

6.   Which map was used by European sailors on voyages?

7.   Why are maps and texts important for historians?

8.   What is an archive?

9.   Why are there biases in the writings of historians?

10.       Who was Ziya-ud-din Barani?

11.       What is meant by the word ‘Rajputs’?

C.   Short Answer Type Questions

1.   What is the contribution of the medieval period in the Indian history?

2.   What are the sources of the study of the Medieval period of Indian history?

3.   Give three differences in the maps made by Arab geographer, Al-Idrisi and French cartographer discussed in this chapter.

4.   Why is medieval period known as the period of great mobility?

5.   What do you know about new peasant groups of medieval age?

D.  Long Answer Type Questions

1.   Discuss the old regions of medieval age which existed in India.

2.   Which major changes came during the period of 700 C.E to 1750 C.E?

E.   Hots Corner

1.   What are the features of Jati?

2.   What is written in a Sanskrit Prashasti about the Delhi Sultan Ghiyas-ud-din Balban?

3.   What are the problems in dealing with original manuscripts of the authors?

F.   Value Based Questions

1.   Is the study of history important? Why or why not?

2.   How can epigraphy be useful in studying history?

 

 

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CHAPTER-02: NEW KINGS AND KINGDOMS

A.  Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

1.   Where did the Gujara-Pratiharas rule?

a)   Westerrn Deccan b) Gujarata and Rajasthan c) Bengal    d) Tamil Nadu

2.   Where did the Rashtrakutas rule?

a)   Western Deccan b) Bengal  c) Gujarata and Rajasthan     d) ) Tamil Nadu

3.   In which areas did Palas rule?

a)   Westerrn Deccan b) Gujarata and Rajasthan    c) Bengal   d) Tamil Nadu

4.   Which dynasty ruled over Tamil Nadu after the 7^th century?

a)   Gurjara-Pratiharas       b) Rashtrakutas          c) Palas      d) All of these

5.   Which one of the following kingdoms was involved in the tripartite struggle?

a)   Gurjara-Pratiharas       b) Rashtrakutas            c) Palas      d) All of these

6.   Mahamandaleswara was the ____.

a)   Great lord of a region                 b) King of the region   

b)  Minister of the king                       c) Peasant leader

7.   What was the necessary qualification to become the member of a committee of Sabha in the Chola empire?

a)   Person should have his home

b)  Should own land from which revenue is collected

c)   Age should be between 35-70 years

d)  All of these

8.   Which of these cities were under the control of the Chahamanas?

a)   Ajmer                 b) Delhi               c) Both ‘a’ and ‘b’      d) None of these

B.  Very Short Answer Type Questions

1.   Name three kingdoms which fought with each other to gain control over northern India.

2.   Which scholar was sent to India by Mahmud Ghazni?

3.   Who defeated Mahmud Ghori and what happened later on?

4.   Who opposed the expansion of Chahamanas towards the west and east?

5.   Which was the most important of the kingdoms of the Indian Peninsula?

6.   Name the two type of persons who were greatly respected in the Chola kingdom.

7.   What was expected from warrior chiefs in the 7^th century?

8.   Who composed the prashastis?

9.   When and from where did Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni rule?

10.  Who was appointed by Mahmud Ghazni to write an account of the subcontinent?

11.  Who were the two best-remembered Cholka kings?

12.  Which areas were raided by Rajendran I?

13.  Where was the land produce of Chola temples used?

C.   Short Answer Type Questions

1.   What do you know about Kanauj? State its significance.

2.   What do you know about the Rashtrakutas?

3.   What were the main causes that led Mahmud Ghazni to invade India?

4.   What do you know about the agricultural development in Chola kingdom?

D.  Long Answer Type Questions

1.   What were the main features of the Chola government?

2.   What was the tripartite struggle? Which parties were involved in it?

3.   How did the Cholas rise to power?

4.   How did the Sabha work during the age of Chola rulers?

E.   Hots Corner

1.   What were the functions of Sabha in the Chola kingdom?

2.   Do you think women participated in the assemblies or Sabhas? Do you think lotteries were useful in choosing members of committees?

3.   What happened when Samantas gained power?

4.   How were resources used during the period from 7^th to 12^th century? Who collected the revenue for the state?

F.   Value Based Questions

1.   How can you say that Chola kings were great builders of temples?

2.   Describe some essential features of the administration of the new kingdoms.

 

 

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CHAPTER-03: THE DELHI SULTANS

A.  Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

1.   In which century was the foundation of Delhi Sultans laid?

a)   13^th century        b) 12^th century    c) 14^th century    d) 15^th century

2.   When did Raziyya Sultan become the queen of Delhi?

a)   1240 C.E             b) 1236 C.E        c) 1244 C.E                 d) 1248 C.E

3.   When did Timur invade India?

a)   1390 C.E             b) 1394 C.E        c) 1398 C.E                 d) 1402 C.E

4.   Who invade India in 1526 C.E

a)   Babur                 b) Humayun        c) Ala-ud-din Khaliji      d) Firuz Shah Tughlaq

5.   Which ruler first established his capital at Delhi?

a)   Prithviraj Chauhan   b) Tomara Rajputs   c) Babur     d) Qutub-ud-din Aibak

6.   Ibn Battuta belonged to ______ in Africa.

a)   South Africa        b) Tanzania                          c) Morocco           d) Ghana

7.   Under whose reign did the Sultanate reach its farthest extent?

a)   Qutub-ud-din Aibak   b) TomaraRajputs  c) Babur    d) Ala-ud-din Khaliji

8.   Name the language of administration under the Delhi Sultans.

a)   Hindi                  b) Sanskrit                  c) Urdu               d) Persian

B.  Very Short Answer Type Questions

1.   Name the first slave king of Delhi Sultanate.

2.   Who became the king of Delhi after Qutub-ud-din Aibak?

3.   Which Delhi Sultan wanted to conquer whole of the world?

4.   Who was the first woman queen and when did she become a sultan?

5.   Who was Ibn Battuta?

6.   When did Delhi become an important city?

7.   When and how did Delhi transform into a capital city?

8.   What is Masjid?

9.   Which types of taxes were there in Delhi Sultanate?

10. Who challenged the Delhi Sultanate and why?

11. Why was it difficult to control distant provinces?

12. Why were Delhi Sultans forced to keep a large army?

C.   Short Answer Type Questions

1.   What did Ala-ud-din Khaljido to become the second Alexander of the world?

2.   What do you mean by the Iqta system?

3.   How can we get information about the Delhi Sultans?

4.   What should be kept in mind about the authors of the Tawarikh while taking them into consideration?

5.   What were the external frontiers of the Sultanate?

6.   Why did political instability come in the administration in the Sultanate?

D.  Long Answer Type Questions

1.   How was the administration of Delhi Sultanate organized?

2.   What were the reasons of downfall of the Delhi Sultanate?

3.   What were the differences between Ala-ud-din Khaliji and Muhammad Tughluq?

E.   Hots Corner

1.   What were the functions of Muqtis?

2.   Which reforms were introduced under the Khalijis and the Tughluqs?

3.   Which economic reforms were introduced by Delhi Sultans?

4.   Why did large parts of the country remain outside of the control of Delhi Sultanate?

F.   Value Based Questions

1.   What inspiration do you draw from the Delhi Sultanate ruler, Qutub-ud-din Aibak?

2.   Why does Ala-ud-din hold an important place in Delhi Sultanate’s history?

3.   Which Sultan of Delhi do you consider as the best ruler of the Sultanate’s history?

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CHAPTER-04: THE MUGHAL EMPIRE

A.  Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

1.   When did Timur die?

a)   1404 C.E             b) 1398 C.E        c) 1396 C.E                          d) 1406 C.E

2.   Mongols were the descendants of-

a)   Genghis Khan      b) Timur              c) Both ‘a’ and ‘b’          d)) None of these

3.   The Mughals were proud of their ______ ancestry.

a)   Timurid               b) Mongols          c) Both ‘a’ and ‘b’         d) None of these

4.   When did Babur defeat Ibrahim in Panipat?

a)   1523 C.E             b) 1519 C.E        c) 1526 C.E                          d) 1530 C.E

5.   When did Akbar come to power?

a)   1560 C.E             b) 1558 C.E        c) 1564 C.E                          d) 1556 C.E

6.   Who wrote Ain-i- Akbari?

a)   Abul Fazal           b) Tansen            c) Raja Man Singh        d) Todar Mal

7.   Mughal tradition of succession was to divide the state into ____ of the father.

b)  Sons           b) Daughter                 c) Both ‘a’ and ‘b’         d) None of these

8.   Mother of Jahangir was the princess of-

a)   Rajkot        b) Amber                    c) Ajmer                      d) Jaisalmer

B.  Very Short Answer Type Questions

1.   Who was the founder of Mughal Empire in India?

2.   Who defeated Humayun and when did he re-establish Mughal power in India?

3.   Why was it difficult for any ruler to rule over the Indian subcontinent?

4.   Why did Mughals dislike to be called as Mongols?

5.   Why were Mughals proud of their Timurid ancestry?

6.   Who was Mansabdar?

7.   What was the idea behind sulh-i-kul or universal peace?

8.   What was the Mughal tradition of succession?

9.   Who was Genghis Khan?

10.       Who was Babur?

C.   Short Answer Type Questions

1.   Why was Babur invited by the nobles to fight against the Lodis?

2.   Describe the Rajpput policy of Akbar?

3.   Who were the Mughals?

4.   How did Babur capture Delhi and Agra?

5.   What do you know about Humayun?

6.   What do you know about Jahangir?

7.   What were the responsibilities of Mansabdars?

8.   Explain the administration of Akbar as written by Abul Fazl.

9.   Why did the idea of sulh-i-kul or ubiversal peace come to Akbar?

D.  Long Answer Type Questions

1.   How did Akbar consolidate the Mughal Empire?

2.   What do you know about the administration of Akbar?

3.   How did Akbar improve the collection of revenue?

E.   Hots Corner

1.   How did the new dynasties come into being?

Or, how did the regional powers emerge as powerful centres?

2.   Explain Nur Jahan’s influence in Jahangir’s court.

3.   What was Zat ranking?

4.   Give an account of Akbar Nama and Ain-i-Akbari.

F.   Value Based Questions

1.   What was Akbar’s role in nation-building?

2.   Why is Akbar known as ‘Akbar the Great’?

 

 

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CHAPTER-05: RULERS AND BUILDINGS

A.  Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

1.   Who built the Qutub Minar?

a)   Qutub-ud-din Aibak  b) Ala-ud-din-Khalji      c) Akbar     d) Balban

2.   How many types of structures were built beyween 8^th and 18^th centuries?

a)   Five                 b) Two                c) Three                      d) Four

3.   The part of a building above the ground floor was known as-

a)   Roof                b) Tomb              c) Superstructure              d) Baoli

4.   Agra fort was built by-

a)   Shah Jahan      b) Babur             c) Akbar                      d) Humayun

5.   Between 7^th and 10^th centuries, architects started adding more ______ to the building?

a)   Rooms             b) Doors             c) Windows                  d) All of these

6.   A style of architecture in which roofs, doors and windows made by placing a horizontal beam across two vertical columns was known as-

a)   Trabeate          b) Superstructure                 d) Substructure    d) None of these

7.   _____ were attached to the temples, mosques, tombs and in buildings between 8^th and 13^th centuries?

a)   Substructure             b) Baoli               c) Gardens          d) Chahar Bagh

8.   Who constructed the Kandariya Mahadev Temple?

a)   Rajarajadeva   b) SrimaraShrivallabha         c) Dhangadeva    d) Sena I

B.  Very Short Answer Type Questions

1.   Who constructed the Qutub Minar?

2.   What is a superstructure?

3.   How much labour was used to construct the Agra Fort?

4.   Why were temples and mosques constructed?

5.   Why did Sultan Iltutmish win universalrespect?

6.   What was Hauz-iSultani?

7.   What were Chaharbagh?

8.   What was aim for constructing Shah Jahan’s audience hall?

9.   What helped in the cross-fertilization of artistic forms and architectural styles?

10. Why did kings use to take god’s name in naming the temples?

C.   Short Answer Type Questions

1.   Shah Jahan was the most magnificent builder among the Mughals. Discuss.

2.   Which types of structures were made by kings and their officers between 8^th and 18^th centuries?

3.   What were the main features of architectural works between 7^th to 13^th centuries?

4.   What do you know about Kandariya Mahadev Temple?

5.   What does the inscription in Quwwat-al-islam mosque state about God?

6.   Which were the main important architectural inventions during Akbar’s reign?

7.   How can you say that Mughals rulers were skilled in adopting regional architectural styles?

D.  Long Answer Type Questions

1.   What were the main features of Mughal architecture?

2.   How can you say that different rulers used to destroy temples and statues of deities of other kingdoms? Give examples.

3.   Give an account of Shah Jahan’s love for art and architecture?

E.   Hots Corner

1.   Tell something about Qutub Minar.

2.   Why did Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni destroy the temples during his invasions?

F.   Value Based Questions

1.   Why were various forms of architecture built by kings, emperors and rulers?

2.   What values do you derive from the architecture built during the medieval era?

 

 

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CHAPTER-06: TOWNS, TRADERS AND CRAFTSPERSONS

 

A.  Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

1.   Which of these is a type of town?

a)   Temples town                    c) Commercial town     

b)  administrative town           d) All of these

2.   when of these was the capital of Chola Dynasty?

a)   Thanjavur        b) Masulipatnam           c) Surat              d) Hampi

3.   Kings used to hold courts at ____ to give orders to subordinates.

a)   Temples           b) Royal courts            c) Mandapas       d) Forts

4.   Who built the rajarajesvara temple?

a)   Krishnadeva Ray       b) Akbar    c) RajarajaChola           d) None of these

5.   The process by which cities develop is known as ____ .

a)   Civilisation                b) Urbanisation   c) Metropolitan    d) Modernization

6.   Piligrimagecentres which slowly developed into township was ____ .

c)   Vrindavan        b) Ajmer             c) Tiruvannamalai         d) All of these

7.   Who gave the right to collect taxes from traders to the temples?

a)   Kings               b) Temple authorities   c) Zamindars       d) None of these

8.   Who made guilds to protect their interests?

a)   Kings               b) traders           c) Samantas                 d) Artisans

B.  Very Short Answer Type Questions

1.   Name the different type of towns.

2.   Which was the capital city of Chola Kingdom?

3.   What was the use of Mandapas in Thanjavur?

4.   Who were the Sthapatis?

5.   Name some pilgrimage centers which developed into townships.

6.   Why did the traders from guilds?

7.   Which craft persons belonged to the Vishwakarma community?

8.   When was Hampi founded and where is it situated?

9.   Why did the city of Hampi decline?

10. Why Surat has been called as the gateway for trade with west Asia and a gateway to Mecca?

11. How did the Qutab Sahi rulers of Golconda prevent trade from passing into the hands of various European companies?

12. How did the city of Masulipatnam became populous and prosperous?

13. Who annexed Golaconda in 1686-87?

C.   Short Answer Type Questions

1.   What do you know about the economic activities in Thanjavur?

2.   Explain the importance of towns as pilgrimage centers?

3.   How did small towns come into being after the 8^th century?

4.   Tell something about the trading communities of India of that time?

5.    Tell something about Indian trade with other countries?

6.   What do you know about communities which were associated with different crafts?

7.   What were the distinctions features of architecture of Hampi?

D.  Long Answer Type Questions

1.   Tell something aboutThanjavur as an administrative centre.

2.   What do you know about Hampi? Elaborate.

3.   Why was Surat an important city during the Mughal period? How did its importance declilne?

4.   What do you know about the city of Masulipatnam? Write in detail.

E.   Hots Corner

1.   Why were Indian traders forced to work as agents for European Companies?

2.   Which type of taxes were levied on the people by temple authorities in the 10^th century?

3.   How did the Chola make bronze statues with the help of ‘lost wax technique’?

F.   Value Based Questions

1.   How did the villages developed into important towns?

 

 

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CHAPTER-07: TRIBES NOMADS AND SETTLED COMMUNITIES

 

A.  Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

1.   Society of the subcontinent in medieval age was divided according to the rules of ____.

a)   Vama               b) Rajputs           c) Class               d) Different Religions

2.   Tribal people used to live in-

a)   Valleys             b) Forests           c) Mountains       d) All of these

3.   Societies which do not follow the rules given by Brahmans and were not divided into many unequal classes were known as –

a)   Urban Societies                                  c) Tribal Societies

b)  Rural Societies                           d) Modern Societies

4.   Which of these is the feature of the tribal society?

a)   United by kinship bond              

b)  Obtained livelihood by agriculture

c)   Have their own different religion, culture and language

d)  All of these

5.   Which tribe was influential in Punjab in the 13^th and 14^th century?

a)   Gokkhar           b) Khokar            c) Gond               d) Bhil

6.   Which of these was a large and powerful tribe of north-west India?

a)   Balochi             b) Gonds             c) Gokkhar          d) Bhils

7.   Which of these was living in western Himalayas?

a)   Nagas              b) Goddis            c) Ahoms             d) Cheros

8.   Which tribe had their homes in Maharashtra highlands        , Karnataka and Gujarat?

a)   Gonds              b) Gond              c) Karagas           d) Kolis

B.  Very Short Answer Type Questions

1.   What is a tribe?

2.   Which tribes were influential in Punjab in the 13^th and 14^th century?

3.   Name some tribes of India in Medeival period?

4.   Which tribe emerged in Bihar and Jharkhand in Akbar’s reign?

5.   Where did Mundas and Santhals live?

6.   Who were the nomadic pastoralists?

7.   What was barhot?

8.   Who was Rani Durgawati?

9.   When was Garha Katanga attacked by the Mughal army?

10. Which kingdoms were annexed by ahoms?

C.   Short Answer Type Questions

1.   What was the hierarchy of varnas?

2.   What are the features of tribal societies?

3.   What helped in bringing change in tribal and varna-based societies?

4.   What were the functions of pastoral and tribal people?

5.   How didjati become the basis for organizing society?

6.   How were Kshatriyas able to create powerful states?

7.   What do you know about Rani Durgawati of Gond Kingdom, Garha Katanga?

D.  Long Answer Type Questions

1.   Write a note on the emergence of Gond Kingdom.

2.   What do you know about the society and religious beliefs of Ahoms?

E.   Hots Corner

1.   Which social changes came the among the tribal people?

2.   Tell something about the Mongols.

F.   Value Based Questions

1.   What values are inherent to tribes?

2.   Do you think that the interaction between the tribal and non-tribal communities is good?

 

 

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CHAPTER-08:   DEVOTIONAL PATHS TO THE DIVINE

 

A.  Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

1.   People used to worship by singing _____ .

a)   Bhajanas                  b) Qawwalis        c) Kirtanas           d) All of these

2.   Which ancient teligions said that cycle of birth and rebirth can be broken through personal efforts?

a)   Buddhism        b) Both ‘a’ and ‘c’          c) Jainism            d) None of these

3.   Saints devoted to Shiva were known as-

a)   Nayanars                  b) Buddhists       c) Alvars              d) Jainas

4.   Saints devoted to Vishnu were known as-

a)   Nayanars          b) Jainas                     c) Alvars              d) Buddhists

5.   Writings of saints, lives were known as-

a)   Autobiographies                         c) hagiographies 

b)  Biographies                                d) Religious Biographies

6.   Which kings built elaborate temples around many shrines visited by the saint poets in and 10^th and 12^th centuries?

b)  Chola               b) Both ‘a’ and ‘c’          c) Pandyas          d) None of these

7.   Shankar was born in ____ in the 8^th century.

a)   Tamil Nadu      b) Kerala             c) Andhra Pradesh       d) Karnataka

8.   Shankara advocated the philosophy of _____.

a)   Belief in different souls                        c) Advaita

b)  Belief in one soul                                 d) Illusion

B.  Very Short Answer Type Questions

1.   How did people perform rituals or worship?

2.   How did intense devotion come in worship?

3.   What was the idea of cycles of births and rebirths?

4.   What is written in Puranas about receiving grace of God?

5.   How did the link strengthen between Bhakti tradition and temple worship?

6.   What are the sources of history of Bhakti tradition?

7.   What was the focus of regional tradition of Bhakti in Maharashtra?

8.   What was the humanist idea of Bhakti Movement?

9.   Which methods of training were developed by Sufis?

10. Why did the tombs of Sufi saints become places of Pilgrimage?

C.   Short Answer Type Questions

1.   Briefly explain about the Nayanars and Alvars.

2.   What do you know about the teachings of Shankara?

3.   What were the teachings of Ramanuja?

4.   What was the Virashaiva Movement?

5.   What were the views of Nathapanthis, Siddhas, and Yogis?

6.   Briefly explain about the Sufis of Cental Asia settled in India?

D.  Long Answer Type Questions

1.   What was the idea of Supreme God?

2.   What do you know about Kabir? Discuss in details.

3.   How did the teachings of different Gurus come in one holy book, Guru Grantha Sahib of the Shikha?

4.   What do you know about the new wave of Bhakti Movement in North India after the 13^th century?

E.   Hots Corner

1.   How did Sikh Movement become a political entity?

F.   Value Based Questions

1.   What is the best way to serve God?

 

 

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CHAPTER-09:    THE MAKING OF REGIONAL CULTURES

A.  Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

1.   Chera Kingdom of Mohadayapuram was established in the-

a)   9^th century       b) 10^th century    c) 11^th century    d) 12^th century

2.   First literary works in Malayalam are directly indebted to-

a)   Hindi                b) Sanskrit          c) Odia                d) Bangali

3.   King ____ dedicated to his kingdom to deity Jagannath and proclaimed himself as a deputy of God.

a)   Ananta Varman                 b) Vijayan IIc) Anangabhima IIId) None of these

4.   Who built the temple for Purushottama Jagannath at Puri?

a)   Anantavarman b) Vijayan II       c) Anangabhima III      d) Ashok

5.   All the rulers tried to gain control over the temples of –

a)   Madurai           b) Mathura          c) Jagannath                d) Meenakshi

6.   The region which constitutes most of present-day ______ was called the Rajputana by the British.

a)   Punjab             b) Rajasthan       c) Uttar Pradesh           d) Gujurat

7.   ______ was a Rajput ruler.

a)   Akbar              b) Birbal              c) Prithviraj Chauhan    d) Shah Jahan

8.   Which of these was a strong emotion of the Rajputs?

a)   Loyalty             b) Valour             c) Friendship                d) All of these

B.  Very Short Answer Type Questions

1.   How do we associate any person with his region?

2.   When and where was kingdom of Mahodayapuram established?

3.   Who introduced Malayalam language in her inscription?

4.   Who borrowed stories from Sanskrit epics?

5.   Who proclaimed himself as the deputy of God?

6.   What was Rajputana?

7.   Where were the stories about Rajput heroes recorded?

8.   What does the term ‘sati’ denote?

9.   Which are the six forms of classical dances?

10. What are miniatures?

11. How were miniatures used in earlier times?

12. Why did Mughal artists migrate to hills?

C.   Short Answer Type Questions

1.   Which god was identified with Lord Vishnu and why?

2.   Who lived and ruled Rajputana?

3.   Give a historical glimpse of Kathaka dance form?

4.   Why did the painters of Mughal Empire spread in whole the country?

5.   The Bengali language is derived from the Sanskrit language. Comment.

D.  Long Answer Type Questions

1.   How did the art of miniature painting develop in Himalayan region?

E.   Hots Corner

1.   What were the main features of temples in Bengal?

2.   What is Brihaddharma Purana?

F.   Value Based Questions

1.   Why are regional cultures not separated by territorial frontiers?

2.   ‘Indian dance form has developed a rich classical tradition’. How?

 

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CHAPTER-10:    EIGHTEENTH-CENTURY POLITICAL FORMATIONS

A.  Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

1.   When did Aurangzeb die?

a)   1707 C.E.        b) 1708 C.E.       c) 1706 C.E.        d) 1705 C.E.

2.   When was Guru Gobind Sing martyred?

a)   1707 C.E.        b) 1708 C.E.       c) 1706 C.E.        d) 1705 C.E.

3.   When was the third battle of Panipat fought?

a)   1750 C.E.        b) 1755 C.E.       c) 1761 C.E.        d) 1766 C.E.

4.   Why did Mughal Empire decline?

a)   Depleted financial and military resources.

b)  Increasing power of nobles.

c)   Peasant and Zamindar rebellion.

d)  All of these

5.   When did nadir Shah attack and capture the city of Delhi?

a)   1739 C.E.        b) 1741 C.E.       c) 1737 C.E.                 d) 1743 C.E.

6.   How many times did Ahmad Shah Abdali invade India from 1748 till 1761 C.E.?

a)   Two                 b) Five                c) Seven                     d) Four

7.   Which of these groups of nobles was there in the Mughal Court?

a)   Iranis               b) Turanis           c) Both ‘a’ and ‘b’         d) None of these

8.   Which of these emperors was killed by the Mughal nobles?

a)   Aurangzeb       b) Farrukh Siyar  c) Shah Alam II            d) Ahmad Shah

B.  Very Short Answer Type Questions

1.   When did Aurangzeb die?

2.   When was the third battle of Panipat fought?

3.   When did Nadir Shah attack Delhi?

4.   When and how many times did Ahmad Shah Abdali invade North India?  

5.   Which were the two factions of nobles in Mughal Court?

6.   Why were later Mughal Emperors considered as puppets in the hands of nobles?

7.   Who were the governors of Awadh, Bengal and Hyderabad?

8.   Who was Nizam-ul-Mulk Asaf Jah?

9.   Who stopped the Nizam to conquer the Coromandel Coast in the east?

10. Who was Burhan-ul-Mulk Saadat Khan?

11. Who was Murshid Quli Khan?

12. When was the institutionof Kalsa created?

13. What was system of rakhi?

14. Why was Hyderabad constantly engaged in struggle?

C.   Short Answer Type Questions

1.   How did the political conditions of India change dramatically in the 18^th century?

2.   Who was the most powerful Jat ruler? Name his capital and which area were included in his kingdom?

3.   How did Sa’adat Khan try to decrease Mughal influence in Awadh?

4.   How did Murshid Quli Khan reduce Mughal control over Bengal?

5.   Which Rajput kings were given watan jagirs?

D.  Long Answer Type Questions

1.   What were the reasons for decline of Mughal Empire?

2.   How did Hyderabad emerge and who stopped its expansion?

3.   What were the common features among three factional states of Bengal, Hyderabad and Awadh?

E.   Hots Corner

1.   How did political struggle continue after Guru Gobind Singh under Banda Bahadur?

2.   How did Shivaji fight with the Mughals?

3.   How did Shikhs become a political power?

F.   Value Based Questions

1.   Mention any three qualities of Burhan-ul-Mulk Sa’adat Khan which establishes him as the great ruler in Indian history.

 

 

 

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Governors-General of Bengal and Governors-General of India

 

Governor-General of India & Important Events

The first Governor-General of Bengal was Warren Hastings with tenure of office from 1772-1785. Warren Hastings was an English statesman, the head of the Supreme Council of Bengal. He brought an end to the Dual Government system by enforcing the Regulating Act of 1773. He founded the Calcutta Madrasa for the promotion of Islamic studies, and the Asiatic Society of Bengal with William Jones in the year 1781 and 1784 respectively. Hastings was also elected as a fellow of the Royal Society in 1801.

Charter Act of 1833 made Governor-General of Bengal as Governor-General of British India. And, William Bentick was the first Governor-General of British India. 

More such information on different Viceroys and Governor-General Of India along with the major reforms brought by them are given below in the form of a list. 

List of Governors-General of Bengal

Year	Governor-General of Bengal	Major Reforms & Events
1772-1785	Warren Hastings	First Governor-General of Bengal End to the dual system of administration Regulating Act of 1773 Supreme Court at Calcutta Asiatic Society of Bengal First Anglo-Maratha War and Treaty of Salbai First English translation of Bhagavad Gita Pitt’s India Act-1784
1786-1793	Lord Cornwallis	Establishment of Appellate courts and lower grade courts Establishment of Sanskrit college Third Anglo-Mysore War and Treaty of Seringapatam Introduction of Permanent Settlement and civil services
1793-1798	Sir John Shore	Charter act of 1793 Policy of Non-intervention Battle of Kharda
1798-1805	Lord Wellesley	Introduction of Subsidiary Alliance System Fourth Anglo- Mysore war and the Treaty of Bassein Second Anglo – Maratha war Establishment of Madras presidency Establishing Fort William College at Calcutta
1805-1807	Sir George Barlow	The Acting Governor-General of India until the arrival of Lord Minto, Diminished the area of British territory because of his passion for economy and retrenchment, The Mutiny of Vellore took place in 1806
1807-1813	Lord Minto I	Concluded the treaty of Amritsar with Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1809, Introduced the Charter Act of 1813
1813-1823	Lord Hastings	The policy of Non-intervention came to an end third Anglo-Maratha war Abolition of Peshwaship Establishment of the Ryotwari System in Madras (By Thomas Munroe) and Bombay Mahalwari system in north-western Provinces and Bombay
1823-1828	Lord Amherst	The annexation of Assam leading to the first Burmese war of 1824, The mutiny of Barrackpore in 1824

Governors-General of India

Year	Governors-General of India	Major Reforms
1828-1835	Lord William Bentinck	First Governor-General of India (Charter Act of 1833 made Governor-General of Bengal as Governor-General of India.) Abolition of Sati Suppression of Thugee, infanticide and child sacrifices. English Education Act of 1835 Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata
1835-1836	Lord Charles Metcalfe	‘Liberator of the Indian press detached all restraints on an open press
1836-1842	Lord Auckland	Dedicated himself to the improvement of native schools and the expansion of the commercial industry of India The first Anglo-Afghan war
1842-1844	Lord Ellenborough	Sindh was annexed
1844-1848	Lord Hardinge I	First Anglo Sikh War (1845-46)
	Lord Dalhousie (Governors-General of India)	introduced ‘Doctrine of Lapse‘ Doctrine of Good Charles Wood Dispatch Post Office Act, 1854 1st Railway line connecting Bombay and Thane Established engineering college in Roorkee Second Anglo-Sikh War  First telegraph line  Establishment of the Public Works Department  Abolition of titles and pensions. Started Competitive  examination for Indian Civil Services  Widow Remarriage Act
1856-1857	Lord Canning	Three universities at Calcutta, Madras and Bombay in 1857 were established Revolt of 1857 took place Note – Post-1857 Revolt, Governor-General of India was made Viceroy of British India and Canning became the first Viceroy of India/British India.

Major Sources of Indian Constitution

Introduction

The Indian Constitution, originally titled as Bharatiya Samvidhana has been effective since 26th January 1950. It is the longest constitution in the world, and fairly enough since it has been influenced by the constitutions of different countries. Considering the diversity of culture, religion and languages present in the country, the constitution was made leaving nobody out of the frame.

How have other constitutions influenced the Indian Constitution?

Government of India Act, 1935

• The Federal Scheme  

The Federalism in India discusses the distribution of legal authority over national, state and neighborhood governments in India. It is installed from the Canadian model of federalism. The Constitution of India sets up a bureaucratic structure to the Indian government, proclaiming it to be a “Union of States”.

• Office of Governor

Article 153 of the Constitution of India requires a governor to be designated for each state in India. Like the President is for the Union, the governor is the chief executive leader of a state. The governor is neither directly chosen by individuals nor, similar to the president, chosen by a specially constituted Electoral College.

• Judiciary

Chapter IV under Part V of the constitution (Union) deals with The Union Judiciary. The constitution and jurisdiction of the Supreme Court is stated in detail from articles 124-147. The Judiciary in India is integrated unlike the Legislature or the Executive branches.

• Public Service Commissions

Articles 315 to 323 in Part XIV of the Constitution of India provides for the establishment of Public Service Commission for the Union and a Public Service Commission for each State. Each state has its own Public Service Commission with functions similar to the Union Public Service Commission.

• Emergency provisions

Emergency Provisions are contained in Part Eighteen of the Constitution of India. The President of India has the power to impose emergency rule in any or all the Indian states if the security of part or all of India is threatened by “war or external aggression or armed rebellion”.

• Administrative details

This section provides an insight into Indian governance and administration at the Central, state as well as local level. Information about the Constitution of India, Parliament and Legislature, Union administration, state, district and local administration is given.

Britain

• Parliamentary government

India’s modern parliamentary institutions originate from the British colonial administration but developed organically as a result of increasing Indian demand for greater representation in government.  India’s federal legislative branch consists of the President, the Rajya Sabha (Council of States) as the upper house, and the Lok Sabha (House of the People) as the lower house.

• Rule of Law

The concept of Rule of Law is that the state is governed, not by the ruler or the nominated representatives of the people but by the law.

• Legislative procedure

The Legislative procedure in India for the Union Government requires that proposed bills pass through the two legislative houses of the Parliament of India, i.e. the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.

• Single citizenship

The conferment of a person, as a citizen of India, is governed by Articles 5 to 11 (Part II) of the Constitution of India. Indian nationality law largely follows the jus sanguinis (citizenship by right of blood) as opposed to the jus soli (citizenship by right of birth within the territory).

• Cabinet system

The term comes from the name for a relatively small and private room used as a study or retreat. Phrases such as “cabinet counsel,” meaning advice given in private to the monarch, occur from the late 16th century, and, given the non-standardized spelling of the day, it is often hard to distinguish whether “council” or “counsel” is meant.

• Prerogative Writs

A prerogative writ is a writ (official order) directing the behavior of another arm of government, such as an agency, official, or other courts. It was originally available only to the Crown under English law and reflected the discretionary prerogative and extraordinary power of the monarch.

• Parliamentary privileges

Parliamentary privileges are defined in Article 105 of the Indian Constitution. The members of Parliament are exempted from any civil or criminal liability for any statement made or act done in the course of their duties.

• Bicameralism

The Parliament of India is the supreme legislative body of the Republic of India. It is a bicameral legislature composed of the President of India and the two houses: the Rajya Sabha (Council of States) and the Lok Sabha (House of the People)

Ireland

• Directive Principles of State Policy

Part IV of the Indian Constitution deals with Directive Principles of our State Policy (DPSP). The provisions contained in this Part cannot be enforced by any court, but these principles are fundamental in the governance of the country and it shall be the duty of the State to apply these principles in making laws

• Nomination of members to Rajya Sabha

The nomination of eminent members to Rajya Sabha. As per Article 80 (Part V) of the Constitution, the President can nominate 12 members in the Council of States (Rajya Sabha). These persons should have special knowledge or practical experience in the field of Art, Science, Literature and Social Service.

• Method of election of the president

Method of Election of the President: The Constitution lays down that President of India is to be elected indirectly by an electoral college in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of a single transferable vote system and secret ballot

United States of America

• Impeachment of the president

Article 61 mentions the procedure for impeachment of the President. When a President is to be impeached for violation of the Constitution, the charge shall be preferred by either House of Parliament. Such resolution has to be passed by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the total membership of the House.

• Functions of president and vice-president

Only one function is assigned to the VP by the Indian Constitution. The VP of India acts to function as ex-officio chairman of the council of states. Acts as acting President if there is vacancy due to the death, resignation or impeachment of the President till a new President is elected.

• Removal of Supreme Court and High court judges

Per Article 124(4) of the constitution, President can remove a judge on proved misbehaviour or incapacity when parliament approves with a majority of the total membership of each house in favour of impeachment and not less than two-thirds of the members of each house present

• Fundamental Rights

The six fundamental rights recognised by the Indian constitution are the:

i. Right to equality.

ii. Right to freedom.

iii. Right against exploitation.

iv. Right to freedom of religion.

v. Cultural and Educational Right, and

vi. Right to constitutional remedies.

• Judicial review

Judicial Review refers to the power of the judiciary to interpret the constitution and to declare any such law or order of the legislature and executive void if it finds them in conflict the Constitution of India.

• Independence of judiciary

Independence of Judiciary led by the Supreme Court. The Indian Constitution protects citizens from any partial judgment. And, this gives the power to the judiciary to make decisions based on the rules of the law, in case of any dispute. The independence of judiciary calls for ‘separation of powers’.

• Preamble of the constitution

The preamble gives the intention of the drafting committee, intention to create a welfare state with secular beliefs. The objectives before the Constituent Assembly were to Constitute India into a “sovereign democratic republic” and to secure its citizens “justice liberty, equality, and fraternity”.

Canada

• Federation with a strong Centre

The Constituent Assembly members were convinced that a vast country like India could not be efficiently governed from a single Centre and thought it desirable to adopt a federal system of government. The diversity of race, religion, and language also impelled them to go for federal policy, because it could ensure unity of the country while assuring autonomy in matters of local importance.

• Vesting of residuary powers in the Centre

Foreseeing the possibility of a situation in which legislation might be required on matters that are not mentioned in any of the three Lists, the Founding Fathers made residuary provisions in Article 248 of the Constitution and Entry 97 of the Union List. The residuary powers of legislation are vested in the Centre.

• Appointment of state governors by the Centre

The Governor of a State shall be appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal (Article 155). A person to be eligible for appointment as Governor should be a citizen of India and has completed the age of 35 years (Article 157)

• Advisory jurisdiction of the Supreme Court

The Supreme Court has special advisory jurisdiction in matters which may specifically be referred to it by the President of India under Article 143 of the Indian Constitution.

Australia

• Concurrent List

The Concurrent List or List-III(Seventh Schedule) is a list of 52 items (though the last item is numbered 47) given in the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India. It includes the power to be considered by both the central and state government.

• Freedom of trade

Part XIII of the constitution contains provisions relating to the freedom of trade, commerce and intercourse within the territory of India. While the general rule of freedom of trade and intercourse is enunciated in article 301, it may be subjected to restrictions laid down in articles 302-305

• Commerce and intercourse

Article 302 empowers parliament to impose restrictions on the freedom of trade, commerce and intercourse between one state and another, or within any part of the territory of India, in the public interest. The state legislatures are given the power to regulate trade and commerce under Article 304 subject to Article 303.

• Joint sitting of the two Houses of Parliament

The Parliament of India is bicameral. The joint sitting of the Parliament is called by the President (Article 108) and is presided over by the Speaker or, in his absence, by the Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha or in his absence, the Deputy-Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

Soviet Constitution (USSR, now Russia)

• Fundamental duties

The Fundamental Duties are defined as the moral obligations of all citizens to help promote a spirit of patriotism and to uphold the unity of India. These duties set out in Part IV–A of the Constitution, concern individuals and the nation.

• The ideal of justice (social, economic and political) in the Preamble

Justice, as mentioned in the preamble of the Indian constitution, means that all people no matter their race, caste, religion, gender or reputation will be seen as equals when they stand before the law.

France

• The ideals of Republic in the Preamble

In a republican form of government, the head of state is elected and not a hereditary monarch. Thus, this word denotes a government where no one holds public power as proprietary right As opposed to a monarchy, in which the head of state is appointed on a hereditary basis for life or at least until abdication, a democratic republic is an entity in which the head of state is elected, directly or indirectly, for a fixed tenure. Thus, India has a President who is elected and has a fixed term of office.

• The ideals of Liberty in the Preamble

The idea of Liberty refers to the freedom on the activities of Indian nationals. This establishes that there are no unreasonable restrictions on Indian citizens in term of what they think, their manner of expressions and the way they wish to follow up their thoughts in action. However, liberty does not mean freedom to do anything, and it must be exercised within the constitutional limits.

• The ideals of Equality in the Preamble

This envisages that no section of the society enjoys special privileges and individuals are provided with adequate opportunities without any discrimination: all are equal before the law

• The ideals of Fraternity in the Preamble

This alludes to a sentiment of fellowship and a feeling of having a sense of belonging to the nation among its kin. It holds onto mental just as regional components of National Integration. It rules out regionalism, communalism, casteism and so forth., which prevents the solidarity of the State.

Weimar Constitution of Germany

• Suspension of Fundamental Rights during Emergency

National emergency under Article 352. Amid a national emergency, numerous Fundamental Rights of Indian citizens can be suspended. The six freedoms under Right to Freedom are consequently suspended. Conversely, the Right to Life and Personal Liberty can’t be suspended by the original Constitution.

South African Constitution

• Procedure for amendment of the Constitution

Part XX of the Constitution of India has only one article mentioning that is Article 368 that deals with the amendment of the Constitution. As per this article, Parliament may include, amend or repeal any provision of the constitution according to the procedure set down for this reason.

• Election of members of Rajya Sabha

The greater part of the members from the House is indirectly chosen by the members of States and Union Territories of India state and regional legislatures utilizing single transferable votes through Open Ballot, while the President can select 12 individuals for their contribution to art, literature, science, and social services. Members sit for terms enduring six years, with a third of the members up for the elections every 2 years.

Japan

• Concept of “procedure established by Law”

Procedure built up by law implies that a law that is appropriately authorized by legislature or the concerned body is substantial in the event that it has pursued the right procedure. Following this doctrine implies that, an individual can be denied of his life or individual freedom as indicated by the procedure built up by law.

Conclusion

Since independence, the constitutional history of the country represents the tension between the texts of democracy and justice with hostility between Parliament and the judiciary. Parliament continued to use its power to amend the Constitution to overrule the decisions of the judiciary until 1973, when the Supreme Court declared that the amending power of the Parliament could not violate the basic structure of the Constitution.

Yet, all in all, an equilibrium has been established between the constitution’s democratic and justice texts.

Finally, the Constitution is addressed not only to the government or the courts but to the people to imbibe the essence of their democracy. Electoral democracy in India is a relentless election marathon In the midst of many hardships, it is a testament to the Indians, a kind of civic religion that the Indians have embraced. The miracle is continuing.