JAC Class 7 Social Science Solutions Geography Chapter 4 Air

JAC Board Class 7th Social Science Solutions Geography Chapter 4 Air

JAC Class 7th Geography Air InText Questions and Answers

Page 21

Question 1.
Is global warming a serious issue in today’s world?
Answer:
Concern about climate change is much less pervasive in the United States, China and Russia than among other leading nations. Just 44% in the U.S. and Russia, and even fewer in China (30%), consider global warming to be a very serious problem.

Page 23

Question 2.
For ten days note down weather report from a local newspaper and observe the changes occurring in the weather.
Answer:
Students need to do it by their own.

JAC Class 7 Social Science Solutions Geography Chapter 4 Air

JAC Class 7th Geography Air Textbook Questions and Answers

Question 1.
Answer the following questions.
(i) What is atmosphere?
Answer:
Atmosphere is a huge layer of air that surrounds the earth. It shields and guard us from the harmful rays of the sun. rays of the sun. rays of the sun.

(ii) Which two gases make the bulk of the atmosphere?
Answer:
The two gases which make the bulk of the atmosphere are nitrogen (78% ) and oxygen (21%).

(iii)
Which gas creates greenhouse effect in the atmosphere?
Answer:
The gas which creates greenhouse effect in the atmosphere is carbon dioxide.

(iv) What is weather?
Answer:
An hour to hour, day to day condition of the atmosphere is called as the weather. It is the total atmospheric conditions of a particular place at a particular time regarding temperature, air pressure, clouds, wind, humidity, etc.

(v) Name three types of rainfall?
Answer:
Three types of rainfall are:

  • Convectional rainfall
  • Orographic rainfall
  • Cyclonic rainfall

(vi) What is air pressure?
Answer:
Air pressure is the pressure which is exerted by the weight of air on the earth’s surface.

Tick (√) the correct answer.

Question 2.
(i) Which of the following gases protects us from harmful sun rays?
(a) Carbon dioxide
(b) Nitrogen
(c) Ozone
Answer:
(c) Ozone

(ii) The most important layer of the atmosphere is
(a) Troposphere
(b) Thermosphere
(c) Mesosphere
Answer:
(a) Troposphere

(iii) Which of the following layers of the atmosphere is free from clouds?
(a) Troposphere
(b) Stratosphere
(c) Mesosphere
Answer:
(b) Stratosphere

JAC Class 7 Social Science Solutions Geography Chapter 4 Air

(iv) As we go up the layers of the atmosphere, the pressure
(a) Increases
(b) Decreases
(c) Remains the same
Answer:
(b) Decreases

(v) When precipitation comes down to the earth in the liquid form, it is called
(a) Cloud
(b) Rain
(c) Snow
Answer:
(b) Rain

Question 3.
Match the following.

(i) Trade winds(a) Incoming solar energy
(ii) Loo(b) Seasonal wind
(iii) Monsoon(c) Horizontal movement of Air
(iv)Wind(d) Layer of ozone gas
(e) Permanent wind
(f) Local wind

Answer:

(i) Trade winds(e) Permanent wind
(ii) Loo(f) Local wind
(iii) Monsoon(b) Seasonal wind
(iv) Wind(c) Horizontal movement of air

 

Question 4.
Give reasons.

  1. Wet clothes take longer time to dry on a humid day?
  2. Amount of insolation decreases from equator towards poles?

Answer:
1. The air is full of water vapour on a humid day. So, the evaporation is very slow due to low temperature. That’s why, wet clothes take longer time to dry on a humid day.

2. On equator, insolation comes through on vertical rays. So, it covers up less amount of space but more heat is felt when it goes up from equator towards poles and the sun rays become slanting. Though slanting rays heat up more amount of space, the level of hotness is felt less. That’s why, amount of insolation decrease from equator towards poles.

Question 5.
(For Fun)

(i) Solve this crossword puzzle with the help of given clues:
JAC Class 7 Social Science Solutions Geography Chapter 4 Air 1

Across:
6. An Indian tree having extraordinary quality of providing oxygen round the clock
8. Gas present in atmosphere occupying only 0.03% by volume
11. Outermost layer of atmosphere
12. Mixture of many gases
14. Life giving gas
15. Air in motion
16. An indian tree valued highly for medicinal properties
18. Gas protecting us from harmful sun rays
19. Low pressure area

Down
1. Amount of water vapour in air
2. Condensation of water vapours around dust particles in atmosphere
3. Example of local wind blowing in summer in northern india
4. Short term changes in atmosphere
5. Precipitation in liquid form
7. Blanket of air around the earth
9. Instrument to measure pressure
10. Incoming solar radiation
13. Reduces visibility in winters
17. It is time when sun is overhead
Answer:

Across:
6. Peepal
11. Exosphere
14. Oxygen
16. Neem
19. Cyclone

Down:
1. Humidity
3. Loo
5. Rain
9. Barometre
10. Insolation
17. Noon
8. Carbon dioxide
12. Air
15. Wind
18. Ozone

(ii) Make a weather calendar for one week. Use pictures or symbols to show different types of weather. You can use more than one symbol in a day, if the weather changes. For example, the sun comes out when rain stops. An example is given below:

Answer:
Hint: Students can do it in this manner.
JAC Class 7 Social Science Solutions Geography Chapter 4 Air 2

JAC Class 7 Social Science Solutions Geography Chapter 4 Air 3

JAC Class 7th Geography Air Important Question and Answers

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1.
In the atmosphere, the most abundant gas is
(a) Oxygen
(b) Carbon dioxide
(c) Nitrogen
(d) Helium
Answer:
(c) Nitrogen

Question 2.
The winds which below constantly throughout the year in a particular direction is known as
(a) Local winds
(b) Seasonal winds
(c) Permanent winds
(d) None of the these
Answer:
(a) Local winds

JAC Class 7 Social Science Solutions Geography Chapter 4 Air

Question 3.
An hour to hour, day to day condition of the atmosphere is known as
(a) temperature
(b) weather
(c) climate
(d) degree
Answer:
(b) weather

Question 4.
Exosphere is the layer of the atmosphere.
(a) uppermost
(b) middle
(c) lower most
(d) none of these
Answer:
(a) uppermost

Question 5.
The thermosphere extends between
(a) 90 – 370 km
(b) 100 – 350 km
(c) 50 – 300 km
(d) 80 – 400 km
Answer:
(d) 80 – 400 km

Question 6.
The balance of and gets disturbed, if we cut down trees and forests.
(a) oxygen, helium
(b) nitrogen, heiium
(c) oxygen, carbon dioxide
(d) oxygen, nitrogen
Answer:
(c) oxygen, carbon dioxide

Question 7.
The air which we inhale and exhale means breathe exists in the
(a) mesosphere
(b) stratosphere
(c) troposphere
(d) exosphere
Answer:
(c) troposphere

Question 8.
The instrument which measures the temperature is
(a) Barometer
(b) Thermometer
(c) Wind vane
(d) None of these
Answer:
(b) Thermometer

Question 9.
In the atmosphere, the ozone layer exists in the
(a) Stratosphere
(b) Exosphere
(c) Mesosphere
(d) Troposphere
Answer:
(a) Stratosphere

Question 10.
The other name of greenhouse gas is
(a) oxygen
(b) nitrogen
(c) argon
(d) carbon dioxide
Answer:
(b) nitrogen

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
What do you mean by smog?
Answer:
Smog is the combination of smoke and fog. It generally occurs during winter season.

Question 2.
What will happen if there is very less rainfall?
Answer:
Water scarcity and drought occurs if there is very less rainfall.

JAC Class 7 Social Science Solutions Geography Chapter 4 Air

Question 3.
What are the various forms of precipitation?
Answer:
Various forms of precipitation are rain,snow, sleet and hail.

Question 4.
Give a word/term for the hot and dry wind of northern plains of India.
Answer: Loo.

Question 5. Air pressure is highest at which area?
Answer:
Air pressure is highest at the sea level

Question 6.
What are the three types of winds?
Answer:
The three types of winds are:

  • Permanent winds
  • Seasonal winds
  • Local winds.

Question 7.
When air is heated, what occurs?
Answer:
Air expands and becomes lighter and goes up when the air is heated.

Question 8.
Ozone layer is important for us. Why?
Answer:
Ozone layer is important for us because it protects and shields us from harmful reactions and effects of the sun rays.

Question 9.
Green plants use carbon dioxide. Why?
Answer:
Green plants use carbon dioxide because it helps them to prepare their food and release oxygen.

Question 10.
What is the consequence and importance of greenhouse gas?
Answer:
The consequence and importance of greenhouse gas is that the earth would have been too cold to live in.

Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
What are the instruments called for the measurement of air pressure and the measurement of amount of rainfall?
Answer:
The instruments are called as barometer for the measurement of air pressure and rain gauge for the measurement of amount of rainfall.

Question 2.
What do you mean by a climate of a place or area?
Answer:
The average weather condition of a place or area for a longer period of time constitutes the climate of a place.

Question 3.
What are permanent winds?
Answer:
Winds which blow constantly throughout the year in a particular direction is called as the permanent winds. The trade wind, westerlies and easterlies are the permanent winds.

Question 4.
What is the role of water vapour?
Answer:
One of the major component of the atmosphere is water vapour and it plays a very important role in climatic changes and results in precipitation.

JAC Class 7 Social Science Solutions Geography Chapter 4 Air

Question 5.
How many types of pollutants are found in the atmosphere?
Answer:
There are mainly two types of pollutants found in the atmosphere

  • Gaseous – carbon dioxide and smog
  • Solid – dust and bacteria

Question 6.
Which ty pe of pressure are exerted by cold and hot air?
Answer:
The air expands when heated up hence becomes lighter and goes up. Cold air is heavy and dense so it tends to go down and sinks. When hot air goes up and rises, from surrounding areas, cold air rushes to fill the gap.

Question 7.
Explain the temperature in cities are much higher than that of the villages.
Answer:
In the cities, we find many high rise buildings. The fnetals and concretes in these buildings and the asaphalt of roads get heated up during the day and this heat is released in the night.The other important cause is that in the cities the crowded buildings trap the warm air and hence raise the temperature of the cities. Therefore, the temperature in cities are much higher than that of the villages.

Question 8.
Poles are covered with snow always. Why?
Answer:
From the equator towards the poles the amount of insolation decreases. Hence, the temperature decreases in the same manner. This is the reason why poles are covered with snow always..

Question 9.
What do you mean by global warming?
Answer:
Global warming happens when the level of carbon dioxide increases in the atmosphere due to factory smoke or car fumes and the heat retained increases the temperature of the earth.

JAC Class 7 Social Science Solutions Geography Chapter 4 Air

Question 10.
Rainfall is important for us when there is excess rain, what happens?
Answer:
For the survival of animals and plants,rainfall is very important. It actually brings fresh water to the surface of the earth. There is water scarcity and drought like situation when there is less rainfall. And, if there is excess rainfall then floods take place which makes the life very difficult to sustain. Many things get damaged such as crops, houses, etc.

Question 11.
In which manner bacteria help plants use nitrogen?
Answer:
For the plant’s survival, nitrogen is very crucial and important. But plants cannot take nitrogen directly from the atmosphere. Hence, bacteria that lives in the soil and roots of some plants take nitrogen from air and changes its form so that the plant can use it.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Discuss the different layers of the atmosphere.
Answer:
The atmosphere has five different layers. They are:

  • Troposphere
  • Stratosphere
  • Mesosphere
  • Thermosphere
  • Exosphere
  • Troposphere:
    All the weather characteristics occurs here such as fog, rainfall, hailstorm. This is the thickest and the most important layer of the atmosphere. It has the average height of 13 km. We also find the air which we breathe.
  • Stratosphere:
    It lies just above the troposphere and presents the ideal conditions for flying aeroplanes. Stratosphere extends upto a height of 50 km. It also contains the ozone gas layer which protects us from harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun.
  • Mesosphere:
    It lies above the stratosphere. It extends upto the height of 80 kms. In this layer, meteorites bum up on entering from the space.
  • Thermosphere:
    It lies just above the mesosphere. It extends between 80 400 km. Temperature rises very fast with the increase in height in this layer. In thermosphere, radio waves are transmitted from the earth are reflected back to the earth.
  • Exosphere:
    This is the last and the uppermost layer with very thin air. Light gases such as helium and hydrogen float -into the space from exosphere.

Question 2.
What are the different constituents of air? How they are important to us?
Answer:
The different constituents of air are oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, ozone, helium, argon and hydrogen. Besides these gases, the air also contains some amount of water vapour and dust particles. They are important to us in many ways:

Oxygen:
It is one of the major gas and second most in volume which makes up about 21% of the air. It is also called as life supporting gas. The atmosphere is continuously recharged and restored of oxygen by green plants through the photosynthesis process and thus keeps a healthy and efficient balance of oxygen in the air. Nitrogen: The total volume of nitrogen is about 78% in the air. The major amount of nitrogen is not utilized in our body system when we inhale. But, plants need nitrogen for the well being and survival.

They absorb it through soil and plant roots. Carbon Dioxide: Carbon dioxide is composed of very small percentage around 0.03% of the air. Then also, it is one of the important gas in maintaining the life cycle of plants on the earth. Carbon dioxide absorbs heat of the sun and warms up the lower atmosphere of the surface of the earth. It is taken by the green plants when human beings and animals release it.

JAC Class 7 Social Science Solutions

JAC Class 7 Social Science Solutions History Chapter 5 Rulers and Buildings

JAC Board Class 7th Social Science Solutions History Chapter 5 Rulers and Buildings

JAC Class 7th History Rulers and Buildings InText Questions and Answers

Question 1.
What would have been the impact of a building like the Qutb Minar on observers in the thirteenth century?
Answer:
The building like Qutb Minar would have had a huge impact such as that of Taj Mahal or Red Fort today, on the observers in the thirteenth century.

Question 2.
What differences do you notice between the shikharas of the two temples? Can you make out that the shikhara of the Rajarajeshvara temple is twice as high as that of the Kandariya Mahadeva?
Answer: Between the shikharas of the two
temples, the difference of height can be noticed. The shikhara of the Rajarajeshvara temple is twice as high as that of the Kandariya Mahadeva which is easily seen.

Page 63

Question 3.
Compare figures 2(a) and 2(b) with figures 5(a) and 5(b).
JAC Class 7 Social Science Solutions History Chapter 5 Rulers and Buildings 1

Answer:
The figures in 2(a) and 2(b) have apex shape. This is the “trabeate” or “corbelled” style of architecture. The figures 5(a) and 5(b) have curved shape. This is “arcuate” style of architecture.

JAC Class 7 Social Science Solutions History Chapter 5 Rulers and Buildings

Question 4.
Describe what the labourers are doing, the tools shown, and the means of carrying stones.
Answer:
The labourers are placing cemented plaster to construct the floor of the fort. Some of them are carrying stones by rolling it by big iron rods or by carrying it on shoulders. Some are assisting the masons. Some horses are also engaged to carry stones and other construction materials.

Question 5.
In what ways do you think the policies of Rajendra I and Mahmud of Ghazni were a product of their times? How were the actions of the two rulers different?
Answer:
The two contemporaries Rajendra I and Mahmud of Ghazni attacked and looted the temples of other states and kings and considered it as a normal activity. Temples showed power and honour for any king and by destroying the temple, the king and his statements were humiliated.

The only difference in the actions of Rajendra I and Mahmud Ghazni was that latter destroyed Hindu temples in order to become a hero of Islam. Whereas, Rajendra I destroyed temples and re-established their deities at the temples that he constructed in his state. Mahmud of Ghazni used the occupied wealth of temples in constructing a capital city for himself.

Page 72

Question 6.
Lookat theillustration and try to identify the bell towers.

JAC Class 7 Social Science Solutions History Chapter 5 Rulers and Buildings 2

Answer:
The bell towers are those wh.ch are constructed in the last floor and stand tallest in the building.

Question 7.
Imagine you are an artisan standing on a tiny wooden platform held together by bamboo and rope fifty metres above the ground. You have to place an inscription under the first balcony of the Qutb Minar. How would you do this?
Answer:
I would stand up on the tinny wooden platform held together by bamboo and rope fifty meters above the ground. And then I would do the work of inscribing by the tools such as hammer and chisel.

JAC Class 7th History Rulers and Buildings Textbook Questions and Answers

( Let’s Recall)

Question 1.
How is the “trabeate” principle of architecture different from “arcuate”?
Answer:
The difference is that in “trabeate” principle of architecture, roofs, doors and windows were made by placing in a horizontal beam across two vertical columns. Whereas, in “arcuate” form, the weight of the superstructure above the doors and windows are carried by arches.

JAC Class 7 Social Science Solutions History Chapter 5 Rulers and Buildings

Question 2.
What is a shikhara?
Answer:
The highest roof of a Hindu temple is called a ‘Shikhara’. The Rajarajeshvara temple at Thanjavur had the tallest shikhara among the temples of its time. Constructing it was not easy because there were no cranes in those days and the ninety tonne stone for the top of the shikhara was too heavy to lift manually.

Question 3.
What is pietra-dura?
Answer:
Pietradura is the coloured hard stones placed in depressions carved into marble or sandstone, creating beautiful and ornate patterns. Behind the emperor Shah Jahan’s throne were a series of pietradura inlays that depicted the legendary Greek god Orpheus playing the lute. It was believed that Orpheus’s music could calm ferocious beasts until they coexisted with humans peacefully.

Question 4.
What are the elements of a Mughal Chahar bagh garden?
Answer:
Char bagh gardens were gardens placed within rectangular walled enclosures and divided into four quarters by artificial channels. These gardens were called ‘Chahar bagh’x.Q ., four gardens because of their symmetrical division into quarters. The chahar bagh garden also had a variation that historians describe as the “riverfront garden”. This dwelling was not located in the middle of the chahar bagh but at its edge, close to the bank of the river.

(Let’s Understand)

Question 5.
How did a temple communicate the importance of a king?
Answer:
Temple communicate the importance of a king in the following manner:

  • They were meant to exhibit the powe r, wealth and devotion of the ruler.
  • The name of the god and the king were similar as god’s name was considered auspicious.
  • The king also got a chance to proclaim their close relationships with god.
  • Kings usually constructed large temples. As they worshipped their deities together in the royal temples, it seemed as if they brought the just rule of the gods on earth.
  • The temple was a miniature model of the world ruled by the king and his allies.

Question 6.
An inscription in Shah Jahan’s diwan-i khas in Delhi stated: “If there is Paradise on Earth, it is here, it is here, it is here.” How w as this image created?
Answer:
During Shah Jahan’s reign, the different elements of Mughal architecture were fused together in a grand harmonious synthesis. His reign witnessed a huge amount of construction activity, especially in Agra and Delhi. The ceremonial halls of the public and private audience (Diwan-i khas and Diwan-i-am) were carefully planned. These courts were placed within a large courtyard and were described as ‘Chihil Sutun’ or forty-pillared halls.

The audience halls wrere specially constructed to resemble a mosque, and the pedestal on which Shah Jahan’s throne was placed was frequently described as the ‘Question ibla’, i.e., the direction faced by Muslims at prayer. ‘ The idea of the king as a representative of God on earth was suggested by these architectural features.

Question 7.
How did the Mughal court suggest that everyone the rich and the poor, the powerful and the weak  received justice equally from the emperor?
Answer:
The Mughal court which had the Diwan- i-aam suggested that everyone the rich and the poor, the powerful and the weak received justice which was made for all in an equal way. Shah Jahan’s audience hall was constructed and designed in such a way to communicate that the king’s justice was equal for the high and the low.

Its aim was to create a world where all could live together in harmony. He also hanged a golden chain in front of his Taj Mahal. Anyone at anytime w’ho need justice can strike that bell. There w’as no difference between the rich and poor in the emperor’s court.

JAC Class 7 Social Science Solutions History Chapter 5 Rulers and Buildings

Question 8.
What role did the Yamuna play in the layout of the new Mughal city at Shahjahanabad?
Answer:
The river Yamuna had a very crucial role in the layout of the new Mughal city at Shahjahanabad in the following way:
In Shahjahanabad, the imperial palace commanded the river-front. Only the most favoured nobles were given access to the river. Shah Jahan chose the river-front garden in the layout of the Taj Mahal.

To control the access that the nobles had to the river, he developed the same architectural form. Only the exceptionally favoured nobles like his eldest son Dara Shukoh were given access to the river. Common people had to construct their homes in the city away from the river Yamuna. It expanded the layout of the city.

(Let’s Discuss)

Question 9.
The rich and powerful construct large houses today. In what ways were the constructions of kings and their courtiers different in the past?
Answer:
The rich and powerful construct large houses today. But these houses are not the same as those of the kings and their courtiers in the past because:

  • Safety and security were the major consideration of the kings and their courtiers for the constructions. The houses had very big courtyards, huge and thick walls, domed roofs, big gardens and beautifully decorated halls. Houses and palaces were generally surrounded by water bodies.
  • Nowadays, they have less open areas and meet mainly individual requirements. The houses do not have courtyards, domed roofs. Hence, in many ways these are inferior to those of the kings and their courtiers houses.

Question 10.
Look at Figure 4. How could that
JAC Class 7 Social Science Solutions History Chapter 5 The Delhi Sultans 3
building be constructed faster today?
Answer:
Nowadays, technologies have advanced and we have many facilities, equipments, tools which can construct huge buildings veiy easily and in less time. Earlier, it was very difficult to construct them’ but they were made possible with labourers. Those buildings took a very long time. Those temples and buildings were usually constructed as a matter of pride in old days.

(Let’s Do)

Question 11.
Find out whether there is a statue of or a memorial to a great person in your village or town. Why was it placed there? What purpose does it serve?
Answer:
Since the places will be different so students can write on their own. They need to put the following points in the write up: After finding the memorial, find out in w hich location it is situated and when it was established? Who was the founder? What was its significance?

Question 12.
Visit and describe any park or garden in your neighbourhood. In what w ays is it similar to or different from the gardens of the Mughals?
Answer:
Since the places will be different, students can discuss it in the class. Few points given such as the gardens of Mughals were spread over a large area and had varieties of plants and flowers. They were also beautifully decorated and protected.

JAC Class 7th History Rulers and Buildings Important Questions and Answers

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1.
The Kandariva Mahadeva temple had a main hall which was known as…..
(a) Mahamandir
(b) Mahamandapa
(c) Maharaksha
(d) None of these
Answer:
(b) Mahamandapa

Question 2.
The Agra Fort was built by……
(a) Babur
(b) Shah Jahan
(c) Jahangir
(d) Akbar
Answer:
(d) Akbar

Question 3.
The surface of the Qutub Minar was……..
(a) circular
(b) rectangular
(c) curved and angular
(d)triangular
Answer:
(c) curved and angular

JAC Class 7 Social Science Solutions History Chapter 5 Rulers and Buildings

Question 4.
The Taj Mahal is the grandest architectural achievement in the reign of…….
(a) Jahangir
(b) Shah Jahan
(c) Babur
(d) Akbar
Answer:
(d) Akbar

Question 5.
Whenever the kingdoms were attacked by another ruler, temples were targeted and looted. looted the famous Shiva temple at Somnath, Gujarat.
(a) Sultan of Baghdad
(b) Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni
(c) Jahangir
(d) Ibrahim Lodi
Answer:
(b) Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni

Question 6.
Indian architecture flourished under……… dynasty.
(a) Mughal
(b) Maratha
(c) Chola
(d) Rashtrakuta
Answer:
(a) Mughal

Question 7.
Babur, built formal gardens, placed within rectangular walled enclosures and divided into four quarters by artificial channels. This style of four gardens (symmetrical division into quarters) called as…..
(a) Nayan bagh
(b) Ghazal bagh
(c) Chahar bagh
(d) None of these
Answer:
(c) Chahar bagh

Question 8.
The courts like Diwan-i-khas and Diwan-i-aam, were planned very carefully and were known as forty- pillared halls, and placed within a large courtyard. These halls are known as
(a) Chihil Sutun
(b) Pishtaq
(c) Chihil khas
(d) Sutun forty
Answer:
(a) Chihil Sutun

Question 9.
Architecture Hasht-Bihisht refers to a specific type of floor-plan, common in Persian architecture and Mughal architecture, whereby the floor plan is divided into eight chambers surrounding a central room. Hasht- Bihisht means
(a) Eight paradises in water
(b) Eight chahar bagh
(c) Paradise in the eighth life
(d) Eight paradises
Answer:
(d) Eight paradises

Question 10.
The construction of baolis were done
(a) for entertainment of royals
(b) to fulfil the water demand
(c) for rainwater harvesting
(d) to provide a place for bathing for royals
Answer:
(c) for rainwater harvesting

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Which building was constructed by using the architectural style pietra- dura?
Answer:
The Taj Mahal was constructed by using the architectural style pietra-dura.

Question 2.
Which language has been used to write the two bands of inscription found under the balcony of Qutb Minar?
Answer:
Arabic language has been used to write the two bands of inscription found under the balcony of Qutb Minar.

Question 3.
Was Rajendra Chola one of the powerful rulers of the Chola Dynasty?
Answer:
Yes, Rajendra Chola was one of the powerful rulers of the Chola dynasty.

Question 4.
Which Mughal Emperor has mentioned about Hindustan in his biography?
Answer:
Babur has mentioned about Hindustan in his biography.

JAC Class 7 Social Science Solutions History Chapter 5 Rulers and Buildings

Question 5.
What do you mean by Mahamandapa in temple?
Answer:
Mahamandapa means the main hall in the temple.

Question 6.
Madhurai, the capital of the Pandyas was invaded by which ruler?
Answer:
Sena II, invaded Madhurai, the capital of the Pandyas.

Question 7.
Which ruler won universal appreciation for constructing a large reservoir just outside Dehli-i-Kuhna?
Answer:
Sultan Iltutmish was the ruler who won universal appreciation for constructing a large reservoir just outside Dehli-i- Kuhna.

Question 8.
To which lord, Brihadesvara temple is dedicated?
Answer:
To lord Shiva, Brihadesvara temple is dedicated.

Question 9.
What do you mean by pishtaq?
Answer:
Pishtaq means the tall gateway.

Question 10.
What was the special feature of Akbar’s capital, Fatehpur Sikri?
Answer:
The special feature of Akbar’s capital, Fatehpur Sikri was the architecture of the buildings which were influenced by the styles of Malwa and Gujarat.

Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
What were the main traits of Shah Jahan’s city Shahjahanabad?
Answer:
Shah Jahan’s city of Shahjahanabad that he constructed was on one side of River Yamuna. The imperial palace commanded the river-front. Only specially favoured nobles were given access to the river such as his eldest son Dara Shikoh. All other people had to construct their homes in the city away from the River Yamuna.

Question 2.
What types of buildings were built between eighth and eighteenth centuries?
Answer:
Between the eighth and the eighteenth centuries, kings and their nobles built two kinds of buildings, they were: First one were forts, palaces, garden residences and tombs safe, protected and grandiose places of rest in this world. Second one were structures meant for public activity including temples, mosques, tanks, wells, caravans, sarais and bazaars.

Question 3.
Where is Panch Mahal located and for what it is known?
Answer:
Panch Mahal is the part of Fatehpur Sikri, Uttar Pradesh, India. The Panch Mahal meaning ‘Five level Palace’ was commissioned by Akbar This structure stands close to the Zenana quarters (Harem) which supports the supposition that it was used for entertainment and relaxation. It has different temples with beautiful pillars in several designs. It was built to enjoy fresh air and has five storey buildings.

Question 4.
Describe the architecture of Taj Mahal.
Answer:
The Taj Mahal incorporates and expands on design traditions of Persian and earlier Mughal architecture. The architecture of Taj Mahal was one of
the great accomplishments. Shah Jahan adapted the river-front garden in the layout of the Taj Mahal, during his reign. The white marble mausoleum was placed on a terrace by the edge of the river and the garden was to its south. Shah Jahan developed this architectural form as a means to control the access that nobles had to the river.

Question 5.
Why Rajarajeshwara temple was very difficult to construct?
Answer:
Rajarajeshwara temple was very difficult to construct because:

  • It was built in eleventh century and it had the tallest Shikhara amongst all the temples of that time.
  • Since there were no technology like these days and to lift the stones for the ” top of Shikhara of weight around 90 kgs was a tough thing and they did it manually.
  • An inclined path was built to the top of the temple, placed the boulders on the rollers and rolled it all the way to the top.
  • The path was made from 4 kms away so that it would not be so steep and easy to climb.

Question 6.
What are the two technological and stylistic developments noticeable and appreciable from the twelfth century.
Answer:
Two technological and stylistic developments that are noticeable and appreciable from the twelfth century are:-

  • The weight of the superstructure above the doors and windows was sometimes carried by arches. This style of architectural form was known as “arcuate”.
  • In construction, limestone cement was used in many folds. This was very high quality cement which when mixed with stone chips hardened into concrete. And, for this, construction of large structures was easier and faster.

Question 7.
Write a brief note on Humayun’s tomb.
Answer:
Humayun tomb’s construction started in 1564 A.D. and it took eight years to complete. It was built by Humayun’s wife, Persian queen HamTdah Banu Begam. It was designed by Persian architect Mirak MIrza Ghiyas. The construction was made in Persian method of construction. The use of stones and marbles shows Indian influence a lot.

Question 8.
What do you understand by ‘Mausoleum’?
Answer:
A ‘Mausoleum’ is an impressive building housing a tomb or group of tombs. Some of the mausoleums such as Sheikh Salim Chisti at Fatehpur Sikri and Taj Mahal at Agra are built on Persian framework.

JAC Class 7 Social Science Solutions History Chapter 5 Rulers and Buildings

Question 9.
Explain briefly the Kandariya Mahadeva temple.
Answer:
The Kandariya Mahadeva Temple meaning “The Great God of the Cave”, is the largest and most ornate Hindu temple in the medieval temple group found at Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh, India. Brief on Kandariya Mahadeva Temple

  • The Kandariya Mahadeva temple was constructed in 999 by the king Dhangadeva of the Chandela Dynasty.
  • It was dedicated to Shiva.
  • The entrance had an ornamented gateway and the main hall (mahamandapa) was there where dances were performed.
  • The image of the chief deity was kept in the main shrine known as garbhagriha. In this place only the king, his immediate family and priests gathered for ritual worship.

Question 10.
What is Islamic architecture?
Answer:
The Islamic architecture represents the order of Islam. It was a mixture of Persian, Timurid, Samarkand and Bukhara style and not entirely foreign implant on Indian scene. It is one of the world’s most renowned building traditions and known for its minarets, domes, vaulting, arches, tombs, etc.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Explain the main architectural technique adopted in Qutub Minar. Name the people, ruler who were involved in the construction of Qutb Minar.
Answer:
The main architectural technique adopted in Qutb Minar are:

  • Qutb Minar is five storeys high.
  • It has two bands of inscription under the balcony.
  • It has the pattern under the balcony by the geometrical designs and small arches.
  • Only the most skilled craftsperson could perform this task as the surface of the minar is curved and angular.
  • It required great distinctness to place an inscription on such a surface.
  • Qutbuddin Aybak constructed the first floor around 1199. Then Iltutmish constructed it around 1229. But over the years, it was damaged by natural calamities like earthquake, lighting but repaired by Alauddin. Khalji, Muhammad TUghluq, Firuz Shah Tughluq and Ibrahim Lodi.

Question 2.
Is the statement true ‘The Mughal ruler spent their money more on architecture and art and less on improving the condition of the people’. Justify your answer.
Answer:
It is true that the Mughal rulers spent their money more on architecture and art and less on improving the condition of the people. Reasons are:

  • Most of the Mughal rulers were interested in art and architecture. They built buildings with fine patterns and designs of architecture.
  • Akbar built Fatehpur Sikri and Buland Darwaza near Agra.
  • Jahangir made beautiful gardens like Shalimar Bagh. He also built Red Fort, Jama Masjid, the greatest achievement.
  • Art and architecture was at its peak during his reign. Shah Jahan built Taj Mahal which is also one of the achievements.
  • Lots of money were required for the construction of these architectural buildings and for monuments.
  • The Mughals got it from the royal treasury without giving a thought for the welfare of the common people.
  • It would have been commendable and admirable for the Mughal emperors, if they had spent these money on improving and for the betterment of the common people.

JAC Class 7 Social Science Solutions

JAC Class 7 Social Science Notes Geography Chapter 4 Air

JAC Board Class 7 Social Science Notes Geography Chapter 4 Air

→ Earth is surrounded by a huge layer of air known as atmosphere.

  • On the earth all the living creatures depend on the atmosphere for their survival.
  • With the absence of this layer of protection, we would have been baked by the scorching heat of the sun at daytime and frozen at night time. Hence, the temperature of the earth is liveable due to this layer of air.

JAC Class 7 Social Science Notes Geography Chapter 4 Air

→ Composition of the Atmosphere:

  • The two main gases which make the most of the atmosphere are nitrogen and oxygen. Carbon dioxide, helium, ozone, argon and hydrogen are found in less quantities.
  • Tiny and minute dust particles are also present in the atmosphere apart from these gases.
  • We take some amount of nitrogen when we inhale into our lungs and exhale it.
  • Plants take nitrogen from soil and roots of the plant which is brought by the bacterias and change its form so that plants can use it as they cannot take nitrogen directly.
  • The second most abundant gas found is the oxygen. Green plants produces oxygen during photosynthesis and humans and animals use oxygen to breathe.
  • The balance gets disturbed if we cut down the forests in large numbers.
  • The other important gas is carbon dioxide. Plants use carbon dioxide to make their food and release oxygen. Humans and animals release carbon dioxide.
  • The balance gets disturbed by burning of fuels like oils, coal. Hence, the earth’s climate and weather gets affected by the increased volume of carbon dioxide.

→ Structure of the Atmosphere:

  • Starting from the earth’s surface, the atmosphere has been divided into five layers – Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere and Exosphere.
  • Troposphere – Themost important layer of the atmosphere is Troposphere and its average height is 13 km. The air we breathe exists here. Most of the weather incidences such as rainfall, fog and hailstorm occur in this layer.
  • Stratosphere – Stratosphere lies above the troposphere and it extends up to a height of 50 km. This layer is almost free from clouds and related weather incidences are making ideal conditions for flying aeroplanes. One of the important features is that it contains a layer of ozone gas.
  • Mesosphere – The third layer of the atmosphere is mesosphere. Above the stratosphere it is situated and extends up to the height of 80 km. On entering from the space, meteorites bum up in this layer.
  • Thermosphere – Temperature rises very rapidly and fast with increasing height in thermosphere.
  • Ionosphere is a part of this layer and it extends between 80^100 km. Radio transmission happens in this layer. In fact, radio waves transmitted from the earth are reflected back to the earth by this layer.
  • Exosphere- It is the upper most layer of the atmosphere. It has very thin air. Light gases are present such as helium and hydrogen float into the space from here.

→ Weather and Climate:
Weather is the hour-to-hour, day to day condition of the atmosphere. But, the average weather condition or phenomena of a place for a longer period of time is called as the climate of a place.

→ Temperature:

  • The degree or level of hotness and coldness of the air is called as the temperature.
  • The atmosphere’s temperature changes not only between day and night but also from season to season as well.
  • The incoming solar energy intercepted by the earth is called the insolation. It is one of the important factors that influence the distribution of temperature.
  • Towards the poles, the amount of insolation decreases from the equator hence the temperature also decreases.
  • Temperature in cities is much higher than that of villages because of the concrete and metals in buildings and the asphalt of roads get heated up during the day and this is released during the night.

JAC Class 7 Social Science Notes Geography Chapter 4 Air

→ Air Pressure

  • From all directions, the air presses us and our body exerts a counter pressure.
  • The pressure exerted by the weight of air on the earth’s surface is called the air pressure. It is highest at sea level and decreases with height.
  • Low pressure is related to cloudy skies and wet weather. A low-pressure is created in areas where temperature is high and the air gets heated and rises.
  • High pressure is related to clear and sunny skies. Heavy air sinks and creates a high pressure area and the air always moves from high pressure areas to low pressure areas.

→ Wind

  • Wind is the movement of air from high pressure area to low pressure areas.
  • It is divided into three parts:
    • Permanent winds
    • Seasonal winds
    • Local winds
  • Permanent winds are the trade winds, westerlies and easterlies. They blow constantly throughout the year in a particular direction.
  • Seasonal winds are the winds which change their direction in different seasons such as monsoons in India.
  • Local winds are the winds which blow only during a particular period of the day or year in a small area such as land and sea breeze. The hot and dry local wind of northern planes of India is called loo.

→ Moisture

  • We know that when water evaporates from land and different water bodies, it becomes water vapour. Humidity is the moisture in the air at any time. When the air is full of water vapour then it is called as a humid day.
  • Clouds are just masses of water droplets. The water vapour condenses which cause the formation of these droplets of water.
  • Precipitation happens when these droplets of water become too heavy to float in air and then they come down.
  • Rain is the precipitation that comes down to the earth in liquid form.
  • The three types of rainfall are the convectional rainfall, the orographic rainfall and the cyclonic rainfall.
  • For the survival of plants and animals, rainfall is very important as it brings fresh water to the earth’s surface. If rainfall is less then water scarcity and drought occur and if it is more, then floods take place.

JAC Class 7 Social Science Notes

JAC Class 7 Social Science Notes History Chapter 6 Towns, Traders and Craftspersons

JAC Board Class 7 Social Science Notes History Chapter 6 Towns, Traders and Craftspersons

→ In medieval period, many towns combined several functions such as there were temple towns, administrative centres, also centres for commercial activities and craft production.

→ Administrative Centres:

  • The capital of Cholas, Thanjavur, and near to it the river Kaveri flows emerged as a temple town as well as an administrative centre.
  • There were palaces with mandapas or pavilions where the kings hold court in these mandapas, issuing orders to their subordinates. There were also barracks for the army, besides the temple. Temples were built to show their devotion and power.
  • The towns were bustling with different markets. At Svamimalai, the sthapatis or sculptors were making exquisite bronze idols and tall, ornamental bell metal lamps. The Saliya weavers of Thanjavur and the nearby town of Uraiyur were busy producing cloth for king, masses and temples.

→ Temple Towns and Pilgrimage Centres

  • Temple towns represent a major role in urbanisation, the process by which cities develop. Temples were often central part to the economy and society. Thanjavur is an example of temple.
  • Rulers gifted and provided temples with grants of land and money to carry out elaborate rituals, feed pilgrims and priests and celebrate festivals. Pilgrims also made donations.
  • It provides an excellent instance of religious coexistence. Ajmer was the capital of the Chauhan kings in the twelfth century and under the Mughals it became the suba headquarters.
  • Some of the temple towns are Bhillasvamin (Bhilsa or Vidisha) in Madhya Pradesh, Somnath in Gujarat, Kanchipuram and Madurai in Tamil Nadu, and Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh. Pilgrimage centres also slowly developed into townships such as Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh and Tiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu.

→ A Network of Small-Towns

  • Eighth century onwards, from large villages, small towns emerged. They had a mandapika (or mandi of later times) to which from nearby villagers brought their produce to sell. They also had hatta (haat of later times) means market streets lined with shops.
  • In later times, a samanta or a zamindar built a fortified palace in or near these towns. They levied taxes on traders, artisans and articles of trade.

→ Traders Big and Small

  • Many types of traders were there. They usually travelled in caravans and to protect their interests they formed guild.
  • Eighth century onwards, there were such type of guilds in south India, some of the famous were Manigramam and Nanadesi.
  • There were some communities who went on to become the principal trading groups of the country like the Chettiars and the Marwari Oswal. Gujarati traders include Hindu Baniyas and Muslim Bohras traded extensively with the ports of the Red Sea, Persian Gulf, East Africa, Southeast Asia and China.
  • Spices grown in tropical climates such as pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, dried ginger, etc., became an important part of European cooking and cotton cloth was very attractive. These things eventually drew European traders to India.

→ Crafts in Towns:

  • The decorated and inlay work in copper and silver came to called as Bidri. Bidar’s craftspersons were famous for it.
  • The Panchalas or Vishwakarma community which consists of goldsmiths, bronzesmiths, blacksmiths, masons and carpenters were veiy important people. They played an important role in the construction of palaces, big buildings, tanks and reservoirs.
  • In the same manner, weavers such as the Saliyar or Kaikkolars emerged as prosperous and important communities making donations to temples.

→ A Closer Look: Hampi, Masulipatnam and Surat The Architectural Splendour of Hampi

  • In 1336, Hampi was founded by the Vijayanagara Empire. Hampi was located in the Krishna-Tungabhadra basin. The glorious detritus at Hampi reveal a well- fortified city. In the construction of the walls, no mortar or cementing agent was used and the technique followed was to wedge them together by interlocking.
  • The architecture of Hampi was extra-ordinary. The buildings in the royal areas had splendid arches, domes and pillared halls with niches for holding sculptures as well as they had well-planned orchards and pleasure gardens with sculptural motifs such as the lotus and corbels.
  • In the fifteenth-sixteenth centuries, Hampi bustled with commercial and cultural activities.
  • Temples were the hub of cultural activities and devadasis (temple dancers) performed before the deity, royalty and masses in the many-pillared halls in the Virupaksha (a form of Shiva) temple. One of the most important festival of Hampi was Mahanavami.
  • In 1565, Hampi fell into ruin following the defeat of Vijayanagara by the Deccani Sultans — the rulers of Golconda, Bijapur, Ahmadnagar, Berar and Bidar.

→ A Gateway to the West: Surat

  • Many pilgrim ships set sail from Surat, hence it was known as the Gate to Mecca. It was also the gateway for trade with West Asia via the Gulf of Ormuz.
  • People of all castes and creeds lived in Surat hence, it was a cosmopolitan city.
  • Surat was famous for its textiles with their gold lace borders (zari) and had a market in West Asia, Europe and Africa.
  • Surat hundis were honoured and recognised in the far-off markets of Cairo in Egypt, Basra in Iraq and Antwerp in Belgium.
  • Towards the end of the seventeenth century, the trade in Surat began to decline because of the loss of markets and productivity and other factors.

→ Fishingin Troubled Waters: Masulipatnam

  • In seventeenth century, the town Masulipatnam or Machlipatnam was a centre of intense activity. It lay on the delta of Krishna river.
  • It became the most important port on the Andhra coast as the Dutch and English East India Companies attempted to control Masulipatnam.
  • The Qutb Shahi rulers of Golconda enforced royal monopolies on the sale of textiles, spices and other items to prevent the trade passing completely into the hands of the various East India Companies. This led to fierce competition among various trading groups—the Golconda nobles, Persian merchants, Telugu Komati Chettis, and European traders which made the city prosperous and populous.
  • The European companies started to look for alternatives. They moved to other .cities such as Bombay, Calcutta, Madras and hence, Masulipatnam lost both its merchants and prosperity and declined in the course of the eighteenth century.

→ New Towns and Traders

  • In order to expand the commercial activities in the east, the English, Dutch and French formed East India Companies.
  • The English emerged as the most successful commercial and political power in the subcontinent, since the European Companies used their naval power to gain control of the sea trade and forced Indian traders to work as their agents.
  • This period also saw the decline of the independence of craftspersons because now they had to weave cloth which was already promised to European agents.
  • In eighteenth century, Bombay (now Mumbai), Calcutta (now Kolkata) and Madras (now Chennai) became the important cities.
  • The “blacks” or native traders and craftspersons were moved into the Black Towns established by the European companies within these new cities.
  • The “white” rulers occupied the superior residencies of Fort St George in Madras or Fort St William in Calcutta.

JAC Class 7 Social Science Notes

GMRINFRA Pivot Calculator

JAC Class 7 Social Science Notes Geography Chapter 5 Water

JAC Board Class 7 Social Science Notes Geography Chapter 5 Water

→ The heat of sun causes evaporation of water vapour and when it cools down, it condenses and forms clouds. Then it may fall on the land or sea in the form of rain, snow or sleet.

  • Water cycle is the process by which water continually changes its form and circulates between oceans and seas, atmosphere and land.
  • Our earth is like a terrarium. The water which existed centuries ago still exists today.
  • The fresh water majorly comes from the rivers, ponds, springs and glaciers. The ocean bodies and the seas contains salty or saline water as it contains huge amount of dissolved salts. Most of the salt is of sodium chloride.

JAC Class 7 Social Science Notes Geography Chapter 5 Water

→ Distribution of Water bodies:
Three-fourth of the earth surface is covered by water. The following table gives the distribution of water in percentage:

Saline waterOceans97.3
Fresh waterGround water0.68
Ice caps2.0
Fresh water lakes and Inland seas0.009
Salt lakes0.009
Atmosphere0.0019
Rivers0.0001
Total100.00

→ Ocean Circulation:
In oceans, the movements that occur can be categorised as waves, tides and currents.

→ Waves:

  • Waves occurs when the water on the surface of the ocean rises and falls alternately.
  • The winds blows at a very high speed forms huge waves during a storm and causes destruction in an enormous way. An earthquake, a volcanic eruption or underwater landslides may shift large amounts of ocean water. The huge tidal wave is known as tsunami which may be as high as 15 m.
  • The largest tsunami ever measured was as high as 150 m. and travels at a speed of more than 700 km. per hour.

→ Tides:

  • A tide is the periodic, regular rise and fall of ocean water twice in a day.
  • When water covers much of the shore by rising to its highest level then it is high tide. When water falls to its lowest level and recedes from the shore then it is low tide.
  • On the earth’s surface, the strong gravitational pull exerted by the sun and the moon causes the tides.
  • When the sun, the moon and the earth are in the same line during the full moon and new moon days then the tides are highest. These type of tides are known as spring tides.
  • The ocean waters get drawn in diagonally opposite directions by the gravitational pull of sun and earth resulting in low tides when the moon is in its first and last quarter. These type of tides are known as neap tides.
  • High tides helps in navigation, fishing and to generate electricity in some areas.

JAC Class 7 Social Science Notes Geography Chapter 5 Water

→ Ocean Currents:

  • Streams of water which flows constantly on the ocean surface in definite directions is known as ocean currents. The ocean currents may be warm or cold.
  • The warm ocean currents emerge near the equator and move towards the poles. The cold ocean currents carry water from polar or higher latitudes to tropical or lower latitudes.
  • These currents influence the temperature conditions of the area. The Labrador Ocean current is cold current while the Gulf Stream is a warm current.
  • The areas where a warm and cold current is present, they experience the foggy weather which makes navigation difficult but provides the best fishing grounds.
  • Types of tides in sea or ocean are flood tide and ebb tide. Flood tide are the rise of sea level and the fall in sea level is called the ebb tide.

JAC Class 7 Social Science Notes

JAC Class 7 Social Science Notes Geography Chapter 6 Natural Vegetation and Wild Life

JAC Board Class 7 Social Science Notes Geography Chapter 6 Natural Vegetation and Wild Life

→ As their is change in height, the climate also changes and that changes the natural vegetation. The growth of vegetation depends on temperature and moisture. It also depends on factors like slope and thickness of soil.

  • From place to place, the type and thickness of natural vegetation varies.
  • Natural vegetation is classified in to three broad categories:
  • Forests: Grows where temperature and rainfall are plentiful to support a tree cover. Depending upon all these factors, dense and open forests grown.
  • Grasslands: Grows in the region of moderate rain.
  • Shrubs: Thorny shrurbs and scrubs grows in the dry region.
  • Due to the changes of climatic condition occurs mainly because of the type of natural vegetation.

→ Forests:

  • Tropical Evergreen Forests
  • These forests are also known as tropical rainforests. These thick forests are found mainly in the regions- near the equator and close to the tropics. These regions are hot and receive heavy rainfall throughout the year and no particular dry season, thus the trees do not shed their leaves altogether. Hence, they are called evergreen.
  • Rosewood, ebony, mahogany are common trees are also known as hardwood trees.

JAC Class 7 Social Science Notes Geography Chapter 6 Natural Vegetation and Wild Life

→ Tropical Deciduous Forests

  • These are the monsoon forests which are found in the large part of India, northern Australia and in central America. These regions experience seasonal changes and trees shed their leaves in the dry season to conserve water.
  • The trees found in these forests are sal, teak, neem and s his ham. These are extremely useful for making furniture, transport and constructional materials.
  • The common animals of these regions are tigers, lions, elephants, langoors and monkeys.

→ Temperate Evergreen Forests

  • These forests are located in the mid latitudinal coastal region.
  • They are found along the eastern margin of the continents, e.g., in southeast USA, South China and in South East Brazil.
  • Trees found are oak, pine, eucalyptus, etc. which are both hard and soft wood trees.

→ Temperate Deciduous Forests

  • These are found in the north eastern part of USA, China, New Zealand, Chile and in the coastal regions of Western Europe,
  • They shed their leaves in the dry season.
  • The trees found are oak, ash, beech, etc.
  • The animals found are deer, foxes, wolves.
  • Birds like pheasants, monals are found here.

→ Mediterranean Vegetation

  • The west and south west margins of the continents are different. They have Mediterranean vegetation.
  • It is found in the areas around the Mediterranean sea in Europe, Africa and Asia.
  • This kind of vegetation is also found outside the actual Mediterranean region in California in the USA, south west Africa, South America and South west Australia.
  • These regions are having hot dry summers and mild rainy winters.
  • Oranges, figs, olives and grapes are citrus fruits which are cultivated here because people have removed the natural vegetation in order to cultivate what they wish to.
  • Wildlife is not present here that much.

→ Coniferous Forests

  • The important variety of trees in these forests are Chir, pine, cedar.
  • Trees are tall, softwood evergreen trees.
  • These woods are very useful for making pulp, which is used for manufacturing paper and newsprint.
  • Match boxes and packing boxes are also made from softwood.

→ Grasslands
Two types of grasslands:

  1. Tropical and
  2. Temperate Grasslands.

JAC Class 7 Social Science Notes Geography Chapter 6 Natural Vegetation and Wild Life

→ Tropical Grasslands

  • These grow on either side of the equator and extend till the tropics.
  • This vegetation grows in the areas of moderate to low amount of rainfall.
  • These can grow very tall, about 3 to 4 metres in height.
  • Savannah grasslands of Africa are of this type.
  • In tropical grasslands, animals found are elephants, zebras, giraffes, deer, leopards.

→ Temperate Grasslands

  • These are found in the midlatitudinal zones and in the interior part of the continents.
  • Grass is short and nutritious.
  • In the temperate region, the animals which are found are wild buffaloes, bisons, antilopes.

→ Thorny Bushes

  • These are found in the dry desert such as tropical deserts which are located in the western margins of the continents.
  • The vegetation cover is scarce here because of scanty rain and scorching heat.

→ Tundra Vegetation

  • The polar region is extremely cold.
  • The growth of natural vegetation is very limited here.
  • Only mosses, lichens and very small shrubs are found here.
  • It grows during the very short summer. These are known as Tundra type of vegetation.
  • They are found in the polar areas of Europe, Asia and North America.
  • The animals have thick fur and skin to protect themselves from the cold climatic conditions. Some of the animals are seal, walruses, musk-oxen, Arctic owl, Polar bear and snow foxes.

JAC Class 7 Social Science Notes

JAC Class 7 Social Science Notes History Chapter 8 Devotional Paths to the Divine

JAC Board Class 7 Social Science Notes History Chapter 8 Devotional Paths to the Divine

→ From the eighth century, various kinds of Bhakti and Sufi movements have evolved.

→ The Idea of a Supreme God

  • There was a belief that social privileges came from birth in a ‘noble’ family or a ‘high’ caste was the subject of many learned texts.
  • Most of the people were not comfortable with such ideas and turned to the teachings of the Buddha or the Jainas.
  • Rest of others felt attracted to the idea of a Supreme God who could deliver humans from such bondage if approached with full devotion or bhakti. This idea was advocated in the Bhagavadgita, which grew in popularity in the early centuries of the Common Era.
  • Hence, Shiva, Vishnu and Durga were worshipped as supreme deities which came through elaborate rituals.
  • The Puranas also laid down the fact that it was possible for devotees to receive the grace of God regardless of their caste status.
  • The idea of bhakti became so popular that even Buddhists and Jainas adopted these beliefs.

JAC Class 7 Social Science Notes History Chapter 8 Devotional Paths to the Divine

→ A New Kind of Bhakti in South India – Nayanars and Alvars

  • From the seventh to ninth centuries, they saw the emergence of new religious movements
    led by the Nayanars (those were the saints devoted to Shiva) and Alvars (those were the saints devoted to Vishnu) who came from all castes including those considered as ‘untouchable’ such as the Pulaiyar and the Panars.
  • They strongly criticized the Buddhists and Jainas and preached avid love of Shiva or Vishnu as the path to salvation.
  • In the Sangam literature, the ideals of love and heroism are found. It is the earliest example of Tamil literature, composed during the early centuries of the Common Era and blended them with the values of bhakti.
  • In between the tenth and twelfth centuries, the Chola and Pandya-kings built elaborate temples. This was also the time when their poems were compiled. Apart from this, hagiographies or religious biographies of the Alvars and Nayanars were also composed.

→ Philosophy and Bhakti

  • In the eighth century, Shankara, one of the most influential philosophers of India, was born in Kerala and was an advocate of Advaita or the doctrine of the oneness of the individual soul and the Supreme God which is the Ultimate Reality. He preached renunciation of the world and adoption of the path of knowledge to understand the actual nature of Brahman and attain salvation.
  • In the eleventh century, Ramanuja was born in Tamil Nadu and deeply influenced by the Alvars. According to him, through intense devotion to Vishnu one can attain the salvation. He introduced the doctrine of Vishishtadvaita or qualified oneness in that the soul even when united with the Supreme God remained distinct.

→ Basavanna’s Virashaivism:

  • In the mid-twelfth century, the Virashaiva movement was initiated by Basavanna and his companions like Allama Prabhu and Akkamahadevi. This movement began in Karnataka.
  • They were strongly supportive for the equality of all human beings and against Brahmanical ideas about caste and the treatment of women and also against all forms of ritual and idol worship.

→ The Saints of Maharashtra

  • From the thirteenth to seventeenth centuries, Maharashtra saw many saint-poets. The most important amongst them were Dnyaneshwar (Gyaneshwar), Namdev, Eknath and Tukaram as well as women like Sakkubai and the family of Chokhamela, who belonged to the ‘untouchable’ Mahar caste.
  • These saint-poets rejected all forms of rituals. In fact, they even rejected the idea of renunciation and preferred to live with their families and earning their livelihood like any other person.
  • As the famous Gujarati saint Narsi Mehta said, “They are Vaishnavas who understand the pain of others.”
  • Hence, a new humanist idea emerged as they insisted that bhakti lay in sharing others’ pain.
  • Nathpanthis, Siddhas and Yogis
  • The Nathpanthis, Siddhacharas and Yogis were from the religious groups that emerged
    during this period and criticised the ritual and other aspects of conventional religion and the social order. They advocated renunciation of the world. For them meditation was the path to salvation.
  • They advocated intense training of the mind and body through practices likeyogasanas, breathing exercises and meditation. These groups became popular among the Tow’ castes.

→ Islam and Sufism:

  • Sufis rejected outward religiosity and emphasized on love and devotion to God and they were Muslim mystics.
  • Islam generated strict monotheism or submission to one God. It also rejected idol worship.
  • Shariat was a holy law developed by Muslim scholars. The Sufis often rejected the elaborate rituals and codes of behaviour demanded by Muslim religious scholars.
  • The Sufis too like saint poets composed poems expressing their feelings and a rich literature in prose, including anecdotes and fables, developed around them.
  • The great Sufis of Central Asia were Ghazzali, Rumi and Sadi.
  • They developed a detailed method of training using zikr means chanting of a name or sacred formula, contemplation, sama means singing, raqs means dancing, discussion of parables, breath control, etc., under the guidance of a master or pir. Thus, they emerged the silsilas means a genealogy of Sufi teachers, each following a slightly different method (tariqa) of instruction and ritual practice.
  • The most influential orders were the Chishti silsila among them. Many teachers were there such as Khwaja Muinuddin Chishti of Ajmer, Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki of Delhi, Baba Farid of Punjab, Khwaja Nizamuddin Auliya of Delhi and Bandanawa Gisudaraz of Gulbarga.
  • The assemblies of the Sufi masters held in their khanqahs or hospices.
  • The tomb or dargah of a Sufi saint became a place of pilgrimage to which thousands of people of all faiths thronged and worshipped.

JAC Class 7 Social Science Notes History Chapter 8 Devotional Paths to the Divine

→ New Religious Developments in North India

  • In north India, after the thirteenth century, there was a new swing in the bhakti movement. This was the period when Islam, Brahmanical Hinduism, Sufism, various strands of bhakti, and the Nathpanths, Siddhas and Yogis influenced and transformed each other.
  • Kabir and Baba Guru Nanak rejected all conservative and devout religions. Others like Tulsidas and Surdas accepted existing beliefs and practices but wanted to make these attainable to all. Tulsidas’s composition, the Ramcharitmanas is written in Awadhi (a language used in eastern Uttar Pradesh), is important both as an expression of his devotion for Rama and as a literary work.
  • Surdas was an avid devotee of Krishna. The Sursagara, Surasaravali and Sahitya Lahari are his composition which express his devotion.
  • In late fifteenth century, Shankaradeva of Assam focused on devotion to Vishnu and composed poems and plays in Assamese. He made namghars or houses of recitation and prayer, a practice which continues till date.
  • There were some more important saints like Dadu Dayal, Ravidas and Mirabai.
  • In the sixteenth century, Mirabai who was a Rajput princess married into the royal family of Mewar. She became a disciple of Ravidas, a saint from a caste considered ‘untouchable’.
  • Most of the saints works were composed in regional languages and could be sung. They became immensely popular and were handed down orally from generation to generation.

→ A Closer Look: Kabir

  • Kabir was one of the most influential saint in the fifteenth-sixteenth century. We get to know of Kabir’s ideas from a huge collection of verses called sakhis and pads said to have been composed by him and sung by wandering bhajan singers. They were later collected and preserved in the Guru Granth Sahib, Panch Vani and Bijak.
  • His teachings were based on the rejection of the major religious traditions. The language of his poetry was understood by ordinary people as it was a form of spoken Hindi.
  • He believed in a formless Supreme God and advised that the only path to salvation was through bhakti or devotion.

→ A Closer Look: Baba Guru Nanak

  • Guru Nanak (1469-1539) bom at Talwandi (Nankana Sahib in * Pakistan) and he travelled widely before establishing a centre at Kartarpur known as Dera Baba Nanak on the river Ravi.
  • Whatever the caste, creed or gender is, his followers ate together in the common kitchen known as langar. Thus, the sacred space created by Gum Nanak was known as Dharamsala. Now it is called as Gurdwara.
  • Gum Angad who was appointed by Gum Nanak as his successor, compiled the compositions of Gum Nanak, and he added his own composition in a new script known as Gurmukhi.
  • In 1605, Gum Arjan compiled all the compositions under the name of ‘Nanak’. Other people’s writings were added to the compilation such as Shaikh Farid, Sant Kabir, Bhagat Namdev and Guru Tegh Bahadur. In 1706, this compilation was authenticated and approved by his son and successor, Gum Gobind Singh. Now, its known as Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture of the Sikhs.
  • By the starting of the seventeenth century, the town of Ramdaspur now Amritsar had developed around the central Gurdwara called Harmandar Sahib which is known as Golden Temple.
  • The Khalsa Panth is the community of the Sikhs which became a political entity. It was started by Gum Gobind Singh in 1699.
  • The ideas of Gum Nanak had a huge impact on the development of the Sikh movement from the very beginning. He emphasized the importance of the worship of one God. He used the terms nam, dan and isnan for the essence of his teaching, which actually meant right worship, welfare of others and purity of conduct.
  • Now his teachings are remembered as nam- japna, kirt-karna and vand-chhakna, which also mention the importance of right belief and worship, honest living, and helping others.

JAC Class 7 Social Science Notes

JAC Class 7 Social Science Notes History Chapter 7 Tribes, Nomads and Settled Communities

JAC Board Class 7 Social Science Notes History Chapter 7 Tribes, Nomads and Settled Communities

→ Society was divided according to the rules of varna in most parts of the subcontinent. These rules were prescribed by the Brahmanas and were accepted by the rulers of large kingdoms. The difference between the rich and poor increased.

→ Beyond Big Cities: Tribal Societies

  • There were other kinds of societies present as well in the subcontinent who did not follow the social rules and rituals dictated by the Brahmanas. Nor they were divided into numerous unequal classes. These types of societies are called tribes.
  • There was a distinctive bond of kinship among the members of each tribe. The main source of livelihood was agriculture but there were hunter-gatherers or herders as well. There were some tribes who were nomadic and moved from one place to another.
  • Many large tribes usually lived in forests, hills, deserts and places difficult to reach. The tribes retained their freedom and preserved their separate culture in various ways.

JAC Class 7 Social Science Notes History Chapter 7 Tribes, Nomads and Settled Communities

→ Who were Tribal People?

  • Tribal people did not keep written records but they preserved rich customs and oral traditions. And these were passed down to each new’ generation.
  • Some powerful tribes controlled large territories as people were found in almost every region of the subcontinent.
  • The Khokhar tribe in Punjab was very influential and powerful during the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. Later, the Gakkhars became more important. Kamal Khan Gakkhar, the chief was made mansabdar by Emperor Akbar.
  • The Langahs and Arghuns in Multan and Sind, dominated extensive regions before they were subdued by the Mughals.
  • The Balochis were another large and powerful tribe in the north-west.
  • The shepherd tribe of Gaddis lived in the western Himalaya.
  • The Nagas, Ahoms and many others too dominated the north-eastern part of the subcontinent.
  • Chero chiefdoms had emerged by the twelfth century in Bihar and Jharkhand. Akbar’s famous general Raja Man Singh attacked and defeated the Cheros in 1591.
  • The Mundas and Santals were among the other important tribes that lived in Jharkhand, Bihar, Orissa (now Odisha) and Bengal.
  • The Kolis, Berads and numerous other tribes were found in Maharashtra, Gujarat and Karnataka.
  • Far away south there were large tribal populations of Koragas, Vetars, Maravars and many others.
  • The tribe of Bhils were spread across western and central India.
  • Another tribe, the Gonds were found in good numbers across the present-day states of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh.

→ How Nomads and Mobile People Lived?

  • Nomads who lived on milk and other pastoral products and moved over long distances with their animals are called nomadic pastoralists. They also exchanged wool, ghee, etc., with settled agriculturists for grain, cloth, utensils and other products.
  • The most important trader nomads were the Banjaras. Their caravan was called tanda.
  • To transport grain to the city markets, Sultan Alauddin Khalji used the Banjaras.

→ Changing Society: New Castes and Hierarchies

  • As the society grew, people with new skills were required hence, smaller castes, or jatis, emerged within varnas.
  • Artisans such as smiths, carpenters and masons were also recognised as separate jatis by the Brahmanas. Jatis became the basis for organising society rather than varna.
  • New Rajput clans, the Kshatriyas became powerful by the eleventh and twelfth centuries. They belonged to different lineages such as Hunas, Chandelas, Chalukyas and some others. Among them, some had been tribes earlier. They moderately replaced the older rulers especially in agricultural areas.
  • The tribal people had to follow the Rajput clans to the position of rulers as they set an example for them.

→ A Closer Look The Gonds

  • The Gonds practised shifting cultivation as they lived in a vast forested region called Gondwana or “country inhabited by Gonds”.
  • The Akbar Nama reveals the Gond kingdom of Garha Katanga that had 70,000 villages.
  • The kingdom was divided into garbs and each was controlled by a particular Gond clan. It was further divided into units of 84 villages called chaurasi. The chaurasi was again subdivided into barhots which were made up of 12 villages each.
  • The Gond raja of Garha Katanga Aman Das, assumed the title of Sangram Shah. His son, Dalpat, married princess Durgawati, the daughter of Salbahan, the Chandel Rajput raja of Mahoba.
  • She was very capable and brave and started ruling on behalf of her five-year old son, Bir Narain. In 1565, she was defeated by the Mughal forces under Asaf Khan and preferred to die than to surrender. Her son also died fighting after sometime.

JAC Class 7 Social Science Notes History Chapter 7 Tribes, Nomads and Settled Communities

→ The Ahoms

  • In the thirteenth century, the Ahoms migrated to the Brahmaputra valley from present-day Myanmar. They created a new system of the bhuiyans means landlords.
  • They used firearms in 1530s and by that the Ahoms built a large state. They could even make high quality gunpowder and cannons by the 1660s.
  • In 1662, the Mughals under Mir Jumla attacked the Ahom kingdom but they were defeated.
  • The state depended upon forced labour. Those who were forced to work for the state were called paiks.
    The new methods of rice cultivation was also introduced by Ahoms.
  • The society was divided into clans or khels. A khel often controlled several villages.
  • The Ahoms worshipped their own tribal gods. During the reign of Sib Singh (1714-1744), Hinduism became the predominant religion. But they did not completely give up their traditional beliefs after adopting Hinduism.
  • The historical works known as buranjis were written first in the Ahom language and then in Assamese. It was a very sophisticated society. Theatre was encouraged a lot.

→ Conclusion:
This period saw more interaction between varna based society and the tribal groups. Few established extensive states with well- organised systems of administration hence, became politically powerful.

JAC Class 7 Social Science Notes

JAC Class 7 Social Science Solutions History Chapter 6 Towns, Traders and Craftspersons

JAC Board Class 7th Social Science Solutions History Chapter 6 Towns, Traders and Craftspersons

JAC Class 7th History Towns, Traders and Craftspersons InText Questions and Answers

Page 75

Question 1.
What would a traveller visiting a medieval town expect to find?
Answer:
A traveller visiting a medieval town is expected to find out what type of a town it is temple town, administrative centre, commercial town or a port town, etc.

Page 76

Question 2.
Why do you think people regarded Thanjavur as a great town?
Answer:
People regarded Thanjavur as a great town because of the following reasons: It was the capital of Chola empire which was a temple town with Rajarajeshvara temple in it. It also gave employment to a large number of people hence becoming a centre of opportunities. It had a big market selling food, cloth, jewellery, etc.

JAC Class 7 Social Science Solutions History Chapter 6 Towns, Traders and Craftspersons

Page 77

Question 3.
What do you think were the advantages of using Bronze, bell metal and the “lost wax” technique?
JAC Class 7 Social Science Solutions History Chapter 6 Towns, Traders and Craftspersons 1
Answer:
The Tost wax’ technique had the following advantages:

  • Wax was a reusable material and a quick way to make statues of any shape.
  • When the metal were cooled and solidified, the clay cover was removed. The Bronze statues were not at all hollow from inside and had long life. The Bronze statues were not at all hollow from inside. They were solidified and had long life.

Page 78

Question 4.
Make a list of towns in your district and try to classify these as administrative centres or as temple/pilgrim centres.
Answer:
Need to do it yourself. Hint: Can take help from parents and subject teacher.

Page 79

Question 5.
Find out more about present-day taxes on markets: who collects these, how are they collected and what are they used for.
Answer:
Present-day taxes on markets:

  • They are the property tax, service tax, etc.
  • Central or State government collect these taxes through revenue departments. This department works with other departments to collect and use the money.
  • They are collected in cash.
  • The money collected is used for welfare and development of the society. Moreover, these taxes help in infrastructure development of the nation.

Page 80

Question 6.
As you can see, during this period there was a great circulation of people and goods. What impact do you think this would have had on the lives of people in towns and villages? Make a list of artisans living in towns.

During this period, the great circulation of people and goods must had have following impacts on the lives of people living in towns and villages:

  • They would have become busier and engaged than ever before and their incomes must have increased.
  • Their time must have reduced for the family as they would have started giving more time to the commercial activities.

List of artisans living in towns were:

  • Blacksmith
  • Weavers
  • Metal worker
  • Potters
  • Brass dealers
  • Goldsmith
  • Wood carver
  • Gardener
  • Tailors

Page 83

Question 7.
Why do you think the city was fortified?
Answer:
Hampi was a trade as well as temple town. And temples, were the centres of wealth and the honour of kings. In order to protect the people from the attack of the enemy, the town of Hampi was fortified.

Page 85

Why did the English and the Dutch decide to establish settlements in Masulipatnam?
The English and the Dutch decided to establish settlements in Masulipatnam because Masulipatnam was the most important port of the Andhra coast. It had the convenience of the place where ship can anchor. It was the trade town connected to the hinterland. Due to all such reasons, the Dutch and the English decide to establish settlements in Masulipatnam.

JAC Class 7 Social Science Solutions History Chapter 6 Towns, Traders and Craftspersons

Page 88

Question 9.
Imagine, you are planning a journey from Surat to West Asia in the seventeenth century. What are the arrangements you will make?
Answer:
If I would plan a journey from Surat to West Asia in the 17th century. I would make the following arrangements:

  1. I would get a confirmed reservation in one of the ships travelling on the route.
  2. I would send some money to West Asia through hundi, as it would not be wise to carry money on a ship journey.
  3. I would look for if I could do some businesses on my journey.

JAC Class 7th History Towns, Traders and Craftspersons Textbook Questions and Answers

Question 1.
Fill in the blanks:
(a) The Raj arajeshvara temple was built in……..
(b) Ajmer is associated with the Sufi saint…… .
(c) Hampi was the capital of the………. Empire.
(d) The Dutch established a settlement at…… in Andhra Pradesh.
Answer:
(a) 1010 A.D.
(b) Khwaja Muinuddin Chisti
(c) Vijayanagara
(d) Masulipatnam

Question 2.
State whether ‘True’ for true and ‘False’ for false.
(a) We know the name of the architect of the Rajarajeshvara temple from an inscription.
(b) Merchants preferred to travel individually rather than in caravans.
(c) Kabul was a major centre of trade for elephants.
(d) Surat was an important trading port on the Bay of Bengal.
Answer:
(a) True
(b) False
(c) False
(d) False

Question 3.
How was water supplied to the city of Thanjavur?
Answer:
Thanjavur was situated near the pemninal river Kaveri. It was from this river that was water supplied to the city. Water supplied to the city of Thanjavur came from tanks and wells.

Question 4.
Who lived in the “Black Towns” in cities such as Madras (now Chennai)?
Answer:
During the eighteenth century, the cities such as Bombay, Calcutta and Madras were formed. During this period, the crafts and commerce underwent major changes as merchants and artisans (such as weavers) were moved into the ‘Black Towns’ established by the European companies within these new cities. The ‘blacks’ or native traders and crafitspersons were confined here while the ‘white’ rulers occupied superior residencies of Fort St. George in Madras or Fort St. William in Calcutta.

(Let’s Understand)

Question 5.
Why do you think towns grew around temples?
Answer:
Towns grew around temples because the temple towns represented a very important pattern of urbanisation. Temples were considered central to the economy and society. The following reasons are:

  • A large number of people like priests, workers, artisans, traders, etc., settle near the temples to cater its needs.
  • Temples were mostly the central hub to the economy and society.
  • Rulers built temples, donated land and money to carry out elaborate rituals, feed pilgrims and priests and celebrate festivals.
  • Pilgrims also made donations to the temples.
  • Temple authorities used their wealth to finance, trade and banking.

Question 6.
How important were craftspersons for the building and maintenance of temples?
Answer:
The Panchalas or Vishwakarma community consisting of goldsmiths, bronzesmiths, blacksmiths, masons and carpenters. The community played an essential role in the building of temples. They had an important role in the construction of big buildings, palaces, tanks and reservoirs. They executed the following activities:

1. The craftspersons of Bidar were well known for their inlay work in copper and silver and it was known as Bidri.

2. During the eighteenth century, the cities such as Bombay, Calcutta and Madras were formed. During this period, the crafts and commerce underwent major changes as merchants and artisans (such as weavers) were moved into the ‘Black Towns’ established by the European companies within these new cities. The ‘blacks’ or native traders and craftspersons were confined here while the ‘white’ rulers occupied superior residencies of Fort St. George in Madras or Fort St. William in Calcutta.

3. Weavers like Saliyar and Kaikkolars were very prosperous communities and they often donated money to temples.

Question 7.
Why did people from distant lands visit Surat?
Answer:
Surat was a cosmopolitan city and people of all castes and creeds lived there. People from distant lands visited Surat for the following reasons:

  • Surat was one of the most important medieval ports on the west coast of Indian subcontinent.
  • The Portuguese, Dutch and English had their factories and warehouses at Surat during the seventeenth century.
  • Surat was gateway for trade with West Asia via the Gulf of Ormuz.
  • It has also been called the gateway to Mecca, because many pilgrims’ ship set sail from here.
  • The big market for cotton textiles was present. There were also several retail and wholesale shops selling cotton textiles.
  • Surat was also famous for the textiles with gold lace borders (zari) which had a market in West Asia, Europe and Africa.
  • The Kathiawad seths or mahajans (moneychangers) had huge banking houses at Surat. Also, the Surat hundis were honoured in the far-off markets of Cairo in Egypt, Basra in Iraq and Antwerp in Belgium.
  • Magnificent buildings and pleasure parks also attracted people from far- off places. They had ample of rest houses for visitors and traders.

Question 8.
In what ways was craft production in cities like Calcutta different from that in cities like Thanjavur?
Answer:

Craft production in CalcuttaCraft production in Thanjavur
It was in the form of cotton, jute and silk textiles.It was oganised and planned by the European companies.
They had to produce whatever was demanded by the European companies.It was in the form of inlay work in metals such as copper and silver.
The production mainly focused on the needs of the temple and the pilgrims.They were free to be as much creative as they could be.

(Let’s Discuss)

Question 9.
Compare any one of the cities described in this chapter with a town or a village with which you are familiar. Do you notice any similarities or differences?
Answer:
Do it yourself. Hint: Take the present-day of New Delhi

  • Similarities
  • Mention about Parliament and about Justice means Supreme Court.
  • Many people from distant places visit here and many traders and powerful people live here.
  • It is cultural and economic development centre. Also provides employment opportunities, etc.
  • Differences-(with Thanjavur)
  • Much larger area and had an elaborate transportation system.
  • It also experiences unlawful activities.
  • Migrants come everyday in search of work to Delhi, etc.

Question 10.
What were the problems encountered by merchants? Do you think some of these problems persist today?
Answer:
The problems encountered by the merchants were:

  • Merchants travelled in caravans carrying goods on the back of horses and camels. They had to travel through forests and there was always the fear of robbers.
  • But the European Companies’ used their naval power to gain control
    of the sea trade and forced Indian traders to work as their agents.
  • In the market also, they had to face tough competition with European traders.
  • Yes, some problem still persists today.

(Ie?sDo)

Question 11.
Find out more about the architecture of either Thanjavur or Hampi, and prepare a scrap book illustrating temples and other buildings from these cities.
Answer:
Do it yourself. Hint: Can take help from sources like books, articles, internet, etc.

JAC Class 7 Social Science Solutions History Chapter 6 Towns, Traders and Craftspersons

Question 12.
Find out about any present-day pilgrimage centre. Why do you think people go there? What do they do there? Are there any shops in the area? If so, what is bought and sold there?
Answer:
Do it yourself.
Hint: Present day pilgrimage centre: Tirupati. People go to this place and do worship and follow certain rituals. They go to famous Balaji temple. There are many shops and hotels. People visit and stay for few days. Offering materials are . also sold in these shops.

JAC Class 7th History Towns, Traders and Craftspersons Important Questions and Answers

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1.
Thanjavur served as the capital under the reign of……. rulers.
(a) Shakya
(b) Mughal
(c) Chola
(d) Chauhan
Answer:
(c) Chola

Question 2.
Mandapas or pavilions were used for
(a) training soldiers
(b) assembly meetings and carrying out administrative works and issuing orders
(c) imparting knowledge of art and craft to women
(d) None of the above
Answer:
(b) assembly meetings and carrying out administrative works and issuing orders

Question 3.
A holy lake named Pushkar is situated near which city?
(a) Ajmer
(b) Jaipur
(c) Udaipur
(d) Bikaner
Answer:
(a) Ajmer

JAC Class 7 Social Science Solutions History Chapter 6 Towns, Traders and Craftspersons

Question 4.
The built the fort of Masulipatnam.
(a) Portuguese
(b) French
(c) English
(d) Dutch
Answer:
(d) Dutch

Question 5.
Group of muslim merchants are known as…….
(a) Noors
(b) Moors
(c) Hoors
(d) None of these
Answer:
(b) Moors

Question 6.
Surat is located on
(a) the banks of the river Ganga
(b) the banks of the river Tapti
(c) the banks pf the river Jhelum
(d) the banks of the river Yamuna
Answer:
(b) the banks of the river Tapti

Question 7.
Domingo Paes was
(a) an Arab traveller
(b) a French traveller
(c) a Portuguese traveller
(d) a Spanish traveller
Answer:
(c) a Portuguese traveller

Question 8.
Great Indian traders such as ….. and ….owned a large number of ships which competed with East India Companies.
(a) Mulla Abdul Ghafur, Virji Vora
(b) Mir Zafar, Mir Jumla
(c) Mulla Abdul Ghafur, Mir Zafar
(d) None of these
Answer:
(a) Mulla Abdul Ghafur, Virji Vora

Question 9.
The Rajarajeshvara temple was located in……
(a) Bijapur
(b) Thanjavur
(c) Hampi
(d) Masulipatnam
Answer:
(b) Thanjavur

Question 10.
Which city was known as Gateway of Asia?
(a) Hampi
(b) Calcutta
(c) Bombay
(d) Surat
Answer:
(d) Surat

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Which type of sculpture is famous from Thanjavur?
Answer:
Bronze idols are famous from Thanjavur.

Question 2.
Why do you think the temples become so important and powerful in medieval India?
Answer:
The temples became so important and powerful in medieval India because rulers gave a lot of money and grant land for temple development.

Question 3.
Write names of two famous guilds of the 8th century from the southern part of India.
Answer:
Manigramam and Nanadesi are the two famous guilds of the 8th century from the southern part of India.

Question 4.
Give an example of a temple town.
Answer:
Thanjavur was a temple town.

JAC Class 7 Social Science Solutions History Chapter 6 Towns, Traders and Craftspersons

Question 5.
European gain control of the sea route. How did they do that?
Answer:
European gain control of the sea route as they used their naval power to get authority of the sea trade.

Question 6.
What do you mean by emporium?
Answer:
A plage where goods from diverse production centres are bought and sold is called emporium. Such as, Surat was the emporium of Western trade.

Question 7.
India did trade with Africa. What did they brought?
Answer:
India did trade with Africa. They brought ivory and gold.

Question 8.
Which spices became the part of European cooking?
Answer:
Spices which were grown in tropical climates such as pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, dried ginger, etc., became an important part of European cooking.

Question 9.
From which place did the Gujarati traders imported spices, tin, Chinese blue pottery and silver?
Answer:
From Southeast Asia and China, Gujarati traders imported spices, tin, Chinese blue pottery and silver.

Question 10.
Name some important temple towns.
Answer:
Some important temple towns are Thanjavur, Bhillasvamin in Madhya Pradesh, Somnath in Gujarat, Kanchipuram, Madurai in Tamil Nadu and Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh.

Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Which ruler tried to play off Dutch and English against each other and why?
Answer:
Since the Mughals began to extend their power to Golconda, their representative the governor Mir Jumla who was also a merchant, began to play off the Dutch and the English against each other.

Question 2.
What do you mean by hundi? Who used hundi and in which city it was used?
Answer:
Hundi is a note recording and a deposit made by a person. The amount deposited can be claimed in another place by presenting the record of the deposit. The Kathiawad seths or mahajans (moneychangers) had huge banking houses at Surat. In Surat, hundis were honoured in the far-off markets of Cairo in Egypt, Basra in Iraq and Antwerp in Belgium.

Question 3.
Which type of markets did the small towns had?
Answer:
Small towns usually had a mandapika (or mandi of later times) to which nearby villagers brought their produce and things to sell. They also had market streets called hatta (haat of later times) lined with shops. Also, there were streets for different kinds of artisans such as potters, oil pressers, sugar makers, toddy makers, smiths, stonemasons, etc.

JAC Class 7 Social Science Solutions History Chapter 6 Towns, Traders and Craftspersons

Question 4.
Give reasons for the decline of Surat.
Answer:
Surat began to decline towards the end of the seventeenth century because of the following reasons:

  • Due to the decline of the Mughal Empire there was the loss of markets and productivity.
  • The sea routes were controlled by the Portuguese and competition from the English East India Company which shifted its headquarters to

Question 5.
The most impressive community was the Vora community. Discuss.
Answer:
In India, the trading communities were quite large in number and assimilated some of the richest merchants and traders in the world. Virji Vora who dominated Gujarat trade for several decades had a large fleet of ships. Mulla Abdul Ghafur was one of the noteworthy big merchants.

Question 6.
Name the main centres of cotton manufacturing.
Answer:
The main centres of cotton manufacturing were Patna, Cambay and Ahmedabad, Burhanpur, Bengal, Kashmir, Lahore and United Provinces.

Question 7.
Which trading groups made the city, Masulipatnam populous and prosperous?
Answer:
The trading groups which made the city of Masulipatnam populous and prosperous were the Golconda nobles, Persian merchants, Telugu Komati Chettis and European traders.

Question 8.
If weavers wanted to sign deals with the East India Company, they couldn’t sell their own cloth or weave their own patterns. Why?
Answer:
If weavers wanted to sign deals with the East India Company, they couldn’t sell their own cloth or weave their own patterns because they had to work on a system of payments in advance which meant that they had to weave cloth which was already promised to European agents.

JAC Class 7 Social Science Solutions History Chapter 6 Towns, Traders and Craftspersons

Question 9.
Write any three distinct type of urban centres in the medieval period.
Answer:
The three distinct types of urban centres in the medieval period were:

  • Administrative towns Delhi, Agra, Lahore, etc.
  • Commercial and manufacturing towns Daulatabad, Patna, Ahmedabad, Muziris, Surat, Hampi, Masulipatnam, etc.
  • Pilgrim towns Banaras, Kanchipuram, Mathura, etc.

Question 10.
Briefly explain the Mughal Karkhanas.
Answer:
The karkhanaa in the Mughal period were known as Buyutat as well. It was used for both storing and manufacturing articles for the royal household and nobles requirements. Following sections come under the karkhanas, such as public treasury, department of construction of monuments, repairing, roads and artillery.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Explain the different ventures and occupations of big and small traders
in the medieval period.
Answer:
The different ventures and occupations of big and small traders in the medieval period were:

  • Many types of traders were there. It included Banjaras and various traders especially horse traders. ‘ They formed associations with headmen with warriors who bought horses.
  • Caravans were usually used by traders to travel and formed guilds to protect their interests.
  • Communities were present such as Marwari Oswals and Chettiars who later become the main trading groups of the country.
  • Gujarati traders which include the communities of Hindu Baniyas and Muslim Bohras traded enormously with the ports of Red Sea, Persian Gulf, East Africa, China and South East Asia.
  • They majorly sold textiles and spices in these towns and in return brought ivory and gold from Africa and silver, tin, spices, Chinese blue pottery from China and South East Asia.
  • Many traders such as Persian, Chinese, Arab, Syrian Christian, Jewish traded in the towns on the west coast.
  • Indian spices and cotton cloth became the source of attraction for the European traders. And, eventually reached the European markets fetching high profits.

Question 2.
Hampi was in its peak time in the 16th centuries. How? When did it fall to ruin?
Answer:
Hampi was in its peak time in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries because:

  • It was a very important centre for commercial and cultural activities.
  • Moors which means a name used collectively for Muslim merchants, Chettis and agents of European traders such as the Portuguese, visited the markets of Hampi for different trades.
  • Temples were the main focal point of cultural activities and devadasis means temple dancers performed different forms of dances before the deity, royalty and masses in the many-pillared halls in the Virupaksha which is a form of Shiva temple.
  • The Mahanavami festival which is known today as Navaratri was one of the most important festivals celebrated at Hampi.
  • During the Mahanavami platform, the king received guests and accepted tribute from subordinate chiefs. From here he also watched dance and music performances which held during the festival time as well as wrestling bouts.
  • By the defeat of Vijayanagara in 1565 by the Deccani Sultans which were the rulers of Golconda, Bijapur, Ahmadnagar, Berar and Bidar, Hampi fell into ruin.

JAC Class 7 Social Science Solutions

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

JAC Board Class 7th Social Science Solutions History Chapter 10 Eighteenth Century Political Formations

JAC Class 7th History Eighteenth Century Political Formations InText Questions and Answers

Page 139

Question 1.
See Chapter 4, Table 1. Which group of people challenged Mughal authority for the longest time in Aurangzeb’s reign?
Answer:
The Marathas under the leadership of Shivaji challenged Mughal authority for the longest time in Aurangzeb’s reign.

Page 144

Question 2.
In trying to consolidate their rule, why did Mughal subadars also want to control the office of diwan?
Answer:
In trying to consolidate their rule, Mughal subadars also want to control the office of diwan because they were very ambitious, aspiring and power hungry and diwan office was the main point.

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

Page 148

Question 3.
What is the Khalsa? Do you recall reading about it in Chapter 8?
Answer:
Guru Gobind Singh in the seventeenth century, organised group of warriors known as Khalsa and requested the presence of the institution of Sikhs. Five persons were chosen called as Panj Pyare who took the water of immorality. There are five features which distinguish Sikhs from others.,which are known as 5Ks. These are Kesh (hair), Kara (iron bracelet), Kangha (comb), Kripan (dagger) and Kacchera (underwear).

Page 152

Question 4.
Imagine, you are a ruler of an eighteenth century kingdom. Tell us about the steps you would take to make your position strong in your province, and what opposition or problems you might face while doing so.
Answer:
In order to make my position strong, I would reform military and financial systems of my province. I would end corruption in the administration. The most expected problem would be the attack of some other kingdom. I would be ready to face any such attack.

JAC Class 7th History Eighteenth Century Political Formations Textbook Questions and Answers

Question 1.
Match the following:

subadara revenue farmer
faujdara high noble
ijaradarprovincial governor
mislMaratha peasant warriors
chautha Mughal military commander
kunbisa band of Sikh warriors
umaratax levied by the Marathas

Answer:

subadarprovincial governor
faujdara Mughal military commander
ijaradara revenue farmer
misla band of Sikh warriors
chauthtax levied by the Marathas
kunbisMaratha peasant warriors
umaraa high noble

Fill in the blanks:

Question 2.
(a) Aurangzeb fought a protracted war in the ………..
(b) Umara and jagirdars constituted powerful sections of the Mughal ………..
(c) Asaf Jah Founded the Hyderabad state in ………..
(d) The founder of the Awadh state was …………
Answer:
(a) Aurangzeb fought a protracted war in the Deccan
(b) Umara and jagirdars constituted powerful sections of the Mughal administration
(c) Asaf Jah Founded the Hyderabad state in 1724
(d) The founder of the Awadh state was Burhan-ul-Mulk Sa’adat Khan

Question 3.
State ’T’ for true and ’F’ for false.
(a) Nadir Shah invaded Bengal.
(b) Sawai Raja Jai Singh was the ruler of Indore.
(c) Guru Gobind Singh was the tenth Guru of the Sikhs.
(d) Poona became the capital of the Marathas in the eighteenth century.
Answer:
(a) False
(b) False
(c) True
(d) True

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

Question 4.
What were the offices held by Saadat Khan?
Answer:
Sa’adat Khan held the integrated offices of subadari, diwani and faujdari. Actually, he was responsible for managing the political, financial and military affairs of the province of Awadh.

(Let’s Discuss)

Question 5.
Why did the Nawabs of Awadh and Bengal try to do away with the jagirdari system?
Answer:
The Nawabs of Awadh and Bengal tried to do away with the jagirdari system to decrease Mughal influence in the regions by reducing the number of officeholders (jagirdars) appointed by the Mughals. They also reduced the size of jagirs, and appointed his own loyal servants to vacant positions. The accounts of jagirdars were checked to prevent cheating and the revenues of all districts were reassessed by officials appointed by the Naw’ab’s court. In an effort to reduce the Mughal influence in Bengal, Murshid Question uli Khan transferred all Mughal jagirdars to Orissa and ordered a major reassessment of the revenues of Bengal. Revenue was collected in cash with great strictness from all zamindars. As a result, many zamindars had to borrow money from bankers and moneylenders.

Question 6.
How were the Sikhs organised in the eighteenth century?
Answer:
The Sikhs were organised in the eighteenth century in the following way:

  • They organised themselves into a number of bands known as jathas and later on mis Is.
  • They had a combined forces which was known as dal Khalsa or grand army.
  • In Amritsar during Baisakhi and Diwali, the whole body of people used to meet to take collective decisions called as the ‘resolutions of the Guru (gurmatas).’
  • Guru Gobind Singh organised
    the army with the influence and inspiration that their destiny was to rule.
  • The well knit Sikh organisation, put a strong resistance on Mughal governors first, then to Ahmad Shah Abdali who had captured the strong province of Punjab and siezed Sarkar of Sirhind from the Mughals.
  • The Sikh territories in the late eighteenth century extended from the Indus to the Jamuna, but they were divided under different rulers.
  • One of them, Maharaja Ranjit Singh, reunited these groups and established his capital at Lahore in 1799.

Question 7.
Why did the Marathas want to expand beyond the Deccan?
Answer:
The Marathas wanted to expand beyond the Deccan to challenge and decrease the Mughal influence. By the 1720s, they seized Malwa and Gujarat from the Mughals and by 1730s, they were recognised as the overlord of the entire Deccan.

Question 8.
What were the policies adopted by Asaf Jah to strengthen his position?
Answer:
The policies adopted by Asaf Jah to strengthen his position were:

  • He brought trained and skilled soldiers and administrators from northern India who wanted to explore the new opportunities in the south.
  • He recruited mansabdars and granted jagirs to them.
  • Without Mughal interference, he ruled independently. The Mughals rarely confirm the decisions that were taken by Asaf Jah.

Question 9.
Do you think merchants and bankers today have the kind of influence they had in the eighteenth century?
Answer:
Merchants were more influential and powerful than the bankers in the eighteenth century than today. Banks were not so organised and merchants used to provide more loan opportunities at higher rates of interests. Nowadays, banks are more influential. They provide financial assistance and loans at lower rates and act as a shield of protection of public money. They also provide subsidy on lower rates. This happened due to the spread of education.

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

Question 10.
Did any of the kingdoms mentioned in this chapter develop in your state? If so, in what ways do you think life in the state would have been different in the eighteenth century from what it is in the twenty first century?
Answer:
Students need to do by their own as if they stay in any of the region where any kingdom developed.
Hint: If we take up Punjab as the region then there developed many states in the eighteenth century, the East India Company started capturing the regions and other rulers were present. But, in twenty first century, we are a democratic country.

(Let’s Do)

Question 11.
Find out more about the architecture and culture associated with the new courts of any of the following Awadh, Bengal or Hyderabad.
Answer:
The architecture and culture associated with the new courts of any one of the following:

  • The rulers of Awadh does not discriminate between the Muslims and Hindus. They had a very secular political policies.
  • Temples and mosques were constructed.
  • Lucknow became the cultural city due to the economic prosperity and peace in the state. Lucknow was an important city of Awadh. It also developed as an important centre of art and craft.
  • Students can also mention about Hyderabad and Bengal with the help of parents and teachers.

Question 12.
Collect popular tales about rulers from any one of the following groups of people: the Rajputs, Jats, Sikhs or Marathas.
Answer:
Students need to do it at their own.
(Hint : Can take inputs from various sources such as internet, books, journals and teachers.)

JAC Class 7th History Eighteenth Century Political Formations Important Questions and Answers

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1.
Ahmad Shah Abdali invaded north India.
(a) 4 times
(b) 2 times
(c) 5 times
(d) 3 times
Answer:
(c) 5 times

Question 2.
The governors of big and large provinces were called
(a) Governor General
(b) Jagirdar
(c) Subedars
(d) Misl
Answer:
(c) Subedars

Question 3.
Shivaji was the
(a) founder of Maratha Kingdom
(b) founder of Sikh community
(c) founder of Mughal Kingdom
(d) None of these
Answer:
(a) founder of Maratha Kingdom

Question 4.
The founder of Hyderabad state was
(a) Alamgir II
(b) Sa’adat Khan
(c) Nadir Shah
(d) Nizam-ul-Mulk, Asaf Jah
Answer:
(d) Nizam-ul-Mulk, Asaf Jah

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

Question 5.
Bengal and Awadh were founded by
(a) Asaf Jah and Farrukh Khan
(b) Murshid Quli Khan and Sa’adat Khan
(c) Murshid Quli Khan and Asaf Jah
(d) Sa’adat Khan and Asaf Jah
Answer:
(b) Murshid Quli Khan and Sa’adat Khan

Question 6.
……… is held responsible for the decline of Mughal empire.
(a) Bahadur Shah Zafar
(b) Shahjahan
(c) Jahangir
(d) Aurangzeb
Answer:
(d) Aurangzeb

Question 7.
Raja Ajit Singh of Jodhpur held the governorship of
(a) Amber
(b) Gujarat
(c) Malwa
(d) Jaipur
Answer:
(b) Gujarat

Question 8.
Burhan-ul-Mulk Sa’adat Khan was appointed subadar of Awadh in
(a) 1722
(b) 1728
(c) 1732
(d) 1742
Answer:
(a) 1722

Question 9.
Skilled soldiers and administrators were brought by Asaf Jah from
(a) eastern India
(b) central India
(c) western India
(d) northern India
Answer:
(d) northern India

Question 10.
Before and after the establishment of the Khalsa in 1699, many battles were fought against the Rajput and Mughal rulers by
(a) Guru Gobind Singh
(b) Guru Nanak
(c) Banda Bahadur
(d) Guru Arjan Dev
Answer:
(a) Guru Gobind Singh

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Name three states that were sculpted out in the eighteenth century from the old Mughal provinces.
Answer:
The three states that were sculpted out in the eighteenth century from the old Mughal provinces are Awadh, Hyderabad and Bengal.

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

Question 2.
The Jats became powerful under whose leadership?
Answer:
The Jats becaine powerful under the leadership of Churaman.

Question 3.
Who became the leader of the Sikhs after the death of Guru Gobind Singh?
Answer:
Banda Bahadur became the leader of the Sikhs after the death of Guru Gobind Singh.

Question 4.
When and where did Nadir Shah, the ruler of Iran invaded?
Answer:
In 1739, Delhi was invaded by Nadir Shah, the ruler of Iran.

Question 5.
Which place was established as the capital during Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s reign?
Answer:
Lahore was established as the capital during Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s reign.

Question 6.
Who was Jawahir Shah and how many troops he had on his own?
Answer:
Jawahir Shah was the son of Nadir Shah and he had 30,000 troops on his own.

Question 7.
Who was the tenth Sikh guru?
Answer:
Guru Gobind Singh was the tenth Sikh guru.

Question 8.
Which two important trading centres were governed and ruled by the Jats?
Answer:
The two important trading centres governed and ruled by the Jats were Panipat and Ballabhgarh.

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

Question 9.
What do you understand by the term ‘chauth’?
Answer:
Zamindars claimed 25 per cent of the land revenue which was known as chauth. This was collected by the Marathas in the Deccan.

Question 10.
Which ruler raided the rich province of the Punjab and the Sarkar of Sirhind from the Mughals in mid 17th century?
Answer:
Ahmad Shah Abdali had raided the rich province of the Punjab and the Sarkar of Sirhind from the Mughals.

Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
When did the Khalsa declare its sovereign rule and mint its own coin? Who issued these coins and what was inscripted in the coins?
Answer:
The Khalsa declared its sovereign rule and minted its own coin in 1765. Banda Bahadur issued these coins and ‘Deg O Tegh O Fateh’ was inscripted on these coins.

Question 2.
What is the difference between Faujdari and Ijaradari.
Answer:
Military administration is related to Faujdari whereas ijaradari means the practice in which the revenue farmers collected taxes from other farmers and paid to the state.

Question 3.
Give a brief on administration of Marathas.
Answer:
The Marathas developed a powerful and effective administrative system. They established and initiated revenue demands which gradually took local conditions into account. Agriculture was encouraged and trade was revived. This allowed Maratha chiefs who were known as sardars to raise powerful armies.

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

Question 4.
With which states was the state of Hyderabad was in war?
Answer:
The state of Hyderabad was continuously in war against the Marathas in the west and with independent Telegu warrior chief called as Nayakas in the Deccan plateau.

Question 5.
In what manner Burhan-ul-Mulk Sa’adat Khan minimized the Mughal influence in the Awadh region?
Answer:
Burhan-ul-Mulk Sa’adat Khan tried to minimize the Mughal influence in the Awadh region in the following way:

  • First, he decreased the number of jagirdars, i.e., office holders appointed by the Mughals.
  • He also decreased the size of the jagirs and appointed their own loyal and faithful servants to unoccupied positions.
  • Jagirdars accounts were checked to prevent cheating and revenues of all regions were re-assessed by officials who were appointed by Burhan-ul- Mulk.

Question 6.
What do you mean by sardeshmukhid Who possessed the right to levy it?
Answer:
Sardeshmukhi means that in the Deccan 9-10 per cent of the land revenue paid to the head revenue collector. Maratha king possessed the right to levy it in the entire Deccan region.

Question 7.
Which foreign invader came in the middle of the economic and political crisis in 1739? What was the effect of it?
Answer:
Nadir Shah, the-.ruler of Iran came in – the middle of the economic and political crisis in 1739. He seized and raided the city of Delhi in 1739 and took away huge amounts of wealth. This invasion was followed by the Afghan ruler Ahmad Shah Abdali who had a series of devastating raids in north India for five times between 1748 and 1761.

Question 8.
What steps were taken by Murshid Quli Khan to reduce the effect and influence of the Mughals in Bengal ?
Answer:
Murshid Quli Khan transferred all the Mughal jagirdars to Orissa and ordered a major re-assessment of the revenues of Bengal to reduce the Mughal influence. Cash was collected as revenues with strictness from all zamindars. Hence, all the zamindars had to borrow money from moneylenders and those who were unable to pay, they were forced to sell their lands and assets to big and rich zamindars.

Question 9.
In which way moneylenders and bankers achieve influential position in the state of Awadh?
Answer:
The state of Awadh depended on local bankers and mahajans for loans and sold the right to collect tax to the highest bidders. These ‘revenue farmers’ were known as ijaradars who agreed to pay the state a fixed sum of money. The revenue – farmers were given eminent freedom in the assessment and collection of taxes. All these developments enabled new social groups such as moneylenders and bankers to influence the management of the state’s revenue system something which had not occurred in the past.

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

Question 10.
During the late seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, how did the Jats integrated and merged their power?
Answer:
During the late seventeenth and eighteenth centuries the Jats were flourishing and successful agriculturists. They had integrated their power under Churaman, their chief. They captured territories situated to the west of the city of Delhi and by the 1680s they had begun to rule the region between the two imperial cities of Delhi and Agra. Panipat and Ballabhgarh became important trading centres in the areas ruled by them. The kingdom of Bharatpur emerged as a strong state under Suraj Mai.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Explain the reasons of decline of Mughal empire.
Answer:
Decline of Mughal empire in the seventeenth century happened due to following reasons:

  • Emperor Aurangzeb exhausted and spent his military and financial resources of empire by fighting a long battle in the Deccan.
  • Ii became very tough and difficult for later Mughal Emperors to regulate the powerful mansabdars.
  • The governors and mansabdars established independent kingdoms in different areas.
  • Peasants and zamindars became rebellions due to increasing taxes.
  • Nadir Shah seized and raided the city of Delhi in 1739 and took away huge amounts of wealth.
  • This invasion was followed by the Afghan ruler, Ahmad Shah Abdali, who invaded and raided north India five times between 1748 and1761
  • Thus the empire was further incapacitated by the competition amongst different groups of nobles.

Question 2.
Discuss briefly the states of the eighteenth century into three overlapping groups.
Answer:
The states of the eighteenth century can be separated into three overlapping groups:

  • States such as Awadh, Bengal and Hyderabad were old Mughal provinces. Though they were extremely powerful and quite independent, the rulers of these states did not break their formalities with the Mughal emperor.
  • States that had enjoyed considerable independence under the Mughals were watan jagirs. These included several Rajput principalities. Watan jagirs were the persons who collected taxes from each village and gave them to mansabdars and mansabdars gave the taxes to the state authority.
  • The last group included states under the control of Marathas, Sikhs and some others like the Jats. These were of different sizes and had seized their independence from the Mughals after a long-drawn armed struggle

Question 3.
Discuss briefly the states of the eighteenth century into three overlapping groups.
Answer:
The states of the eighteenth century can be separated into three overlapping groups:
1. States such as Awadh, Bengal and Hyderabad were old Mughal provinces. Though they were extremely powerful and quite independent, the rulers of these states did not break their formalities with the Mughal emperor.

2. States that had enjoyed considerable independence under the Mughals were watan jagirs. These included several Rajput principalities. Watan jagirs were the persons who collected taxes from each village and gave them to mansabdars and mansabdars gave the taxes to the state authority.

3. The last group included states under the control of Marathas, Sikhs and some others like the Jats. These were of different sizes and had seized their independence from the Mughals after a long-drawn armed struggle.

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

Question 4.
How did Sikhs appear as a stronger community?
Answer:
During seventeenth century, Sikhs became political community. The Khalsa was established to protect the Sikh community from the Mughals. Under Guru Gobind Singh, they fought many battles against the Mughals. After the death of Guru Gobind Singh, Banda Bahadur established the administration over the territories between Sutlej and Jamuna. In this manner Sikhs appeared as a stronger community.

JAC Class 7 Social Science Solutions