The lesson “Medieval Period In Indian History ” is the 8th lesson for class 7 social science, Board of Secondary Education Manipur. All the solutions for this chapter are provided.
- Chapter Name: Medieval Period In Indian History
- Subject: Social Science
- Lesson: 8
- Class: 7
- Board: Board Of Secondary Education Manipur (BOSEM/BSEM)
- Contents: Questions and Answers, Explanation Video and notes
Medieval Period In Indian History Questions And Answers
BOSEM Solutions for the chapter Medieval Period In Indian History.
Answer the following questions in one word or a sentence.
A) What according to Minhaj-I-Sirajiddin Hindustan comprise?
Ans: The area of Punjab, Haryana, and the lands between the Ganga and the Yamuna.
B) Why are manuscripts not reliable sources of history?
Ans: Manuscripts are not always reliable because when they were copied by scribes, small changes and errors were often introduced, leading to discrepancies over time.
C) Name the Venetian traveller who had stayed at the court of Kublai Khan, the Mongol king.
Ans: Marco Polo.
Answer the following questions in about 30/40 words each.
A) Give the name of two monuments.
Ans: Qutub Minar and the Taj Mahal are two significant monuments.
Qutub Minar: This towering minaret was started by Qutb-ud-din Aibak in the early 13th century, though he could only complete the basement. Later, it was completed by his successors.
Taj Mahal: Built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th century, the Taj Mahal is a mausoleum in Agra constructed in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. It is renowned for its stunning white marble architecture.
B) How are the Shias and Sunnis different?
Ans: Shias and Sunnis are the two main sects of Islam.
- Shias believe that Ali, the son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad, was the legitimate successor and leader of the Muslim community.
- Sunnis believe in the legitimacy of the elected caliphs, starting with Abu Bakr, as the rightful leaders of the Muslim community.
C) State three factors for the decline of feudalism.
Ans: The decline of feudalism in Europe was caused by several factors:
- Rise of independent kingdoms: As centralized monarchies grew stronger, the power of feudal lords diminished.
- Peasants’ Revolt: Economic hardships and unfair treatment led to widespread uprisings, weakening the feudal system.
- Rivalry between the church and the state: The conflict between religious and secular authorities undermined feudal structures.
D) Name three sea routes through which trade was done in the medieval world.
Ans: Three important sea routes for medieval trade were:
- The Persian Gulf route: Starting from the Persian Gulf, this route connected to Central Asia and then to Europe via the Silk Road.
- The Red Sea route: A key maritime path that connected the Indian Ocean with the Mediterranean through the Red Sea.
- The Cape Route: Discovered by Vasco da Gama in 1498, this route went around the Cape of Good Hope, connecting Europe with India and other parts of Asia.
Choose the correct answer.
(i) Which of the following was the founder of the Arab Empire?
A. Chengis Khan
B. Prophet Muhammad
C. Timur
D. Tughlil Beg
Ans: B. Prophet Muhammad.
(ii) The lowest class in feudal society was
A. The Knights
B. The Dukes
C. The Serfs
D. The Barons
Ans: C. The Serfs
Match the following
| Column A | Column B |
|---|---|
| Prophet Mohammad | Arab Empire |
| Suleiman the Magnificient | Ottomans |
| Marco Polo | Venetia |
| Chengis Khan | Mongols |
| Timur | Samarkand |
| Tughril Beg | Seljuks |
Extra Questions and answers
Q1. Mention the period which is regarded as the medieval period of Indian History.
Answer: The 8th century to the 18th century AD is considered the medieval period in Indian history.
Q2. State the sources of the medieval period.
Answer: The coins, inscriptions, architectural monuments and textual records are the sources of the medieval period.
Q3. Why are coin considered as an important source for the reconstruction of history?
Answer: It is because coins throw light n many aspets, specially names and dates of different rulers and also on the economic conditions of the period.
Q4. ‘Inscriptions throw light on the life of people; Give two reasons to justify?
Answer:
1. The copper plate inscription, the Uttaramerur throws light on the rural administration of the Cholas.
2. Several Tamil inscriptions of the medieval age mention about a social formation in the south which was opposed to the rigid caste system prevailing in the north.
Q5. In which languages were the literary sources of the medieval period written?
Answer: The literary sources of the medieval period include writiongs not only in the Sanskrit but also in Persian, Arabic and Turkish.
Q6. How did the Islamic world broke up ino two section?
Ans: After the death of Prophet Mohammad, the Khalifa or Caliph became the religious as well as the political and military head of the arab empire. All the Khalifas waged Jihad or the holy wars and conqured Syria, Egypt, Spain and West Asia. However, after the assasination of the last Caliph in 622 AD, the Islamic world broke up into sects-Shiq nd Sunni.
Q7. What is meant by Feudalism? How was the feudal society in western Europe?
Answer: Feudalism means landdor fief ganted by a lord to his vassal or subordinate in return for a service or tax.
The feudal society ws hierarchical society .The king was at the top of the hierarchy with the pesantry forming the last or the lowest class. The king owned all the land in his kingdom. The lords, each of them maintained his own army which was made available to the service of the overlord.
The peasants were of three classes:
1. The freeholders
2. The Villeins and
3. The Serfs
The Serfs were just like slaves.
Q8. Who were the Turks and the Mongols?
Ans: The turks were the nomadic tribes originally belong to Turkestan in Central Asia and the Mongol, like the Turks were nomadic tribes residing in Mongolia.
Medieval Period In Indian History: NOTES
The period from the 8th century to the 18th century AD is considered medieval in Indian history. This era witnessed significant socio-political and cultural transformations, marked by the rise and fall of various empires and the spread of religions.
SOURCES:
Historical Accounts: According to Minhaj-i-Siraj, a Persian chronicler from the 13th century, Hindustan included regions like Punjab, Haryana, and the lands between the Ganga and Jamuna rivers.
Archaeological Evidence: Important sources of medieval Indian history include coins, inscriptions, architectural monuments, and textual records, which provide insight into the socio-economic and political life of the time.
Traveler Narratives: Many foreign travellers, such as Al-Biruni, Ibn Battuta, and others, documented their experiences in India, offering valuable perspectives on Indian culture and society.
MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS OUTSIDE INDIA:
Rise of the Arab Empire: The medieval period saw the emergence of Islam, founded by Prophet Muhammad, born in Mecca in 570 AD. The followers of Islam, known as Muslims, consider the Quran their holy book.
Sectarian Division: After the death of Muhammad, the Muslim community split into two main sects: the Shias and the Sunnis, leading to significant religious and political developments across the Arab world.
FEUDALISM IN EUROPE:
Concept of Feudalism: Derived from the Latin word ‘feudum,’ feudalism referred to a system where land was granted by a lord to a vassal in exchange for military service or tax. This period saw the emergence of a hierarchical society in Europe, where power was distributed among the nobility, clergy, and peasantry.
Rise of the Turks
The Turks were originally nomadic tribes from the region of Turkestan in Central Asia. Over time, these tribes migrated and established powerful empires across the Middle East, Europe, and Asia.
The Seljuks, a significant Turkish dynasty, played a pivotal role in the medieval Islamic world, controlling vast regions including Anatolia and Persia.
The Ottomans established one of the longest-lasting empires in history, known for its military prowess and cultural achievements, which lasted from the late 13th century until the early 20th century.
The Mamluks, originally slave soldiers of Turkish origin, rose to power in Egypt, establishing a sultanate that defeated the Mongols and Crusaders.
The Bulgars and Khajars were also important Turkish tribes that contributed to the ethnic and cultural mosaic of Eastern Europe and the Caucasus region.
Rise of the Mongols
The Mongols were formidable nomadic tribes originating from the steppes of Mongolia, known for their unparalleled cavalry tactics and discipline.
Temujin, later known as Genghis Khan, unified the Mongol tribes and created the largest contiguous empire in history, stretching from Europe to Asia.
His descendants, including Kublai Khan and Timur (Tamerlane), continued to expand and solidify Mongol rule, influencing the course of history in China, India, and beyond.
Venetian traveller Marco Polo visited China during the rule of Kublai Khan, providing one of the earliest Western accounts of the splendours of the Mongol Empire.
Trade Routes of India and India’s Foreign Trade
India has been a crucial hub in global trade networks since ancient times, with its wealth of natural resources attracting merchants from across the world.
Textiles, metalware, spices, and other luxury goods were highly sought after by foreign traders, establishing India as a key player in international commerce.
India’s trade was facilitated by overland routes like the Silk Road, which connected it to Central Asia and Europe, and maritime routes across the Indian Ocean, linking it with East Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.
The exchange of goods was not just economic but also cultural, as these trade routes allowed for the spread of ideas, religion, art, and technology between India and other civilizations.
