The Sangam Age: Kingdoms and The Social and Economic Conditions

Question 1.
Name the oldest language of South India. OR Name the oldest Dravidian language.
Answer: Tamil.
Question 2.
What is known as Sangam literature?
Answer: The word ‘Sangam’ means ‘Assembly’. According to early tradition, three
Sangams or Assemblies of literary men were held at Madurai, the center of great literary
activity in the Tamil Country. It is generally accepted that these assemblies lasted from
about first century BC to the fifth century AD. Many poets, scholars and bards who
gathered there, produced a large volume of excellent Tamil poetry. These literary
compositions were collected and complied into books called the Sangam literature.
Question 3.
Name any two literary sources to reconstruct history of the Sangam age.
Answer: There is no clear evidence regarding the literary works of the first Sangam.
‘Tolkappiyam’, written by Tolkappiyar, a disciple of Agastya, is a standard treatise on
grammar and it belongs historically to the Second Sangam. Tiruvalluvar, the famous
Tamil poet who attended the Third Sangam, wrote ‘KuraP. The literary works of the third
Sangam constituted the most important part of the Sangam literature and they are the
main source of information about the life and traditions of the Tamil people.
Question 4.
Who were ‘Tirukurral’ ?
Answer: Tiruvalluvar.
Question 5.
Mention any two archaelogical sources to reconstruct history of the Sangam age.
Answer: 1. The Megaliths, 2. Inscriptions in the Brahmi script.
Question 6.
Why are graves of people in the megalithic phase in South India’s history called
‘Megalithis’?
Answer: The megalithic culture is mostly known for its burials. The un pland portions of
the peninsula were inhabited by people, whose graves are called ‘megaliths’, because
they were encircled by big pieces of stone.
Question 7.
How do Megaliths suggest that people of Southern India in those times had become
familiar with iron?
Answer: The megaliths contain not only skeletons of people who were buried. Iron tools,
arrows, pottery and fragments of rice and other grains have been found, besides the
skeletons of the persons buried in these graves. Arrow heads, spearheads and sickles, all
made of iron, do show the transition from Copper and Bronze Age Culture to the Iron
Age.
Question 8.
Why did Arundhati, a character in Sanskrit literature, become a model for South Indian
Women in the Sangam age?
Answer: Arundhati, for instance, had become a model for women in the South, because
she personified the ideal of Chastity.
Question 9.
Name the two agricultural products during the Sangam Age.
Answer: The two agricultural products during the Sangam Age were jack-fruit, pepper
and turmeric.
Question 10.
Name the two prominent ports on India’s Western Coast during the Sangam age.
Answer: The ports of Nelcynda (Kottayam) and Naura (Canhanore) were among the most
prominent ports on India’s Western Coast.
Question 11.
Name the two deities worshiped by people in the Sangam age.
Answer: Vishnu and Murugan.
Question 12.
Name the two items of trade referred to in the Tamil literature of the Sangam age.
Answer: The Tamil literature refers to items of trade like spices, sandalwood, pearls, sea
products, semi-precious stones and textiles of various types.
Question 13.
Mention the two views held by scholars regarding the origin of the Dravidians.
Answer: Scholars hold various theories regarding the origin of the Dravidians. Some are
of the view that they were foreigners, probably belonging to the Mediterranean race, who
entered through the north-western passes and settled in India, about the beginning of
the Neolithic Age. Other scholars believe that they were the original inhabitants of India.
Question 14.
Name any ftw.famouse epics of Tamil literature.
Answer: ‘Silappadikaram’ and Manimekalai’ are two famous epics of Tamil literature.
Question 15.
How does the inscripition of Kharvela, the ruler of Kalinga, enable us to reconstruct
history of the Sangam age?
Answer: The Inscription of Kharvela (the ruler of Kalinga) says he “destroyed a
Confederacy of Tamil states (Tramirdesh Sanghatam).” The same Inscription records that
Kharvela brought hundreds of pearls from Pandya kingdom to Kalinga. He also brought
horses, elephants, jewels and rubies to his kingdom.
Question 16.
Hero-stone reminds us of an important event. What is the event?
Answer: Some Tamil poems affirm that there is only one God worthy of being worshiped.
The God is the Hero-Stone recalling the fall of a brave warrior on the battle field. A stone
was fixed at the place where some big warrior fell dead. Since he died, he became a
martyr. Death in battle was held to lead the soldier straight to heaven. The hero-stone
gave strength to the people in general and the soldiers in particular.
Question 17.
Mention any two Chera rulers whose names figure in the Sangam literature.
Answer: Udaiyanjeral (who flourished during the second century AD), Nedunjeral and
Senguttuvan.
Question 18.
Who was the greatest among the earliest Chola kings?
Answer: Karikal was the greatest among their earliest Chola kings.
Question 19.
What did the Chera region produce in large quantities in the Sangam age?
Answer: The Chera region was well-known for its buffaloes, jack- fruit, pepper and
turmeric.
STRUCTURED QUESTIONS
Question 1.
There are many literary sources to reconstruct history of the Sangam age. In this context
explain the literary importance of Tirukurral.
Answer: Tirukurral: It was written by Tiruvalluvar. It consist of 1330 couplets, dealing
with three main topics namely— Aram (Dharma), Porul (Artha) and Iibam (Kama). It is
considered a sacred book by the Tamils and has been translated into many Indian and
European languages.
Question 2.
How can the Megaliths help us to reconstruct events of the Sangam age ?
Answer: Megaliths: The megalithic culture is mostly known for its burials. The upland
portions of the peninsula were inhabited by people, whose graves are called ‘Megaliths’,
because they were encircled by big pieces of stone.
Question 3.
Describe the social conditions that Sangam literature depicts with reference to:
(a) The Castes
(b) The Ruling Class and the Class of Warriors
Answer:
(a) The Brahmins, the Kshatriyas and the Vaishyas appear as regular castes or Vamas in
the Sangam texts. An ideal king was one who never caused an injury to the Brahmins.
Many Brahmins were celebrated poets, and as such they were handsomely rewarded by
the rulers. Karikel is said to have given one poet 1,600,000 gold coins, but we consider
this comment exaggerated. Besides gold, the Brahmins got cash and land grants from
the king .and noble families.
(b) The ruling class was called ‘arasar’. The members of this class had marriage relations
with the ‘Vellalas’, the propertied people owning the bulk of the land. War body and
income from trade and agricultural produce enabled the king to maintain professional
warriors. The occasions for war were many. According to the Sangam poets, the refusal
of one king to give his daughter in marriage to another was a frequent cause of war. In
Sangam poetry ‘heroes are glorified’ and wars and cattle raids very often mentioned.
Question 4.
Describe the social conditions that Sangam literature suggests with reference to:
(a) Institution of Marriage
(b) Position of Women
Answer:
(a) The ‘Tolkappiyam’, written by Tolkappiyar, states that marriage was an important
religious ceremony, accompanied by many rituals. Naturally, the Aryan culture had now
much impact on the institution of marriage. Earlier the Tamils had a relatively simple
conception of marriage. They regarded it as “the natural coming together of men and
women, mainly due to their physical difference.”
(b) The joint family system characterised the society. Few women got good education,
their status in society was not equal to that of men. They did not have the right to
inherit property. There were ascetics also among women, following the Jain and the
Buddhist tradition. The worship of Kannagi or Pattini suggests that the vow of chastity
was regarded as the greatest of feminine virtues. In fact, the images of Pattini Devi were
being preserved and worshiped by Tamils in their temples until very recently.
Question 5.
The Sangam literature gives a complete and true picture of economic conditions of the
age. Describe economic life of the people with reference to:
(a)Agriculture (b) Trade
Answer:
(a) Agriculture was the main occupation of a large section of the people. Land was held
by individuals as well as by the state. The land was fertile and there was plenty of grain,
meat and fish. The Chola Country was watered by the river Kaveri. About this country
there was a saying that “the space in which an elephant did lie down produced enough
grain to feed seven persons.” The Chera region was well-known for its buffaloes, jack-
fruit, pepper and turmeric. The rich did not plough the land themselves.They hired
laborers, called pariyars, for this job. The pariyars belonged to the lowest social class
and skinned dead animals also.
(b) The rulers had big income from trade transactions also. A large number of crafts and
occupations are referred in Sangam literature. The epic ‘Manimekalai’ was written by a
grain merchant of Madurai. The Tamil literature refers to items of trade like spices,
sandalwood, pearls, sea products, semi-precious stones and textiles of various types. We
also have the information that foreigners (yavanas) visited the coastal towns for trade.
Metal lamps in different shapes and bottles of wine figure prominently among the
articles of trade brought to India by the foreigners.
Question 6.
With reference to economic conditions during the Sangam Age, explain the following:
(a) Significance of Occupational Guilds
(b) Socio-economic Inequalities in the Sangam Age.
Answer:
(a) Guilds had become an important institution in the economy of the Sangam age. The
guilds defined rules of work and controlled the quality and prices of the finished
product. The guilds also functioned as bankers and financiers. Guilds also carried out
welfare activities and services of many kinds.
(b) The Brahmins, the Kshatriyas and the Vaishyas appear as regular castes or Vamas
in the Sangam texts. An ideal king was one who never caused an injury to the
Brahmins. Many Brahmins were celebrated poets, and as such they were handsomely
rewarded by the rulers. Karikel is said to have given one poet 1,600,000 gold coins, but
we consider this comment exaggerated. Besides gold, the Brahmins got cash and land
grants from the king ari noble families.
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS
Question 1.
What is meant by the term ‘the Sangam Age’ ?
Answer: The Sangam Age refers to the period when bulk of Tamil literature was
composed by a body of Tamil scholars and poets in three successive literary gatherings
called Sangam.
Question 2.
Name the author of Tolkappiyam.
Answer: The author of Tolkappiyam was Tolkappiar.
Question 3.
Name the three kingdoms mentioned in the Sangam texts.
Answer: The three kingdoms mentioned in the Sangam texts were Pandyas, Cheras and
Cholas.
Question 4.
Name any three Epics mentioned in the Sangam literature.
Answer: Three Epics mentioned in the Sangam literature are Silappadikaram,
Manimegalai and Sivaga Cindamani.
Question 5.
What was the theme of the Aham type of literature ?
Answer: Aham type of literature discuss about ethical living in private life.
Question 6.
What were the topics of Puram category of poems ?
Answer: Puram category of poems deals with militarism and hero
worship. –
Question 7.
Name the author of Tirukkural.
Answer: The author of Tirukkural was Tiruvalluvar.
Question 8.
In whose honor were the hero stones erected during the Sangam Age ?
Ans. In Sangam Age, memorial stones (Nadukal), were erected for the heroes who died
for the common cause of their village, country and king.
Question 9.
Name the four castes mentioned in the Tolkappiyam.
Answer: The Tolkappiyam has mentioned four castes, namely, Brahmanas, kings,
traders and farmers.
Question 10.
Name the five physiographic divisions or tinais mentioned in the Sangam literature.
Answer: Tamil land consisted of five physiographic division viz., kurinji (hilly
backwoods), palai (parched zones), mullai (pastoral tract), marutam (wet land), and
neital (littoral land)
 The Age of the Guptas
Question 1.
Name one literary and another archaeological source to reconstruct the Age of the
Gupta’s.
Answer:
1. Literary Source: Fa-hein visit to India.
2. Archaeological Source: Allahabad Pillar Inscriptions.
Question 2.
Name the famous Inscription that tells us about the character and military
achievements of Samudragupta.
Answer: Allahabad Pillar Inscription
Question 3.
Which great conquest enabled Chandragupta II to carry the title of Sakari ?
Answer: The Conquest of Gujarat and Kathiawar peninsula dominated by the Saka
power, enabled Chandragupta II to carry the title of Sakari.
Question 4.
Who was Fa-hien ? What is the title of the book that he wrote about India ?
Answer: Fa-hien was a Chinese pilgrim, who traveled all over India for more than 13
years. The title of the book that he wrote about India was, Fo-Kwo-Ki (The Travels of Fa-
hien).
Question 5.
What did Fa-hien write about the City of Pataliputra ?
Answer: Fa-hien wrote about the City of Pataliputra that the City had two grand
monasteries-one of the Hinayana and other of the Mahayana. He noticed the usual
grandeur of Ashoka’s Palace as such. People living there, were quite prosper by all
means. There w:as an excellent hospital run by the wealthy citizens of the town. Rest-
houses existed in large towns and on highways for the comforts of the travelers. The
relations between the followers of various sects w’ere cordial. The people were honest
and law-abiding. No uneven restrictions were imposed on them to move about anywhere
in the City The criminal law was mild. Capital punishment was out of practice.
PQ. Which Gupta ruler defeated the Hunas ?
Answer: Skandagupta defeated the Hunas.
Question 6.
What does Fa-hien write about the life of the people during the Gupta age?
Answer: Fa-hien writes that the bulk of the population during the Gupta age was
vegetarian and usually followed the principle of Ahimsa (non-violence)
The caste-system prevailed and untouch ability had become an established institution in
this age. The Chandalas occupied the lowest rank in society. They were outcasts and
lived away from the people. They did menial jobs. When they approached a city or a
market, they had to strike a piece of wood, so that others might avoid coming in contact
with them.
Slavery also existed, although the Brahmins could not be owned as slaves. Women were
educated in fine arts and domestic virtues. Widow-remarriage was viewed with disfavor.
The practice of Devadasi was prevalent. In other words, some girls were being
maintained to many temples for the service of Gods.
Question 7.
Who was the greatest literary genius of the Gupta period?
Answer: Kalidasa was the greatest literary genius of the Gupta period.
Question 8.
Name two dramas and two epics written by Kalidasa.
Answer: Malavikagnimitra and Vikramorvasiya are the two dramas written by Kalidasa.
The two epics are—Raghuvamsa and Kumarasambhava.
Question 9.
Mention the contributions of Aryabhatta in the field of astronomy.
Answer: Aryabhatta was the first Indian astronomer to declare that the earth is
spherical in shape and he proved that the earth revolves around the sun on its own axis.
Question 10.
Name the famous astronomer of the Gupta period after whom an Indian Satellite was
named.
Answer: Aryabhatta.
Question 11.
Mention the important contributions of Varahamihira.
Answer: Varahamihira was a great scientist of the Gupta age, he wrote Brihat Samhita
which deals with Astronomy, Mathematics, Botany and Physical Geography. He also
wrote a famous book on different branches of Jyotishastra and another work Pancha
Siddhantika, giving an account of the five systems of Astronomy.
Question 12.
Mention two famous temples of the Gupta period.
Answer: The Dasavatara Temple, also known as Vishnu Temple, at Deogarh near
Jhansi, and Bhitargaon Temple near Kanpur.
Question 13.
Metion two important architectural features of the Dasavatara (Vishnu) Temple at
Deogarh.
Answer: The Temple stands on a wide basement with a flight of steps in the middle of
each side. It had a spire and its roof was supported by pillars.
Question 14.
The Provincial Governors during the reign of the Gupta were called by which names ?
Answer: The provincial governors were usually the princes of royal blood. As governors,
they were called Uparika Maharaja or Pradeshikas.
Question 15.
The Districts (Vishyas) were placed under whose charge during the rule of Guptas ?
Answer: A Bhukti was divided into districts called Vishyas, which were ruled by
Vishayapatis or Ayuktas. They were usually appointed by the Provincial Governor. Many
other persons had position of authority in the district administration. They were
Prathamkayastlia who wrote letters and documents, Pushtapal, the keeper of records
and Nagarshresthi, that is, the Chief Banker.
Question 16.
Mention an important cause for the revival of Brahmanical religion in the Gupta period.
Answer: The Gupta monarchs were staunch supporters of Brahmanism, they gave a
strong impetus to the restoration and enhancement of their religion.
Question 17.
What is the importance of Panchatantra?
Answer: It is a collection of stories which intended to teach moral lessons to children.
Question 18.
Name three important sciences which made great progress during the Gupta period.
Answer: Astronomy, mathematics and medicine.
Question 19.
Mention the famous work on medicine written by Vriddha-Vagabhatta.
Answer: Ashtang Sangrah.
Question 20.
Which Gupta ruler defeated the Hunas?
Answer: Skandagupta defeated the Hunas.
Question 21.
Mention two pieces of evidence to show that the art of Sculpture excelled during the
Gupta period.
Answer: The statue of the Standing Buddha discovered at Mathura and the figure of the
Great Boar done in relief at the entrance of the Cave at Udayagiri are the two pieces of
evidence that show that the art of Sculpture excelled during the Gupta period.
Question 22.
What is known as Frescoes ?
Ans. The paintings done on the walls are called Frescoes.
Question 23.
Mention two places famous for the art of painting during the Gupta period.
Answer: The Ajanta Caves in Maharashtra State and the Bagh Caves near Gwalior in
Madhya Pradesh.
Question 24.
Mention two important features of the paintings at Ajanta.
Answer: Two important features of the paintings at Ajanta are as follows:
1. The rock walls were first plastered with a thick coating of clay, mixed with straw,
gypsum and other materials. Then a thin layer of lime-plaster was applied to
produce a glazed surface for making the painting more effective.
2. On the glazed surface of the wall the outlines of the figures were drawn first. The
artists used water colours.
Question 25.
Name the Chinese pilgrim who studied at the Nalanda University.
Answer: Hiuen-Tsang was the Chinese pilgrim who studied at the Nalanda University.
Question 26.
Mention the extent of King Harsha’s empire.
Answer: The extent of King Harsha’s empire included
1. Eastern Punjab
2. Kanauj (Uttar Pradesh)
3. Magadha (Bihar)
4. Bengal
5. Orissa.
Question 27.
How can we say that Harshavardhana w as a patron of learning ?
Answer: Matang Diwakar was the court-poet to Harshavardhana. His patronage to
authors like—Banabhatta, who wrote Harshcharita, and Mayur, who wrote
Suryashataka, shows his interest in literature. Harsha himself was a scholar and an
author of three plays—Ratnavali, Nagananda and Priyadarshika. Nalanda University was
patronised by Harshavardhana.
Question 28.
Who wrote Harshcharita ?
Answer: Banabhatta wrote Harshcharita.
Question 29.
Where was the Fifth Buddhist Assembly held ? Who presided over the Assembly’s
deliberations ?
Answer: The Fifth Buddhist Assembly was held at Kanauj, Hiuen-Tsang presided over
the Assembly’s deliberations.
Question 30.
Mention the main conquests of Pulakesin II.
Answer: Pulakesin II, ruled, from 608 AD to 642 AD. He conquered northern Konkan
and the Gujarat ahd Malwa regions.
Question 31.
Whose reign marks the climax of the Pallava power ?
Answer: The reign of Narasimhavarman marks the climax of the Pallava power.
Question 32.
Mention the main conquests of the Pallava ruler Narasimhavarman.
Answer: Narasimhavarman conquered the Chalukya’s Capital Badami and occupied it.
He defeated Cholas, the Cheras and the
Question 33.
Name the Inscription that refers to the achievements of King Kharvela of Kalinga.
Answer: The Hathigumpha Inscription on the Udayagiri hills, near Bhubaneshwar in
Orrissa.
Question 34.
Who converted Kanishka to Buddhism ?
Answer: A Buddhist monk Asvaghosa converted Kanishka to Buddhism.
Question 35.
Name the two sects into which Buddhism got split during Kanishka’s reign.
Answer: During Kanishka’s reign, Buddhism got split into Hinayana (Lesser Vehicle) and
the Mahay an a (Great Vehicle).
Question 36.
Give one evidence to suggest that the sculptural art flourished during the reign of
Satvahanas of Deccan.
Answer: The sculptures of Amaravati and Nagarjuna konda Stupas.
Question 37.
Name a fine specimen of rock-cut architecture during the reign of the Satvahanas.
Answer: The Chaitya at Karle.
Question 38.
Name the two main crafts that flourished during the Gupta age.
Answer: Jewellery-making and sculpture flourished during the Gupta age.
Question 39.
Mention an important cause for the revival of Brahmanical religion in the Gupta period.
Answer: The Gupta monarchs were staunch supporters of Brahmanism, they gave a
strong impetus to the restoration and enhancement of their religion.
Question 40.
Mention-any one cause that led to the decline of the mighty Gupta empire.
Answer: The repeated invasions of the Hunas led to the decline of the mighty Gupta
empire. Pandyas. He also sent two naval expeditions to Sri Lanka to help Sri Lankan
prince, Manavarman to gain the throne of that island.
Question 41.
Mention the literary works of Dandin.
Answer: Dandin wrote Daskumarcharita and Kavyadarsha.
Question 42.
Name the literary work of Perundevanar.
Answer: Perundevanar wrote Bharatam.
Question 43.
How many Rathas are found at Mahabalipuram?
Answer: Eight Rathas are found at Mahabalipuram.
Question 44.
Name the ‘Pancha Pandava’ Rathas.
Answer: Draupadi Ratha, Dharamaraja Ratha, Arjuna Ratha, Bhima Ratha and
Sahadeva Ratha.
Question 45.
Name the largest and the smallest of the
Answer: The largest Ratha is the Dharamaraja Ratha. The smallest Ratha is the
Draupadi Ratha.
STRUCTURED QUESTIONS
Question 1.
There are many literary sources to reconstruct the Age of the Guptas. In this context
explain the literary accounts of Fa-hien.
Answer: Accounts of Fa-hien — Fa-hien, in his book Fo-Kwo-Ki (The Travels of Fa-hien)
mentioned about life of the people and religious conditions that prevailed in the early
years. According to Fa-hien, Magadha was a prosperous country with large towns,
teeming with wealthy population. Pataliputra was a flourishing city with numerous
charitable institutions, including a hospital endowed by benevolent citizens. According
to Fa-hien, although the people were wealthy, they led simple lives, generally observing
the Buddhist rules of conduct. Fa-hien has mentioned that Vaishnavism, Shaivism and
even Buddhism and Jainism existed in the society. People, however,had no ill-will
towards other sects. Fa-hien said that Hindu gods and goddesses were depicted on coins
and also in sculptures and paintings. Fa-hien was pleased with the mildness of the
administration. According to him, the penal code was mild and the offences were
ordinarily punished by fines only. From his accounts, it can be inferred that the Gupta
Empire was prosperous and governed on enlightened principles.
Question 2.
Regarding archaeological sources to reconstruct the Age of the Gupta, explain what
significance do the following have:
(a) Allahabad Pillar Inscription (b) Nalanda University
Answer: (a) The Allahabad Pillar Inscription:
Allahabad Pillar Inscription is one of the most epigraphic evidence of the Imperial Gupta.
Achievements of different rulers of the Gupta image are mentioned in Allahabad Pillar
Inscription. It gives a vivid description of the reign and conquest of Samudragupta.
Historians, both ancient and modem, have considered the historical value of Allahabad
Pillar. It provides a pretty impressive lest of Kings and tribal republic that were
conquered by Samudragupta.
(b) Nalanda University:
It was the most renowned educational institution of ancient India. Located at Nalanda in
Rajagriha in Bihar, it was originally set up by Sakraditya in the 5th century AD during
the reign of Kumaragupta-I. The University of Nalanda had imposing buildings. There
were at least 8 colleges built by different patrons including one by Balaputradeva, King
of Sumatra. According to Hiuen Tsang the whole university area was enclosed by a brick
wall. The Nalanda University provided various facilities to the students for their studies.
There were three great libraries called Ratnasagar, Ratnodadhi and Ratnaranjak.
There were more than 10,000 students including teachers of all kinds. They came from
Korea, Mongolia, Japan, China, Tibet, Ceylon and various parts of India. The subjects of
study at Nalanda University were all the four Vedas, logic, grammar, medicine, samkya,
yoga, nyaya and the Buddhist works of the different schools. It was not an ordinary
university. It was a post-graduate institution to which admission was very difficult.
Before admission, an examination was held in which hardly 20% students passed and
the rest of 80% were rejected. Only the most brilliant were admitted to the University.
Nalanda continued to be a beacon of light up to 12th century AD when it was destroyed
by Mohammad-bin- Bakhtiyar Khilji, a general of Mohammad Ghori. Today only the
remains of its magnificence and glory can be seen.
Question 3.
Samudragupta earned a reputation as one of the greatest kings and conquerors. In this
context, explain:(a) His Conquests, (b) His Personal Attainments.
Answer: Samudragupta earned a reputation as one of the greatest kings and
conquerors. In this context, the given heads are explained below:
(a) His Conquests: Samudra gupta first defeated the rulers of northern India and
annexed their dominions. They included the Nagas of Mathura, Padmavati (near Gwalior)
and Ahicchetra (the region in the neighborhood of Bareli) and the ruling chiefs of
western Uttar Pradesh and eastern India. He won victories over twelve rulers including
those of Orissa, Andhra and Tamil Nadu. He defeated these rulers, but did not annex
their kingdoms. He allowed them to rule as tributaries of the Gupta empire. The rulers of
Bengal, Assam, Nepal, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh got impressed by his victories
and submitted of their own free-will and agreed to pay tributes to him.
(b) His Personal Attainments: Besides a great conqueror, Samudragupta was also a
scholar, a poet and a lover of music. He was called He worshiped Lord Vishnu, but he
showed respect for all religions. He was also a patron of learning.
Question 4
The reign of Chandragupta n marks the zenith of the Gupta glory. In this context briefly
describe his conquests and the extent of his Empire.
Answer: In context of the reign of Chandragupta II the given headlines are
described below:
Chandragupta II was determined to overthrow the Saka power in Gujarat and Kathiawar
peninsula. With a view to pursuing his plan against the Sakas. He married Kubemaga, a
Naga princess. He gave the hand of his daughter to Rudrasena II, the Vakataka prince.
Thus, he secured the friendship of those rulers who could be of much service to him in
his campaign against the Saka satraps. He attacked the Saka satraps. He conquered the
Saka rulers and obtained the title of Sakari. He put an end to the domination of
foreigners in India, but added rich areas and prosperous parts to the empire. He
defeated a united front of his enemies in Vanga (Bengal) and his victorious arms reached
the northern Afghanistan (Vahilkas).
Question 5.
The Gupta era witnessed an unprecedented intellectual progress. In this context explain:
(a) Enrichment of Sanskrit literature with reference to the works of Kalidasa and
Visakhadutta.
(b) Technical and Scientific works of Aryabhatta
Answer: In context of the unprecedented intellectual progress that the Gupta era
witnessed, the given headlines are explained as under:
(a) The Gupta age had been aptly called the “Golden Age of Sanskrit Literature”. In this
period, the great poet and dramatist, Kalidasa made a significant contribution in the
field of Sanskrit literature. Abhi janash akuntalam popularly known as Shakuntala, is
the well-known masterpiece of him, it is regarded as one of the best literary productions
of the world. Malavikagnimitra and Vikramorvasiya are two other excellent dramas
written by him. His literary skill is also displayed in his two epics—Raghuvamsa and
Kumarasambhava and in the lyric poetry of Ritu Samhara and Visakhadutta was the
another literary genius, he wrote the well known political drama Mudrarakshasa, in
which he described the political revolution that led to the fall of the Nanda Dynasty and
the establishment of the Mauryan empire. Devichandraguptam was another play of him,
dealing with the early life of Chandragupta II.
(b) Aryabhatta was a great astronmer and mathematician. He wrote two famous works,
the Aryabhatiya and Surya Siddhanta. The former deals with Arithmetic, Geometry,
Algebra and Trigonometry. He worked out the exact value of 7i (pi) viz, 3.1416 and
discovered a formula to find the area of a triangle. In this famous work Surya Siddhanta,
he explained scientifically the causes of the solar and lunar eclipses. He was the first
Indian astronomer to declare that the earth revolves around the sun and rotates on its
own axis. India’s first satellite sent into space was named ‘Aryabhatta’ after this great
astronomer.
Question 6.
With reference to Nalanda University answer the following questions:
(a) Under whose patronage did the University develop into a famous Center of Learning ?
(b) Give three of its special features ?
(c) Who destroyed this University ?
Answer: (a) Nalanda University — It was the most renowned educational institution of
ancient India. Located at Nalanda in Rajagriha in Bihar, it was originally set up by
Sakraditya in the 5th century AD during the reign of Kumaragupta-I. The University of
Nalanda had imposing buildings. There were at least 8 colleges built by different patrons
including one by Balaputradeva, King of Sumatra. According to Hiuen Tsang the whole
university area was enclosed by a brick wall.
(b) The Nalanda University provided various facilities to the students for their studies.
There were three great libraries called Ratnasagar, Ratnodadhi and Ratnaranjak. There
were more than 10,000 students including teachers of all kinds. They came from Korea,
Mongolia, Japan, China, Tibet, Ceylon and various parts of India. The subjects of study
at Nalanda University were all the four Vedas, logic, grammar, medicine, samkya, yoga,
nyaya and the Buddhist works of the different schools. It was not an, ordinary
university. It was a post-graduate institution to which admission was very difficult.
Before admission, an examination was held in which hardly 20% students passed and
the rest of 80% were rejected. Only the most brilliant were admitted to the University.
(c) Nalanda continued to be a beacon of light up to 12th century AD when it was
destroyed by Mohammad-bin-Bakhtiyar Khilji,-a general of Mohammad Ghori. Today
only the remains of its magnificence and glory can be seen.
Question 7.
Study the picture given here and answer the following questions:

(a) Where is this Vishnu Temple located ?

(b) Which period does it belong to ?
(c) What are the three main structural features of the temple?
Answer:
(a) This is the Vishnu temple located at Deogarh. It is also known as the Dashavatara
Temple.
(b) Gupta Period.
(c) The Sanchi temple, another temple in the Gupta period has a flat roof. The columns
of the portico are surmounted by a bell capital. A large number of Stupas, Viharas and
Chaityas were cut out of solid rocks.
Question 8.
The Pallava period recorded brilliant achievements in the fields of literature, art and
architecture. In this context explain: Architectural features of the Dharmaraja Rath.
Answer: The main features of Dharamaraja Rath are as fellows:
 1. Dharamaraja Ratha is a monolithic structure, carved out of a single boulder on the
seashore.
2. It resembles a Buddhist Vihara and Chaitya. Its base is square but the tower is
pyramidal.
3. The tower has three tiers and a small stupa on top of the spire.
4. The Ratha is adorned with magnificent sculptures.
Question 9.
Harshavardhana not only brought the greater part of northern India under his direct
rule, he also consolidated his dominions by efficient administrative machinery. In this
context explain:
(a) His Conquests and Extent of his Empire
(b) His Administration.
Answer: Harshavardhana consolidated his dominions by efficient administrative
machinery in this context the given headlines are explained below:
(a) His Conquests and Extent of his Empire: Harshavardhana became the ruler of
Thanesar after he succeeded his elder brother Rajyavardhana. After becoming the king,
he immediately decided to rescue his sister and punish Sasanka. He advanced with a
huge army and inflicted a crushing defeat on the enemy. Harsha administered the
government of Kanauj in the name of his sister. Later, the kingdom of Kanauj was
combined with that of Thanesar and the union, thus formed, was developed into an
empire by Harsha.Hiuen-Tsang, the Chinese pilgrim, said Harsha brought the Five
Indies under his control.
These regions included
1. Eastern Punjab,
2. Kanuaj (Uttar Pradesh),
3. Magadha (Bihar),
4. Bengal and
5. Orissa
He tried to expand his empire beyond the river Narmada, but he suffered a defeat at the
hands of Pulakesin II, the Chalukya king. He died in 648 AD. He had no heir.
(b) His Administration: Harsha raised the small state into the most powerful kindgom
in northern India. Hiuen-Tsang remarks, “the king personally supervised the affairs of
his vast kingdom. The day was too short for him. ’’ His officials and state-functionaries,
both civil and military, worked very efficiently. The outlying provinces were put in charge
of Governors and the provinces were further subdivided into districts, called Visayas.
The penal law was exceptionally severe. Imprisonment for life was a common penalty for
breach of laws and conspiracy against the king. For offences against social morality, the
punishment was to cut off nose or an ear or a hand or foot. Minor offences were
punished by ordering offenders to pay a fine.
Question 10.
The Pallava period recorded brilliant achievements in the fields of literature, art and
architecture. In this context explain:
(a) Their patronage to literature.
(b) Contributions in the field of architecture.
Answer: In contex of the brilliant achievements in the fields of literature during
the Pallava period, the given headlines are explained as under:
(a) Their patronage to literature: The Pallava rulers patronised Sanskrit scholars.
Mahendravarman himself was a scholar and a musician. He wrote Prahasans (farces) –
Mattavilasa and Dandin, who wrote Daskumaracharita and Kavyadarsha, lived in the
court of Narasimhavarman II. Dinnaga Vatsayana the author of Nyayabhasya, was also
associated with Kanchipuram, Sanskrit was the language of courts and men of
literature, but Tamil became the vehicle for popular composition of devotional poetry. It
received encouragement from the rulers. Perundevanar wrote Bharatam and a court-
poet of King ; Nandivarman III composed Nandikalambalkam.
(b) Contributions in the field of architecture: Many magnificent temples were built by
the Pallava kings. Under the Pallava rulers; of Kanchipuram, two forms of temple-
architecture were evolved in the South-—the rock-cut’and the structural shrinks. The
rock-cut architecture includes two types of shrines—the Mandapas and the Rathas.
Mandapas are open pavilions with one or more cells in the back-wall. This type of
architecture is found in places like—Pallavaram, Trichinopoly and Dalavanur. Rathas
are monolithic shrines. The best examples of monolithic shrines or Rathas are found at
Mahabalipuram in Tamilnadu.
South India and the Cholas
Question 1.
Mention two ways in which Inscriptions may be used for reconstructing the history of
the Imperial Cholas.
Answer: The inscriptions provide the following information about the Cholas.
1. They tell us about the Chola administration.
2. They record gifts and endowments to temples and brahmanas.
3. They inform us about the construction of a temple or the setting up of a new image
of the deity.
 4. Inscriptions on temple walls served the purpose of a public registrations by
conserving a record of sales, mortageges and other forms of transfers of property
rights in village lands.
5. Inscriptions have preserved the decisions and agreements on meters of public
importance.
Question 2.
Name one of the masterpieces of the temples built, by the Chola king Rajaraja I. Mention
one architectural feature of the temple.
Answer: He constructed the famous Brihadeswara Temple also known as Rajarajeshwar
Temple at Thanjavur.The temple consists of the Nandi mandapa, a pillared portico and
an assembly hall, all interconnected.
Question 3.
Under whose rule, the Cholas rose to imperial greatness towards the end of the 10th
century AD?
Answer: Under the ruler ship of Sundara Chola’s son, Rajaraja I, the Cholas rose to
Imperial greatness towards the end of the 10th century AD.
Question 4.
Mention any two victories won by Cholas under Rajaraja I.
Answer: Annexation of Kalinga and Maldives.
Question 5.
Who among the Chola kings adopted the title of ‘Gangaikonda’? Name the city
commemorating the event.
Answer: Rajendra I, adopted the title of ‘Gangaikonda’. Gangakundrapuram or
Gangaikonda-Cholapuram.
Question 6.
What names were given to the following territorial divisions of the Chola kingdom:
(a) Province, and (b) the District?
Answer: Following names were given to the following territorial divisions of the
Chola kingdom:
1. The Province was named as 2. The District was named as
Question 7.
What was the method of electing members of the village assembly under the Cholas?
Answer: The method of electing members of the village assembly was as such-name-
slips of the candidates were thrown and mixed up in a pot, from which they were drawn
one by one a small boy. The results were announced by the village-priest.
Question 8.
Mention any two duties assigned to a village assembly under the Cholas.
Answer: Following are the two duties assigned to a village assembly under the
Cholas:
1. To regulate water supply, 2. To provide education to children.
Question 9.
Give one evidence to suggest that the Brihadeswara Temple is a repository of every
branch of art.
Answer:
1. The temple consists of the Nandi mandapa, a pillared portico and an assembly hall,
all interconnected.
2. The Maha-mandapa was originally three-storeyed. The top storey was an open
terrace, with a row of Nandis placed on the top of its walls.
3. Like the outer doorway, other outer entrances are also flanked by dwarapalas.
4. The numerous Sanskrit and Tamil inscriptions on it are in fine calligraphy.
5. Another imposing structure in the Temple is the Amman Temple housing
Brihannayaki, the consort of Brihadeshwara. In brief, the Brihadeswara Temple is a
repository of every branch of art-architecture, sculpture, painting, jewelry, dance
and music etc.
STRUCTURED QUESTIONS
Question 1.
With the accession of Rajaraja I (985-1014 AD) began the most glorious epoch of the
Cholas. In this context, explain briefly:
(a) His Conquests. (b) His activities as a Great Builder and a Ruler.
Answer:
With the accession of Rajaraja I (985-1014 AD) began the most glorious epoch of
the Cholas. In this context, the given headlines are described as below:
(a) Rajaraja defeated the Cheras and then he seized Madurai and captured the Pandya
king Amarbhujanga. He also annexed Kalinga. He carried out powerful raids into the
territory of Western Chalukyas also. He invaded the Island of Sri Lanka and annexed its
northern parts. Towards the end of his reign he conquered Maldives. Thus, Rajaraja
made himself the overlord of almost the whole of the present state of Tamil Nadu, parts
of the State of Karnataka, its adjoining regions, Sri Lanka arid other islands.
(b) Rajaraja I was also a capable administrator, a great builder and a patron of arts and
literature. A chief mark of his administrative system was an expansion of rural self-
governing institutions. He constructed the famous Brihdeswara Temple (also known as ”
Rajarajeshwara Temple) at Thanjavur. He endowed and built some Vishnu temples also.
How worshiped Shiva, but was tolerant of other sects and religions, as is evident from
the fact that he granted to a village to the Buddhist Vihara at Nagapattam in the Malay
peninsula.
Question 2.
King Rajendra I (1014-1044 AD) raised the Chola empire to the pinnacle of glory. In this
context explain:
(a) His main Conquests. (b) His attainments as a Great Builder.
Answer: King Rajendra I (1014-1044 AD) raised the Chola empire to the pinnacle of
glory’. In this context the given headlines are explained as under:
(a) His main Conquests: About 1017 AD, he annexed the whole of Sri Lanka. He
organised the Pandya and Kerala territories and the Island of Sri Lanka into regular
provinces of his empire. His armies marched through the northern region as far as the
Ganga Valley. He overpowered Orissa and a portion of Eastern Bengal. To commemorate
this event, he adopted the title of Gangaikonda and built a new Capital called
Gangaikonda-Cholapuram, identified with Gangakundapuram. In 1025 AD, he
despatched a naval expedition for the conquest of king Shailendra’s territories of Java
and Sumatra.
(b) His attainments as a Great Builder: Rajendra I got constructed an artificial lake,
near his new Capital. Its embankments were more than 25 kms. in length. It was filled
with water from the Kolerun and Vellar rivers. He also constructed a splendid temple at
Gangaikonda-Cholapuram. Its huge lingam (a symbol of generative power) of solid
granite is very impressive.
Question 3.
Under Cholas, the ruler was the pivot on which turned the whole machinery of the state,
but actual administration was not highly centralised. In this context, explain briefly.
(a) The position of the Chola Monarch.
(b) Functioning of the autonomous rural institutions (Gram Sabhas).
Answer: Under Cholas the ruler was the pivot on which turned the whole machinery of
the state, but actual administration was not highly centralised. In this context given
headlines are explained as under:
(a) The position of the Chola Monarch: The king was the pivot, around, which the
whole system was based. The coronation Ceremony was marked by many festivities. The
power and glory of the monarch was enchanced with the huge resources of the kingdom,
vast palace establishment and splendour of the Court. The verbal orders of the King
were reduced to writing, before they were communicated to the officials concerned.
(b) The functioning of the autonomous rural institutions (Gram Sabha): Gram Sabha
enjoyed full powers in the management of local affairs. The village assemblies
administered justice within the village except the cases involving serious crimes. They
regulated water supply, gathered such as temples, schools etc. They could sell or donate
land for religious purposes. Accounts were maintained with meticulous care. In case a
defaulter embezzled money, he was severely dealt with.The village assembly on its affairs
with the help of smaller committees, each looking after specific matters such as the
tanks, gardens, temples, justice and general management.
Question 4.
Study the picture of the Brihadeswara Temple and answer the following questions:
(a) Name the place where the Temple is located.
(b) When and by whom was the Temple built?
(c) To which Deity was the temple dedicated?
(d) Mention outstanding features of the Temple

Answer: On the basis of the study of the picture of Brihadeswara Temples, the
given headlines are answered as follows:
(a) The Brihadeswara Temple is located at Thanjavur.
(b) In 1000 AD, Rajaraja the Great, of the Chola dynasty built the Temple.
(c) The Temple was dedicated to Lord Shiva.
(d) The Temple consists of the Nandi mandapa, a pillared portico and an assembly hall,
all interconnected and in the center of a spacious walled enclosure; Its massive tower
rises to a height of 57 meters and is shaped like pyramid. It has thirteen successive
story and its top is crowned by a single block stone, 8.6 meters high and it weighs about
80 tonnes. The interior walls of the temple are decorated with elaborate painting and
magnificent sculptures.
Question 5.
Discuss people’s social life under Imperial Cholas with reference to:
(a) Caste System (b) Religion (c) Literature and Cultural Activities
Answer:
(a) The caste system very much prevailed in Southern Ind.a. Besides the prosperous
Brahmins, merchants had emerged as a powerful class by virtue of their wealth. The
social status of the lower castes was pitiable. They could not draw water from the
common wells, nor were they allowed to enter temples.
(b) The Chola emperors were worshipers of Lord Shiva, but they were by no means
intolerant of other sects and religions.
(c) The Chola era, was the ‘Golden Age’ of Tamil literature. Kamban translated the
Sanskrit epic ‘Ramayana’ into Tamil in the ninth century AD, it came to be known as
Kamban Ramayana. Kamban had translated its earliest Kandas (parts). The later parts
(Uttarakhanda) were translated by Qttakuttan. Another renowned poet Pugalendi
flourished in the 12th century. He wrote Nalavenda, which is based on the love story of
Nala and Damayanti. The Buddhist and the Jain scholars also made a rich contribution
to Tamil literature. The Jain Scholar Amrit Sagar wrote a book on poetics, the art of
writing poetry. The Buddhist Scholar Buddhamitra wrote ‘Rasolium’, a grammar book.
Question 6.
Write a brief note on the development of Tamil Literature under the Cholas.
Answer: The development of literature, art and architecture of the Chola period
promoted the cultural value of the Chola rule. The Cholas made lot of improvements in
these fields. The Chola rule marked a milestone in the history of Tamil literatures. The
Chola kings gave many concessions and patronage to Tamil scholars and writers.
Sangam literature deals with emotional and material topics such as love, war,
governance and trade with the revival of Cholas power in the middle of the ninth
century, the awareness for the literature and art broadened for the first time in history,
an imperial state encompassed the entire South India bringing with it the safety and
security to the people and provided the opportunity for the people to experience cultures
beyond their own. Tamil became a language of the people. One of the best known Tamil
work of this period is the Kamban Ramayana by Kamban who flourished during the
reign of Kulottunga III. It is the greatest epic in Tamil Literature, and although the
author states that he followed Valmiki,his work is not a mere translation or even an
adaptation of Sanskrit epic.
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS
Short Answer Questions:
Question 1.
Mention the significance of inscriptions for providing information about the Cholas.
Answer: The inscriptions provide the following information about the Cholas.
1. They tell us about the Chola administration.
2. They record gifts and endowments to temples and brahmanas.
3. They inform us about the construction of a temple or the setting up of a new image
of the deity.
4. Inscriptions on temple walls served the purpose of a public registrations by
conserving a record of sales, mortageges and other forms of transfers of property
rights in village lands.
5. Inscriptions have preserved the decisions and agreements on metters of public
importance.
Question 2.
Who established the rule of the Cholas ?
Answer: Cholaruler Vijayalya(AD 846-871) established Chola rule in Tamil land with
Tanjore as his capital during the middle of ninth century.
Question 3.
Why did Rajaraja undertake a naval expedition against Ceylon and Maldives ?
Answer: Rajaraja (AD 985-1012) was a brilliant general and attacked the kingdoms of
Pandyas and Cheras and parts of Mysore. This area was the main region of activities of
Arabian traders. In order to strengthen his power along the coast of South India, he took
out a naval expedition and attacked both Ceylon and Maldives islands.
Question 4.
Name any three great rulers of the Chola dynasty.
Answer:
1. Rajaraja I (AD 985-1012)
2. Raj endra Chola (AD 1012-1044)
3. Rajadhiraj Chola (AD 1044-1052)
Question 5.
Give any two achievements of Rajendra Chola.
Answer:
 1. He defeated Mahipala, king of Bengal and adopted the title of Gangaikonda.
2. With a huge navy he defeated Shrivijaya king and solved the problem of Indian
merchants who were in trouble by the merchants of Shrivijaya.
Question 6.
Name the new capital built by Rajendra Chola.
Answer: The new capital was Gangaikonda-Cholapuram.
Question 7.
Why did the Cholas build a strong naval fleet ?
Answer: The Cholas built a strong naval fleet, in order to keep a strong control over the
trade activities of Arabian traders with the Indian merchants of the southern coastal
region.
Question 8.
What made the Chola administration strong and effective?
Answer: The Cholas system of administration was highly organised and efficient, the
king as the pivot of all administration. There was central government, provincial
government and local self-government including ‘ur’ – assembly of normal villages, ‘
Sabha’- assembly of Brahmins and ‘nagaram’ – the assembly of merchants. All this well
distributed and managed system of administration became strong and effective.
Question 9.
Name the two languages promoted by the Cholas.
Answer: The two languages promoted by the Cholas were Sanskrit and Tamil. Poems
and plays were also written in Tajnil by leading poets arid dramatists. The works of
Tamil writers were collected in eleven volumes which are known as ‘Tirumurais’.
Question 10.
Name any two features of temple built by the Cholas.
Answer: The chief features of Chola temples are their massive vimanas or towers and
spacious courtyards. Most of the Chola temples were built in the Dravidian style.

The Delhi Sultanate

Question 1.
Who laid the foundation of the Delhi Sultanate?
Answer: Qutub-ud-din Aibak laid the foundation of the Delhi Sultanate.
Question 2.
Name any two Inscriptions to reconstruct the age of the Delhi Sultanate.
Answer: 1. The Pehowa Inscription, 2. Sarban Inscription.
Question 3.
Mention any two ways in which Inscriptions may be used for reconstructing the history
of the Delhi Sultanate.
Answer:
1. Inscriptions — These are valuable supplements and not the sole sources of
information on the Delhi Sultanate. The inscriptions are found on coins,
monuments, milestones and tombstones. Some of the inscriptions are in Sanskrit,
some in Arabic and some in both the languages. For example, the first coin issued
by Muhammad Bakhtiyar Khilji bears both Arabic and Sanskrit inscriptions.
Similarly, the famous traveller Ibn Batuta noticed a commemorative inscription in
the Jama Masjid in Delhi, which he deciphered.
2. The Pehowa Inscription of the Pratihara king Mahendrapala suggests that Delhi
was founded in 736 AD by the Tomaras, a clan of the Rajputs. It mentions that the
Tomaras ruled over the Haryana region with Dhilika (Delhi) as their Capital. The
Sarban Inscription (found in the village Sarban, South Delhi) contains a brief
account of the history of Delhi until the reign of Muhammad Tughlaq (1325-1351).
Question 4.
Mention any two architectural features of Qutab Minar.
Answer:
1. The entrance to the tower is through the doorway on the northern side. Inside,
there is a spiral stairway leading upto each balcony.
2. Red sandstone, marble and grey quartzite were used to construct the tower which
is the highest stone tower in India.
Question 5.
Mention any two measures taken by Alauddin Khalji for control of the Market.
Answer:
1. Alauddin is best known in history for his market regulations. He fixed the cost of all
commodities from food grains, sugar and cooking oil to a needle, costly imported
cloth, horses, cattle, slave boys and girls.
2. He set up three markets at Delhi e.g., for food grains, cloth and horses, slave and
cattle, under the control of ‘ Shahna’ or the controller. Strict punishment was given
for cheating.
Question 6.
Mention any two schemes of Muhammed Tughlaq that failed and made him extremely
unpopular.
Answer: Two schemes of Muhammed Tughlaq that failed and made him extremely
unpopular were:
1. Muhammed Tughlaq increased the taxation in the Doab (the territory between the
rivers Ganga and Yamuna).
2. His decision to transfer his Capital from Delhi to Devagiri (Daulatabad) with a view
to having the Capital situated in the middle of his kingdom. He was bent upon
taking all the inhabitants of Delhi to the new Capital. Both of his schemes failed as
people never accepted both the schemes of him.
Question 7.
Why did Muhammad Tughlak’s scheme for increased taxation in Doab fail ?
Answer: There occurred a severe famine because of failure of rains. The people offered
resistance, but the Sultan’s officers continued to realise taxes mercilessly. The
cultivators were, therefore, forced to abandon their lands. The Sultan tried to help the
cultivators by giving them loans to buy seeds bullocks etc. Arrangements were also made
for the digging of wells for irrigation purposes. But the scheme failed.
Question 8.
Mention any one reason why Muhammad Tughlaq decided to transfer his Capital from
Delhi to Devagiri (Daulatabad) ?
Answer: In 1327 he decided to transfer his Capital from Delhi to Devagiri now
Daulatabad with a view to having the Capital situated in the middle of his kingdom. He
was bent upon taking all the inhabitants of Delhi to the new Capital. No one liked the
forced move: it was doomed to failure. As the Sultan was convinced of the failure of his
scheme, he ordered the people to return to their homes in Delhi.
Question 9.
Who was the greatest of the Lodi Kings?
Answer: Sikandar Lodi was the greatest of the Lodi Kings.
Question 10.
Who was the commander-in-chief of the army during the Sultanate period ?
Answer: Sultan was the commander-in-chief of the army during the Sultanate period.
Question 11.
Who was the highest officer in the government during the Delhi Sultanate ?
Answer: The highest officer in the government was the Wazir, the Chief Minister.
Question 12.
Name the two important provinces under Khljis and the Tughlaqs.
Answer: The most important provinces under Khaljis and the Tughlaq were those of
Jaunpur, Malwa, Khandesh, Gujarat, Bengal and the Dakhin (Deccan).
Question 13.
Mention any two sources of revenue during the Sultanate period.
Answer: The main sources of revenue were as under:
1. Land tax, usually one-tenth of the produce,
2. The booty captured, in wars.
Question 14.
Name any two archaeological sources to reconstruct the age fo the Delhi Sultanate.
Answer: 1. Qutab Minar, 2. Illahi Darwaza.
Question 15.
Mention any two ways in which Iltutmish consolidated the Turkish conquests in India?
Answer: Iltutmish effectively suppressed the rebellions of Amirs and also defeated the
governors of Sindh and Bengal who had risen in revolt. He then embarked upon a career
of conquests. He made Delhi his Capital and was the first Turkish ruler to introduce a
purely Arabic coinage. Finding his sons incompetent to rule, Iltutmish chose his
daughter Raziya to be his successor.
Question 16.
Who was Razia Sultana? Who plotted against her?
Answer: Raziya Sultana was the daughter of Iltutmish. She was put to death by her
nobles, who plotted against her and her husband Altunia and got them murdered in
1240.
Question 17.
What measures were taken by Balban to crush the Turkish Nobles?
Answer: Balban adopted a policy of sternness and severity. He established order in the
neighborhood of Delhi and instilled fear in the minds of the Turkish nobles by inflicting
severe punishment on them even for slight offences. Some of them were even publicity
flogged. The north-west frontier posts were strongly garrisoned.
Question 18.
Mention any two new elements of architecture style introduced by the Muslims in India.
Answer: Two new elements of architecture style introduced by the Muslims in
India are:
1. Open Airy and Spacious Buildings. 2. Mosques and Tombs.
Question 19.
Mention two important features of mosques.
Answer: Two important features of mosques are:
1. The mosques have an open courtyard surrounded by a pillared varandah.
 2. There is a prayer-hall having a recess or alcove called Mehrab in the western wall at
the back of the hall.
Question 20.
How did Alaudin Khalji expand his empire?
Answer: Alauddin Khalji raided Malwa and Gujarat and also defeated the Rajput rulers
of Ranthambhor and Chittor. Next, he faced to the four wealthy kingdoms of the
Deccan—Yadavas of Devagiri, the Kakatiyas of Warangal, Hoysalas of Dwarasamudra
and Pandya Kingdom with its Capital at Madurai. The task of conquest of Deccan had
been entrusted by Alauddin to his military commander, Malik Kafur.
Question 21.
Who was Timur Lang?
Answer: Timur Lang (Timur the Lame) was a foreign invader who had risen into power in
central Asia and invaded Delhi.
STRUCTURED QUESTIONS
Question 1.
Give a brief account of the reign of Alauddin Khalji under the following headings.
(a) His main conquests
(b)Treatment meted out to the rulers of Southern India.
Answer:
(a) Alauddin Khalji raided Malwa and Gujarat and also defeated the Rajput rulers of
Ranthambhor and Chittor. Next, he faced to the four wealthy kingdoms of the deccan—
Yadavas of Devagiri, the Kakatiyas of Warangal, Hoysalas of Dwarasamudra and Pandya
Kingdom with its Capital at Madurai. The task of conquest of Deccan had been
entrusted by Alauddin to his military commander, malik Kafur.
(b) The task of conquest of Deccan had been entrusted by Alauddin to his military
commander Malik Kafur.Malik Kafur captured an immense booty which consisted of
hundreds of elephants, thousands of horses and gold and jewels in large quantities. But
Southern India was not annexed. Its rulers had to acknowledge the lordship of Delhi
Sultan and pay him tribute in return for peace and protection.
Question 2.
Why did Muhammad Tughlaq’s following schemes prove a failure?
(a) An increase in taxation in the Doab.
(b) Introduction of Token Currency.
Answer:
(a) He increased the taxation in the Doab, the territory between rivers Ganga and
Yamuna with a view to augment his resources. This scheme was defeated because of
consecutive years of drought.
(b) In 1329 the Sultan introduced Token Currency by proclaiming that brass and copper
coins could have the same use or function as that of gold and silver coins. This
experiment also failed. Soon the gold and silver coins disappeared from the market and
forged copper coins manufactured by people at their homes came into circulation. Trade
and business came to a standstill.
Question 3.
Give an account of the administration of the Sultanate of Delhi under the following
heads:
(a) Position of the Sultan (b) His Ministers
Answer:
(a) The Sultan of Delhi was an unlimited despot. He was the chief executive of the state;
he was also the highest judicial authority. The Sultan was the Commander-in-Chief of
the army. His powers were very wide. He was responsible for the safety and security of
the state. A direct appeal could be made to him against the highhandedness of any of his
officials or judges. There was no constitutional method to remove a king from the throne.
He could be removed only by a successful revolt which meant a Civil War.
(b) The Sultan, however, could not manage the task of administration single-handed.
The highest officer in the government was the Wazir, the Chief Minister. Other key
functionaries and ministers were the Diwan (the Finance Minister), the Qazi (Chief
Judge) and the Ariz (the Army Minister). The special responsibility of the Army Minister
was to recruit, equip and pay the soldiers.
Question 4.
Study the picture of Qutab Minar and answer the following questions:
(a) Where is it located ?
(b) Name the rulers who started and completed the construction of the structure.
(c) Name the Muslim Saint after whom the structure is named.
(d) Mention three important features of the structure.
Answer: On the basis of the study of Qutab Minar the given questions are answered
as under:
(a) Qutab Minar is located in Delhi.
(b) The construction of Qutab Minar was started by Qutub-ud- din Aibak. It was
completed by lltutmish.
(c) Qutub-ud-din, a Muslim saint of Ush, near Baghdad.
(d)
1. The structure is a circular tower which rises to a height of 72.5 metres;
2. It has five storeys, tapering as they ascend and separated from each other by
projected balconies. Each storey has a different pattern and has finely wrought
Arabic inscription
3. The entrance to the tower is through the doorway on the northern side. Inside,
there is a spiral stairway leading upto each balcony
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS
Short Answer Questions:
Question 1.
Who was the founder of the slave dynasty in India ?
Answer: Qutubuddin Aibak is regarded as the founder of the Slave dynasty.
Question 2.
Why was Qutubuddin known as Lakhbaksh ?
Answer: Qutubuddin known as Lakhbaksh because of liberal distribution of money, he
earned the title of ‘Lakhbaksh’.
Question 3.
Mention any two military reforms introduced by Alauddin.
Answer: Military Reforms: Alauddin Khilji was the first ruler of Delhi who laid the
foundation of a permanent standing army. He imported qaulity horses and started the
system of branding horses (dagh) so that the soldiers could not replace them with
inferior quality horses. He also introduced the system of chehra, i.e., giving a kind of
identity card for every soldier.
Question 4.
How did Alauddin Khalji expand his empire ?
Answer: A large region was ruled in northern India by Alauddin. Alauddin Khalji
conquered many southern states in 1313, the states of Devagiri, Warangal,
Dwarasamudra and Madurai. The annual tribute payed by these states was used for
maintenance of his army.
Question 5.
Mention the two controversial steps taken by Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq.
Answer: Two controversial steps taken by Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq, were as follows:
1. Shifting of Capital from Delhi to Devagiri.
2. Introduction of the “token currency”.
Question 6.
Which dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate built The Qutab Minar ?
Answer: Slave dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate i.e. Qutb-ud-din Aibak in AD 1199, built
the Qutab Minar.
Question 7.
Who was the commander-in-chief of the army during the Sultanate period ?
Answer: Sultan was the commander-in-chief of the army during the Sultanate period.
Question 8.
Name the department which dealt with state correspondence during the Sultanate
period.
Answer: Diwan-i-insha was department which dealt with state correspondence during
the Sultanate period.
Question 9.
What was the iqta system ?
Answer: During Sultanate the empire was divided into provinces called iqtas’. During
this period, the practice of giving grants of revenue from a terrritory came to be known
as the ‘ iqta system’. Those who were given iqtas were called ‘iqtadars’. Out of this grant,
the iqtadars had to maintain themselves, their families and some soldiers for use by the
Sultan during war.
Question 10.
Name the author of the book, Tarikh-i-Firuzshahi.
Answer: The book, Tarikh-i-Firuzshahi was written by Ziauddin Barani.
Question 11.
Why were the early rulers of slave dynasty called the Mamluk Sultans ?
Answer: The early rulers of slave dynasty were called the Mamluk Sultans because these
Sultans were earlier either the slaves of the Turks or were the sons of the slaves.
Question 12.
Mention any two reasons for the defeat of Rajputs by the Turks.
Answer:
1. The Turkish army comprised expert military leaders from different lands who
employed new tactics of wars. The Rajputs, on the other hand, followed outdated
tactics.
2. The Rajput soldiers were highly efficient in the use of spear and sword and
excellent in hand-to-hand fighting. But as archers, they were inferior to the Turks.
The Turks were aware of the weak points of their opponents.
Question 13.
Who was Muhammad Ghori ? Why did he invade India?
Answer: Shahabuddin Muhammad, also known as Muizzuddin Muhammad bin Sam or
Muhammad Ghori, ascended the throne at Ghazni (in present Afghanistan) in 1173. He
was an ambitious ruler and wanted to establish his empire in India. The wealth and
military resources of India attracted Mohammad Ghori’s attention, which he thought
could be utilised to safeguard the Ghurid empire. Therefore, he strengthened his
position at Ghazni and turned his attention towards India. He invaded India several
times between 1175 and 1206.
Question 14.
Mention the four architectural features brought in by the Turks in India.
Answer: The architectural style brought in by the Turks in India had four main
characteristic features — dome, minarets, ‘arches and propped roofs. In the sphere of
decoration, the Turks used geometrical and floral designs, combining them with panels
of inscriptions containing verses from the Holy Quran.
Question 15.
Who was Razia Sultana ? To which dynasty did she belong?
Answer: Razia Sultana was the daughter of Iltutmish. She belonged to the Slave
Dynasty.
 The Mughal Empire

ICSE Solutions for Class 9 History and Civics – The Mughal Empire
June 4, 2018 by Kalyan
ICSE Solutions for Class 9 History and Civics – The Mughal Empire

ICSE Solutions Selina ICSE SolutionsML Aggarwal Solutions

EXERCISES
Question 1.
Name any two sources to reconstruct the Age of the Mughals.
Answer: Ain-i-Akbari and Akbamamah.
Question 2.
Who wrote Ain-i-Akbari.
Answer: The author of Ain-i-Akbari is Abul Fazal.
Question 3.
What information does Abul Fazl provide about Akbar’s Admiralty Department ?
Answer: Abul Fazl write of ‘Admiratly Department’ whose functions were
1. To build boats and 2. To recruit skilled seamen.
Question 4.
Name any two monuments that help to reconstruct the history of the Mughals.
Answer: Agra Fort and Humayun’s Tomb.
Question 5.
Name the two magnificent buildings within the Red Fort.
Answer:
1. Diwan-i-Aam: A public Darbar hall and a
2. Diwan-i-Khas: A lavishly-ornamented hall where the Peacock Throne was placed.
The hall was used by the emperor to give audience to the princes of the royal
family, nobles and other important dignitaries.
Question 6.
Mention any two architectural features of the Jama Masjid at Delhi.
Answer:
1. It is build on a lofty basement, about 9 m high and 1170 sq m in area. There are
three gateways to the mosque, approached by majestic flights of steps on the
South, North and Eastern sides. The Eastern Gateway, the highest and largest of
all, was reserved for the use of Mughal Emperors only. The three gateways give
access to an open courtyard.
 2. At its four external corners are placed twelve-pillared kiosks surmounted by marble
domes. The central dome is the largest and highest.
3. On the north and southern sides there are two elegant minarets, each rising to a
total height of about 40 m and divided into three stages, each having a projected
gallery.
4. The face of the spacious prayer-hall consists of eleven arches of which the central
arch rises far above the roof level.
Question 7.
In whose memory was the Taj Mahal built ?
Answer: The Taj Mahal was buit by Shah Jahan’s in memory of beloved Queen Mumtaz
Mahal.
Question 8.
Whom did Babur defeat at the battlefield of Panipat? What was its consequence?
Answer: In April 1526 Babur defeated Sultan Ibrahim Lodi at the battlefield of
Panipat.His victory was indeed a success of “consummate leadership” and “superior
weapons” that he had acquired from Turkey. Babur was the king of India. The most
formidable chieftain against whom Babur had yet to fight was Rana Sanga of Mewar,
who had organised a huge confederacy of Rajputs against the Mughal invader. The
victory of Khanua, a village near Agra, gave Babur complete control over the Central
India.
Question 9.
What was the result of Babur’s encounter with a huge confederacy of Rajputs at
Khanua?
Answer: Babur’s encounter with a huge confederacy of Rajputs at Khanua, resulted in
the victory of Babur. The victory gave Babur complete control over the Central India.
Question 10.
What is the significance of the Second Battle of Panipat (1556)?
Answer: The second Battle of Panipat was fought between Hemu, a nephew of Sher
Shah Suri and the Mughals in November 1556. In this battle, the Afghan army was
defeated and Hemu was captured and killed.
Question 11.
Name any two Deccan territories included in Akbar’s empire.
Answer: Ahmadnagar, Bijapur and Golconda.
Question 12.
What was Akbar’s Mansabdari System ?
Answer: The mansabdari system introduced by Akbar was a unique feature of the
administrative system of the Mughal gmpire.The mansabdars formed the ruling group of
the Mughal empire with a rank of (mansab). With a great power of civil and army control
the rank ranged from number 10 to 5000 for nobles. The ranks were again divided into
‘zat’ and ‘sawar’. For every ten cavalrymen, the mansabdar had to maintain twenty
horses.
Question 13.
Akbar’s Din-I-Ilahi was based on what principles or beliefs ?
Answer: It is based on the principles of oneness of God, stressing on virtues like
courage, loyalty and justice.
Question 14.
Name any two Departments of Government during the Mughal Age.
Answer:
1. The Military Pay and Accounts Office held by Mir Bakshi.
2. Imperial Household Department held by Khan-i-Saman.
3. The Judiary under the Chief Qazi.
Question 15.
Who was at the head of the Finance Department under Mughal rule.
Answer: Diwan was the head of the Finance Department under Mughal rule.
Question 16.
Name the master architect who designed the Taj Mahal.
Answer: Ustad Isa was the architect who designed the Taj Mahal.
Question 17.
Diwan-i-Khas in the Red Fort was used by the Emperor for what purpose ?
Answer: The Diwan-i-Khas: It is the lavishly-ornamented hall where the Peacock
Throne was placed. The hall was used by the emperor to give audience to the princes of
the royal family, nobles and other important dignitaries.
Question 18.
Mention any two factors responsible for Humayun’s failure against Sher Shah Suri.
Answer: Two factors responsible for Humayun’s failure against Sher Shah Suri
were:
1. Humayun was far less able soldier and general than his father.
2. He seemed incapable of a sustained and continued policy.
Question 19.
Mention any two revenue reforms instituted by Sher Shah Suri.
Answer: Two revenue reforms instituted by Sher Shah Suri were:
1. Sher Shah Suri developed a systematic method of measuring the land.
 2. He assessed the land-revenue and collected it with great earnestness.
Question 20.
What is the significance of Akbar’s Mansabdari system?
Answer: Under mansabdari system, the capable candidates were chosen the
Mansabdars by the emperor Akbar. They were directly appointed by the emperor and
they acted both as military commanders and civil administrators. This system made
quite easy to administer the vast kingdom efficiently and conveniently.
Question 21.
Mention the nature of Akbar’s Din-I-Ilahi.
Answer: Din-I-Ilahi was the new cult introduced by the emperor Akbar in 1580. It was
based on the belief that there is only one God and required its members to accept such
virtues as courage, chastity and justice. It also demanded loyalty to the Emperor.
Question 22.
How did Jahangir deal with the Sikh Guru, Guru Arjun Dev?
Answer: Jahangir tortured and executed the Sikh Guru, Guru Arjun Dev.
Question 23.
Why was the title of ‘Shah Jahan’ conferred on Prince Khurram by Jahangir ?
Answer: Prince Khurram was got married to the daughter of Asaf Khan, who was
appointed Khan-i-Saman under the emperor Jahangir’s rule. Asaf Khan was also the
brother to Begum Nur Mahal (Nur Jahan) who was the wife of Jahangir. Keeping all
these things in mind, the title of ‘Shah Jahan was conferred on Prince Khurram.
Question 24.
Who was Nur Jahan?
Answer: Nur Jahan was the widow of a Persian nobleman, Sher Afghan. Jahangir
married Nur Jahan.
Question 25.
Why did Shah Jahan revolt against his father?
Answer: Jahangir was fully under the influence of his spouse, Nur Jahan, who was a
far-slighted woman and bore the dream at her heart to become the sole Empress. Shah
Jahan smelled her political ambition. All this resulted in a rift between Nur Jahan and
Shah Jahan. Shah Jahan at last, decided to raise a revolt against his father Jahangir.
Question 26.
Metnion Shah Jahan’s conquests in the Deccan.
Answer: In the Deccan, Shah Jahan conquered Ahmadnagar, Bijapur and Golconda.
Question 27.
Where is Humayun’s Tomb located? Mention any two features of the monument.
Answer: Humayun’s Tomb is located at Delhi under the instructions of his wife, Hamida
Banu Begum. The monument rests on a high square platform and has archways on each
side. Each archway opens into a room. The monument has a bulbous marble dome with
slightly curved outlines arising from a narrower “neck”.
STRUCTURED QUESTIONS
Question 1.
Akbar had both the time and inclination to look at the administrative problems of the
Empire. In this context describe birefly.
(a) His Mansabdari System
(b) His Land Revenue System
Answer: (a) Mansabdari System: Akbar introduced the mansabdari system to organise
his armed forces more effectively. All imperial officers except the qazis and sadars, were
enrolled as members of mansabdari system and were reuined to maintain some troops
proportionate, to their ranks. The Mansabdari held their appointments directly from the
emperor. They got their remuneration in cash not in the form of land grants. In addition
to meeting their personal expenses, the Mansabdar had to maintain out of his salary a
required quota of horses, elephants mules and carts. The Mughal Mansabdari were
required to serve in whatever place or capacity the Emperor desired. They acted both as
military commanders and civil administrators. By giving them handsome salaries and
high status, Akbar was able to recruit men of remarkable capabilities to the service of
the empire. Mansabdari status was not hereditary. The Mansabdars could be promoted
or dismissed by the Emperor.
(b) His Land Revenue System:
No efforts were made to improve the land system prevailing in the country in the early
part of Akbar’s reign. It was only after, when Todar Mai became the Diwan-i-Ashraf
(head of the land revenue department.) Todar mal devised a system based on
1. A survey and measurement of land,
2. classification of land according to its productive capacity, and
3. fixation of rates payable in cash or kind by the cultivators.
Another important change that Akbar made was the introduction of the dahsala system.
Under this system the average produce of different kinds of lands as well the prices of
the last ten (dah) years were collected from the government records. The land revenue
was fixed at one- third of the average produce. The benefit of the system was that there
was now no necessity of settling the land revenue every year. The work of revenue
collection was therefore expedited. In brief, Todar Mal started a system that enriched the
state treasury without impoverishing the cultivators. The state advanced loans 10 the
needy farmers. As a result, agriculture flourished that boosted trade and industry also.
Question 2.
Akbar was the greatest of all medieval rulers of India. In this context describe: His policy
of racial pacification and religious tolerance.
Answer: His Policy of Conciliation and Synthesis:
Akbar sought to bring about racial and religious conciliation in the country. Jiziya was
abolished and the state services were opened for the Hindus, especially Rajput princes.
The Emperor patronised Hindu writers and artists and welcomed matrimonial alliances
with the Rajput families. In 1580, the Emperor promulgated a new cult called Din-i-
Ilahi. It was based on the belief that there is only one God and required its members to
accept such virtues as courage, chastity and justice. It also demanded loyalty to the
Emperor. The new cult could not have many followers and it was never imposed.
PQ. Shah Jahan’s reign marks the climax of the Mughal dynasty and empire. In
this context explain briefly:
(a) His Conquests.
(b) Magnificence of the Imperial Court and his Architectural. Achievements.
Answer: Shah Jahan’s reign marks the climax of the Mughal dynasty and empire.
In this context the given headlines are explained below:
(a) His Conquests: In 1632, Shah Jahan started his military campaign against
Ahmadnagar. He annexed Ahmadnagar. He ordered the states of Bijapur and Golconda
to submit to Mughal authority. The Emperor himself marched to Deccan to seek
compliance to his. orders. The ruler of Golconda acknowledged the Mughal suzerainty in
1636, but military action was needed to bring Bijapur into submission.In the North-
West, the Mughals had suffered some reverses after Akbar’s death. Shah Jahan wanted
to recover Kandhar which he did in 1638. But the Mughals could not retain it for long,
because the Shah of Iran captured it again inl649. Three major campaigns to recover
Kandhar failed and Kandhar was lost to the Mughals for good. The Emperor was
successful in suppressing the revolt of Jujhar Singh, son of Bir Singh Bundela.
(b) Magnificence of the Imperial Court and his Architectural Achievements: Shah
Jahan modelled his court after the style of the old Persian monarchs. The exquisite
Peacock Throne and the celebrated Kohinoor added to the magnificence of his court.
Shah Jahan patronised men of letters and arts. The famous Taj at Agra and Jami Masjid
at Delhi are some of the finest examples of Mughal architecture of his time. Music and
painting also made great progress under Shah Jahan’s patronage.
Question 3.
Aurangzeb died forlorn and destitute. In this context, explain briefly:
(a) His dealings with the Sikh
(b) His attempts to suppress rebellion in the Deccan.
Answer: Aurangzeb died forlorn and destitute. In this context, the given headlines
are explained as under:
(a) His dealings with the Sikh Gurus: Aurangzeb was a fanatic Fundamentalist (Sunni)
Muslim ruler. He adopted a rigid policy, especially for the Hindus and emphatically
converted them into Islam. The Hindu pandits from Kashmir, approached the Ninth Sikh
Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadar at Anandpur Sahib in Punjab and they grieved and sought
the help of the Guru to relieve them from the atrocities of Aurangzeb. Aurangzeb got
infuriated at this act of the Guru to assist the Kashmiri, pandits. He captured Guru
Tegh Bahadar and took him to Delhi. He kept forth the option of embracing Islam or
facing death before the Guru. Seeing the Guru not converting his denomination and
denying to adopt the Islam religion, Aurangzeb beheaded the Guru openly at a place
called Chandani Chowk in Delhi. Now, there is erected the Gurudwara Sisganj in the
memory of the martyred Sikh Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadar. In 1704, the Mughals attacked
the fort of Anandpur, a fierce battle was fought between the Sikhs and the Mughals.
Guru Gobind Singh, who led the Sikh warriors, fought heroically. His two sons Zorawar
Singh and Fateh Singh, were captured and were bricked alive when they refused to
adopt Islam. The Guru’s last encounter with Mughal forces took place at the battlefield
of Muktsar, it claimed a huge loss of lives of the soldiers. Thus, an unending enmity
existed between the Mughals and the Sikhs that continued even after the departing of
Guru Gobind Singh.
(b) His attempts to suppress rebellion in the Deccan: Shivaji was succeeded by his
elder son Shambhaji. A new dimension that was added to the events in Deccan was the
arrival of the rebel Prince Akbar at the Maratha Court. Aurangzeb feared that the Prince,
the Marathas and the Sultans of Bijapur and Golconda could forge an alliance against
the Empire. He therefore, reached the Deccan in 1681. He sought to crush the
Marathas, but his efforts did not bear the desired results. He could annex Bijapur in
1686 and then came the fall of Golconda also. Shambhaji was also defeated, captured
and killed in 1689. The Deccan, now seemed to be under the control of the Mughal
Emperor. But the Marathas did not allow themselves to be carried into submission. They
enthroned Shambhaji’s younger brother Raja Ram on the throne. When the Mughal
army besieged their Capital, they fled towards Jinji. The Mughals captured Shambhaji’s
wife and her nine-year old son Sahuji. The Mughal- Maratha contest continued for many
years. When Raja Ram died in 1700, his widow Tara Bai declared her four-year old son,
Shivaji II, the king.From 1700-1705 Aurangzeb, though ill-managed to drag himself from
the siege of one fort to another. After nearly twenty-five years of direct military action in
southern India, Aurangzeb died at Aurangabad in 1707 – with little success, but
substantial loss of wealth, prestige and self-esteem.
Question 4.
Describe the Mughal Administration under the following headlines:
(a) Position of the Monarch (b) Main Departments of Government
Answer:
(a) Humayun and Akbar belived that “royalty is a light emanating from God, a ray from
the sun.” The Mughal state was a “centralized autocracy”. In other words, the king’s
powers were unlimited. He was the “head of the government, the commander of the
armed forces and the fountain of justice.” He was also the chief legislator, because his
word was law.
(b) The highest position below the Emperor was held by the Vizier, but the Exchequer
(Finance Department) was in the hands of the Diwan.
Other important departments were:
1. The Military Pay and Accounts Office held by Mir Bakshi.
2. Imperial Household Department held by Khan-i-Saman.
3. The Judiciary under the Chief Qazi.
The other Officers, somewhat lower in status-were:
1. Daroga-i-Topkhana (head of the artillery)
2. The Daroga of the Mint, and
3. Mir Arz the officer-incharge of Petitions seeking favour of the Monarch.
Question 5.
Describe the Mughal Administration with reference to the following:
(a) The Army and the Navy
(b) Administration of Law and Justice
Answer:
(a) The armed forces were composed of
1. Infantry 2. Cavalry 3. Artillery 4. Navjy and 5. War elephants.
The artillery consisted of two sections — heavy guns, and the light artillery. The
heavy guns were used for assaulting forts. The functions of the Admirality
Department were
1. To build boats
2. To recruit professional seamen, and
 3. To collect river duties and tolls. The Navy was used for the suppression of
piracy as well as for war. With the development of the flint-gun, the infantry
had also become a powerful fighting force during the 17th century. An
important factor that harmed the efficiency of the Mughal army was that the
soldiers did not owe direct allegiance to the Emperor. They were more attached
to their immediate officers. The Army looked like a “moving city”, with a
portion of the ‘harem’ (wives of the nobles and chief officers), their offices the
attendants, musicians and the soldiers moving from place to place during a
war. This sort of affairs naturally brought in luxury and “indiscipline” in the
army.
(b) The Chief Qazi was the principal judicial officer in the realm. He appointed Qazis for
the provinces. Justice was administered by Qazis, Muftis and Mir-adls. The Muftis acted
as advocates; they interpreted the Muslim law. The Mir-adls drew up and announced
judgement. Fines could be imposed and severe punishments, like amputaton of hand or
leg could be inflicted by the courts without any reference to the Emperor, but capital
punishment (death penalty) required Emperor’s sanction. Above all these courts was the
Emperor himself.
PQ. Give an account of the social developments during the Mughal Age under the
following headlines:
(a) Social Structure (b) Position of Women
Answer:
(a) The society comprised of, an general, three classes of people;
1. Princes and the Nobles,
2. The Middle Class, and
3. The lower orders,i.e., the Ordinary People, the peasants and the laborers. As
regards the princes and the nobles, they rolled in wealth and luxury, Costly silks
and precious jewels graced their persons and beautiful carpets decked their dining
halls. They ate the choicest food and could taste the choicest ‘ wines. They lived in
highly decorated palatial buildings. Many of them kept men and women as slaves
who could be bought and sold as they liked. The middle classes, i.e., the
merchants, traders, artists, musicians, scholars and those belonging to the class of
priests and the clergy had a living standard suited to their respective professions.
The living conditions of the lower orders were hard. The landless peasants and
laborers could eke out a bare existence. Towards the end of Shah Jahan’s reign, the
peasants got much harassed by the revenue officials. Whenever there was a famine
it was this class of peasants who suffered the most.
(b) The position of women was in many respects pitiful. The child marriage was a
standing social evil. Akbar tried to check girls’ marriage before puberty, but his attempts
did not seem to have been effective. Polygamy also was not uncommon. Moreover, Safi
system was prevalent in Hindu society. The efforts of Akbar, Jahangir and Aurangzeb
failed to uproot this evil. Despite constraints, instances of women taking on active part
in social and political affairs are many. Rani Durgavati, Chand Sultana, Nur Jahan,
Jijabai and Jahanara were highly alented women, who have left an enduring reputation
behind.
PQ. The Growing harmony between various religious communities was a marked
feature of social life during the reigns of rulers from Akbar to Shah Jahan. In this
context explain briefly:
(a) Growing harmony between Hindus and Muslims
(b) Growth of the Bhakti Movement and Sufism in the Mughal period.
Ans. (a) The growing harmony between Hindus and Muslims was a marked feature of
the social life at that time. Akbar’s liberalism went a great way to heal the rift between
the two communities. The Jiziya (poll tax on the non-Muslims) was abolished and state
services were opened for the Hindus, especially the Rajput princes. Akbar’s marriages
with Hindu princesses led to the introduction of Hindu customs into the palace and
Durga Puja was celebrated within the palace then and afterwards. On the other hand,
Mughal etiquette, Mughal dress and dishes were adopted by the Hindu zamindars and
people having a high social rank. The Muslims of high rank often took part in the Holi
and Diwali festivals with their Hindu friends.
(b) The Bhakti tradition continued to grow and several new cults had arisen in the 17th
and 18th centuries. One of the most prominent saints of Maharashtra was Tukaram.
Sufism also ‘ had a profound influence on society during the period. Akbar was deeply
influenced by the mysteries of Sufism and teachings of the Hindu saints. Throughout
the period, the Bhakti school of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu held the field in Bengal and
Orissa. In Rajasthani, Gujarat and South India also the Bhakti Movement retained its
popularity. Raja Man Singh of Amber, in Rajasthan, was one of the greatest patrons of
Vaishnavism.
Question 6.
Study the picture of the Red Ford and answer the following questions:
(a) Where is the Fort located ?
(b) Name the ruler who built it ?
(c) Mention two important buildings within its enclosure
(d) Mention three important features of the Fort
(e) Mention one occasion when the Fort is used by the Government of India
Answer: On the basis of the study of the picture of the Red Fort, the given
questions are answered below:
(a) The Red Fort is located in Delhi.
(b) The Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan built it during the period 1639-1648.
(c) Within this fort, there are magnificent buildings, including a public Darbar hall
(Diwan-I-Aam) and Diwan-I-Khas.
(d) The Fort has massive walls around it, in which there are two Gateways. The western
Gateway, known as the Lahori Gate, was used for ceremonial purposes and the other
gateway for private use; The Diwan-I-Khas is the lavishly ornamented hall, where the
Peacock Throne was placed.
(e) Every year on August 15, the Prime Minister of India addresses the nation from its
ramparts to commence the Independence Day celebrations.
Question 7.
Identify the picture given below and answer the following question:
(a) Where is it located ?
(b) By whom was it built ?
(c) Name the architect who designed the monument
(d) Mention two architectural features of the monument.

Answer: On the basis -of the Study of the picture of the Taj Mahal, the given questions
are answered below:
(a) The Taj Mhhal is located at Agra.
(b) It was built bv Shah Jahan.
(c) Ustad Isa designed the monument.
(d)
 1. It is made of pure white marble
2. It stands on a raised platform and is surmounted by cupolas at each corner
3. Four Minarets stand at each corner of the terrace.
Question 8.
The Mughal rulers of India were patrons of learning and scholars. In this context,
describe briefly:
(a) The growth of Persian Literature in those times.
(b) The growth of Hindi Literature during the age of the Mughals.
Answer: The Mughal rulers of India were patrons of learning and scholars. In this
context, the given questions are described as under:
(a) The Persian language made a tremendous progress under the patronage of the
Mughal emperors. Akbar’s court had many Persian scholars who migrated to India. One
of the eminent historians of Akbar’s court was Abul Fazal, who wrote Ain-i-Akbari, gives
information about the legal and revenue-systems of Akbar’s administration. While
Akbarnama is about the life of Akbar and the Mughals in general. Two other historians
of Akbar’s reign were Nizam-ud-din Ahmad, who wrote Tabakat-i-Akbari and Badauni,
who wrote Muntakhab-ut-Twarikh. Akbar encouraged the translation of Sanskrit literary
works into the Persian language. Different sections of the Mahabharata were translated
into Persian and compiled into a book. Badauni completed the translation of the
Ramayana. Abul Fazal translated the Panchatantra. Faizi was a renowned scholar who
translated many Hindu classics into Persian.The translation of Sanskrit works in
Persian continued under Jahangir.
(b) Tulsidas was a great poet of the Rama cult, he wrote Ram Gitawali. His most famous
work is Ram Charitmanas, singing the noble deeds of Lord Rama. It is a masterpiece of
Hindi literature. Surdas wrote Sursagar which describes episodes from Krishna’s early
life. Many scholars adorned the court of Akbar, who encouraged Hindi Literature.
Akbar’s courtiers—Birbal, Raja Man Singh and Raja Bhagwan Das—were known for
their poetic works in Hindi. Akbar conferred the title ‘Kavipriya’ on Birbal for his poetic
works. Abdur Rahim Khan-i-Khanan was the most distinguished Hindi poet of Akbar’s
court. Till today, his dohas in Hindi have been greatly appreciated and read with
interest. Malik Muhammad Javasi, one of the most well-known writers of Hindi, wrote
the epic Padmawat. Sundar, who wrote Sundar Sringar was given the title ’Mahakavi
Rai’ by Emperor Shahjahan.
Question 9.
What role did the following factors play in decline and downfall of the Mughal Empire:
(a) Aurangzeb’s policies.
(b) Incompetence of the Later Mughals.
(c) Foreign Invasions.
Answer: The given factors played a significant role in the decline and downfall of
the Mughal Empire, which are as explained as follows:
(a) Aurangzeb’s Policies:
Aurangzeb was an orthodox Sunni Muslim. His personal life and austerity won him the
support of the Muslim clergy who called him a Zinda Pir, a Living Saint. In 1669, the
Emperor forbade the building of new temples and permitted the destruction of a few
existing temples as well. The temples at Mathura and Varanasi became special targets of
attack. He reimposed the old Jiziya on Hindus. This naturally cost him the sympathy
and support of the Hindus, particularly, the Rajputs who had been the pillars of the
Mughal Empire.
(b) Incompetence of the Later Mughals:
The later Mughals were incompetent and did not have the skills that were needed to
keep the system in working order. They let the affairs drift in their own way. R.C.
Majumdar writes, “Province after province the Deccan, Oudth and Bengal slipped out of
imperial control.” The Marathas, the Jats and Sikhs had also become very’ powerful by
now. And in 1739, Nadir Shah, returned home laden with immense treasure including
the famous Peacock Throne and the Kohinoor The invasion left the empire “bleeding and
prostrate.” The last Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah II was a symbolic head of the Great
Uprising of 1857. He was imprisoned and banished to Rangoon, where he died in 1862.
(c) Foreign Invasions:
In 1739, the Emperor of Delhi was literally at the mercy of Nadir Shah. The already
Shrunk Mughal empire was left exposed to further invasions. Ahmad Shah Abdali led a
number of expeditions and in 1757, he advanced into India as far as Delhi. In 1759, he
finally conquered the Punjab. Since Marathas had also become strong contenders for
supremacy in northern India, a contest between Ahmad Shah Abdali and the Marathas
was inevitable. Ahmad Shah defeated the Maratha army at the Battle of Panipat in 1761.
This defeat not only checked the growing power of the Marathas, it also hastened the
process of the disintegration of the Mughal empire. It indirectly contributed to the rise of
the Sikh-power in Punjab and the north-west and the spread of British influence in the
rest of the subcontinent.
Question 10.
Akbar was tbe greatest of all medieval rulers of India, In this context describe:
(a) His Concern about Law and Justice
Answer: Law and Justice: Akbar regarded speedy administration of justice as one of his
important duties. The Chief Quazi was the foremost Judicial officer in the realm. He
nominated Qazis for the provinces. The Qazis were believed to be just and impartial.
They tried both civil and criminal cases. The bigger towns had their own Qazis. The
villagers settled their disputes through the institution of the Panchayat. Above all the
local and provincial courts was the Emperor himself. He was ‘the fountain of justice and
the final court of appeal’. The prisoners were kept in forts.
Question 11.
Describe Aurangzeb’s Administration under the following headlines:
A Setback to the Policy of Religious Toleration Provincial Government
Answer: (a) A Setback to the Policy of Religious Toleration:
Soon after his accession, Aurangzeb abandoned the liberal religious viewpoints of his
predecessors^ Though Akbar Jahangir and Shah Jahan’s approach to faith was more
liberal than the empire’s founder. Aurangzeb’s position is not so obvious. While his
conservative interpretation of Islam and belief in Shria (Islamic law) is well documented,
how this affected the empire remains unclear. Despite claims of sweeping edicts and
policies, contradictory accounts exists his compilation of the Fatwa-e-Alamgirie, a digest
of Muslim law, was either intended for personal use, never enforced. While some assert
that the lack of broad adoption was due to an inherent flow, others insist they were only
intended for his observance. While it is possible the war of succession and continued
incursions combined with Shah Jahan’s spending made cultural expenditures
impossible.
(b) Provincial Government:
The number of proinces had risen to’ twenty-one in the time of Aurangzeb. The Diwan
or the Revenue Chief of the province was required to keep a strict watch over the
Subahdar (the Governor) so that the latter would not become all powerful.

Bhakti Movement, Sufism and Influence of Christianity on Indian Society

Question 1.
What is meant by Composite Culture?
Answer: It means that culture is made up of many elements drawn from several
different traditions such as Classical Hindu tradition and the Islamic and Christian
thoughts and beliefs.
Question 2.
Name any two factors responsible for the emergence of Composite Culture in India.
Answer: When the Hindus and Muslims began living together, something new,
something that was neither Muslim nor Hindu but a mixture of the two, was born. It was
impossible for them to remain isolated from each other and both were influence
mutually by each other’s faith and ideas. The spirit of tolerance, the desire to assimilate
each other’s ideas and customs and the wider outlook of the Hindu and Muslim saints
gave impetus to two religious movements — Sufism among the Muslims and the Bhakti
cult among the Hindus.
Question 3.
Mention any one impact of the emergence of Composite Culture in India.
Answer: Efforts at mutual understanding led to a process of accommodation in all fields
of life, such as arts and architecture, music and literature, religious beliefs and even in
the field of customs and rituals.The Hindu ideas of Yoga and Vedanta had a definite
contribution to the development of Islamic philosophy in many ways. The Sufi Movement
provided a common platform for both the Muslims and the Hindus.
Music and painting also showed a blending of Persian and Indian ideas. Abul Fazl’s
Akbarnamah contains a number of painting depicting customs and rituals of those
days.
Question 4.
Name any two sources to reconstruct religious thoughts and ideas leading to the growth
of Composite Culture.
Answer: Main two sources to reconstruct religious thoughts and ideas leading to
the growth of composite culture are:
1. Bijak — Bijak is the compilation of the verses of Kabir. Kabir has drawn inspiration
from various traditions—Islam, Vedas and yogic traditions to describe the Ultimate
Reality. For example, he has used the terms like alakh (the unseen), nirakar
(formless), Brahman and Atman, from Vedantic traditions.
2. Guru Granth Sahib — Guru Granth Sahib is the only scripture of its kind which
contains the songs, hymns and utterances of a wide variety of saints, sages and
bards. This shows that Guru Arjan Dev wanted to affirm the fundamental unity of
all religions and the unitary character of all mystic experience. It is indeed, a
magnificent compendium of religions, mystic and metaphysical poetry written or
uttered between the 12th and the 17th century in different parts of India. It is, also,
at the same time, a mirror of the sociological, economic and political conditions of
those days.
Question 5.
What is Bijak ?
Answer: Bijak: Bijak is the compilation of the verses of Kabir. It comprises three main
sections called Sakhi, Ramaini and Shabda.
Question 6.
Name any two Sikh Gurus whose sermons and hymns are included in the Adi Granth.
Answer: Adi Granth is vast collection of Sermons and hymns of the five Sikh Gurus-
Guru Nanak, Guru Angad, Guru Amardas, Guru Ramdas and Guru Arjun Dev Ji.
Question 7.
Name any two saints other than the Sikh Gurus whose devotional hymns are included in
the Adi Granth.
Answer: Kabir, Namedo, Raidasa and Baba Farid.
Question 8.
Who among the Sikh Gurus announced the end of personal Guruship and named Guru
Granth Sahib as the Guru of the Sikhs ?
Answer: Guru Gobind Singh Ji. The 10th Sikh Guru announced the end of personal
Guruship and named Adi Granth as ‘Guru Granth Sahib”.
Question 9.
Who founded the Chisti Order (Silsila) ?
Answer: Hazrat Muin-ud-Din, founded (Silsila) the Chisti Order.
Question 10.
Name the two stages in the Spiritual Path leading one to the Union with God ?
Answer: Nizam-ud-din believed that one could embrace God with in this life by Talab
(Deep Desire for Union With God) and Fana (Destruction of Ego).
Question 11.
Who sought the Raja’s permission to build a fort at Kochi ?
Answer: Alfonsa, de Albuquerque was appointed Governor of Portuguese affairs in India.
He was allowed by the Raya (Raja) of Cochin to build a fort at Kochi.
Question 12.
Mention any one historic merit of the St. Francis Assisi Church at Kochi.
Answer: The Clock on this Church was erected in the year 1923 in memory of Hal
Harrison Jones, the then Managing Director of Aspin wall and Company. There is in its
premises a Cenotaph, a monument or a War Memorial in memory of the residents of
Cochin who fell during the First World War.
Question 13.
Mention the two main features (principles) of the Bhakti Cult.
Answer: The two main features of the Bhakti Culture:
1. There is none too high or low with God. All are alike to God.
2. Denouncement of idol worship and condemnation of formal rituals in religion.
Question 14.
Mention the contribution made by Sant Jnaneswar to Marathi literature.
Answer: Sant Dhyaneshwar wrote in Marathi a famous commentary, called the
Dhyaneshwari, on the Bhagavad Gita. He translated many Sanskrit works into Marathi
including Amritanubhava, Atmanubhava and Bhavartha Dipika. The religious poems
written by him are called Abhangas.
Question 15.
Mention the two main teachings of Kabir.
Answer: The two main teachings of Kabir are:
1. He denounced idol-worship, meaningless rituals and pilgrimages to holy places.
2. Devotion to God was regarded as an effective means of salvation.
Question 16.
Mention the two important teachings of Guru Nanak
Answer: Guru Nanak preached the gospel of Universal Brotherhood and religious
tolerance. He exhorted the Hindus and the Muslims to forget their differences, because
he believed in the equality of all religions.
Question 17.
Who was Mirabai ? What was her message to the people ?
Answer: Mirabai was a Rajput princess married into the ruling family of Mewar
(Udaipur). A devotes of Lord Krishna since childhood, she continued to devote her whole
time to the Lord’s worship even after her marriage. She, in her devotional songs says,
“People say, Mira has gone mad. I have myself become the eternal maid-servant of my
Narayana.” Her message was: “There is but one means to experience Lord’s Divine
Presnce—that is Bhakti.”
Question 18.
Name the two famous Sufi Saints of India.
Answer: Hazrat Khwaja Muin-ud-Din Chisti and Nizam-ud-din Auliya.
Question 19.
Mention the two main principles of Sufism.
Answer: The two main principles of Sufism are:
1. One could reach God through love and devotion and not through blind observance
of rituals.
2. God is one and all people are the children of God. Love of God meant love for
humanity.
Question 20.
When and by whom was Christianity believed to have been introduced in India ?
Answer: St. Thomas came to South India in the first century AD. He believed to
introduce Christianity in India.
Question 21.
Who was St. Francis Xavier ?
Answer: He was one of the founders of the Society of Jesus. He toured many regions of
Asia, especially those areas that were controlled by the Portuguese at that time. He had
gone to Japan and the islands of Borneo and Moluccas (now in Indonesia). However, as a
missionary his most notable successes were only in
India. ‘
Question 22.
Which two principles did St. Francis Xavier include among the human values ?
Answer: The principles included human values, such as Humility before God, Mercy,
Purity of Heart and Love, for enemies as well as friends.
STRUCTURED QUESTIONS
Question 1.
Explain the sources of reconstruct religion thoughts and ideas leading to the growth of
Composite Culture with reference to:
(a) Bijak’s contents
(b) Guru Granth Sahib and Guru Nanak Dev’s teachings
Answer: (a) Bijak — Bijak is the compilation of the verses of Kabir. It comprises three
main sections called Sakhi, Ramaini and Shabda and a fourth section containing
miscellaneous folk song forms.
1. The sakhi is composed in the doha or couplet form.
2. The Ramaini form is usually written in the meter called chaupai and is usually
based upon a musical raga.
3. The third form, the Shabda is meterically the loosest form. Since it is the popular
song form it has been altered from region to region and from singer to singer. Kabir
has drawn inspiration from various traditions — Islam, Vedas and yogic traditions
to describe the Ultimate Reality. For example, he has used the terms like alakh (the
unseen), nirakar (formless), Brahman and Atman, from Vedantic traditions.
(b) Guru Granth Sahib — Guru Granth Sahib is the only scripture of its kind which
contains the songs, hymns and utterances of a wide variety of saints, sages and bards.
This shows that Guru Arjan Dev wanted to affirm the fundamental unity of all religions
and the unitary character of all mystic experience. It is indeed, magnificent compendium
of religions, mystic and metaphysical poetry written or uttered between the 12th and the
17th century in different parts of India. It is,also, at the same time, a mirror of the
sociological, economic and political conditions of those days. Guru Granth Sahib is
regarded by the Sikhs as a ‘Living Guru’ and as a spiritual guide not only for them but
for the entire humanity.
They regard it as a ‘Living Guru’ that has all the answers regarding religion and
morality.The philosophy embodied in Guru Granth Sahib is that of action, deed and
consequence. It lay’s emphasis on shared communal experience and the extinction of the
ego or self is the corner-stone of its philosophy. It regards God as omnipotent and
omniscient. Guru Nanak Dev’s teachings : Guru Nanak preached the gospel of Universal
Brotherhood and religious tolerance. He exhorted the Hindus and the Muslims to forget
their differences, because he believed in the equality of all religions.
Question 2.
Explain the importance of each of the following:
(a) Ajmer Sharief Dargah
(b) Historic merit of the St. Francis Assisi Church, Kochi.
Answer: (a) Ajmer Sharief Dargah — The dargah of Khwajah Moinuddin Chishti is one of
the most revered sites in India not only for the Muslims but also for the people of other
faiths, who hold the saint in high esteem. Every year thousands of people visit Ajmer
Sharief Dargah to pay reverence at the sanctified dargah. A yearly carnival, known as
Urs is held for six days in the honor of the beloved saint.
(b) The Church has historic and aesthetic merit both. There are many types of services
— the baptism, marriages, etc. — that the Church provided and their record could be
found in Church’s Register from 1751 to 1804. For more than 40 years it was
maintained in the handwriting of the Minister of the Church, Predikant Comelies.
During 1930s the leaves of the Register were repair by handwriting experts in London.
At present only their photocopy, and not the original leaves, could be examined by
persons visiting the Church. The Clock on this Church was erected in the year 1923 in
memory of Hal Harrison Jones, the then Managing Director of Aspin wall and Company.
There is in its premises a Cenotaph, a monument or a War Memorial in memory of the
residents of Cochin who fell during the First World War.
Question 3.
Explain the significance (impact) of the Bhakti movement under the following heads:
(a) Ensuring Harmony between Hindus and Muslims.
(b) Preaching the fundamental Equality of all human beings.
(c) Promoting regional languages and Devotional Literature.
Answer: The impact of the Bhakti movement under the given heads is explained as
under:
 1. Ensuring Harmony between Hindus and Muslims: The Bhakti movement became
popular in the whole of India. The saints and reformers offered the people a simple
religion devoid of complicated rituals a religion, which required only sincere
devotion to God. They tried to reform Hinduism so that it could successfully
withstand the challenges of Islam and they also tried to ensure harmony between
the two communities—Hindus and Muslims in an atmosphere of toleration and co-
operation. The message of religious toleration made a profound impression on
Several Muslim rulers. They attracted many devotes from both the communities
and exercised a stabilizing influence on society.
2. Preaching the fundamental Equality of all human beings: They tried to evolve a
new social order by following the principle of equality and by denouncing caste
distinctions. They exposed the futility of external rituals and set free the minds of
the people from the domination of the priests. Thus, the movement brought in not
only religious reforms, but also social changes.
3. Promoting regional languages and Devotional Literature: The Bhakti reformers
preached to the people in their mother-tongue and it provided an impetus for the
development of regional languages such as Hindi Bengali,Marathi, Maithili,
Gujarati etc. Their compositions rank very high in the devotional literature of the
world.
Question 4.
Explain the rise and significance of the Sufi Movement with reference to:
(a) Nizam-ud-Din Auliya’s main beliefs
(b) Impact of Sufism on Indian Society
Answer: (a) Nizam-ud-din believed that one could embrace God within this life by Talab
(Deep Desire for Union With God) and Fana (Destruction of Ego). Nizam-ud-din did not
believe in discrimination on grounds of religion, caste or sex. H9 said, “be generous to
the needy, the poor, the exploited and the oppressed.”
(b) Sufism proved very helpful in birdging the gap between the followers of Hinduism and
Islam and encouraged the feeling of Hindu-Muslim unity to a considerable extent in the
following ways:
1. Sufism preached religious tolerance, brotherhood and oneness of God. Inspite of
the different rules of various religions, the ultimate aim is to reach the God.
2. Equality and brotherhood of all human beings irrespective of caste, colour, cread
and religion.
3. Sufism believed in unity of all religions, because every religion points out the
ultimate aim to reach the God and get his blessings.
Question 5.
Describe Francis Xavier’s missionary activities in India under the following headlines:
(a) His preachings among the pearl-fishers along the East Coast of Southern India.
(b) His love for children of born parents not legally married.
Answer: (a) Francis Xavier arrived in Goa in 1542. For the next three years he had been
a Christian preacher in India among the pearl-fishers along the East Coast of Southern
India as well as in northern areas of the Cape Comorin. His preaching made him
immensely popular among the Paravas, Katesars, kadaiyars and Mukkuvars. He had
become a missionary of great eminence and respectability among the Pattamkattiyars.
Their family-members had been the head of the Fisher Coast.
(b) Many Children were bom of parents (Portuguese sailors and Indian women) who were
not legally married at that time. Francis Xavier gave such children instruction about
beliefs of the Christian Church. In order to save the Child from the slur of being called
‘an illegitimate child’, he tried to see that the child’s parents united themselves in holy
matrimony. Francis Xavier died in 1552. His embalmed body became the object of holy
pilgrimages.
Question 6.
No survey of the Bhakti movement can omit the names of great woman figures who left
the impression of their preaching upon future generations. In this context, explain
briefly the preaching.
(a) Lallesvari. (b) Mirabai.
Answer: The names of the great women figures of the Bhakti movement can never be
omitted.
In this context,the given heads are explained as follows:
(a) Lallesvari (1317-1372): She was a Kashmiri Saint, whose life is full of legeds and
miraculous deeds. She teaches that the path to God-realisationi lies in renouncement of
worldly possessions, intense love of the divine and rising above the distinctions of caste
and creed. She said, “I thought my mind to see the Lord in all my fellowmen. Do not
discriminate between a Hindu and a Musalman. Let us give up fraud and untruth. ”
(b) Mirabai (1450-1512): She was a Rajput princess married into the ruling family of
Mewar (Udaipur). A devotee of Lord Krishna since childhood, she continued to devote her
whole time to the Lord’s worship even after her marriage. She incurred her husband’s
displeasure and eventually, their marriage broke up. She wandered from place to place
singing her beautiful songs. One of her hymns goes thus : “People say Mira has gone
mad. I have myself become the eternal maid-servant of my ” Mira reached Dwarka,
where she composed many songs in Gujarati. Next to Narsi Mehta, she is regarded as
the greatest figure to contribute to devotional literature in Gujarati. She had Raidas as
her Guru. Her message was : “there is but one means to experience Lord’s Divine
Presence- that is Bhakti. ”
Question 7.
Name the book, where Kabir’s teachings are recorded.
Answer: Bijak (the seed-book).
Question 8.
Mention two important aspects of the teachings of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
Answer: The two important aspects of the teachings of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu are:
1. He believed in on Supreme Being, whom he called Krishna or Hari and exhorted
others to have faith in Krishna.
2. He preached universal brotherhood and denounced all distinctions based on Caste
and Creed. He was opposed to the domination of the priestly class.
Question 9.
Who was Lallesvari? What are her teachings?
Answer: Lallesvari was a Kashmiri Saint, whose life is full of legends and miraculous
deeds. She teaches that the path to God- realisation lies in renouncement of worldly
possessions, intense love of the divine and rising above the distginctions of caste and
creed.
Question 10.
Explain the characteristics of Muslim architecture under these heads: Mosques and
Tombs.
Answer: The characteristics of Muslim architecture under the given heads are
explained below:
Mosques and Tombs: The Muslim structures are of two types : religious and secular.
The religious structures are mosques and tombs. The mosque has an open courtyard
surrounded by a pillared verandah. For congregational prayer-hall having a reces alcove
called Mehrab in the western wall at the back of the hall. On the right side of the
Mehrab, stands pulpit and a minaret or tower above the walls from which Muazzin
summons the faithful to worship. Over the sanctuary, is the central dome. The tombs
are the resting places for the dead. The Tomb has a chamber, with a Mehrab in the
western wall. The whole structure is surmounted by a graceful dome. Underneath the
building, is the burial chamber with the grave (Kabr) in the center of it.
 The Renaissance
Question 1.
What it meant by Renaissance ?
Answer: The term ‘Renaissance’ is derived from the Latin ‘word ‘Renascence’. It implies
rebirth and it is used to describe the rebirth of thought and learning of Greco-Roman
classics, revival of art and growth of humanism.
Question 2.
Why is Renaissance known as an Intellectual Movement?
Answer: Renaissance is known as an Intellectual Movement because it brought new
developments in the fields of literature, religion, philosophy, politics, art and science.
Question 3.
Mention any two causes that led to the advent of Renaissance.
Answer: Two causes that led to the advent of Renaissance are:
1. The Capture of Constantinople by the Turks. 2. Decline of Feudalism.
Question 4.
Name the country where the scholars took refuge after the siege of Constantinople.
Answer: After the siege of Constantinople, the scholars took refuge in Italy.
Question 5.
What caused the Greek scholars to come to Italy? Or Give an important reason why the
Renaissance began in Italy.
Answer: In 1453, the Ottoman Turks sieged the City Constantinople and the Greek
scholars fled to Italy.
Question 6.
Who reached Kerala’s coastal town of Calicut in 1498?
Answer: Vasco-de-Gama, a Portuguese explorer reached Kerala’s coastal town of Calicut
in 1498.
Question 7.
How did the invention of printing press bring new awakening in Europe?
Answer: The invention of printing press made it possible to product books in large
numbers. The holy Bible and many other religious and classical books were printed and
made available all over Europe.
Question 8.
Mention an outstanding impact of the Renaissance ii the field of literature.
Answer: The use of native languages for literary writings.
Question 9.
Who wrote ‘The Prince’? What is its importance?
Answer: Machiavelli, wrote ‘The Prince’. It influenced the polity o that time, suggesting
that political matters should b separated from religion.
Question 10.
Who was the famous English poet and dramatist the 16th century?
Answer: William Shakespeare was the famous English poet am dramatist of the 16th
century.
Question 11.
Name any two literary works of Shakespeare.
Answer: Shakespeare wrote 38 Plays, more than 150 Sonnets am many Poems. His
historical dramas included Richard II Henry V and Henry VI. He also wrote tragedies,
such a Hamlet and Macbeth.
Question 12.
Who translated the Holy Bible into German Language
Answer: Martin Luther translated the Holy Bible into Germai Language.
Question 13.
Mention the names of two celebrated artists of the 16th century?
Answer: Leonardo de Vinci and Michael Angelo.
Question 14.
Mention the contributions of:
(a) Leonardo de Vinci. (b) Mithaelangelo in the field of painting.
Answer: (a) Leonardo de Vinci was a great painter and sculptor, he painted famous
pictures, ‘The Last Supper’ and ‘Mona Lisa’.
(b) Michael Angelo was also a great painter and a sculptor. The ceiling frescoes in the
Sistine Chapel in the Papal palace of the Vatican was his masterpiece.
Question 15.
Name two famous sculptors of Italy.
Answer: Lorenzo Ghiberti and Michael Angelo.
Question 16.
Mention the contributions of Lorenzo Ghiberti in the field of sculpture.
Ans. The contribution of the mentioned sculpturs is as follows:
Lorenzo Ghiberti:
He was a famous Italian sculptor. He worked for 20 years to make two pairs of bronze
doors for the Baptistery at Florence.
Question 17.
Name the finest example of the Renaissance architecture in Rome.
Answer: The St. Peter’s Church.
Question 18.
What was the famous theory introduced by Copernicus?
Answer: Copernicus was a Polish priest. He introduced the theory that it was not the
Sun and the stars that move round the Earth, but it is the Earth that rotates on its axis
around the sun.
Question 19.
Who invented the Telescope?
Answer: Italian astronomer Galileo invented the Telescope.
Question 20.
Who proved the theory of Law of Gravitation?
Answer: Sir Isaac Newton, an English scientist proved the theory of Law of Gravitation.
Question 21.
Mention two important effects or consequences of the Renaissance.
Answer: Two important effects of the Renaissance are:
1. The Renaissance led to the Reformation Movement.
2. Great Outflow of Vernacular Literature.
Question 22.
Who discovered the Eastern Coast of Canada? What did it lead to?
Answer: John Cabot, an Italian explorer discovered, the Eastern Coast of Canada. It
enabled the British to claim much of North America.
Question 23.
Name the rulers who patronised the works of literature and art in Europe.
Answer: Rulers like—King Francis I of France, King Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth I of
England, Charles V of Spain and Christian II of Denmark encouraged the movement.
STRUCTURED QUESTIONS
Question 1.
The 15th and 16th centuries are by and large regarded as the ‘Renaissance Period’. In
this context explain how each of the following led to the advent and growth of
Renaissance:
(a) Capture of Constantinople by the Turks (b) Decline of Feudalism
Answer:
(a) Capture of Constantinople by the Turks: In the years 1453, the Ottoman Turks
captured Constantinople, the Capital of the Byzantme Empire which remained in
Christian hands for more than thousand years. Its libraries contained the manuscripts
of world-famous Greek and Roman writers. As the siege of the City began, the students
and scholars fled with a number of priceless manuscripts. They went to various parts of
Europe. They were especially welcome in Italy because, as George Guest puts it, “that
land had already given birth to famous men of letters- Dante Petrarch and Boccaccio”.
Nobles, merchants and Churchmen flocked to the new teachers.
(b) Decline of Feudalism: Feudal lords had possessed huge estates, who exploited the
peasants ‘Social mobility’ and progress were badly affected by this system. Freedom or
equality of rights was denied. Towards 13th and 14th centuries, started the decline of
feudalism. It led to develop the habit of free-thinking. It paved the way for New Learning
Consequently, new development came into being in the fields of art, literature, science
and philosophy.
Question 2.
The word ‘Renaissance’ signifies the freedom-loving thoughts of man. In this context
explain the role of
(a) Original thinkers, and
(b) Men with advanced scientific ideas in bringing about a spirit of Inquiry among people
of Europe.
Answer:
(a) During the Medieval Age, the Church discouraged original thinking and called upon
scholars to put faith in the Church dogmas. However, original thinking could not be
suppressed for a long time and certain bold and independent thinkers criticised the
Church and asked the people to develop their own thinking. Thinkers like Roger Bacon,
Abelard. Thomas Aquinas revolutionised the thought process and laid great stress on
reasoning.
(b) Roger Bacon (1214-1294) was a thirteenth century scholar, but look at the
‘modernity’ of his thoughts in these words: “Machines for navigating are possible without
rowers, so that great ships, guided by one man may be borne with greater speed than if
they were full of men… Likewise, cars may be made.” Similarly, “flying machines are
possible, so that a man may sit in the middle turning some device by which artificial
wings may beat the air in the manner of a flying bird.”All the above thinkers are called
the forerunners of Renaissance.
Question 3.
How did the following factors help in the advent and growth of Renaissance:
(a) New Trade routes between Europe and the East
(b)Invention of the Printing Press
Answer: (a) The Turkish invasion made trade in the eastern Mediterranean too risky.
With the result, new trade-routes to India and the East were felt to come in force.
‘Henry the Navigator’, a royal Portuguese became the pioneer in the field of geographical
explorations. He started a school for navigators. The sailors were taught how to make
use of the Mariner’s Compass and astrolabe. Many voyages were undertaken by his
sailors along the coastline of West Africa. They discovered Azores and Material Inland
and went as far as Sudan and Senegal. Bartholomew Diaz, a Portuguese, reached the
southernmost tip of Africa, which came to be called ‘Cape of Good Hope’. In 1497 Vasco-
de-Gama, sailed across the Indian Ocean and reached Kerala’s coastal town of Calicut in
1948. Two years later Cabral, a Portuguese Commander discovered Brazil in 1500.
The urge of discovering new routes made Vasco-de-Gama discover India, while he went
round the ‘Cape of Good Hope’ in 1948. Similarly, Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese
nobleman, went around the Globe between 1520 and 1522. Italy became the centre of all
trade routes. Christopher Columbus was the first to sail across the Atlantic Ocean,
taking with him three ships— The Santa Maria, the Nina and Pinta. A voyage of two
months led him and his crew members land on the island of Bahamas, which he named
San Salvador. He visited Cube and Haiti nearby and he called the people there Indians.
He undertook three more sea-voyages and discovered Jamaica, Puerto Rica, Trinidad
and the coasts of Venezuela. The coast, which he took for the Coast of Indies, was
actually a new continent, which he had discovered unknowingly .Amerigo Vespucci, an
Italian adventurer made four voyages to the region visited by Columbus. He gave a
detailed description about the land and its people.
This New World was named as America after Amerigo Vespucci. Magellan, in September
1519, reached the coast of South America and sailed down towards the south through
straits now called Straits of Magellan. Finally, he reached the Philippines. He went
ashore with his sailors. The natives attacked and killed him. Hernando Cortezm a
Spanish adventurer, made a normal expedition to explore the coast of Central America.
He landed the Coast of Mexico. The natives called Aztecs resisted his advance on their
land, but he defeated them, conquering the Azetic Empire for the Spanish King John
Cabot, an Italian explorer, was employed by the British King Henry-VII to discover the
northwest route across the Atlantic. He reached the Cape Briton Island near
Newfoundland. This discovery of the eastern coast of Canada enabled the British to
claim much of the North Americ. Sir Francis Drake, an English sailor sailed around the
globe between 1577 and 1580.
(b) Invention of the Printing Press: In the middle of the 15th century, the invention of
printing press played a vital role to enlighten the people on religious grounds. It enabled
to produce books in large number. The holy Bible and many other religious and classical
books were printed and made available all over Europe.
Question 4.
The Renaissance was a period of great intellectual activity. Given an account of the
outstanding works of the following writers:
(a) Machivelli (b) Shakespeare
Answer: (a) Machivelli: He was from Florence. He was a historian who is known as the
father of modem political philosophy. In his work, ‘The Prince’, he dealt with political
conditions that prevailed in the Italian states during the close of the 15th and early 16th
century. His ideas and suggestions had a profound influence on the minds of political
leaders and rulers in those days in Europe. He suggested that political matters should
be separated from religion.
(b) Shakespeare: The English poet, Chaucer (1340-1400) wrote the enjoyable
‘Canterbury Tales’. Shakespeare, the famous English poet and dramatist of 16th
century, through his outstanding contribution had elevated English literature to world
status. He was the greatest poet and playwright, England had ever produced. John
Milton’s epci-poetry, ‘Paradise Lost’ elevated him to be a distinguished poet in England.
His great works gave a great impetus to English literature.
Question 5.
The Renaissance artists tried to put life in canvas and stone. Describe their
achievements in the fields of:(a) Painting (b)Architecture
Answer: (a) Painting: The city of Florence (Italy), produced in the second half of the 15th
century very great artists and painters.
1. Leonardo de Vinci: Leonardo de Vinci was a great painter, sculptor a great
musician and a scientist. ‘The last Supper’ and ‘Mona Lisa’ are the great
masterpieces of European art. New techniques were adopted in his paintings to give
a fine feeling of reality.
2. Michael Angelo: He was painter of the first rank and also an outstanding sculptor.
The ceiling frescoes in the Sistine Chapel in the papal palace of the Vatican was his
masterpiece. His paintings were based on Biblical themes and the Grand Fresco of
the ‘Last Judgement’ is considered the most famous painting in the world.
3. Raphael: He was a great artist of the Florentine school and his most celebrated
painting was ‘Sistine Madonna’. He lived several years in Rome in the service of
Pope, decorating the Vatican and designing the St. Peter’s Church. During the early
Renaissance period, artists used to have their paintings based on the themes from
the Holy Scriptures and covered the walls of churches and palaces, painting
scenes depicting Biblical characters and events. With the revival of interest in old
 Greek and Roman mythology, later artists started painting of the themes from
Christian Literature in Greco-Roman Style.
(b) Architecture: The Renaissance architects rejected the Gothic style arid accepted the
Greco-Roman classical architecture. Some of the outstanding features of architecture
were; imposing dome, round arches and tall columns. St. Peter’s Church in Rome, which
can hold 80,000 people is the finest example of the Renaissance architecture. Its grand
dome which was designed by Michael Angelo rises to a height of more than 400 ft. above
the ground level.
Question 6.
There was a splendid galaxy of scientific persons whose discoveries revolutionised our
ideas of the universe. In this context mention the discoveries of the following men:
(a) Copernicus (b) Galileo
Answer: (a) Copernicus: He was a mathematician and astronomer, who formulated a
model of the universe that placed the sun rather than the earth at the center of the
universe. The publication of this model in his book De revolutionists orbium celestium
(On the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres) just before his death in 1543 is regarded as
a major event in the history of science, triggering the Copernican Revolution.
Copernicus based his Heliocentric theory on the following:
1. There is no one center of all celestial circles or spheres.
2. The center of the earth is not the center of the universe, but only of gravity and of
the lunar sphere.
3. All the spheres revolve about the sun as their midpoint and therefore, the sun is
the center of the universe.
4. The earth has more than one motion, turning on its axis and moving in a spherical
orbit around the sun.
(b) Galileo: Galileo, an Italian Astronomer (1564-1642) used a telescope, the greatest
scientific instrument of the period, to study the movements of heavenly bodies for
Copernicus’ theory. Galileo was tried by the Church for challenging its belief and
authority. His book was burnt. Three years later, Giordano Bruno was burnt in Rome by
the Church for insisting that the Earth goes round the Sun.
Question 7.
Study this picture carefully and answer the questions that follow:
(a) Give the name by which the portrait is known.
(b) Name the artist who portrayed it?
(c) Mention the main features of this painting?
Answer:
(a) ‘Mona Lisa’
(b) Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
(c) His painting ‘Mona Lisa’ is a perfect depiction of beauty and harmony. In fact, it is
more beautiful than any Creation of Nature. There is a mild smile on the face and with
eyes, half closed and half revealing, as if she has something to say, the total effect is
such as any heart could desire.
Question 8.
What were the effects of the Renaissance?
Answer: The effects of the Renaissance were as follows:
1. The Renaissance led to the Reformation Movement: The urge to know the
unknown by questioning, observation and experimentation brought an end to the
supremacy and’ domination of the Church, which eventually led to Reformation.
2. Great overflow of Vernacular Literature: The Renaissance helped in the growth of
vernaculars. In England, there was the famous Shakespeare and a contemporary of
Shakespeare in Spain was Cervantes, who wrote ‘Done Quixote’. In France, Moliere
became the founder of the ‘Comedie Francaise’, the National Theatre.
3. Consequences of Geographical Explorations: Geographical discoveries,
commercial relations were established between Europe and the East. Trade brought
unprecedented prosperity to the countries of Europe. For England and Spain,
America also yielded immense wealth. This led to Colonialism. European countries
controlled America, Asia and Africa and used their resources to increase their own
power.
 4. The Humanist’s Belief in Man: Earlier people subordinated themselves to the
interests of the Church or the Class to which they belonged. Now, they began to
look at themselves as ‘Individuals’. They believed in man’s’ability to achieve
happiness and freedom without the need for religion. The Renaissance art and
literature reflected aspirations of the ordinary people at that time.
5. Rise and Growth of Nation-Slates: The feelings of nationality and progress of
national literature led to the rise and growth of Nation-States.
The Reformation
Question 1.
What do you understand by the term ‘Reformation’?
Answer: ‘Reformation’ was a religious Movement launched by Martin Luther. It protested
against the dogmas of Roman Catholic Church.
Question 2.
Mention two important causes of the Reformation.
Answer: Two important causes of the Reformation are:
1. Evils of the Catholic Church. 2. Financial Burden on People in General.
Question 3.
What is meant by the Sale of Indulgences?
Answer: Tetzel, who was sent to Germany by Pope, he used to sell Indulgences, offering
pardon to those who paid money. This practice of his is said to be the Sale of
Indulgences.
Question 4.
How did the Pope Leo X try to collect funds for building St. Peter’s Basilica?
Answer: The Pope Leo X, tried to collect funds for building St. Peter’s Basilica by sending
missionaries to sell Indulgences.
Question 5.
Name the English priest who translated the Holy Bible into English.
Answer: Wycliff.
Question 6.
Who started the revolt against the authority of the Church in Germany?
Answer: Martin Luther.
Question 7.
Why did Marin Luther object to the power of Pope?
Answer: The Pope used to forgive sins of all that paid, regardless of whether they
sincerely regretted their actions, which made Martin Luther to raise his objection against
the power of the Pope.
Question 8.
Why was Martin Luthur Excommunicated from the Church?
Answer: Martin Luther was very much against the worldliness of the Pope Leo X, the
Clergy and the spiritual emptiness of the Catholic Church. All his resentment provoked
the Pope and he declared Martin Luther as a heretic and sent a letter, warning him that
he would be excommunicated from the Church. Martin Luther defiantly burnt the
Papal’s Bull of Excommunication in the presence of the public at Writen berg on
December 10, 1520, theory marking his revolt.
Question 9.
Who translated the Holy Bible from Latin into German language?
Answer: Martin Luther translated the Holy Bible from Latin to German language.
Question 10.
What was the immediate cause of the division of the Roman Catholic Church?
Answer: The Reformation in Europe was the immediate cause of the division of the
Roman Catholic church.
Question 11.
Which are the two factions of the Church?
Answer: The Roman Catholic and the Protestant.
Question 12.
What were the two main decision made by the Council of Trent?
Answer: The Council of Trent took up steps to enforce strict discipline among the
Church officials. The sale of Church offices were stopped. It condemned and prohibited
Sale of Indulgences. Seminars were to be started for imparting education and training to
priests. The Church should not charge any fees for conducting religious services;
sermons should be preached in the language of the people.
Question 13.
Who founded the Society of Jesus?
Answer: Ignatius Loyola, a Spanish nobleman founded the Society of Jesus.
Question 14.
What were the important terms of the peace of Augsburg in 1555?
Answer: The important terms of the peace of Augsburg in 1555 were:
1. The ruler will have the right to determine his static-religion.
2. Lutheran subjects in Catholic states in Germany will not be asked to renounce
their faith.
Question 15.
Who heralded the Protestant Movement in Switzerland?
Answer: Ulrich Zwingli heralded the Protestant Movement in Switzerland.
Question 16.
What did the Puritans want people to do?
Answer: Puritans condemned and prohibited Sale of Indulgences. Seminaries were to be
started for importing education and training to priests. The Church should not charge
any fees for conducting religious services; sermons should be preached in the language
of the people.
Question 17.
Mention the names of two Jesuit missionaries who helped in restoring the prestige of the
Catholic Church.
Answer: St. Francis Xavier and Loyola.
Question 18.
What is meant by the term ‘Nation-State’?
Answer: The Nation State refers to a country with well defined natural boundaries,
having people with common history, culture and character.
Question 19.
How Reformation led to the formation of Nation-States in Europe.
Answer: As the Protestant revolt grew in strength, many rulers who wanted to be freed
of leading-strings of the Pope sided with Martine Luther or Calvin. Many European kings
now declared themselves as Head of the Church as well as of the Government. The kings
had already crushed the feudal lords. Now another great rival of the Crown i.e., the
Church also submitted to King’s authority. That completed the edifice of a National-
State.
Question 20.
What was ‘Mercantilism’?
Answer: Mercantilism meant ‘complete government control over trade, commerce and
industry.’
Question 21.
Mention the main point on which Luther and Zwingli disagreed.
Answer: The ‘Lord’s Supper’ was the main point on which Luther and Zwingli disagreed.
Sturctured Questions
Question 1.
The Movement against the Roman Catholic Church is called the Reformation. Discuss its
causes with reference to the following:
(a) Sale of Indulgences (b) Tithe (c) Raising Funds to build St. Peter’s Basilica
Answer: (a) Sale of Indulgences: Another way of collecting money was the sale of letters
which remitted punishment for sin. Those who had money would be made free from
doing penance for their sins by buying a Letter of Indulgence. The clergy claimed that
those who bought the Indulgences got remission of their sins by God.
(b) Tithe: The people were required to pay ‘tithe’ (one-tenth of their income) to support
churches and priests. Besides, the clergy collected another tax called ‘Peter’s pence’ from
the people. The burden fell mainly on the peasants and the middle class families.
(c) Raising Funds to build St. Peter’s Basilica: Pope Leo X wanted to build St. Peter’s
Basilica (Church) with the new architectural designs. He sent emissaries to sell
Indulgences and to collect funds for the new project. John Tetzel, an agent of the Pope,
went to Writen berg with the mission of raising sums for the building. It provoked Martin
Luther.
Question 2.
How did the following causes contribute to the 16th- century Reformation Movement in
Europe:
(a) Humanist Movement (b) Spread of New Learning
Answer:
(a) Humanist Movement: The pretensions of the Church was much discredited by
Humanist Movement. Reuchlin and Erasmus criticised the Church for its corruption and
worldly business. Reuchlin brought to light many inconsistencies in the interpretation of
the Bible that were made by theological scholars. The Dutch scholar Erasmus, criticized
the conduct of the clergy and he wanted them to change their lifestyle. Unfortunately,
Pope Leo X could not see the danger signal.
(b) Spread of New Learning: The New Learning and the spirit of inquiry that was
developed by the Renaissance scholars, the invention of printing press and printing of
Bible in vernacular languages brought a complete change in people’s outlook. They now
questioned superiority of the Church. It also led to the growth of secular ideas. Nobles
and merchants believed that there was nothing wrong in acquiring wealth to lead a
worldly life. The monarchs and capitalists were jealous of the wealth of the Church. The
common people in Europe looked upon Church- taxes with contempt.
Question 3.
Early in the sixteenth century there rose in Germany Martin Luther who became the
great leader of the Reformation Movement. In this context describe:
(a) Luther’s Beliefs and Doctrines (b) Luther’s Theses
Answer: (a) Luther’s Beliefs and Doctrines: Martin Luther belonged to a peasant family
of Saxony, in Germany. After his theological education in the University of St. Augustine
in 1505, he was appointed a Professor of Theology at Writenberg University. His
thorough knowledge of the Bible, led him to believe that man could attain salvation only
by repentance. Salvation is the Gift of God, and can be had if the penance be done.
Luther questioned Tetzel’s authority to sell Indulgences and he had at once the moral
support of many princes and ordinary people alike.He was shocked to learn the
worldliness of the Pope, the clergy and the spiritual shallowness after he visited Rome.
In 1517, he nailed on the door of the Castle-Church at Writenberg, ninety-five these is
(statements), which he thought, people should know and think about carefully. The first
thesis was : When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ says Repent, he means that the
entire life of believers should be a repentance ?’’ Luther’s insistence was that, Tetzel was
quite unscrupulous in his misinterpretation of Scripture. He questioned the power of the
Pope and priests to forgive sins of all who paid, regardless of whether they sincerely
regretted their actions.
(b) When Luther visited Rome he was grieved to witness the worldliness of the Pope and
the Clergy. In 1517 he nailed on the door of the Castle-Church at Writenberg Ninety-five
Theses (Statements), which he thought people should know and think about carefully.
The first Thesis was : “When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ says Repent, he means
that the entire life of belivers should be a repentance.” All other Statements were an
elaboration of this Thesis. Luther questioned the powers of Pope and priests to forgive
sins of all who paid/regardless of whether they sincerely regretted their actions.
Question 4.
Lutheran Church was the Protestant Church founded on the doctrines of Martin Luther.
In this context describe:
(a) Luther’s Excommunication by the Pope
(b) His success in mobilising Princes’ and People’s support
Answer: (a) His Excommunication: Pope Leo X, declared Martin Luther as a heretic
and sent a letter, warning him that he would be excommunicated from the Church. He
defiantly burnt the Papal’s Bull of Excommunication in the presence of the public at
Wittenberg on December 10, 1520, thereby making his revolt. In 1521, Emperor Charles
V summoned Luther to attend the Diet at Worms to answer charges levelled against him
by the Pope. Though his friends and well-wishers persuaded him not/to attend, Luther
appeared before the Diet to defy the Church. He boldly declared that he would not
revoke any of his statements as his conscience “is taken captive by the word of God.”
The Emperor issued the famous Edict of Worms, declaring Luther as heretic and ordered
for his arrest.
(b) His success in mobilising princes’ and peoples’ support: Frederick the Wise, Duke
of Saxony, saved Luther’s life by forcing him to hide. Luther spent one year in a lonely
castle during which time, he translated the Holy Bible from Latin to German. Many
German princes who supported Luther, raised their banner of revolt against the
authority of the Church and formed a League to ‘protect Luther. Those who favored the
new protest movement, broke away from the Catholic Church and came to be known as
Protestants. Lutheran Churches were established all over the country. It divided
Germany into two factions-one group, under Emperor Charles V and the other group,
under the Protestant rulers of Germany. It led to religious conflict, which took a heavy
toll and ended in the Peace of Augsburg in 1555. The Peace acknowledged the right of a
ruler to determine his state- religion. Lutheran subjects in Catholic states in Germany
were not asked to renounce their faith. Thus, the power and prestige of the Catholic
Church led by the Pope suffered a serious setback.
Question 5.
A series of measures were taken to restore the reputation of the Catholic Church. In this
context answer the following questions:
(a) What is known as Counter-Reformation ?
(b) What measures were taken to introduce reforms in the Catholic Church ?
Answer: In context of measures taken to restore the reputation of Catholic Chinch,
the given questions are answered as under:
(a) The Reformation movement greatly damaged the very foundation of the Roman
Catholic Church in the 16th century and brought about the birth of the Protestant
Church. In order to restore the reputation of the Catholic Church, a large number of
dedicated ^Christians; including some Popes, had adopted certain reforms within the
Church. A Church Council was convened at Trent, in northern Italy in 1545 by Pope
Paul III
(b) The Council of Trent took up strict measures to maintain discipline among the
Church officials. The sale of Church offices was stopped. It condemned and prohibited
Sale of Indulgences. Seminaries were to be started for importing education and training
to priests. The Church should not charge any fees for conducting- religious services;
sermons should be preached in the language of the people.The Society of Jesus was
founded by Ignatius Loyola, a Spanish noble man. He took a vow to serve Christ and
turned into a Missionary after studying the life of Jesus Christ and other saints. He
studied theology in Sorbonne University. He founded a religious Order by the name
Society of Jesus with the permission of the Pope.St. Francis Xavier was one of the Jesuit
followers of Ignatius Loyola. He went to China and Japan for the propagation of
Christianity. He came to India and worked till he died. His mortal – remains were placed
at the Church of Bom Jesus in old Goa. The selfless and dedicated service rendered by
the Jesuits helped in restoring the prestige of the Roman Catholic Church.
Question 6.
Explain the impact and consequences of the Reformation under the following headings:
(a) How Reformation led to the formation of Nation-States?
(b) How did the rulers of Nation-States work on Mercantilist theories ?
Answer:
(a) Reformation gave rise to nationalism, particularly in Germany and England. Rulers
declared them as heads of Church and government. Control on the. Church caused a
common national government within the Nation States.
(b) Mercantilism was a theory that the state should regulate economic activities in order
to achieve some national objectives. It should follow the policy of ‘Protectionism’. Large
nation-states had come into existence in England, France, Spain and Portugal. The
rulers of these countries had imposed numerous restrictions on international trade in
the national interest. Under the influence of mercantilist theories, the governments
encouraged ‘Protectionism’, which meant protecting home producers from foreign
competition by taxing imported goods.
Question 7.
John Calvin was one of the later leaders of the Protestant Movement. In this context.
Explain the following:
(a) Calvin’s Teachings. (b) His large following in Europe.
Answer: John Calvin was one of the later leaders of the Protestant Movement, In
this context, the given headings are explained as follows:
(a) Calvin’s Teachings: Calvin insisted upon the strict interpretation of the Bible. He
enjoined upon all his followers a strict Code of Conduct. Places of worship were made as
simple as possible and many amusements and leisurely activities were
forbidden.Calvin’s important teaching was that of the Doctrine of Predestination, which
he popularised in his book ‘Institutes of the Christian Religion’. This work was dedicated
to the French King, Francis I. The Doctrine of Predestination stresses that it is divinely
ordained that God has chosen His own Elect and man’s good works in themselves are
not sufficient to ensure the Granting of Grace. God will grant righteousness to those who
believe in Him, for it is by the Grace of God that man is saved.
(b) His large Following in Europe: Calvin’s ideas and doctrines spread widely. He
founded the University of Geneva. The distinguished scholars, who studied at this
University spread Calvinism to Netherlands, Hungary, France, England and Scotland.
Calvin’s teachings became the basis of the Presbyterian Church in Scotland. The
followers of Calvin were the first English Puritans. “In their zeal for a simple form of
Church service”, said Dr. Tickner, “they objected to surplice or fasting, to the use of
marriage ring or baptismal cross…… or to music or procession.” Calvin was so
intolerant, he persecuted and severely punished those who were free-thinkers and did
not agree with his doctrines. The religion, which Calvin established, did not bring
religious liberty to Europe.
Question 8.
Zwingli heralded the Protestant Movement in Switzerland. In this context describe.
(a) Main events of his life, (b) Zwingli’s Teachings.
Answer: Zwingli heralded the Protestant Movement in Switzerland. In this context,
the given heads are described below:
(a) Main events of his life: Ulrich Zwingli heralded the, Protestant Movement in
Switzerland. He was a contemporary of Martin Luther. Born at Wildhaus in 1484, he
was trained as a priest. Glarus was the first town, where he became a clergyman in
1514. He studied the Greek text of the New Testament authored by Erasmus. In 1518,
he became a priest at the Cathedral in Zurich. By 1520, he had become convinced of the
need for reforming the Church. He developed his Protestant Theology and preached
against the sale of The Catholic Bishop of Zurich tried to silence Zwingli. But by that
time, he had become a “Peoples’ Priest”. The civil authorities intervened at this stage.
They took charge of city’s religious affairs and called a Public Debate to decide whether
people should accept Catholicism or Zwingli’s Protestantism.
After an intensive debate, Zwingli brought the majority of the people over to his side. In
course of time, most of the Swiss Cantons (Provinces) were on Zwingli’s side. Only the
rural communities (Forest Cantons) continued to cling to old emotional values. The
conflict erupted into open warfare between Catholics and the Protestant troops. Zwingli
was killed at the Battle of Kappel in 1531. Written on his gravestone are the words:
“They may kill the body but not the soul.”
(b) Zwingli’s Teachings: Zwingli accepted the Bible’s supremacy as the “Universal
Priesthood of all Believers.” That means, priests did not constitute a class separate from
lay people. All Believers should be regarded as priests. Zwingli considered the Lord’s
Supper as a thanks-giving ceremony. According to him, the Gift of Gospel is God’s
biggest favor (Grace) for which Mankind is expressing it’s Gratitude. He believed in
“total rebirth of humanity and society”. He fought for people’s right to control church
and city’s religious affairs.
Question 9.
What were the results (Impacts) of the Reformation
Answer: The results (Impacts) of the Reformation were as follows:
1. The Church was split up: It led to the birth of Protestantism. With the spread of
the Protestant Movement, some of the kings and princes of Europe sided with one
faction, while others with the other. Luther was supported greatly by the masses,
as there was a strong feeling against the abuses of power by the Roman Church.
2. Religious Conflicts and Wars: The fanatics who never showed any respect to the
sublime teachings of Jesus Christ, always encouraged cruel persecutions. Religious
intolerance resulted in civil war in Germany. Subsequently, the Holy Roman
Empire underwent Thirty Years War. The main object was to force the Protestant
states to become Catholic. Religious frenzy drove the English Puritans to North
America, that led to formation of the United States of America in the course of time.
3. Counter Reformation (Rgjform in Catholic Religion): Reformation resulted in
Counter-Reformation. Roman-Catholics under the Pope at the Council of Trent,
took measures to revive the prestige of the Church. Christianity became more
liberal, more tolerant of different kinds of opinions.
4. The Rise of National Monarchies: Those princes who wanted to be freed of
leading-strings of the Pope, stated with Martin Luther or Calvin. The Reformation
assumed the form of nationalism particularly in Germany and in England. Had it
not been for the support of English Parliament, Henry VIII would not have
succeeded in his struggle against the Catholic Church.
5. Rapid Economic Growth: The Clergy were hurt and crashed. The new age that
was dawning, was “the age of traders, bankers or financiers”. Much of the Church
property had passed to the kings. Therefore, they had considerable wealth at their
disposal. They could now give attention to those sufferings, poverty and beggary.
Question 10.
What forces and factors contributed to the rise of Nation-States in Europe ?
Answer: The forces and factors that contributed to the rise of Nation States in
Europe are as follows:
1. Political Factors (Need for a strong Control Authority): Fighting was the chief
occupation of the feudal lords. People were fed up of anarchy and disorder. They
were prepared to lend moral and material support to those kings who could reduce
the power of the nobles. The Tudor Monarch, Henry VII (1485-1509) destroyed the
power of the feudal lords in England. Cardinal Richelieu, the leading statesman of
 France, strengthened the authority of the French Crown. He reduced the power of
the nobles. At this time, Spain and Portugal also had very powerful monarchs.
2. Economic Factors: The merchants and traders resented all such barriers as
prevented them from moving from one part of the country to another. This new
class gave presents and also advanced loans to the kings that added to their
military strength. The kings could now raise their independent armies to crush the
plots and rebellions of their nobles.
3. Intellectual Factors (Renaissance): Science and literature also forged ahead
during this period. England, Italy, France and Spain produced writers, inspired by
nationalist ideas. Machiavelli, for instance, wanted to unite Italy under a strong
central government. In his book ‘ The Prince’ He pleaded for a strong monarchy for
Italians at that time.
4. Religious Factors (Reformation): In view of the Protestant revolt, many princes of
Germany and other European kings, sided with Reformation. They now, declared
themselves as heads of the Church as well as of the Government. The kings had
already crushed the feudal lords. Now, another great rival of the Crown
i.e the Church also submitted to king’s authority. That completed the edifice of a
Nation-State. In England, it was king Henry VIII (1509-1547) who championed the
cause of Protestantism. He got the English Parliament to pass the Act of Supremacy
to nullify Pope’s power over the churches in England. This made the king, the
supreme Head of the Church of England.
Industrial Revolution and Capitalism and Socialism
Question 1.
What is meant by Industrial Revolution?
Answer: The word ‘Revolution means, something “sudden and quite swift”. Industrial
Revolution resulted in revolutionary changes in all walks of life.
Question 2.
Mention any two causes responsible for Industrialisation in England.
Answer: Reasons for the initiation of Industrialisation in England are:
1. Enclosure Movement (Availability of Cheap Labour). 2. Availability of Coal and Iron.
Question 3.
What is a Capitalist system?
Answer: A Capitalist system is the economic system in which business and industries
were owned by private individuals and not by the State.
Question 4.
Mention the two main features of Capitalism.
Ans.Under this system the productive wealth remains in private hands. Therefore, the
owners of wealth have exclusive right to the things that belonged to them.The entire
economy is governed by the market forces, i.e., the forces of Demand and Supply. The
word Demand here denotes What consumers are willing to consume. The word Supply
refers to the quantity in which the producers are able to produce the goods in demand.
Question 5.
Mention any two abuses or evils of a Capitalist System.
Answer: The people left their villages to work in the factories situated in areas near the
coal-fields or the iron rocks or seaports, etc. Not much care was taken to provide houses
for the industrial workers. They, therefore, were forced to live in slums where the living
conditions were very bad. In 1840 s more than one- tenth of the population of
Manchester was living in the rooms in the ground underneath. They were forced to live
under dirty conditions. In fact, each new machine meant that manual labor would be
replaced by mechanical devices. It did throw a large number of manual workers on the
street. Since men lost their work, in some parts of the world there was a massive wave of
riots.
Question 6.
What is meant by Socialism?
Answer: Socialism consists of one demand, namely that the land and other instruments
of production shall be the common property of the people and shall be used and
governed by the people, for the people.
Question 7.
Name any two of the Early French socialists.
Answer: Babeuf and Saint-Simon.
Question 8.
What is the role of Robert Owen in the history of socialist movement?
Answer: Robert Owen has been called “the Father of British Socialism”. He owned a
cotton mill in Scotland. It was he, who first used the word ‘Socialism’ and maintained
that the object of Government was to make the people happy. He reduced the working-
hours of the factory workers, paid the good wages and helped the Trade Union
Movement to grow.
Question 9.
Name that famous work by Marx and Engels (published in 1848) which marked the
advent of Marxism Socialism or Communism.
Answer: The ‘Communist Manifesto’ was published in 1848. It marked the advent of
Marxism or ‘Scientific Socialism’, as they called it. According to Karl Marx and Engels
the interests of the capitalists and workers are all the time opposed to each other. They
laid stress not he doctrine of Class Struggle. The struggle between the capitalists and the
working classes is a ceaseless affair, until the workers have won and a new social
system is bom.
Question 10.
Name any two prominent leaders of the Socialist Party founded in India in 1934.
Answer: The prominent leaders of the party were Acharya Narendra Dev,’Achyut
Patwardhan, Jayaprakash Narayan and Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia.
Question 11.
Mention the two main features of Socialism.
Answer: Socialism favors ‘collectivism’, i.e., collective good or social welfare is of greater
value than the good of an individual. Socialism, in addition to Equity, promotes Freedom
or civil liberties also. Socialists have been great supporters of civil liberties, such as
freedom of speech, freedom to form associations and freedom of religion, etc.The
Socialists want to reduce class divisions. In other words, the goal of Socialism is the
abolition of private ownership over means of production, such as land, mines, factories
etc.
Question 12.
Mention any two differences between Capitalism and Socialism.
Answer:
1. The first and the most important distinction between Capitalism and Socialism is
that “the means of production in a Capitalist economy remain in private hands.”
(the capitalists or the industrialists). The Socialist thinkers hold that the material
resources of the country (land, coal, iron, railways, road- transport, and banks etc.)
should be nationalised, i.e., brought under State-control.
2. The spirit of capitalism is Market Economy. The economic life is organised
according to the forces of demand and supply. The capitalists produce even those
goods which are of no utility for the society. It leads to the wastage of valuable
resources. The Socialists, on the other hand, placed too much emphasis on a
planned economy.
Question 13.
Mention any two ideals of a Welfare State.
Answer:
1. The state should take responsibility for the security and welfare of those who could
not stand on their own feet. Gradually Britain, Canada, Australia, Sweden,
Denmark and other European states had become truly Welfare States.
 2. These countries citizens received state assistance during sickness, unemployment
and old age. Various social security measures have been taken in India also, such
as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA),
the National Food Security Act and the Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana
(PMJDY).
STRUCTURED QUESTIONS
Question 1.
Industrial Revolution in England may be attributed to many factors. What was the role
of the following factors:
(a) Availability of Coal and Iron. (b) Improved Transportation. (c) A vast Overseas Market
Answer: The role of the given factors in stimulating industrial expansion in
England in the 18th Century are described as under:
1. Availability of Coal and Iron: Coal and Iron was immensely available in England.
In the north of England, lay both the coalfields and the deposits of iron. Most
factories sprang up in northern regions, which became the most populous part of
the country.
2. Improved Transportation: In the 18th century, James Watt developed an engine
in which the steam was employed to drive the piston backwards and forwards and
the piston could be used to turn the wheels. Then came the invention of the
railways. Goods and people could now be carried far faster than by previous modes
of transport.
3. A vast Overseas Market: Overseas trade, brought into plenty of money to England.
After the Battle of Plassev (1757), the East India Company compelled our people to
sell their goods below the market-rate and purchase the commodities they had
brought at very high prices. As England had acquired Canada also, her trade
developed considerably. She had now, a big market for her products.
Question 2.
Industrial Revolution and the Capitalist mode of production might have been helpful in
some ways, it also caused problems in other ways. Discuss its disadvantages under the
following heads:
(a) A System of Mass Exploitation (b) Unemployment (c) Increase in Slums
Answer: (a) A System of Mass Exploitation: The Capitalist System, created two new
classes: the Capitalist Class and the Class of Wage-earners. The capitalists were
anxious to make as large profits as possible and in order to do that they exploited the
working class. Workers share in the profits of industry was very small. It is terrible to
think that even women and little children had to work for as many as fifteen hours a
day, with very short interval for food. Factory owners and managers paid the minimum
amount necessary for a workforce, often recruiting women and children to tend the
machines because they could be hired for very low wages.
(b) Unemployment: Introduction of new machines, threw a large number of manual
workers on the street. Since men lost their work, in some parts of the world, there was a
massive wave of riots.
(c) Increase in Slums: The introduction of machinery took the work out of the homes
into newly built factories. Since, most of the population lived in villages, the people life
the countryside to work in the factories. The domestic system of production came to an
end, with considerable loss to rural England or the rural France, as the case may be.
Poverty in rural areas increased. Exodus to the cities led to an increase in Slums.
Usually, the factories were situated in areas near the coal-fields or sea-ports. Not much
care was taken to provide houses for the industrial workers. They, therefore, were forced
to live in slums. In 1840s, more than 1/10th of the population of Manchester was living
in the rooms in the ground underneath. The workers needed recreation and sometimes
fell prey to harmful practices, such as drinks or gambling.
Question 3.
Socialism emerged as a reaction to Capitalism. In this context answer the following
questions:
(a) What were the main Ideas of Marx and Engels ?
(b) What were the key areas of disagreement between Marxian Socialists and Democratic
Socialists ?
Answer: (a) Karl Marx went to Paris where he met Engels. Karl Marx and Engels drew
the Communist Manifesto in 1848. According to Karl Marx and Engels, the interests of
the capitalists and workers are all the time opposed to each other. They laid stress on
the doctrine of Class Struggle.
(b) Democratic Socialists such as Bernstein Jean Juares Bernard Shaw and Sidney
Webb were not in agreement with the principle of Class Struggle advocated by Marx.
They believed that socialist objectives should be achieved through democratic means.
Question 4.
Socialists prefer .Co-operation to Competition and favor Collectivism over Individualism.
Mention the three key features of Socialism.
Answer: Socialists believe that democratic means should be employed for achieving their
objectives, i.e., The Goal of Socialism. They rejected the revolutionary overthrow of the
existing political and economic system. Almost all nations of the world (with the possible
exception of America) have had strong socialist parties. After attaining success in
elections, the Socialists adopt policies which would strengthen socialism. In Britain the
labor party for the first time gained an absolute majority in the House of Commons in
1945. The Labor Government, then, nationalised a number of industries and adopted
such programmes as public housing and National Insurance to pay money to people who
were ill, unemployed, or had retired.
Question 5.
Describe the differences or dissimilarities between Capitalism and Socialism under the
following headings:
(a) Private Ownership versus State Ownership
(b) Market Economy versus Planned Economy
(c) Profit Maximisation versus Social Cohesion
Answer: (a) The first and the most important distinction between Capitalism and
Socialism is that “the means of production in a Capitalist economy remain in private
hands.” (the capitalists or the industrialists). The Socialist thinkers hold that the
material resources of the country (land, coal, iron, railways, road- transport, and banks
etc.) should be nationalised, i.e., brought under State-control.
(b) The spirit of capitalism is Market Economy. The economic life is organised according
to the forces of demand and supply. The capitalists produce even those goods which are
of no utility for the society. It leads to the wastage of valuable resources. The Socialists,
on the other hand, placed too much emphasis on a planned economy.
(c) Profit maximisation is the main motive for an industrialist. Under a Socialist economy
even such things shall be produced, for the benefit of the poor and the needy, whose
production costs more and yields lesser gains or no gains at all. The State, through Fair
Price Shops, sells goods even at a loss, e., a) a price which is less than it costs to
produce some of the goods.
Question 6.
Most political thinkers nowadays endorse a reformed or humanised capitalist system. In
this context explain the ideal of a Welfare State ?
Answer: These countries citizens received state assistance during sickness,
unemployment and old age. Various social security measures have been taken in India
also, such as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act
(MGNREGA), the National Food Security Act and the Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana
(PMJDY).
 CIVICS
Local Self-Government: Rural Local Institutions
Question 1.
What is meant by Local Self-Government?
Answer: The local Self-Government stands for an Elected body enjoying certain degree of
autonomy and serving as an administrative unit for local affairs.
Question 2.
What is the main difference between Local Self Government and Local Government ?
Answer: Local Self-Government refers to “management of local affairs by the natives of
the area itself or their representatives.” Local Self-Government is a “democratic
government”. Local Government means, “administration of a locality by officials
appointed by the government.
Question 3.
Mention the need (any two advantages) of Local Self Government.
Answer: Two advantage of Local Self-Government are:
(a) Effective Management of the Local Affairs.
(b) Good Training for running the Central and State Governments.
Question 4.
What is meant by Three-tier system of Panchayati Raj?
Answer: Three-tier system of Panchayati Raj : Gram Panchayat at village level—
Panchayat Samiti at the Block level— Zilla Parishad at the district level.
Question 5.
What is meant by the term ‘Gram Sabha’.
Answer: ‘Gram Sabha’ is a body of all the adult members registered as voters in the
Panchayat area.
Question 6.
Mention any two functions of a Gram Sabha.
Answer: Two functions of a Gram Sabha are:
(a) To approve the budget for the year.
(b) To review the audit report of the last year’s accounts of the Panchayat.
Question 7.
What is meant by Gram Panchayat ? Who elects the members of a Gram Panchayat?
Answer: Gram Panchayat is an ‘Executive Wing’ of the Gram Sabha. It ensures that
Constitution makers’ dream of ‘Gram Swaraj’ is realised. The members of a Gram
Panchayat are elected by the Gram Sabha.
Question 8.
What is the Head of a Village Panchayat called?
Answer: The Head of a Village Panchayat is called the Sarpanch.
Question 9.
Mention any two Civic functions of a Gram Panchayat.
Answer: Two Civic functions of a Gram Panchayat are:
1. Provision of safe drinking-water which involves construction and maintenance of
public wells and tanks.
2. Health care facilities for which the Panchayats set up dispensaries and health
centers.
Question 10.
Mention any two Developmental functions of a Gram Panchayat.
Answer: Two Development functions of a Gram Panchayat are
1. Minor irrigation schemes. 2. Preparation and execution of agricultural plans.
Question 11.
Mention any two Regulatory or General Administrative functions of a Village Panchayat.
Answer: Two Regulatory or General Administrative-functions of a Village
Panchayat are:
1. Registration of births, deaths and marriages.
2. Maintenance of watch and ward service (Chowkidars etc.).
Question 12.
What is the function of a Nyaya Panchayat?
Answer: The function of a Nyaya Panchayat is to secure speedy and inexpensive justice
to the villagers.
Question 13.
Why are lawyers not allowed to appear before a Nyaya Panchayat to plead any body’s
case ?
Answer: Lawyers are not allowed to appear before a Nyaya Panchayat to plead any
body’s case, because, this ensure inexpensive justice to village folks.
Question 14.
Name the intermediate level institution of the Panchayati Raj.
Answer: The intermediate level institution of the Panchayati Raj is Panchayat Samiti.
Question 15.
What is meant by the Panchayat Samiti ?
Answer: A Panchayat Samiti is an intermediate body which coordinates the activities of
all the Village Panchayats in each Block.
Question 16.
Mention any two Civic and Developmental functions of a Panchayat Samiti.
Answer: Two Civic and Development functions of a Panchayat Samiti are:
1. Development of Cottage Industries.
2. Functions relating to Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries.
Question 17.
Mention any two Supervisory functions of a Panchayat Samiti.
Answer: Two Supervisory functions of a Panchayat Samiti are:
1. The Panchayat Samiti supervises the work of the Gram Panchayats.
2. The Samiti examines the Budget of the Panchayats and may make suitable
modifications in it.
Question 18.
Name the highest organ of the Pahchayati Raj institutions at the district level.
Answer: The highest organ of the Panchayati Raj institutions at the district level is Zila
Parishad (Top District Level).
Question 19.
Mention any two Civic and Welfare functions of a Zila Parishad.
Answer: Two Civic and Welfare functions of a Zila Parishad are:
1. Construction and maintenance of public roads, bridges and culverts.
2. Construction of parks.
Question 20.
Mention any two Supervisory functions of a Zila Parishad.
Answer: Two Supervisory-functions of a Zila Parishad are:
1. The Zila Parishad supervises the activities of a Panchayat Samitis and Gram
Panchayats.
2. It co-ordinates the developmental plans prepared by the Panchayat Samitis in the
District.
Question 21.
Mention two major problems which hamper the effective working of Village Panchayats.
OR
Mention any two limitations (weaknesses) in efficient working of the Panchayati Raj
system.
Answer: Two major problems which hamper the effective working of Village
Panchayats are as follows:
1. Domination of Upper Caste Landed Aristocracy.
2. Ignorance, Illiteracy and Poverty of the People.
Question 22.
Mention any two features of the new Panchayati Raj Act. OR Mention any two features of
the Constitution Seventy third Amendment Act.
Answer: Two features of the new Panchayati Raj Act are:
1. There shall be three-tier system of Panchayats at village, intermediate and district
level.
2. In the event of dissolution, elections will be compulsorily held within six months.
STRUCTURED QUESTIONS
Question 1.
A free people are a people who participate in decisions affecting their lives and destinies.
In this context, answer the following questions:
(a) What is meant by Local Self-Government?
(b) What is the need and importance of Local Self Government?
Answer: A free people are a people who participate in decisions affecting their lives
and destinies, with reference to this statement the given questions are answered
as follows:
(a) The Local Self-Government and its affairs are managed by the natives of the area
itself or their representatives. Thus, Local Self-Government is a “democratic government”
in a very real sense.This type of government is formed by the people who are right-
conscious, they freely commit to undertake all such works that go in favor and welfare of
society. Their way of thinking is constructive and broad that they efficiently participate
in decisions that may affect their lives and destinies.
(b) The Local Self-Government has multi-dimensional significance. Local people can
effectively manage the local affairs like sanitation, electricity, water supply, education,
public works and other utilities. Local Self-Government provides opportunity to the
people to govern themselves. Local bodies provide a good training to manage national or
State affairs later on in life. Most people who reached great heights, began their public
career as a member of local bodies. Local Institutions relieve State Administration of
some of its burden. Hence, it can concentrate better on matters like—public order,
criminal law, police, prisons and trade and commerce within the State. This ensures
efficiency at all levels—national, regional and local. Moreover, this system is extremely
Economical. These bodies consist of honorary members, serving without pay or very little
emoluments.
Question 2.
Freedom becomes meaningful in the right sense of the word only when there are Gram-
Panchayats in India. In this context describe the following functions of a Gram
Panchayat.
(a) Welfare Functions,
(b) Developmental Functions and
(c) Regulatory and General Administrative Functions.
Answer: Gram Panchayat is an ‘Executive Wing’ of the Gram Sabha. It ensures that
Constitution makers’ dream of ‘Gram Swaraj’ is realised. Freedom becomes meaningful
in the right sense of the word only when there are Gram-Panchayats in India.
In this context the given headlines are described below:
(a) Welfare Functions — Welfare functions include
1. Arrangements for primary and secondary education,
2. Welfare of expectant mothers and their babies, and ;
3. Launching welfare programmes for women, youth and children.
(b) Developmental Functions — The developmental functions include
1. Minor irrigation schemes,
2. Rural electrification,
3. Vocational education,
4. Cottage and small-scale industries including food processing industries,
5. Rural housing, especially for the poor and deprived sections of society.
(c) Regulatory and General Administrative Functions —
The Regulatory and General administrative functions are
1. Registration of births, deaths and marriages,
2. Maintenance of watch and ward services (Chowkidars, ),
3. Maintenance of the common property of the village,
4. Helping the government in maintaining law and order.
Question 3.
With regard to the Panchayat Samiti answer the following questions:
(a) What are the Civic and Developmental functions of a Panchyat Samiti?
(b) What are the supervisory functions of a Panchayat Samiti?
Answer: In context of the mentioned questions with regard to the Panchayat
Samiti the answers are given below:
(a) The Civic and Development functions of a Panchayat Samiti are as follows:
1. Rural Health Programme: By 31 March, 2001, some 23,000 Primary Health
centres and 3,043 Community Health centres had been set-up to provide medical
care to the villagers.
2. Rural water supply, Rural Roads and Regulation of Markets: It is the
responsibility of a Panchayat Samiti to meet the fundamental needs like—drinking-
 water. Further, it gets built and maintain the rural roads and regulates the
markets.
3. Functions relating to Agricuture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries: These
comprise the provision of improved variety of seeds and chemical fertilizers,
distribution of pesticides and improved variety of agricultural implements.
4. Development of cottage Industries: To augment job opportunities, hand looms,
handicrafts and village industries have been promoted.
5. Social Welfare: Panchayat Samiti have to endeavour to promote the welfare of SCs
and STs and other backward classes. Various programmes were implemented to
bring about improvement in status of women and children. ‘Anganwadis’ were set
up in rural areas.
6. Rural Employment: A new self-employment programme, namely Swcirna Jayanti
Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSR) was launched in 1999. It aims at establishing a
large number of small enterprises in the rural areas.
(b) The Panchayat Samiti supervises the work of the Gram Panchayats. The Samiti
examines the budget of the Panchayats. It exercises control over the functioning of Block
Development officer and his assistants.
Question 4.
At the top level in the Panchayati Raj system, there stands the Zila Parishad. In this
context, answer the following questions:
(a) What are the Civic and Welfare functions of a Zila Parishad ?
(b) What are Supervisory functions of a Zila Parishad?
Answer: With regard to the Zila Parishad, the given questions are answer as under:
(a) The civic and the welfare functions of Zila Parishad are
1. construction and maintenance of public roads, bridges and culverts,
2. to develop the land, water and human resources of the area,
3. to establish libraries, educational institutions and dispensaries,
4. to promote the welfare of weaker sections of society, and
5. to provide relief in times of distress, drought and scarcity.
6. Construction of parks
7. To implement programmes concerning agriculture.
(b) The Zila Parishad supervises the activities of the Panchayat Samitis.and the Gram
Panchayats. The Zila Parishad examines and approves the budgets of the Panchayat
Samities. The government promoted e-govemance in order to monitor Panchayat Samiti’s
functioning, including budgeting and accounting, etc.
Question 5.
Describe the shortcomings (limitations in efficient working) of the Panchayati Raj System
with reference to the following:
(a) Unethical Means adopted in elections
(b) Poverty and Illiteracy in the country
(c) Communal trends in voting.
Answer: (a) Unethical means adopted in elections, such as
1. Money game in elections,
2. Connection between criminals and some powerful persons in rural areas, and
3. An appeal to voters caste feelings.
(b) The illiterate and poor masses do not understand what their rights are. Ignorance
and poverty contribute to public apathy and lack of enthusiasm about Panchayati Raj.
(c) The voters are not above communal or religious prejudices. Very often the Muslims,
the Sikhs, the Christians and other communities vote along communal lines. The
Hindus are divided into numerous caste groupings. Unfortunately, caste has become a
significant factor in electoral politics. The rural India needs forward-looking leaders to
take the reins of Panchayati Raj institutions in their hands.
Question 6.
With reference to the Constitution, Seventy-third Amendment Act, answer the following
questions:
(a) What does the Act lay down about the reservation of seats for SCs, STs and women?
(b) What specific responsibilities have been entrusted to the Panchayats under Schedule
XI of the Constitution?
Answer: The questions given above with reference to the Constitution, 73rd
Amendment Act are answered below:
(a) The 73rd Amendment Act has prudently sympathised with the Scheduled Castes and
Scheduled Tribes by seeking reservation of the seats in all the Panchayati Raj bodies in
proportion to their population. l/3rd of the total number of seats have been reserved for
women. Offices of the Chairpersons of the Panchayats at all levels shall be reserved for
SCs and STs in proportion to their population in the State. l/3rd offices of the
Chairpersons shall also be reserved for women.
(b) Specific responsibilities have been entrusted to the Panchayats in respect of matters
listed in Schedule XI of the Constitution. The Schedule confers 29 items such as
agriculture and allied activities, minor irrigation schemes, land-reforms,
small industries, rural housing, drinking- water, rural electrification, primary and
secondary education, public distribution system and welfare schemes for weaker
sections of society.

Local Self-Government: Urban Local Institutions

Question 1.
By whom are the members of a City Corporation (Municipal Corporation) elected?
Answer: The members of a City Corporation (Municipal Corporation) are elected by all
the adult citizens registered as voters in the Municipal Area.
Question 2.
Who is elected head of a Municipal Corporation? OR Name the Presiding Officer of a
Municipal Corporation.
Answer: The Mayor is elected head of a Municipal Corporation.
Question 3.
Mention any two functions of the Mayor of a City Corporation.
Answer: Two functions of the Mayor of a City Corporation are:
1. To preside over the meeting of the Corporation and to regulate the conduct of
business in such meetings.
2. To maintain decorum and discipline in the meetings.
Question 4.
Who is the Chief Executive (Administrative) Officer of a Municipal Corporation?
Answer: The Chief Executive (Administrative) Officer of a Municipal Corporation is the
Municipal Commissioner.
Question 5.
Mention one obligatory and one discretionary function of a Municipal Corporation (or a
Municipality).
Answer: Obligatory Function: Public Health and Sanitation. Discretionary Function :
Transport Facility.
Question 6.
What is an important function of a Municipal Corporation (or a Municipality) in the field
of education?
Answer: The Municipal Corporation (or a Municipality) establishes primary and
secondary schools, night-schools and adult education centers.
Question 7.
Name two local self-governing institution in the urban areas.
Answer: 1. Town Area Committee 2. Cantonment Board.
Question 8.
Who is elected Head (or Presiding Officer) of a Municipality?
Answer: The President or Chairman is elected Head (or Presiding Officer) of a
Municipality. .
Question 9.
Mention any two limitations in efficient working of local self-governments.
Answer: 1. Unethical Means Adopted in Elections. 2. Low Rate of Literacy.
Question 10.
In which urban area is a Notified Area Committee constituted? Why is it so called?
Answer: A Notified Area Committee (Nagar Panchayat) is set up in town having a
population of less than 10 thousand. It is so called because it’s formation was notified by
the Government in the State Gazette.
Question 11.
Name the local body (authority) in an area where the armed forces personnel are living.
Answer: Cantonment Board has been set up in an area where the armed forces
personnel are living.
Question 12.
Under whose administrative control does a Cantonment Board function?
Answer: Under the administrative control of the Army General Officer in Command, a
Cantonment Board functions.
Question 13.
By whom are the Cantonment Boards funded?
Answer: The Cantonment Boards are funded by the Ministry of Defense.
Question 14.
What is the main function of a Port Trust?
Answer: The main function of a Port Trust is to see that all types of Cargo traffic is
properly handled at the port.
Question 15.
What is the main function of an Improvement Trust?
Answer: The main function of an Improvement Trust (Development Authority) is to
properly plan all types of constructions— buildings, roads, shopping centers, flyonvers
and bridges in a city.
Question 16.
Mention any two defects in the working of a local self government institutions.
Answer: Two defects in the working of a local self-government institutions are;
1. Interference by Political Bosses. 2. Paucity of Funds.
STRUCTURED QUESTIONS
Question 1.
With regard to the Municipal Corporation answer the following questions:
(a) What is meant by the Municipal Corporation ?
(b) What are the functions of a Mayor of a Corporation?
Answer: (a) The given questions with regard to the Municipal Corporation are
answered as follows: The Municipal Corporation is “an elected body that is responsible
for running the civic affairs of a large city and looking after various needs of the people
who live there.” The Contitution lists 18 subjects in the 12th Schedule which the
municipal bodies have a duty to be involve with. These include mainly the town
planning, roads, water supply, public health, slum improvement and public amenities
(street lighting, public parks, public conveniences, etc.)
(b) The main functions of the Mayor of a Corporation are as follows:
1. To preside over the meetings of the Corporation and to regulate the conduct of
business in such meetings.
2. To maintain decorum and discipline in the meetings.
3. To act as the channel of communication between the Corporation and the
Government.
4. As ‘First Citizen’ of town to receive the foreign dignitaries visiting the city.
5. The Mayor has access to all papers and records of the
6. Corporation. Despite these powers, the Mayor is merely a figurehead if he is not
elected directly by the people. Only a directly elected Mayor would have real power.
Question 2.
Describe the functions of a Municipal Corporation regarding:
(a) Public Health and Sanitation.
(b) Electricity and Water Supply.
(c) Education and Sports.
(d) Public Works.
(e) Record of Births and Deaths.
Answer: Following are the subject concerned functions of a Municipal Corporation:
(a) Public Health and Water Supply:
The Municipal Corporation establishes and maintains hospitals, dispensaries, maternity
homes and child welfare centers. It provides vaccination and inoculation, disposal of
garbage and rules against adulteration of milk, drugs and foodstuffs.
(b) Electricity and Water Supply:
It incorporates provision of safe drinking-water, construction and maintenance of water-
works and supply of electricity.
(c) Education and Sports:
The Corporation establishes primary and secondary schools, night-schools and adult
education centres. They provide facilities to young boys and girls, to develop their
aptitude for sports.
(d) Public Works:
It includes
1. The maintenance and naming of public roads and streets;
2. Framing rules regarding the construction of shopping centers, restaurants and
hotels; and
3. Serving notice for the demolition of such buildings as are in bad condition.
(e) Record of Births and Death:
The Municipal Corporation maintains an account of births and deaths.
Question 3.
Describe the Discretionary Functions of a Municipal Corporation.
Answer: The Discretionary functions of a Municipal Corporation are
1. Transport Facilities: Local authorities may manage a bus service for carrying
people from one place to another.
2. Cultural Activities: The Municipal Corporations may establish libraries and
museums. Cultural activities like— drama, music and painting are also encouraged
by Municipal Corporations.
3. Sports and Recreation: The Corporation organises fairs, exhibitions and wrestling
events. Recreational facilities may also be provided.
4. Welfare Services: Municipal Corporation are expected to launch family welfare
schemes and to undertake poverty alleviation programmers. The Corporation can
look after public distribution system too.
Question 4.
With regard to a Municipality (Municipal Committee) answer the following questions:
(a) What is meant by a Municipal Committee ?
(b) What are the three Discretionary functions of a Municipal Committee ?
(c) What are the three Obligatory functions of a Municipal Committee ?
Answer: (a) Municipal Committee is an elected body that is responsible for running the
civic affairs of a smaller town or an urban area. It looks after many needs of the people,
such as health and sanitation, water supply, fire services, street lighting and urban
amenities like parks and playgrounds.
(b) The Discretionary functions of a Municipal Committee are: establishing libraries and
reading rooms, constructing stadiums for sport activity, organising fairs and exhibitions,
providing transport facilities and other amenities for people’s convenience.
(c) Three obligatory function of Municipality include
1. Public Health and Sanitation: The Municipality takes responsibility of
maintaining hospitals and dispensaries, cleaning public lanes and preventing the
sale of rotten foodstuffs and adulterated milk, etc.
2. Electricity and Water Supply: It is the duty of the Municipal Committees to
provide safe drinking water and electricity for domestic and commercial use.
3. Education and Sports: The Municipalities establish primary and secondary
schools. They also provide facilities to young boys and girls to develop their
aptitude for sports.
4. Construction of road and registration of birth and deaths.
Question 5.
With regard to the composition of a Municipality(Municipal Committee), answer the
following questions:
(a) How are the members of a Municipality elected?
(b) Who can be elected as Members of the Board (Council)?
(c) Who presides over the meeting of a Municipal Board and what are his powers and
responsibilities?
Answer: The above questions with regard to the composition of a Municipality
(Municipal Committee) are answered as under:
(a) The members of the Municipality are elected by the adult citizens living within the
Municipal area. The size of the Council, varies from town to town, depending on the
population of the city. The New Nagarpalika Act, provides for reservation of seats in
every Municipality for SCs, STs and women. There is provision of aldermen. They are
elected by the Councillors.
(b) Only those persons can be elected as Councillors,
1. who have attained the age of 21 or 25 years;
2. who do not hold an office of profit under the Government or any local body;
3. whose names are registered as voters in the Municipal area. Under the New
Nagarpalika Act, every Municipality will have a uniform five-year term. In the event
of dissolution, election would be compulsorily held within six months.
(c) The President or Chairman presides over the meeting of a Municipal Board. His
powers are :
 1. He presides over the meetings of the Board and regulates the conduct of business
in such meetings;
2. He is the channel of communication between the Municipal Board and the
Government;
3. He has access to all records and documents of the Municipality. In some states, the
Presidents are empowered to appoint teachers of primary schools and members of
the lower staff. The President can suspend municipal employees, except the
Executive officer or such other officers as are drawn from State Civil Service.
Question 6.
With regard to the functions and sources of income of a Municipality, answer the
following questions;
(a) What are the functions of a Municipal Committee?
(b) What are the sources of income of a Municipality?
Answer: The above questions with regard to the functions and sources of income of a
Municipality are answered as below
The functions of a Municipal Committee :
(a) Obligatory Functions:
1. Public Health and Sanitation: It undertakes the responsibility of maintaining
hospitals and dispensaries, cleaning public lanes and preventing the sale of rotten
food-stuffs and adulterated milk etc.
2. Electricity and Water Supply: It provides safe drinking- water and electricity for
domestic and commercial use.
3. Education and Sports: The Municipalities establish primary and secondary
schools. They also provide facilities to young boys and girls to develop their
aptitude for sports.
4. Public Works: The public works mainly include the construction of roads,
shopping centres and community halls.
5. Registration of Births and Deaths: The Municipals Boards maintain an account
of births and deaths in the city.
(b) Discretionary Functions: Municipalities establish libraries and reading rooms,
constructing stadiums for sport activity, organising fairs and exhibitions, providing,
transport facilities and other amenities for peoples, convenience. Under Afe/zrw Rozgar
Yojana, financial assistance was given to small artisans for self-employment. There was
also a provision for housing and slum clearance programmes.
The sources of income of a Municipality are:
 1. Income from Taxes: It includes tax on property, tax on vehicles, tax on
advertisements and entertainment tax.
2. Cases Rates: The citizens are required to pay ceses on consumption water and
electricity and licence fees for various vocations. Other such ceses are octroi duty
and toll tax.
3. Grants-in-Aid: Grants from State Government constitute an important source of
funding.
4. Remunerative Enterprises: The Municipal Committee may set up commercial
complexes or establish other remunerative enterprises.
Question 7.
Although a legal framework for delegating Power to the People has been established, it is
yet to be given an iron content. Explain briefly the limitations in efficient working of local
self-governments under the following headlines:
(a)Unethical means adopted in elections
(b) Low rate of Literacy
(c) Suppressed position of rural women.
Answer: (a) Unethical means: Unfortunately ‘money’ nowadays plays a big role in
elections. The rich farmers in rural areas and traders and propertied classes in towns
and cities squander a lot of money. This can mar the electoral prospects of those
candidates who can not spend much on elections. We also find a connection between
criminals and some powerful persons both in rural and urban areas. This may well
distort election results. It is a great threat to cleaner polls.
(b) Low rate of Literacy: Ignorance and democracy cannot go hand in hand. To remain
in power needs to have a sound knowledge of facts. People should know the persons
whom they elect to act as their representatives. In 2001, The Literacy-rate was recorded
at 65.38 in the country. But in a certain districts and regions the number of illiterates is
alarming even now.
(c) Suppressed position of rural women: The 73rd and 74th Amendment Acts lay down
that l/3rd of the total number of seats at all levels would be reserved for women. The
socio-economic condition of tribal women or those belonging to rural or backward
regions, is no better than second-rate citizens. They have to face a stiff opposition from
their parents or in-laws, if they wish to enter public life. At many places, women elected
as Sarpanchas were not allowed to take charge of their work. They are discouraged from
going to Panchayat’s office and if they dare go there, they would simply be required to
sign some documents and go back to their homes.
Question 8.
There are many defects in the working of local self government institutions. Analyse
them under the following headlines:
(a) Communal and Caste factors. (b) Role of Money in Elections (c) Paucity of funds.
Answer: Following are the defects regarding the concerned headlines in the
working of local self-government institutions:
(a) Communal and Caste factors: Democracy loses its substance if voters are swayed
by communal or caste factors. It is unfortunate that candidates are selected on the basis
of their caste or community and voters are persuaded to vote on caste and communal
lines.
(b )Role of Money in Elections: In the heat of the election- campaign, the rich, farmers
and traders squander a lot of money, usually in a wasteful way. This tendency gives a
severe set-back blow to the electoral prospects of the capable candidates who are not in
a position to spend much on elections.
(c) Paucity of Funds: The most serious confronting the rural and the urban bodies is
the shortage of funds. These institutions have been entrusted with the responsibility of
preparing plans for economic and social development, rural electrification, poverty
alleviation slum improvement and urban forestry. To undertake such onerous tasks, the
local bodies are yet to start functioning with independence and sufficient resources.
Panchayats and urban bodies can become responsive to the local needs through effective
participation of the people and sufficient funds at their command.
Question 9.
Describe the shortcomings (limitations in efficient working) of the Panchayati Raj System
with reference to the following:
(a) Unethical Means adopted in elections
(b) Poverty and Illiteracy in the country
(c) Communal trends in voting.
Answer: (a) Unethical Means adopted in elections: There are some unethical means
which are adopted in elections such as
1. Money game in elections,
2. Connection between criminals and some powerful persons in rural areas, and
3. And appeal to voters’s caste feelings.
(b) Poverty and Illiteracy in the country: The illiterate and poor masses do not
understand what their rights are. Ignorance and poverty causes to public apathy and
lack of enthusiam about Panchayati Raj.
(c) Communal Trends in Voting: The voters are not abvoe communal or religious
prejudices. Very often the Muslims, the Sikhs, the Christians and other communities
vote along communal lines. The Hindus are divided into numerous caste grouping.
Unfortunately, caste has become a significant factor in electoral politics. The rural India
needs forward looking leaders to take the reins of Panchayati Raj institutions in their
hands.
Additional Questions
Short Answer Questions.
Question 1.
Define the term ‘Urban area
Answer: An urban area is regarded as one which is a town or a city.
Question 2.
Mention any two salient features of the Constitution (74th Amendment Act), 1992.
Answer: The salient features of the Act are the following:
1. The Act gives constitutional status to urban local bodies.
2. The Act provides for direct election to all the local selfgovernment bodies.
3. A fixed tenure of five years for the municipalities has been prescribed.
4. 33 per cent of the seats should be reserved for women under each category of
SC/ST/Backward Classes.
Question 3.
How is a Municipal Corporation set up ?
Answer: The cities with a population of one lakh and above can have a Municipal
Corporation. It is set up under a special statute passed by the State Legislative.
Question 4.
Who is known as Mayor ? State one of his most important functions ?
Answer: Mayor is selected by the councillors and Aldermen as the representative of the
city. One of his functions is to preside over the meetings of the Corporation.
Question 5.
Who is the Municipal Commissioner ? How is he appointed?
Answer: The Municipal Commissioner is the Chief Executive of the Corporation. He is
appointed by the Governor usually for a term of 5 years.
Question 6.
Name one compulsory and one optional function of the Municipal Corporation.
Answer: Compulsory function—Provision of electricity water, sewage disposal.
Optional function—Public housing through housing boards or other bodies.
Question 7.
What is known as Municipal Committee ? Who is its head?
Answer: Municipal Committee is set up for smaller Towns with a population
between20,000to 3 lakhs.
The Chairperson is its head.
Question 8.
Who is the Chief Executive Officer of a Municipal Committee ?
Answer: Chief Executive officer is an appointee of the State Government. He looks after
the administrative wing of the Municipal Committee.
Question 9.
Give two points of difference between a Municipal Committee and a Municipal
Corporation.
Answer: Municipal Corporation
1. It is meant for big cities with a population of more than 10 lakhs.
2. The head is known as Mayor.
Municipal Committee
1. It is meant for Towns with a population between 20,000 to 3 lakhs.
2. The head is known as Chairperson.
Question 10.
State one important function of a Municipal Committee.
Answer: Ideals with the State Government through the District Administration with
respect to Education, Health, Engineering, Taxation etc.