JAC Class 7 Social Science Notes History Chapter 10 Eighteenth-Century Political Formations

JAC Board Class 7 Social Science Notes History Chapter 10 Eighteenth-Century Political Formations

→ In eighteenth century, the political conditions of India changed quite elaborately and within a relatively short span of time.

→ The Crisis of the Empire and the Later Mughals:

  • During the closing years of the seventeenth century, the Mughal Empire started facing a variety of crisis after having huge success period. There were number of reasons for this crisis. Emperor Aurangzeb had depleted the military and financial resources of his empire by fighting a long war in the Deccan.
  • It became very tough and difficult for the later Mughal emperors to keep a check and hold on their powerful mansabdars.
  • They had exceptional political, economic and military powers over vast regions of the Mughal Empire. As the governors amalgamated their control over the provinces, the periodic remission of revenue to the capital declined.
  • In many parts of northern and w estern India, peasants and zamindari rebellions also created these problems.
  • In 1739, Nadir Shah, the ruler of Iran sacked and devastated the city of Delhi during the economic and political crisis, and took away huge amounts of wealth. Between 1748 and 1761, this invasion was followed by a series of ransacking raids by Ahmad Shah Abdali, the Afghan ruler w’ho invaded north India five times.
  • The different groups of nobles were divided into two major groups — the Iranis and Turanis means nobles of Turkish descent.
  • Mughal emperors w’ere humiliated a lot. Farrukh Siyar (1713-1719) and Alamgir II (1754-1759) were assassinated and two others Ahmad Shah (1748-1754) and Shah Alam II (1759-1816) were blinded by their nobles.

JAC Class 7 Social Science Notes History Chapter 10 Eighteenth-Century Political Formations

→ Emergence of New States:

  • The Mughal Empire gradually disintegrated into a number of independent, regional states in the eighteenth century. These can be divided into three overlapping groups:
  • The rulers of Awadh, Bengal and Hyderabad states did not break their formal ties with the Mughal emperor though extremely powerful and quite independent. These w’ere the old Mughal provinces.
  • States such as several Rajput principalities that had enjoyed considerable independence under the Mughals as watan jagirs.
  • The last group consists of states that were under the control of Marathas, Sikhs and others like the Jats. They had seized their independence from the Mughals after a long-drawn battle.

→ The Old Mughal Provinces:

  • Among all the states in the old Mughal provinces, the three stand out strikingly.
  • These were Hyderabad, Awadh and Bengal and founded by members of the high Mughal nobility who had been governors of these large provinces, Asaf Jah (Hyderabad), Sa‘adat Khan (Awadh) and Murshid Quli Khan (Bengal).
  • Asaf Jah and Murshid Quli Khan held a zat rank of 7,000 each while Sa’adat Khan’s zat was 6,000.

→ Hyderabad:

  • The founder of Hyderabad state, Nizam-ul- Mulk Asaf Jah (ruled 1724-1748), was one of the most powerful members at the court of the Mughal Emperor Farrukh Siyar.
  • He ruled independently without seeking any direction or order from Delhi or without facing any interference however he was still a servant of the Mughal emperor.
  • They were constantly engaged in war against the Marathas to the west and with independent Telugu warrior chiefs, Nayakas of the plateau. The desire was to control the rich textile-producing areas of the Coromandel coast in the east.

→ Awadh:

  • In 1722, Burhan-ul-Mulk Sa‘adat Khan was appointed subadar of Awadh and founded the Awadh state.
  • Burhan-ul-Mulk also held the important offices of subadari, diwani and faujdari. It means he was responsible for managing the political, financial and military affairs of the province of Awadh.
  • He also tried to decrease Mughal influence in his region by reducing the number of officeholders i.e., jagirdars appointed by the Mughals and appointed his loyal servants to these vacant positions.
  • The state sold the right to collect taxes to the highest bidders. These are called as ‘revenue farmers’ or ijaradars who agreed to pay the state a fixed sum of money.
  • New social groups like moneylenders, bankers influenced the management of the state’s revenue system.

→ Bengal:

  • Murshid Quli Khan was appointed as the naib means deputy to the governor of the province and was not a formal subedar. Bengal broke away from the Mughals under Murshid Quli Khan.
  • He also had the hold of the revenue system similar to the rulers of Hyderabad and Awadh.
  • He transferred all Mughal jagirdars to Orissa (now Odisha) and ordered a major reassessment of the revenues of Bengal to reduce Mughal influence there.
  • The contiguous connection between the state and bankers was noticeable in Hyderabad and Awadh as well as in Bengal under the rule of Alivardi Khan (ruled 1740-1756).
  • During his reign, Jagat Seth’s banking house became extremely prosperous.

JAC Class 7 Social Science Notes History Chapter 10 Eighteenth-Century Political Formations

→ Three common features of these states were:

  • First, they were highly dubious of some of the administrative systems that they had inherited from the Mughals particularly in the jagirdari system.
  • Second, they followed the practice of ijaradari means contracted with revenue-farmers for the collection of revenue.
  • The third is very common feature in all these states was that their emerging relationship with rich bankers and merchants.

→ The Watan Jagirs of the Rajputs:

  • In the eighteenth century, many Rajput kings had served under the Mughals with variation. In return, they were permitted to enjoy considerable autonomy in their watan jagirs. The ruler of Jodhpur, Ajit Singh was also involved in the sectional politics at the Mughal court.
  • Raja Ajit Singh of Jodhpur was the governor of Gujarat and Sawai Raja Jai Singh of Amber was governor of Malwa. In 1713, these offices were renewed by Emperor Jahandar Shah.
  • As they extended their watans or territories, Nagaur was conquered and annexed to the house of Jodhpur, whereas Amber seized large portions of Bundi. Sawai Raja Jai Singh founded his new capital at Jaipur and was given the subadari of Agra in 1722.

→ Seizing Indepedence: The Sikhs:

  • Sikh organisation helped in regional state building in Punjab during seventeenth century. Guru Gobind Singh fought many battles against the Rajput and Mughal rulers both before and after the establishment of the Khalsa. The Khalsa rose in revolt against the Mughal power under Banda Bahadur’s leadership after Guru Gobind Singh’s death in 1708 and declared their monarch by striking coins in the name of Guru Nanak and Guru Gobind Singh, between the Sutlej and the Jamuna. Banda Bahadur was captured in 1715 and executed in 1716.
  • The Sikhs organised themselves into a number of bands known as jathas and later on misls. Their combined forces were known as the dal khalsa means grand army.
  • Rakhi was introduced as a system which offered protection to cultivators on the payment of a tax of 20 per cent of the produce.
  • In the late eighteenth centuiy, the Sikh territories extended their rule from the Indus to the Jamuna but they were separated under different rulers. One of the powerful rulers was Maharaja Ranjit Singh who reunited these groups and established his capital at Lahore in 1799.

→ The Marathas:

  • Another powerful regional kingdom was the Maratha kingdom who opposed to Mughal rule. With the support of powerful warrior families of Deshmukhs, Shivaji (1627-1680) established a stable kingdom.
  • The backbone of the Maratha army was the groups of highly mobile, peasant pastoralists (kunbis).
  • After Shivaji’s death, a family of Chitpavan Brahmanas served Shivaji’s successors as Peshwa or principal minister. The capital of the Maratha kingdom became Poona (now Pune).
  • The Marathas developed a very successful military organisation under the Peshwas.
  • The Maratha empire expanded in between 1720 and 1761. The Maratha king was acknowledged as the overlord of the entire Deccan peninsula by the 1730s and possessed the right to. levy chauth and sardeshmukhi in the entire region.
  • The Maratha expanded their rule rapidly into Rajasthan and the Punjab in the north, Bengal and Orissa in the east and Karnataka and the Tamil and Telugu regions in the south, after attacking Delhi in 1737.
  • During the third battle of Panipat in 1761, the rulers became hostile and didn’t supported the Marathas.
  • Apart from strong military campaigns, the Marathas also developed an effective administrative system. Agriculture was uplifted and trade was also revived. This helped Maratha chiefs means sardars such as Sindhia of Gwalior, Gaekwad of Baroda and Bhonsle of Nagpur to utilize the resources to raise powerful and strong armies.
  • New trade routes emerged within regions such as trade between Agra and Surat expanded to include Poona and Nagpur in the south and Lucknow and Allahabad in the east.

JAC Class 7 Social Science Notes History Chapter 10 Eighteenth-Century Political Formations

→ The Jats:

  • During the late seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, the Jats consolidated their power and their leader, Churaman, had captured territories situated to the west of the city of Delhi. By the 1680s they had begun to rule the region between the two royal cities of Delhi and Agra.
  • They were prosperous agriculturists and towns- such as Panipat and Ballabhgarh became important trading centres.
  • The kingdom of Bharatpur emerged as a strong state under the rule of Suraj Mai. Many of the city’s notables took refuge there when Nadir Shah sacked Delhi in 1739.
  • Nadir Shah’s son Jawahir Shah had a strong troops of 30,000 people, hired another 20,000 Maratha and 15,000 Sikh troops to fight the Mughals.
  • The Bharatpur fort was built in a fairly traditional style but at Dig the Jats built an elaborate garden palace combining styles influenced by Amber and Agra.

JAC Class 7 Social Science Notes

JAC Class 7 Social Science Notes Civics Chapter 1 On Equality

JAC Board Class 7 Social Science Notes Civics Chapter 1 On Equality

→ Equality is the main characteristics of democracy and affects all aspects of its functioning.

→ Equal Right to Vote:

  • In India which is a democratic country, all adults irrespective of what religion they belong to, how much education they have had, what caste they are, or whether they are rich or poor are allowed to vote is called Universal Adult Franchise.
  • The idea of universal adult franchise is based on the idea of equality because it states that every adult in a country, irrespective of their wealth and the communities she/he belongs to, has one vote.

JAC Class 7 Social Science Notes Civics Chapter 1 On Equality

→ Other Kinds of Equality:

  • Many kinds of inequalities exist in our country till now. One of the most common form is the caste system which is alive from centuries in India which also creates division among human beings.
  • Another form of inequality exists is lower castes or Dalits.
  • Dalit means ‘broken’ and lower castes are pointing to how they were and continue to be seriously discriminated against and exploited most of the time.
  • Dalits belong to the unprivileged class.
  • Omprakash Valmiki is a famous Dalit writer who wrote his harsh experience and feelings in his autobiography, ‘Joothari. He mentioned that how he was tortured by the teachers. He had to clean and sweep the floors and playgrounds while the other children were in the class studying.
  • There is another form of inequality which exists. The religion is also a big factor. The Ansaris were not given apartments on rent by many landlords and landladies because of they were from different religion. So made different types of excuses.

→ Recognising Dignity:

  • The three things – the caste we are bom into, the religion we practice and the class background we come from whether we are male or female determines why some people are treated unequally.
  • The above things happened with Omprakash Valmiki and the Ansaris who were treated unequally on the basis of differences of caste and religion.
  • The dignity of a person is violated when the person is treated unequally.
  • In the case of Omprakash and the Ansaris, they do not deserve to be treated like this. They deserve the same respect and dignity as anyone else.

→ Equality in Indian Democracy:

  • The Indian Constitution recognizes and acknowledges every person as equal. This means that every individual in the country including male and female persons from all castes, religions, tribes, educational and economic backgrounds are recognised as equal. This is not to say that inequality ceases to exist. It doesn’t.
  • Earlier no law existed to protect people from discrimination, torture and ill-treatment but now there are many works to see that people are treated with dignity and as equals. This means that no one can be discriminated against on the basis of their caste, creed, place of birth, religion, race, etc.

→ The recognition of equality consists some of the following provisions in the Constitution:

  • First, that every person is equal before the law. This means that every person from the President of the country to a domestic worker has to obey the same laws. Everyone is equal in front of law.
  • Second, no person can be discriminated against on the basis of their religion, race, caste, place of birth or whether they are female or male.
  • Third, every person has access to all public places including playgrounds, hotels, shops and markets. All persons can use publicly available wells, roads and bathing ghats.
  • Fourth, untouchability has been abolished.

JAC Class 7 Social Science Notes Civics Chapter 1 On Equality

→ The government has tried to implement the equality that is guaranteed in the Constitution by two ways.

  • First through laws
  • Second through government programmes or schemes to help disadvantaged communities.
  • Apart from the laws, the government has also set up several schemes to improve the lives of communities and individuals who have been treated unequally for several centuries.
  • The midday meal scheme is one of the steps taken by the government. This scheme was introduced in all government elementary schools to provide children with cooked lunch. The first state in India was Tamil Nadu to introduce this scheme, and in 2001, the Supreme Court asked all state governments to begin this scheme.
  • This midday meal scheme has many positive results. This has helped to lessen the caste prejudices because both lower and upper caste children in the school eat this meal together. Apart from this, in few places, Dalit women have been employed to cook the meal.
  • The midday meal scheme also helped to reduce the hunger of poor students who often come to school and cannot concentrate because their stomachs are empty. Hence, there is increase in the enrollment and attendance of poor children in school.
  • Despite of all these efforts, there continues to be a huge differences in our country between schools that the. rich attend and those that the poor children attends.
  • One of the reasons for the discrimination is that the attitudes change is very slow.
  • Establishing equality in a democratic society is a continuous struggle and one in which individuals as well as various communities in India need to contribute.

→ Issues of Equality in Other Democracies:

  • There are many democratic countries in the world where the issue of inequality exists. India is not the only country where there is inequality.
  • In the United States of America, the African-Americans whose ancestors were brought over from Africa to work as slaves, continue to describe their lives today as largely unequal and discriminated.
  • A day came when a huge agitation against the unequal ways in which African- Americans were treated and which came to be known as the Civil Rights Movement. It was started by Rosa Parks, an African- American woman who changed the course of American history with one defiant act.
  • The Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibited and banned discrimination on the basis of race, religion or national origin. It also stated that all schools would be open to African- American children and that they would no longer have to attend separate schools specially set up for them. In spite of this, a majority of African-Americans continue to be among the poorest in the country.

→ Challenge of Democracy:
The struggle for the recognition of all persons as equal and for their dignity should be maintained so that we can think of an equal people society. This issue of equality affects various aspects of our daily lives in democratic India.

JAC Class 7 Social Science Notes

JAC Class 7 Social Science Notes Civics Chapter 2 Role of the Government in Health

JAC Board Class 7 Social Science Notes Civics Chapter 2 Role of the Government in Health

→ People expect the government to work tor their welfare in a democratic country and along with the provision of education, health, employment, housing or the development of roads, electricity, etc.

→ What is Health?

  • Health means our ability to remain free from illness and injuries. But health isn’t only about diseases, there are other factors as well that affect our health.
  • if people get clean drinking water or a pollution free environment they are likely to be healthy. While if people do not get adequate food to eat or have to live in cramped conditions, they will be prone to illness or unhealthy.
  • The various aspects of our lives which are a part of health are active positive not very anxious and without mental strain and stress.
  • Good health consists of both sound mind andbody.

JAC Class 7 Social Science Notes Civics Chapter 2 Role of the Government in Health

→ Healthcare in India:

  • Healthcare facilities consists of health centres, hospitals, laboratories for testing, ambulance services, blood banks, etc., which can provide the required care and services that patients need.
  • To run these facilities we need health workers, nurses, qualified doctors and other health professionals who can advice, diagnose and treat illnesses. Apart from these, we also need the medicines and equipment that are necessary and required for treating patients.
  • In India there are numerous experienced doctors and nurses present. Public healthcare system is a system of hospitals and health centres run by the government. It has the ability to look after the health of a large section of its population scattered over hundreds of thousands of villages.
  • Though we have most of the facilities and positive developments but then also we are not able to provide proper healthcare facilities to people.

→ Public and Private Healthcare Services:
Healthcare services .is divided into two services:

  • Public Health Services
  • Private Health Services

→ Public Health Services:

  • A series of health centres and hospitals run by the government is known as the public health service. They are linked together because they cover both rural and urban areas and can also provide treatment to all kinds of problems from common illnesses to special services.
  • Primary Health Care centres are available in villages which has a doctor and a nurse to assist and to deal with common illnesses. Such a centre covers many villages in a rural area. .
  • The District Hospital at the district level, supervises all the health centres. Large cities have many government hospitals.
  • For several reasons health service is called as ‘public’. To fulfil its promise and commitment of providing healthcare to all citizens, the government has established these hospitals and health centres. The resources needed to run these services are obtained from the money that we, the public, pay to the government as taxes.
  • The most important function of the public health system is that it is meant to provide quality healthcare services either free cfr at a low cost so that the poor can seek treatment.
  • Another important function of public health is to take action to prevent the spread of diseases such as TB, malaria, jaundice, cholera, diarrhoea, chikungunya, etc. This has to be organised by the government with the participation and support of people otherwise it is not effective.

→ Private Health Facilities:

  • There is a vast range of private health facilities that exist in our country. A large number of doctors run their own private clinics and hospitals. In the rural areas, Registered Medical Practitioners (RMPs) are available. Urban areas have large number of doctors, many of them providing specialised services.
  • There are many laboratories that do tests and offer special facilities such as X-ray, ultrasound, etc. There are shops as well from where we buy medicines.
  • In private facilities, patients have to pay a lot of money for every service that they use but this is not the case in public health facilities.
  • Now there are large companies that run hospitals and some are engaged in manufacturing and selling medicines.

JAC Class 7 Social Science Notes Civics Chapter 2 Role of the Government in Health

→ Healthcare and Equality:

  • Is adequate healthcare available to all?
  • In India, we face a situation where private services are increasing but public services are not. These private services are very expensive and it is difficult for poor people to afford the expenses. Apart from this, private facilities are available in urban areas only.
  • In order to earn more money and profit, these private services encourage practices which are incorrect. At times cheaper methods are available but not used.
  • The fact is that approximately 20 per cent of the population can afford all the medicines that they require during an illness. Hence, even for middle class people as well, medical expenses cause hardship.
  • In a study it was reported that nearly 40% of the people who are admitted in hospital had to borrow money or sell some of their possessions for their illness.
  • Poor people are undernourished and tend to fall ill frequently.
  • These poor families are not eating as much as they should. They are not provided basic necessities such as drinking water, adequate housing, clean surroundings, etc., and hence, are more likely to fall ill. The expenses on illness make their situation even worse and to sustain.
  • Many tribal areas have few health centres and they do not run properly and even private hospitals are also not present.
  • It is not only the deficiency of money that prevents people from getting proper medical treatment, it is also there lack of concerns as women’s health concerns are considered to be far less important than the health of men in the family.

→ What Can Be Done?

  • It is the responsibility of the government to provide quality healthcare services to all its citizens, especially to the poor and the disadvantaged.
  • Health is as much dependent on basic amenities and social conditions of the people, as it is on healthcare services.

→ The Kerala Experience:

  • Kerala government gave 40% of the budget to the panchayats in 1996 to provide better environment in terms of healthcare, education, living standards, etc. to the rural peoples.
  • Water supply schemes were checked, the working of schools and anganwadis was ensured and specific problems of the village were taken up to solve. Health centres were also improved. All of this helped to improve the situation. But then also, some problems such as shortage of medicines, insufficient hospital beds, not enough doctors stayed.

→ The Costa Rican Approach:

  • Costa Rica is considered to be one of the healthiest countries in Central America.
  • The Costa Rican government spend the money that the army would have used, on health, education and other basic needs of the people. They believed that a country has to be healthy for its development and pays a lot of attention to the health of its people.
  • It provides safe drinking water, sanitation, nutrition and housing. Health education is also considered very important and knowledge about health is an essential and important part of education at all levels.

JAC Class 7 Social Science Notes

JAC Class 7 Social Science Notes Civics Chapter 3 How the State Government Works

JAC Board Class 7 Social Science Notes Civics Chapter 3 How the State Government Works

→ Government works at three levels, they,are local, state and national.

→ Who is an MLA?

  • Members of the Legislative Assembly or MLAs are elected by the people. They then become members of the legislative assembly and also form the government. Hence, the MLAs represent people.
  • In India, every state has a Legislative Assembly. And, each state is divided into different areas or constituencies.
  • For example, Himachal Pradesh is divided into 68 assembly constituencies. From each constituency, the people elect one representative who then becomes a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA). These people who stand for election are from different parties.
  • A political party whose MLAs have won mote than half the number of constituencies in a.state can be said to be in a majority. The political party that has the majority is known as the ruling party and all other members are known as opposition.
  • After the elections, the MLAs belonging to the ruling or of majority party will elect their leader as who will become the chief minister.
  • The chief minister then selects other ministers for his government. After the elections, the Governor of the state appoints the chief minister and other ministers.
  • A Legislative Assembly is a place where all the MLAs, whether from the ruling party or from the opposition meet to discuss various things about their state. Hence, some MLAs have dual responsibilitie-one as an MLA and the other as a minister.

→ A Debate in the Legislative Assembly:

  • In a democracy, the members of the Legislative Assembly can ask questions, debate on important issue, decide where money should be spent, etc. They have the main authority.
  • The MLAs are together responsible for the work of the government. Here, the word ‘government’ refers to government departments and various ministers who head them. The overall head is the chief minister.
  • This is known as the executive part of the government. All the MLAs who assemble together in the legislative assembly are known as the Legislature. They are the ones who authorize and supervise their work.

JAC Class 7 Social Science Notes Civics Chapter 3 How the State Government Works

→ Working of the Government:

  • In a democracy, there are many ways through which people express their views and also take action.
  • Sometimes after the discussion in the assembly, press conference are organised by the minister.
  • Ministers also visit the areas where there are problems and meet the suffered people.
    The government announces compensations as well as solves the problems faced by the suffered families.
  • Enquiry committees are made to look into different problems such as water problem, sanitation, etc.
  • The people who are in power means the chief minister and the minister need to take actions. They do so through different departments such as the Public Works Department, the Agriculture Department, the Health Department, the Education Department.
  • The chief minister and other ministers also have to answer questions that are asked in the Legislative Assembly and convince people asking the questions that what proper steps are being taken.
  • The government can also decide to make new laws for the state regarding sanitation and health facilities.
  • Laws for the entire country are made in the Parliament.
  • In a democracy, it is the people who elect their representatives as Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs). Hence, it is the people who have the main authority.

→ A Wallpaper Project:
A wallpaper is an interesting activity through which research can be done on particular topics of interest.

JAC Class 7 Social Science Notes

JAC Class 7 Social Science Notes Civics Chapter 4 Growing Up as Boys and Girls

JAC Board Class 7 Social Science Notes Civics Chapter 4 Growing Up as Boys and Girls

→ Being a boy or a girl is an important part of one’s identity. The roles women play and the work they do are usually valued less than the roles men play and the work they do.

→ Growing Up in Samoa in the 1920s:

  • In Samoan society, children did not go to school. Instead, they learnt many things such as how to take care of children or do household work from older children and from adults.
  • Young people learn fishing which was a very important activity on the islands. But they learnt these things at different points in their childhood.
  • Both boys and girls looked after their younger siblings.
  • The time when a boy was about nine years old, he joined the older boys in learning outdoor jobs such as fishing and planting coconuts.
  • Girls had to continue looking after small children or do tasks for adults till they were teenagers.
  • After attaining the age of fourteen or so, girls also went on fishing trips, worked in the plantations and learnt how to weave baskets.
  • In special cooking-houses, cooking was done. Boys were supposed to do most of the work while girls helped with the preparations.

JAC Class 7 Social Science Notes Civics Chapter 4 Growing Up as Boys and Girls

→ Growing Up Male in Madhya Pradesh in the 1960s:

  • The following points are taken from a small town scenario in Madhya Pradesh.
  • From Class VI onwards, boys and girls went to separate schools.
  • The girls’ school was designed very differently from the boys’ school. They had a central courtyard where they played in total seclusion and safety from the outside world. Whereas, the boys’ school had no such courtyard and the playground was just a big space attached, to the school.
  • The girls always went in groups because they also carried fears of being teased or attacked. But the boys who used the streets as a place to stand around idling, to play, to try out tricks with their bicycles.
  • We realise that societies make clear distinctions and differences between boys and girls. This begins from a very tender and young age. Boys are usually given cars to play with and girls dolls.
  • All the ways of telling children that they have specific roles to play when they grow up to be men and women. Hence, how girls must dress, what games boys should play, how girls need to talk softly or boys need to be tough, etc.
  • In most societies which includes our own as well, the roles men and women play or the work they do are not valued equally. Men and women do not have the same status.

→ Valuing Housework:
All over the world, the main responsibility for housework and care-giving tasks, such as looking after the family especially children, the elderly and sick members lies with women. Although, the work that women do within the home is not recognised as work and assumed that this is something that comes naturally to women. Hence, they does not have to be paid for and society devalues this work.

→ Lives of Domestic Workers:

  • The domestic workers are employed particularly in towns and cities. They do a lot of work such as sweeping and cleaning, washing clothes and dishes, cooking, looking after young children or the elderly people.
  • Most domestic workers are women and sometimes even young boys or girls are employed to do this work.
  • Wages are low as domestic work does not have much value. They work very hard as well from early morning till night but employers doesn’t give much respect to them.
  • In fact, housework actually involves many different tasks and works. Heavy physical work also required to do a number of these tasks. In both rural and urban areas women and girls have to fetch water. In rural areas women and girls carry heavy headloads of firewood as well.
  • The work women do is strenuous and physically demanding, these words are actually associate with men normally.
  • Another characteristics of housework and care-giving is that we do not recognise that it is very time consuming and have much less time for leisure.

JAC Class 7 Social Science Notes Civics Chapter 4 Growing Up as Boys and Girls

→ Women’s Work and Equality:

  • We all know equality is an important principle of our Constitution. The Constitution says that being male or female should not become a reason for discrimination. In reality, inequality between the sexes exists.
  • Hence, the Constitution recognises that burden of child-care and housework falls on women and girls and it has an impact on whether girls can attend school or not.
  • In many villages in the country, the government has set up anganwadis or child-care centres. The government has passed laws that make it mandatory for organisations that have more than 30 women employees to provide creche facilities. The provision of creches helps many women to take up employment outside the home. It also makes it possible for more girls to attend schools.

JAC Class 7 Social Science Notes

JAC Class 7 Social Science Solutions History Chapter 3 The Delhi Sultans

JAC Board Class 7th Social Science Solutions History Chapter 3 The Delhi Sultans

JAC Class 7th History The Delhi Sultans InText Questions and Answers

Question 1.
Do you think the circle of justice is an appropriate term to describe the relationship between the king and his subjects?
Answer:
Yes, the circle of justice is an appropriate term to describe the relationship between the king and his subjects.

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Question 2.
Express Minhaj’s ideas in your own words. Do you think Raziyya shared these ideas? Why do you think it was so difficult for a woman to be a ruler?
Answer:
According to Minhaj, God has created a social order in which man’s subordinate is woman. Therefore, a women like Raziyya does not have right to rule. It is against the ideal social order created by God. Raziyya did not share these ideas. It was very difficult for a woman to be a ruler because of the social set up at that time and women were considered as subordinate to men.

JAC Class 7 Social Science Solutions History Chapter 3 The Delhi Sultans

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Question 3.
How complete and effective was its control over such a vast territory?
Answer:
Except under the rule of Allauddin Khalji, the Sultanate did not have complete and much effective control over such a vast territory.

Question 4.
Compare Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5. What similarities and differences do you note amongst the mosques? The mosques in Figures 3,4 and 5 show an evolution in architectural tradition that culminates in Shah Jahan’s mosque in Delhi (see F”ig. 7 in Chapter 5).
JAC Class 7 Social Science Solutions History Chapter 3 The Delhi Sultans 1
Similarities:

  • Every mosque has a huge entrance door and gates are almost similar in shape.
  • These are extended to both sides of the corridor.
    Differences:
  • From Fig. 2 to Fig. 5, the designs of the entrance door becomes complex and complicated.
  • In Fig. 3, 4 and 5, the small window over the entrance door can be seen. Fig. 3 shows three such windows and Fig. 4 and 5 shows only one window.
  • Over the entrance door, there is a boundary around the dome seen only in Fig. 5.

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Question 5.
Can you think of any reason why a slave would be better than a son?
Answer:
In the old days of master, a well-brought up slave always serves better than the son.

Question 6.
Why do you think Barani criticized the Sultan?
Answer:
Barani citicised Sultan because Sultan Muhammed Tughluq appointed lower caste, or base-bom people to the higher administrative post by ignoring the nobles.

Page 40

Question 7.
Describe the ways in which the chieftains arranged for their defence. The ways in which the chieftains arranged for their defence are as under:

  • The chieftains fortified themselves in mountains, in rocky, uneven and rugged places as well as in bamboo groves.
  • The bamboo grove forest served as ramparts, inside with people lived with their cattle and their crops.
  • Also rain, water was collected to fulfil water needs. Very hard to cut. This made it a suitable and most defensive place to live in.

Question 8.
Imagine you are a peasant in Alauddin Khalji’s or Muhammad Tughluq’s reign and you cannot pay the taxes demanded by the Sultan. What will you do?
Answer:
If I were a peasant in Alauddin Khaliji’s reign, I would try to save my life because I might have captured by Sultan’s men and would be severely punished. If I were a peasant in Muhammad Tughluq’s region, I would join the rebel against the Sultan.

JAC Class 7th History The Delhi Sultans Textbook Questions and Answers

( Let’s Recall)

Question 1.
Which ruler first established his or her capital at Delhi?
Answer:
Ananga Pala (Tomaras) of the Rajput Dynasty first established his capital at Delhi.

Question 2.
What was the language of administration under the Delhi Sultans?
Answer:
The language of administration under the Delhi Sultans was Persian.

JAC Class 7 Social Science Solutions History Chapter 3 The Delhi Sultans

Question 3.
In whose reign did the Sultanate reach its farthest extent?
Answer:
During the reign ofMuhammad Tughluq, the Sultanate reached its farthest extent and had marched across a large part of the subcontinent. They defeated the rival armies and seized several cities. The Sultanate also collected taxes from the peasantry and dispensed justice in its realm.

Question 4.
From which country did Ibn Battuta travel to India?
Answer:
Ibn Battuta travelled from Morocco (Africa) to India.

(Let’s Understand)

Question 5.
According to the “circle of justice”, why was it important for military commanders to keep the interests of the peasantry in mind?
Answer:
According to the “circle of justice”, it was important for military commanders to keep the interests of the peasantry in mind because the salaries which were paid to the military came from the revenue collected from the peasants and peasants could pay the revenue only when they were prosperous and happy. Thus, the military commanders promoted justice and honest governance.

Question 6.
What is meant by the “internal” and “external” frontiers of the Sultanate?
Answer:
The “internal” frontiers of the Sultanate means the consolidation of the hinterlands of the garrison towns. During these campaigns, forests were cleared in the Ganga-Yamuna doab and hunter-gatherers and pastoralists were expelled from their habitat and these lands were handed over to the peasants. They also promoted regional trade through the establishment of New fortresses and garrison towns. External frontier of the Sultanate means that it aims at the military journey of the Sultanate in southern India during the reign of Alauddin Khalji which started with Muhammad Tughlaq.

Question 7.
What were the steps taken to ensure that muqtis performed their duties? Why do you think they may have wanted to defy the orders of the Sultans?
Answer:
The steps that were taken to ensure that muqtis performed their duties were:

(i) To lead military campaigns and maintain law and order in their iqtas.

(ii) The muqtis had to coh ct the revenues of their assignments as salary in exchange for their military services and had to pay their soldiers from these revenues.

(iii) Control over muqtis was most effective if their office was not inheritable and if they were assigned iqtas for a short period of time before being shifted.

(iv) They wanted to defy the orders of the Sultans because there were many restrictions imposed on them. Accountants were appointed to check the amount collected by them for the state. They made sure that muqtis collected only the taxes prescribed by the state.

Question 8.
What was the impact of the Mongol invasions on the Delhi Sultanate?
Answer:
It led to military and market reforms under Allauddin Khalji. The impact of the Mongol invasions on the Delhi Sultanate was that the Delhi Sultanate posed a big administrative challenge. They mobilized a standing army in Delhi. Alauddin Khalji constructed a garrison town at Siri for his soldiers. He imposed taxes on land to feed the army at the rate of fifty percent of peasant’s yield. He began to pay the army in cash. Also, Muhammad Tughluq converted Delhi into a garrison town and shifted people of Delhi to Daulatabad in south. He also disbanded the army. He also planned to invade Mongol capital in Transoxiana, but plan was aborted.

(Let’s Discuss)

Question 9.
Do you think the authors of tawarikh would provide information about the lives of ordinary men and women?
Answer:
The authors of tawarikh would not provide information about the lives of ordinary men and women because the authors lived in cities and not in touch with village people so much. They often wrote about the Sultans to get rich rewards and nothing to do with the ordinary people.

JAC Class 7 Social Science Solutions History Chapter 3 The Delhi Sultans

Question 10.
Raziyya Sultan was unique in the history of the Delhi Sultanate. Do you think women leaders are accepted more readily today?
Answer:
Raziyya Sultan was really unique in the history of the Delhi Sultanate. Nowa-days, women leaders are accepted more readily because now people are more educated and know the potential of women. Even in rural areas, we now see Sarpanch and councillors.

Question 11.
Why were the Delhi Sultans interested in cutting down forests? Does deforestation occur for the same reasons today?
Answer:
The Delhi Sultans cleared the forests in the Ganga-Yamuna doab and gave these lands to peasants in order to uplift and encourage agriculture. They also established new towns and fortresses in these lands to protect trade routes and to promote regional trade. No. deforestation does not occur for the same reasons today. Nowadays, due to over-population, urbanisation and commercialization, vegetation area is being reduced.

(Let’s Do)

Question 12.
Find out whether there are any building built by the Delhi Sultans in your area. Are there any other buildings in your area that were built between the twelfth and fifteenth centuries? Describe some of these buildings, and draw sketches of them.
Answer:
With the help of teachers and parents, students can visit their city and prepare the list themselves.

JAC Class 7th History The Delhi Sultans Important Questions and Answers

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1.
The phrase which define the relationship between the king and his subjects is called as
(a) Circle of Administration
(b) Circle of Loyalty
(c) Circle of Justice
(d) Circle of Confidence
Answer:
(c) Circle of Justice

Question 2.
Bandagon is a Persian word for…….
(a) client
(b) soldier
(c) slave
(d) administrator
Answer:
(c) slave

Question 3.
Alauddin Khalji built the Siri Fort in Delhi to
(a) provide accommodation to growing population
(b) defend city from Mongol invasions
(c) protect people from Rajput invasions ‘
(d) None of the above
Answer:
(b) defend city from Mongol invasions

Question 4.
Among the following who was not a Turkish ruler?
(a) Raziyya
(b) Balban
(c) Iltutmish
(d) Khizr Khan
Answer:
(a) Raziyya

Question 5.
Delhi Sultanate’s foundation was laid
(a) in the beginning of eleventh century
(b) in the beginning of twelfth century
(c) in the beginning of thirteenth century
(d) at the end of thirteenth century
Answer:
(c) in the beginning of thirteenth century

Question 6.
Raziyya became Sultan in
(a) 1336
(b) 1246
(c) 1225
(d) 1236
Answer:
(d) 1236

Question 7.
Tax on cultivation was known as
(a) Tax
(b) Kharaj
(c) Revenue
(d) None of these.
Answer:
(b) Kharaj

Question 8.
The cities built by the Delhi Sultans were
(a) Siri
(b) Jahanpanah
(c) Delhi-Kuhna
(d) All of these
Answer:
(d) All of these

Question 9.
Muhammad-bin Tughlaq’s successor was
(a) Firuz Shah Tughlaq
(b) Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq
(c) Ibn Batuta
(d) Alauddin Khalji
Answer:
(a) Firuz Shah Tughlaq

Question 10.
Raziyya Sultan was dethroned in
(a) 1210
(b) 1230
(c) 1220
(d) 1240
Answer:
(d) 1240

JAC Class 7 Social Science Solutions History Chapter 3 The Delhi Sultans

Question 1.
How many dynasties were there in Delhi Sultanate?
Answer:
There were five dynasties in Delhi Sultanate.

Question 2.
Under which dynasty, Delhi became the first capita] city?
Answer:
Under Tomara Rajputs, Delhi became the first capital city.

Question 3.
What is Delhiwal?
Answer:
Coins minted in the city which were widely circulated were called delhiwal.

Question 4.
Who were the authors of “tawarikh ”?
Answer:
The authors of tawarikh were learned men like secretaries, administrators,poets and courtiers, who re ounted events and advised rulers on governance.

Question 5.
Who was Sultan Iltutmish’s daughter?
Answer:
Raziyya was Sultan Iltutmish’s daughter.

Question 6.
What do you mean by hinterland?
Answer:
The land near to a city or port that supplyit with goods and services is known as hinterland.

Question 7.
Which famous traveller came from Morocco, Africa in the fourteenth century?
Answer:
The famous traveller who came fromMorocco, Africa in the fourteenth century was Ibn Battuta.

Question 8.
In which period Tughlaq dynastyruled?
Answer:
From 1320 -1414, Tughlaq dynastyruled.

Question 9.
During prayers, Muslims in Indiaface which side and why?
Answer:
During prayers, Muslims in India facewest side because Mecca is in that direction.

Question 10.
When was the mosque, Jamali Kamali built?
Answer:
It was built in late 1520s.

Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
What was the role of bandagan inDelhi Sultanate?
Answer:
Sultan Iltutmish favoured bandagan as they were trained to some of the very important positions in the kingdom. They were totally dependent on their master, hence the king could rely and trust upon them.

Question 2.
When Delhi became an importantcity and why?
Answer:
Delhi became an important city intwelfth century. It was under Tomaras important commercial centre. Many rich people, mainly merchants lived in the city and constructed several temples. Coins had a wide circulation here as they were minted here.

JAC Class 7 Social Science Solutions History Chapter 3 The Delhi Sultans

Question 3.
What were the reasons that promptedMuhammad-bin Tughluq to shift the capital to Daulatabad?
Answer:
The main reasons that promptedMuhammad-bin Tughluq to shift the capital to Daulatabad were:

  1. Since it was located in the centre of empire, Muhammad-bin Tughlaq felt that he would be able to control and administer the empire better and in a good position from Daulatabad.
  2. The Mongols were a continuous threat to Delhi. Daulatabad would be safe from Mongol attacks.

Question 4.
Mention the types of taxes collectedunder Delhi Sultanate.
Answer:
There were three types of taxes collectedunder Delhi Sultanate:
(a) On cattle
(b) On houses
(c) On cultivation called Kharaj and amounting to. about half of the peasant’s produce.

Question 5.
Why do you think it was necessaryto reinforce the idea of community’ among Muslims?
Answer:
It was necessary to reinforce the ideaof community among Muslims because they came from variety of backgrounds. Question 6: Why was Raziyya not accepted as a Sultan in spite of being talented?
Answer:
Raziyya became Sultan in 1236. Shewas the daughter of Sultan Iltutmish and was very talented and qualified more than her brothers. According to Minhaj- i-Siraj, though she was more talented than her brothers, she was not accepted as a ruler. Those days women were not allowed to enjoy independent identityand were supposed to be subordinate to men. Hence, she was dethroned in 1240.

Question 7.
Why Barani criticized the SultanMuhammad Tughlaq?
Answer:
Ziyauddin Barani, a mid-fourteenthcentury chronicler, criticized the appointments as a sign of the Sultan’s loss of political judgement and decisions and his incapacity to rule. Sultan Muhammad Tughluq appointed these people who didn’t know anything about politics—Aziz Khummar, a wine distiller, Firuz Hajjam, a barber, Manka Tabbakh, a cook, and two gardeners, Ladha and Pira, to high administrative posts.

Question 8.
Why were the accountants appointed by the state during the reigns of Alauddin Khalji and Muhammad Tughlaq? What was the salary of the Muqtis?
Answer:
To check the amount of revenuecollected by the muqtis, accountants were appointed by the state. As a salary, the muqtis collected the revenue of their assignments.

Question 9.
What were the four stages involved inthe preparation of a manuscript?
Answer:
Four stages in the preparation of amanuscript are as follows:

  1. Preparing the paper.
  2. Writing the text, description of an event.
  3. Melting gold to highlight important words and passages.
  4. Preparing the binding.

Question 10.
Why do you think that large parts of the subcontinent remain out of control of the Delhi Sultans? What were the consequences?
Answer:
The large parts remained outside the subcontinent of the Delhi Sultans because they were very far. It was difficult to control Bengal from Delhi. The consequences were many. This paved the way for distant territories to become independent. Even in the Gangetic plain there were forested areas that Sultanate forces could not penetrate. It was a golden opportunity for the local chieftains to establish their power and rule in respective territories.

Long Answer Type Questions 

Question 1.
Describe briefly “Three Orders”which was formulated in France.
Answer:
The “Three Orders” was first formulatedin France in the early eleventh century. Three classes were made to divide the society. They were those who prayed, those who fought, and those who tilled the land. This was supported by the Church to consolidate its dominant role in society. This helped the emergence of a new warrior group called knights. The church used them to propagate their idea of “Peace of God”. The aim was to direct warriors away from disputes amongst themselves and send them instead on a campaign against the Muslims who had captured the city of Jerusalem.

JAC Class 7 Social Science Solutions History Chapter 3 The Delhi Sultans

Question 2.
What measures did Alauddin Khalji took to achieve his goals to become second Alexander and conquer the world? How far did he succeed?
Answer:
Alauddin Khalji became king in 1296.He was very ambitious. Measures taken to achieve the goals were:

  • He tried to win the loyalty of the noble and curb their power.
  • He tried to conquer Rajasthan and Deccan.
  • He tried to force the Mongols to go back.
  • To achieve this, he needed a large sum of money and to earn it he had to have more revenues and for which he took the following measures:
  • The land taxes were raised on the wealthier people of Doab.
  • He made it very clear that if anyone showed the sign of disloyalty, that person would not be spared.
  • He even controlled the prices of the goods so that no one can make large profits and everyone could pay the price he demanded.
  • He ordered a new judgement of the cultivated land and the revenue. Hence, he was able to keep the record of the revenue amount collected by various persons and had a control over it.
  • He also kept a check on the revenue which the nobles got from their land and did not allow them to keep anything more than that.

Question 3.
Who was Sher Shah Suri? What was phenomenal about his administration?
Answer:
Sher Shah Suri (1540-1545) started his career as the manager of a small territory for his uncle in Bihar and eventually challenged and defeated the Mughal emperor Humayun twice (1530-1540, 1555-1556). Sher Shah captured Delhi and established his own dynasty. Though the Suri dynasty ruled for only fifteen years (1540-1555), it introduced an administration that borrowed elements from Alauddin Khalji and made them more efficient and productive. Sher Shah Suri’s administration became the model followed by the great emperor Akbar (1556-1605) when he consolidated the Mughal Empire.

JAC Class 7 Social Science Solutions

JAC Class 7 Social Science Solutions History Chapter 2 New Kings and Kingdoms

JAC Board Class 7th Social Science Solutions History Chapter 2 New Kings and Kingdoms

JAC Class 7th History New Kings and Kingdoms InText Questions and Answers

Page 16

Question 1.
Locate the Gurjara-Pratiharas, Rashtrakutas, Palas, Cholas and Chahamanas (Chauhans). Can you identify the present-day states over which they exercised control?
Answer:
Yes, we can identify the present statesover which they exercised and control are as under:
Gurjara-Pratiharas: Western Uttar Pradesh; Northern madhya Pradesh Rashtrakutas—Maharashtra, Central Madhya Pradesh, Northern Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka Palas—Bengal and North east of India Cholas—Tamil Nadu Chahamanas (Chauhans)—Eastern Rajasthan, Delhi, Haryana, Punjab

Page 17

Question 2.
Do you think being born as a Kshatriya was important in order to become a ruler during this period?
Answer:
Yes, as rulers and warriors belonged to Kshatriya group.

Page 18

Question 4.
In what ways was this form of administration different from the present-day system?
Answer:
In the present system the administration is run by the elected governments in most of the countries or states. Resources are from different taxes and tariffs on producers, consumers and citizens. Then these resources are used for developing the state and providing facilities to the citizens. Nowadays, no one can compel any labour or worker to work. If someone does so or violates the law or doesn’t follow the rules and regulations, then the person can be punished by the judiciary.

Page 19

Question 5.
Also, see if you can find some of the areas mentioned in the inscription on Map 1. Other rulers made similar claims as well. Why do you think they made these claims?
Answer:
Yes, we can find some areas mentioned in the inscription on Map 1. Rulers had to control over large regions hence, other rulers also rpade similar claims.

Page 20

Question 6.
List all the possible sources of irrigation mentioned in the inscription, and discuss how these might have been used.
Answer:
The possible sources of irrigation mentioned in the inscription are digging of small and large wells, construction of canals, rivers, fish ponds. They might have been used by making earthen embankments and planting trees. Huge tanks were constructed to collect rainwater.

Page 21

Question 7.
Look at Map 1 and suggest reasons why these rulers wanted to control Kanauj and the Ganga valley.
JAC Class 7 Social Science Solutions History Chapter 2 New Kings and Kingdoms 1
Answer:
Kanuaj was a veiy fertile and prized region so there was a struggle to control Kanuaj in the Ganga valley region in between Rashtrakutas, Gurjaras- Pratiharas and Palas.

Question 8.
Look at Map 1 again and discuss why the Chahamanas may have wanted to expand their territories?
Answer:
The Chahamanas might have wanted to expand their territories to gain power and become incomparable so that no ruler could fight with them.

Page 27

Question 9.
Do you think women participated in these assemblies? In your view are lotteries useful in choosing members of committees?
Answer:
Women didn’t participated in these assemblies because in inscriptions and documents it is not mentioned about the women’s role. No, lotteries are not useful to choose members of committees. The best way is through elections.

Question 10.
Were there any Brahmanas in this hamlet? Describe all the activities that were taking place in the village? Why do you think temple inscriptions ignore these activities?
Answer:
There were no Brahmanas in this hamlet. The activities that were taking place in this village are drum making, working in paddy field, agrarian labour, etc. These were considered insignificant hence temple inscriptions ignored these activities.

Question 11.
In w hat ways was this system different from those prevalent in the Indian subcontinent?
Answer:
The difference is that the T’ang dynasty used a system known as bureaucracy of merit to select its officials whereas the dynasties present in the Indian subcontinent which were the Gupta’s and the Wardhan dynasty used a system of selecting officials in which the sons succeeded their father’s, i.e., hereditary.

Question 12.
Imagine you are present in an election for a sabha. Describe what you see and hear.
Answer:
To be done by students themselves.

JAC Class 7th History New Kings and Kingdoms Textbook Questions and Answers

( Let’s Recall)

Question 1:
Match the following:

Gurj ara-Pratiharas Western Deccan
Rashtrakutas Bengal
Palas Gujarat and Rajasthan
Cholas Tamil Nadu

Answer:

Gurj ara-Pratiharas Gujarat and Rajasthan
Rashtrakutas Western Deccan
Palas Bengal
Cholas Tamil Nadu

Question 2.
Who were the parties involved in the “tripartite struggle”?
Answer:
Gurjara-Pratihara, Rashtrakuta and Pala dynasties were the parties involved for control over Kanauj in the “tripartite struggle”.

Question 3.
What were the qualifications necessary to become a member of a committee of the sabha in the Chola Empire?
Answer:
The qualifications necessary to become a member of a committee of the sabha in the Chola Empire were

  1. He should be owner of a land from which land revenue is collected.
  2. He should have his own home.
  3. He should be between 35 and 70 years of age.
  4. He should have knowledge of the Vedas.
  5. He should be well-versed in administrative matters and honest.
  6. He should not be a member of any committee in the last three years.
  7. He must have submitted details of his as well as his relatives account to the authority.

Question 4.
What were the two major cities under the control of the Chahamanas?
Answer:
The two major cities that were under the control of the Chahamanas were Delhi and Ajmer.

(Let’s Understand)

Question 5.
How did the Rashtrakutas become powerful?
Answer:
The Rashtrakutas become powerful in the following way:

  1. They were the subordinates or samantas of the Chalukyas of Karnataka. They provided military support to their kings. Gradually, they gained power and wealth.
  2. They declared themselves to be maha- samantas, maha- mandaleshvara.
  3. Later in the mid-eighth century, Dantidurga, a Rashtrakuta chief, performed a ritual hiranya-garbha and over ruled the Chalukya overlord. After the ritual was over he was reborn as Kshatriya, even if he was not by birth.

Question 6.
What did the new dynasties do to gain acceptance?
Answer:
In the 7th century, big landlords and warrior chiefs came into power. They were subordinates of the existing kings and were known as samantas. Gradually, they gained power and wealth and declared themselves as maha-samanta and maha-mandaleshvara. Later on, they overruled their kings and established their .

own Kingdom. For example, Dantidurga, a Rashtrakuta chief, overthrew his Chalukya overlord and performed a ritual called hiranya- garbha and became the ruler. Also, men from enterprising families used their military skills to carve out kingdoms. Kadamba Mayurasharman and Gurjara- Pratihara Harichandra, were brahmans who successively established kingdoms in Karnataka and Rajasthan respectively.

Question 7.
What kind of irrigation works wre developed in the Tamil region?
Answer:
The kind of irrigation works developed in the in the Tamil region were such as the wells were dug, tanks were constructed to store rain water and canals were made. All this work required, planning, organising labour and resources.
Decisions were taken collectively on the usage of water. New rulers and people took active interest in these activities.

Question 8.
What were the activities associated with Chola temples?
Answer:
The Chola temples were the nuclei of settlements growing around them which included centres of craft production. Temples were also endowed with land by rulers as well as by others. The produce of the land was used for the maintenance of the priests, garland makers, cooks, sweepers, musicians, dancers etc who were associated with the temples and used to work for them. Hence temples were not simply the place of worship. They were also the hub of economic, social and cultural life as well.

(Let’s Discuss)

Question 9.
Look at Map 1 once more and find out whether there were any kingdoms in the state in which you live.
Answer:
As per the student’s state, the answer will vary hence they have to give their own answer. Suppose, you are living in Delhi. Then, can show that it was ruled by Chauhana dynasty (11th -12th century). Prithviraj Chauhan was the most popular King.

Question 10.
Contrast the “elections” in Uttaramerur with present day panchayat elections.
Answer:

Uttaramerur election (Tamil Nadu)
In this . election, the names of the members elected by the sabha member were written on a palm leaf and put into the earthen pot and from which a young boy was asked to pick the tickets and members were elected.

Present day panchayat (Tamil Nadu)
In this election, nomination forms are filled and submitted by the member who wish to contest elections. These are held on fixed date. Votes are given to the candidates and those who get maximum number of votes are declared as winner or elected.

(Let’s Do)

Question 11.
Compare the temple shown in this chapter with any present-day temple in your neighbourhood, highlighting any similarities and differences that you notice.
JAC Class 7 Social Science Solutions History Chapter 2 New Kings and Kingdoms 2
Answer:
Similarities are

  1. Idols of gods and goddesses
  2. Brahmanas do the pujas in the temple.

Differences are:

Early period temple Present day temple
Sculptures were exclusive and unique. Common sculptures.
Various people were there like priests, musicians, dancers, cook, sweepers, etc. Only priests can be seen.
Images were one of the important features on the wall. No images on the wall.
Pyramid-like shape. Triangle-like shape.

Question 12.
Find out more about taxes that are collected at present. Are these in cash, kind, or labour services?
Answer:
Nowadays we pay a number of taxes like property tax, road tax, service tax, entertainment tax, water tax, GST, VAT, etc. These taxes are in cash only and not in kind of labour services.

JAC Class 7th History New Kings and Kingdoms Important Questions and Answers

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1.
Samantas become powerful in
(a) 7th century
(b) 9th century
(c) 11th century
(d) None of these
Answer:
(a) 7th century

Question 2.
The subordinates of Chalukyas were called as
(a) Gurjara-Pratiharas
(b) Palas
(c) Rashtrakutas
(d) Cholas
Answer:
(c) Rashtrakutas

Question 3.
The inscriptions of the Cholas who ruled in Tamil Nadu refer to more than ………. terms for different kinds of taxes.
(a) 300
(b) 200
(c) 100
(d) 400
Answer:
(d) 400

Question 4.
A long Sanskrit poem of the twelfth century contains the history of kings who ruled over
(a) Kashmir
(b) Tamil Nadu
(c) Uttar Pradesh
(d) Rajasthan
Answer:
(a) Kashmir

Question 5.
The officials generally recruited for collecting revenues and army were from .
(a) brahmana families
(b) tribal people
(c) influential families
(d) None of these
Answer:
(c) influential families

Question 6.
Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni from Afghanistan ruled from
(a) 990 to 1030 CE
(b) 991 to 1030 CE
(c) 985 to 1020 CE
(d)987 to 1030 CE
Answer:
(b) 991 to 1030 CE

Question 7.
The best-known Chahamana ruler was
(a) Rajaraja
(b) Dantidurga
(c) Prithviraja III
(d) Ramraja I
Answer:
(c) Prithviraja III

Question 8.
A minor chiefly family called as the Muttaraiyar were subordinates to the
(a) Cholas
(b) Pallavas
(c) Pandyan
(d) Palas
Answer:
(b) Pallavas

Question 9.
Brahmanas were rewarded by land grants which were recorded on
(a) iron plate
(b) silver plate
(c) gold plate
(d) copper plate
Answer:
(d) copper plate

Question 10.
The prized area was the city of in the Ganga valley.
(a) Kanauj
(b) Calcutta (now Kolkata)
(c) Allahabad
(d) Banaras (now Varanasi)
Answer:
(a) Kanauj

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
What do you mean byprashastis?
Answer:
The inscriptions that were written in praise of someone or something, mostly for rulers or kings.

Question 2.
What was the name of Rashtrakuta chief who overthrew his Chalukya overlord?
Answer:
Dantidurga was the Rashtrakuta chief who overthrew his Chalukya overlord.

Question 3.
Who all were involved in ‘tripartite struggle’?
Answer:
Rulers belonging to the Gurjara- Pratihara, Rashtrakuta and Pala dynasties were involved in the ‘tripartite struggle’.

Question 4.
Where did Chahamans ruled?
Answer:
They ruled over the region around Delhi and Ajmer.

Question 5.
Who wrote ‘Kitab-ul Hind’?
Answer:
A scholar named Al-Biruni wrote it.

Question 6.
Vijayalaya built which town and a temple for which goddess?
Answer:
V ijayalaya built the town of Thanjavur and a temple for goddess Nishumbhasudini.

Question 7.
What were the titles given by Chola kings to some rich landowners?
Answer:
Mnvendavelan (a velan or peasant serving three kings), araiyar (chief), etc., were the titles given by Chola kings to some rich landowners.

Question 8.
What is vellanvagai?
Answer:
A land of non-Brahmana peasant proprietors. It is mentioned in the Cholas inscription.

Question 9.
In which century, Periyapuranam, a Tamil work was written about the lives of ordinary people?
Answer:
In twelfth century, Periyapuranam, a Tamil work was written about the lives of ordinary people.

Question 10.
Who was defeated by Prithviraj HI in 1191?
Answer:
An Afghan ruler named Sultan Muhammad Ghori was defeated in 1191 by Prithviraj III.

Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Who were known as Samantas?
Answer:
T here were big landlords or warriorchiefs in different regions of the subcontinent in the 7th century. Existing kings often acknowledged them as their subordinates or Samantas.

Question 2.
Which kind of irrigation works were developed in the Tamil area?
Answer:
Various methods were used for irrigation. In some areas, wells were dug, in other places big tanks were constructed to collect rainwater. Embankments were built to prevent flooding and canals were constructed to carry water to fields.

Question 3.
For the states what were the different sources of revenue?
Answer:
The different sources of revenue for the state came from cattle-keepers, peasants and artisans who were the producers. They were forced to surrender whatever they produced. Traders also had to pay the revenue.

Question 4.
What do you mean by ‘ur’? What is nadu?
Answer:
Settlements of peasants, who became prosperous with the spread of irrigation agriculture are known as ‘ur’. And, groups of such villages formed larger units known as nadu.

Question 5.
Write the types of taxes which were collected by Cholas.
Answer:
The types of taxes which were collected by Cholas:
(a) Kadamai
(b) Vetti (taken in the form of forced labour)
(c) Land revenue

Question 6.
Who was Muhammad Ghazni?
Answer:
Muhammad Ghazni was an Afgan Sultan. He ruled from 997 to 1030, and controlled over parts of Central Asia, Iran and the north-western part of the subcontinent. He raided the wealthy temples, including that of Somnath, Gujarat.

Question 7.
What do you mean by Brahmadeya?
Answer:
Brahmadeya means land gifted to Brahmanas. An assembly or sabha of prominent Brahmana landholders were made to look after each brahmadeya
and they worked very efficiently and effectively. Inscriptions were often made on the stone walls of temples where their decisions were recorded in details.

Question 8.
How temples played an important role during the Chola kingdom?
Answer:
Rajaraja I, and his son Rajendra built two great temples of Thanjavur and Gangaikonda-cholapuram. They were the centres of craft production and also controlled the financial aspects which were related to them. They became the hub of economic, social and cultural life as well apart from religious activities.

Question 9.
Who were responsible for doing different functions of administration including dispensing justice and collecting taxes? Which caste exercised control over the affairs of the nadu under the supervision of the central Chola government?
Answer:
The village council and the nadu were responsible for doing different functions of administration including, dispensing justice and collecting taxes. Rich peasants of the Vellala caste exercised control over the affairs of the nadu under the supervision of the central Chola government.

Question 10.
When and how did the new class of rulers emerged in the seventh century?
Answer:
A new class emerged in the seventh century as they were given the titles of samantas or subordinates by the existing rulers. These were big landlords or warriors. Later, they gained power and wealth and declared themselves to be maha-samantas or maha-mandaleshwara. Gradually, they asserted independence and established their own kingdom.

Question 11.
Who was Nagabhata? Where do we find the details of Nagabhata?
Answer:
Nagabhata was a Pratihara king. We find the details of Nagabhata in one of the prashastis written in Sanskrit and found in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. He exploited a lot.

Long Answer Type Questions 

Question 1.
Kings often rewarded Brahmanas by grants of land. What instructions were given along with the land?
Answer:
Kings often rewarded Brahmanas by grants of land. These were recorded on copperplates, which were given to those who received the land. The instructions in written from is as under: We have demarcated the boundaries of the land by making earthen embankments, as well as by planting thorny bushes. This is what the land contains: fruit-bearing trees, water, land, gardens and orchards, trees, wells, open spaces, pasture-land, a village, anthills, platforms, canals, ditches, rivers, silt-laden land, tanks, granaries, fish ponds, bee hives, and deep lakes.

He who receives the land can collect taxes from it. He can collect the taxes imposed by judicial officers as fines, the tax on betel-leaves, that on woven cloth, as well as on vehicles. He can build large rooms, with upper stories made of baked bricks, he can get large and small wells dug, he can plant trees and thorny bushes, if necessary, he can get canals constructed for irrigation. He should ensure that water is not wasted, and that embankments are built.

Question 2.
Describe the achievements of Rajaraja I, the Chola king.
Answer:
The achievements of Rajaraja I, the Chola king were:
He attacked the kingdom of the Pandyas, Cheras and part of Mysore (now Mysuru) as well. He realized the importance of controlling the sea. He would be stronger if he could control over the South India. He also campaigned towards north in the Deccan during the reign of Vengi. Coast of Kerala, Ceylon (currently Sri Lanka) had good fortune which come to them through trade. India sent spices, precious stones, textiles, etc., to western Asia which helped him to gain more power and wealth.

Question 3.
Why were the Kaveri river important for the Cholas? Why embankments had to be built in the delta areas?
Answer:
The Kaveri river was important for the Cholas because of many reasons. The Cholas became successful through new developments in agriculture. The Kaveri river overflow frequently depositing fertile soil on their banks. Water from the channels also provide the necessary moisture for agriculture, particularly the cultivation of rice. It branches off several channels before emptying into the Bay of Bengal. To prevent flooding, embankments had to be built in the delta areas.

JAC Class 7 Social Science Solutions

JAC Class 7 Social Science Solutions History Chapter 1 Tracing Changes Through a Thousand Years

JAC Board Class 7th Social Science Solutions History Chapter 1 Tracing Changes Through a Thousand Years

JAC Class 7th History Tracing Changes Through a Thousand Years InText Questions and Answers

Question 1.
Look at the areas in the interior of the subcontinent on Map 2. Are they as detailed as those on the coast? Follow the course of the River Ganga and see how it is shown. Why do you think there is a difference in the level of detail and accuracy between the coastal and inland areas in this map?
JAC Class 7 Social Science Solutions History Chapter 1 Tracing Changes Through a Thousand Years 1
Answer:
No, the areas are not as detailed as those oh the coast. The European merchants and sailors who used this map, did not go to the inland places of the subcontinent much as they interacted with the coastal areas. Hence, the level of detail and accuracy of coastal areas is better than the inland areas, in the map.

Page 3

Question 2.
Can you think of any other words whose meanings change in different contexts?
Answer:
Yes, word-Ruler (King) Ruler (Law makers)

Page 4

Question 3.
When was paper more expensive and easily available in the thirteenth or the fourteenth century?
Answer:
The paper was expensive in 13th century and in 14th century it was easily available.

JAC Class 7 Social Science Solutions History Chapter 1 Tracing Changes Through a Thousand Years

Question 4.
Of the technological, economic, social and cultural changes described in this section, which do you think were most significant in the town or village in which you live?

Answer:
Secondary occupations are done in town and in villages they do primary occupations such as agriculture.

Question 5.
Why do you think rulers made such claims?
Answer:
They were real rulers of the country. They were supreme. No other ruler could fight them. They showed others that they are the most powerful rulers. That is why, they made such claims.

Question 6.
Make a list of the languages mentioned by Amir Khusrau. Prepare another list of names of languages spoken today in the regions he mentioned. Underline names that are similar and circle those that are different.
Answer:
Languages mentioned by Amir Khusrau are Lahori, Sindhi, Kashmiri, Dvarsamudri, Gujari, Gauri, Hindawi. List of names of languages spoken today in the regions are Kashmiri, Awadhi, Pahari, Himachali, Punjabi, Gujarati, Sindhi, Marathi, Hindi, Urdu, Bengali, Oriya, Assamese, English, Tamil, Telegu, Gurkhati, Lepena. Similar are Awadhi, Kashmiri, Sindhi Different are Remaining all.

Question 7.
Did you notice that the names by which languages are known have changed over time?
Answer:
Yes, most of them have changed over time.
Answer:
No, the areas are not as detailed as those oh the coast. The European merchants and sailors who used this map, did not go to the inland places of the subcontinent much as they interacted with the coastal areas. Hence, the level of detail and accuracy of coastal areas is better than the inland areas, in the map.

JAC Class 7 Social Science Solutions History Chapter 1 Tracing Changes Through a Thousand Years

Question 8.
Find out whether and for how long your state was part of these pan- regional empires.
Ans:
Delhi for about thousand years (700 to 1750), if you reside in Delhi.

Question 9.
Do you remember what Amir Khusrau had to say regarding Sanskrit, Knowledge and Brahmanas?
Ans:
According to Amir Khusrau, Sanskrit was an old language, does not belong to any religion and Brahmanas were great scholars of Sanskrit.

Page 14

Question 10.
Imagine you are a historian. Choose one of the themes mentioned in this chapter, such as economic, social or political history, and discuss why you think it would be interesting to find out the history of that theme.
Answer:
I would choose social and political history. It would be interesting to find out the history of social and political changes because:

  1. This period saw emergence of new foods beverages.
  2. New technologies appeared.
  3. It was period of mobility when people travelled long distances.
  4. Extension of agriculture brought social changes.
  5. Important changes occurred in religion.
  6. Politically different groups become important.

JAC Class 7th History Tracing Changes Through a Thousand Years Textbook Questions and Answers

Question 1.
Who was considered a “foreigner” in the past?
Answer:
The word “foreigner” was used in medieval period for any stranger or unknown person who was not a part of the certain society or culture in a said village. A forest dweller might be considered as a foreigner by city dweller. In Hindi a foreigner is termed as pardesi.

Question 2.
State whether true or false:
(a) We do not find inscriptions for the period after 700.
(b) The Marathas asserted their political importance during this period.
(c) Forest-dwellers were sometimes pushed out of their lands with the spread of agricultural settlements.
(d) Sultan Ghiyasuddin Balban controlled Assam, Manipur and Kashmir.
Ans:
(a) False
(b) False
(c) True
(d) False

Question 3.
Fill in the blanks:
(a) Archives are places where………are kept.
(b) …….. was a fourteenth century chronicler.
(c) …….’……..’…….’……….. and …… were some of the new crops introduced into the subcontinent during this period.
Answer:
(a) manuscripts
(b) Ziyauddin Barani
(c) Com, chillies, potatoes, tea, coffee.

Question 4.
List some of the technological changes associated with this period.
Answer:
Some important technological changes associated with this period were:

  1. The use of spinning wheel in weaving
  2. The use of Persian wheel in irrigation
  3. The use of firearms in combat.

Question 5.
What were some of the major religious developments during this period?
Answer:
Some of the major religious developments during this period were as follows:

  1. Hinduism saw many changes including worship of deities.
  2. Kings built new temples.
  3. Brahmanas emerged as a strong group in society. They were the priests in temples.
  4. The idea of Bhakti emerged.
  5. The new teaching of Question uran was brought by merchants and migrants. It is the holy book of Muslims.
  6. They had two sub sects – Shia and Sunni.
  7. A class of patrons emerged as they were the rulers who provided protection and shelter to ulemas.

(Let’s Understand)

Question 6.
In what ways has the meaning of the term ‘Hindustan’ changed over the centuries?
Answer:
The meaning of the term ‘Hindustan’ changed over the centuries in the • following way:

  1. ‘Hindustan’ was first used by Minhaj-i-Siraj in 13th century. It included the areas of Punjab, Haryana and the land between Ganga and Yamuna rivers. He used it in a political sense that were a segment of the dominions of the Delhi Sultanate.
  2. In the sixteenth century, Babur used the term ‘Hindustan’ to describe the geography, fauna and culture of the subcontinent.
  3. Amir Khusrau, a fourteenth century poet also used the term ‘Hind’ to describe the geographical and cultural entity.
  4. The term did not carry the political and national meanings as the term ‘India’ is used today.

Question 7.
How were the affairs of jatis regulated?
Answer:
The affairs of Jatis were regulated in the following manner:

  1. Jatis formulated their own rules and regulations to manage the members.
  2. These regulations were enforced by the Jati Panchayat.
  3. They were also required to follow the rule of the villages. Many villages were governed by a Chieftain.
  4. Jatis were divided on the basis of economic and social position.

Question 8.
What does the term pan-regional empire mean?
Answer:
The term pan-regional empire means an empire spanning over various regions. Some of the dynasties are Mughals, Cholas, Khaljis and the Tughluqs.

(Let’s Discuss)

Question 9.
What are the difficulties historians face in using manuscripts?
Answer:
Historians faced many difficulties in using manuscripts:

  1. In early days, it was handwritten. Palm leaves were used to write as paper.
  2. Historians translated the facts as per the manuscripts which they got.
  3. Different historians presented it in their own manner as the handwriting was not always clear. They introduced some changes as well. Later it was quite difficult to accept which one was the original manuscript.

Question 10.
How do historians divide the past into periods? Do they face any problems in doing so?
Answer:
Historians divide past into periods on the basis of continuity. This continuity is further based on coins, inscriptions, architecture and textual records. Historians divided the past into periods by considering economic, social, cultural and religious changes. British historians divided the Indian history into three periods Hindu, Muslim and British. They only considered the fact that no significant changes occurred other than the religion of the rulers. They ignored the rich diversity of the subcontinent. Historians of the modem days divide history into ancient, medieval and modem history.

Significant changes occurred in the past thousand years. Historians vary to classify the periods as few takes periodization and some consider the socio economic factors of the past to characterize. We see that 16th century was not same as 18th century. Hence, describing the entire period as one historical unit is quite difficult.

(Let’s Do)

Question 11.
Compare either Map 1 or Map 2 with the present day map of the subcontinent, listing as many similarities and differences as you can find.
Answer:
JAC Class 7 Social Science Solutions History Chapter 1 Tracing Changes Through a Thousand Years 2

  • The Arab geographer, Al-Idrisi made Map 1 in 1154 CE.
  • It shows the Indian subcontinent from this larger world map.
  • It shows, South India at that place where North India is at present and Sri Lanka is the island at the top.
  • Places names are in Arabic. As Kanauj in Uttar Pradesh has been mentioned as Question anauj.
  • Present day maps of the subcontinent is more clear as it shows clear directions.

JAC Class 7 Social Science Solutions History Chapter 1 Tracing Changes Through a Thousand Years 3

  • The French cartographer in 1720 made Map 2. Map 1 is quite different from Map 2. Map 2 was made nearly 600 years later.
  • Information provided about the subcontinent changed a lot. Coastal areas are more comprehensive and detailed.
  • Cartography technique was different. Hence, this Map 2 appears to be more known and familiar to us.

Question 12.
Find out where records are kept in your village or city. Who writes these • records? Is there an archive? Who manages it? What kind of documents are stored there? Who are the people who use it?
Answer:
In our village, records are kept in the Panchayat office. In cities, records are kept in the municipal offices or municipal corporation. In villages, records are written by Gram Sevak who is a government employee. In cities these records are written and maintained by clerks. In villages, there are no archive and Sarpanch manages it. In cities, there are archives. The kind of documents stored there are government records such as details about land of the village, data of birth and deaths, public properties, rare manuscripts and books. Government officials, Researchers and Scholars use them.

JAC Class 7th History Tracing Changes Through a Thousand Years Important Questions and Answers

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1.
Al-Idrisi drawn the map in
(a) 12th century
(b) 14th century
(c) 1th century
(d) None of these
Answer:
(a) 12th century

Question 2.
Cartographer is a person who draws
(a) paintings
(b) maps
(c) pictures
(d) All of these
Answer:
(b) maps

JAC Class 7 Social Science Solutions History Chapter 1 Tracing Changes Through a Thousand Years

Question 3.
In Al-Idrisi’s map, places are named in –
(a) Arabic
(b) Persian
(c) Sanskrit
(d) None of these
Answer:
(a) Arabic

Question 4. In 1720s, maps were made by
(a) German cartographers
(b) Arabic cartographers
(c) French cartographers
(d) English cartographers
Answer:
(b) Arabic cartographers

Question 5.
In 13th century, the term Hindustan was used by the chronicler
(a) Ziyauddin Barani
(b) Al-Idrisi
(c) Babur
(d) Minhaj-i-Siraj
Answer:
(d) Minhaj-i-Siraj

Question 6.
Amir Khusrau was a poet in
(a) Fourteenth century
(b) Sixteenth century
(c) Eleventh century
(d) Thirteenth century
Answer:
(a) Fourteenth century

Question 7.
The term ‘foreigner’ in Hindi means
(a) Ajnabi
(b) Pardesi
(c) Kshatriyas
(d) All of these
Answer:
(b) Pardesi

JAC Class 7 Social Science Solutions History Chapter 1 Tracing Changes Through a Thousand Years

Question 8.
Historians used the sources to study this period
(a) Architecture
(b) coins
(c) inscriptions
(d) All of these
Answer:
(d) All of these

Question 9.
Paper become cheaper and readily available in
(a) Twelfth century
(b) Thirteenth century
(c) Fourteenth century
(d) Eighth century
Answer:
(c) Fourteenth century

Question 10.
Ziyauddin Barani was a 14th century
(a) poet
(b) chronicler
(c) cartographer
(d) painter
Answer:
(b) chronicler

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
What is the work of cartographer?
Answer:
A cartographer is a person who draws niaps.

Question 2.
What do you mean by archives?
Answer:
Archives are places where manuscripts were collected.

Question 3.
How the locations are shown in Al- Idrisi’s map?
Answer:
In his map, south India is shown at the present north India and at the top is the Sri Lankan island.

Question 4.
What is the study of coins called?
Answer:
The study of coins is called numismatics.

Question 5.
What do you mean by patron?
Answer:
Patron is an influential wealthy individual who supports another person who can be an artist, craftsperson, a learned man or a noble.

JAC Class 7 Social Science Solutions History Chapter 1 Tracing Changes Through a Thousand Years

Question 6.
Which term did Minhaj-i-Siraj used and when?
Answer:
The term was ‘Hindustan’ in the 13th century.

Question 7.
Shia and Sunni are sects of which religion?
Answer:
Islam.

Question 8.
What do you mean by pan-regional empire?
Answer:
Pan-regional empire means empire spanning in diverse regions.

Question 9.
What was the name given by Greeks to Indian subcontinent?
Answer:
Indus.

Question 10.
What are the sources used by the historians to study a particular period of history?
Answer:
The sources are coins, textual records, inscriptions and architectures to study a particular period.

Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Define the following terms Manuscript, Medieval Period, Numismatics, Epigraphy, Archive.
Answer:
Manuscript – The script written by author /writer in his own handwriting. Medieval Period – The period between 700 CE to 1750 CE in Indian history is called medieval period. Numismatics – It is the study of coins. Epigraphy- It is the study of inscriptions. Archive – A place where all manuscripts and documents are stored.

Question 2.
What do the term scribes mean? How did the scribes worked with manuscripts?
Answer:
Scribes were those person who copy down the manuscripts. By hand, manuscripts were copied.

Question 3.
How are navigations and travelogues are important written source?
Answer:
During medieval period, many merchants and sailors visited India. Their writing about the places and the people they met gives us lots of information. They give details about economic, social and cultural things about that place.

Question 4.
How the value of paper was different in thirteenth and fourteenth century?
Answer:
The value of paper was very different in thirteenth and fourteenth century. In 13th century, a learned person wanted to copy a book but he didn’t have much paper, so he washed a portion of the manuscript which he didn’t required and dried the paper and used it. But in 14th century, if any person bought some food in the market and the shopkeeper would wrap it for you in the paper if you are fortunate enough.

JAC Class 7 Social Science Solutions History Chapter 1 Tracing Changes Through a Thousand Years

Question 5.
Medieval period helped in the development of Indian history. How?
Answer:
Medieval period has been very helpful in the development of Indian history because of the following reasons:

  1. Many modem languages developed during this period which we speak nowadays.
  2. Some of the food items and clothes we wear became very popular during this period.
  3. Our current religious faiths such as Sikhism, Islam can be traced.

Question 6.
There was a dramatic increase in the variety of textual records during this period. Why?
Answer:
There was a dramatic increase in the variety of textual records during this period because paper was readily available and also very cheap. People started writing holy texts, chronicles of mlers, letters and teachings of saints, judicial records, register of accounts and taxes on papers which can be kept properly.

Question 7.
Describe chronicles.
Answer:
A record of the rule of the kings and life at the court is called a chronicle. Most kings had court chroniclers who wrote in detail about what happened during their reign. Some important chronicles of the medieval period are: Rajatarangini by Kalhana, which is a history of the king of Kashmir.Tarikh-i-Firoz Shahi by Ziyauddin Barani, which describes the history of the Sultans of Delhi till the reign of Firoz Shah Tughluq

Question 8.
Many changes took place during 700 CE and 1750 CE. List some of them.
Answer:
Many changes took place during 700 CE and 1750 CE. Many technologies came into existence like the Persian wheel in irrigation, the spinning wheel in weaving and firearms in combat. New food and beverages also arrived in the subcontinent like potatoes,chillies, com, tea, and coffee.

Question 9.
What do you mean by JatiPanchayafl Who was the chief of the village?
Answer:
The assembly of elders which controlled the conduct of the members of their jati was called the Jati Panchayat. Villages were controlled by chieftains. Even the smaller jati panchayats were obligated to follow the village administration.

JAC Class 7 Social Science Solutions History Chapter 1 Tracing Changes Through a Thousand Years

Question 10.
Which group of people become important during medieval period and why?
Answer:
The group of people who becameimportant in this period were the Rajputs, a name derived from ‘Rajputra’ which means the son of a ruler. They included not just rulers but also soldiers and commanders who served in the armies of different rulers in the subcontinent. They claimed to be a kshatriya in caste status.

Question 11.
Why Brahmanas earned a respect in the society?
Answer:
Brahmanas earned respect in the society because they had the knowledge of Sanskrit which no one in general had. Their position was very dominant and consolidated by the support of their patrons – new rulers searching for power and dignity.

Question 12.
Muslim religion has two sects. What are they? How do they differ from each other?
Answer:
The two sects are Shia and Sunni. Shia muslims are those who believe that the Prophet Muhammad’s son-in-law Ali, was the legitimate leader of the Muslim community. Whereas, Sunni muslims are those who accepted the authority of the early leaders (Khalifas) of the community and the succeeding Khalifas.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Explain medieval period of Indian history. It is termed as one of continuity and change. Why?
Answer:
History is divided into ancient, medieval and modem periods to make it easy to understand. The word medieval comes from.Latin word which means middle age. It saw many changes with the arrival of migrated people to the land. The society and economy of the subcontinent was transformed and reached a high level of richness and prosperity which attracted many merchants and traders.

In early medieval period, the Cholas and Rajput kings dominated the socio economic and political history of the country. In the later medieval period, the Turks and the regional kingdoms which emerged after the end of the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughals largely dominated the subcontinent.

Question 2.
What was the change in the religion during this period? Explain the major developments.
Answer:
During these thousand years, i.e., 700 CE to 1750 CE there has been major changes in religion. It was very prominent in Hinduism. The worship of new deities, the construction of temples by the kings and royals and the growing importance of Brahmanas, priests as a major group in society emerged as the changes. Also the idea of bhakti emerged.

Merchants, traders and migrants brought the teachings of 0uran, the holy book of Muslims. Patron class emerged during this period. They were the rulers who provided shelter and protection to the ulamas, the learned theologists and jurists. During this period, muslims were divided into two sects or groups Shia and Sunni. Shia Muslims believed in Prophet Muhammad’s authority while the Sunnis accepted the authority of the early leaders Khalifas.

JAC Class 7 Social Science Solutions History Chapter 1 Tracing Changes Through a Thousand Years

Question 3.
Discuss how coins, inscriptions and architectures are useful sources of information on medieval period.
Answer:
Coins, inscriptions, architectures are very useful sources of information on medieval period. Coins help us to know better the economic conditions of a kingdom. They were generally issued by the emperor of the empire. It helps us to know the provincial extent and duration of reign of the ruler. It helps historians to clarify their doubts about any particular event or dates which are mentioned in the book. Inscriptions are one of the major sources of information about Indian history.

Written records are engraved on stones, pillars, monuments, wall of temples and copper plates. They provide us information about the rulers, their kingdoms and some major events, geographical areas of the kingdom, etc. Inscriptions on copper plates were found around south Indian temples of medieval period. Monuments provide us the information about when they have been constructed and who built it. We get information on socio-economic, political conditions from the religious place of that time. Temples, tombs, mosque, stupas, palaces, forts, help us. Forts in Delhi, Jaipur, Hyderabad give an understanding of the architectural styles of that period.

JAC Class 7 Social Science Solutions

JAC Class 8 Social Science Solutions Civics Chapter 10 Law and Social Justice

JAC Board Class 8th Social Science Solutions Civics Chapter 10 Law and Social Justice

JAC Class 8th Civics Law and Social Justice InText Questions and Answers

Page 121

Question 1.
Why do we need a law on minimum wages?
Answer:
We need a law on minimum wages because the employers usually take advantage of the worker’s poverty and pay them low wages and make them work for extra hours. If there is a law then the workers may get a fair wage for their work.

Question 2.
Find out:
(a) What is the minimum wage for a construction worker in your state?
(b) Do you think the minimum wage for a construction worker is adequate, low or high?
(c) Who sets the minimum wages?
Answer:
Students need to do it on their own.
Hint:
(a) The minimum wage rate for unskilled worker in Delhi is ?14,468 per month.
(b) Not to low but not too high as well.
(c) The Ministry of Labour sets the minimum wages.

JAC Class 8 Social Science Solutions Civics Chapter 10 Law and Social Justice

Page 127

Question 3.
Why do you think enforcement of safety laws is important in any factory?
Answer:
Enforcement of safety laws is important in any factory is important because serious disaster may happen if this law is not present or enforced. Many people work at high risk since they don’t have any other choice, they have to earn their livelihood. It is important in any factory for the security of the workers and people residing near the factory.

Question 4.
Can you point to a few other situations where laws (or rules) exist but people do not follow them because of poor enforcement? (For example, over-speeding by motorists, not wearing helmet/seat belt and use of mobile phone while driving). What are the problems in enforcement? Can you suggest some ways in which enforcement can be improved?
Answer:
Few other situations where laws (or rules) exist but people do not follow them because of poor enforcement are:

  1. Giving bribe to make their own work in illegal way.
  2. Employing children under 14 years of age in roadside dhabas or as domestic help.
  3. Boarding in a running bus.
  4. Giving and taking dowry at the time of marriage.

The problems in enforcement are as follows:

  1. Untrained staff
  2. Irresponsible citizen

Some ways in which enforcement can be improved are as follows:

  1. Deployment of trained and adequate staff for the enforcement of the law.
  2. Strict punishments for those who are not following the law.

Poge 128

Question 5.
A ‘clean environment is a public facility.’ Can you explain this statement?
Answer:
Clean environment is a public facility because it is a right for every citizen, to keep the environment neat and clean. So that the person himself and the surrounding people can take advantage and it will be safe for everyone’s welfare.

Question 6.
Why do we need new laws?
Answer:
For the welfare of people such as to check pollution, banning the use of plastic bags, clean river, etc., we need new laws.

Question 7.
Why are companies and contractors able to violate environmental laws?
Answer:
Companies and contractors are able to violate environmental laws because these laws are not strictly administered by the government.

Page 129

Question 8.
Do you think everyone got justice in the case cited above (See NCERT page 129)?
Answer:
No, everyone didn’t get justice in the case cited above.

JAC Class 8 Social Science Solutions Civics Chapter 10 Law and Social Justice

Question 9.
Can you think of other ways in which the environment can be protected? Discuss in class.
Answer:
The other ways in which the environment can be protected are:

  1. Afforestation
  2. Banning the use of plastic bags
  3. Disposal of sewage properly
  4. Minimum use of private vehicle.

JAC Class 8th Civics Law and Social Justice Textbook Questions and Answers

Question 1.
Talk to two workers (For example, construction workers, farm workers, factory workers, workers at any shop) to find out if they are receiving the minimum wages laid down by law.
Answer:
Farm workers : These workers are receiving below the minimum wages.
Construction workers: These workers are also getting less wages.

Question 2.
What are the advantages to foreign companies in setting up production in India?

Answer:
The advantages to foreign companies in setting up production in India are as follows:

  1. Availability of very cheap labour.
  2. Longer hours of work at low wages.
  3. Minimum additional expenses such as for housing facilities for workers.
  4. Cost cutting by including lower working conditions that consist of lower safety measures.
  5. Foreign companies can save costs and earn higher profits in India in this way.

Question 3.
Do you think the victims of the Bhopal gas tragedy got justice? Discuss.
Answer:
No, the victims of the Bhopal gas tragedy didn’t get a complete justice. This tragedy was caused due to negligence of safety measures by the factory management. The Indian government represented the people to legally claim compensation for the affected people and demanded 3 billion dollar as a compensation but the company paid only 470 million dollars. Even today, after 36 years of disaster, people are still seeking justice. Financial aid was sufficient for the victim’s but many of them are still fighting for safe drinking water, healthcare facilities and jobs.

Question 4.
law enforcement? Who is responsible for enforcement? Why is enforcement so important?
Answer:
The implementation and execution of law is known as law enforcement. The government is responsible for the laws to be enforced so that the citizens can benefit from the same. The government is responsible for the enforcement of laws. For protecting the rights of the citizens, enforcement is important.

Enforcement is important when the law seeks to protect the weaker section from the stronger section. It is also necessary to control the activities of individuals or private companies so as to ensure a safe working environment and complete social justice.

Question 5.
How can laws ensure that markets work in a manner that is fair? Give two examples to support your answer.
Answer:
Laws can ensure that markets work in a manner that is fair in the following ways:

  1. Workers are not exploited and the government should keep a check on the worksites and punish those who violates the law.
  2. The government should also keep a check on the market price of the essential commodities.

Two examples are:

  1. Right against exploitation
  2. Child Labour Prevention Act

Question 6.
Imagine yourself to be a worker working in a chemical factory, which has received orders from the government to move to a different site 100 kms away from the present location. Write about how your life would change? Read out your responses in the classroom.
Answer:
Student need to do it on their own. (Hint: Due to the relocation of the factory, I have to shift to a place nearby the factory. The education of the kids will get affected. Look for a new house. Even if, I shift alone then I have to bear the expenses of two places.)

JAC Class 8 Social Science Solutions Civics Chapter 10 Law and Social Justice

Question 7.
Write a paragraph on the various roles of the government that you have read about in this unit.
Answer:
The various roles of the government that we have read in this unit are as follows:

  1. Enforcement of laws regarding safety at workplace.
  2. Fixing minimum wages for workers and revising it from time to time.
  3. Enforcement of laws against child labour.
  4. Enforcement of laws regarding safety of environment.
  5. Protecting the interests of consumers in the market.

Question 8.
What are the sources of environmental pollution in your area? Discuss with respect to (a) air; (b) water and (c) soil. What are the steps being taken to reduce the pollution? Can you suggest some other measures?
Answer:
The sources of environmental pollution in my area with respect to:

  1. Air: Factories, industries and transport emits more dangerous and unsafe gases.
  2. Water: Disposal of industrial waste in Yamuna river, immersion of idols, pouring garbage in river.
  3. Soil: There is no chance of soil pollution as cultivation land is not available.

Suggestions:

  1. Stop the misuse or overuse of resources.
  2. Strict action should be taken against the practices that cause environmental pollutions such as use of plastic bags, disposal of all type of wastes and harmful emissions from industries.
  3. Promoting the use of CNG as fuel in vehicles and banned old vehicles. Diesel vehicles should be prohibited
  4. Pollution checking norms should be followed strictly.
  5. Encourage recycling of used materials.

Question 9.
How was environment treated earlier? What has been the change in perception? Discuss.
Answer:
In the earlier days, the environment was treated as a ‘free entity’. There was no check on the factories and industries which caused the pollution. The government paid no attention to safeguard the environment. Very few laws were applied and executed to protect and conserve the environment. There has been a vast change in perception. Now a days, government is more alert and active towards conserving the nature.

It has implemented various laws and acts to protect the environment. New and amended laws have been imposed by the government according to which the tainted person will be accountable for the harm and destruction done to the environment and shall be liable to punishment.The recent one is Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. Several judgements have been given to uphold the right to a healthy environment as intrinsic to the fundamental right to life.

Question 10.
What do you think the famous cartoonist R.K. Laxman is trying to convey in this cartoon? How does it relate to the 2016 law that you read about on page 123?
JAC Class 8 Social Science Solutions Civics Chapter 10 Law and Social Justice 1
It’s really cruel burdening kids like this. I had to hire that boy to help my son!
Answer:
The famous cartoonist R.K. Laxman is trying to convey in this cartoon that how we treat children of the same age group. One child is from rich family and gets the sympathy of mother whereas, the other child is from poor family and earns for his family hence bearing the load of books, working hard to get paid.

This is injustice. The law says that it banned the employment of children below the age of 14 years in all occupations and of adolescents (14-18 years) in any occ upations and processes. It made employing these children or adolescents a cognizable offence.

JAC Class 8 Social Science Solutions Civics Chapter 10 Law and Social Justice

Question 11.
You have read about the Bhopal gas tragedy and the on-going struggle. Students from countries across the world have come together to support this struggle for justice. From protest marches to awareness campaigns, you can read about their activities on the website www.studentsforbhopal.com.

The website also has resources such as photos, posters, documentaries, victims’ statements, etc. Use this and other sources to make a wallpaper/exhibition on the Bhopal gas tragedy for your classroom. Invite the whole school to see and talk about it.
Answer:
Students need to do it on their own.

JAC Class 8th Civics Law and Social Justice Important Questions and Answers

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1.
Bhopal Gas Tragedy took place in the year……..
(a) December 1980
(b) December 1984
(c) January 1984
(d) March 1985
Answer:
(b) December 1984

Question 2.
……….incident brought the issue of environment to the forefront.
(a) Uttarakhand flood
(b) Bengal famine
(c) Latur earthquake
(d) Bhopal Gas tragedy
Answer:
(d) Bhopal Gas tragedy

Question 3.
The government amended the Child Prevention Act in……..banning children under 14 years of age from working in factories and as domestic help.
(a) October 2006
(b) October 2005
(c) July 2006
(d) June 2005
Answer:
(a) October 2006

JAC Class 8 Social Science Solutions Civics Chapter 10 Law and Social Justice

Question 4.
Union Carbide was a/an……
(a) English Company
(b) American Company
(c) Indian Private Company
(d) Government owned Company
Answer:
(b) American Company

Question 5.
The owner of Union Carbide plant at present is…….. .
(a) Indian Government
(b) United Chemical
(c) Dow Chemical
(d) None of these
Answer:
(c) Dow Chemical

Question 6.
Union Carbide Bhopal plant produced
(a) fertilisers
(b) pesticides
(c) both a and b
(d) none of these
Answer:
(c) both a and b

Question 7.
Pollution caused by the Bhopal gas tragedy was…….. .
(a) water pollution
(b) air pollution
(c) no pollution
(d) both a and b
Answer:
(d) both a and b

Question 8.
The following industry/ies are hazardous:
(a) Ship-breaking industry
(b) Textile industry
(c) Sugar industry
(d) Both a and c
Answer:
(a) Ship-breaking industry

Question 9.
The gas that leaked from Union Carbide plant was……… .
(a) Ethyl alcohol
(b) Methyl Iscocyanite
(c) Methyl Isocynide
(d) Ethyl Isocyanite
Answer:
(b) Methyl Iscocyanite

Question 10.
Right to a healthy and clean environment is an essential part of the Fundamental Rights of ……
(a) Right to Freedom
(b) Right to Equality
(c) Right to Life
(d) None of these
Answer:
(c) Right to Life

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Economically how are the people of working class exploited?
Answer:
Economically the people of working class exploited by making them to work for lower pay and for longer hours.

Question 2.
Why do the workers willingly work in unsafe conditions?
Answer:
The workers willingly work in unsafe conditions because there is so much unemployment and they know that in return they will get wages as they are very poor.

JAC Class 8 Social Science Solutions Civics Chapter 10 Law and Social Justice

Question 3.
What does the Right Against Exploitation state?
Answer:
The Right Against Exploitation states that no one can be forced to work for low wages or under bondage.

Question 4.
What does Article 21 of the Constitution state?
Answer:
Article 21 of the Constitution is Right to Life which is a Fundamental Right and it states that the right to the life of pollution free air and water for full enjoyment of life.

Question 5.
Who are responsible to set the minimum wages?
Answer:
The Minimum Wages Act 1948 is an Act of Parliament concerning Indian Labour Law that sets the minimum wages must be paid to skilled and unskilled labours.

Question 6.
List the three basic rights of workers.
Answer:
Three basics rights of workers are:

  1. Right to work
  2. Right to a fair wage
  3. Decent work conditions

Question 7.
What is the full form of CNG?
Answer:
The full form of CNG is Compressed Natural Gas.

JAC Class 8 Social Science Solutions Civics Chapter 10 Law and Social Justice

Question 8.
Which three states have published plans to rescue and rehabilitate children who are working as domestic helps.
Answer:
Three states who have published plans to rescue and rehabilitate children who are working as domestic servants are Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.

Question 9.
List three South Asian countries which play hosts for industries producing pesticides, asbestos, etc.
Answer:
Three South Asian countries which play hosts for industries producing pesticides, asbestos, etc., are India, Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Question 10:
Why were the textile mills in Ahmedabad closed down during the 1980s and 1990s?
Answer:
The textile mills in Ahmedabad closed down during the 1980s and 1990s because they were facing stiff competition from power looms during the 1980s and 1990s.

Short Answer Type Questions 

Question 1.
Why do you think enforcement of safety laws is important in any factory?
Answer:
Enforcement of safety laws is important in any factory for the safety of the workers and general public. As the lawmaker and enforcer, the government is supposed to ensure that safety laws are implemented. It is also the duty of the government to ensure that the Right to Life guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution is not violated.

Question 2.
Why are dvanced countries relocating the toxic and hazardous industries to developing countries?
Answer:
Advanced countries are relocating the toxic and hazardous industries to developing countries to take advantage of the weaker laws in these countries and keep their own countries safe. South Asian countries – particularly India, Bangladesh and Pakistan – play hosts for industries producing pesticides, asbestos or processing zinc and lead.

Question 3.
How can the government meet the challenges where everyone can benefit from the clean environment?
Answer:
One way this can be done is to gradually move to cleaner technologies and processes in factories. The government has to encourage and support factories to do this. It will need to fine those who pollute. This will ensure that the workers livelihoods are protected and both workers and communities living around the factories enjoy a safe environment.

Question 4.
What is the role of government and citizens in establishing a state of law and social justice?
Answer:
A major role of the government is to control the activities of private companies by making, enforcing and upholding laws so as to prevent unfair practices and ensure social justice. While the government has a leading role in this respect, people can exert pressure so that both private companies and the government act in the interests of society.

JAC Class 8 Social Science Solutions Civics Chapter 10 Law and Social Justice

Question 5.
What are the reasons for the sharp differences in safety standards between the two Union carbide factories in the USA and India?
Answer:
In India, one worker can easily replace another. Since there is so much unemployment, there are many workers who are willing to work in unsafe conditions in return for a wage. Making use of the workers’ vulnerability, employers ignore safety in workplaces. Thus, there were the sharp differences in safety standards between the two Union carbide factories in the USA and India.

Question 6.
In which ways the government certifications such as ISI certification help the consumer?
Answer:
The government certifications such as ISI certification, Hallmark certification help the consumer in following ways:
When the product has a certification mark, then the consumer can be certain that the product is of good quality and safe to use.

It assures the customer that a company has a good Question uality Management System. Consumers might be put to a risk by the poor quality of products such as medicines, electrical goods, etc., if the government has not setup the Bureau of Indian Standards. Hallmark certification assures the purity of the gold when the consumer buys it.

Long Answer Type Questions 

Question 1.
Explain in brief the Bhopal gas tragedy.
Answer:
An American Company started its factory in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India named Union Carbide which produced pesticides. In midnight, on 2nd December 1984, a poisonous gas, methyl isocyanides started leaking from the factory plant. Within three days, the dead people number reached to 8,000. Lakhs of people were maimed. Most of the poor people and working class people were exposed to the poisonous gas.

More than 50,000 people who are sick till date and are not able to perform any task. They are sick. Those who survived this tragedy are alive with many disabilities such as severe respiratory disorders, eye problems and other disorders. Children developed strange and weird abnormalities. Bhopal gas tragedy is considered as one of the worst disaster in the world.

JAC Class 8 Social Science Solutions Civics Chapter 10 Law and Social Justice

Question 2.
Explain the causes for the Bhopal Gas Tragedy.
Answer:
For almost 4 years, The Union Carbide tank’s alarm did not work. Nothing was in order. The steam boi ler which intended to clean the pipes was not working properly and water sprays designed to knock down gas leaks were very poorly designed. No action plans were made to cope with this type of incidents. Moreover, the local authorities were not informed of the quantities or dangers of chemicals used and manufactured at the factory. These were the major causes for the Bhopal Gas Tragedy.

JAC Class 8 Social Science Solutions

JAC Class 8 Social Science Solutions Civics Chapter 9 Public Facilities

JAC Board Class 8th Social Science Solutions Civics Chapter 9 Public Facilities

JAC Class 8th Civics Public FacilitiesInText Questions and Answers

Page 108

Question 1.
You have seen the four situations illustrated above (See NCERT page 106-107). Based on these, what impression do you get of the water situation in Chennai?
Answer:
From these four situations, we get the impression of the water situation in Chennai is that the water supply is not same for all the areas. There is a shortage of supply and demand is very high. As a result of this, only those who can afford to pay for water have sufficient access and those who can’t faces many difficulties.

JAC Class 8 Social Science Solutions Civics Chapter 9 Public Facilities

Question 2.
Pick out the various sources of water for household use from the description alongside (See NCERT page 108).
Answer:
The various sources of water for household use from the description alongside are municipal water, water tanker, private borewell.

Question 3.
What, in your view, is similar, and what is different in Subramanian’s and Padma’s experiences.
Answer:
Similarities in Subramanian’s and Padma’s experiences are as follow:

  1. Both use borewell water
  2. Water shortage problem both of them.
  3. Both get water from tankers.

The differences are:

  1. Subramanian gets municipal water once in two days whereas, Padma does not have a tap connection.
  2. Subramanian spends upto ? 500/- on buying water from the tankers.
  3. Subramanian uses borewell water for washing and sanitation purposes whereas, Padma uses borewell water drinking and washing.

Question 4.
Write a paragraph describing the water supply situation in your area.
Answer:
Students need to do it on their own.

Question 5.
Why does water flow in a trickle in summer in most places in India? Find out.
Answer:
Water flow in a trickle in summer in most places in India because the demand for water is higher and supply is limited. The underground water level also goes down in summer due to hot weather and yield less water.

JAC Class 8 Social Science Solutions Civics Chapter 9 Public Facilities

Question 6.
Discuss: Is there a general shortage of water for everyone in Chennai? Can you think of two reasons why different people get varying amounts of water?
Answer:
Yes, there is a general shortage of water for everyone in Chennai. Two reasons why different people get varying amounts of water are as follows:

  1. Different financial status, some are rich, some are poor.
  2. More demand and less supply.

Page 111

Question 7.
As Amu and Kumar ride around Chennai…
Amu:
Did you notice that the roads in Saidapet were so bumpy and without streetlights? / wonder what the place is like at night.

Kumar:
What better can you expect in a slum!

Amu:
Why should slums be like that? Shouldn’t they have public facilities?

Kumar: I think public facilities are for all those who live in proper houses in colonies. They are the people who pay taxes.

Amu: Why do you say that! Slum dwellers are also citizens and they have rights too.

Kumar: Arrey! The government will go bankrupt this way!

Amu: Well, it has to find a way. Can you imagine what it would be like to live in a slum without proper roads, water, electricity?

Kumar: Err….

Amu: Our Constitution recognises many of the public facilities as being a part of the Right to Life. The government must see that these rights are protected so that everyone can lead a decent life. point of view do you agree Whose with?
Answer:
I agree with Amu’s point of view.

Page 114

Question 8.
Discuss:
Do you think this would be a right step? (See NCERT page 114) What do you think would happen if the government withdraws from the task of supplying water?
Answer:
I don’t think it would be a right step. If the government withdraws from the task of supplying water then it would fail to perform its duty and many people will face serious problems. If the private companies take over the task of supplying water then they would look for more profit rather than thinking about the poor people who cannot afford to buy water. Government’s task is to ensure public facilities to all.

Question 9.
Discuss the main ideas in the above section (See NCERT page 115). What do you think can be done to improve water supply?
Answer:
This section dealt with the successful example of public water supply in Brazil and unsuccessful example of water supply in Bolivia. It also gave details about the better conditions of water supply in Mumbai and Hyderabad. Chennai has also taken steps in rain harvesting process. To improve the water supply certain steps can be taken such as afforestation, rain harvesting, repairing of water pipes, etc.

Question 10.
Do you think it is also important to conserve resources like water and electricity, and to use more public transport?
Answer:
Yes, it is also important to conserve resources like water and electricity, and to use more public transport.

Page 116

Question 11.
Do you think that lack of access to proper sanitation facilities affects peoples’ lives? How?
Answer:
Yes, lack of access to proper sanitation facilities affects peoples’ lives. It directly affects the health of the people and will become victims of many diseases like dysentery, cholera, etc. They won’t be able to work efficiently due to poor health conditions.

JAC Class 8 Social Science Solutions Civics Chapter 9 Public Facilities

Question 12.
Why do you think that this would impact women and girls more acutely?
Answer:
This would impact women and girls more acutely because they are given less attention most of the time.

JAC Class 8th Civics Public Facilities Textbook Questions and Answers

Question 1.
Why do you think there are so few cases of private water supply in the world?
Answer:
There are so few cases of private water supply in the world because water is a basic necessity of life and everyone should get access to safe drinking water either free or at affordable rates. It is the government’s responsibility to provide water to everyone. Private companies work towards the only goal of maximising profits. If the responsibility of water supply is handed over to private companies, there would be a steep rise in the price of water, making it unaffordable for many.

Question 2.
Do you think water in Chennai is available to and affordable by all? Discuss.
Answer:
Water in Chennai is not available to and affordable by all. There is an unequal distribution of water in different parts of the city. Certain areas like Anna Nagar receive abundant water while areas like Mylapore get very little water. Municipal supply fails to meet the demand of water in the city.

People from the upper class and middle class buy packaged drinking water or water from tankers. But the situation is different and worst for the poor people as they cannot afford the expense of tankers or packaged water. In the slum areas, water supply runs for barely an hour every day and that too from a single tap that serves over thirty families for all their water needs.

Question 3.
How is the sale of water by farmers to water dealers in Chennai affecting the local people? Do you think local people can object to such exploitation of ground water? Can the government do anything in this regard?
Answer:
Due to the water shortage in Chennai, many private companies have taken it as an opportunity to earn huge profits by selling water in the city. The water is taken from nearby towns and from villages to the north of the city using a fleet of over 13,000 water tankers.

Every month the water dealers pay farmers an advance for the rights to exploit water sources on their land.Due to this trade, the water levels have dropped drastically in all these towns and villages. The water that is taken away from the farms is creating a deficit not only for irrigation but also for drinking water for the villagers.

Yes, the local people can object to such exploitation of ground water because water is a necessity and everyone has equal right to access it. The government should take a strict action against such offensive activities and disallow private companies from buying and supplying water.

JAC Class 8 Social Science Solutions Civics Chapter 9 Public Facilities

Question 4.
Why are most of the private hospitals and private schools located in major cities and not in towns or rural areas?
Answer:
Most of the private hospitals and private schools located in major cities and not in towns or rural areas because they offer their services at high prices to earn profits and these services are affordable only by the affluent dwellers in the city.

Question 5.
Do you think the distribution of public facilities in our country is adequate and fair? Give an example of your own to explain.
Answer:
No, I don’t think the distribution of public facilities in our country is adequate and fair. For example, people living in cities avail all facilities such as healthcare, electricity, public transport, etc., but these facilities are not available fully in smaller towns and villages. They face major crisis of certain things such as electricity, not have a well developed transport system.

Question 6.
Take some of the public facilities in your area, such as water, electricity, etc. Is there scope to improve these? What in your opinion should be done? Complete the table.
Answer:

Water Is it available? How can it be improved?
Electricity Yes By making its supply available for all the day long and improve the quality of water.
Roads Yes By providing its supply for whole day and keep a check on its theft.
Public Yes Repairing of worn-out roads.
Transport Yes Increasing the frequency of the buses by making more buses on roads available.

Question 7.
Are the above public facilities shared equally by all the people in your area? Elaborate.
Answer:
The above public facilities are not shared equally by all the people in my area. The people living in posh localities avail best facilities. But the people living in slum areas doesn’t have all the facilities. They have crisis of water and electricity. On the other hand, people living in posh areas hardly face any water or electricity crisis.

Question 8.
Data on some of the public facilities are collected as part of the Census. Discuss with your teacher when and how the Census is conducted.
Answer:
The census is conducted in every 10 years. It counts the population of the country means the detailed information are collected. This information is used to measure important things such as ratio of males and females, number of literate people, etc.

JAC Class 8 Social Science Solutions Civics Chapter 9 Public Facilities

Question 9.
Private educational institutions:
schools, colleges, universities, technical and vocational training institutes are coming up in our country in a big way. On the other hand, educational institutes run by the government are becoming relatively less important. What do you think would be the impact of this? Discuss.
Answer:
The impact of this would be that the weaker sections of the society will be deprived of quality education and the end result of this disparity will be that only the rich will get good education from the private educational institutions while the poor would not be able to afford the same. Education is a basic need and necessity and there should be universal access to education.

The main motive of private education institutes is earning profits, they charge high fees which are affordable only by the affluent section of the society. Thus, the right to quality education is only fulfilled for the rich class. Similarly, if government education institutes are not up to the mark, then weaker sections are again deprived of quality education. This, in turn, results in the disparity of quality education between the rich and the poor.

JAC Class 8th Civics Public Facilities Important Questions and Answers

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1.
The following is are considered to be a public facilities:
(a) water, health, and education
(b) health, hospital, and gas
(c) water, house, and car
(d) both a and b
Answer:
(a) water, health, and education

Question 2.
The chief feature of the public facilities is:
(a) Once it is provided, its benefits cannot be shared with other people.
(b) Once it is provided, its benefits cannot be taken in the future.
(c) Once it is provided, its benefits can be shared by several people.
(d) None of these
Answer:
(c) Once it is provided, its benefits can be shared by several people.

Question 3.
The government gets money from the:
(a) loan from foreign banks.
(b) loan from Indian banks.
(c) tax collected from the people.
(d) all of these
Answer:
(c) tax collected from the people.

Question 4.
The Constitution of India recognises the right to water as being a part of the under Article 21.
(a) Right to Equality
(b) Right to Education
(c) Right to Health
(d) Right to Life
Answer:
(d) Right to Life

Question 5.
The basic needs of human beings is / are ……..
(a) Healthcare
(b) Water
(c) Food
(d) All of these
Answer:
(d) All of these

Question 6.
Which of the following is the main source of water for poor people?
(a) Borewell water
(b) Water tanker
(c) Muncipal water
(d) Bottled water
Answer:
(b) Water tanker

JAC Class 8 Social Science Solutions Civics Chapter 9 Public Facilities

Question 7.
The is a water borne disease.
(a) Dysentery
(b) Measles
(c) Flu
(d) Polio
Answer:
(a) Dysentery

Question 8.
……… is guaranteed for all children aged between 6-14 years.
(a) Right to Life
(b) Right to Education
(c) Right to Equality
(d) Cultural Right
Answer:
(b) Right to Education

Question 9.
……… is not a source of water in rural areas.
(a) Overhead tanks
(b) Wells
(c) Borewells
(d) Handpumps
Answer:
(a) Overhead tanks

Question 10.
According to the standard set by the urban water commission, the supply of water per person in an urban area should be about .
(a) 120 litres per day
(b) 140 litres per day
(c) 160 litres per day
(d) 135 litres per day
Answer:
(d) 135 litres per day

Very Short Answer Type Questions 

Question 1. Mention few public facilities that are also provided by private companies.
Answer:
Few public facilities that are also provided by private companies are school, colleges, healthcare and transportation.

Question 2.
What is the reason for the maximum death among children in India?
Answer:
The reason for maximum death among children in India is caused by the water¬borne diseases.

Question 3.
Name some public facilities that are provided by the government.
Answer:
Public facilities that are provided by the government are healthcare, sanitation, electricity, public transport, roads, schools and colleges.

Question 4.
Which age group of children should get compulsory education according to ‘Right to Education’?
Answer:
The age group of 6 – 14 years of children should get compulsory education according to ‘Right to Education’?

JAC Class 8 Social Science Solutions Civics Chapter 9 Public Facilities

Question 5.
Is right to safe drinking water a fundamental right?
Answer:
Yes. Right to water entitles everyone to sufficient, safe, acceptable, physically accessible and affordable water for personal and domestic use.

Question 6.
What is the role of government in public facilities?
Answer:
One of the most important roles of the government is to ensure that these public facilities are made available to everyone.

Question 7.
What do you mean by government budget?
Answer:
Government budget is an account of the expenses the government has made on its programmes and projects in the past year and how much it plans to spend in the coming year.

Question 81.
What is universal access to water?
Answer:
Universal access to water is the right of every person, whether rich or poor to have sufficient amounts of water to fulfill his/her daily needs at a price that he/she can afford.

Question 9.
Which NGO has been working for three decades to address the problem sanitation?
Answer:
The NGO that has been working for three decades to address the problem of sanitisation is Sulabh.

Question 10.
What do you think is regarded as a sign of failure of the government?
Answer:
A shortage of basic public amenities such as water, healthcare, electricity is taken as a sign of failure of the government.

Short Answer Type Questions 

Question l.
What do you mean by sanitation?
Answer:
The provision of facilities for the safe disposal of human urine and faeces is known as sanitation. This is done by construction of toilets and pipes to carry the sewerage and treating the waste water. This is necessary so as to avoid contamination and diseases.

Question 2.
What is Right to Water?
Answer:
The right to water is recognised as being a part of the Right to Life under Article 21 of the Constitution of India. This implies that it is the right of every person whether rich or poor to have sufficient amounts of water to fulfill his/ her daily needs at a price that he/she can afford.

JAC Class 8 Social Science Solutions Civics Chapter 9 Public Facilities

Question 3.
What do you mean by company?
Answer:
A form of business set up by people or by the government is known as a company. Those that are promoted and owned by individuals or groups are called private companies. For example, Reliance is a private company whereas SAIL is a company run by the government.

Question 4.
From where does the government get money for the public facilities?
Answer:
The main source of revenue for the government is the taxes collected from the people and the government is empowered to collect these taxes and use them for such programmes and projects. Such as to supply water, the government has to incur costs in pumping water, carrying it over long distances, laying down pipes for distribution, treating the water for impurities and finally collecting and treating waste water. It meets these expenses partly from the various taxes that it collects and partly by charging a price for water. This price is set so that most people can afford a certain minimum amount of water for daily use.

Question 5.
Why does a lack of proper sanitation affect women and girls more acutely?
Answer:
Lack of proper sanitation affects women and girls more acutely because they often have to wait until dark to go to the toilet. To avoid the need for such frequent toilet use, women often drink less water which causes severe health impacts.

Question 6.
When there is a shortage of public facilities say water then what type of situation arise?
Answer:
When there is a shortage of public facilities say water then the situation which arises is burden for the poor since the shortfalls which occur falls mostly on the poor. Though the middle class people able to cope with it like buying bottled water from private companies or by digging borewells. People who can afford it have safe drinking water but poor people are left out. The poor people faces the crisis the most.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Write in brief the availability of water in different regions of Chennai.
Answer:
The availability of water in different regions of Chennai are:

(i) One of the posh area is Anna Nagar in Chennai. This area looks lush and full with greenery. Then lush greens are maintained by enough spraying of water. Bunglows of rich people have tap water for major part of the day. When the water supply is inadequate, these rich people speak to a senior official whom he knows in the municipal water board and a water tanker is easily arranged for their house.

JAC Class 8 Social Science Solutions Civics Chapter 9 Public Facilities

(ii) Like most areas of the city, the middle class people, Subramanian’s apartments in Mylapore suffers from water shortage. Once in two days, this area gets municipal water. A private borewell meets some of the resident’s water needs but the water is brackish so the residents use it in their toilets and for washing. For other uses they purchase water from tankers. Water purifiers are installed at homes for drinking purposes.

(iii) Siva lives on a rented house in Madipakkam and gets water once in four days. There is acute shortage of water. For drinking, they buy bottled water.

(iv) Padma lives in the slum area in Saidapet and works as a domestic help. There is a cluster of hutment, which has neither a bathroom nor a tap connection. For 30 such hutments there is a common tap at one comer, in which water comes from a borewell for 20 minutes twice daily.

A family gets to fill a maximum of three buckets within this time. The same water is used for washing and drinking. In summer, the flow becomes a trickle, so that one family gets water only at the cost of another. People have to wait long hours for water tankers. There situation becomes more pathetic during summers.

JAC Class 8 Social Science Solutions

JAC Class 7 Social Science Notes Civics Chapter 5 Women Change the World

JAC Board Class 7 Social Science Notes Civics Chapter 5 Women Change the World

→ Still getting an education was one way in which new opportunities were created for women.

→ Fewer Opportunities and Rigid Expectations:

  • Many people believe that women make better nurses because they are more patient and gentle.
  • This is linked to women’s roles within the family. In the same way, it is believed that science requires a technical mind and girls and women are not capable of dealing with technical things.
  • Most of the people believe in these stereotypes, hence many girls do not get the same support that boys do to study and train to become doctors and engineers.
  • Once girls finish their school, they are encouraged by their families to see marriage as their main aim in life.
  • We live in a society in which all children face pressures from the world around them. Sometimes, these come in the form of demands from adults. At other times, they can just be because of unfair teasing by our own friends.

JAC Class 7 Social Science Notes Civics Chapter 5 Women Change the World

→ Learning for Change:

  • • An extremely important part of our life is going to school. As more and more children enter school every year, we begin to think that it is normal for all children to go to school.
  • In the past, the skill of reading and writing was known to only a few. Most children learnt the work their families or elders did. The situation was worse for the girls. In communities that taught sons to read and write, daughters were not allowed to learn the alphabet. Even in families where skills like pottery, weaving and craft were taught, the contribution of daughters and women was only seen as supportive.
  • In the nineteenth century, many new ideas about education and learning emerged. Schools became more common and communities that had never leamt reading and writing started sending their children to school but there was a lot of opposition to educating girls even then.
  • Around 200 years ago, Rashsundari Devi (1800-1890) was bom in West Bengal. At the age of 60, she wrote her autobiography in Bangla. Her book titled A mar Jiban is the first known autobiography written by an Indian woman.
  • During that time, it was believed that if a woman leamt to read and write, she would bring bad luck to her husband and become a widow.
  • She leamt the alphabets with great efforts and read the Chaitanya Bhagabat as well. There were days when she did not have a moment’s rest, no time even to sit down and eat.
  • Another example is about Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain (1880-1932) who did a lot in the field of education for women. She herself knew how to read and write Urdu. Later, she also learnt to read and write English and Bangla. She wrote a phenomenal story named ‘Sultana’s Dream’.

→ Schooling and Education today:

  • Though today, both boys and girls attend school in large numbers. Yet, there are differences between the education of boys and girls.
  • India has a census every 10 years which counts the whole population of the country along with other details.
  • According to the 1961 census, about 40 per cent of all boys and men were literate compared to just 15 per cent of all girls and women. In the census of2001, these figures have grown upto 76 per cent for boys and men and 54 per cent for girls and women. But, then also there is a huge gap.
  • Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) girls leave school at a rate that is higher than the category of ‘All Girls’. It means that girls who are from Dalit and Adivasi backgrounds are less likely to remain in school. The 2001 census also found that Muslim girls are less likely than Dalit and Adivasi girls to complete primary school.
  • In many parts of the country, especially in rural and poor areas, there may not even be proper schools nor teachers who teach on a regular basis.
  • Most families are too poor and not able to bear the cost of educating all their children. Boys may get preference in this situation. Many children also leave school because they are discriminated against by their teacher and classmates.

→ Women’s Movement:

  • Now, women and girls have the right to study and go to school. There are other spheres .such as legal reform, violence and health where the situation of women and girls has improved.
  • Women individually as well as collectively have struggled to bring about these changes. This struggle is known as the Women’s Movement. Individual women and women’s organisations from different parts of the country are part of the movement.
  • The diversity, passion and efforts of those involved makes it a very vibrant and energetic movement. Different methods and strategies have been used to spread awareness, fight discrimination and seek justice. Many men also supported this movement.

JAC Class 7 Social Science Notes Civics Chapter 5 Women Change the World

→ Campaigning:

  • Campaigns are to fight discrimination and violence against women are an important part of the women’s movement.
  • Campaigns also led to new laws being passed. In 2006, a law was passed to give women who face physical and mental violence within their homes are known as domestic violence some legal protection.
  • In 1997, to protect women against sexual harassment at the workplace and within educational institutions, efforts made by the women’s movement led the Supreme Court to formulate guidelines.
  • In the 1980s, women’s groups across the country campainged against ‘dowry deaths’ means cases of young brides being murdered by their in-laws or husbands, greedy for more dowry.
  • Women did so by coming on to the streets, approaching the courts, and by sharing information. Hence, this became a public issue in the newspapers and society and the dowry laws were changed to punish families who seek dowry.

→ Showing Solidarity
The women’s movement is also about showing solidarity with other women and causes.

JAC Class 7 Social Science Notes