When where and how (vii)

 When where and how

1) What is the full meaning of CE

Ans: The full meaning of CE is common Era.

2) How is the mediaeval period  divided into two parts?

Ans: The medieval period is divided into two parts. They are -

a) Early medieval period , that is from  8th century to  12th century.

b) Later medieval period , that is from 13th to 18th century.

3) What is Indian Subcontinent?

Ans: Indian subcontinent extends from Afghanistan to Myanmar and is generally shielded by mountains from the northern side. On the south are the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian sea.

4) How India got its name?

Ans: In the past India has been known by different names by different people at various times. For example -

a) Sapta Sindhu: The sapta Sindhu area had the following seven rivers - Indus, Kabul, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas and Sutlej. This area was visited by the Persian explorers . In  Persian the 'h' is similar to the 's' in Sanskrit. Thus, the people of this region came to be known as Hindu from the word 'Sindhu'.

 

b)Bharatas or Bharatvarsha: In the Rigveda, there is reference of a king named Bharat and the civilisation in that kingdom. He conquered a huge area and the region was named after him as Bharatas or Bharatvarsha.

 

c) Hindustan: Another name of India was Hindustan. It is derived from the Persian. In Persian 'stan' is similar to the Sanskrit word 'sthana',which means place. 

              The land to the east of Indus came to be called Hindustan by the Persians and Arabs.

               The term Hindustan is also found in the writings of Minhaj -i-Siraj. He describes it as the land between the Ganga and Yamuna. He used it in a political sense.

                                 In the 14th century, the poet Amir Khusrao mentions the word 'hind' but he doesn't specify any boundaries.

                  In the 16 th century, Babur used the word Hindustan to describe the geography based on fauna and the culture of inhabitants of the subcontinent.

                  Thus the whole region was constructed as 'Hindustan'.

d) India: The name India came to English usage from the 17th century onwards. It is believed that it is named due to the influence of Latin or Spanish.

              The modern India or Bharat is confined to the territory which is the part of the sovereign nation from the independence of British rule.

5)What are the SOURCES OF HISTORY?

Ans:

 

1) Buildings or Monuments: Buildings and Monuments are important sources of History. Some examples:

a) Important Forts and Palaces: Red Fort, Agra Fort, Gwalior Fort, Palace at Jaipur and Jaisalmer, Golconda Fort, Mandu Fort.

b) Important Mosques: Jama Masjid , Moti Masjid.

c) Temples: Brihadeswara temple at Tanjore, Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh , Sun Temple at Konark, Dilwara Temple , Golden Temple.

d) Tombs: Humayun's Tomb, Taj Mahal, Safdarjung Tomb.

e) Other Monuments: Qutub Minar, Char Minar , Victory Tower etc.

2) Coins:Coins are another source of history. Coins were issued by various rulers which depict the date and at times show the picture of the ruler. Metals used in these coins tell us about the economic state of the kingdom. 

3) Biographies and Autobiographies: Biographies and Autobiographies are important sources of history. They give an insight into the ruler's life and the social, economic and political life during that period. For example, 

          a) Ain - i - Akbari written by Abul Fazl gives an insight into Akbar's administration.

          b) Tuzki - Jahangiri by Jahangir.

           c) Baburnama by Babur.

             Similarly,we come to know about Prithviraj from Prithviraj Raso written by Chand Barsai.

4) Travelogues: During the Medieval period, a number of foreign travellers visited India and left an account of what they observed. It really helps us to know about the India of that period. Some examples are: Ibn Battutah about Muhammad bin Tughluq, Marco Polo about South India, Al Beruni about Balban, Abdul Razzaq about the Vijayanagara Kingdom.

5) Paintings and Artefacts: Painting, artefacts and descriptions of music and cultural aspects tell us about the culture of medieval times. Other sources are religious literature, inscriptions and various documents.

7) What are the problems faced by historians?

Historians faced several problems during the Medieval period. They are as follows:

               1) Quality of Source: During the past ,the following aspects also affected the quality of source:

                a) There were no printing machines.

                b) No common languages existed.

                c) The material used for inscriptions were derived from stones, metals, parchments, barks and paper.

                d) With time they have eroded in quality and faded in colour.

                e) As copying was not with the help of carbon papers or reprints, there are variations in the versions available at different places.

            2) Interpretation of source: Interpretation of source is another problem faced by the historian.

*Amir Khusrao's actual name was Yasmin - ud- Din Muhammad Hassan.He became a disciple of Sheikh Nizamuddin Auliya.

Some Important Questions :

8) Into how many parts was medieval period divided?

Ans: Two.

9)  What do we study in the early medieval period?

Ans: In the early medieval period we study about Cholas, Palas, Rashtrakuta and Rajputs as powerful dynasties.

10) Name the dynasties about which we study in the later medieval period?

Ans: In the later medieval period we study about Turks, Afghans and Mughals.

11) What is the extent of Indian Subcontinent?

Ans: Indian Subcontinent extends from Afghanistan to Myanmar and on the South are the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea.

12) How did India get its title as Sapt Sindhu?

Ans: India get itstitle as 'Sapt Sindhu' as it covered the area of seven rivers. The rivers are- Indus, Kabul, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi ,Beas and Sutlej. 

13) Who was Minhaj - i - Siraj?

Ans: Minhaj-i-Siraj was a chronicler of the 13th century.

14) Name some of the mosques and temples built during the medieval pariod.

Ans: The mosques and temples were built during the medieval period.

Some mosques are: Jama Masjid, Moti Masjid etc.

Some important temples: Brihadeswara Temple at Tanjore, Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh, Sun Temple at Kornak, Dilwara Temple, Golden Temple etc.

15) What does the use of different metals in the coins tell us about the early kingdoms?

Ans: The use of different metals in the coins tell us about the economic state of the early kingdoms.

16) Who wrote Ain - i - Akbari?

Ans: Abul Fazl.

17) Who wrote Prithviraj Raso?

Ans: Chand Bardai.

18) How do we come to know of Vijayanagara kingdom?

Ans: We come to know about Vijayanagara kingdom through the travelogue of Abdul Razzaq.

 19)   Write down the impact of travel and trade on the civilization  of that time.

Ans: During the Medieval period , people started travelling to more distinct places and travellers  from,Persia, Arabia, China and other distant foreign lands started visiting India  to explore and understand the people. These voyages and travels helped to develop trade and exchange of items from different regions of far flung areas. The message of the levels of prosperity in this region travelled wide and trade increased.

 
20) What does the word Rajputra mean?

Ans: The word Rajputra meaning the son of a ruler.

 
21) When did the Turks, Afghans, and Mughals begin to come towards India?

Ans: From the 12th century onwards the Turks, Afghans and Mughals begin to come towards India.

 
22) Name two languages which grew in popularity during the Medieval Period.

Ans: Urdu and Persian.

 
23) Who is Cartographer? 

Ans: Cartographer is a person who makes maps.

 
24) What is Biography?

Ans: Biography is a life history of a person written by someone other than the individual himself.

 
25) What is Autobiography?
Ans: Autobiography is a biography written by a person himself.

          

                

 26. Multiple Choice Questions. Tick the correct option.

1.Indian history of the medieval times began from 

a) 6th century AD b) 7 th century AD     

c) 10 th century AD d) 8th century AD

Ans: 8th century AD.       

2.The land to the East of Indus came to be called the Hindustan by the 

a) Greeks b) Persians c) Arabs d) Both b & c

Ans: Both a & c.

3.Which Veda has the reference of a name of a king named Bharat?

a) Rigveda b) Yajurveda c) Samaveda d) Atharvaveda.

Ans: Rigveda.

4. Ain -i- Akbari was written by 

a) Chandbardai b) Abul Fazal c) Minhaj -i - Siraj d) None of these.

Ans: Abul Fazal.

5. We come to know about Muhammad Tughluq from the account written by

a) Abdul Razzaq b) Al Beruni c) Ibn Battutah d) Marco Polo

Ans: Ibn Battutah.

6. Sun Temple is located at

a) Amritsar b) Madhya Pradesh c) Konark d) Kanchipuram.

Ans: Konark.

7. Ain - i - Akbari gives us an insight of 

a) Babar's administration b) Humayun's administration

b) Akbar's administration d) Jahangir's administration

Ans: Akbar's administration.

8. The court language of the Mughals was 

a) Hindi b) Sanskrit c) Persian d) Urdu

Ans: Persian.

9. Cholas gained importance in 

a) North India b) South India c) West India d) East India

Ans: South India.

27. Fill in the blanks.

1.Later Medieval Period is from 13 th to 18 th century AD.

2. In earlier times there were no surveyed maps.

3. The region of Indian subcontinent extends from Afghanistan to Myanmar.

4. The name India came to English usage from the 17 th century onwards.

5. Abdul Razzaq wrote about the Vijaynagara kingdom.

28. State whether the statements are true or false.

1. In the later Medieval Period of Indian history we study about Turks, Afghans and Mughals.

Ans: True.

2. The 'h' in Persian is similar to 'i' in Sanskrit.

Ans: False.

3. Prithviraj Raso was written by Abul Fazal.

Ans: False.

4. Historians face lots of difficulties in reading the various sources.

Ans: True.

5. Saints and Sufis preached harmony in the society.

Ans: True.

29.Match the following.