PODAR INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

Workbook (Answer scheme)

Name: Std: VII Date:
Subject: Social Science - History Topic: Era of Regional Kingdoms

1. State whether true or false. Correct the false statements.

a) Dantidurga was not a Kshatriya by birth
Ans: True

b) Repeated defeats at the hands the Cholas led to the downfall of the Pratiharas.
Ans: False, Repeated defeats at the hands the Rashtrakuta led to the downfall of the
Pratiharas

c) Kanauj was the symbol of sovereignty and a centre of political developments in

North India.
Ans: True

d) The ur nattams in the Chola kingdom were exempted from taxation.

Ans: True

e) Prithviraj Chauhan emerged victorious in the Second Battle of Tarain.

Ans: False, Muhammad Gori emerged victorious in the Second Battle of Tarain.

f) Vijayalaya was the founder of the Chola dynasty.

Ans: True

2. Name the Following.

a) A general assembly of common villages, which included land holders of all classes
of people. - Ur

b) A person or country in a subordinate position to a superior authority. - Vassal

c) Rent-free grants received by Brahmins. - Brahmadeya

d) The city of the Chola king who conquered River Ganga. Gangaikondacholapuram

e) Another name for the big landlords or chieftains of early medieval India. - Maha-
samanta.

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 f) The last of the Chola kings. – Rajendra Chola III

3. Match the columns:

Column A Column B
a) Prithviraj Chauhan i) Chola king
b) Rajaraja I ii) Pala king
c) Amoghavarsha I iii) Rajput king
d) Gopala iv) Rashtrakuta king

Ans: a-iii, b-i, c-iv, d-ii

4. Complete the following sentences

a) In due course of time, the samantas acquired power and wealth and proclaimed
themselves as maha-samanta, maha-mandaleshvara.
b) Prithviraj Chauhan led resistance against Muhammad Ghori but was defeated in
the Second Battle of Tarain.
c) The Chola power reached its highest point of glory under Rajaraja I and his son
Rajendra I.
d) The Chola period marks a glorious era ____
e) The Chola empire was divided into provinces because
f) The Cholas paid attention to irrigation because ___________

5. Answer the following questions in brief:

a) Write about the revenue administration of the newly emerged kingdoms.

Ans: Peasants, artisans, cattle-keepers were often compelled to surrender a certain part
of their produce as ‘rent’. Revenue was even collected from the traders. It was utilised to
fight wars, finance the king’s establishment, to construct temples and forts. Members of
influential families collected revenue.

b) Write in Brief about the Pratiharas.

Ans: The Pratiharas gave up their traditional occupation and rose to the prominence, by
using their military skills, in Rajasthan. They ruled North India from the early ninth to the
middle of the tenth century. Nagabhatta I, Mihira Bhoja were the prominent kings of the
Pratihara dynasty. They were the great patrons of learning and literature. Repeated
defeats at the hands the Rashtrakuta kings led to the downfall of the Pratiharas.

c) Write about the irrigation system of the Chola Empire.

Ans: Agricultural prosperity depends on the available water supply. The Cholas paid
attention to the irrigation system. Rivers such as the Kaveri were utilised for irrigation
purpose. Embankments were built to prevent flooding and many canals, dams, tanks and
wells were constructed.

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 d) Trace the History of Rashtrakutas.

The Rashtrakutas were subordinate to the Chalukyas of Karnataka. However,

Dantivarman I or Dantidurga, a Rashtrakuta chief, overthrew the rule of
Kirtivarman, a Chalukyan king, and laid the foundation of the Rashtrakuta
kingdom in Deccan. Dhruva was the greatest of the Rashtrakuta rulers during
whose reign the kingdom reached the zenith of its power. Dhruva earned
victories against the Pallavas, Eastern Chalukyas, Palas, and Pratiharas.
Following his victory over Dharmapala of the Pala dynasty, Dhruva became the
first ruler from the Deccan to conquer Kanauj. Amoghavarsha I was an
exceptional king of the Rashtrakuta dynasty. During the 64 years of his rule,
there were many rebellions in the empire. Instead of war, he was more inclined
towards peace, religion, and literature. He was a great builder who founded
the Rashtrakuta capital, Manyakhet or Malkhed, near present-day Solapur (in
Maharashtra). The Rashtrakutas dominated the Deccan for almost 200 years.
They not only left their mark in the political field but also in the field of
administration, art, and culture.
e) Describe the tripartite struggle over Kanauj.

Kannuaj was the symbol of sovereignty and a centre of political

developments in North India. Due to its location, Kanauj was an important
centre of trade and commerce. The fertile region of the Gangetic valley
fostered agriculture. For these reasons, the new kingdoms were equally
interested in acquiring control over Kanauj. The struggle between three
major empires to establish their supremacy over Kanauj is known as the
tripartite struggle in history. The three empires were the Rashtrakutas, Palas,
and Pratiharas. However, the prolonged struggle weakened the three
dynasties and led to their ultimate decline.

f) Describe the sculptural style of the Cholas.

The art of sculpture achieved a high standard in South India during the Chola
period. The sculpture at the Brihadeshvara Temple, Tanjavur can be regarded
as the most matured example of Chola workmanship. The Chola craftsperson
excelled at making bronze images. The bronze dancing figure of Lord Shiva,
called Nataraja, exhibits the great artistic skills in bronze casting and idol-
making.

6. Write short notes on:

a) The Palas:
Ans: The Pala Empire was established by Gopala in Eastern India, probably in 750 CE.
He not only unified Bengal but also established its supremacy by annexing Magadha
(Bihar). Devapala was the last powerful Pala ruler. He extended his dominions by
conquering Pragjyotishpur (Assam), part of Odisha and part of modern Nepal. The
death of Devapala and his weak successors caused the disintegration of the empire.

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The Palas played a significant role in reviving cultural and religious traditions.
According to the Tibetan chronicles, Pala rulers were great patrons of Buddhist
learning and religion.

b) The Rajputs:
Ans: The Rajputs was another important ruling clan who appeared on the political
landscape of medieval Indian history was. They dominated the history of North India
from the eighth to the twelfth century CE. Historians have divergent views about their
origin. One Rajput clan which left its mark is the Chauhan or the Chahamana rulers. The
Chauhans arose as vassals of the Gurjara-Pratiharas. Prithviraj Chauhan was the famous
ruler of Ajmer. He was also known as Rai Pithora. The valiant ruler led resistance against
Muhammad Ghori but was defeated in the Second Battle of Tarain.

c) Provincial administration of the Chola Empire

Ans: The Chola Empire was divided into a number of provinces known as mandalams
for the sake of the administrative convenience. Each mandalam was divided into
valanadus (districts) and then the districts were divided into a group of villages known
as nadus. The large townships formed a separate administrative unit called taniyur.
Mandalams were put under the charge of a governor who usually belonged to the royal
families.

d) Revenue system of the Cholas

Ans: Land revenue was an important source of state income. Revenue was collected
in cash or in kind. The residential part of the village (called ur nattam) and other
lands, such as those belonging to the temples, tanks, channels passing through the
villages, etc. were exempted from taxes. Besides land revenue, other sources of
public income were tolls, a variety of professional taxes, house tax, taxes on mines
and forests, plunder of the neighbouring territories, etc. along with trade and
commerce.

e) Rajaraja I
Ans: The Chola power reached its highest point of glory under Rajaraja I and his son
Rajendra I. Rajaraja I began his aggressive policy of territorial conquests by
destroying the Chera navy and attacking Quilon (present-day Kollam). Further, the
defeat of the Pandyan king brought Madurai under his control. The invasion of Sri
Lanka helped him conquer its northern part. His military achievements also included
naval expeditions against the Maldives. Further, he overran the Eastern Chalukyas of
Vengi.

f) Dantidurga

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 Ans:The Rashtrakutas were subordinate to the Chalukyas of Karnataka. However,
Dantivarman I or Dantidurga, a Rashtrakuta chief, overthrew the rule of
Kirtivarman, a Chalukyan king, and laid the foundation of the Rashtrakuta kingdom
in Deccan. Dantidurga was not a Kshatriya by birth. In order to seek a separate caste
identity for himself as a Kshatriya, Dantidurga performed the hiranya-garbha
(literally, the golden womb) ritual with the help of Brahmanas. His successor,
Krishna I, was a great conqueror who established Rashtrakuta dominance in the
Deccan.

7. Picture Study:

a) Identify the picture:

Ans: The picture is of the copper plate inscriptions of the Cholas.

b) Describe the item in the picture.

Ans:
• The copper plate inscriptions are broad sheets of copper on which the
information engraved or embossed.
• They are tied together with a thick ring and crowned by the seal of the
dynasty.

c) How is this item useful in reconstructing history?

• Ans: The Chola inscriptions are of a great help to study the social, economic
and political life of the Chola Empire.

8. Create a newspaper article with the help of the given points.

The territorial conquests and military achievements of Rajaraja I
The destruction of Chera navy and attack on Quilon (present-day Kollam)
Defeat of the Pandyan king and annexation of Madurai
Invasion of Sri Lanka facilitating the conquests of its northern part
Naval expeditions against Maldives
Siege of the Eastern Chalukyas of Vengi
Accept all relevant answers

9. HOTS

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a) If we have to talk about the administration of kingdoms or empires, such as the
Rashtrakutas, why were the important positions held by the members of the royal or influential
families? Support your answer with appropriate reasons.
Accept all relevant answers

b) How does decentralisation of political power lead to instability in a country/kingdom?

Explain in the context of early medieval India.
Accept all relevant answers

10.Map Work
On an outline map of India, mark the extent of the major regional kingdoms of early medieval
India.

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